Half the population of Humboldt has worked at Ramone’s Bakery and Cafe at some point in their life, myself included. I worked as line cook, caterer and the occasional cookie decorator during holiday seasons. The schedule was flexible and co-workers were family; they could be annoying and have issues but you loved them nonetheless. And […]
Malina Syvoravong
Posted inEat + Drink
Cambodian Community, Doughnuts and Prahok
Usually I’m more than excited when a fellow Southeast Asian has won an award for culinary prowess but, this time around, I wasn’t amused. Humboldt residents, you voted for a Cambodian restaurant to win the North Coast Journal’s Best Chinese Restaurant award. Anthony Bourdain is probably rolling in his grave right now. China and Cambodia […]
Posted inEat + Drink
The Bird and the Brine
I have the best chicken recipe for you all. But before you start on this journey, you must have experienced the trial and error of making a bad chicken. Failing is part of really understanding how to make an incredible roasted chicken. Now, what do you consider a good piece of chicken? We all have […]
Posted inEat + Drink
Elegant Macerated Strawberries
My relationship with strawberries is complex. My only opportunity to buy groceries is in the dead of night, having finally left a 12-hour shift working on a TV show production set or photoshoot. Safeway or 7-Eleven are my only options, and when I have strawberry cravings, the quality from those stores is lackluster. I miss […]
Posted inEat + Drink
Mah-der: A Laotian Call to the Table
Slipping off my shoes at the front door, I leave them with the other hundred pairs piled into a gigantic mound. Entertaining the idea of having to go on a manhunt for them later on, I turn the knob, opening the door slightly ajar to let out a thick cloud of steam. It drifts over […]