The people of Fortuna have evidently mastered manifestation, perhaps connecting with their namesake goddess. One can only assume this from the imminent opening of a larger branch of the Asia’s Best market there and a second location for the Garberville-based Il Forno Bakery (1006 Main St., Fortuna). What candles are you lighting, Fortunans? The chai […]
Eat + Drink
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Falafelove Blooms in King Salmon
A low chalkboard sign with the words “falafel” and “open” is the only warning before you miss the turn into the recently opened Falafelove’s little parking lot in King Salmon (1125 King Salmon Ave.). Inside, with jars of preserved lemons and olives overhead, owner Avi Leibson hustles between a fryer basket of browned falafel and […]
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Best Oyster Goes Pop-up
By 9:45 a.m. on Saturday, June 15, chefs, staffers and volunteers were pushing through the doors of the former Mazzotti’s, carrying platters of oysters on drifts of white salt, cold stones and ice. Most of the restaurant, slated to open as another Italian spot under new owner Jack Wu, was dark, but there was plenty […]
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Banning Plastics and Bioplastics at Oyster Fest
If each of the more than 12,000 people in attendance at Arcata Bay Oyster Festival restrained themselves to only two orders of grilled Pacifics served with disposable forks, 24,000 sets of plastic prongs would likely make their way to landfill. Events of such a scale not only create a lively community, but also literal tons […]
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What’s Good at the Friday Night Market
The first Friday Night Market of the season crossed light sabers with the Forest Moon Festival on May 31, packing Old Town’s closed streets with vendors and Vaders, buskers and Wookiees. Favorites returned, like Frybread Love’s Indian tacos, the empanadas from La Colombiana and, yes, that’s the mobile fryer of the Love Mini Donuts stall […]
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What’s Good: Stirring the Pot
Soup’s on at St. Vincent de Paul Veteran restaurant cook and ceramicist Mark Campbell has found his niche in the annual Empty Bowls fundraiser for St. Vincent de Paul’s free dining facility (“Filling Empty Bowls,” May 25, 2023). His ceramics training at Humboldt State University and his years working, then volunteering for the nonprofit kitchen […]
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Last Call for Soup at Japhy’s
Tera Mar and Kate Manley showed up at 10 a.m. to stake out the first spot in line for a last meal from Japhy’s Soup and Noodles today. The restaurant announced its closure this week after a quarter century in business and the line for its final lunch service stretches up the block to Northtown […]
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How the Linguiça is Made
Earlier in the day, there was some dispute as to how much Pabst Blue Ribbon to add to the cast iron pan of linguiça chunks Ariel Peugh is stirring. Given the cooling effects of the breeze outside the Ferndale Community Center, where five teams are grilling, boiling and simmering for the Linguiça Cook-off, some of […]
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Secrets of SoHum
As someone who travels almost weekly between Northern and Southern Humboldt, I can tell you that, to the naked eye, it may seem like somewhat of a food desert. You leave the metropolis of Fortuna and slowly enter a redwood hallway with mysterious turnoffs and avenues. Always considering what the next snack will be, I […]
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What’s Good: Thai, Doughnuts and a Rooftop View
Willow Creek Thai in Eureka Willow Creek has long drawn campers, hikers, rafters and Bigfoot hunters. And if, when you pull off the cartoonishly winding, cliff-hugging State Route 299, you can unlock your hand from the grab bar, you can enjoy a view of majestic trees and the sunlight bouncing from a glossy chicken wing […]
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Mexican Restaurants Support English Express for Cinco de Mayo
Before Mary Ann Hytken found space to hold classes and establish the local nonprofit English Express, she says, she made do in Mexican markets. “I had a little folding chair and table, and I would give one-on-one English lessons.” She also taught ESL in the more conventional classrooms of College of the Redwoods. Then, she […]