Cherchez le Dip The French dip sandwich you’ve been ordering everywhere in hope of finding a good one isn’t actually French. There, there, mes amis. France can dry its tears on its long list of culinary accomplishments. Or it can stop at Oberon Grill (516 Second St.) to feed its feelings with Nick’s French Dip […]
Visitor’s Guide
Posted inEat + Drink
The Sweet Hereafter
When the spirits of the departed return, you don’t offer them just anything. Sweet, colorful pan de muerto, or bread of the dead, only shows up on altars and tables during the Mexican Day of the Dead celebrations on Nov. 1 and 2. Have you been under a rock? Or on the East Coast? If […]
Posted inNews
Albert and the Baskets
The women in her family made baskets — Yurok, Karuk and Hupa women who, since time immemorial, went into the woods and hills to gather sticks and bark, lily stems and other materials, then pounded, split, dried, dyed and bleached them and wove them into beautiful, strong tools. Baby carriers, hoppers, cooking and eating bowls, […]
Posted inEat + Drink
Baking Beauties
Cosmetically challenged,” read the politically correct sign on a case of apples I saw at a farmers market a few years ago. I applaud the farmer for promoting the blemished or not-perfect-enough, but I would like to propose something bolder: I hereby launch the campaign to focus on those apples’ virtues, labeling them with names […]
Posted inLife + Outdoors
Saddle Up!
I’m fresh off the trail with Sis Bruner of Redwood Trails Horse Rides. An Orick native, Bruner grew up out by the little red schoolhouse just south of town. As a young girl, when her dad wouldn’t buy her a horse (because you can’t milk a horse) she rode a dairy cow instead. “Years ago,” […]
Posted inEat + Drink
Sour Grapes
Anyone who thinks farm life is simple and idyllic has never tried to preserve without the benefit of gas heat and electric refrigerators. As a kid, I watched my mom make pickles using an heirloom pickling crock and an intimidating amount of wax. The whole process seemed like something best left to the professionals. That […]
Posted inEat + Drink
Hum Plate Roundup
Slow Mocha Is that rain? Quick, run into Café Mokka (495 J St., Arcata), slide into a window seat and watch the back garden get all misty. We can’t afford to waste wet days anymore, so make your mocha a double ($3.10). There is no pit crew of headset-wearing baristas, and you are not going […]
Posted inFood & Drink
The Takeaway
Humboldt Bay Tourism Center 205 G St., Eureka Not your usual rack of pamphlets and maps here, though you can book tours and such. Instead, the rustic/industrial-chic oyster bar showcases local products. You could dip into a single Kumamoto or Bucksport oyster ($2 raw, $3 broiled), or go all in with a platter of a […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Seasonal Sipping
With so many bars, taprooms and wineries to choose from and so little daylight to spare, it’s hard to know where to start on the quest for the quintessential seasonal beverage. Rest assured, we’ve done the footwork for you. The Tomodachi at Tomo (708 Ninth St., Arcata) is a cool weather go-to, though it can […]
Posted inFood & Drink
DI Wine
Bob Stockwell, wine guru at the Arcata Co-op for the past 20 years, helped us sort out a choose-your-own-adventure sampling of Humboldt County vino. Cheers! Bubbly Briceland Brut: A nice, dry sparkler (that sells out!). $35 White Light Bodied: Frog Alley Sauvignon Blanc. Best Winery at the Humboldt County Fair. Crisp, with white fruit overtones. $12 Sun […]
Posted inShopping
Old Town Vintage
Antiques and Goodies A family-owned business open since 1978, Antiques and Goodies is perhaps best known for its large collection of furniture from here and abroad. These one-of-a-kind items can be packed and shipped almost anywhere. Shoppers will also find a lovingly selected collection of “smalls,” such as dolls, tins and dishes — like the […]
