When Food Blogs Cross Over Into International Human Rights with Pinochet and WikiLeaks' Julian Assange
There are infinite reasons to adore the nation of Chile: the rowdy and ravishing rivers and lakes of Pucon, the breathtaking sweep of Patagonian glaciars, the unique S-less "ma o meno" accents, the steep and colorful charms of Valparaiso, the pink flamingos and expansive salt flats of San Pedro de ...
Monster Summer Weekend Rolls On, From Ron White to MotoGP Parties to Reggae Festival
It's one of those supreme summer weekends where the amount of activity in lil' ol' Monterey County approaches a prodigious per-capita ascendency. Ron White, man of unrelenting honesty including “'I’m sorry you feel that way' is the nicest possible way of saying 'fuck you,'" takes the stage at Fox Theater ...
A Poem on a Solitary Stone Fruit With Help From William Carlos Williams
OK William Carlos Williams, you had your plum fun in the sun (and the icebox), now my turn. apologies to WCW • a pluot poem the other day I picked a pluot... from a tiny lil' tree.... not much of a farmer am I.... but I grew it, 'twas really ...
Zeph's One Stop Waives At-the-Door Fee to Celebrate Facility Remodel
Zeph’s One Stop (757-3947) is a Salinas landmark for a reason. Make that many reasons…including its strategic location right where Highway 68 enters Salinas before Blanco Road and Star Market and the big-time bargain tastings like tonight’s Chardonnay session. For just an Andrew Jackson (in advance) guests get music, a ...
"Hey Mr. Mixologist," the Latest from the Fog & Smog Freaks Behind "Getting Real in the Whole Foods Parking Lot"
In baseball, when you hit for a single, a double, a triple and a home run in one game, it's called a cycle. In adding the new home run parody video "Hey Mr. Mixologist" to its three previous standout hits—"It's Getting Real in the Whole Foods Parking Lot," "Hey Yoga ...
Three Recipes Straight From Enlightened Tassajara Zen Monks
Fortunately for foodies, the meditation hall isn’t the only place in the Tassajara Mountain Zen Center where folks are most likely places to experience enlightenment. Just as good, say the monks: the kitchen. If chopping onions is more your style than sitting cross-legged for hours, those monks can guide you ...
Adored Nepenthe Legend, Willie Nelson, Dies
Willie Nelson worked at Big Sur's iconic Nepenthe (667-2345) for more than half a century. Her parents, Dotty and George Lopes, were the first day chef and bartender. She didn't think she could work anywhere else. So she didn't. An entire community is thoroughly grateful she did. And an entire ...
The Inspiration Behind the Bakery Station-Fluff Cupcakery Oldtown Chili Cookoff Win
You know your OMG chili is spicy when a Salinas firefighter shows up and asks if you have a fire extinguisher. His wasn’t the only pressing question at the first ever Oldtown Salinas Chili Cookoff, which worked as a prelude to the California Rodeo Salinas parade last Saturday. At our ...
Incredible Friday the 13th Food Numbers: From 100 Flavors of Soda in One Machine to a 6-Ton Strawberry Shortcake
For whatever reason this Friday the 13th has been a day distinguished by surprising—and at times scary—numbers making their way across my viewscape. But the most stunning was not word from the Monterey County Fairgrounds leadership that this year's summer installment of carnival rides, concerts and games at the fair—named ...
Killer Sardines, Oysters and Padron Peppers for Cheap at The Whaling Station
The local prix fixe three-course dinner at The Whaling Station (373-3778) remains one of the better deals around Cannery Row. It's $20 for a whole steamed artichoke or curry soup or mixed green salad (the soup’s my favorite; the artichoke is surprisingly poorly presented), plus a big main like the ...
Bacon Cups, Save Us From the Spooky 'Big Organic' News
Bacon bowls will save us. With an assist from licky clams. We need saving because Big Organic, the opportunistic offshoot of Big Food, is increasingly eroding the standards that define certified organic. That was the major punchline of the most talked-about food article of the year so far, the Sunday ...
Underground Foie Gras-Marijuana-Moonshine Appetizer Rules
In the scrum of last night's Independent Marketplace, a gifted chef—who will remain unnamed—discreetly served me an appetizer plate he estimates would cost $1,225 retail. With his granddaughter looking on, he went through its elements: • Buttermilk-bread French toast topped with Carmel Valley white peaches and seared foie gras. • ...
Spicy Statements From Local Tastemakers, Like Selling Heroin, Demanding Better Burgers and Big-Time Bargains
One of my original visits to Cachagua General Store Monday night dinners told me much about what was coming within the first line on the menu: "No Home Remedies Roadhouse," it said. Or at least gave me the initial clue. "Duct-taped dog balls inspired tonight's menu," Chef Michael Jones explained ...
Haikus About Vegetables Rule—and Can Win a $55 Happy Girl Kitchen Feast for Free
The idea is enough to keep me revved for months: produce poetry. But before the ever-so-healthy haikus, a quick note: It seems a week doesn’t go by where the Food Blog or the Foodie Newsletter—email edible@mcweekly.com to sign up—doesn’t give away tickets to something tasty, like the Blues Festival a ...
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Monterey