My new book, Mystery on the Menu is a cozy culinary mystery set in the fictional town of Orca’s Slough, a tiny island tourist destination in Puget Sound. It features Chef Drew Allison, the chef/owner of a struggling restaurant called the Eelgrass Bistro. One day Drew goes in to open the shop and finds his bartender dead in the basement — murdered with Drew’s own personal knife. Drew’s day only gets worse from there.
In the heart of Fresno, California, Lazaro and Niermin Santana have embarked on a flavorful journey with their local food truck, Havana Cafe. This husband-and-wife duo are bringing the vibrant and delicious cuisine of Lazaro’s Cuban heritage to the Central Valley, and have quickly captured the hearts and taste buds of the community. Through hard work, family support, and a dedication to authentic flavors, Havana Cafe has become a beloved hotspot for those seeking a taste of Cuba.
Earlier this year KRL wrote about a young woman named Natalie Cruz from Reedley who started her own coffee company, Zolú Café. When I attended the Reedley Farmers Market at Reedley College a few weeks ago to meet Natalie in person and finally try her coffee for myself (which is awesome by the way), I also met another young Reedley woman who had started her own business—Grace Fedor.
Lindsay Murray is living her dream now that her family and she have opened Spice Isle Bakery. She enjoys sharing all the exotic flavors of her family’s Grenadian heritage along with a West Indian decor, old-school reggae tunes, and fascinating stories often shared by Granny, and it’s not uncommon to see customers rockin’ out to the music’s rhythm while waiting in line.
Usually, The Great Food Search seeks out unique dishes and eating establishments in the San Joaquin Valley, but this installment is a little different. I focused on chain restaurants. I dragged my wife (All right, sometimes she dragged me) to places in Clovis, Fresno, and Kingsburg. We discovered Spring menus and new offerings at well-known restaurants ... and they were good! Follow us on another Great Food Search to see what’s new in some of the Old Reliables.
This week we have reviews of 4 food mysteries for you to enjoy for your Mother's Day celebrations-Ashes to Ashes, Crust to Crust: A Deep Dish Mystery by Mindy Quigley, Cinnamon Twisted: A Deputy Donut Mystery by Ginger Bolton, Death by Chocolate Marshmallow Pie: A Death by Chocolate Mystery by Sarah Graves, and Death by Iced Coffee: A Bookstore Café Mystery by Alex Erickson.
The Pie Mamas is the true definition of what it means to “keep it in the family.” Anna Covarrubias, alongside her two sisters, their mom and dad, her own children, and her nieces and nephews, are the driving force behind the Fresno-based bakery, The Pie Mamas.
This week we have reviews of 3 food mysteries for you to enjoy for your Easter feast and beyond-Curds of Prey: A Cheese Shop Mystery by Korina Moss, Four Parties and a Funeral: A Catering Hall Mystery by Maria DiRico, and Lemon Curd Killer: A Tea Shop Mystery by Laura Childs.
The 2023 Fresno Rogue Performance Festival has come and gone, but the memories remain. For The Great Food Search, some of the best memories are of food. As I went from venue to venue, reviewing strange and amazing shows, one thing became obvious: even reviewers need to eat! Since the venues for the Rogue were in the Tower District, restaurants in that area were the obvious choice for the hungry reviewer. Therefore, here is a selection of where I went and what I got for Rogue ’23.
Through the years, I have followed and reported on many food entrepreneurs, people with vision, skill, talent, flair, and a great idea. Some have succeeded and some have failed. All have faced similar challenges: location, or buying equipment without having to invest more money than they have for acquisition and maintenance. But what if a common location existed for creating culinary masterpieces with adequate equipment, storage space, support, and 24-hour access?
