Pop-Up Popularity
Female chefs and bakers find success outside the traditional restaurant model
These nomadic eateries, which surged in popularity around the Great Recession, came in vogue again during the COVID-19 pandemic, often as the only option for cooks in lockdown.
The Design of Dining
Restaurant owners put as much thought into their interiors as they do their food
Comstock’s took a look at three restaurants in the Capital Region where the interior design is as thoughtfully conceived as the cooking, places so special they’ll have you second guessing yourself the next time you’re tempted to order takeout.
The Chiliheads of Sacramento
National chili competitions are the spice of life for Capital Region retirees — including the founders of Jimboy’s
We’re like a biker gang, but we make chili,” says competitive chili cook Toni Groth, who travels across the country with her husband Mark to fight for the title of World’s Best. Plus, Jimboy’s gives us the chili scoop.
Women in Leadership: Rayne Thompson
Our annual salute to women at the top of their field
When Thompson attended college at Notre Dame of Maryland University, she chose to pursue her interest in psychology, hoping to “help people with their problems.” But, as fate would have it, she ended up doing that through policy rather than therapy.
La Dulce Vida
Meet the Capital Region panaderos bringing creative flavors and techniques to Mexican bakery classics
Pan dulce (in English, sweet bread) is being reimagined by intrepid bakers across the Capital Region. Comstock’s recently spoke with three local panaderos who are taking pan dulce to new heights while simultaneously paying tribute to the cultural traditions and food memories that shaped them.
Reset and Drink Up
These Capital Region cafes offer food and drink with a side of health care
Across the region, health food businesses are branching beyond acai bowls and chia-seed puddings to offer customers a broader spectrum of health programs and treatments. From juice cleanses to lattes with a side of ionic detoxification, the spread of these businesses demonstrates that customers are willing to invest in their health — and are looking beyond the traditional health care system to do so.
Lotus Pub Is a Low-Key Gourmet Hideaway
A place to take your time by the South Fork of the American River
It’s the first night back after Lotus Pub’s annual two-week holiday break, and at 5 p.m. when the doors swing open on this frigid Friday in January, a line has already formed.
Startup of the Month: AgriNerds
Mapping tool helps farmers track carriers of bird flu
In recent years, avian influenza (or “bird flu”) has been on a rampage, wiping out wild and domestic birds, disrupting the environment, and causing a shortage of eggs and poultry meat. The Davis-based startup AgriNerds aims to help farmers to identify potential risks and protect poultry against the threat of diseased ducks.
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Restaurants Are Hanging Up on the House Phone
How the pandemic and rising costs led to the ‘phoneless restaurant’
This may have happened to you: You call a restaurant, and instead of a live person, you get a recorded voice telling you to leave a message and someone will get back to you. Or even worse, you go online looking for a restaurant’s phone number, only to discover there isn’t one.