Simple ideas are often the best.
That finds tasty expression with the debut of Nico’s Ice Cream in Santa Cruz (111 Locust St.) doing New Zealand–style ice cream that’s also called real fruit ice cream.
The straightforward formula involves a choice of fresh fruit (Nico’s prioritizes blueberries, strawberries and raspberries) plowed directly into soft ice cream (Tillamook vanilla is the house fave here) through a special Little Jem machine manufactured in New Zealand.
Drawing from two taste tests—I went for raspberry and blueberry on my visits—I can testify the Jem produces a swirl satisfying on the palate and the Gram, boosted by optional add-ons like Tajin spice and graham cracker dust. (Nico’s also does a vegan take with a Coconut Bliss base.)
As creator-owner-operator Nico Vergara told me when his Cannery Row spot was announced, “Part of the show is to see it all blended together.” nicosicecream.com
PEEL DEAL
The grand opening of Tanuki Dry Farmhouse Cider’s new shared home in the now-Sones Cellars/Tanuki Cider Tasting Room (334-B Ingalls St, Santa Cruz) happens 1-9pm Saturday, Nov. 16.
That’s where cidermaster Robby Honda will pour from his locally grown-and-sown catalog of single-varietal and six-strain ciders, wine grape-cider co-ferments, canned and corked ciders, and ciders from apple trees ranging from a dozen years to a dozen decades old.
The occasion will include oysters shucked by H&H Fish, live music from local performers, and art by FJ Anderson on the walls, tanukicider.com
BALLER APPETITE
The Santa Cruz Warriors leapt into a new season last weekend, splitting games with the Valley Suns at Kaiser Permanente Arena. Another home game, against the South Bay Lakers, tips 7pm Friday, Nov. 15. That has me hyped as a hoops head, but also as a fan of good food because of a) synergies with outfits like Penny Ice Cream (free scoop with 100 points scored) and Woodstock’s Pizza (10 percent off with code SeaDubs10), and b) The SeaDubs’ Swishes for Dishes program, which partners with Second Harvest Food Bank to donate 10 meals for each point the team scores, santacruz.gleague.nba.com
SPORE IN STORE
It is impossible to overstate Paul Stamets’ impact on mycology—he’s discovered new species, developed game-changing patents to remediate eco-disaster and pest invasions, authored books like Mycelium Running, and tutored millions on the healing power of psilocybin. That’s fitting, because the same can be said about the fungi kingdom he’s obsessed with, which he calls, “the neurological network of nature.” A few GA tix remain for his talk Nov. 14 at Golden State Theatre in Monterey, goldenstatetheatre.com
NUTRITIONAL NUGS
A special viewing of Food, Inc. 2, deepened by a discussion with co-writer/producer/investigative journalist Eric Schlosser, happens Nov. 23 at 418 Project (155 River St., Santa Cruz, $13-17), homelessgardenproject.org…Santa Cruz-based New Leaf Community Markets’ freshest branch is officially open in the former Lucky’s supermarket location at King’s Plaza Shopping Center (1475 41st Ave., Capitola), newleaf.com…Pete’s Fish House (231 Esplanade, Suite 102, Capitola) has started up lunch service noon-3pm Saturday-Sunday (4-5pm Pearl Hour and 5-8:30pm dinner are ongoing Thursday-Monday), petesfishhouse.com…Centrally located Cruz Kitchen and Taps (145 Laurel St., Santa Cruz) has closed after almost three years. Co-creator Mia Thorn’s emotional IG message is worth checking out for its raw appeal for community support, which includes, “I want to close…with dignity.”
The new New Leaf store need
has a LOT of bugs to be worked out – they opened far too soon? a week or so of test run would’ve made things easier on customers
-it will be quite a while until I return to that store