Fisher's Delicatessen

Want to eat a delicious, heartwarming meal that features locally-grown and made products in Hollister? Then check out Fisher's Delicatessen, at 650 San Benito Street in downtown Hollister, that recently opened. 

The new restaurant is owned by Chef Mike Fisher, a popular caterer, who is well-known in the region for his amazing dishes. A Hollister native, Chef Mike graduated from Le Cordon Bleu Academy of Culinary Arts in Paris and broadened his culinary skills and experience at the Hotel del Coronado, Bernardus Lodge, and other distinguished restaurants. Chef Mike has also been part of the team putting together the annual San Benito Olive Festival.

Fisher's Delicatessen offers both sit-down service and take-out. Its creative menu includes small plates (such as babaganoush, hummus, and marinated olives), salads (grilled asparagus, hello), soups (seafood chowder!), sandwiches, and entrees. If you're into craft beer on tap or the wines from San Benito County, the restaurant has several choices for you. 

When the Husband and I were there yesterday, the entrees included lasagne bolognese, turkey stew, tri-tip steak, and harissa shrimp skewers. I had the stew, which was made with free-range turkey. There is definitely a difference in what ingredients are used. Yummmmmm.  

Fisher's Delicatessen is open from Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Chef Mike Fisher

Stop and See!

On the southwest corner of Fourth and East Streets are two fun shops. One is Bill's Bullpen that has the latest sports cards, comic books, sports memorabilia, and other sweet stuff. Next door is San Benito Glass that offers glass repair and installation, as well as a wide array of antiques for sale.

Stop and see for yourself when you're in downtown Hollister.

Thank You Very Much!

It's tough making a brick-and-mortar business succeed, regardless of whether you're new or been around for a long while, or whether the economic times are poor or good. Making the decision to say "That's it! We need to close our doors." is a hard thing to do as well. 

These are a few of the shops and restaurants that said Good-bye to us in Hollister in 2015. Thank you very much for your good cheer and service!

She's closed in June after 23 years of being in business. It was one of the few independent clothing shops specializing in women's apparel in town. Although her clothing shop is no more, its owner Sheila Stevens can be found at her other two businesses in Hollister, The Heavenly Bakery  on San Benito Street and She's Consignment Store, at the corner of Fifth and East Streets. 

Swanky Finds, a thrift and consignment shop, closed earlier this year. The fun shop was next to the Country Rose Cafe on San Benito Street.

Closing the doors of Muenzer's Keys & Teez in October marked the end of 105 years of Muenzer's presence in Hollister. In 2012, Muenzer's downsized and moved next door to its original storefront on Fifth Street. 

3rd Base Burger Bar, formerly Grillin & Chillin Downtown, on the main drag closed several weeks ago. However, we can still enjoy the hospitality of the owners, Chuck and Joann Frowein, at their two other establishments—Roadhouse Grillin & Chillin, corner of Highway 156 and Mitchell Road, and Grillin & Chillin Alehouse on McCray Street. 

The Best of Times Cafe  served its last meals to customers earlier this month. Paul and his colleagues purchased the cafe in July, 2014.  The cafe opened in 1996 as the Hard Times Cafe. Somewhere in time the first owner was forced to change its name because a franchise chain on the East coast owned the name.

The Hi Outlet in Downtown Hollister

After nearly two years of sitting empty, the building at 549 San Benito Street has a new occupant. The Hi Outlet (which was once on Tres Pinos Road) opened for business a few days before Christmas in downtown historical Hollister. The building was previously home to Penny Wise Drug.

Classic Knights in Downtown Hollister

I don't know what's funniest—Yoda as Santa Claus, Yoda next to a medieval knight, or Yoda and the knight being barkers for a furniture store in downtown historical Hollister. What do you say?

A Birthday Mocha

Getting a mocha java at Vertigo Coffee is worth pedaling over 13 miles on a beach cruiser. That was my birthday gift to me. The mocha java. And, a ride through San Juan Valley.

If you'd like to read about my ride, click here to go to The View from the Top of the Ladder.  See ya tomorrow.

Window Shopping in Historic Downtown Hollister

Bella Charm

To help make Christmas shopping less hectic in Downtown Hollister, the City has lifted parking hour restrictions until January 8, 2016.

For a list of some of the downtown Hollister businesses, check out these links: shops and thrift stores.

Enjoy!

Johnnie's Girl

Irma's Fashions

Eclectic Treasures

San Benito Bene

Santa Claus Sighted in Hollister

There he is! Biker Santa Claus on Johnny's Bar & Grill's ledge.

See you tomorrow.

Support Our Local Merchants During the Holidays

While you're out and about checking out all the cool events going on today in San Benito County (see yesterday's post), take a look at the local shops that may be nearby. You may find that holiday gift or idea that you're seeking.

Today in San Juan Bautista is the "Holiday Stroll Through Time" from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Many of the San Juan merchants are holding an open house, offering refreshments and such to their customers.

Hanging around Hollister today?  Here are a few small businesses in and around Downtown Hollister to check out.

Bella Charm, 748 San Benito Street
Gaia's Cottage, 200 Tres Pinos Road
Eclectic Treasures, 731 San Benito Street
Irma's Fashions, 230 Fifth Street
Johnnie's Girl, 535 San Benito Street
McAbee Feed, 71 McCloskey Road
Off the Chain Bikes, 101 McCray Street, Suite 101
Rancher's Feed, 354 First Street
San Benito Bene, 615 San Benito Street, Suite B
The Garden Mart, 190 San Benito Street


Note to FCC: I was not compensated to mention any business on this post, nor any other post on Take 25 to Hollister. 

Johnnie's Girl

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a new shop in Downtown Hollister. It's called Johnnie's Girl! This cute boutique of nifty, fun handcrafted items is located at 535 San Benito Street, the once-upon-a-time location of Maddux Jewelry.

Johnnie's Girl is run by daughter-mother team, Sarah and Patty, whom some of you may already know. They've sold their gorgeous flower plates at local crafts fairs, through The Grove and San Juan Bakery, and at their place on Holliday Street.

Johnnie's Girl will have its grand opening on November 11, 2015. But, their doors are currently open for business. If I remember correctly, from Thursday through Saturday. For more details, visit its Facebook page.

Best of luck to you, Sarah and Patty!

Chocolate To Go, Please

This is the large chocolate that the Husband ordered to go from Vertigo Coffee in San Juan Bautista yesterday. After seeing it, I wished I had, too.

Nano's Caribbean Restaurant

Nano's Caribbean Restaurant is something different for Hollister. It's a wonderful difference, too. Jamaican jerk chicken, coconut prawns with a mango dip, fried plantains, black beans, and more.

The restaurant opened several months ago in the former site of Ella's near Ace Hardware on Airline Highway (aka Highway 25).

The Husband, the Godmother, and I had dinner there earlier this week for the first time. We all ordered dinner plates—jerk chicken for the Husband, coconut prawns for the Godmother, and pulled pork fajitas for myself. Each plate had generous portions of the entree, grilled vegetables, black beans, rice topped with a bit of slaw and pineapple, and a slice of fried plantain.

I not only had a delicious dinner, but lunch as well the next day.

Floating Downward in Tres Pinos

"What's that noise?"

Last Sunday afternoon, the Husband and I looked upward for the source of the fluttering sound. We saw a bunch of solo and tandem skydivers floating towards their drop spot in the field across from the Immaculate Conception Church in Tres Pinos. 

I remember my own downward journey through the sky several years ago quite well, thank you very much. It was amazing way up there in the sky. Definitely, though, skydiving is not for everyone. But, if you're interested, Skydive Hollister is located at the Hollister Airport.

See You Next Year!

Last Wednesday was the last day of the Downtown Hollister Farmers Market. Until next year, at least two places to find local, fresh fruits and vegetables are Bertuccio's–The Farm at the corner of Highway 25 and Union Road and the Pinnacles Farmstand in San Juan Valley on Saturday mornings.

A Jumping Coffee Roaster

Have you ever seen the 1930s cartoons in which inanimate objects, such as tables, chairs, and coffee pots, are dancing to popping music, such as "Jumpin' Jive" from Cab Calloway? The coffee bean roaster at Vertigo Coffee reminds me of those cartoons.

See you tomorrow.

Pietra Santa

This is tasting room for the Pietra Santa Winery in the Cienega Valley above Hollister. I always forget how beautiful and magical it is up by the winery.

Pietra Santa is Italian for Sacred Stone. The sacred stone in this case is the amazing soil from which grape vines and olive trees grow to produce crops for award winning wines and olive oils. To learn more about Pietra Santa, check out its website or Facebook page.

Hacienda de Léal

The Husband and I experienced another first yesterday evening. We attended a function in the courtyard of the Hacienda de Léal in San Juan Bautista. It was quite pleasant, sitting beneath the Manzanillo olive trees as we talked with friends, ate pizza and desserts from The Grove Restaurant, and watched the night fall.

Brewery Twenty Five

Yesterday morning, the Husband and I read on Facebook that Brewery Twenty Five delivered a freshly brewed keg of stout beer in Hollister. Our quest was on to get a taste of the beer handcrafted by local brewers Sean and Fran Fitzharris. We knew it could only be deliciously out of this world. And, if we didn't act fast, we would miss out yet again on tasting their brew.

Although the young couple established Brewery Twenty Five a couple of years ago, it has only been in the last few months that they have started selling their beer to retail outlets. Because the beer is brewed in small amounts, Brewery Twenty Five is not at the point yet to have a regular delivery schedule. When you hear that so-and-so has it on tap, be sure to get there tout de suite. It won't be available for long.

So, where can you find Brewery Twenty Five on tap from time to time? Running Rooster in Hollister and Bear's Hideaway in San Juan Bautista. And, soon, Vertigo Coffee in San Juan Bautista will be serving it.

Yesterday evening, the Husband and I did end up drinking a pint of the brewery's Many Moons Stout. It was absolutely amazing and very smooth. After a couple of sips, I was no longer in a grouchy mood. I think it tastes better than Guinness, and at one point the stout reminded me of Courvesier.

The delightful Sean and Fran happened to be at the Running Rooster bar last night. They told us that beer was made with an expresso blend from Vertigo Coffee and cacao nibs from TCHO, a chocolate company in the SF Bay area. I can imagine making an ice cream float with Many Moons Stout. Yummm!

Shop Locally: Market 25 on the Bolsa

Traffic karma was on our side and the Husband and I were able to safely pull into the parking lot of Market 25 on Bolsa Road (aka Highway 25) yesterday. Our first time there.  It was at the end of the day, so there wasn't much produce left. But, we did buy six ears of corn for a buck, as the sign along the highway stated. The corn was yummily sweet.

Market 25 is one of three produce stands owned by Uesugi Farms, of which the other two are in Morgan Hill and Saratoga. (By the way, Market 25 is located on the Gilroy portion of Highway 25.) The owners are not kidding when they say they sell local fruits and vegetables. Some produce, such as strawberries, corn, and peppers, are grown by Uesugi Farms. Others are from local farmers in Hollister, Gilroy, Castroville, and other nearby areas.

The stand also sells jams and juices from Gizdich Ranch in Watsonville. We learned that every Thursday, around noon, Gizdich Ranch delivers a frozen assortment of their delicious pies. Whoo-hooo! Guess who will be stopping at Market 25 one of these Thursday afternoons.

To learn more about Market 25, check out its website.

Shona Sculpture in Paicines

The beautiful sculptures shown today on this post are known as Shona Sculpture. They were created by artists of the Shona tribe in Zimbabwe.  And, these sculptures are three of several that are displayed at Paicines Ranch.

I took the photos at last year's Kinship Center fundraiser, which the ranch hosts every year.

By the way, the Kinship Center will hold its annual Gabilan Wine & Food Tasting on September 12, 2015 at Paicines Ranch. It'll run from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. For more information, click here.