Santana Gallery

Painting by Manuel Santana (1927 - 2008)

Santana Gallery, at 115 3rd Street, is one of several art galleries in San Juan Bautista. It opened last summer with an exhibit of the late Manuel Santana's paintings. Mr. Santana was known not only for his art work, but also for his community activism and for his popular restaurant next door to the gallery -- Jardines de San Juan.

If you're like me, your first visit to Santana Gallery will make you think you've been there before. You have. The building was once the home to Galeria Tonantzin, which featured workds of contemporary women artists. I finally remembered when I saw the trap door in the floor that leads to a tunnel system which runs under the city.

My Sources:
Santana Gallery
Manny Santana: Santa Cruz County Artist of the Year
Jardines de San Juan

The open door between Santana Gallery 
and Jardines de San Juan

Eat Locally: The Inn at Tres Pinos

The Husband and I had no idea what we had been missing when we stepped into the Inn at Tres Pinos last month for dinner. Everything about the restaurant was quite delightful. The setting was intimate and comfortable, the servers were friendly and efficient, and the food and drink were heavenly.

Built in 1880, The Inn at Tres Pinos is a Historical Landmark. Once upon a time, it was a brothel, but that isn't the sole reason for having achieved landmark status.  Check out this web page for more history about the place and Tres Pinos. 

A&W Restaurant

The root beer floats from the A&W on the corner of South & East Streets are delicious memories. One of these days, I'll give in to the A&W bear's invitation and see if the A&W's root beer float  tastes just as good as I remember.

Drink & Eat Locally: Vertigo Coffee

These days I can only have coffee once in a long while, and when I do it needs to be the decaf stuff. I might as well go without rather than drink decaffeinated, right? Then Vertigo Coffee in San Juan Bautista made me a cup of decaf. Whoo-hooo! The taste.  The aroma. Sigh. I was in heaven.

Vertigo Coffee, at 81 Fourth Street, is now open until 7 pm, Tuesday through Sunday. Check out their hours and more at their website. For those of you who haven't been to Vertigo yet, you can also order teas and chocolates as well as  pizzas, breakfast wraps, and other dishes.

2013 San Benito Holiday Cheer Shop Hop

This Saturday, December 7, 2013, will be the Third Annual San Benito Holiday Cheer Shop Hop. When you visit one of the following retail stores, galleries, salons,  restaurants, grocery shops, or services in Aromas, Hollister, San Juan Bautista, or Tres Pinos, you can enter a raffle to win one of 26 gift baskets full of local products  and gift certificates to local restaurants and businesses. Over 59 local organizations have contributed! You can enter at any—and all—of the following participating businesses that you visit this Saturday. Did I mention the raffle is free?

Aromas

Shops/Services/Galleries
Aromas Feed Store
Dragonfly Gallery
Kathryn Aguras Real Estate

Restaurants/Food/Wine/Groceries 
Aromas Grill
Marshall's Grocery
Old Firehouse Market

Hollister

Shops/Services/Galleries
Bel Amour Pet Spa & Boutique
Holliwood
Penny Wise Drug Store
SBC Arts Council—Blak Sage Gallery 
San Benito Bene
She's

Salons & Spas
Beauty Lounge
Bella Mia Salon
Heaven Scent Day Spa and Salon
Salon Déja Vu Spa
Vitality Skin Care & Massages 

Restaurants/Food/Wine/Groceries 
A.J. Sushi
B&R Farms
Best of Times Cafe
Country Rose Cafe
Grillin & Chillin Alehouse
Grillin & Chillin Downtown
Heavenly Bakery
Relax! Grillin & Chillin

San Juan Bautista

Shops/Services/Galleries
Bear Flag Gallery Mall
Casa de Colores
Frills
Livin the Green Dream
Lois's
Mission Gallery
Mrs. B's Z Place
One Incurable Collector

Rare Light Gallery
Seasons Handcrafts
The Glass Connection
The Last Stitch
Tops Rock Shop
Tresor
Victoria's Treasures
Visions of Christmas

Salons & Spas
Ageless, Beauty and Glamour Luxury Spa 

Restaurants/Food/Wine/Groceries
Doña Esther
Jardines de San Juan
Margot's Ice Cream Parlor
Matxin Etxea Basque Restaurant
San Juan Bakery

Tres Pinos

Restaurants/Food/Wine/Groceries
19th Hole Booze & Food

Other Participants—No Raffle Tickets

The following artisans, not for profit groups, and services have also contributed to this year's holiday shop hop. Please note that they will not have raffle tickets for the 26 gift baskets.
BeautiControl—Margot Tankersley
Bell Hill Goat Milk Soaps and Lotions
California Mutual Insurance Company
Calvista Insurance Agency Inc.
Heaven Walnuts
Mars Hill Coffeehouse   
Oils of Paicines
San Benito Olive Festival
Union Bank
Union Bank—San Juan Bautista
Vista Notes

I'll Have the Pancake

This past Saturday, the Husband and I had breakfast at Grillin & Chillin Downtown. I ordered the corn beef hash and the Husband decided on the blueberry pancake with a side order of 2 scrambled and 2 slices of bacon. "That's a better deal," he said, after seeing that it was only a couple of bucks more as opposed to twice that amount for a side order of 4 pieces of bacon. Yup.

After we ordered, Chuck, co-owner of the Grillin and Chillin, came by to greet us. "What are you having?" he asked. We told him. He nodded, a big fat grin taking over his face. "Have you had our pancakes before?"

"Nope," said the Husband.

"You're in for a treat," he said. Before heading for the counter, Chuck may have said something like "They're kind of big."

A few seconds later, he called. "The cook is making your pancake now. Come take a look."

It turned out that wasn't the Husband's pancake. His was next.

Let's just say when his blueberry pancake was set in front of him, we were both surprised.

You ought to put a warning on your menu," we kidded the waitress.

She laughed. "That's what the other customer said!"

The Husband had an appetite that morning, so he put a good size dent on his yummilicious pancake.  The waitresses were surprised. "Usually the adults don't eat as much," one waitress said. "The kids are a different story.

Goes to show that the Husband is still a kid.

Grillin & Chillin Downtown, at 650 San Benito Street (next to Brown Alley), is open for breakfast seven days a week. They also serve lunch throughout the week, as well as dinner on Friday and Saturday. Their winter hours are Sunday through Thursday, 8 AM to 3 PM, and Friday & Saturday, 8 AM to 8 PM. 

Conchita's Bakery

We have several Mexican bakeries in town. I like them all. Lately, I've been favoring Conchita's Bakery on 730 San Benito Street whenever I have a yen for something sweet.

What I like about Conchita's sweet stuff is that they aren't so sweet that I feel like my teeth are melting. The dentist should be happy about that. The savory offerings are very yummy, too.

I also like the prices. Fifty cents for a sweet roll. $1.50 for a ham and jalapeño roll, which, by the way, is quite hardy.

Conchita's Bakery is located in what was once the bagel place in the old Free Lance building. Still can't picture it? It's on the west side of San Benito Street, between South and Seventh Streets, across from the Blak Sage Gallery. 

First Annual San Benito Olive Festival

Click here to go to the San Benito Olive Festival website

Agriculture has been the largest industry in San Benito County since. . .forever. In 2012, the industry grossed over $297 million, according to the San Benito County Agricultural Commissioner. That's definitely a big WOW! This includes fruits, vegetables, nuts, livestock, poultry, honey, whole grains, and nursery stock. It's only befitting that come October 19, 2013, we will be celebrating the abundant bounty of our land with the first annual San Benito Olive Festival.

It will be one humdinger of a gourmet celebration. Here's just a few of the olive oil producers, wineries, food artisans, restaurants, and merchants who will be participating: Brigantinto Olio de Oliva, Sons of Sicily, Oils of Paicines, Pietra Santa, Guerra Vineyards and Groves, Casa de Fruta, Marich Chocolates, San Benito Tea Company, Running Rooster, Paine's Restaurant, Grillin & Chillin, M&M Plant Sales, Soul Sweets, San Benito Bene, and McAbee Feed.

Food demonstrations will be given by foodie legend Dorothy McNett and the chef team of Gene Sakahara and Sam Bozzo (aka SakaBozzo). Other food demonstrators will be Chef Maurizio Cutrignelli of Maurizio’s Restaurant in Morgan Hill and Chef Matt Woolston of Supper Club/ Matteo’s in Sacramento.

Mr. O's Jazz Band, David Huboi and The Architecturals, RetroSpect, and Workhouse Poets will be some of the bands playing throughout the day. Other live entertainment will be offered as well.

Click here to go to the
San Benito Olive Festival website

Have I teased you too much with the what? Good. Then, you're ready for the when? where? how much?  and why?

When: October 19, 2013, 11 am to 5 pm

Where: Paicines Ranch, 13388 Airline Highway, Paicines 95043, about 12 miles south of Hollister  (Did you know that Judy Garland and Sid Luft got married at this working, historic ranch in 1952?)

How much: General admission tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children. VIP admission is $30, which includes access to the wine tasting.

You can purchase tickets online at Eventbrite.com. Tickets are also available at the door.

Why: The San Benito Olive Festival (SBOF) is a not-for-profit organization. Its mission is to  promote awareness and appreciation of the region's world-class culinary agriculture and premier artisans and to help support community causes with festival proceeds.

Program Schedule
The Music 

11 AM to 12 PM -- Mr. O's Jazz Band
12:30 to 1:30 PM -- Retrospect
2:00 to 3:00 PM  -- David Huboi and the Architecturals
3:30 to 4:30 PM -- Workhouse Poets

The Olive and Cooking Demonstrations

11:30 to 12:15 -- Don Landis, The Olive Guy
12:30 to 1:15 -- SakaBozzo, chef duo featured at the Gilroy Garlic Festival
1:30 to 2:15 -- Matt Woolston, chef/owner of Matteo's Pizza and Bistro and Supper Club in Sacramento area
2:30 to 3:15 -- Dorothy McNett, Central Coast Foodie, Chef and Instructor of the Cooking Club in Pacific Grove
3:30 to 4:30 -- Maurizio Cutrignelli, chef/owner of Maurizio`s Italian Restaurant in Morgan Hill

For more information about the first annual San Benito Olive Festival, visit www.sanbenitoolivefestival.com or its Facebook page.

Hope to see you there!

Disclosure: Just so you, dear readers, know, I'm volunteering on the SBOF's marketing committee. Hello, FCC: No money or free products were given me to write about the upcoming gourmet celebration.

Ding-a-Ling Cafe on Fourth

The Ding-a-Ling Cafe's new location is 696 Fourth Street. Have you been there yet since the owners moved from the airport a few months ago?

For you pilots, the cafe's new location is about 2 and 1/2 miles from the airport. But, if you're not into walking, the Ding-a-Ling delivers. The cafe's phone number is (831) 637-1566.

The other day, the Husband and I had breakfast for the first time in their new location. Food is as yummy as ever. Portions still happily large, too. I ate about  half of my large quesadilla (eggs, bacon, and jalapenos) and ate the other half for lunch the next day.

When I was a small kid in the 1960s, I remember the cafe being on Fourth, near or on the spot where the Cozy Cup is.  According to Rosa, the owner, the Ding-a-Ling was once by the Michoacano Restaurant further out on Fourth and on San Felipe Road where the Chevron Station is. I think she also mentioned one or two more places. Goes to show, nothing stops the Ding-a-Ling Cafe. Thank goodness.

FYI: Here's a post that I wrote about the Ding-a-Ling Cafe in 2010. Scroll down to the comments to find out how the cafe maybe got its name.

A Corner Reflection of 5th & San Benito

Reflecting on what thou might eat at the Pendergrass Restaurant?

Reflecting on what's behind thee?

The View from 5th & San Benito series
Click here if you want an answer to "Huh. Series?"

Tres Pinos, California

Tres Pinos is about five miles south of Hollister.  Highway 25 runs through the business section of the quaint little town of 476 residents, so you can't miss it.  

In Spanish, Tres Pinos means three pines. But, in this Tres Pinos, the three pines do not exist. Originally, the town was called Paicines, after the Indian tribe of the area. About five miles to the south of the current Tres Pinos is an even smaller town by the name of Paicines. Uh-huh. You got it. Once upon the same time, that village was called Tres Pinos for the three pines that stood alongside the nearby creek. Why the name switch? Click here for the story.
 

Things to Do

The San Benito County Historic Park

Tres Pinos may be small, but it has a lot to offer. On the southern edge of town is the beautiful Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, which is worth a stop to look inside and to  around the grounds. Head over to here to see a few photos of it.
By the way, don't be surprised if you suddenly hear a strange flutter above you and then the sight of legs sticking out from under colorful parachutes. The field across from the church is the drop zone for Skydive Hollister, the local skydiving outfit.

If you're into golf, or just want to hit a bucket of balls, stop by the Bolado Park Golf Club, about half-a-mile or less down the road. It's a public golf course with 9 holes.  

Or, if it's history that you want to escape into, stop at the nearby San Benito County Historical and Recrational Park to wander through the Historical Village. There's also a short trail that goes along the hillside above the park. Nice far-away views from there.

The San Benito County Fairgrounds, more popularly known as Bolado Park, is also located in Tres Pinos. RV camping is available year-round on the lovely grounds. Two of the largest events held there each year are the San Benito County Saddle Horse Show & Rodeo in June and, of course, the County Fair, which will be from October 4 to 6 this year.

Crepes from Flapjack's Country Cafe

Restaurants

When you're hungry, you don't have to go far to fill your tummies with yummy food and drink. Heading back north from Bolado Park on Highway 25, your choices include:

• Club House Grill at the Bolado Park Golf Club 
• 19th Hole Booze & Food 
• Inn at Tres Pinos 
• Flapjack's Country Cafe 
• La Fogata  

Organic Crops

Some of the best tasting chickens, eggs, and walnuts are produced in Tres Pinos. Paul and Leti Hain of Hain Ranch Organics sell their products at farmers markets and through the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. Folks can also purchase their goods directly at their farm on harvest days. You can't get any fresher than that!  Check out their website for details.  Be sure to watch the video in which Paul describes how he raises the chickens. 

A delivery of chickies to the Hain Ranch Organics.

Y is for Yummiliciousness

Yeah, I know. I could've just said yummy. But, hey, might as well put all that learning about suffixes to good use. Besides, the food at Heavenly Bakery is exactly that.

I've been going through the alphabet this month as part of the A to Z Blogging Challenge. Tomorrow will be my last day.  Click here to check out some other A to Z Challenge participants.

Johnny's Bar and Grill

In The Wild One, some of the movie is set in a bar on Main Street, and in one scene a biker rides through the bar. That bar in the movie, ladies and gentlemen, was based on the actual bar on San Benito Street—Johnny's Bar and Grill.

So, did someone really ride through the bar?

 February 18 to 24 theme for Take 25 to Hollister: Bikers, Motorcycles, and Hollister 

Shop and Play Locally

The theme this week, February 11 to 17,  is Red in Downtown Hollister. Today, we'll see the red in  eating, shopping, and playing locally. Yep, indeed.

A sign in the window of DLG Printing at 435 San Benito Street.

Breakfast at the Pendergrass Restaurant, 500 San Benito Street.

The signature shopping bags of San Benito Bene at 615B San Benito Street.

The musical Spamalot will start this week at the Granada Theater.

. . .And we have lift off

I know the "mission" in Mission Cafe refers to Mission San Juan Bautista. But, every time I look at the restaurant's sign, I think of space exploration.

Happy Dogg's

Gangnam Dogg?

It's a yummy beef hot dog covered with kimchi, inspired by the song Gangnam Style. That you can buy at Happy Dogg's in Hollister.

Happy Dogg's? Uh-huh. The hot dog joint, run by Betty and George, is right across from the movie theater on McCray Street. Check it out.

Here's the link to Happy Dogg's Facebook page. And, here's a link to the Yelp review page.

A Note to FCC: I received nothing free to write about Happy Dogg's. So, please move along.

The 2012 Holiday Cheer Shop Hop

The baskets from the 2011 shop hop.
Photo courtesy of San Benito Bene.

Psssssssst. Have you heard what's happening this Saturday, December 1?

It's the 2012 San Benito County Holiday Cheer Shop Hop. Whooo-hooo. Eighty-eight (88!) shops, restaurants, galleries, artisans, services, salons and spas, agriculturists, and nonprofit groups throughout the county are taking part in this second annual event. We're talking 88 local businesses from Hollister, San Juan Bautista, Tres Pinos, and Aromas.

These 88 local businesses have generously contributed items that shoppers have the opportunity of winning by entering their name at each business they visit on Saturday. The Holiday Cheer Shop Hop organizers are creating 15 (15!) lavish baskets that may include products such as chocolates, wine, olive oil, note cards, and lotions, as well as gift certificates to restaurants, shops, spas, financial services, and so on. Some businesses will also be raffling their own basket of goodies, so you never know what you may find.

By the way, did I say it is all free? Yep, it's free to enter for a chance for one of the 15 awesome baskets. No purchases necessary, but hey! you never know what you may want or need to buy for yourself and others. And, like wise mathematicians out there might say, your chances of winning increase with each additional business you visit.  So, here you go. The list of the many local businesses to hop to this Saturday. 

The Shops

Historical Downtown Hollister 
Going from north to south, these businesses are located between Fourth and South Streets.

Different Treasures Different Days, 443 San Benito Street
Country Groomers, 206 Fifth Street
Irma's Fashion, 230 Fifth Street
Hollister Sign Co., 535 San Benito Street
Penny Wise Drug Store, 549 San Benito Street
Pallacio Day Spa, and San Benito Bene are located at 615 San Benito Street.
Serendipity Gifts, 616 San Benito Street
She's Women's Apparel, 620 San Benito Street
Delux Hair Salon, 625 San Benito Street
McKinnon Lumber, 217 7th Street
Vitality Skin Care & Massage, 339 Seventh Street, Suite A  
Shannon Grissom, Artist, 719 San Benito Street, Suite A
San Benito County Arts Council Blak Sage Gallery, 727 San Benito Street
Drapoel,  731 San Benito Street
Bel Amour Pet Spa & Boutique, 730 B San Benito Street
Paradiso Spa Salon,  750 San Benito Street 

These businesses are also located in downtown Hollister:

Joshua Inn Bed & Breakfast Boutique,  712 West Street (by 7th Street)
Simply Skin, 581 McCray Street (by the theater)

These businesses are located south of downtown Hollister:

Salon Deja Vu Spa ,341 Tres Pinos Road, Suites 204-205
YMCA of the Central Coast, 351 Tres Pinos Road
The Farm Bertuccio's, 2410 Airline Highway (aka Highway 25, near Union Road)
DeRose Winery, 9970 Cienega Road  (The Car Museum should be open that day.)

These businesses are located north of downtown, in the Hollister Business Park across from the Hollister Airport:

Garlic Festival Foods, 1803 Shelton Drive, #104
Marich Premium Chocolates, 2101 Burt Drive

The following businesses are northeast of downtown. Both are near Fallon Road, which runs between Fairview Road and San Felipe Road (by Hollister Business Park).

B&R Farms,  5280 Fairview Road
M&M Garden Mart, 410 Spring Grove Road

San Juan Bautista
Some of the shops in San Juan Bautista share the same building. You might find info about some of the shops listed below at the Shop San Juan! Web site. The shops are listed in order from south to north. In other words, you're entering from Highway 156 at the traffic lights.  

The Alameda

Vintage Cottage Home and Garden, 103 The Alameda
Tresor Boutique  and The Last Stitch Quilting Design Studio and Gallery are at 107 The Alameda. 

Third Street  (The Alameda turns into Third Street at Franklin)

Shops on the east side (Think: Hollister is to the east.)
Mission Gallery, 106 Third Street
Rare Light Gallery  and Visions of Christmas are at 108 B Third Street.
Casa de Calores, 304 Third Street
These shops are located at 400 Third Street: Sweet Pea Antiques,  The Dreaming Tree, and Vintage Corner
San Juan Antiques and Collectibles, 406 Third Street
These shops are located at 410 Third Street: The Glass Connection, Attic Angels,  Frills (inside Attic Angels), and Nicola Cruise Fair Trade Gifts & Crafts 
3 Angels Antiques, 410 D Third Street

Shops on the west side (Think: Heading to Highway 101)
Paloma Paloma  and Season's Handcrafts are located at 203 Third Street.
Bear Flag Gallery Mall, 207 Third Street
Top Rock Shop, 209 Third Street
Mission Clocks and Watches, 217 Third Street
Treasure Chest de San Juan, 303 Third Street
It's Shabby and Chic, 311 Third Street
Bluebird Antiques and Collectibles, 401 Third Street
The Little Red Barn, 405 Third Street

Side streets
Livin' the Green Dream, 33 Washington Street
Aggie's Porch 37, Mariposa Street  (corner of 4th Street)
Fool's Gold Antiques, 34A Polk Street 

Aromas

Kathryn Aguras Real Estate, 376 Blohm Avenue
Dragonfly Gallery, 380 Blohm Avenue

Gotta Eat and Drink!

These local restaurants are participating in the Holiday Cheer Shop Hop, too. So, be sure to fill in an entry form for a chance at one of the 15 bountiful baskets of local goodies

Hollister

Pendergrass Restaurant, 500 San Benito Street (SW corner of 5th Street)
Heavenly Bakery, 601 San Benito Street (SE corner of 6th Street)
Best of Times Cafe, 615 San Benito Street (a few doors from Heavenly Bakery) 
Knife and Fork Cafe, 650 San Benito Street (by Brown Alley)
A.J. Sushi, 737 San Benito Street (near South Street)
Paine's Restaurant, 421 East Street (between 4th and 5th Streets)
Hollister Hills Taproom & Brewery, 401 McCray Street (in the Clocktower Plaza, near the pet store)

Tres Pinos

19th Hole Booze & Food, 7071 Airline Highway (Highway 25—about 5 miles south of Hollister) 

San Juan Bautista

Pizza Factory, 301 H The Alameda (in the Windmill Plaza)
Doña Esther Mexican Restaurant, 25 Franklin Street
La Casa Rosa Restaurant, 107 Third Street
Jardines de San Juan, 115 Third Street 
Orient Express, 35 Washington Street
Margot's Ice Cream Parlor, 211 Third Street
Mission Cafe, 300 Third Street
The Happy Rooster Restaurant, 313 Third Street
San Juan Bakery, 319 Third Street
Joan and Peter's German Restaurant, 322 Third Street
Basque Matxain Etxea Restaurant, 206 Fourth Street

Other Shop Hop Participants

The following artisans, businesses, and organizations have also contributed products and services to this year's Holiday Cheer Shop Hop:

Autoworks
Beauti Control
Bell Hill Goat Milk Soaps & Lotions (Products can also be found at San Benito Bene)
Calvista Insurance Agency Inc.
California Mutual Insurance Co.
H&R Block
MJM Computers
Oils of Paicines (Products can also be found at San Benito Bene)
San Benito County Cattle Women
San Benito Gold Raw Honey (Products can also be found at San Benito Bene and The Farm Bertuccio's)
Santa Barbara Bank and Trust
Vista Notes (Products can also be found at San Benito Bene, The Farm Bertuccio's, and Serendipity Gifts)

For more information, contact kathina@sanbenitobene.com or call her at 831-638-1188.

Hollister Hills Taproom & Brewery

Two Sundays ago, after a hot day of hiking up and down the deAnza Trail  in San Juan Bautista, the Husband and I longed for an ice cold beer. But, we weren't in the mood for going to one of the bars in San Juan or to either of the two beer pubs in Hollister. Nor were we interested in going to the market to buy a six-pack. Yeah, I know, picky, picky.

As we drove back to Hollister, the Husband suddenly said, "Maybe the new brewery is open." So, we swung by. And, wouldn't you know it. Open!

The Hollister Hills Taproom and Brewery was exactly where we wanted to be. It is a small, intimate establishment that serves various microbrewery beers on tap, including its own brew. That Sunday, it was Red Beard.  (Last Saturday, it was Easy like Sunday Morning). Oh, did that beer hit the spot. (So did the one on Saturday after a hot day at the county fair.)

The brewery is owned by two couples—Sean and Fran, and Chuck and JoAnn (who own Relax! Grillin & Chillin). We met Sean, Chuck, and JoAnn. Very cool people.

Sean gave us a tour of their nanobrewery. Yes, that's what he called the small room where they do their magic. They only brew small amounts of a beer at a time. They started brewing beer a few years ago. We thought they had been doing it much longer because of the passionate and joyous vibes that Sean gave out as he spoke about all that goes into crafting beer, including the choice of hops and other ingredients. I should've taken notes, but by then I was already "happy" from sipping the Red Beard so my notes wouldn't have made sense later on anyway.

Hollister Hills serves non-alcoholic beverages (their own brewed root beer, for example) and artisan fare.  They try to use fresh, local ingredients. What I like is the choice of ordering full or half portions of a sandwich, which comes with a side of macaroni, potato, or green salad.  We tried the Rueben and the  French Pig—prosciutto, brie, and apple slices on ciabatta. The potato salad was yummy, but the macaroni salad reminded us of Hawaii. Yep, that tasty.

Hollister Hills is open daily. Monday to Friday, 11a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday/Sunday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. It's located in the Clock Tower Plaza on McCray Street. It's next to Subway Sandwiches and kitty corner from the pet store. Its exact address is 401 McCray Street, Suite B24. Click here to visit its Web site, and here to visit its  Facebook page.

Note to FCC: Nobody paid me or gave me free samples to write about this establishment. So, there.

From Dough to Dough and Back to Dough

The Pendergrass Restaurant is now open for business!

The new restaurant sits at the bottom of the old Pendergrass Building on the corner of Fifth & San Benito Streets. Being "old", I still remember when that space was the California-something Bank where I had my first not-a-Bank-of-America savings account. I have no idea whether that was the first bank there. And, I can't recall when the last bank left that spot. The Pendergrass was built in 1927 as both a hotel and office building. If I'm remembering correctly, the building also had a restaurant. Ah, see, the benefits of being "old".

Buena fortuna, Pendergrass Restaurant!

The 19th Hole

Martini coins? Jalapeno coins? Popper rounds? 

I just can't remember the name of the delicious deep-fried coin-shaped jalapenos that the 19th Hole Booze & Food serves in a martini glass, topped with an olive. I could just eat that with a green salad and a glass of beer. Yummm. 

The 19th Hole in Tres Pinos has been around since 1883. It's yet another fun place to stop for lunch (Thursday through Sunday) in the small village after a cruise through the back roads of San Benito County, a drop from a plane, a hike at the Pinnacles, a movie in Hollister, or whatever else you've been doing. Dinner, too, I bet. 

For photos, menus, and other stuff about the local watering hole, check out these links: 

• The 19th Hole Booze & Food
• Yelp reviews 
• Melissa Good Taste: 19th Hole