Hello eaters! Jessica M. Pasko here. While Lily is out on parental leave, I’m pitching in on the latest local food news. A little about me — I’m a writer and a native of upstate New York, living in Santa Cruz for over a decade. Our rich food culture is just one of the many […]
Jessica M. Pasko
Jessica M. Pasko has been writing professionally for almost two decades. She cut her teeth in journalism as a reporter for the Associated Press in her native Albany, New York, where she covered everything from plane crashes and arts & culture to state politics, including assisting with the coverage of former New York State Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s resignation. After getting her master’s degree at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, she moved to the West Coast and covered crime and breaking news for the Santa Cruz Sentinel. She has also worked for KION and written for a variety of local, regional and national publications on both coasts, including Evanston Patch, The Good Times, Santa Cruz Waves and many others.
Posted inFood & Drink
Alderwood Santa Cruz back open, Venus Beachside soon to follow post-remodels
Downtown’s Alderwood Santa Cruz is cooking again, with a renewed emphasis on fine dining, while Venus Spirits’ Rio Del Mar restaurant is aiming to reopen in July. Both locations underwent a facelift, and Venus Beachside is promising some menu renovations, too.
Posted inFood & Drink
Lulu Carpenter’s takes over former Coffeetopia on the Westside
The Mission Street spot that housed Coffeetopia for more than two decades is now under Lulu Carpenter’s umbrella, joining its downtown location and pair of smaller kiosk outposts.
Posted inFood & Drink
City of Santa Cruz extends call for food businesses to operate kiosks, Tannery cafe
The kiosk outside downtown Santa Cruz’s Del Mar Theatre is empty following the demise of Cafe Campesino and another could open up this year, the city’s economic development manager says. And expanding the reach of the Tannery’s food outpost is the goal as the city looks for a new partner for the arts campus.
Posted inLookout PM Archive
Lookout PM: Lily Belli on Food, the search for a housing leader, and a local laughing world champion
A broad coalition appears to be crucial to persuading Santa Cruz voters to pass some kind of bond or parcel tax, but…
Posted inFood & Drink
Lily Belli on Food: A ‘fungicle’ pop-up, Tortilla Flats touch-up and Farm Discovery’s 2023 season
Hello eaters! Jessica M. Pasko here. While Lily is out on parental leave, I’m pitching in on the latest local food news. A little about me — I’m a writer and a native of upstate New York, living in Santa Cruz for over a decade. Our rich food culture is just one of the many […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Tortilla Flats’ new owner touches up a Soquel staple
While Zolina Zeravica is aiming to keep what’s made Tortilla Flats a local fave, the longtime employee-turned-owner has given the Soquel Mexican restaurant a colorful paint job and has added new cocktails and tequila tastings to the menu.
Posted inFood & Drink
Santa Cruz Fungi brings an unusual twist to popsicles: mushrooms
With flavors including key lion’s mane pie, chagalate and cordy creamsicle, Paul Lazazzera and Katie Sarna are introducing their mushroom-infused frozen treats at pop-ups around Santa Cruz County.
Posted inFood & Drink
Farm Discovery kicks off summer season, plans fall feast
Summer camps are in full swing at Pajaro Valley nonprofit Farm Discovery, which is aiming to expand its mission of educating about food and building community connections to more youth in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties. Its Fall Feast in the Fields, set for Sept. 23 and featuring chef Jessica Yarr, is again a big piece of the fundraising puzzle.
Posted inLookout PM Archive
Lookout PM: Lily Belli on Food, animal shelter workers raise alarm, and a call for a UCSC cultural change
Workers and volunteers at the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter have been stretched thin in recent years, and voiced…