Harvest 2026 Dinner at Pub's (Growers' Pub) in Salinas, California by Ruth Paget

Harvest 2026 Dinner at Pub’s (Growers’ Pub) in Salinas, California by Ruth Paget 

Some welcome cool air prompted my family to go to Pub’s (Growers’ Pub) in late September 2026 for an early harvest dinner at the oldest bar in Salinas, California. 

Florence and Laurent began their meal wit generous cups of Monterey Bay clam chowder. 

I ordered stuffed fall-weather mushrooms instead of my usual calamari. (Monterey County has some woodsy areas in the Santa Lucia Mountain Range that provide local mushrooms.) The stuffed mushrooms came 8 to a plate and were stuffed with ricotta cheese, chopped bacon, and parsley. The mushrooms were delectable hot bites. I really liked them. 

Dinner salads came as starters for the main dishes. Cold baby greens and Thousand Island dressing are a refreshing starter I associate with places like Carl’s Chop House in Detroit (Michigan) where I grew up. I was allowed to go to Carl’s as a treat dinner for behaving well and getting good grades. 

As my main dish, I ordered the bone-in pork chop with seasonal vegetables. The pork chop was two inches thick and served with a large portion of vegetables in a sauce that appeared to be cooking juices mixed with honey and Dijon mustard; it was delicious. 

The seasonal vegetables were a mixture of summer and winter vegetables for someone who grew up in the midwestern United States like I did. The vegetables included:

-rutabagas 

-potatoes 

-onions 

-yellow Italian squash 

-spinach 

Florence ate a flat iron steak with a baked potato, and Laurent ordered the halibut special with risotto. 

For dessert, Laurent and Florence ate crème brulée. I was full and passed on dessert, but I noticed that Pub’s is offering Bananas Foster on its dessert menu ($24). This is an elaborate flamed dessert, but I might try that on my next harvest meal outing to Pub’s. 

Pub’s in Salinas, California is a nice place to experience a country town meal that offers the best of the countryside. 

By Ruth Paget

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks, Marrying France, and Europe's Lessons written during overseas duty in Germany + 5 other Kindle books

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games + 8 Classical Western Civilization War Games

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Center

-creator of French travel and culture games

-writer of 1900+ Central Coast California lifestyle blogs

-family genealogist

-developer of 9 music theory games

Freshly Shucked Oysters, Shrimp Cocktail, and Clam Chowder Dishes at Dock Side Fish Market in Monterey, California by Ruth Paget

Months with an “r” in them are the best for shellfish according to the French, making it the perfect time for some freshly shucked oysters, shrimp cocktail, or clam chowder in a sourdough bowl at the Dock Side Fish Market in Monterey, California, which you can eat at Dock side picnic tables.

Information about the Dock Side Fish Market follows:

https://www.montereywharf.com/dining/dock-side-fish-market.html

Dock Side Market also sells its items for take-out.

Enjoy a San Francisco worthy day at a wharf without leaving California’s Central Coast!

Bon Appetit!

By Ruth Paget

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks, Marrying France, and Europe’s Lessons written during overseas duty in Germany + 5 other Kindle books

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games + 8 Classical Western Civilization War Games

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Central Coast History Center

-creator of French travel and culture games

-writer of 1900+ Central Coast California lifestyle blogs

-family genealogist

-developer of 9 music theory games

Parisian Wine Bar Outing at DeTierra Vineyards Tasting Room in Carmel, California by Ruth Paget

Parisian Wine Bar Outing at DeTierra Vineyards Tasting Room in Carmel, California by Ruth Paget 

I went out for an unexpected wine tasting at DeTierra Vineyards Wine Tasting Room in Carmel, California. 

My husband Laurent and I were exchanging red DeTierra wines for whites, because our daughter Florence Paget is filming food content that mostly features chicken, seafood, and ham dishes. (You can find her videos on Instagram.) 

DeTierra is so well organized that they can accommodate a serious taster like Laurent who was sampling DeTierra’s North Coast Brut champagne-method sparkling wine and me who drank a respectable pinot gris to participate in the tasting. 

We ordered the cheese, charcuterie, and fruit board ($25) to go with the wine for a light lunch. I liked how this board was organized to appeal to tasters who like Italian, French, and English flavors with their wine. 

This generous board was made up of: 

-Genoa salami 

-San Daniele prosciutto 

-cheddar cheese 

-brie cheese 

-baby Swiss cheese 

-whole wheat crackers 

-fig jam

 -grapes 

As I sipped the pinot gris, I told Laurent I was reconnecting with my English heritage as I placed slices of brie cheese on top of the wheat crackers with the fig jam dolloped on top. This creamy, sweet combination did taste good with the mildly sour and refreshing flavor of the pinot gris. (Pinot gris is not as sour as a Portuguese vinho verde, but does have a pleasing sour taste that is good for quenching thirst on a hot day.) 

The salty Genoa salami and prosciutto were a nice flavor contrast to the fig jam. The grapes freshened everything up. I liked the board very much, which was surprisingly filling. 

We finished our lunch with a Cabernet franc wine  used in the Bourguil and Chinon wines of the Touraine region in France.

I enjoyed our impromptu lunch around opening time when the tasting room was not full. DeTierra offers Napa worthy tastings, but it is a nice place to rest up while doing some Carmel business for locals as well. (Located at the corner of Mission and Fifth) 

There is even a hidden passageway to the left of the entrance of the tasting room, so visitors can say they know of at least one Carmel secret passageway. 

DeTierra's Wine Tasting Room allows you to have a Parisian wine bar experience without leaving California's Central Coast.

Happy Tasting! 

By Ruth Paget 

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks, Marrying France, and Europe’s Lessons written during overseas duty in Germany + 5 other Kindle books

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games + 8 Classical Western Civilization War Games

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Center

-creator of French travel and culture games

-writer of 1900+ Central Coast California lifestyle blogs

-family genealogist

-developer of 9 music theory games

EU Preparedness Strategy from European Commission reposted by Ruth Paget

The EU Preparedness Strategy from the European Commission has some useful ideas for the US like having 72 hours (3 days) supply of emergency food and water.

This is not specifically mentioned, but a grill to cook food might be useful even one as small as a hibachi.

The Preparedness Strategy from the European Commission follows:

https://commission.europa.eu/topics/preparedness_en

Reposted by Ruth Paget

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks, Marrying France, and Europe’s Lessons written during overseas duty in Germany + 5 other Kindle books

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games  8 Classical Western Civilization War Games

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Center

-creator of French travel and culture games

-writer of 1900+ Central Coast California lifestyle blogs

-family genealogist

-developer of 9 music theory games

Tis $4.99 for 6 Sausages Season at Raley’s Nob Hill in Salinas, California reposted by Ruth Paget

I received digital coupons by email today from Raley’s Nob Hill in Salinas, California for many different varieties of sausage sold at $4.99 for 6 pudgy sausage links including German bockwurst and Polish kielbasa. 

Kielbasa is always good cooked with sauerkraut.  I brown bockwurst on all sides then add water to the pan let the sausage heat up.  I like to eat bockwurst with Dijon mustard from France.  I also like pilsner beer with sausage.  

These meals are good all winter long not just at Oktoberfest time. 

The $4.99 price for the sausage is for Raley’s Nob Hill members in Salinas, California.

You can sign up for the membership app online or in the store.

Making German or Polish sausage at home is like taking a trip to Europe during Oktoberfest.

Nob Hill Salinas, California information follows:

https://www.raleys.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Nob+Hill+-+All+Stores&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=2059219676&gbraid=0AAAAAD8-VrGxXLnR1q25d1rqON9Nkx-VG&gclid=CjwKCAjwoOjVBhArEiwAUwDakyZ7o3aBrFhM3_6-uuSqtS88IooCD3Pr5Sd1k1QkUeB1qFVfN5rGHhoC2PoQAvD_BwE

Note: You can chop up this sausage cooked and add it to cooked rice and eggs to make a delicious refried rice.  

Reposted by Ruth Paget

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks, Marrying France, and Europe’s Lessons written during overseas duty in Germany + 5 other Kindle books

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games + 8 Classical Western Civilization War Games 

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Center

-creator of French travel and culture games

-writer of 1900+ Central Coast California lifestyle blogs

-family genealogist

-developer of 9 music theory games

Interesting UChicago Book for Anyone Who Has Used US Census Data reposted by Ruth Paget

I have used US Census data to put together grants and proposals throughout my life and think the following book published by the University of Chicago Press could be useful and informative:

Data Are Made, Not Found:

A Story of Politics, Power, and the Civil Servants Who Saved the US Census

There is a 30% off discount when using the promotional code in the link to UChicago Press below.

Purchase information for this book follows:

https://mail.google.com/mail/mu/mp/465/#cv/priority/%5Esmartlabel_promo/1a0d88d74de1a14e

Reposted by Ruth Paget

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks, Marrying France, and Europe’s Lessons written during overseas duty in Germany + 5 other Kindle books

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games+ 8 Classical Western Civilization War Games

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Center

-creator of French travel and culture games

-writer of 1900+ Central Coast California lifestyle blogs

-family genealogist

-developer of 9 music theory games

Oaxaca by the Sea Festival is September 27, 2026 reposted by Ruth Paget

The Oaxaca by the Sea Festival is being held on September 27, 2026 in Seaside, California.

There will be food, entertainment, and Oaxacan cultural displays.

More information about the festival follows from the Monterey County Weekly online calendar:

https://www.montereycountynow.com/events/#/details/oaxaca-by-the-sea/19893910/2026-09-27T11

This Festival is like taking a trip to Mexico without having to leave home.

Reposted by Ruth Paget

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks, Marrying France, and Europe’s written during overseas duty in Germany + 5 other books

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games + 8 Classical Western Civilization War Games

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Center

-creator of food and travel beverage games

-writer of 1900+ Central Coast California lifestyle blogs

-family genealogist

-developer of 9 music theory games