Robata Grill Izakaya in Carmel, California by Ruth Paget

Robata Grill Izakaya in Carmel, California by Ruth Paget - one of my favorite reviews for the Monterey County Weekly (Circulation: 200,000).  Click below for review:

Robata Grill in Carmel, California

By Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks

Ariel Theatrical -for Young People in Salinas, California reposted by Ruth Paget

Ariel Theatrical in Salinas, California presents theatre for young people.  Click below for ticket information:

Ariel Theatrical Ticket Information

Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France

Ranchero Shrimp at Super Pollo in Salinas, California by Ruth Paget

Ranchero Shrimp at Super Pollo in Salinas, California by Ruth Paget 

I found a dish at Super Pollo in Salinas, California that I am pretty sure qualifies as a Blue Zones recipe, which is 95% plant-based with 5% of the dish being made up of six butterflied and sautéed jumbo prawns.  

This dish is called Ranchero Shrimp (camarones rancheros). This dish is almost a stir-fry using olive oil (California has a lot), white onions, fat Serrano green and spicy peppers, 1 pound of diced tomatoes, cilantro, and shrimp. (Recipe source: mexicoinmykitchen.com) 

Ranchero shrimp is delicious and full of Vitamin C and antioxidants like lycopene in the tomatoes that can help prevent cancer. 

The light tomato sauce and vegetables pair well with the Spanish rice that comes with the meal. I always love Spanish rice as it is made with chicken broth, tomato juice, and green pepper slices. The refried beans at Super Pollo were light and tasted as if they had been made with olive oil. 

Finally, Super Pollo also delivers a side salad with this meal made of crispy iceberg lettuce (tastes great in the heat), tomato slices, a ring of raw onion, shredded cheese, and ranch dressing on the side. The salad and all the vegetables that go into this dish make it country or ranchero. 

I think camarones rancheros at Super Pollo tastes great and is really a good value for your money when you consider all the organic food from the Salinas that go into making it. I also think it is a candidate for a Blue Zones designation. 

By Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France

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Madonna Frittata and Apffels Coffee at Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, California by Ruth Paget

Madonna Frittata and Apffels Coffee at Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, California by Ruth Paget 

The flagstone stairs leading up to the entrance of the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, California somewhat prepare you for the Norse myths and/or Hobbit décor inside the large white Victorian Inn. 

 Inside a large imitation Ash tree sits in the middle of the dining room, which resembles the Yggdrasil tree in Norse mythology that holds together the heavens, Earth, and the lower realms. The dining room with red horseshoe booths and round lights encircling the booth are in the lower realms. I photographed the lower realms trunk and noted the prominent orange lily, which is poisonous for cats and dogs.

This dining area was closed for breakfast, so my husband Laurent, daughter Florence Paget, and I turned left and entered the Copper Room, which has a dining area and a saloon bar. Above the bar, there is a carving that reads, “Let’s Eat and Be Forever Happy.” 

Letting that saying guide me, I ordered a Madonna Frittata, a baked Italian omelet, that comes with sautéed shallot, tomatoes, mushrooms, zucchini, and spinach baked in the omelet with mozzarella cheese melted on top. Every bite of the frittata was delicious. It was served with a bowl of perfectly ripe cantaloupe and honeydew melon cubes, pineapple wedges, and sweet red grapes.

I shared the biscuit made with flour and corn meal with Laurent and Florence. They shared their bacon with me to add to my order of bacon. The bacon was thick-cut, crispy, and was smoked over applewood. 

The coffee was Apffels brand from Colombia, an organic brand. I think I drank an entire pot of this delicious and somewhat expensive brew. (Highly recommended!) 

You can buy a lot of merchandise at Madonna Inn that is really nifty. At the table, we ordered an 8-inch wedge of pink and white pink champagne cake.  In the lower realms gift shop, Laurent and Florence bought Hobbit goblets and raspberry habanero jam.  There is also an upstairs gift shop that sells clothing, toys, and lifestyle items for the home.

For really great breakfasts and cool souvenirs and equally cool Hollywood set atmosphere, make sure to stop in for a meal at Madonna Inn in San Luis Onbispo,California.

By Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France

Photo of lower realms Yggdrasil Tree at Madonna Inn - Photo by Ruth Paget

Blue Zones Website reposted by Ruth Paget

I like this Blue Zones organization.  Salinas, California is part of it.  Click below for details:

Blue Zones Organization Information

Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France

UChicago Press Fall 2025 Catalog Reposted by Ruth Paget

The Fall 2025 Catalog for the University of Chicago Press is available online and in PDF format.  Click below for information:

UChicago Press Fall 2025 Catalog 

Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France

UChicago Press Free E-Book - Lions in the Balance reposted by Ruth Paget

The University of Chicago free e-book this month is Lions in the Balance.  Click for information below:

Lions in the Balance Free E-Book

Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France