Humboldt: A Night on the Town

 

Just in time for your New Year’s Eve (and for all the other rare nights that Southern Humboldters go north), I have sacrificed myself to explore this dangerous upper cousin and return (Alive!) with my report.

Unlike other expeditions to the far North, the danger is not in the getting there. Except for a rather longish piece of construction between Fortuna and CR and a few shorter rough spots, the road is easy—wide open and not many cars. However, once there, rain and bright lights are rather difficult to navigate. Luckily our native deer with their penchant for leaping at cars prepared us for the usual mix of inebriated and/or foolish pedestrians.

As often is the case, when we finally manage to get a date night, we don’t want to ruin it with a nasty surprise. Thus we go for the tried and true. One of our favorite spots to eat is Tomo’s in Arcata. This town, in the extreme northern reaches of our county, is so beautiful, especially now all gussied up for the holidays. Around the square nearly every storefront wears shiny baubles which look so tastefully expensive against the dark night. Not a tawdry face there.

This exotic foreign city actually has inhabitants that look most like our southern locals. There are the common long hair and redneck varieties found in both places. Of course there are variations and species found only in one local or the other but as a whole the populations look similar.

Inside Tomo’s was as warm and friendly as always and contains the exotic food that Southern Humboldters crave. I started with seaweed salad –a slightly sweet delight. Then I had their cucumber salad with a sprinkle of shrimp. The sea meat added just the right touch of savory to the freshness of the vegetable. Finally, I had a plate of sashimi. Presented nicely in generous proportions, the yellow tail simply melted in my mouth. Delicious!

Tomo’s staff makes sure water glasses are always full and dishes cleared away. We have never had anything but a wonderful time. In fact, the last time we were there, we realized halfway to Eureka that we had been undercharged by one whole meal. We called, offering to send the money, but the manager laughed and kindly thanked us—as if we were doing him a favor—and told us the mistake was on the house. Nice people, great food. Well worth the dark trek to Arcata especially this time of year when the square is so charming.

I had failed to make reservations at the place we usually stay (but we were not forced to throw up a tent in the savage reaches of the Bayshore Mall—thank heavens!) We had to try a new experience at the Best Western Humboldt Bay Inn. We were impressed. The lobby was decorated with a homey old fashioned Christmas air. The friendly staff gave us a lovely room (for the price) and informed us that they had a complimentary limo for anyplace in town until 10 pm. Nice for wild people wanting to paint the town but we just settled in to watch TV. Hey, when you don’t have any access, it’s fun to scope out the new commercials.

Note: the place has a fabulous shower with lots of pressure, a nice change from our economical and environmentally sound constant hot water heater at home.

So far the Foggy North had been worth leaving our lovely hill. No foreign customs or places had been difficult or disappointing. But doom was just around the corner. We hadn’t been to the restaurant at Hotel Carter for awhile but we have always loved it. In fact, one of our favorite recipes comes from scones they made there. Today for breakfast, we were incredibly disappointed. I’m not sure if we will ever go again. They had decent enough buffet—melon, a granola, and yogurt (perhaps crème fraiche? I didn’t check closely) and some sweet rolls, cheesecake but they only offered one entrée — a two egg cheddar and cherry tomato omelet. Note: they did not say tomatoes which would have been false advertising. They stuck strictly to the truth and sliced one very small cherry tomato into the meal. I found a piece about every third bite! The chef placed the tiny little egg blanket onto a huge dinner plate drizzled it with something yellow and oily looking and charged us $16 a piece. While it was cooked adequately, I’ve eaten better at Denny’s for a lot less ching.

Now, ye fellow explorers from the wild mountains of Southern Humboldt arise, fare forth and tell me about your nights on the town in that far off North Country. Perhaps you will guide fellow travelers to a delightful oasis and past deadly quicksand or oily omelets.

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22 Comments
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Heather
Guest
16 years ago

I only got to spend a few short minutes on the Plaza during this visit to Humboldt. I don’t believe, though, that I’ve actually been there at night at Christmastime since I was less than half as old as I am now. 🙁 I always like to think of Arcata as a miniature representation of Berkeley. Actually, since I knew Arcata first, I consider Berkeley a ginormous representation of Arcata. I miss them both.

Heather
Guest
16 years ago

I only got to spend a few short minutes on the Plaza during this visit to Humboldt. I don’t believe, though, that I’ve actually been there at night at Christmastime since I was less than half as old as I am now. 🙁 I always like to think of Arcata as a miniature representation of Berkeley. Actually, since I knew Arcata first, I consider Berkeley a ginormous representation of Arcata. I miss them both.

bluelaker4
Guest
bluelaker4
16 years ago

Nights on the town? You must be joking. I can’t remember the last time I had a night on the town in ANY town! I have, however, spent a few minutes in the dark evenings when Arcata was lit up for the holidays…a beautiful sight.

bluelaker4
Guest
bluelaker4
16 years ago

Nights on the town? You must be joking. I can’t remember the last time I had a night on the town in ANY town! I have, however, spent a few minutes in the dark evenings when Arcata was lit up for the holidays…a beautiful sight.

Staff
Member
16 years ago

Arcata and Berkeley towns worthy of belonging in So Hum;>

Ernie's Place
Guest
16 years ago

Okay, my wife and I have reservations at the Gingerbread Mansion, and we will be staying in the Rose Room. We have reservations at the Ivanhoe Restaurant. I’m not telling you when, because we are trying to give my fan club the slip.

We have not tried either place yet, I will give you my revue when we return. Does anyone have any advice for me?

We usually eat at Curly’s, but decided to try something different. And we have never stayed in Ferndale overnight before.

Ernie's Place
Guest
16 years ago

Okay, my wife and I have reservations at the Gingerbread Mansion, and we will be staying in the Rose Room. We have reservations at the Ivanhoe Restaurant. I’m not telling you when, because we are trying to give my fan club the slip.

We have not tried either place yet, I will give you my revue when we return. Does anyone have any advice for me?

We usually eat at Curly’s, but decided to try something different. And we have never stayed in Ferndale overnight before.

Staff
Member
16 years ago

My recommendations are jerky from the Ferndale meat co. and go shopping at Abraxas, Withywindle, and the Blacksmith Shop. I like Curlys too. Of course the last time I was in Ferndale was nearly 9 months ago. (unless you count the Humboldt Co Fair) so I’m a bit behind on the times.

Ben
Guest
Ben
16 years ago

Try the breakfasts at the Waterfront ( I think it’s 1st and F ) Beats the heck out of Denny’s. I love Tomo. I hear there’s a great new restaurant out F street near Wabash. We used to make the drive when a chef named Mahmoud Shaheen had the place. He was brilliant, but sadly is no longer there. Of course, I’m 300 yards from the freeway entrance, not 45 minutes up the hill. Sounds like you had a great time despite the Carter House.

Ben
Guest
Ben
16 years ago

Try the breakfasts at the Waterfront ( I think it’s 1st and F ) Beats the heck out of Denny’s. I love Tomo. I hear there’s a great new restaurant out F street near Wabash. We used to make the drive when a chef named Mahmoud Shaheen had the place. He was brilliant, but sadly is no longer there. Of course, I’m 300 yards from the freeway entrance, not 45 minutes up the hill. Sounds like you had a great time despite the Carter House.

Staff
Member
16 years ago

I haven’t eaten the breakfast at the Waterfront Cafe but just this last couple weeks we ate lunch there and were pretty unhappy with the crab sandwiches–plain white bread, not toasted, no cheese, globs of mayonnaise and $16 too. Mmm, maybe its the $16 that is unlucky! I haven’t heard of the Restaurant on F unless it’s Rita’s. I like that even though the place is kind of grubby the food is great! I love the fish tacos.

(PS my husband thinks I should mention the peeling sign and dirty floor at the Carter House while the grubbiness is okay in a cheap eatery, a place that charges $16 for a tiny omelet should at least be clean and up to snuff.)

Ernie's Place
Guest
16 years ago

My only disappointment in the Carter House goes a few years back, and it is mostly my fault. We had made reservations to go out to dinner there, and when we arrived we found out that it was a “wines from around the world night” or something similar, and the food that they had was designed to compliment the wine choices, and there was no “Regular Menu”. Although my wife and I drink alcohol, we don’t drink that much and don’t really enjoy getting “ripped” like some folks, and rather than choosing the food to compliment the wine, we choose wine to compliment the food. But we stayed to have dinner, and people seemed to be enjoying themselves and there was a happy atmosphere. We had a good time, as we always do, and laughed about the way things always work out for us. We should try harder to figure out what the “In Crowd” is doing so we could keep up our end of the pace.

Ernie's Place
Guest
16 years ago

My only disappointment in the Carter House goes a few years back, and it is mostly my fault. We had made reservations to go out to dinner there, and when we arrived we found out that it was a “wines from around the world night” or something similar, and the food that they had was designed to compliment the wine choices, and there was no “Regular Menu”. Although my wife and I drink alcohol, we don’t drink that much and don’t really enjoy getting “ripped” like some folks, and rather than choosing the food to compliment the wine, we choose wine to compliment the food. But we stayed to have dinner, and people seemed to be enjoying themselves and there was a happy atmosphere. We had a good time, as we always do, and laughed about the way things always work out for us. We should try harder to figure out what the “In Crowd” is doing so we could keep up our end of the pace.

Staff
Member
16 years ago

it does seem they should have informed you when you made reservations but mistakes happen and I would have done what you did ( and wasted a lot of fine wine;>)

Kristabel
Guest
16 years ago

The place on F Street is where Mahmoud’s La Casita used to be. It’s now called the F Street Cafe, and it’s terrific. They use local meats and produce, the menu is fairly small with salads, sandwiches and brick-oven pizzas, but the food is delicious and reasonably priced. I went there a couple of weeks ago and had one of their specials – a butternut squash lasagna. Mmmmmmm.

Kristabel
Guest
16 years ago

The place on F Street is where Mahmoud’s La Casita used to be. It’s now called the F Street Cafe, and it’s terrific. They use local meats and produce, the menu is fairly small with salads, sandwiches and brick-oven pizzas, but the food is delicious and reasonably priced. I went there a couple of weeks ago and had one of their specials – a butternut squash lasagna. Mmmmmmm.

Staff
Member
16 years ago

I’m going to try that. It sounds wonderful–butternut squash lasagna, yum! I like using local produce and meats, too.