So…we like to eat. We like to eat good food. We like to eat food that looks pretty. We like to eat food that we made. We like to eat food that others made. We find some great restaurants and food experiences and we might want to share them. Often it’s just so we can remember what we had. Here is where we do that. Posts here are often written by Kelly Cook.
In 2020 we started making videos as 2 Cooks in the Kitchen on Youtube.
2 Cooks in the Kitchen Cooking Videos on Youtube
For the past three years Matthew and Kelly Cook have been creating cooking videos for the Youtube channel ‘2 Cooks in the Kitchen/MatthewCookMusic’. You can access it here: 2 Cooks Youtube Channel
Continue reading →Restaurant Five Eleven–Eureka CA
When Matthew and I dine out we aren’t in it for the meal, specifically. We are there for the entire experience—how our server interacts with us, the ambiance of the restaurant and of course the appearance and flavors of the food. Now when you live more rural like we do here in Humboldt the options are extremely limited. But let me tell you, Restaurant Five Eleven in Eureka has got it nailed. Matthew and I made a point of getting ourselves back to Five Eleven last night for two reasons. One was because it was our anniversary and the other … Continue reading →
Dinner for Six–Prepared by Chef Ryan Clair
When Ryan Clair posted about leaving Humboldt in our local Foodies group and in the meantime he would be into doing a private dinner Matthew said, “let’s do it and let’s invite some Foodies.” So that’s just what we did. We invited two other couples from the group, both that we had never met in person before. How much fun is that to hang out with people with a common interest like good food and good wine? We were up until 1 am, I must confess and it was a lot of fun for so many reasons! Before I tell … Continue reading →
Salt Fish House-Arcata CA
This restaurant is in the top 5 or maybe even top 3 restaurants where you might find us in Arcata on a Friday night. Humboldt was in need of something that helped you forget you are in a restaurant in our somewhat rural area and maybe help you imagine you are in a bigger city like somewhere in Los Angeles or the Bay Area but really, you are still in Humboldt. It’s hip. It’s got style. It’s just not typical of Humboldt and we LIKE that! The restaurant itself is clean and bright with the marble bar, white walls and … Continue reading →
Singlethread
We have had some great dining experiences in the last several years but I think the Singlethread experience tops them all. Every single detail from service to presentation to wine pairings was thoughtful and spot on. Everything about it was respectful of the guest’s experience and we will do our best to be as respectful in this review. There were two wine pairings offered and we chose to try one of each so there are two wines represented with each course. We got nice pictures to remember much of the evening but, being busy enjoying it, we missed a few … Continue reading →
Kaaloa’s Super J–Captain Cook, HI (Big Island/Kona)
Matthew used to live in Kona many years ago. He recently started craving an old island favorite, Lau Laus and also wanted me to try them. We checked the deli and our two favorite markets where we shop when we are here with no luck. I asked the checker at one of these stores where a person would find Lau Laus, like a deli or something. She told us the best is down the road at Super Js. Now you know when you walk into a place and it’s filled with locals that you’ve found good food. Several people were … Continue reading →
Sea Grill — Eureka, CA
We hadn’t been to Sea Grill at 316 E Street in Eureka for a LONG time so headed there for something different for a birthday dinner. Let me start by saying that this restaurant has been in business for quite some time now. Per their website, they opened in 1988. The owners were a server and a cook from Whaler’s Inn (Field Landing) that wanted to start their own place. (This tidbit I know since they were neighbors of mine at the time). With a 5 pm dinner reservation and because the bar opens at 4 pm, we decided to … Continue reading →
The Griffin–Arcata 2018
The Griffin has the most interesting cocktail menu. There’s always new things to try. I stick with the Pain Killer. I just really like it. It’s a really tasty rum drink with fruit juices and coconut cream topped with freshly grated nutmeg. It’s like a grown up Creamcicle. I had to have two of those. Kelly had a Proud Mary which was an infused gin and..some other things. It was too good to pay attention to the ingredients. The bartender also made a gorgeous sparkling wine cocktail with a hibiscus flower and hibiscus syrup she calls Ray of Sunshine. It … Continue reading →
Huggo’s On The Rocks – Our top choice for lunch in Kailua Kona May and July 2017
Huggo’s On The Rocks 75-5824 Kahakai Road Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 This is now our go-to place for lunch when we arrive on the island. Who doesn’t want to sit right on the water as soon as you are here? Huggo’s on the Rocks opened in 1998 right next door to, you guessed it, our other favorite place, Huggo’s. Options for seating are at the bar where lots of locals like to hang out, in the sand or at a table a little further back. No matter what you decide you have a view of Kailua Bay which is a happening … Continue reading →
StrawBlueBerry Parfait
StrawBlueBerry Parfait. Cooking for company last night and this just came out pretty so had to post a picture. Very simple but delicious and beautiful. There’s really nothing here except mashed Strawberries, mashed Blueberries and Cream whipped with Sour Cream and Maple Syrup.
Continue reading →Caprese Tart
Here is a fresh and lovely summer dish that takes full advantage of tomato season at the local Farmers Market. You could make this with canned tomato sauce but you’d be missing the opportunity to pack it full of fresh tomato flavor. We will use as much of the tomato as we can, packing a big punch into our sauce and leaving behind very little waste. Someday maybe I will write up the tart shell recipe but for now just use your favorite pastry crust recipe and blind bake it with pie weights for 15 minutes at 400 degrees. Parboil … Continue reading →
Bistro Jeanty-Yountville, CA
We stopped in Yountville on a trip home to Arcata from San Francisco looking for a place to have lunch. Poked our heads in to Bistro Jeanty and found there was room at the bar to accommodate us. The bartender was hustling to make drinks for the restaurant plus serve the seated bar customers. Husband said, “he looks really familiar.” I pointed this out to the bartender who said, “you look familiar, too.” Well, turns out these two worked together back in the day at the Eureka Inn–bartender and piano player! One of us wasn’t driving so had a delicious … Continue reading →
Octavia San Francisco June 2017
Executive Chef Melissa Perello 1701 Octavia Street, San Francisco We found Octavia on a ten best list somewhere and they did not disappoint. The chef is really putting out some great flavor combinations in an artful manner. We had the tasting menu – not noted on the printed or online menu so it was a nice, welcome surprise. Price per person was a reasonable $70. There were some very unusual flavor combinations that worked out really well. We enjoyed the surprising umami flavors. The deviled duck egg was a well balanced spicy flavor. Pickled local anchovies, chickpea poppyseed … Continue reading →
Huggos Restaurant, Kailua-Kona – Appetizer Adventure
Huggo’s is a must for us on every visit to the Big Island. It has been my favorite Kona Restaurant since the 80’s and they still have it going on. Being right on the water, the view is fabulous and sunsets from here are always spectacular. In the 90’s I used a photo from Huggo’s as the cover for my Summertime album. There is a great bar for before dinner drinks and appetizers – we recently had the Wasabi Dusted Fritto Misto and it was enough to feed a whole family. Feeling quite full, we headed for the dining room. … Continue reading →