food news and nosh...holiday fruitcake edition!!

Fruitcake

Who doesn't love fruitcake? Okay, I know that is a silly question as many of you don't, which is a real shame. I'm proud to say, I actually love it. And the candied fruitier the better I say. Fruitcake has a long history across many countries which I'm not gonna cover or bore you with as you can read all about it here. Not all fruitcake is made the same, fruit and nut varieties change as does alcohol content. I don't necessarily need the booze, but sometimes it helps to preserve it so it can last and last and last and last. In years past I could waltz into a Safeway or Walgreen's and get one of those tiny skinny logs, but for whatever reason, I found it hard to find this year. I saw some gigantic bundt cake size one at Costco, even that is too much for me. Then poof, on some random Thursday just past, I was running in to pick up a few things and voila! There was one that came in a larger rectangle version. Bonus points, the nuts were pecans--a fave--and they were only on the top. The cake part was loaded with all that gorgeous candied fruit. Super sticky, super moist and super YUM! Laugh and roll your eyes all you want, I don't care, I'm enjoying every bite of it. I am also trying to limit my daily intake as it is also super full of calories, like most things are this year. Since I've already been chowing down on those Trader Joe's gingerbread men it was probably just as well I didn't come across one of them till now to help mitigate any(more!) weight gain. Now you've met the one person you know who probably enjoys fruitcake. For that Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Enjoy it while you read up on the latest food happenings. 

• I guess if you need a way to get through the holidays and family dinners, here's some cannabis infused drinks to help you out.  
• Another day, another restaurant closing. And another. And still another. 
• Speaking of closed spots, Rainforest is auctioning off some....stuff you might be interested in?
• But not all bad news as Brickhouse has met their goal to raise funds and help buy their building.
• And others are having success too as DOSA expands with a counter service spot in Oakland. 
• Plus famous chef James Shyabout has opened Hawking Bird in Oakland! Again!
• Elbo Room also seems to be expanding to surprise--Oakland! The new hot city of choice? 
• As is Livermore? Wait, WHAT is going on?
• But don't fret, no need to hit those cities just yet. Here are some food pop-ups still happening this week before Christmas. 
• Interesting, sort of, why don't Americans eat horse?
• Netflix has a new food documentary you can binge over the holidays. Though, you might not want to actually eat while watching it. Maybe. 
• Noon All Day is a new casual spot from the folks at Piccino. Website says opening soon but they have just soft opened if you are out Dogpatch way during lunch. 
• Hey, look what you can get at 7 Eleven now. Just in time for the holidays. 
• Here's a root vegetable latke recipe to help celebrate Hanukkah. And some sufganiyots too, because donuts!!
• Or here's a specific guide to creating holiday cookies for those that have waaayyy too much time on their hands. 
• Seems a massive food hall is opening at SFO's International terminal with some big names. Airport food is on the uptick. Now if they could just fix the stuff on the plane. 
• Remember when $4 toast caused a ruckus? Seems no one has even blinked now that things have gone up a few bucks. 
• And finally, in case you didn't have enough to do this last week before Christmas (Surprise! It is!), here is a list of other things to do and eat. 

Yes, it was an extra big helping of food news this week since next stop is Christmas. I might have a post or two before then but taking a break for the actual holiday. Cheers till then all.