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Fresno Foodies Get Ready: Three delicious picks for December

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Natali Carrera

Natali Carrera is a devoted coffee addict who also loves her nine-year-old son, husband of 14 years and bargain hunting at Target. She works full time with ValleyPBS as their Director of Educational Services and is also a freelance writer and YouTube vlogger (as a hobby). She's been told "bubbly" is the best descriptor of her personality, though she wonders if what people really mean is that she talks too much. Natali is a lifelong Fresno resident and Fresno State grad.
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December is a great time to be a food-lover in Fresno!

Besides the homemade holiday treats that will undoubtedly be pouring into break rooms and offices throughout the month, there are three specific local events and locations we’d like to highlight. Each is a unique way to try something delicious and new this month. So, make plans with your friends and family to scope out these local treats and…try not to drool as you check out our three top picks:

  1. The Annex Kitchen Lunch Service

The Annex Kitchen located on West Shaw next to Pardini’s in the former Pardini’s Café is one of Fresno’s most popular restaurants. Their food has been lauded on FresYes in the past and has even been recognized by Food Network’s Simon Majumdar, who called The Annex’s Sweet Corn Agnolotti the “best thing he ate in 2016”.

Chef Jimmy Pardini of The Annex Kitchen (Photo courtesy of The Annex Kitchen)

Typically only open for dinner, The Annex is hosting a special lunch service meal this Saturday (December 8th) starting at 11am, featuring “a selection of house made sandwiches made on wood-fired bread”. For full menu details, The Annex’s Instagram account recommends subscribing to their email list, as recipients will be the first to receive the special menu info. Reservations will not be accepted for this event, so plan accordingly. My guess is The Annex will redefine all that a “sandwich” can be in the best of ways.

This intriguing photo was posted along with the lunch service announcement on The Annex’s Instagram account

  1. Nikkei Ramen’s Pop Up Ramen Dinner in Tower

Nikkei Ramen is becoming known locally for preparing exceptionally tasty, homemade ramen dishes along with flavorful and fresh accompaniments like Spicy Tuna Tartare and Hawaiian Sliders. They will be hosting a special pop-up, three course meal on Saturday, December 15th from 6-10pm at the former Zen Wok Fusion location at 609 E. Olive Ave. in the Tower District. The menu will feature Spicy Tuna Tartare with Cucumber-Mango Relish and Wonton Chips for an appetizer, Tonkotsu Ramen with homemade ramen noodles, pork belly, nori, egg, and shiitake mushrooms for the main course and finish with French Macarons with four different flavors and fillings for dessert.

Nikkei Ramen’s Spicy Tuna Tartare with Cucumber-Mango Relish and Wonton Chips

Nikkei Ramen’s Tonkotsu Ramen (images courtesy of Nikkei Ramen)

The cost per person is $25 (drinks are purchased separately) and it’s first come, first served so be sure to arrive on time. Nikkei requests that interested guests RSVP on their Facebook invite so they can have an idea of how much food to prepare. Also, there are plans to hold monthly pop-ups going forward, so if you can’t make this event, be sure to follow them on social media so you can catch the next one.

  1. Baskin Robbins New Generation “Moments” Store

Baskin-Robbins, the world’s largest chain of specialty ice cream shops, unveiled its first “Moments” concept store design last week, right here in Fresno, California at Herndon and Milburn. The store concept will begin rolling out nationally in 2019.

The storefront of the new Baskin-Robbins on Herndon and Milburn in NW Fresno

The new store concept is designed to bring guests “great flavors and memorable moments”. The new store will offer a new and modernized atmosphere and new frozen treats to enjoy called “ice cream novelties” featuring premium, hand-dipped and snackable frozen treats to give guests more variety when choosing a dessert. The novelties menu includes chocolate-dipped bananas, Polar Pizza slices, Ice Cream Bars, Smoothie Bars and hand-dipped fancy waffle cones. An expanded toppings station will also offer variety and options for customization when choosing a treat.

New Baskin-Robbins novelties offerings

And, like many ice cream shops, Baskin Robbins knows people love a great backdrop for “the ‘Gram’” (Instagram) and they are delivering with a great mural featuring local landmarks and forest campsites and local parks.

A sneak peak at the interior and mural in the new Baskin-Robbins store

 

Happy eating Fresnans!