Mark Anderson, Edible Monterey Bay Journalist Profile

Articles

Benni Pops Give a Mushroom Movement Renewed Focus

3 days ago | ediblemontereybay.com | Mark Anderson

May 27, 2025—The husband-wife team behind the flavor formerly known as “Shroomsicles” has a knack for catching the eye and earning believers. Check out the mushroom-cap umbrella over the mushroom-based popsicle tricycle cart manned by the guy in a mushroom hat and mushroom-patterned overalls. Clock the earthy—and personal—inspiration for maxing out on mycelium, namely a desire for better gut/mental/human health and easy-to-access medicinal grade mushrooms.
Butter House Team to Launch Second Concept, Benny Walker's in Monterey

3 days ago | ediblemontereybay.com | Mark Anderson

June 3, 2025—There’s a great moment in a special Monterey Bay installment of KQED’s popular “Check Please!” series when host Leslie Sbrocco chants, “I love lumpia!!” She’s not alone in her affections, which is one reason why the team behind the lumpia that inspired her outburst, The Butter House in Seaside, is adding a second restaurant called Benny Walker’s in downtown Monterey—with similar strengths and its own identity. Emphasis on *one* reason.
Found Treasure: Snack Shack at Lovers Point

1 week ago | ediblemontereybay.com | Mark Anderson

May 30, 2025—The Shack is back, and quite possibly better than ever. That would be newsworthy enough—for too long, the old-school wooden snack bar at Lovers Point Park and Beach was an unused element passersby hungered for. Also newsworthy: Its new operators also oversee local favorites Stokes Adobe in downtown Monterey, and Margaritaville and Pete’s in Capitola. That means they know what they’re doing, particularly when it comes to historic properties and well-executed comfort food.
Found Treasure: Mazatlán, Topolobampo and La Paz

2 weeks ago | ediblemontereybay.com | Mark Anderson

May 23, 2025—When the Mexican federales start asking questions, I’ve been awake about a minute. “¿De donde vienes?” one asks. I’ve fielded the same question a few times on this bus, while heading from just over the border to Mazatlán, saying “Tijuana” in my best Mexican accent, as casually as I can. Each time the checkpoint policía moved down the aisle. This time, I was groggy from an uneven overnight sleep. “California,” I say. Their eyes glimmer. And I think, Mierda.
'Summer Sessions' Start at Seaside Farmers Market This Week

2 weeks ago | ediblemontereybay.com | Mark Anderson

May 20, 2025—Farmers market freshness doesn’t always arrive from the field. That figures in starting this Thursday, May 22, as Everyone’s Harvest kicks off monthly “summer sessions” starring live performers and a beer garden hosted by craft taphouse Post No Bills to pair with existing local vendors, fresh produce and kids’ programming. Monterey-based singer-songwriter Doug Fearnside and his blend of folk, folk-rock, Americana and soulful storytelling start things off.
MEarth Carmel Tabs Carmel Berry Co. Creator as New Director

2 weeks ago | ediblemontereybay.com | Mark Anderson

May 20, 2025—Katie Reneker recalls her first trip to nonprofit MEarth Carmel’s acreage—vividly—even though it was more than 20 years ago. MEarth’s working farm and kitchen classroom was far from being realized, and the Carmel Middle School-adjacent space was known by all as Hilton Bialek Habitat. Reneker visited with her class of Seaside first graders from now-closed Manzanita Elementary, during her first year as a teacher.
Found Treasure: Garden Liquor Deli Sandwiches

3 weeks ago | ediblemontereybay.com | Mark Anderson

May 16, 2025—The duh in the cashier’s tone tells me a return trip is a non-option. It’s 8pm on a chilly, misty, ink-black night in Soquel, just after I realize I’m showing up empty-handed to a friend’s cottage, so I swing from my path north on Soquel Avenue when I see the sign for Garden Liquor & Deli.
Oilers beat Golden Knights 1-0 in OT in Game 5 to reach Western Conference finals

3 weeks ago | kstp.com | Mark Anderson

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Kasperi Kapanen scored on a scramble in front of the net at 7:14 of overtime, and the Edmonton Oilers beat the Vegas Golden Knights 1-0 in Game 5 on Wednesday night to advance to the Western Conference final for the second year in a row. The Oilers, who last season made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Final before losing in seven games to Florida, will play Dallas or Winnipeg in the next round. The Stars, who lead 3-1, will go for the series win Thursday night.
Carmel-by-the-Sea Culinary Week Revs Up Experience in Year 5

3 weeks ago | ediblemontereybay.com | Mark Anderson

May 13, 2025—There are clear indicators Carmel-by-the-Sea Culinary Week is looking to make a leap. Consider olive trees from Griggs Nursery lining a 120-foot banquet table in the middle of Dolores Avenue for a La Dolce Vita dinner. Or fire breathers, fire dancers, violinists with instruments on fire, molten glass blowing with ice molds, and sculpted ice luge liquors, all gathered in La Playa Hotel’s gardens for a “fire and ice” Soirée by the Sea.
Found Treasure: Lonewolf 'Wild' Oysters and Fry Bread Tacos

4 weeks ago | ediblemontereybay.com | Mark Anderson

May 9, 2025—Indigenous foods “chieftess” Christina Lonewolf Martinez claims some high-powered kitchen cred after apprenticing at Sierra Mar in Big Sur and helping open Stokes Adobe and Cella Restaurant & Bar in Monterey. But for her, the most compelling place she’s cooked, and continues to cook, doubles as her favorite: On native Esselen land down the South Coast, ideally accompanied by post-meal storytelling by Little Bear around the fire and children like her own toddler roaming about.