Lots of juicy tidbits

I’m happy to report that Poke N Dumplings finally opened next door to Momona Noodle & Bao on Third Street (in the old Rallo’s West space, RIP) and it seems promising. Owned by the folks behind now-defunct House of Dumplings, the menu offers options for poke, sushi or dumplings. I chatted briefly with the sushi chef, who came to Chico from Los Angeles, and he seems legit. I tried the crunch scallop roll and was not prepared for what I was served, as it was different from any other sushi I’ve had—fried bay scallops piled on California rolls and topped with masago. Delicious. Can’t wait to try the soupy dumplings—they sound divine. The pork buns also look authentic and awesome. Check ’em out at 243 W. Third St.

Coming soon Who knew there was such a huge market for bundt cakes that there’s a fast-growing franchise bakery called Nothing Bundt Cakes? Well, I didn’t! But I grew up on the sweet deliciousness of moist chocolate bundt cake. I can almost conjure up the flavor just thinking about it. Chico’s getting a franchise soon, on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway. Stay tuned for updates.

Best name ever Chico is getting a new egg handler, and its name caught my attention (which I’m guessing is the point): Just Got Laid. Clever … It got me searching; according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture, there are a little over 1,200 licensed egg handlers in the state, as of November. Of those, 23 were in Butte County. I know TurkeyTail Farm is still selling duck eggs, despite much of the farm burning in the Camp Fire. Sadly, it looks like Paradise’s Marema’s Hens is no more (though the hens survived!) and Jacqro Farms burned.

Another reopening Downtown Chico is getting a new tenant from Paradise: Wilson Printing and Signs. The owners, Ray and Kathy Wilson, bought The Print Shop at the corner of Eighth and Main streets, and will be changing the name and providing all the services their customers came to expect in their former space. Look for a grand opening sometime this month—and check out the Paradise Strong car window stickers! Call 877-8721 or email wilprint@comcast.net for more info.

Tasty surprise I found myself thirsty for something fruity and caffeinated recently and made my way over to Boba TeaLicious in downtown Chico’s Garden Walk Mall. Their Red Bull-infused teas with bursting juice balls are almost addictive! The surprise here was the adorable little bird’s nests inside the pastry case. Owner Stacy Tran informed me they are similar to baklava and come from Cafe Petra around the corner. I had to have one, and wow—the nest is made of delicate pastry strands, and is filled with candied pistachio “eggs.” Delicious!

Get trained Butte College just received a hefty grant—$600,000!—to train folks in hazardous debris cleanup and emergency response following the Camp Fire. The money, from the Employment Training Panel, will help train and certify 350 people through Butte College’s Training Place.