FOODIE FIND

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FOODIE FIND

Chocolate Fish Coffee Roasters // Strange name for a coffee shop, right, Chocolate Fish? Here’s the explanation. “A chocolate fish is a fish-shaped confection indigenous to New Zealand given out as a ‘thank you’ for a good deed.” The upshot of the unique name is that the owners, Edie and Andy Baker—who relocated here from New Zealand over a decade ago—brought the Kiwi culture with them in their brewing style and philosophy. After scanning the beverage menu—which includes down under favorites like a perfectly poured flat white and “fluffy”—I ordered my standard Mocha (coffee purists, please don’t hate), which was to my standards—not too sweet with full java flavor. And, of particular importance to many, it had the requisite presentation of latte art. Since I arrived during weekend lunch hour, the pastry case had already been pillaged, so I moved my attention to the menu board and had a eureka moment: Smashed Avo Toast with extra virgin olive oil, lemon, salt and pepper, and “the works” (thinly sliced radish, micro basil, and dukkah (an Egyptian spice blend of nuts, cumin, and coriander). I also ordered the locally roasted Almond Butter Toast with extra virgin olive oil, flaked salt, and “the works” (banana, honey from The Bee Box, and ground cocoa nibs). All of their toasts—designed specifically for Chocolate

Check out Fish by chef Kevin O’Connor—start with EVOO and are prepared in-house from Sacramento-sourced Chocolate Fish's ingredients—including fresh-made sourdough from Bella Bru Café and seasonal preserves from The other café's in Good Stuff (on their Jam Toast). Walk, bike, or drive over and give them a “double” shot! 25055 Blue East Sacramento Ravine Road, Suite 100, Folsom, 916-358-9950, chocolatefishcoffee.com —Lorn Randall and Land Park.

MORE TASTY TOASTS IN TOWN

Forget butter and mass-produced jarred jelly. Today’s toasts are topped with creative ingredients that run the gamut from sweet to savory and are almost too pretty to eat.

Strawberry Banana Hazlenut Toast (sprouted wheat bread, hazelnut spread, strawberries, bananas, coconut flakes; gluten-free available) at Vibe Health Bar, 2770 East Bidwell Street, Suite 500, Folsom, 916-990-5367, vibehealthbar.com; additional locations in Sacramento

Monkey Business Toast (cinnamon swirl bread, almond butter, sliced bananas, raw almonds, cacao nibs) at Argos Caffe, 195 Blue Ravine Road, Suite 100, Folsom, 916-293-8256, argoscaffe.com

Loaded Toast (your choice of bread, base, and two toppings; can be made glutenfree and/or vegan) at

Shady Coffee

& Tea, 325 Douglas Boulevard, Roseville, 916-742-4117, shadycoffeeandtea.com

Avocado Toast (pain au levain, avocado, radish, salad greens, house vinaigrette) at Bennett’s Kitchen Bar Market, 1595

Eureka Road, Roseville, 916-750-5150, bennettskitchen.com

Harvest Toast (organic, wholegrain, seeded, non-GMO-certified bread, apple butter, sliced pears, local wildflower honey, pumpkin seeds, warm spices; can be made gluten-free) at Reset: Café By Day, 727 B

Sutter Street, Folsom, 916-358-9162, resetfolsom.com

Motherlode Avocado Toast (sourdough bread, whole-smashed avocado, sesame tahini spread, feta, bacon, sambal chili paste, lemon garlic drizzle) at Foxwood Coffee &

Tea, 4068 Mother Lode Drive, Suite A, Shingle Springs, 530-387-7445, foxwoodcoffee.com