Entertainment

MONTEREY - Leading chefs on five continents have pledged to keep Pacific bluefin tuna off their menus until there's effective international action to manage the fishery in ways that reverse a precipitous decline in the bluefin tuna population. Nearly 200 globally prominent chefs and culinary leaders—including Brazil's Alex Atala, James Beard Award nominee Michael Cimarusti of the United States and Annabel Langbein of New Zealand—say that Pacific Rim nations must act immediately to recover Pacific bluefin tuna.

Bluefin tunas are among the planet's most iconic and prized fish. In recent decades, global demand for Pacific bluefin tuna has driven the population down to a critical level—just 2.6 percent of its historic population. Pacific bluefin numbers are significantly lower than Atlantic and Southern bluefin tuna, and lower than all other assessed tuna species.

FRESNO - According to the California Fresh Fig Growers Association, California's Fresh Fig season started in May and will continue through mid-January. This year's first crop was plump and plentiful due to the rainy winter followed by a cool spring. Subsequent crops are expected to be just as beautiful and delicious.

"California's excellent climate combined with the sustainable practices of our dedicated fig farmers means we can all look forward to terrific fruit again this year," says Karla Stockli, Chief Executive Office of the California Fresh Fig Growers Association.

ATLANTA - You're going to want to drink up this deal! Hot Dog on a Stick is squeezing out some fresh deals in celebration of National Lemonade Day on August 20. The All-American, beach-born brand is giving away FREE souvenir cups filled with its fresh, hand-stomped lemonade to the first 50 customers at each participating store. In addition, all customers will enjoy a FREE Original Turkey Hot Dog on a Stick item with a lemonade purchase throughout the day. *

"Hot Dog on a Stick is proud to stick a smile on our customers' faces with our famous lemonade. Being the only national restaurant with genuine hand-stomped fresh lemonade, we believe it's truly the best around," said Jeremy Roy, Vice President of Hot Dog on a Stick. "Sip one for yourself on National Lemonade Day and enjoy our Original Hot Dogs on a Stick items, too!"

RESTAURANT REVIEW -  If you are a true sushi lover this is not the sushi you are looking for. Opening Friday in Madera in the Market Place Shopping Center is SUSHI LITTO, a Sinaloa Style Sushi and Seafood Restaurant. Sinaloa Sushi hails from the Sinaloa Region of Mexico on the west banks of the Gulf of California. This is not your traditional Japanese Sushi that you might be used to.

My wife and I decided to give the place a try on their opening night. Within two minutes of sitting down the restaurant received the three strikes that it would normally take an entire evening to find, if I even find them at all. Strike one, the floor was dirty and I had to wipe food off my seat before I could sit down. Strike two, my wife ordered iced tea to drink and was told they don't have it on the menu.  She then ordered a Diet Coke and the waitress brought her a rather expensive can of regular "Coke" (no fountain drinks). Strike three was when I asked the same waitress if there were any traditional Japanese rolls on the menu to which she answered, "All of them."

MADERA - Owners, Dustin and Traci Franklin are opening a new restaurant, The Tap House, in Madera located at 2175 North Schnoor Street, Ste. 101, in the Home Depot Shopping Center. The new restaurant will have 15 tap handles serving craft beer that will include, Drakes, Barrel House, Sierra Navada, Dust Bowl and Firestone.

The family friendly restaurant will also be serving local wines from Toca and San Joaquin Winery.  Their menu will feature an assortment of hand-crafted wood fired pizzas. They will be open to serve lunch and dinner during the hours of 11 am to 10 pm on Monday –Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights they stay open until 12 am and Sunday, 9 am to 10 pm, closed on Tuesdays.   The Tap House will feature an outdoor patio as a part of their extended dining experience. They will also offer bottle service to go for their selections of beer and wine.  

ATLANTA - After 30 years of baking of the world's sweetest treats, the masters of culinary pleasure at Cinnabon® are excited to announce the brand's foray into the savory breakfast space with its latest menu option, Cinnabon Sausage Bites. This delectable new product from Cinnabon is now available at participating locations nationwide.

This exciting new flavor innovation takes the amazingly fluffy Cinnabon dough that everybody loves, wraps it around a delicious breakfast sausage, and serves it up fresh-baked with a side of warm maple syrup or mustard– creating the ultimate breakfast (or anytime!) treat.