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Bakersfield’s 89-Year-Old Basque Institution Noriega Hotel Closes Permanently

In other news: A few re-openings, a pizza surprise, and free meals from the Dodgers

An exterior look at the old Basque restaurant Noriega Hotel, with green neon and white walls.
Noriega Hotel
Food GPS

Famed Bakersfield Basque restaurant the Noriega Hotel is closing permanently, reports the Bakersfield Californian. The legendary large-format restaurant is a James Beard Foundation American Classic category winner from 2011, and has been in operation since the 1930s. In a note posted to the restaurant’s social media, ownership said the property would “not re-open after the COVID-19 closure.” The loss has stung many in the Central Valley, home to a surprising accumulation of Basque restaurants and other timeless dining gems.

And in other news:

— Alta in West Adams is reopening with a sliding payment scale, reports LA Times.

— There’s a cool new refugee-run restaurant open during the pandemic in Little Ethiopia, reports LA Magazine.

— Downtown’s Pez Cantina is going to be partying for Cinco de Mayo, offering family-style meals, taco kits, and drinks of course.

— The once-busy Mason’s Dumpling Shop returns on May 1 to Highland park, selling takeaway dumplings of all sorts, Wednesday through Monday, 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Vampire Pizza is coming back for another round of at-home gameplay and food starting May 1, and this time they’re expanding their reach with a second delivery location based out of Venice.

— Dodger Justin Turner has teamed up with RC Provisions and other local vendors to provide tens of thousands of meals for those in need at the Dream Center.

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