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

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.