By Lena Turcios
Personally, I´m a foodie and always love a good dish. Here are some new dishes that are trending as of 2024. If you need something to spice up your food life then this will do it for you.
- Comfort foods! Many places serve “comfort foods.” You just have to seek out the good ones. In Benicia there is Mirchi Indian Grill on Columbus Pkwy, which serves great comfort food. It has a variety of dishes that include rice, meats (chicken, lamb, etc.), vegetables, nan, chutneys, currys, samosas, lentils, soups/salads, wraps, and desserts, as well. If you don’t want to make that perfect comfort food dinner, then this is the perfect choice for you. It can get busy, though, so I recommend either getting the food to-go or dining on their nicely decorated patio.
- Muy caliente! This year’s new and exciting spices will become a trend in many dishes. Certain peppers, such as scorpion peppers, are in supermarkets now. In addition to the spices, there will be main dishes such as grilled shrimp, chicken, steak, and more. A restaurant that uses spice often is Aung Maylika in Benicia. They have a variety of options from Tofu to Lamb. You can get any of the dishes at a variety of different spice levels, which provides great, inclusive options.
- Mediterranean food is a hot topic in 2024. In both homes and restaurants this food is rising in popularity. A good Mediterranean Greek food spot is Nick The Greek in Vallejo. I highly recommend trying this spot if you want to branch out your horizons. The flavors of their popular Gyros and pitas are bold, incorporating a lot of hummus, fresh vegetables, meats or falafel, and a variety of different sauces, as well.
- Noodles, noodles, noodles! All different types of noodles are becoming popular in college dormitories. Spicy fire noodles to cheesy carbonara noodles to soy sauce and chicken flavors. To anyone trying to live their life on a budget while also finding tasty food options, noodles are the right choice. You can pick from dozens of brands at any local grocery store for low prices. In addition to the packaged noodles, there are also great noodles at the recently opened Pho in Benicia on Columbus Pkwy.
- Pizza! A food trend that will never seem to go out of style is classic pizza. You can get any toppings, sauce, crust, cheese—anything! It can be savory or sweet based, or both. Let your mind run wild when picking the toppings. There is a MOD pizza in Vallejo on Plaza dr. I absolutely love this restaurant because of how much dining space there is. I love pizza so much because of how nostalgic it is as well. During my childhood, we would go get pizza often, and it’s also so convenient and easy to order. It will never go out of style. There is also Pacifica Pizza in Benicia, which is another very tasty spot to go.
- Charcuterie boards have become so popular in 2023, and that trend is continuing. With all of the different food options, it’s very appealing—to look at and to eat. You can have lots of fruit, meats, crackers, breads, jams, spreads, oils, dips, vegetables, chocolates, and sweets. Having a picnic with a charcuterie board during the springtime is always pretty, especially when the weather is nice. Or if you have a party, charcuterie boards are fun and exciting. You can also pair it with sparkling water or something healthier, such as kombucha, which is also on the rise of popularity this year. It’s very good for your health and gut and an alternative to soda. A good place to find charcuterie supplies is at Anchor Pantry in downtown Vallejo on Marin st. They are open for Art Walk, which takes place the second Friday every month.
Overall, there are many places right here in Benicia that can fulfill any food craving you have. My personal favorite is Indian food because of all the amazing herby flavors and spices. Good luck finding your favorite!
beniciapaw.com 