👨 Red, Rare, and Ready for Dad 🥩

Father’s Day is almost here, and what better way to salute Dad than by firing up the grill and charring the reddest of meats? 🍖🌞 Whether you’re manning the tongs in your backyard or sneaking a quick BBQ sesh at Eagle Park, there’s nothing more dad-approved than a perfectly cooked steak that’s as red as his vintage sports car. Plus, let’s be real—Dad’s grill game is the only place where “well-done” might actually be a crime. 😉

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Quick Tip: For optimal flavor, season early and sear hot. Pat your steak dry, then coat generously with kosher salt, freshly cracked pepper, and a dash of smoked paprika (Ava’s spice section has more rubs than your dad has “back in my day” stories!). Let it rest at room temp for 30 minutes, then lay it down on a blazing-hot grate—think lava-hot, like your uncle’s failed chili cook-off. Sear each side for 2–3 minutes, then move to a cooler spot to finish cooking. The result? A caramelized crust that’s pure umami heaven. 🔥👨‍🍳

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Not a red-meat fanatic? No sweat. Swap in portobello mushrooms or grilled eggplant for a veggie twist that even the staunchest carnivore can’t mock for too long. Marinate your mushrooms in balsamic and garlic, hit ’em with a quick sear, and suddenly you’ve got something so juicy Dad might wonder if you secretly invited T-Rex to dinner. 🍄🍆

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So stock up at Ava’s—our aisles are bursting with the boldest rubs, salts, and marinades this side of San Jose. Swing by, snag your toppings, and let’s make this Father’s Day red-hot. Dad deserves it—after all, he’s been grilling us with terrible puns for years! 😎🎉

🔴 Red, Radiant, and Rebellious 🧁

Juneteenth isn't just another "Wait–the Post Office is closed today?" holiday—it’s the moment when freedom finally marched into Texas on June 19, 1865, ending slavery in the last Confederate state. It’s a day to honor resilience, community, and the long road to true equality. ❤️ One beautiful way we celebrate is through red foods, which symbolize both the blood shed in the fight for freedom and the prosperity, joy, and hope that rose from it. From watermelon slices to hibiscus tea, the color red reminds us of our roots—and our power. 🎉

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At Ava’s, we’re carrying on that tradition with show-stopping red velvet cake. Why cake? Well, red velvet’s deep crimson crumb is like a tiny victory parade in your mouth, and the tangy cream cheese frosting is the sweet aftertaste of liberation. Plus, ours is nut-free so EVERYONE—no matter their allergy status—can dig in without fear of sending Aunt Harriet to the ER. (Sorry, Aunt Harriet. Love you.) 😉

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And let’s talk size: the cupcake is the unsung hero of holiday treats. It’s the perfect size for celebration—no awkward plate juggling, no crumb catastrophe, and just enough frosting to make Dad’s mustache truly iconic. 🧁 Plus, it’s easy to hand out at picnics, parades, or wherever you end up after someone mentions “live music.”

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Swing by Ava’s Downtown Market to pick up a few of of these ruby-red delights—because nothing says “I honor your history and also want dessert” like a perfectly portioned, quirky little cake. Here’s to freedom, family, and frosting so good it almost feels rebellious. ✊🍰

🍒 Pop a Cherry, Pour a Glass: Ginja Demands It 🍷

This week’s red-hot theme continues with Mariquinhas Ginja de Óbidos, a deep crimson cherry liqueur that looks like it could summon a demon—or at least summon a good time. This traditional Portuguese treat has been enjoyed for centuries, originally served in tiny chocolate cups (hello, multitasking). Ginja (short for ginjinha, say it like you’re about to do a flamenco kick) is made by infusing sour cherries in alcohol, then sweetening it up just enough to make you think, “I could drink this while wearing velvet.”

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What makes Mariquinhas special? It’s still made the old-school way, steeped in whole cherries, no artificial colors, no weird preservatives, and yes, it’s actually bottled in Óbidos, a walled medieval town where everything looks like a Disney movie but everyone drinks like it’s their last night on Earth.

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Ginja is also perfect for Juneteenth: red foods are a celebration of freedom, life, and resilience, and there’s something poetic about a liqueur that’s blood-red, bold, sweet with a bite—and packs a punch, just like history.

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…and if you're not a drinker, here's a fun alternative: Get an entire bag of our organic, local, and in-season cherries—then just go to town on them, until your face is covered in sticky, sweet red juice. (Pro-tip: Remember to come up for air every so often!)

📈 Uh Oh… Some of our Stock is "in the Red" 📉

You may notice some of your favorite products missing from our shelves this week—and no, it’s not because we accidentally ate all the snacks. Our main supplier, UNFI, was hit by a major cyberattack that’s knocked out their systems (yep, the same one that’s affecting Whole Foods and other stores too CNN article here).

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We’re scrambling like eggs on a hot skillet, reaching out to smaller, independent suppliers (who are wonderful but, let’s be honest, a bit pricier and a lot more “we only deliver by canoe on Wednesdays”).

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Please bear with us, have a little patience, and know that we’re working overtime to get your high-quality Ava’s favorites back in stock ASAP. UNFI is hopeful they’ll be back online by next week, and we’re crossing every available finger and celery stalk.

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Thanks for sticking with us through the digital chaos ❤️

Upcoming Events​
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• Every Wednesday, 5-7PM — 🎵 Music on Castro​
  ​Enjoy live performances right in Downtown Mountain View! Come for the tunes, stay for the vibes, and don’t forget to swing by Ava’s to grab dinner from Poké Bowl or Simply Sabor, or just pick up a box of cookies to munch on while you vibe to the music like a very classy raccoon. 🎶🍪🦝
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• Every Friday, 6-7:30PM — 🎵 Concerts on the Plaza​
  ​Didn’t get your full music fix on Wednesday? Perfect—because Friday night, Concerts on the Plaza is bringing the beats that make lawn chairs bounce and dads attempt the moonwalk. 💃🕺 Stop by Ava’s first for a snack, a chilled drink, or a quick wine tasting to fuel your feet and unlock those secret dance moves.​
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• Sun, Jun 15 — 👨 Father's Day
  ​Time to panic-shop for the man who claims he doesn’t want anything. Golf? Tools? A mug that says “Grill Sergeant”? Honestly, just bring him some jerky from Ava's and tell him he’s doing great. ​
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• Thu, Jun 19 — Juneteenth
  ​Take time to reflect, learn, and celebrate freedom, resilience, and culture. And yes—food plays a big part. Stop by Ava’s for representative foods like red beans, hibiscus drinks, or even ingredients for red velvet cake (Red foods symbolize perseverance and joy!). Because history tastes better with frosting. 🔴​
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• Fri, Jun 20, 5-7PM — ✨ Sparkling Spirit Tasting​
  Enjoy a free tasting of Santa Cruz' very own West Peak Sparkling Spirits—effervescent, elegant, and just bubbly enough to make you text your ex (don’t). Come for the sparkle, stay because carbonated booze is basically adult soda.
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• Fri, Jun 20 — ☀️ Summer Solstice
  ​The longest day of the year, and the official start of Summer! Make the most of those extra rays by grilling into the golden hour. Ava’s has everything for a midsummer feast: local produce, wild sausages, mystical cheeses… and possibly the ghost of a druid in the wine aisle (we call him "Dave"). 🌞