🍍 Real Pineapple Plants? In This Economy? 🌴

That’s right—Ava’s is selling actual, living pineapple plants, and we are just as surprised as you are that this is legal. Finally, you can grow your very own pineapple at home, harvest it with your bare hands like a tropical forager, and enjoy the freshest, juiciest pineapple of your life—without having to win a "free" trip to Hawaii from that one booth at the Art & Wine Festival.

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Here’s the scoop:

• 🌱 Pineapple plants only grow one pineapple per plant. That means all the flavor is concentrated into a single golden trophy of deliciousness.
• 🌞 They love bright, indirect sunlight—perfect for a sunny windowsill, patio, or that weird sunroom you never use.
• 🕰️ It takes 18–24 months for the fruit to grow… but trust us, the bragging rights are immediate.
• 💦 Water sparingly! These are bromeliads, not houseplants with abandonment issues.
• 🍍 When ripe, it’ll smell so good you’ll probably cry. That’s a normal part of the process.

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These won’t last long, and once they’re gone, you’ll be stuck paying for a can of fruit that you'll just forget about in the back of your pantry. Be smart: Snag a pineapple plant at Ava’s now, and start your slow but satisfying journey toward sweet, spiky mouth victory.

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🌴 Bring one home. Name it. Love it. Eat its only child.

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🍍 For the Lazy, the Plant-Killers, and the Chronically Impatient 🎉

So maybe you don’t want to raise a pineapple like a tiny spiky child for two years. That’s valid. Not everyone’s cut out for horticultural parenthood. The good news? Ava’s has pineapple that’s already been grown, chopped, canned, dried, juiced, or lovingly sliced by someone with better upper body strength than you. We’ve got pineapple rings in cans (great for layering into cakes or wearing as tropical finger jewelry), diced chunks for quick snacking or slow nibbling, dried pineapple for on-the-go fruit leather energy, juice so fresh it might ask you about your aura, and full trays of ready-to-eat pineapple for those who believe fruit should not come with homework.

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And once you have it, what do you do with it?

• Grilled pineapple slices—toss them on the BBQ next to your burgers for that caramelized, smoky-sweet moment that makes you feel like a genius. Pro tip: drizzle a little balsamic vinegar on top. You’re welcome.
• Smoothies—pineapple + banana + coconut milk = vacation in a blender. Add rum if it’s after noon. Or before noon. We won’t tell.
• Pineapple on pizza—yes, we said it. Yes, it’s good. No, we’re not accepting feedback at this time.
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But let's go big, bold, and international! 🌎✈️

• In Taiwan, pineapple is baked into flaky, buttery pastry cubes called feng li su, and given as gifts to symbolize good fortune. Eat one and feel instantly more successful.
• In Colombia, pineapple is boiled into agua de panela con piña—a sweet, sticky drink made with cane sugar, cinnamon, and pineapple peels. Yes, the peels. Waste nothing, fear nothing.
• In the Philippines, pineapple is cooked in adobo—a garlicky, vinegary chicken stew that hits hard with a surprise fruity twist.
• And in parts of the American South? Pineapple + mayo + shredded cheddar cheese + Jell-O = salad. Don’t ask. Just experience it.

Whether you’re here for the tropical vibes or the cultural chaos, Ava’s has the pineapple to match your energy. No machete required. 🔪🍍

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🧑‍🍳 From Juan’s Kitchen: Stuffed Poblano Chiles with White Sauce 🌶️

This week, we’re giving our newsletter readers a very special treat—Juan’s personal recipe for creamy, dreamy, chile-stuffed magic. It’s 100% made from expired or past-sell-by-date items at Ava’s, which means it tastes just as good (if not better) than something you’d overpay for at a trendy restaurant where the waiter wears a hat indoors.

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Here’s the vibe: smoky roasted poblanos, stuffed with savory beef and veggies, lightly fried in an eggy coat, and smothered in a creamy paprika-spiced white sauce. Yes, it sounds like a lot. No, it’s not hard. Yes, you will feel like a hero.

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Juan’s Stuffed Poblano Chiles with White Sauce

(Serves 2-3 fancy people or 1 very hungry relative)
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• Roast 2 large poblano chiles till the skins blister. Steam in a bag, peel, then gently cut them open and remove seeds. Try not to tear them. Cry if you must.
• Brown ½ lb of ground beef. Add ½ onion, 1 tomato, and (optional) 1 serrano pepper. Sauté a bit, then toss in ½ tsp oregano, salt, pepper, and 2 Tbsp cliantro (chopped).
• Stuff those chiles! 🌶️
• Whip 2 egg whites till stiff, fold in yolks (they get shy). Coat stuffed chiles in the fluff, fry in oil till golden and glorious.
• In a small pot: melt 1 Tbsp butter, add ½ cup heavy cream, ¼ cup chicken broth, ½ tsp paprika, and a lil’ salt. Simmer till saucy.
• Dunk chiles in the sauce. Serve with garden rice. Crown yourself. 👑

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Come grab some of the ingredients—the “expired” ones still taste amazing, and you’ll be helping reduce waste and impressing your dinner guests. Juan swears by this recipe, and honestly, we trust him. The man once made a 3-course meal from dented cans and a broken rice cooker. Legend.

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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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• Thu, Aug 14, 5-7pm (ish) — 🍺 Beer Tasting​
  ​Come sip some seriously smooth, no-nonsense brews from Richmond’s own East Brother Beer Co.—a bayside brewery named after a lighthouse and fueled by classic styles that don’t need a grapefruit explosion to impress. Show up thirsty and leave slightly more nautical. ⚓️
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• Fri, Aug 29, 5-7pm — 🧀 Charcuterie Night! 🍷✨​
  ​You, a cheese knife, and a glass of wine—what could go wrong? This is your chance to build a board so beautiful it could get its own LinkedIn profile. Get your tickets here—before the brie runs out: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/craft-your-own-charcuterie-board-wine-tasting-tickets-1554690524209​
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• Mon, Sep 1 — 🇺🇸 Labor Day​
  ​This Labor Day, let us do the heavy lifting—you just focus on grilling, chilling, and not burning the potato salad. Stock up at Ava’s before that one friend brings their special “homemade hot dogs” again.
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• Fri, Sep 12, 5-7pm (ish) — 🍺 Beer Tasting​
  ​Free beer tasting with the legendary Anderson Valley Brewing—because nothing says “community bonding” like sipping craft brews near the kale. 🍻 Come for the beer, stay for the awkward eye contact with your neighbors over a crisp IPA.