Happy Girl Kitchen
173 Central Ave., Pacific Grove
373-4475, www.happygirlkitchen.com
Happy Girl’s mascot made an appearance at The Independent Marketplace not so long ago, playing with kids and doling out high-fives, resplendent in her bumpy green skin. As Happy Girl’s website puts it, “We love pickles as much as anyone could.” It’s not just a schtick, people: Jordan and Todd Champagne are seriously fearless about pickling, with a fervor so contagious people sign up for their workshops and join their Jam and Pickle Club to replicate the magic at home. But HGK’s interpretation goes so far beyond the preserved cucumber spear: They’ll pickle the hell out of beets, carrots, zucchini, okra, peppers. They’ll pickle cuteness. We’re not kidding. They might even pickle a little piece of your heart.