Plagiarized platters?

UPDATE David Lin stopped by the offices of the Press Democrat today (10/11) to show BiteClub his newly redesigned menu. Chin has made a number of significant changes to the menu–deleting several dishes that also appear on Ume’s menu as well as reordering and renaming some dishes they continue to share. Chin asserts that many […]

Pizza Party

As a former resident of both New York and Chicago, I’ve purposely laid a bit low on the whole Wine Country pizza debate. For one thing, the definition of pizza ’round these parts is almost impossible to nail down. Is a salad on top of pizza crust a pizza? Is goat cheese and arugula? And, […]

Toyo Japanese Bistro

In a blue collar neighborhood better known for its furniture warehouses than its cuisine, Toyo Sushi Bar has just been added to an intriguing lineup of ethnic eateries along Piner Road including Red Rose (southern BBQ); Royal China (upscale Chinese) and El Sombrero #2 (dive tacos). Decidedly white-tablecloth, Toyo’s opening menu features yellowtail collar, quail […]

Chippery, Skyhawk Village Market

Chippery closedFrom a weekend note to BiteClub: “What happened to the Chippery?!!?!?!?! My husband and I drove all the way across town to Montgomery Village last night to get our favorite burgers ever in all the world (because I fully agree with you that it’s hands down the best burger joint around), and they were […]

Restaurant gossip

UPDATEOrsi’s closedDowntown Italian eatery, Orsi’s, has closed. The spot on Fifth St. seems to be cursed since the closing of the popular Cafe Lolo several years ago, with two restaurants since failing in the spot. No word on whether the restaurant will re-open elsewhere. Meanwhile, a change of ownership and possible wine bar in the […]

Taste of Petaluma

Just in time for this weekend’s Taste of Petaluma (this Saturday, Sept. 29 from noon to 4), several new Theater Square (along Petaluma Blvd. south, in downtown Petaluma) restaurants have swung open their doors. Here’s a quick sneak preview of the menus- Tres Hombres officially opened yesterday. The interior is much more luxe than your […]

The Return of Monte Cristo

BiteClubber Jim asks: Where in Santa Rosa or in the county of Sonoma can I find Monte Cristo sandwiches? America’s answer to the Croque Monsieur, the batter-dipped Monte Cristo sandwich was a beloved diner staple throughout the 60s and early 70s. But like Shirley Temples, meatloaf and pot roast, it faded into food obscurity as […]

Delfina

My usual beat on the food circuit–new openings and funky food trends–has one very distinct disadvantage: I rarely haunt tried and true restaurants with proven menus. And while bacon on a trapeze and opening nights clearly have cache and appeal, its hard to describe the relief of sitting down at a nearly decade-old spot like […]

BiteClub Everyday Eats

Despite what some of you may think, the life of a food writer isn’t all foie gras and Kobe beef. Not by a long-shot. Like everybody else, I eat plenty of bad take-out, mega chain burgers, Lean Cuisines and hot dogs. And during most of those everyday meals, I pretty much shut off my foodie […]