Author: Heather Irwin

Heather Irwin is the chief fork of BiteClubEats.com, the definitive source for Sonoma County and Wine Country food and dining news. You can find even more stories at BiteClubEats.com

Eye Candy: Sonoma Doctor Seeing Vision of Chocolate

Written by Heather Irwin for BiteClubEats. Eye Candy Chocolatiers: Chocolate is Dr. Sonja Schluter’s happy place.  The Sonoma ophthalmologist spends her days working with patients facing serious vision problems, primarily glaucoma. So her off-time passion for making beautiful chocolate truffles has become an outlet of beauty, precision and, of course, deliciousness. But after 20 years practice […]

Shopping: Creative Finds for Sonoma County

The holidays are over and a new year looms. If your resolutions include cooking more, taking care of yourself, being more creative or simply enjoying the Wine Country life, here are some ideas for achieving your goals. Mealtime Salt of the Earth Ooh, Mommy! This Umami Sea Salt, flavored with black garlic and shiitake mushrooms, […]
Vanilla Milk Tea from TeaRex. (Photo by Jenna Fischer)

Boba Cafes Trending in Sonoma County

From our food blogger, Heather Irwin of BiteClubEats. Boba, also known as bubble tea, is having its 15 minutes. But we think it’s a trend that’s here to stay. Though its been around for several years in the US, and a rage in Asia since the 1990s, the chewy, sweet, drink/snack/entertainment is becoming a millennial […]
Seared foie gras with baby kiwi and almonds at Valette in Healdsburg. (Photo / Heather Irwin)

30 Best Restaurant Dishes of 2015 in Sonoma County

From our food blogger, Heather Irwin of BiteClubEats. As the year comes to a close, it’s always fun to look back at the best dishes of the year — or at least my favorites. Choosing the best from hundreds of meals isn’t easy, and admittedly is rather subjective, but a few dozen rise to the […]

Sonoma County’s Best Restaurant Openings in 2015

There’s always a great new restaurant opening somewhere in Sonoma County, and this year was no exception. 2015’s lineup includes Michelin-worthy restaurants, fast-casual pizzerias, a vegetarian drive-thru, barbecue spots galore and even a neo-Jewish/Korean spot.

A Mugnaini oven installed in a home’s outdoor kitchen makes a perfect centerpiece for alfresco entertaining.

Healdsburg’s Mugnaini Makes the Rolls Royce of Pizza Ovens

Lovers of Italian cooking, take note: The Rolls Royce of wood-fire pizza ovens, Mugnaini Imports, has made its home in Healdsburg. The 26-year-old company is renowned for producing ovens that heat up quickly (room temperature to 1,000 degrees in less than an hour), provide a natural convection flow of heat inside the dome, and make […]

Shopping: Holiday Wine Country Finds

Sonoma winter is more a state of mind than a time for bracing against snow and sleet. Sonomans are quick to nestle by the fire with a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon while waiting for Santa’s sleigh, even if the sun is shining and the temperature mild. With this in mind, Heather Irwin offers some great […]