Category: BiteClub

The Bauer has spoken. Each year, the San Francisco Chronicle food critic bestows his blessings on a lucky 100 restaurants (see who they are) as “the best” of the year. In 2008 only four made the grade in Sonoma County. On the list: Rosso, Cyrus, Cafe La Haye and the Farmhouse Inn. That’s it. Really? […]

It’s a bit depressing driving around Santa Rosa these days, with every other storefront seemingly FOR LEASE. I hear endless frustration from folks in the food biz about ridiculous rents and increasing food costs. I’m get bummed seeing folks like Mark Malicki move out of town while yet another Panda Express or Taco Bell open […]

Lunch started like a bad Abbot and Costello skit. “Let’s get halo halo,” my friend said.“Yeah, uh, hi there.” Sometimes I mumble. Maybe she didn’t hear my earlier salutations.“No, halo-halo,” she said.“Hellooooooooo,” I say again, thinking, sheesh Mel, get a hearing aid.“No, they have halo-halo!” “Uh, okay.”“It’s like a milkshake. You’ll like it,” she laughs.Mmmmm. […]

Just in case we haven’t gushed about our local chefs quite enough this year, the James Beard Foundation has kindly volunteered to put that final cherry on the congratulatory sundae of foodie fete-ing with its annual award nominations. Unimpressed? Let’s just say anyone interested in the food world considers a Beard nomination a sort of […]

Saint Rose’s moveSitting on the beach last week, I got an alarming call from home. Cafe Saint Rose is closing! Though the details were still sketchy, it was sad news. Enough to put me off my poke, at least temporarily. Fortunately, news of their demise has been greatly exaggerated. Instead of closing, Mark Malicki and […]

Guest blogger Lynn hits Ad Hoc. I’m back Thursday with a full report on Maui dining. Get hungry! I am just back from the Monday night fried chicken dinner at Ad Hoc in Yountville and am happy to report it is a soul satisfying comfort meal, the perfect antidote to Monday. Buttermilk fried chicken is […]

Bite Club is cruising the Islands of Hawaii this week and has left you in the hands of strangers, what to do, what to do? Well, I’ll try my best to find something suitable for today’s rambunctious holiday. Ok, ok, maybe you can’t get as green around the gills as you might like this Saint […]

While I’m eating my way through Maui (stay tuned for details), I’ve asked a few friends to fill you guys in on some of their favorite finds in Sonoma County. Today, Vince gives the lowdown on Beverage People, where he gets the hookup for making his own cheese. I love this spot! One of the […]

Steamed pork buns are a love 'em or hate 'em kind of thing. All puffy, white and doughy, they're a bit like eating a pillow stuffed with meat. There's a certain nursery-like comfort to them, as well, though. When done right (and they rarely are), they're a steamy, sweet-savory treat that has no real English translation "other than a sort of pork-filled jelly doughnut.