Category: Food + Drink

2016 BottleRock Restaurants and Food Vendors Announced

Music festival band lineups? Meh. We’re waiting for the chef lineups to be announced, Napa’s 2016 BottleRock team has finally served up details on the food rock stars waiting to feed us this summer. The annual music festival in Napa is a coming together of food, wine, art and of course, music. The mostly-Napa lineup mixes […]

Five Spring White Wines to Enjoy in Sonoma County

This time of year is a conundrum. We have one muddy shoe in the rainy season, while the other is tap dancing under sun-kissed skies. We don’t dare leave our jackets in the hall closet … or do we? Our palates are just as confused but, in the end, can’t resist the urge to chase […]
Slicing beef brisket at the Cochon Volant BBQ Smoke House in Sonoma. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)

Pig out at Sonoma’s new Cochon Volant

The metal flying pig sculpture soaring atop the roof of Cochon Volant BBQ Smokehouse in Sonoma promises pork, as does the name Cochon, which is French for “pig.” And certainly that succulent meat is a hallmark of this friendly little eatery from chef-owner Rob Larman. If the art piece from Glen Ellen talent Bryan Tedrick […]
Russian River Brewing Company's Vinnie Cilurzo, with wife Natalie, is a semifinalist for Outstanding Wine, Spirits or Beer Professional in the James Beard Foundation Awards.

2016 James Beard Award Semifinalists Announced

Two Sonoma County men were among semifinalists announced Wednesday for the James Beard Foundation’s 2016 restaurant and chef awards. Russian River Brewing Co.’s Vinnie Cilurzo of Santa Rosa and Littorai Wines’ Ted Lemon of Sebastopol were among the 20 making the cut for Outstanding Wine, Spirits or Beer Professional. About two dozen Bay Area restaurants […]
Cinnamon French toast made from Village Bakery brioche topped with butter, fresh whipped cream, organic raspberries and real maple syrup with sparkling wine and a cappuccino at Estero Cafe in Valley Ford. (Alvin Jornada / The Press Democrat)

3 Valentine’s Day Brunch Recipes from Sonoma County Chefs

This Sunday, instead of going out for a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner, you can treat your sweet babboo to something a little different: an intimate breakfast in bed, complete with fresh squeezed juice and coffee. And, if you take the time to source your ingredients from local farms and producers you’ll get points for the […]

Sonoma County Winery Tasting Rooms to Visit This Winter

  Winter is quiet and contemplative in Sonoma, a time when grapevines go dormant and the wines from the 2015 harvest are at rest in cellars. The countryside can be beautiful, dark golden and gray, without a grape leaf in sight. It’s a fine season to stop in at wineries, which are apt to be […]
Pliny the Younger line - fans waiting in line for the famous beer release

Pliny the Younger – Live updates from the big beer release in Santa Rosa

Pliny the Younger, Russian River Brewing Co.’s super-hoppy triple India pale ale is coming to town. Its 12th-annual release is expected to bring thousands of self-proclaimed beer geeks — and their money — to downtown Santa Rosa beginning Friday February 2nd. Curious about the whole thing? Don’t want to stand in line? Follow the live […]
Beer enthusiasts from around the world line up for the annual debut of Russian River Brewing Company's Pliny the Younger. (John Burgess)

Pliny the Younger: What You Need to Know

It’s either the best of times or the worst of times, but either way, it is time. Pliny the Younger, Russian River Brewing Co.’s super-hoppy triple India pale ale is almost here. Its 12th-annual release is expected to bring thousands of self-proclaimed beer geeks — and their money — to downtown Santa Rosa beginning Friday. […]