Two forks + one bite of polenta cake = friendship on the line.
Over a recent lunch nosh-fest my gal pal and I had nearly inhaled a plate of seared polenta with truffle porcini spread, mushrooms, arugula and tiny Peruvian sweet peppers ($14) at the new(ish) Franchettis Wood Fire Kitchen (1229 N. Dutton, Santa Rosa).
And that last bite? Things were about to get ugly between us. Fortunately she was easily distracted, and while I pushed her purse off the table, stole the final few crumbs to her horror.
![(k)chetti’s spicy chicken with salsa verde and Calabrian chili paste at Franchetti’s Kitchen in Santa Rosa, California on 1/20/16. (Heather Irwin, Press Democrat).](https://www.sonomamag.com/biteclub/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/0116_franchettiskitchen_spicychicken-600x400.jpg)
That’s actually not at all what happened, because I’m a class act and I let her have the last bite, while secretly snarfing the rest of the crab fettucini and braised Brussels sprouts with cream and lemon olive oil ($9.75). I may have also shoved some of the spicier-than-Channing-Tatum (k)chettis’ spicy chicken (flash fried with salsa verde and Calabrian chili paste, $10) into my bag.
Chump.
![Crab fettucine at Franchetti’s Wood-fired Kitchen in Santa Rosa, California on 1/16. Photo Heather Irwin](https://www.sonomamag.com/biteclub/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/franchettiskitchen_crabfettucine-600x405.jpg)
Since parting ways with Rosso, Chef John Franchetti and his wife, Gesine, have been revamping their bistro menu with a lineup of small plates, salads and entrees that, frankly, are what we’ve always admired most about Franchetti’s cooking. Each day, a lineup of specials goes onto the chalkboard, so you never quite know what you’ll experience on any given day, though the fried chicken, arancini, wood-fired pizzas, roasted olives with burrata (which made me fall in love with Franchetti’s cooking way back in 2009), and breakfast skillets are in the regular rotation.
![Cauliflower mac and cheese at Franchetti’s Wood-fired Kitchen in Santa Rosa, California on 1/16. Photo Heather Irwin](https://www.sonomamag.com/biteclub/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/franchettiskitchen_maccheese-600x405.jpg)
Gone are the rotisseries and focus on porchetta (which I like, but was a little limiting), instead focusing on whatever the Franchettis are getting in fresh that day.
![Cheesekcake at Franchetti's Wood Fired Kitchen in Santa Rosa, California. Heather Irwin](https://www.sonomamag.com/biteclub/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/franchettiskitchen_cheesecake-600x405.jpg)
The bonus: Pastry chef Dominique Cortara rents space from the Franchettis, so her breakfast pastries and other sweets are always on the menu. Watch for her lemon cheesecake with blood orange curd ($5.75) that’s another friendship-ender.
So, just order two.
![Brussels sprouts at Franchetti's Wood Fired Kitchen in Santa Rosa, California. Heather Irwin](https://www.sonomamag.com/biteclub/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/franchettiskitchen_brussels-600x405.jpg)
Franchettis Wood Fire Kitchen, 1229 N. Dutton, Santa Rosa, 526-1229.
Hours: Breakfast and lunch: Monday through Friday, 9am to 2:30pm
Brunch: Saturday and Sunday: 9am to 1:30pm
Dinner: Wednesday through Sunday, 5pm to 8:30pm (last seating)
Happy hour: 4:30pm to 6pm