çine Murphy of Birmingham, England tours Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve in Guerneville, Tuesday May 1, 2018. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat) 2018
It’s summer. The sun is shining, the sky is blue, and you’re stuck inside scrolling on your smartphone looking at people having a great time outdoors. Sounds familiar? Well, you’re not alone.
The average American spends nearly four hours a day staring at computer, tablet and smartphone screens, and an additional four hours or so watching television, according to the financial news site MarketWatch. Medical researchers, cited in a Forbes article, recently concluded that the heaviest smartphone users exhibit “the greatest degree of depression, anxiety, loneliness, and isolation.” The antidote? “We need to devote time to ourselves, nourish our brains and engage in exercise,” as well as “reconnect with nature,” writes the author of the article, an emergency physician.
Needless to say, it’s hard to kick digital addiction (after all, your phone is designed to keep you constantly engaged). Thankfully, Sonoma County offers plenty of ways to stimulate your senses sans screens. If you want to take a break from your computer, tablet and phone, click through the gallery for tips on how to do a digital detox.
It’s time to get excited about apples! Sebastopol’s celebrated Gravenstein crop is here and there are ways to get in on the eating action. Here are a few products from Sonoma County stores to help you celebrate all that juicy flavor—click through the above gallery for details.
Bohemian style (aka Boho Chic) is an enduring trend in Sonoma County. That may be because of its satisfying blend of casual, rustic and romantic qualities and how it mirrors so well the local lifestyle. Here are some great Boho finds for your home and wardrobe to give your space or your look a relaxed and pretty vibe—click through the above gallery for details.
Sashimi salad with tuna, salmon, crab at Raku Ramen and Rolls in Santa Rosa. (Heather Irwin/Press Democrat)
The owner of Sea Thai Bistro and Sea Noodle Bar has paired up with popular sushi burrito food truck chef Takeshi Uchida to create Raku Ramen and Rolls in Santa Rosa’s Montgomery Village. More than just a ramen shop, Shoubu Japanese’s Uchida has created a menu inspired by his sustainable vision for Japanese cuisine — and it’s something to write home about.
Poke Don, with wild-caught tuna, chili sesame soy, organic avocado, greens and veganaise at Raku Ramen and Rolls in Santa Rosa. Heather Irwin/PD
We first met Uchida 12 years ago when he was creating “secret sushi” at the Odd Fellows Hall several days a week. The former Hana Japanese sushi wunderkind has a deep passion for the food of his homeland, but in recent years significantly changed his diet and the menu he created for his food truck to use only sustainable fish, organic and GMO-free ingredients and generally re-envision some of the less-than-sustainable practices of some sushi spots.
With Sea Thai’s Chef Tony Ounpamornchai, the two have created a clean, minimalist fast-casual izakaya featuring tonkotsu (pork), shoyu and vegan ramen bowls ($15-$16) with high-quality ingredients, along with rice bowls and a small selection of rolls and salads. We loved the cloudy tonkotsu with braised pork belly and organic veggies, along with the Poke Don (wild-caught tuna with chili sesame soy, greens and spicy veganaise, $16). The raku roll includes crab, tuna, avocado and kaiware sprouts. Don’t miss the Zangi, Hokkaido style free-range chicken ($8), or the Veggie Miso Mabo Don, made with organic tofu, tempeh, eggplant and spicy bean sauce. ($12).
Veggie miso mabo don with organic tofu, tempeh, eggplant and spicy bean sauce with garlic, ginger and greens at Raku Ramen and Rolls in Santa Rosa. Heather Irwin/PD
Lots of great vegan and vegetarian choices here, especially if you’re a stickler for high-quality ingredients.
We’d love to see even more exploration of Japanese favorites, including the return of Uchida’s sushi burritos, miso soup and homestyle classics we enjoyed on the Shoubu truck — which is now in retirement. Early Yelpers dinged the restaurant for high prices, but owners say they’ve dropped some prices and are now offering mini rice bowls for $5. We’re not stoked about the upcharge on ramen for things like nori, bamboo shoots and mushrooms, but it is not exactly out of line with the cost of organic ingredients.
Raku Ramen & Rolls: 2424 Midway Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-623-9668.
The official news of Michael Mina’s taking over the restaurant at The Lodge at Sonoma has finally been released. The celebrity chef will open Wit & Wisdom in early 2020, featuring hearth-oven cooking. News had been circulating for months among staff that the Bay Area toque would be opening a space at the resort, but Mina reps denied the news until this month.
“A Wine Country project has been a long time coming,” says Chef Michael Mina. “I’ve always wanted to expand to this incredible part of Northern California.” We’ll look forward to more news as the restaurant develops.
It’s a hot and cool new happy hour in Sebastopol as Ramen Gaijin serves up deals on raw oysters ($1.50), karaage (fried chicken) with miso ranch and lemon ($6), togarishi fries, grilled trumpet mushrooms ($3), saimin noodles with “house spam” ($10) along with sake, cocktails, beer and wine from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. Deal! 6948 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol, ramengaijin.com.
More Sebastopol food news: Lowell’s is changing up things, closing on Tuesday and Wednesday and ending breakfast service. They’ll be open from 11a.m. to 2:30p.m. for lunch and 5 to 9p.m. for dinner. Brunch will be available on the weekend. One of the biggest changes, however, is the abandonment of the 20 percent service charge. Owner Lowell Sheldon hoped that the charge would allow for better wages and benefits for restaurant employees, but the upcharge irritated many customers. Instead, they’ll be reducing it to a 3.5 percent charge for healthcare and sustainability charge. 7385 Healdsburg Ave., Sebastopol, lowellssebastopol.com.
The Gravenstein is the star this weekend at annual Sebastopol festival. (PD File Photo/Connor Jay)
Take a bite out of Sonoma County’s agricultural past at the annual Gravenstein Apple Fair (August 17-18) in Sebastopol. Underneath the oaks of Ragle Ranch, the community gathers for a down-home harvest celebration that includes pie-eating contests, sheep shearing, cow milking, cider making, live music and top-notch food, cider, wine and microbrews. Come hungry to enjoy food from more than 25 restaurants and vendors including Ramen Gaijin, Black Piglet, The Whole Pie, Gravenstein Grill, The Farmer’s Wife, Lowell’s, Mateo’s Cocina Latina and Jam’s Joy Bungalow.
With a focus on food and farming, the fair is a charming step back into the history of Sonoma’s West County, when orchards rather than vineyards dominated the landscape. With a focus on the sweet and delicate Gravenstein long cultivated in the region, it’s also a success story of bringing an heirloom fruit back from the brink of extinction.
Thanks to the proliferation of artisan cider makers, heirloom apples like the Gravenstein are once again in high demand with local orchardists carefully maintaining and protecting these local treasures. You can taste some of the best producers in the Artisan Cider tent at the fair and throughout Sonoma County Cider Week (Aug. 17-25) that kicks off at the fair and continues at restaurants, tap rooms and tasting rooms throughout the county. We’re special fans of Tilted Shed (who helped lead the charge for using local heirloom apples for cider), family-run Ethic Ciders and the ever-quaffable Golden State Cider.
Entrance to the Gravenstein Apple Fair is $15 for adults, $10 for kids and $12 for seniors and veterans and can be purchased in advance at gravensteinapplefair.com. Admission to the Artisan Tasting Lounge, which includes a special meet and greet with farmers and special food tastings, is $25 at the door and $20 in advance.Details on the Sonoma County Cider Week are at sonomacountyciderweek.com.
Sonoma Magazine-Eat Here Now. The laughing bartender Bri Hall serves up cocktails at the Perch and Plow on Courthouse Square in Santa Rosa. (photo by John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Happy hours aren’t a one-size-fits-all kind of thing. In fact, they’re a highly individualized adventure that says a lot about who you are, the people you spend time with, and whether you’re out for a quick buzz, a confab, or a romantic rendezvous.
Throughout Sonoma County, you can find just about any kind of happy hour — from dives that reek of beer and despair to clubby enclaves serving trophy wines and caviar. But that’s not what’s on this list of 20 favorite spots to score a drink on the cheap. Instead, we’ve sifted through hundreds of options to find bars and restaurants that offer great drinks, great food, and great values — for coworkers, friends, and lovers alike. Click through the gallery for details. Salud!
Tokyo Shoyu Chasu pork ramen at Miso Good Ramen in Snata Rosa. Heather Irwin/PD
If you want to know what chefs eat on their days off, it’s usually one of two things: Tacos or ramen. Not Top Ramen, natch, but serious Japanese ramen made with real miso, 6-minute eggs, char siu pork belly and, most importantly, good noodles. Otherwise, you might was well eat Top Ramen, or better yet, a taco. And, chefs will tell you that salty, fatty, umami bowls taking the food scene by storm are an ultimate comfort/hangover food that even when they’re not great, are still pretty good.
Miso Good Ramen, in downtown Santa Rosa, is exactly that. Really good, exceedingly slurp-able, ramen bowls we’ve tried on several occasions — and continue to crave. Of course, a serious discussion of the many styles, virtues and classifications of ramen (it’s sort of like regional barbecue in that everyone has an opinion) is outside the scope of this column, but here’s what we can tell you…
Best bets: Surprise, it’s the Miso Butter Veggie ($12)! Though we’re pork lovers through and through, the veggie-centric ramen made with fermented soybean broth and piled with okra, corn, sprouts, mushrooms, and garlic seaweed, gets a bit o’ butter making it over the top delish.
We also loved the Hamachi Carpaccio ($15), with slices of Japanese yellowtail, tart ponzu sauce and a hint of truffle oil — enough to balance the dish, not punch it in the face.
The Tokyo Shoyu Chasu Pork ($12) ramen has great pieces of soy-braised pork in pork broth, a far more flavorful broth than chicken could ever hope to be. Six minute egg was custardy and just soft enough—just like a six-minute egg should be.
In addition to ramen, Miso Good offers poke bowls with tuna, salmon or octopus ($13), the first downtown spot with this Hawaiian staple.
Service has been shaky while the kitchen and waitstaff figure out the kinks, but is improving. Which is a good thing, because we’re still craving that butter ramen.
507 4th St, Santa Rosa, 545-7545. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 11a.m. through dinner. Closed Tuesday.
Popularly known as the Islands in the Sky, The serenity of Ithe Willow Creek addition to Sonoma Coast State Park is not lost to a snoozing hiker, April 28th, 2016. (Kent Porter / Press Democrat) 2016
No matter what your situation in life is like, we all need to get away from it all every once in a while. Work and school can stress us out, not to mention news and current affairs, and that never-ending “to-do list.” Fortunately, Sonoma County excels on the relaxation front. The region is teeming with secluded spots where you can escape from life’s pressures and worries, at least for a little while. Click through the gallery for some of the most serene places in the area for when you need some well-deserved peace and quiet.
A banana smile at the Sonoma County Fair. (Heather Irwin)
Move over moco loco and shove off funnel cakes, because the undisputed must-have eats at this year’s Sonoma County Fair (August 1-11) are the Meat Lover’s Fries from Stuffie’s Char-Broiler.
In a unanimous vote, five Santa Rosa Junior College Culinary students this week named the meat-topped fries as the hands-down favorite after trying nearly a dozen new dishes. With highly-educated palates, the students were selected to cast a fresh light on the annual stuff-your-face-silly event. The goal: To find the ultimate culinary delight from among dozens of this year’s fair food vendors.
Stefan Rubin eats up a chicken wing on the opening day of the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa on Thursday, August 1, 2019. (BETH SCHLANKER/ The Press Democrat)
Over three excruciatingly delicious hours Thursday, melty cheese was dripped, rice was strewn and forks were poked willy-nilly into plates of food ranging from jerk chicken and hibiscus juice to teriyaki ribs and Flamin’ Hot Cheeto-covered french fries. Spending a total of $196, the team was focused on “new to the fair” foods that piqued their interest.
Nothing was able to stand up to the meat-topped fries, according to the exacting expectations of the students.
“With these fries, everyone’s at the party,” said Neal Wilson, 34, of Santa Rosa on the opening day of the fair.
“You have chicken, beef, pork and sausage,” he said of the book-sized box of crispy french fries, topped with chopped meat, a drizzle of gravy and a dollop of sour cream.
“For $11 that’s so worth it. They’re justing banging,” Wilson said.
Churro fights break out at the Sonoma County Fair 2019. Heather Irwin/PD
Nora Meas, 20, of Santa Rosa agreed, saying, “They’re meaty, but not too meaty. It’s got a great sauce and just a great mouth-feel.”
They assessed whether the oil was fresh in the fryers (on some yes, others, not so much); whether there was enough teriyaki sauce on the Maui Wowie ribs; or whether the Flaming Hot Cheetos should have been dusted atop the canned nacho cheese fries rather than scattered on top. Dusting won.
Coming in a close second to the fries was newcomer Reggae Rasta, with a plate of jerk chicken, plantains, rice and salad.
“I love the sauce,” said Jessica Crumpton, 33, of Santa Rosa. “
Coming in third, was a hollowed-out pineapple with ribs, rice and coleslaw from Ricardo’s Hawaiian Feast. The group loved the sticky ribs and bold flavor. The weight and waste of the half pineapple was concerning, however.
“I got stuck on the pineapple,” said Stefan Rubin, 35, Santa Rosa. “I would change it up and put more teriyaki sauce on the rice,” he said. The group agreed that the compostable pineapple bowl was eco-friendly.
Here are some other fair food hits and misses:
– Flamin’ Hot Cheeto Fries (Garlicky’s Crazy Fries): “You could make that for $2 at Seven-11 with nachos,” said Wilson.
– Jalapeño Cheddar Curly Fries (The Giant Curly Fry): “It’s all about like being at the movie theater with that nacho sauce. It’s not great (cold) but it will feed a lot of people,” said Rubin. “But you gotta eat them hot because they went from warm to not warm pretty fast.”
– Loco Moco (Ricardo’s Hawaiian Feast): “It’s not bad. It’s just not good,” Crumpton said.
– Al Pastor Queso Fresco Salad (Pepe’s): “I want to put cinnamon and sugar on the tortilla bowl,” said Samara Ibarra, 42, of Santa Rosa.
Crepes with strawberry gelato at the Sonoma County Fair. Heather Irwin/PD
– Crepes (Crepes, Waffles and Beignets): Strawberry gelato, whipped cream and sugar.
– Churros (Churro Cart): When not using them as swords, the crew loved the crispy texture and fillings that included Oreo cookie, strawberry and caramel.
Ever practical about food waste, the culinary students had a few ideas for their fair food leftovers.
“California Nachos with beans, Flamin’ Hot Cheeto dust, rice, jalapeños and cheddar sauce,” said Wilson.
“I’d do Fair Latkes. I’d shred the leftover potatoes and make potato pancakes with shredded meat and cheese sauce,” said Crumpton.
