At recently opened Hotel Trio in Healdsburg, room service is a completely different experience.
You still call and place your order with the front desk, and you still get items delivered to your door. But the employee who brings the order to your room is not human – it’s a robot, aptly named Rosé.
The four foot tall, roving cylinder is the first robot concierge in Sonoma County and has quickly become a celebrity. Rosé draws a crowd as she speeds up and down hallways or rides the elevator, and guests make multiple calls for room service just so that they can interact with the friendly machine. (Hotel Trio doesn’t charge for room service delivery, and Rosé doesn’t wait around for tips.)
“In addition to Rosé being super helpful, people absolutely love her,” says Brooke Ross, director of sales and marketing at Hotel Trio. Ross notes that even non-guests swing by the 122-room hotel to see the robot in action: “We have a beautiful lobby, a really great bar, bocce balls that light up when you play at night, but Rosé is hands down the most frequently photographed feature of our hotel.”
While Rosé is a Sonoma County novelty, the hotel robot trend has been going on for a few years. Hotels across the country are increasingly turning to autonomous robots to handle menial tasks in order to free up staff for more complicated jobs. Robots similar to Rosé are now being employed to deliver room service in Chicago, Las Vegas and Silicon Valley, while other models clean floors, answer questions and perform a variety of duties.
“Ready or not, robots are going to be a part of your hotel experience,” says Henry Harteveldt, travel industry analyst at Atmospheric Research Group in San Francisco. “This is a part of travel that will see major growth in the years ahead.”
Rosé, the robot at Hotel Trio, is manufactured by Savioke (pronounced “savvy-oak”), a San Jose-based company that has more than 80 robots in hotels nationwide.
The experience of receiving room service from this futuristic machine is certainly one to remember.
As Rosé approaches a room with a delivery, she calls the phone to let the guest know she’s outside. A tablet-sized screen on Rosé’s head greets the guest as they open the door, and confirms the order. Next, she opens a lid on top of her head and reveals a storage compartment containing the ordered items. Rosé then communicates a handful of questions surrounding customer satisfaction via her screen. She bids farewell, turns around and as she heads back toward her docking station near the front desk, she emits chirps that sound like a mix between R2D2 and a little bird.
In addition to being cute, Rosé is pretty sophisticated, too.
According to Lauren Schechtman, vice president of marketing and sales at Savioke, the robot butler determines how to get around with the help of sensors. Before Rosé starts a new employment, Savioke technicians map the property and program the robot with specific instructions about where to go on each floor.
“Once the robot is programmed, it’s basically self-sufficient until the next software upgrade,” says Schechtman. “That’s the beauty of having one of these in the hotel. It’s reliable. It doesn’t take breaks. It doesn’t need health care. It’s a good employee.”
As Rosé continues to be in high demand at Hotel Trio, a robot colleague might come in handy. At this point, however, getting a friend for Rosé is not in the hotel plans. And so, at least for now, Rosé remains the only hotel robot in the county of Sonoma.
Gracious Victorian inns, an opulent French chateau, a sleek modern city hotel, and even a few bargain wine country sleeps – click through the gallery above for Sunset’s favorite Dry Creek Valley Hotels.
Bravas Bar de Tapas in Healdsburg. (Photo by Aaron Wojack)
Bravas Bar de Tapas
In a quaint Arts and Crafts cottage, Bravas Bar de Tapas can start things off with a Spanish-style gin and tonic (made with fresh fruit and herbs like saffron and cardamom) before rolling out tapas such as duck meatball bocadillos, salt cod fritters, and Gulf prawns a la plancha. 420 Center St, Healdsburg 95448, (707) 433-7700, starkrestaurants.com
Flying Goat Coffee
Just “the Goat” to locals, it serves excellent coffee and pastries. Opened in 1994, the coffee shop was among the first independent roasters in the U.S. to work directly with farmers from coffee-producing countries. Their original location is in the Masonic Building just off the plaza. 324 Center St, Healdsburg 95448, (707) 433-9081, flyinggoatcoffee.com
Flying Goat Coffee in Healdsburg. (Photo by Kelly Puleio)
Barndiva
Hollywood glam meets Mr. McGregor’s farmhouse. Sip pretty cocktails outside under Moroccan chandeliers. The property features two restaurants with dining gardens and artisan bars, including The Gallery Bar + Bistro in addition to Barndiva. They source ingredients from small, local farms. 231 Center St, Healdsburg 95448, barndiva.com
Barndiva in Healdsburg. (Photo courtesy of Barndiva)
Mateo’s Cocina Latina
Mateo’s Cocina Latina does “modern Latin” cuisine: Chef Mateo Granados hand-rolls his crispy tacones, or cone-shaped tortillas, which he fills with guacamole, carne asada, or chorizo. Find Mateo’s El Yuca Maya Habanero sauces to add even more flavor to your dish on every table. 214 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg 95448, (707) 433-1520, visit on Facebook
Mateo’s Cocina Latina in Healdsburg. (Photo by Aaron Wojack)
Dry Creek Kitchen
New York celebrity-chef Charlie Palmer opened this place, then moved to town. Local ingredients and wines are in good hands in this serene, classy dining room. Oversize doors open to a garden terrace alongside Healdsburg’s historic plaza. The kitchen prepares each dish like a work of art before it arrives at your table. 317 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg 95448, (707) 431-0330, drycreekkitchen.com
Strawberry Pain Perdu by Dry Creek Kitchen Pastry Chef Lisa Kaufman. (Photo by Chris Hardy)
Willi’s Seafood & Raw Bar
An extension of the excellent Willi’s Wine Bar near Santa Rosa, this lively hangout serves Latin-leaning small plates. Everyday, Willi’s offers at least seven varieties of fresh oysters at the raw bar. Throw one back with a seasonal cocktail. 403 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg 95448, (707) 433-9191, starkrestaurants.com
Willi’s Seafood & Raw Bar in Healdsburg. (Photo Courtesy of Willi’s Seafood & Raw Bar)
Noble Folk Ice Cream & Pie Bar
Following the success of their downtown cupcakery, Moustache Baked Goods, a local duo opened Noble Folk Ice Cream & Pie Bar around the corner. Pie crusts made from Old World grains like farro and buckwheat are flaky vessels for fillings of juicy Sonoma County fruits—blood orange with buttermilk custard, for instance, or strawberries and blueberries with a dash of ginger. And because pie is not truly complete without ice cream, there are about a dozen seasonal flavors to choose from, like lemon lavender and black sesame coconut. 116 Matheson St, Healdsburg 95448, (707) 395-4426, thenoblefolk.com
Noble Folk Ice Cream & Pie Bar in Healdsburg. (Photo by John Storey)
The town of Healdsburg, located in northern Sonoma County, has quickly become one of the hottest destinations in Wine Country. New tasting rooms are popping up at a record pace, interspersed between world-class restaurants, art galleries, coffee shops and boutiques. Book a weekend stay at one of Healdsburg’s many hotels and savor some of Sonoma County finest wines at these five tasting rooms, all within walking distance from Healdsburg’s historic plaza. Simply click through the gallery above.
1/22/2012: D3:
PC: Baby back ribs at Sweet T’s in Santa Rosa. January 11, 2012.
Sweet T’s may be getting close to opening its new spot in Windsor. Maybe. We hope.
The signs are pointing to sometime early 2019 after owners posted news that they would begin the hiring process for new staff starting Dec. 10 and lasting through Jan. 3.
“Beginning Monday, December 10, 2018, we will be accepting applications between the hours of 9 AM and 3 PM every Monday through Thursday. Please come prepared to complete an application and bring your resume and cover letter if you have one. The deadline for all applications is January 3rd. We look forward to meeting you! We’re still under construction so please follow the signs and enter through our patio. For everyone else, follow us on Instagram for updates!”
As the update says, they’re still in the construction phase, but hopefully we’ll be wiping barbecue sauce off our faces by Valentine’s Day.
Tu Mole Madre coming to Windsor: Healdsburg’s Diaz brothers Octavio and Pedro have a new restaurant concept planned for Windsor early next year called Tu Mole Madre. An homage to their parents and their mother’s amazing mole Negro de Oaxaca, Tu Mole Madre will not have a set menu, but serve mole-inspired dishes. There’s more to come on this one, but for now, we’re excited to hear more about the expansion of their bottled moles.
A plate of vanilla with vanilla bean, left, red velvet, and chocolate with vanilla bean cupcakes at Moustache Baked Goods, in Healdsburg. (Christopher Chung/ The Press Democrat)
Healdsburg, a.k.a HBG, is undoubtedly one of Wine Country’s most popular destinations – and for good reason. This charming Sonoma County town is home to some of the Bay Area’s best restaurants, top notch tasting rooms, a wide variety of stylish boutiques, and more. In other words, it’s the ideal place for a girlfriends’ getaway. So gather your besties, and head to HBG – here’s a sampling of my favorite local spots:
EXPERIENCE THE FOOD
The indoor bar at Bravas Bar de Tapas, in Healdsburg. (Christopher Chung)
From Japanese to Portuguese, Italian to South American, Healdsburg offers a variety of cuisines. And, of course, there are plenty of fantastic options for Wine Country farm-to-table fare. Celebrate with your friends by sharing traditional Spanish plates and tapas at Bravas Bar de Tapas. Dine inside or, if it’s a beautiful day, outside on their lively patio. Tip: be daring and try the Crispy Pig Ears. They are delicious! Bravas Bar de Tapas, 420 Center St, Healdsburg, (707) 433-7700
Bravas bar de Tapas in Healdsburg. (Adrienne Shubin)
Your foodie friends and home cooks will thank you for taking them to SHED. Shop for fresh produce and flowers, cookbooks, linens, dish and cookware, and a wide variety of high-quality and hard to find foods, sourced both locally, nationally and internationally. Or have a seat and enjoy a meal. Better yet, do both! Tip: Visit SHED for breakfast and get a fresh pastry, then order a brewed-while-you-wait coffee at their coffee bar. SHED, 25 North Street, Healdsburg, (707) 431-7433
SHED in Healdsburg. (Sarah Deragon)SHED in Healdsburg. (Sarah Deragon)
For something a little different to the usual Wine Country fare, dine at Café Lucia. This family-owned Portuguese restaurant with a modern twist is sister property to award-winning La Salette in Sonoma. The friendly and knowledgable staff will guide you through the menu, should you have questions or would like suggestions. Tip: Be sure to try some of the Portuguese wines or beers from their unique selection and do not pass up the bread – the Portuguese buns are 100% carb-worthy! Café Lucia, 235 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg, (707) 431-1113
Scallops at Café Lucia in Healdsburg.Café Lucia in Healdsburg.
Moustache Baked Goods is the perfect place for you and your friends to satisfy a sweet tooth. Choose from delectable and indulgent French macarons, brownies, ice cream, cookies, cupcakes and more. Your gluten-free friends will appreciate having options they can also enjoy. Tip: If you like Oreos, you must try a Moustache-O. It’s a much bigger and much better tasting version using wholesome ingredients. Moustache Baked Goods, 381 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg, (707) 395-4111
Moustache Baked Goods in Healdsburg. (Sarah Deragon)
Campo Fina is not your everyday Italian restaurant. This Healdsburg restaurant offers traditional Italian fare, including wood-fired pizzas, with a modern slant and serves it up in a stylish and hip environment. On a nice day, ask to sit outside on the patio and play a round or two of bocce on their court. Tip: The meatball appetizer is mouthwatering. Campo Fina, 330 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg, (707) 395-4640
Chalkboard is currently my favorite restaurant in Healdsburg. Enjoy an assortment of dishes that range from house made pastas and crudo to fried chicken and locally grown squash. The plates are small enough to share, but I must warn you that some dishes will make you act like a spoiled child – you won’t want to part with a single bite. Tip: You must try the Cocoa Trifoglio pasta, which is chocolate pasta, and has a sauce made with fois gras butter, duck confit, chives, and hazelnuts. I know, it sounds strange. Just trust me on this one! Chalkboard, 29 North St, Healdsburg, (707) 473-8030
GET CRAFTY DRINKS
Dukes Spirited Cocktails in Healdsburg. (Nat and Cody Gantz)
Take a break from shopping and eating and stop by Duke’s Spirited Cocktails, a neighborhood hangout for locals and visitors alike. Duke’s offers an extensive list of handcrafted cocktails using many locally grown and made ingredients, as well as beer, wine and spirits. Duke’s Spirited Cocktails, 111 Plaza St, Healdsburg, (707) 431-1060
Sorrel cocktail at Duke’s Spirited Cocktails in Healdsburg. (Ian Eddy)
TASTE WINE
Visit Gustafson Family Vineyards‘ tasting room in downtown Healdsburg and taste their estate grown wines in their cozy lounge setting. Or treat you and your friends by booking a sit-down wine tasting and food pairing where you will learn about winemaking and grape growing while tasting their delicious wines. Ask about their olive oil too! 34 North St. Healdsburg, (707) 433-2371
Make a reservation for Portalupi Wine‘s sit down Food and Wine pairing. A warm and friendly staff will lead you through the tasting. Try their Italian varietals, especially their Vaso di Marina which comes in a milk bottle and can be refilled. 107 North Street. Healdsburg, (707) 395-0960
SHOP ‘TIL YOU DROP
Gathered, located in downtown Healdsburg, has a large selection of boho and casual clothing and accessories at reasonable prices. 377 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg, (707) 395-4622
Don’t forget to bring a little something home for your pet! Fideaux carries everything you need to keep your kitty or doggy from holding a grudge against you for being away. Treats, carriers, beds, clothing for you and your pet, collars, leashes and toys can all be found at this darling shop. 43 North St, Healdsburg, (707) 433-9935
Fideaux in Healdsburg. (Sarah Deragon)
Rainsong Shoescarries unique comfort and fashion shoes for her and for him. A favorite for locals and visitors, browse a wide assortment of brands from all over the globe. 117 Plaza Street, Healdsburg, (707) 433-8058
Your purse collecting friends will love Clutch, a boutique devoted to handbags, luggage, wallets, totes and yes, clutches. Clutch carries high-end designers as well as unique brands. 307 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg, (707) 433-8189
Think you can’t find luxury designer clothing and accessories in a small, quaint town? Think again!S. Graf Limitedcarries a carefully curated collection of on-trend designer pieces including pieces designed by owner, Susan Graf. 100 Matheson, Healdsburg, (707) 433-6495
RELAX, RECHARGE AND DETOX
After a couple days of eating chocolate pasta, buttercream cupcakes and drinking Dry Creek Valley wines, you and your friends might be ready for something a little lighter and soothing like a hot cup of green tea and a bowl of freshly made ramen.
The Taste of Teais the place to go when you want to refresh, rejuvenate and revive. Try one of several alcohol-free MarTEAnis, made with infused teas or spend some time in the Relaxation Room where you will literally soak in the benefits of green tea while being pampered. 109 North Street, Healdsburg, (707) 431-1995
STAY IN STYLE
You and your friends can stay together in a three-bedroom suite in downtown Healdsburg, just steps from restaurants, shopping, tasting rooms and nightlife. Two Thirty-Five Luxury Suites comes with a full kitchen, a living room with a sectional couch and 55″ television, bathrooms in each king bedroom, parking, all in a secure building. 235 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg, (707) 473-3500
Photo Courtesy of Two Thirty-Five Luxury Suites
For budget-friendly lodging, you can’t beat Best Western Dry Creek Inn. Just one-mile from downtown Healdsburg, Dry Creek Inn has comfortable rooms, many with balconies and jetted tubs.
Enjoy the property’s two pools and three covered whirlpool spas. They also have a steam room, sauna and fitness rooms. Cozy up by the fire pit and outdoor fireplaces in the evening and ask about their wine receptions. 198 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, (707) 433-0300
Happy hour is a great time to explore Petaluma’s vibrant dining scene, without committing to a full meal. There are dozens of worthy options around town, but we’ve managed to whittle down the list to six downtown stand-outs. Click through the above gallery for details.
Turn off a quiet street in an older residential neighborhood in Sebastopol brings you upon a hillside home of towering freshness, as emblematic of the future as the young family that built it.
A 16-light window fronts both floors of the 2,250-square-foot contemporary home, highlighting an expansive view. Inside, the white walls and high ceilings shimmer with the reflection of the sky. “I like this house so much,” says Juna, 6, holding his favorite Lego helicopter and beaming with pride as his little sister, Runi, 2, jumps up and down in joyful agreement. This is clearly a happy home.
Their parents, Stephen and Wina Leander, have accomplished the seemingly impossible, creating a home with airy sophistication that’s also family-friendly. The monochromatic decor of white and a medley of grays has a pop of fun in the great room: a bright-green free-form sofa. Two leather beanbag chairs sit in front of a low-hanging flat-screen television. Beside it a thin sheet of quietly elegant gray marble surrounds a gas fireplace. Stephen recalls that getting it to hang properly turned out to be an unexpected challenge.
On the deep landing between the two flights of stairs that lead to the upper level sits a child-size tepee outfitted with a toy telescope for peering out the mid-flight window. Encountering it there is as wonderful as it must be to play inside. When the children are older, it will be replaced with a daybed.
In 2008 Stephen, a California native, took a two-year teaching assignment in Indonesia, where he met Wina, who was teaching English to adults in her native land. When Stephen returned to America to finish his degree in social work at Wheelock College in Massachusetts, he and Wina knew they couldn’t live without each other. She moved, too.
They were married in 2011 and had their wedding reception at the Carneros Resort. After enduring New England’s “snowiest winter in 150 years” in 2015 they knew their long-term plan to return to California needed to happen quickly. They had bought their Sebastopol land in 2014, and it was time to call Amy Alper, the Sonoma-based architect they admired because she was on the team that designed the Carneros Resort. “We interviewed her and liked her so much we never even called anyone else. She was with us from beginning to end — and beyond,” says Stephen. The couple now consider her a friend.
Sawyer Construction built the home, which was a challenge to design and build because of the steep grade of the one-third-acre site and restrictions for not blocking the neighbor’s view. The drought-friendly, understated landscape design is by Merge Studio, and Rochelle Silberman Designs did the interiors.
The Leander family moved in in February 2017, and will be hosting Thanksgiving dinner in their new home for the second time.
The family eats fresh-cooked, mostly vegetarian meals, and they use the kitchen constantly. “With two little kids you don’t get out a lot,” Wina says. Their sleek, PentalQuartz island gives them ample space, and the GE Monogram cooktop is set into the countertop behind it. The other appliances, along with the washer/dryer, are hidden in a pantry-like room off to the side, contributing to the serene feel of the open kitchen.
Off the great room’s dining area, a massive deck flanks the front of the home and is frequently used for outside relaxation. In the rear there is a secluded courtyard, where their first lemongrass is blooming, and above it there’s a small lawn area and a play set for Juna and Runi.
The Leander family moved in in February 2017, and will be hosting Thanksgiving dinner in their new home for the second time.
The family eats fresh-cooked, mostly vegetarian meals, and they use the kitchen constantly. “With two little kids you don’t get out a lot,” Wina says. Their sleek, PentalQuartz island gives them ample space, and the GE Monogram cooktop is set into the countertop behind it. The other appliances, along with the washer/dryer, are hidden in a pantry-like room off to the side, contributing to the serene feel of the open kitchen.
Off the great room’s dining area, a massive deck flanks the front of the home and is frequently used for outside relaxation. In the rear there is a secluded courtyard, where their first lemongrass is blooming, and above it there’s a small lawn area and a play set for Juna and Runi.
A guest room and bath on the first floor transforms into a private suite with the pull of a hallway pocket door. Upstairs, Juna’s bedroom has shelves full of books and a high window where three porcelain elephants peer down at him from their perch. Stephen and Wina’s master has endless views and a private deck. The room is pristine white with pops of blue provided by the bedding and accent tile. The view-graced family room on the upper level holds the electric piano Juna is learning to play and the family’s computer station.
Wina had never seen snow before she moved to Massachusetts, and doesn’t miss it at all. The family is thrilled to be in Sonoma County, and just may live here forever.
When Chef Michael Siegel set out to make the menu for Sonoma’s Mint and Liberty Modern Diner, his question was, “If I was at a diner in Louisiana, what would be on the menu?”
His answer: Shrimp gumbo with fried okra and Andouille sausage for one. He then moved on to traditional comfort food served in homey diners around Sonoma County — Chicago, New York, California or his home stomping grounds of Arizona. Each answer was a little bit different, resulting in an ambitious menu that spans the gamut from sprouted lentil salad to enchiladas, homemade challah, matzah ball soup and pierogis.
“What does a modern diner mean? It’s a melting pot of cuisine,” said Siegel, who recently relocated to the town of Sonoma after his San Francisco deli, Shorty Goldstein’s closed.
The good news is that some of his Jewish deli favorites (inspired by his great-grandmother, Shorty) make it onto the Mint and Liberty menu. As does my favorite thing on the menu — “Christmas Style” enchiladas. With both green and red chile sauces (hence the Christmas name), they’re a stunning looker with a fried egg on top and richly spiced chicken enchiladas done as only a Southwesterner can. It was literally an “I’ll have what she’s having” moment as I saw the enchiladas arrive at the table next to mine.
Siegel was hired by the diner’s new owners James Hahn and Mila Chaname, who also own Sunflower Caffe, Honey & The Moon Bakery and Chename wines in Sonoma. The couple purchased the former Breakaway Cafe, did a quick remodel to brighten and update the space and reopened within weeks. Just a few days after opening, the place is packed to the gills, everyone waving to everyone and the town’s grand dames holding court at corner tables.
“We had crossed paths during the fires, and we were coordinating things not really knowing each other. It was funny that we hadn’t met before, but we’re very like-minded,” said Siegel of the owners. That includes a passion for making (almost) everything in house.
Schmaltz in the matzoh balls? Check. They make it with rendered chicken fat. Pie? They make them two at a time. Enchilada sauce? They roast the green chiles each year. Lebnah? Yup, the Israeli cream cheese is made there. Zatar spices? That too.
“I know my limits. It’s ambitious and broad,” says Siegel. Unlike most places, he says, “I’m the brakes and the owners are the gas” when it comes to a diverse menu that includes more than 30 dishes. One of the few things he doesn’t make — bagels. They’re complicated and need a lot of oven capacity. “We have big plans, but if I can buy better, I do,” he said.
Not everything has worked, and Siegel said he’s listening to feedback. Family-style meals like a New England Clam Bake, cioppino and whole chickens weren’t a huge win at launch, but already he’s pivoting to some other choices (expect steak soon) — though the cioppino now appears on the all-day menu.
The breakfast menu is also worth a look, with special items like Buttermilk Persimmon Pancakes ($14) and a Sweet Dutch Baby ($11) — a cross between a crepe and a pancake that comes with lemon marmalade and clotted cream.
Are you getting that the menu is kind of endless? Like any good diner, it has to be longer than really necessary. We aren’t complaining.
Best Bets
Sprouted Lentil Salad, $9: I’m a world of contradictions at the table. I’m just as thrilled to eat a delicious lentil, beet and sunflower salad as I am a plate full of fries. Especially when its paired with warm za’at spices, homemade lebnah and a light vinaigrette. At the very least it offsets the fries, right?
Chopped Chicken Liver, $13: Not for the faint of heart, but a classic if you grew up on the stuff. With fresh challah, mustard, pickles and caramelized onion jam, it’s a twist on a New York deli favorite. Also, don’t think too much about how much chicken fat and butter makes it taste so magical.
Rachel Sandwich, $17.50: If there’s a signature dish, this is it. The little sister to the Rueben, Rachel skips the kraut and is made with tender Wagyu beef pastrami, coleslaw, Swiss and Russian dressing on rye. It’s a better sandwich than anything Carnegie ever made — something I don’t say lightly.
Matzoh Ball Soup, $10: Happy Hannukah, we found a schmaltzy matzoh soup that’s Bubbe-approved and sure to cure what ails you. Shredded chicken, big chunks of vegetables and beautiful rich broth.
Do I like mine better? Yes. Is this a solid second? Yes. Maybe a titch salty, but who doesn’t have an opinion?
Mac N Chz, $8: Oh, hello Gruyere, fontina and white cheddar all melty and delicious as you cling to perfectly cooked pasta. With a cape of buttery breadcrumbs, I had to wrestle this one out of my friend Fran’s hands. She’s tiny, but strong. Fran won the day.
New Mexican Enchiladas, $16: My favorite dish on the menu. But I already told you that.
Pork Belly Steamed Buns, $9: Chewy bao buns stuffed with crispy pork belly, tart pickled carrots and housemade hoisin (plum) sauce. Pure happiness in each bite. A small plate to share, but required.
Boozy breakfasts: Judge all you want, but a little morning buzz ain’t the worst way to start the day. If you agree, pick from Irish Coffee, blood orange mimosas, a pitcher of Bloody Marys or a port-spiked milkshake. Our little secret.
You decide
Loaded Baked Potato Pierogi, $10: I can’t give this a thumbs up because pierogi should be boiled, not fried. Sorry, but I know my pierogi. Raviolis can be fried, but pierogis are best slippery and soft according to this midwesterner.
Liberty Burger, “New York,” $20: A straight up Wagyu beef burger will cost you a steep $16, but it’s a really, really good burger. If you’re going to go all out, the New York is topped with pastrami, coleslaw, Swiss and Russian dressing. It’s a lot of a lot. I’m not sure I think that a great burger needs all that much dressing up, especially when its freaking Wagyu. But I applaud the enthusiasm. If you want a whole lot of goodies on your burger, this is the way to go.
But wait, there’s more
The menu just keeps going, and there are some seriously delicious dishes we never even got to including Braised Rancho Gordo baked beans with smoked mushrooms, BBQ baby back pork ribs done in Carolina and Texas style, glazed carrots with black garlic and honey, smoked salmon with creamed cheese and capers on toasted rye, turkey pot pie and mini Chicago dogs with pickled green tomato. Best to go with a few friends, because you’ll want more than you can possibly eat at one sitting.
Overall: An ambitious menu that pulls from diner classics from around the country. What’s so surprising is how well it all works — especially the southwest and Jewish deli favorites that Chef Siegel pulls from his own family recipes. Every meal is a new adventure, and every meal just as delicious as the last.
Mint and Liberty Modern Diner: 19101 Highway 12, Sonoma. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. mintandliberty.com
I’m stuffed: Twin peacocks, peacock wallpaper and curtains adorn the JCB Tasting Room in Healdsburg. Photo: Alex Rubin.
Click through the gallery above to walk through the nouveau rococo, peacock-covered, gold leaf and velvet-clad world of Jean-Charles.
Wine magnate Jean-Charles Boisset’s family-owned portfolio of historical wineries, lifestyle and gourmet retail destinations are legendarily over the top…and that portfolio is growing again with the recent purchase of the 140-year old Oakville Grocery this week.
The grocery was slated to close in 2019 following the death of Leslie Rudd, who purchased it in 2007. Boisset purchased the specialty store which has locations in Oakville and Healdsburg.
“I have always adored the Oakville Grocery for what it represents for Napa Valley, for California and for America,” says Jean-Charles Boisset, Proprietor of Boisset Collection. “I have fond memories of visiting from France with my parents and sister when I was 11 years old,” said Boisset.
Boisset, who is married to Gina Gallo, has seemingly been on a spending spree recently, opening a new luxe tasting room in Healdsburg complete with stuffed peacocks, a golden tree dripping with his jewelry line, velvet banquettes and plenty JCB wines for tasting and purchasing. Boisset has also recently opened Atelier Fine Foods in Yountville, a curated mercantile and dropped a hammer — literally — on the former Windsor Brewing Company as he begins renovations for his own brewing company. There’s also a new line of spirits, JCB Spirits, that includes a truffle-infused vodka, caviar-infused vodka and gin.
The Boisset family’s holdings also include Buena Vista, DeLoach, Raymond Vineyards along with many others in France (Le Clos Vougeot, Domaine de la Vougeraie and Bouchard Aine & Fils among them), Canada and England.
