Eggs Benni with house potatoes, salad and unfiltered sparkling wine at Naked Pig in Santa Rosa. Heather Irwin/PD
The Naked Pig Cafe (2.0) has opened at 544 Mendocino Ave in downtown Santa Rosa (formerly El Capitan Taqueria) with a bigger, brighter and even more stylishly-decorated space than their original shoebox-sized cafe at 435 Santa Rosa Ave.
We’ve always loved Jason and Dalia’s impeccably curated menus, filled with “urban foraged” flowers, fruits and veggies from throughout the nearby neighborhoods. The Eggs Benni ($15) with Meyer lemon Hollandaise, potatoes and salad were what we’ve come to expect in terms of preciousness and deliciousness.
A wild fermented sparkling wine ($10) was a unique change of pace from the usual Mimosa. A ruby-colored, unfiltered beverage its somewhere between cider, beer and wine, with a tart, fermented (natch) flavor reminiscent of their “hooch” at nearby restaurant Flower and Bone.
Service can be snail-paced on busy mornings, and the restaurant has taken some hits on Yelp for long waits, but this is slow food after all. For a 20 percent included gratuity, however, we’d be flattered to get just a teensy bit more waitstaff love (and homemade ketchup) with our Benni next time. Nothing over-the-top, mind you. But I’m pretty fond of tiaras and ermine robes.
Krispy Krunchy Chicken shops are typically in gas or convenience stations. Courtesy photo.
Californians tend to get scrunchy faces when you mention any sort of food sold in a gas station. It’s a pained look at your obvious ignorance for even suggesting such a horror.
Not so when you venture east of the Mississippi, where a fill-up means more than just petrol. In fact, gas stations from Pennsylvania to Louisiana routinely have some of the best homemade fried chicken and barbecue at small-town pitstops where restaurants are few and far between. Among the most popular: Krispy Krunchy Chicken, a Louisiana-style fried chicken spot with more than 2,300 locations in 41 states.
Krispy Krunchy Chicken shops are typically in gas or convenience stations. Courtesy photo.
What may shock and surprise you: It’s pretty darned good.
Sonoma County now has two of its very own, in Geyserville at AJ’s Mini Mart (21079 Geyserville Blvd.) and the newest at the Fuel and Food Market (4856 Old Redwood Hwy., Santa Rosa).
What makes KKC worth a stop? We loved the crispy crust and tasty seasoning that made it a stand out even among more bespoke versions at local restaurants, and definitely a step above KFC. The breast meat was a little drier than ideal, but ours had also been sitting under a heat lamp for a while. Also impressive were “boudin balls” (think poor man’s arancini, made with ground pork and rice and fried into a crisp, mouth-blistering nugget. Plus, its a bargain for a quick lunch or family, with a two piece combo with biscuit just $3.99 and a 12-piece family combo with biscuits and fries for $16.99.
Krispy Krunchy Chicken sides include black beans and rice, honey biscuits, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese and fries. Courtesy photo.
What makes the Redwood Hwy. KKC especially notable is that you can load up on fried chicken, honey biscuits so short you’ll wonder if there’s a single can of Crisco left in the universe while also stocking up on Indian food staples like ghee, basmati rice and aloo bhujia (fried potato snacks).
It’s a curious combination, but one worth seeking out just for the culinary adventure. Just make sure to grab a few napkins.
My very own KKC. Heather Irwin/PD
If you go: The family that runs the Larkfield gas station still seem a little mystified about some of the dishes and fresh chicken can be a little limited at lunch, but if you ask, they’ll fry up some fresh in a jiffy. There’s a little picnic table outside, but we suggest taking it to go and finding your own little bit of heavy to enjoy your KKC.
Silver Oak Cellars in Alexander Valley. (Courtesy of Silver Oak Cellars)
Summer has arrived and with it even more great places to raise a glass. From wine and beer to organic flavored spirits, there’s a plethora of new tasting rooms from which to enjoy the drinks Sonoma County has to offer. Click through the gallery above for new spots to visit right now.
When scorching summer days cool down into warm nights, evenings can be a pleasant time to be outside. Here are some Sonoma-based finds to help light up your outdoor space and encourage more activity during your evenings outside – click through the gallery above for more details.
Busy life sometimes leaves cultivating wellness at the bottom of the the to-do list. “Self-care” may be a trendy term but it remains something that can be hard to make time for. To help encourage efforts to bring about a sense of wellness, we’ve rounded up a few items from Sonoma County stores. While you can’t exactly shop your way to a peaceful state, this can be a first step. Click through the gallery for details.
Lovers of California style have a lot to be excited about right now. Not only is summer here (hello flowy dresses and festival wear!) but there are also new sartorial vibes coming out of the Golden State right now. Fashion designers from L.A., the Bay Area and all over the state are offering a fresh take on the classic West Coast look with strong silhouettes, prints and bold colors. And Sonoma County boutiques are taking note, stocking their shelves with styles that reflect the relaxed beauty of the area. To achieve California chicness this summer (and year-round), click through the gallery above. (All pieces are designed in California, and most of them are manufactured here, too)
Near the Del Rio Dam, 1948. The author’s grandmother Lee McEnhill (center) is pictured holding hands with her son, Don McEnhill Sr., who was on leave from the Air Force at the time.
Awakened by a familiar thunking noise of canoe paddles banging on metal boats, the sounds of summer fill my ears as I half doze under an umbrella. I listen to the shrieks, splashes, and screams of children playing in the water, and a radio is faintly informing us the pitch count is 2 and 2 with someone on second. In the background, nature’s playing its soundtrack with the screeches of the osprey overhead, the cry of a killdeer on the beach, and the hypnotizing song of the Swainson’s Thrush in a tree nearby. It’s another hot lazy summer day when motivation for chores and work is nowhere to be found and the desire to relax is overwhelming. So I’m at the river.
Every family has its summer tradition. Ours always started a few days after school let out, when we’d load up the station wagon to spend some 90 days on the Russian River. Growing up, the rituals of the river began with moving out the field mice and spiders to make way for extended family at the summer cabin. The work didn’t end after that initial cleanup; each summer day started with a chore list dispatched by Mom. As soon as my siblings and I got the OK on chores, we disappeared to catch up with cousins and friends, but never with an agenda — it was just get down to the river to do whatever sounded like fun. Some days that meant catching frogs or turtles or crayfish. Some days it was seeing how many kids could pile into a raft before it sank or splashing the people canoeing by. Many days went back and forth between exploring nature’s wonders and just staying cool in the water.
Today much has changed in our family. We’re all grown up and have kids, my brother moved to Virginia, our aunts and uncles no longer have places near the river. But certain traditions endure. All 18 cousins I grew up with on the river and their kids now get together every summer for a reunion we like to call Lee’s Kids, after my Grandma Lee. We always go back and forth on what to eat for the dinners and who’s going to host them, but one thing is never, ever in question. As they say, location is everything, and our family reunion takes place where our hearts are. We meet at the river.
Most of you are probably thinking something along these lines right now: “30 dollars for one person? No way,” or “I’d sure like to find out how I can spend that little on groceries.” As a college student, I know how challenging grocery shopping can be, especially if you’d like to eat healthy. But it doesn’t necessarily have to be that way – and I say this to even the most skeptical readers.
Now, this next sentence will probably put a few of you off – but stay a minute and hear me out.
I’m vegan. When I tell people this, many offer the same two objections: “you won’t get enough protein in your diet” (let’s save that topic for another article), and “it’s too expensive.” In my experience, cutting out animal products has actually helped me spend less on groceries. So, whether you’re vegan or would just like to reduce your meat intake, this might actually be an opportunity to save a few bucks.
For me, Trader Joe’s on Santa Rosa Avenue is a convenient spot for buying healthy produce on a budget. Of course, there are endless opportunities to load up on fresh fruit and veggies in Sonoma County – from farmers markets to CSAs to your own backyard. But, as we all know, sometimes it’s just easier to hit the grocery store, and there’s no shame in that.
If you purchase everything on the grocery list in the above gallery, it should come to just over $30. Keep in mind, this list is for those of you on a really tight budget. If your bank account allows, you can always add a little more – but make sure you’re not wasting food. Follow these tips and I promise you’ll leave the store with more money in your wallet and healthier food in your cart.
11/28/2012: D1:
PC: Yanni’s Sausage Grill owners John (Yanni) Vrattos, right, and his wife, Francesca make their links on Monday and Tuesday for the overflow crowd at their tiny store on Main St. in Penngrove. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Yanni’s Sausages, a Sonoma County favorite with roots in Greece, has been named small business of the year by Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa).
Founded nine years ago, the family-run business was built on childhood memories – and a kitchen mixer. Shortly after owners John “Yanni” and Francesca Vrattos were both laid off from their jobs in 2009, the couple received a mixer from their daughter for Christmas. Yanni then went to work replicating the Greek Loukaniko sausages his mom made when he was a child – only this time, the sausages were made with the help of a Kitchen Aid. His experiment was a success and the couple launched a sausage-making business and restaurant in Penngrove. Before they knew it, Yanni’s Sausage Grill was flourishing.
Over the years, Yanni’s became a popular Penngrove place with regulars devouring Greek and Italian sausages and chili. John and Francesca Vrattos closed the restaurant in February of this year to focus on their booming wholesale sausage business. According to their website, their sausages are available at 18 restaurants and 30 grocers, and won the “Best of Charcuterie” award at the Sonoma County Harvest Fair in 2010, 2011, and 2012.
In addition to running a successful business, the Vrattos have donated thousands of pounds of sausage to the Redwood Empire Food Bank, hoping to share their food with all community members. After nearly ten years in business, the enthusiasm for Yanni’s Sausages continues to move the couple. “We are still humbled by how much people love our sausages,” said John Vrattos.
Senator Dodd is one of those avid fans. “It is truly inspiring to see the way John and Francesca have turned their vision into a reality,” said Dodd. “I applaud their achievement and wish them the best as they pursue more great sausages.”
A week after the surprise closure of one of Wine Country’s most beloved roadside restaurants, the Fremont Diner owners opened up about their decision to shutter the space as well as plans for the future.
The husband-wife owners Chad and Erika Harris said the diner had been a victim of its own success, with demand quickly outgrowing both the space and staffing.
“It was incredibly successful to those who visited, but the model was hard to sustain,” owners said in an email Tuesday.
A culinary media darling since opening in 2008, the funky diner was lauded by Oprah magazine, Gywneth Paltrow’s Goop and Food & Wine magazine, which named it one of the best diners in America. An Instragram-worthy menu with the couple’s comfort food dishes gave them even more cachet, as diners from around the world ventured to the cozy country cafe.
Halfway between the Sonoma and Napa valleys off Highway 121, the Fremont Diner oozed nouveau decrepitude with a heavy dose of John Deere chic and the irresistible lure of a butter and pork-soaked menu. Selling charming local jams, sauces and coveted Rancho Gordo beans, it was a must-do on many Wine Country itineraries, but also had a pull-up-a-chair vibe that regularly brought in locals.
Instagram post from the Fremont Diner’s @thefremontdiner page.
However, the couple said they often found themselves covering multiple shifts day in and day out with the diner, something they say was difficult to sustain, especially with small children at home. Facing ongoing short-staffing, which has plagued the Wine Country restaurant industry especially since last year’s wildfires, the couple decided it was time to shutter.
The Harrises own the Fremont Diner location, which they ultimately plan to revamp.
“Closing the diner is truly a lifestyle choice at this point, and a chance to create something fresh and new for our community; we’re not done quite yet,” said Chad Harris, the restaurant’s chef.
He said it was a decision for their family, first and foremost.
Their 13 full-time and 17 part-time employees were notified about the diner’s closure early June 27, which set off a frenzy of social media questions when visitors found the breakfast and brunch spot locked and two orange traffic cones blocking the door. Looking for the legendary chicken and waffles that made this former hot dog stand a well-known destination, they knocked to no avail.
Questions about the restaurant’s future then began emerging on Facebook posts. When staff took to social media seeking new employment, even more questions emerged.
Though the Harrises were mostly mum last week, they now say employees who were present at a meeting about the closure spent the remainder of the morning and afternoon reminiscing over beverages. They said they’re supporting staff in finding new positions in the Valley.
“The Fremont Diner began as an endeavor to reimagine the good food and nostalgic atmosphere of classic American diners. Over the past ten years our plans for the future have taken shape with the Diner — as have our personal and family goals — and so today we are closing the doors on what we consider to be a very successful chapter,” the owners said in the email.
Erika Harris said the response to the closure has been overwhelming, but they also have received support for a plan to reopen the diner space with a fresh food concept that will “allow us to bring people together, live life to the fullest and do both over a really good meal.”
They’re also moving forward on a project in downtown Sonoma, but don’t have a timeline, yet.
In 2017, Harris and her husband announced plans to open a second restaurant in Sonoma after purchasing a half-acre lot currently housing the Union 76 gas station at 899 Broadway. The city planning commission last year approved their application to make significant renovations to the site that could include a 52-seat restaurant and nanobrewery.
“We are still working on the gas station and are waiting on environmental clean up to be finished before we can proceed,” Erika Harris said.
The same day the restaurant closed, a sign at the gas station confirmed, “Gas business closing down for good limited hours now ’til June 30.” Signs for Union 76 were being removed as well.
“We are so grateful to all of the customers, supporters, staff, and friends who have reached out about the closure in the past week,” Erika Harris said. “We have been heartened to hear so many good stories and an outpouring of memories from those who shared a meal with us and worked alongside us over the years.
“We look forward to creating something in the future that not only sustains us, but can once again serve those who have supported us along the way,” she added.
