Squab miso ramen at Miminashi, a Japanese izakaya, in Napa, California on Tuesday, August 30, 2016. (Alvin Jornada / The Press Democrat)
Squab miso ramen at Miminashi, a Japanese izakaya, in Napa. (Photo by Alvin Jornada)
From the very front door, we can tell that Miminashi is something special. Designer Michael McDermott dreamed up a stunning hand-carved creation, inspired by Mt. Fuji, for a three-sided foyer lined in hundreds of small peaks that rise from the naturally multi-colored wood, each mountaintop capped with a tiny volcanic indention.
To me, the pattern looks more like female anatomy, in an art form of epizeuxis. But either way, it’s gorgeous and sets the stage for what is now downtown Napa’s most exciting restaurant. The Japanese décor is sophisticated, the Japanese cuisine is authentic and the experience pushes the envelope for anything we’ve ever had in this area.
Chicken tail yakitori at Miminashi restaurant in Napa. (Photo by Heather Irwin)
Yakitori? Yes. You can see the skewers being fired on the expo robata grill. But here it comes in the many unusual cuts the Japanese culture appreciates, with grilled chicken breast ($9) and thigh ($7.50), but also chicken belly ($7), knee cartilage ($9), heart ($8.50), fatty-luscious fried skin ($8) and tail (ok, butt), which is a delicacy, even if it’s too fatty and squid textured for my taste ($6).
Miatake mushroom yakitori at Miminashi restaurant in Napa. (Photo by Heather Irwin)
The concept is a radical switch for chef-owner Curtis Di Fede, who leapt into the spotlight in 2010 with his Oenotri southern Italian restaurant in Napa. Then, two years ago, he and co-owner Tyler Rodde ended their partnership, with Rodde keeping Oenotri.
Soon after, Di Fede took an Asian vacation and decided Napa needed an izakaya, in an upscale, Cal-inspired version of the boisterous pub style so beloved in Japan. After lots of red tape, he opened Miminashi earlier this year in the historic Young Building on Coombs and Second streets, just around the corner from Oenotri.
Customers enjoy dinner and drinks at Miminashi, a Japanese izakaya, in Napa. (Photo by Alvin Jornada)
Now, instead of Oenotri-style braised pigeon pasta, Di Fede gives us pigeon miso ramen ($17), the savory bird broth stocked with slippery noodles, pork chashu, shimeji mushroom, grilled Little Gems, leeks, black garlic and sesame.
And he sends out Paine Farms squab ($30), presented in a dramatic fashion with the feet still attached to the skin-on plump legs, splayed atop Brentwood corn, sweet Jimmy Nardello peppers and red spring onions. (Tip: don’t eat the feet.)
Executive chef/owner Curtis Di Fede stands inside the walk-up ice cream window beside the unique wood front door at Miminashi. (Photo by Alvin Jornada)
Most everything tastes as impressive as it looks, from hamachi sashimi decorated with avocado slabs and diced chives ($8), to a magurodon bowl layered with ruby red ahi, fiery daikon kimchee, radish, pickled kombu, shiitake tsukemono (pickle), Tokyo negi (onion), rice, sesame and furikake seaweed-fish seasoning ($18).
Throughout, the chef balances fat and lots of vegetables to soak up what is often a lot of salt, plus often serious jolts of heat, such as the gypsy peppers that zip up sweet fluke sashimi draped in shiso ($11).
I don’t need freshly grated wasabi ($4.50) for any of my dishes, since there’s enough spice already in the recipes.
A selection of robatayaki / yakitori, from front to rear: kawa (chicken skin), yagen nonkotsu (chicken cartilage), Tsukune (chicken meatball) with egg yolk, and momoshiniku (boneless chicken thigh) with negi (Welsh onion), at Miminashi in Napa. (Photo by Alvin Jornada)
From bacon-cabbage okonomiyaki (savory pancakes, $15) to Georgia white shrimp gyoza in vinegar-sharp shiso ginger broth ($13), selections change nearly daily. It’s like Christmas each time I open the folded paper menu.
On one visit, the ramen is tonkatsu style, creamy and meaty. It is topped in crispy pork belly, shiitakes, yuzukosho (chile-yuzu peel paste), toasted nori and a crown of onsen egg, poached inside its shell so the white is silky with a custard yolk ($17).
It’s my favorite for its umami and succulence. On another visit, the ramen is chicken paitan style, the velvety broth stocked with roasted kohlrabi, grilled Little Gems and black garlic shoyu butter ($16). It’s my favorite for its rich earthiness.
Yellowfin tuna crudo with soba dashi and sungold tomatoes at Miminashi, a Japanese izakaya, in Napa. (Photo by Alvin Jornada)
Too many favorites
There are worse problems to have than too many favorites at a restaurant; ordering gets tough since it’s all good. Still, I’ve zeroed in on recent standouts like wok-fried shimeji mushrooms tossed with crisp gypsy peppers and sugar snap peas in a bright sesame cream vinaigrette ($13), and kama yakitori, a meaty slab of salmon collar ($20) that goes marvelously with a crisp, shaved cabbage salad dressed in shiso, puffed rice curls, black sesame seeds and sharp, charred ginger vinaigrette ($10).
But I also love the asparagus, roasted over Japanese Binchotan charcoal that imbues char without smokiness. The tender spears arrive laced in negi, black garlic, a fried egg and whispery thin bonita flakes ($13), all set — like all the food — on pretty, imported pottery.
Sake at Miminashi restaurant in Napa. (Photo by Heather Irwin)
Like a true izakaya, drinking is a major component here, as is noise. Loud voices bounce across the 85 seats and communal wood bar, up into the dramatic wood-lined, 20-foot-tall modern pagoda ceiling and down into tall wood booths that look like triangular origami.
Servers deliver plates in quick succession, but once I learned to ask for slower pacing, I wasn’t racing through my ramen to get to the crisp croquette ($5) stuffed with creamy mashed potato, chicken and negi, for dunking in sweet, rice-vinegar mayonnaise.
Lorraine Tiang, left, snaps a selfie with Wan Chan after their dinner at Miminashi, a Japanese izakaya, in Napa. (Photo by Alvin Jornada)
Yet here, there’s a sommelier on staff to help navigate the 100 international wine choices, and nearly two dozen sake choices that include chilled Gunma Izumi sake ($15, Asian carafe), and a prized Junmai Daiginjo from the Niigata prefecture of western Japan ($100).
There’s Asahi Super Dry draft ($6), but also a mixologist fashioning a floral Axolotl of Olmeca Altos blanco tequila, St. Germain elderflower, makrut lime cordial, celery juice and bitters ($11).
Soft serve ice cream in a waffle bowl with sesame honeycomb topping at Miminashi, a Japanese izakaya, in Napa. (Photo by Alvin Jornada)
Is there a word for a soft-serve mixologist? There should be, since Miminashi has one who crafts the ice cream ($7) in a variety of nightly changing flavors, like bold matcha green tea, lemon verbena, sweet corn, malted chocolate and black sesame that boasts a peanut butter-like flavor.
It’s even better served in a super-crispy waffle bowl ($1), and sprinkled with add-ons like candied ginger, sesame honeycomb candy and whiskey butterscotch sauce (50 cents each). Hint: You can now snag the soft serve at a walk-up window next to the front door.
Sake cups at Miminashi restaurant in Napa. (Photo by Heather Irwin)
About that name, by the way. It’s a salute to Mimi-nashi Hoichi, a mythological character who, in a long, complicated story, ends up with his ears ripped off by a samurai. According to Di Fede, mimi-nashi also honors a Japanese tradition of a chef covering his ears with a towel when making ramen.
Over several visits, I have yet to see Di Fede sporting a turban, but he has certainly taken all the other meticulous steps in this magnificent creation.
This autumn, give your wardrobe an update with versatile and wearable pieces that you can pair with pretty much everything. Here are 10 trendy basics – available or made locally – that will take your fall outfits to a whole new level of fabulousness:
A Bomber Jacket
Bomber jackets are making a comeback for both men and women. Soft chambray gives this bomber jacket an extra dose of chic. Wear this bomber with a pair of contrasting darker denim jeans for a stylish denim-on-denim look. Or tie on a colorful silk neck scarf to add personalty and vibrance to your look.
Regis Chambray Bomber Jacket by Velvet Heart $98
Available at Macy’s, Santa Rosa Plaza, 800 Santa Rosa Plaza, Santa Rosa
The Poncho
Ponchos have been on-trend for the last several seasons, and they continue their popularity this year. Wearing a poncho is an easy way to be fashion-forward while staying warm. Add a long necklace and a pair of jeans or black pants for a stylish fall ensemble. You can also wear a poncho over a dress or with a skirt and heels for a dressier look.
Melissa Fringe Poncho $109
Available at Chico’s, Montgomery Village Shopping Center, 713 Village Ct., Santa Rosa
A Cashmere Wrap
Invest in a wardrobe item that you will keep for many decades and reach for time and time again. Himalayan Chyangra cashmere wool shawls from Pashmn & Co., based in Petaluma, are handcrafted, not machine-woven. These incredibly soft shawls come in an array of beautiful colors, weaves and wool blends – you can even pick out the type of fringe you’d like, if any. With our ever-changing temperatures and micro-climates here in Sonoma County, you won’t want to leave the house without your wrap any time of year. They are perfect for travel too.
Your fall wardrobe will benefit from a great fitting pair of classic black pants. These ponte ankle pants from White House Black Market have a modern cut and are made with soft, comfortable and forgiving ponte material. Wear them to the office with a button down tailored blouse, skinny belt and pumps or out on the town with a black beaded silky tunic and strappy, get-noticed heels.
Ponte Slim Ankle Pants $79
Available at White House Black Market, Montgomery Village Shopping Center, 706 Village Ct., Santa Rosa
Cropped Jeans
Not ready to give up your summery cropped pants just yet? You don’t need to with these Cropped Flare Jeans from Old Navy that have a touch of fringe at the hem. Wear these mid-rise jeans with a pair of stylish booties, a slouchy t-shirt and a long knit cardigan for a boho chic look for fall. If you’re in between sizes, size down.
This tunic-style Little Black Dress from Bay Area designer Lesley Evers will be your go-to dress for the office, a party, or out wine tasting with friends. The dress’s length, just above the knee, and 3/4 sleeves make it flattering on nearly every figure. Dress it up with black heeled Mary Jane pumps, a statement necklace and black clutch or wear it casually with a denim jacket, wool scarf, tote bag and tall low-heeled boots. This dress is machine washable and made in the USA.
Carey Black Dress $168
Available at Lesley Evers, 211 Town Center, Corte Madera
A Timeless Leather Handbag
Few colors say “autumn in Wine Country” more than a deep, rich burgundy shade. This versatile hue works well with most fall shades. The Carlyle bag from Bella Vita Sonoma is a 100% leather shoulder bag with a canvas lining and a timeless look. Carry all your essentials in its handy compartments. There is even an interior pocket for your tablet which snaps closed. The Carlyle also comes in an always classic black.
Carlyle Bag $225
Available at Bella Vita Sonoma, 457 1st St. W., Sonoma
Leopard Print
While the leopard and cheetah print trend has never gone entirely out of style, it may have taken a backseat in recent years. This season it’s taking center stage once again. Look for leopard print dresses, handbags, coats, belts and shoes like these darling flats by Matt Benson from Tamarind at The Barlow. Wear these flats with cropped and ankle pants, dresses and skirts and try wearing them with a bright color. One of my favorite colors to wear with leopard prints is fire engine red!
These handcrafted distressed leather short boots by BED STU will take you into both fall and winter. Wear them with dresses, skirts, and jeans for a ruggedly stylish cool weather look. BED STU uses traditional cobbling techniques to create their much sought-after designs. Their boots are a favorite among stars like Taylor Swift and Brody Jenner. Shop for an array of BED STU boots – both short and tall – at Robindira Unsworth Boutique in Petaluma.
BED| STU Short Boots $245
Available at Robindira Unsworth Boutique, 115 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma
A Long Beaded Pendant Necklace
Elongate your silhouette and add texture, interest and color to your outfit with a beautiful handmade beaded necklace from Meghan Bo Designs of Sonoma. These beauties are 72″ long and made with an assortment of beads, gold accents and a pendant. Available in Amazonite with Arrowhead, Jasper with Tusk and Turquoise and Black with Long Horn.
Groovin’ to the music at the Petaluma River Craft Beer Festival. (Photo by Tim Vallery)
20 local breweries kept the beer flowing in the Indian summer heat on Saturday as the Petaluma River Craft Beer Festival returned for its fourth consecutive year.
Set along the Water Street promenade in Petaluma’s historic downtown, this year’s beer fest quenched the thirst of sun-soaked visitors with a select lineup of cool brews.
A few festival highlights: Cooperage Brewing served their new Ancient Chinese Secrets IPA; Lagunitas came in full force with their classic IPA, Born (Again) Yesterday, 12th of Never Pale Ale, and Tuberfest; St. Florian’s owner and brewer, Aron Levin, poured his Extreme and 48/96; and Moylan’s featured their new Session IPA. Brewers from other parts of the Bay Area made guest appearances, including Headlands Brewing and Marin Brewing Company. (View the full list of breweries here.)
Karly from Crooked Goat Brewing serves beer at the Petaluma River Craft Beer Festival.
The festival also served up locally sourced bites and beats: Rosso Pizzeria, Palm’s Grill, Bellyful Dinners, Secret Kitchen, Velasco’s, Beyond the Glory, Brasil BBQ, Sax’s Joint, Nopalito and Charley’s provided food tastings, accompanied by live performances from Petaluma Pete, Randy and the Special Agents, and Sugar Moon.
Brian from Moonlight Brewing enjoying the day at Petaluma River Craft Beer Festival. (Photo by Tim Vallery)
A $40 ticket covered admission and included 10 tickets for beer pours and food. The festival, sponsored by Petaluma Valley Rotary and Petaluma Chamber of Commerce, donates all proceeds to Petaluma River projects, non-profits and community activities. This is a great event, so make sure to keep it on your radar for next year! petalumarivercraftbeerfest.org
Locals having fun at the Petaluma River Craft Beer Festival. (Photo by Tim Vallery)Enjoying the view of the river at Petaluma River Craft Beer Festival. (Photo by Tim Vallery)Fogbelt pouring their wet hopped Saison at Petaluma River Craft Beer Festival.Aron from St. Florian’s working hard!
The Washoe’s new owner gave the landmark a fresh coat of red paint. (Photo / Chris Hardy)
The Washoe House in Petaluma.
In its earliest years, Sonoma County was home to many roadhouses, most now long abandoned, but important to weary travelers in their day. There was the Llano Roadhouse in Sebastopol (1850-1874), Emil Alber’s One Mile House (1900-1909) in Sonoma and Donahue Roadhouse (1951–1960) on Lakeville Highway in Petaluma, plus plenty of obscure others.
United in their style of two-story clapboard structures to host overnight guests at $1 a night, their locations along rural wagon roads, these roadhouses also offered reliable comforts of decent food and hard drink, plus sometimes dancing and gambling.
As times changed and development boomed, however, roadhouses became seedier spots. Hotel rooms turned to brothels, more than a few lives were lost in bar shootouts, and customers usually were weathered drunks nursing morning-afternoon-evening beers at the bar.
Later, a roadhouse might be a biker bar or worse (think the 1989 movie “Road House” with Patrick Swayze). And the food became dull.
Yet who doesn’t love the idea of a little debauchery? Departed spirits, ribald history and crusty personalities? These reinvented roadhouses are becoming a Sonoma statement once again, resurrected as destinations that everyone, from hipsters to families, can enjoy just as much as that toothless guy tying one on at 10 a.m.
Some patrons happen on Rossi’s 1906 in Sonoma when they’re out on a ride. (Photo by Chris Hardy)
ROSSI’S 1906
Bringing authentic back to the old place, Sonoma
After Max Young purchased the former Little Switzerland out of foreclosure three years ago, his goal was clear: bring back the original spirit of the neighborhood hideaway that had devolved over decades from a lively roadhouse to an aging dance hall, and finally, a bar.
So he sat down in the dusty space and listened to the walls.
“I love old places, and I felt I had a responsibility to history,” said Young, whose wife, Karen, is from the longtime Bruschera family of Sonoma. “Anyone can open something new, but for an authentic place, you can’t create what’s there. It just is.”
Bryan Tatum pours drinks for a Friday night crowd at Rossi’s 1906. (Photo by Connor Jay)
It may be hard to believe now, but when Swiss-Italian founder Al Rossi first opened Little Switzerland 110 years ago, the adjacent Boyes Hot Springs community was a resort destination, drawing well-heeled tourists coming for annual retreats fueled by the natural underground hot mineral waters.
By 1920, the area, known as “The Springs,” was a glamorous vacationland visited by as many as 70,000 travelers annually, according to the Sonoma Valley Historical Society’s Depot Park Museum.
“The train used to stop just two blocks away from here,” Young said. But then, the Great Depression hit in 1929, the rail closed, and the area faded into the mishmash rural neighborhood it is today.
Live music and the dance floor draw a crowd at Rossi’s 1906. (Photo by Chris Hardy)
Little Switzerland changed hands several times, yet stayed true to its Alpine theme and became a locals’ favorite for live polka music and dancing, big pasta dinners and beer. Seniors and families with children spun on the parquet dance floor, with more than a few lederhosen-clad gents in the crowd. Still, neglect took its toll as the interior decayed and the menu featured chewy Hungarian veal schnitzel over soggy noodles.
It took more than a year of refurbishing for what was, as Young said, “not funky fun, but a nasty place with old-beer smell.” Now, the charm is palpable. It’s still a work in progress, Young admitted, with the 4,405-square-foot building that’s split, as it’s always been, between a front bar and a back dining room that’s been enhanced with a rebuilt live music stage, full bar and doors leading to an enormous patio shaded by ancient trees.
Guests take advantage of the nice Sonoma weather on the patio at Rossi’s 1906. (Photo by Conner Jay)
Young repainted, re-floored with reclaimed barn wood, re-paneled and refurnished, but he left the core intact. That’s why the patio is gussied with a fancy new deck, yet it’s still enclosed by tall, locally quarried stone walls topped with — weird, but perfect — coils of barbed wire.
Late last year, Young hired on-site chef Adam Shoebridge, a South Carolina native who has cooked across the South, in New England, Australia, and at Sonoma’s El Dorado Kitchen.
Families come and go from Rossi’s 1906 in Sonoma. (Photo by Conner Jay)
“I quickly learned that people can love the room, but unless the food is really, really good, they aren’t going to come back,” said Young, who also owns McNally’s Irish Pub in Oakland, and HiFi Lounge, Bamboo Hut and Mr. Smith’s in San Francisco. “Especially in Sonoma. It doesn’t have to be fancy food; you’re never going to find foam or microgreens here. But it’s got to be excellent.”
He also beefed up the music program, diversifying with groups including Get Dead electric-acoustic punk rock, T-Luke & the Tight Suits zydeco, and the Dixie Giants Brass Band. On any given evening, rough-and-tumble blue-collar drinkers sit next to fleece-vested winemakers and 20-somethings sipping craft cocktails.
A quiet afternoon at Rossi’s 1906 in Sonoma. (Photo by Chris Hardy)
“Everyone comes now,” Young said. “We had a 100th birthday party here, a 50th anniversary, and a second birthday party. We’ll get a guy in black tie on his way home from a winery event, sitting next to a dude in work boots. And lots of people just sort of stumble on us when they’re cruising around.”
No matter what changes Young makes in the future, one thing is destined to live forever: the Heidi-like Swiss murals on the dining room walls. Cleaned up and refreshed, they add that incomparable nostalgic salute to a space that has been reborn.
The Twin Oaks Tavern has welcomed travelers on Old Redwood Highway since 1924. (Photo by Chris Hardy)
TWIN OAKS TAVERN
Keeping a distinctive cowboy character intact, Penngrove
The first thing Dean Biersch did after acquiring this venerable jewel in December 2015 was console the locals that he would upgrade, but not change, the character.
Since opening in 1924, the Oaks had sat mostly alone in what is still a postage stamp of a town, catering to souls traveling the main thoroughfare, Old Redwood Highway. It was an agricultural crowd, because at that time, Penngrove was known as the “Egg Capital of the World,” later losing the title to neighboring Petaluma.
This was also the place ranchers went for home-brewed beer served on the down-low by Vernon and Frances Hoar during Prohibition. As the story goes, if you wanted a beer, you requested “a hoar.”
The “Must be 21” sign is out of date; the pub’s license now allows families with children. (Photo by Chris Hardy)
While the place declined as the years dragged on, it held on better than most, thanks to a friendly cowboy atmosphere and nicely done, slow-smoked barbecue. Things brightened noticeably in 2013, when new owner Sheila Groves Tracy took over and cleaned up what she called “a honky-tonk juke joint.” She remodeled the patio, established a solid calendar of live music acts, and dressed up the menu with such treats as homemade chicken potpie and gumbo.
The music drew in Biersch, who hosts similar top-rated shows at his HopMonk Taverns in Sonoma, Sebastopol and Novato.
“There are so many layered generations here,” Biersch said. “I love that. It’s like a time warp. So I’m very mindful that this is a huge responsibility, to preserve its core DNA but bring even more energy.”
Bartender Dorothy Drew serves a regular customer at Twin Oaks Tavern. (Photo by John Burgess)
In fact, he hopes his changes won’t be noticeable, as he rolls them out over the coming year. First, Tracy stayed on as music booker, adding an open-mic schedule and Biersch’s favorite bluegrass genre, along with her signature selections of country, honky-tonk, soul, blues and rock bands. The dance floor is new, and Biersch installed a vintage jukebox cranking retro hits from Hank Williams, Led Zeppelin and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
He expanded and upgraded the outdoor beer garden and altered the pub’s operating license to allow families with children. An upper-level dance floor has new windows and a taller ceiling. The kitchen will be overhauled as well, perhaps this summer, for a more extensive chefcaliber, locally sourced menu, and added beers made by small, independent and traditional brewers.
Beer fans can choose among many local brews on tap at the bar at Twin Oaks Tavern. (Photo by Chris Hardy)
“We put three beer towers on the bar, for 15 to 18 choices on tap,” Biersch said. “Sonoma County has so many great brewers, and we’re sharing their stories.”
He’s confident about his storytellers, too.
“We interviewed all the staff to see who wanted to stay on,” he said. “And we hired back every single person.”
Washoe Roadhouse in Petaluma. (Photo by Chris Hardy)
WASHOE HOUSE
No messing with tradition — or the ghosts, Petaluma
Over the many decades, employees at Washoe House in Petaluma have learned never to say “ghost” out loud.
Too often, they’ve had nervous customers bolt out the door. But more than anything, the attention irritates the ghosts, some of whom have hung around the roadhouse since it opened in 1859 as a stagecoach stop for pioneers and rushers traveling to Gold Country.
The Washoe Roadhouse Piano that has been there since the 1800s. The animal heads once hung upstairs, where the bordello once was. (Photo by Chris Hardy)
“I’m not going to mess with them,” server Colleen Conrad said, looking cautiously over her shoulder as she set down a guest’s burger on a chilly winter day. “People think I’m joking, but some of these ghosts get cranky.”
She’s seen phantom little girls running around, next to apparitional card players at the dining room tables, and Victorian-clad figures watching from the upstairs windows.
“Most are happy, but one tickled me with string, some have yelled at me, and one followed me to my car,’ Conrad said. “And they have rules, like no women allowed in the bar.”
Whether she’s pulling a leg or not isn’t the point.
Why the cash in the ceiling at Washoe House? Legend has it that Gold Rush travelers used the ceiling as a bank, signing their bills to be reclaimed upon their return. More often than not, successful miners used their “lucky” currency to buy a lady a drink. (Photo by Chris Hardy)
A Penngrove resident who has worked at Washoe for two years, Conrad is a master storyteller and as such, a gem of an ambassador for the classic roadhouse. Her tales make the experience more fun, the food and drink more flavorful, and epitomize the appeal of such watering holes: rich history, marvelously woven, if sometimes fanciful, backstories, and clutches of colorful characters bending ears at the bar.
No matter what else changes, there’ll always be a burger and fries on the menu at Washoe House. (Photo by Chris Hardy)
The hundreds, perhaps thousands, of dollar bills tacked to the bar ceiling are just one proof of the 157 years the two-story, red clapboard roadhouse has celebrated on Stony Point Road at Roblar Road.
After its stagecoach-stop days ended, it housed a brothel, a butcher shop and then a post office. Its sturdy rock foundation and redwood frame anchored with hand-beaten square nails survived the earthquake of 1906, and in 1999, the place grasped a bit of fame, featured in Clint Eastwood’s movie “True Crime.”
In between, its fans brewed up tales aplenty. Unfounded stories include Gen. Ulysses S. Grant pontificating from the bar’s balcony, and a day when angry Petaluma activists stormed Santa Rosa for some reason or other, lost steam on arrival, and ended up bringing their foes back to get pickled in beer at the roadhouse.
A night at Washoe House in Petaluma. (Photo by Chris Hardy)
“Sure, we get some whack-a-doodles in here,” server Colleen Conrad said of the clientele that tends to hunker over drinks, though it’s beginning to include younger folks. “But a little nuts is fun.”
To this day, Washoe remains surrounded by fields of grazing cattle, and the parking lot is often full of mudcaked pickups. Expensive Harley-Davidson bikes and sports cars have been known to pull up. For the past 33 years, the structure was owned and operated by Bill and Edith Drew and their daughters, Cheryl Jensen and Patti Tobin. Bill died in 2006, and Jensen took over.
So when Larry Peter, owner of Petaluma’s Spring Hill Jersey Cheese, purchased the business in 2015, he accepted the ghosts and promised not “to mess with tradition.”
He tidied things up a little, slapped on a gleaming fresh coat of red paint outside, and hung 6-foot-long mirrors on the ancient, peeling floral brocade wallpaper perfumed with decades of fried chicken and laughter. New wood tables sit proudly atop the trampled down carpet — the guy who installed the rug decades ago is a regular and promised that there is no heritage wood beneath.
A deck is being built for outdoor dining, and the second-floor private-party space might get spruced up a bit. Other than that, guests can still savor the framed wreath of flowers and human hair from a deceased visitor, the singles that hang like tattered bats from the ceiling, and the rough wood bar stained with endless wet-glass rings and soaked-in liquor. The old-fashioned lanterns still bathe the largely wrinkled faces of customers in a yellowish glow.
A new chef was hired and the menu updated. Meals now start with sliced Spring Hill cheeses, and end with complimentary Spring Hill ice cream. The food in between remains standard stuff of hamburgers and frozen fries, but there is also a good lamb stew over polenta, and classy touches such as iced tea served in a carafe.
Still, as loud voices echoed around the dining room about a “Hot Rod” game that seems to involve beer and musical tables, then quickly switched to clamoring about volunteering for a community fundraiser, it was impossible to not feel the love.
“Really, the energy is so great and happy,” Conrad said, clearing the table. “I couldn’t be here if it wasn’t. The ghosts aren’t malevolent, it’s just that we’re in their home.”
2840 Stony Point Road, Petaluma, 707-795-4544, visit on Facebook.
Fork Roadhouse. (Photo by Chris Hardy)
FORK ROADHOUSE
A dubious past gives way to a fresh approach, Sebastopol
The cute little roadhouse on Bodega Highway just west of Sebastopol has been several things, most recently a succession of shortlived restaurants including Two Crows Roadhouse, P30, Saint Rose, Claudio’s and Stillwater Kitchen. After being built in 1930 as a 1,006-squarefoot- home, the now-pretty red and yellow building attracted the attention of its neighbors, rumor goes, as it morphed into a bordello.
In January 2015, new owner Sarah Piccolo hosted her grand-opening party with free mimosas and nary a lady of the evening in sight, having exorcised any dubious past with a charming, wood and cream interior that’s airy with lots of windows and flanked by a lovely slate patio for alfresco meals made elegant with serenades from a hippie, white-bearded harp player.
Following a succession of short-lived restaurants, Fork Roadhouse is drawing locals and travelers alike with superb food, such as its pork belly and fried egg taco plate. (Photo by Chris Hardy)
The roadhouse mood still pervades, though, in the pastoral setting flanked by meadows and fruit orchards; the place is a happy surprise for folks traversing the winding road to west county. It’s a happier surprise if the cafe is open, since service is limited to Thursday through Sunday.
“We get the locals who have spent some or most of their lives planting apple trees, grapes or olives,” Piccolo said. “I think it’s because a roadhouse is solid, no BS. It’s a great place to see all walks of life, where the rough meets the curious, sophisticated types. Come as you are.”
Patio dining at Fork Roadhouse on Bodega Ave. east of Sebastopol. (Photo by John Burgess)
The food is superb, certainly, much elevated from any expected roadhouse fare. The menu espouses organic, local, seasonal farm-to-table dishes such as polenta topped in Laura Chenel chevre, braised organic kale, poached egg and gomasio (Japanese sesame salt spice), and short ribs braised in Gabriel Farm’s apple pear, hoisin and lime sauce with horseradish mashed potatoes and asparagus.
Yet even if there’s Petaluma-brewed Revive Kombucha served alongside North Coast Brewing Scrimshaw or Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA on tap, this isn’t a buttoned-up crowd.
“We definitely get our regulars, some with a crazy life now or in their past lives,” Piccolo said. “Farmers, growers, former techies, musicians, stagehands — you never know who you might cozy up next to at our bar. Being located in such a desirable area, you honestly never know who’s who. And it’s always a nice surprise when you find out who they really are.”
The Fremont Diner in Sonoma is famous for its chicken and waffles. The wait for a plate can be up to an hour on busy weekends, but these chicken and waffles transport your taste buds straight to the South. (Photo by John Burgess)
Whether it’s a classic lodge or a mobile home, Sonoma roadhouses promise distinct personalities. These tucked-away treasures take a drive to reach, but the journey is a big part of the fun.
STORMY’S RESTAURANT
Established in 1854, this “Spirits & Supper House” is one of the oldest roadhouses in the West, owned by the Cramer family since 1961. It may also be the most remote, as the only remaining commercial business in the now whisper-size town of Bloomfield. It thrived during the Gold Rush, but fluttered to near-death after a planned rail line bypassed it and the 1906 earthquake flattened most of its buildings. Originally known as Big Valley House, the dark wood structure now embraces a loyal clientele of ranchers, artists and anyone who’s discovered very good prime rib and fried chicken at rock-bottom prices. Plan on leftovers, too, since each meal comes with homemade clam chowder, salad with creamy Italian dressing, potato, vegetables and French bread. The full bar tempts, the wood-burning fireplace warms, and a new deck is great for stargazing, since there’s nary a light in the surrounding, endless acres of farmland.
Owner, chef and barbecue pit master Chad Harris can be credited with starting the roadhouse revitalization trend in 2009, when he opened his eatery in a low wooden building surrounded mostly by Carneros vineyards and dairies. The place previously was Babe’s Burgers & Franks takeout stand for what seemed like forever; Harris, a former caterer, repainted and fluffed it a bit, then whipped into action when crowds — and more crowds — converged on his updated tiny dining room with counter seating and picnic-table-set patio.
The mood is rustic farm, with vintage pie cabinets, antique soda crates and an old, rusted truck in front.
But the food is sumptuous: a fluffy yeasted waffle made with corn and sorghum; spicy fried chicken served with a choice of white bread, mac and cheese or waffle; a killer burger; and a Pacific Coast oyster sandwich with arugula, remoulade and bacon with a side salad and juniper-pickled red onions. Sip wine or beer, and save room for caramel cake.
It’s not actually a casino, but a pool hall and tavern opened in 1939 by Nebo Casini, an entrepreneur who figured a twist on his family name would help attract attention for his fledging business. (It did offer a few slot machines until 1949, when Nebo sold the joint to his brother and sister-in-law, Art and Evelyn Casini.) Built as Goodman’s General Mercantile in 1874, next to the St. Teresa of Avila Church made famous by Alfred Hitchcock’s thriller, “The Birds,” the faded white wood building looks scruffy on the outside, dark and dingy on the inside, yet serves terrific locally sourced cuisine. Chefs and daily menus rotate during the week, but if Mark Malicki is in the house, the food is extra-good. Either way, look for superb, eclectic dishes such as a noodle bowl with pork-bone broth, fried egg, silken tofu and seaweed; diver scallops with wild rice, peppery puy lentils and fennel cream; and olive oilorange cake with whipped cream and grapefruit.
Not a true roadhouse, it’s actually a refurbished double-wide trailer with a big bar and an outdoor stage for every kind of weekend music, including French funk folk and Rolling Stones covers. Yet owner Brad Metzger keeps things family friendly (there’s a big swimming pool on-site), and the small Russian River neighborhood that surrounds it is home to lots of cordial regulars who will cheerfully suggest their favorite local beers from the 15 on tap. The betterthan- trailer-grub includes homemade French onion soup, half-pound burgers, a Reuben, thin-crust pizza and delicious slow-roasted pulled pork with Boont Amber Ale slaw. If the trailer is more modern-day, the surrounding land has plenty of history, dating to 1860 when a redwood mill operated there. It evolved to a community of bungalows and cabins in 1907, and by the 1920s, the river town had turned resort retreat, famous for its open-air dance hall and raucous dance bands. Did someone say dance?
A version of this article originally ran in Sonoma Magazine in March 2016.
Phyllis Thiebaut, long time patron of El Verano Inn, stands on the front of Sonoma stands on the patio of Sonoma’s El Verano Inn. Thiebaut has been a patron of the El Verano Inn for the last 30 years. (Photo by Crista Jeremiason )
EL VERANO INN (contributed by Dianne Reber Hart)
Even teetotalers get tipsy at the El Verano Inn, where the floor of the historic building has a decidedly downward and outward slant. No one complains. It’s part of the charm and character of the 1887 building, a wooden two-story false-front structure that started out as Mullen’s General Merchandise Store back when the railroad made several trips through town. The renegade floor speaks to a building constructed on a low water table without a foundation and victim of several questionable remodels throughout its 127-year history.
In addition to serving as a general mercantile, the building housed a post office, bus depot, various taverns and a few apartment rooms; was a meeting place for religious Catechism classes and, according to some but disputed by others, a brothel in its earlier years.
Owners Leslie and Richard Danon purchased the building in 1998 to run a bar, only to face a costly rehabilitation ordered by the county in 2009. When the bar reopened after more than six months of repairs, patrons raised a toast to both the past and the future. It’s a place where old-time photos and mementos like square-head nails and layers of lead paint on an original redwood remnant tell its history; where standing-room-only punk-rock nights bring in Millennials just old enough to legally drink.
“Hands-down, it’s the friendliest bar in town,” Leslie Danon said of the unassuming watering hole. “It’s historical by day, hysterical by night.”
705 Laurel Ave, El Verano, 95476 Sonoma, (707) 935-0611, elveranoinn.com
Farmer’s Guild Executive Director Evan Wiig at the Farmer Olympics in 2016.
Watermelon seed spitting, goat milking, bee data collection and squash bowling? Welcome to the annual Farmer Olympics sponsored by the Farmer’s Guild. Held at the Petaluma Fairgrounds on Sept. 17 ,2016, it’s a celebration of agriculture in Sonoma County, with plenty of food, beer, kefir, and kombucha. Plus a whole lot of family fun.
A new generation of young farmers are giving Sonoma County farms a fresh outlook, and bringing 20 and 30-year old dreamers back to the land. And our cowboy hats are off to them. Want to find out more about what’s happening? Farmer’s Guild, or read more about some inspiring local farmers here.
The Sonoma Valley Museum of Art hosts Richard Kenvin’s “Surf Craft” exhibit through Sept. 25, an installation that celebrates the history of surfboard production.
Kenvin maintains that board-making is as much an art as sculpture and painting. His exhibit features more than 60 colorful boards, from old-school, wood Hawaiian styles to the sophisticated hydrodynamic designs of today.
Kenvin assembled the exhibit two years ago for the Mingei International Museum in San Diego and wrote the book “Surf Craft” to accompany it. Now he’s brought it to Sonoma.
“I’ve been researching these boards, and in particular a surfer named Bob Simmons, who was active in the late ’40s and early ’50s, and died in a surfing accident in 1954 at Windandsea in San Diego, which is where I surf,” Kenvin said.
Surfboards on display by Richard Kenvin.
“Simmons is prominently featured in the exhibit because his work was ahead of its time, but maybe too ahead of its time.
He was one of the first surfboard makers to use Fiberglas and resin. Now surfboard design is in a really big renaissance.”
Sonoma Valley Museum of Art, 551 Broadway, Sonoma, 707-939-7862, svma.org. General admission $10, with discounts for seniors, college students, Sonoma Valley residents and ages 13-17; free for 12 and under.
Kyle and Katina Connaughton of SingleThread Farms and Restaurant. (Courtesy of SingleThread)
Kyle and Katina Connaughton, owners of SingleThread Farms in Healdsburg. (Photo by Jason Jaacks)
Although a maelstrom of media coverage has enveloped Kyle and Katina Connaughton since the announcement last year of their forthcoming SingleThread Farm–Restaurant– Inn, they aren’t spending much time worrying about the hype. They’ve got a restaurant to launch.
Slated for a late October opening in Healdsburg, SingleThread has been hailed by the national food press as one of the most important restaurant openings in the U.S. this year. Not all locals are as enthusiastic about another high-end restaurant, but since the 2012 closure of critically acclaimed Cyrus, there seems to be plenty of room for another contender.
Dinner at SingleThread will cost $295 (wine pairings will run an additional $155 to $295). Although that may seem outrageous to some, the Connaughtons have carefully orchestrated each moment of the experience, each piece of food on the plate, each ceramic dish imported from Japan, to be as perfect as possible. That takes serious coin.
Kyle and Katina Connaughton of Single Thread Farms Restaurant in Healdsburg at their farm. (Photo by Jason Jaacks)
Some residents are still miffed that SingleThread is on the site of the beloved old post office, on a corner of North and Center streets downtown. A 2010 fire gutted the post office, and USPS moved operations to the outskirts of town. Local vintner Pete Seghesio purchased the property, built a twostory complex with a rooftop deck and luxury suites, and the Connaughtons revamped the building for their 52-seat restaurant and inn.
The menu will reflect their life experiences, his in top restaurants around the world, and hers as a farmer in Japan and Sonoma County.
The Connaughtons say their cuisine defies simple labels such as farm to table, Wine Country, Japanese or modernist, though it will encompass all of those styles. Kyle describes it simply as “omotenashi,” the Japanese art of heightened hospitality, meeting every guest’s needs.
Wine Surfing at Gourmet Au Bay in Bodega Bay. Heather Irwin/PD
The new location of Gourmet Au Bay in Bodega Bay isn’t easy to find. In fact, Google maps can’t quite place it. And maybe that’s a good thing because this hidden gem that’s part wine shop, part restaurant, and part gift shop is one of our favorite secret finds this month.
Sissy Blanchard (husband Bob in the background) at Gourmet Au Bay in Bodega Bay, California. Heather Irwin/PD
Owners Bob and Sissy Blanchard recently moved and expanded their longtime wine tasting shop from Bodega Highway to the last available waterfront property in Bodega Bay. Tucked away in a tiny cove in Bodega Harbor, the revamped Gourmet Au Bay is more than twice the size, and now has a wood-fired oven and full menu Thursday through Monday (the kitchen is closed Tuesday and Wednesday, though tasting is daily).
While the Blanchards serve up flights of wine on their signature wine glass surfboards, Chef Sam Badolato is at the 900-plus degree wood oven creating roasted mussels,wood fired prawns, crab cakes, and creative flatbreads, in addition to their signature clam chowder. It’s worth mentioning that Rocker Oysterfeller’s Chef Brandon Guentherhelped put together the opening menu.
Clam chowder from Gourmet Au Bay in Bodega Bay. Heather Irwin/PD
We asked the secret to their rich, tasty chowder, and it includes sherry and bacon, but that’s about all we could weasel out of the kitchen. We also know that they make it in-house, which is more than we can say for some other chowder spots (who order it in cans or bags from commercial companies) — something that’s absolutely heartbreaking when seafood is so plentiful on the coast.
Gourmet Au Bay is a flip flop and shorts casual affair, with comfy bar tables, a protected outdoor patio and a deli-style menu where you simply check the selections of food, wine or beer and drop it off at the bar. Chances are Sissy will intercept you, welcoming you in and answering any questions almost before you can ask them.
Flatbread pizza with red and green grapes, herbs and Gorgonzola at Gourmet au Bay in Bodega Bay. Heather Irwin/PD
Though the food and wine are trip-worthy, it’s the stunning views that will keep you coming back, even on blustery days.
Fave bites: Crab cakes with lemon aioli ($18); Winemaker Flatbread with fresh herbs, Gorgonzola, and grapes (surprisingly delish, $16). Make sure to try their Wine Surfingexperience ($15) with a selection of whites, reds, rose and a few other offbeat choices.
Chef Sam Badolato at Gourmet Au Bay in Bodega Bay. Heather Irwin/PD
Weekdays tend to be less busy, and things really get hopping after 1p.m. Gourmet Au Bay shares a patio with another newcomer, Ginochio’s Kitchen, where you can get hearty fare including burgers, pasta, and bbq. Family-friendly and dog-friendly patio. Kids are welcome to dine inside as well.
1412 Bay Flat Road, Bodega Bay, 875-9875, gourmetaubay.com. Open daily from 11a.m. to 8p.m., kitchen closed Tuesday and Wednesday. There are explicit directions on the website coming from both north and south.
Spring Lake Park’s Water Bark starts this Sunday, Sept. 17. (PD FILE)
Spring Lake Park’s Water Bark starts this Sunday, Sept. 17.
Clear your calendars for these fun upcoming events. This Saturday is the Petaluma River Craft Beer Festival. Also on Saturday is EarleFest, with headliner Lucinda Williams. On Sunday is the Poetry Walk through Petaluma, and the dog-friendly Water Bark at Spring Lake. All this and more is in our list of things to do.
FRIDAY, Sept. 16
Sonoma Valley Crush: Eleven boutique wineries are taking part in this annual event, offering a behind-the-scenes look at what happens during harvest. During the three day event, guests will be able to taste fermenting wine, sample grapes and juices, tour wineries and more. The event takes place 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $10-$45. Find out more at www.heartofsonomavalley.com. (Sept. 16-18)
Eleven boutique wineries are taking part in Sonoma Valley Crush, offering a behind-the-scenes look at what happens during harvest. (Photo by John Burgess)
North Bay Cabaret: The topic of sexuality comes out of the bedroom and onto the stage when North Bay Cabaret presents their latest variety show, “SeXtember” at Whiskey Tip in Santa Rosa. Through burlesque, standup, spoken word and more, the event addresses all angles of modern sex culture. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the show takes place 8-11 p.m., with dancing and DJ’d music from 11 p.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets are $10-$15. Find out more at sextember.brownpapertickets.com.
The North Bay Cabaret will be performing at the Whiskey Tip in Santa Rosa on Friday. (Photo by Estefany Gonzalez)
GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma: The series finale to this Sonoma Raceway’s 2016 racing schedule will be full throttle this weekend with the Verizon IndyCar Series. The fun starts Friday and continues through Sunday with racing, autograph sessions, ride-alongs, and more. Entertainment includes the Patriots Jet Team Air Show, retro dance hits with the Pop Rocks, Q&A sessions with several racers and tons of fun. Find out all the details at sonomaraceway.com. (Sept. 16-18)
Movies in the Park: Howarth Park presents an outdoor showing of “Zootopia” this Friday for its final Movies in the Park event. The free movie includes pre-show entertainment and opportunity to purchase food from vendors. The movie begins at dusk, around 7:45 p.m. Find out all the details at pd2go.net/HowarthMoviesInThePark.
Howarth Park presents an outdoor showing of “Zootopia” this Friday for its final Movies in the Park event on Friday.
SATURDAY, Sept. 17
Into the Forest: Healdsburg author Jean Hegland will discuss her book, “Into the Forest,” after the 7:10 p.m. Saturday and the 1:15 p.m. Sunday film adaptation screening at Rialto Cinemas in Sebastopol. The Sunday showing will also include time for book signings. $10.75 movie admission. rialtocinemas.com/sebastopol. (Sept. 17-18) See Dan Taylor’s article about Jean Hegland and this event here.
Petaluma River Craft Beer Festival: This Saturday, enjoy quality craft beer by local purveyors at the 4th annual Petaluma River Craft Beer Festival. Taking place 1-5 p.m. on the Water Street plaza, the event features 20 local brewers, plus additional brewers from neighboring communities. New this year will be cider, kombucha and more, plus delicious food from Petaluma eateries and live music from local bands. Tasting tickets are $40, or $20 for designated drivers. More information at www.petalumrivercraftbeerfest.org.
EarleFest: The popular concert benefiting the Earle Baum Center of the Blind has moved to SOMO Village, with acts that include Lucinda Williams, The Mavericks, The Paladins and Girls + Boys. Doors open at 1 p.m., and the show starts at 2 p.m. Tickets are $55-$65. Find out more at earlefest.com. See Michael Shapiro’s story on Lucinda Williams here.
On Saturday, watch North Coast Ballet’s dance exhibition as they celebrate 35 years and a new name. (Photo by Katie Ging)
Sonoma County Oktoberfest: Germany and Sonoma County collide in this celebration of German beer and locally-sourced foods From 1-5 p.m., enjoy an afternoon of beer, food and music. Tickets are $25-$50. Find out more at socoof.com.
The Princess Bride at the Drive-In: “As you wish,” my friends. Watch the cult classic film starring Cary Elwes and Robin Wright on the big screen from the comfort of your own car. This Saturday, park at the Citrus Fair Fairgrounds for pre-show entertainment and a movie, plus food and drinks from Healdsburger, Bear Republic and more. Pre-sale tickets are $50/car, or $15/person without a car (bring a lawn chair). Find out more at avfilmsociety.org.
At Twilight, A Celebration of the Arts: This Saturday, watch North Coast Ballet’s dance exhibition as they celebrate 35 years and a new name. As well, enjoy tastings from local food and beverage purveyors, and relax to live music under the stars. The event begins at 7 p.m. at the Petaluma Arts Center, and tickets are $55. Find out more at petalumaschoolofballet.com, and purchase tickets at eventbrite.com. See Dan Taylor’s story on this event here.
Safety event at Petaluma Outlets: This Saturday, Old Navy is partnering with Missing and Exploited Children for a community event geared toward safety. From noon to 2 p.m., Old Navy is hosting the Petaluma Police Dept. and Fire Dept. for a meet and greet, and to answer questions about safety. For more information, call Lisa at (707) 782-0103, or visit missingkids.org.
Dogs are invited for off-leash fun and swimming at Spring Lake Swimming Lagoon during Water Bark on Sunday. (Photo by John Burgess)
SUNDAY, Sept. 18
Petaluma Poetry Walk: In its 21st year, local poets share their work at various stops around Petaluma, starting at 11 a.m. The free event shines a spotlight on the literary talent of more than 20 poets, with events at Copperfield’s, Aqus Cafe, Phoenix Theatre and more. Find out all the details and a schedule of events at petalumapoetrywalk.org.
Water Bark at Spring Lake: This Sunday starts the annual event every dog anticipates. From 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., dogs are invited for off-leash fun and swimming at Spring Lake Swimming Lagoon. Entry fee is $5-$7, plus applicable parking fees. Other dates include Sept. 24-25, plus a “Mellow Monday” event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for owners looking to enjoy a calmer experience. Find out more at waterbark2016.brownpapertickets.com.
Holocaust performance at Congregation Beth Ami: The Santa Rosa Jewish congregation presents the musical performance, “Erased: Babi Yar, the SS and Me,” this Sunday at 2 p.m.. The musical, written by Bay Area songrwiter and clarinet player, Corey Weinstein, coincides with the 75th anniversary of the gunfire massacre in the Babi Yar ravine during WWII. The performance is free, though donations will be accepted. Find out more at bethamisr.org.
Other upcoming events:
Country rock with iconic Nitty Gritty Dirt Band on Monday at Weill Hall and Lawn, Green Music Center. (Photo courtesy of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band)
Friday, Sept. 16
‘50 Years of Dirt’: Country rock with iconic Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, 7:30 p.m., Weill Hall and Lawn, Green Music Center, Rohnert Park. $25-$65. (866) 955-6040, gmc.sonoma.edu.
‘Baskerville’: Sherlock Homes mystery, opens 8 p.m., runs through Oct. 9, Spreckels Theatre, Rohnert Park. $16-$26. 588-3400, ci.rohnert-park.ca.us.
Saturday, Sept. 17
The B-52s: Summer concert series season finale, 5 p.m. Saturday, Rodney Strong Vineyards, Healdsburg. $84-$129. 431-1533, rodneystrong.com.
Old Grove Festival: Poor Man’s Whiskey hootenanny band, 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Armstrong Woods Redwood Forest Theater, Guerneville. $10-$75. stewardscr.org.
Latino Heritage Month Fiesta: Outdoor event with authentic food, music, games and activities, 1-7 p.m. Sunday, Luther Burbank Center, Santa Rosa. Free. 800-7512, lutherburbankcenter.org.
Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally: Music and comedy, strong adult content, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Weill Hall and Lawn, Green Music Center, Rohnert Park. $25-$65. (866) 955-6040, gmc.sonoma.edu.
Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra: Grammy-nominated Spanish-influenced guitarist and his band, 8:30 p.m. Monday, Mystic Theatre, Petaluma. $27. 765-2121, mystictheatre.com.
Tuesday, Sept. 20
Business Expo at Forestville Farmers Market: Network with other local businesses while enjoying local produce, specialty foods and drinks, hand-crafted jewelry and gifts and more. 4-7 p.m. 6990 Front St., Forestville. forestvillefarmersmarket.com
‘Richard II’: Shakespeare tragedy screened from London’s Globe Theatre, 1 and 7 p.m. Tuesday, Rialto Cinemas, Sebastopol. $18-$25. 525-4840, rialtocinemas.com.
Wednesday, Sept. 21
Iron & Wine: Singer-songwriter Sam Beam, plus Ryley Walker, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Gundlach Bundschu Winery, Sonoma. $45. gunbun.ticketfly.com.
‘Jackass’: Cast members of ‘Jackass’ reality TV show recount pranks and tales, 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Mystic Theatre, Petaluma. $37-$47. 765-2121, mystictheatre.com.
Thursday, Sept. 22
Sonoma Grown Showcase: ‘Krush Backyard Concert Series’ season finale, 6 p.m. Thursday, KRSH radio, Santa Rosa. Free. krsh.com.
Ann Patchett: Discussion and book signing with ‘Commonwealth’ author, 7 p.m. Thursday, Luther Burbank Center, Santa Rosa. $46, including book. 546-3600, lutherburbankcenter.org.
Kingsborough: Santa Rosa band’s modern twist on American rock, 5-8 p.m. Thursday, The Barlow Street Fair, Sebastopol. Free. 824-5600, thebarlow.net.
Unauthorized Rolling Stones: Tribute band, ‘Concert Under the Stars,’ 5:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Village Court, Montgomery Village, Santa Rosa. Free. 545-3844, mvshops.com.
Wine Country Film Festival 30th Anniversary: International and independent films, events and live music, Thursday through Sept. 25, various times and Kenwood locations. $10-$75. 935-3456, wcff.us.
Friday, Sept. 23
‘Sweeney Todd’: Opening night of the Steven Sondheim musical, 8 p.m. Sept. 23, Raven Performing Arts Theater, Healdsburg. Runs through Oct. 9. $10-$30. raventheater.org.
‘Run for your Wife’: Farce about a cabbie with two wives, opening night, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23, Cloverdale Performing Arts Center. Through Oct. 9. $12-$22. cloverdaleperformingarts.com.
Terrie Odabi: Blues and soul singer and the Evolution Blues Band, 7 p.m. Sept. 23, Studio Barndiva Gallery, Healdsburg. $40. barndiva.com.
Santa Rosa Toy & Comic Con: More than 200 booths, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 24, Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa. $15, $25 at 9 a.m. santarosatoycon.com.
Soul Fuse: Funk, soul and fusion band, KRCB ‘Concerts in the Garden’ season closer, 4-6 p.m. Sept. 24, Chroma Gallery, Santa Rosa. Free. 293-6051, chromagallery.net.
Weekend Along the Farm Trails: Farm visits, tastes, tours and demonstrations, various hours, Sept. 24-25, Sonoma County farms. Free or nominal fees. 837-8896, farmtrails.org.
Kendall-Jackson Heirloom Tomato Festival: Food, wine, live music and 150-plus heritage tomato varieties, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. Sept. 24, Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens, Fulton. $95. kj.com/visit-tomato-festival.
Chris Young: Country singer-songwriter, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 24, Weill Hall and Lawn, Green Music Center, Rohnert Park. $45-$85. (866) 955-6040, gmc.sonoma.edu.
Wings Over Wine Country: Pacific Coast Air Museum airshow, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 24-25, Sonoma County Airport, Santa Rosa. $8-$18. 566-8380, wingsoverwinecountry.org.
Sunday, Sept. 25
Elizabeth Pitcairn and the Red Violin: Benefit recital and reception with the virtuoso violinist, 5-8 p.m. Sept. 25, Sonoma Valley Museum of Art. $175. 939-7862, svma.org.
Sonoma County Harvest Fair Awards Night: Gourmet dinner, awards and agricultural honorees, 4 p.m. Sept. 25, Luther Burbank Center, Santa Rosa. $125. 545-4200, harvestfair.org.
A 1942 suburban home updated with a drought resistant front yard. (Image courtesy of Dante Silliman)
California is no stranger to drought, and as it moves firmly into the middle of its fourth year in one, it’s time to rethink the landscaping options for your front yard.
A 1942 suburban home updated with a drought resistant front yard. (Image courtesy of Dante Silliman)
With statewide water restrictions in place, many homeowners have let their once green lawns wither away, or removed them completely. While these moves were necessary for water conservation, oftentimes the result is dried up patches of dead grass left in the front yard.
This drastically reduces the curb appeal of the house and makes the neighborhood unappealing for visitors and homeowners alike. Luckily, there are more options than ever to create a beautiful, drought-resistant landscape that’s easy to maintain and doesn’t depend solely on cactus or succulents.
Here are six landscaping alternatives that will make your neighborhood sing – no matter how hot it gets outside:
(Image via slowaterwiselandscaping.com)
Groundcovers
A hardy groundcover can take over where the lawn left off, putting down roots to prevent soil erosion and adding a splash of color while requiring little maintenance to keep them healthy.
There are many drought resistant plants to choose from, and these two examples both do well in the Sonoma County climate. The biggest consideration is whether the yard is primarily in the sun or the shade during the day.
In a yard that’s mostly sunny, Rockrose is an excellent choice that requires almost no care. (Image via Wikipedia)In a yard that’s mostly shade, creeping barberry will thrive; blooming yellow flowers mid spring and then blue berries in early summer. (Image via dragongoose.com)
Grasses
For those who miss having a lawn, there’s still hope. Decorative grasses can be added throughout, and don’t require mowing. Here are three varieties that flourish in Northern California:
(NOTE: This section had suggested Pampas grass, as I’ve had it in my backyard for years without realizing it’s an invasive plant. I’ve replaced my recommendation from Pampas grass to California sweet grass.) California sweet grass has delicate white flowers and will grow in shady conditions with average to low water. Bay Area native. (Image via Flikr/East Bay Wilds)Blue panic grass is a tufted, perennial grass that needs a minimum of care. (Image via Lisa Miner)Maidengrass is an ornamental grass that blooms in the late summer. (Image via Chalet Nursery)Some inspiration… (Image via Amazing Home Decorations)
Flowerbeds
Many gardeners might be mourning the loss of their annual flowers due to water conservation efforts, but there’s a slew of strong, drought-resistant perennials that are just as vibrant when blooming, and need much less attention to thrive. Here are the top three for California:
(Image via RockYards Landscaping)Autumn Joy has white buds in the warmer months, turning to rose-pink in the early fall.. (Image via Rave Plants)The Purple Coneflower adds a splash of color to any drought resistant yard, and has the added bonus of attracting butterflies in the warmer months. (Image via tastygardner.com)Bearded Iris comes in a wide array of colors. (Image via World of Irises)
Decorative Stone
Decorative stones, gravel, or aggregate can be used to create walkways, act as a backdrop for plants, and require zero water or maintenance. There’s a variety of rock offered at landscaping supply centers, such as Lowe’s or Home Depot.
River rock is smooth, comes in various sizes, and differing shades from light gray to browns, blacks, and blue or green. (Image via Houzz)Decomposed granite is finer than gravel, and can be used in place of mulch to surround garden beds and trees. (Image via brooksconstruction.com)Pea gravel can be used on walkways, between pavers, or integrated with other rocks in the yard. (Image via braenstone.com)
Native Plants
A surefire way to make certain that the plants chosen for your yard will thrive in the California heat is to head to the nursery to pick out plants that are native to the area. These are the plants that have flourished through California’s cycles of drought and rain:
California native plants. (Image via powerofplants.com)California sagebrush is sometimes used as a spice in cooking, or as a tea. (Image via EthnoHerbalist)Manzanita: these evergreen shrubs have delicate looking pink blossoms that flower in late winter to early spring. (Image via laspilitas.com)Coyote brush is a hale perennial that blooms in the winter. (Image via Canative Garden)
Hardscape
Hardscaping is the ultimate in low-maintenance and creates a clean, minimalist look. Examples of hardscaping include paved areas, driveways, retaining walls, and stone or brick walkways.
Stone walkway and retaining walls. (Image via Pioneer Landscapes)Walkway with pavers and pea gravel lead to the entrance of this Tudor-style home. (Image via Houselogic)The hardscape used in front of this contemporary home blends seamlessly with the architecture. (Image via hgtv.com)
