Frances Ford Coppola has announced the opening of a new Geyserville restaurant at the Virginia Dare Winery. Just don’t try to pronounce it.
Christened Werowocomoco (pronounced: Wero-wo-como-ko), the restaurant pays tribute to the first capital of Virginia and home to Powhatan, chief of regional native tribes when English colonists arrived in 1607.
The food will follow suit, with a focus on American native dishes including bison ribs with berry barbecue sauce, river-harvested wild rice with cranberries, and fry bread tacos. The restaurant will have 66 interior seats and extended al fresco patio dining.
Charred corn and lime at Virginia Dare Winery’s Werowocomoco. Courtesy photo
“Virginia Dare Winery highlights the genesis of American winemaking, so it makes sense that our new restaurant would celebrate our country’s indigenous foods,” said Coppola in a prepared statement. “With Werowocomoco, my goal is to present a menu inspired by the culinary traditions of the earliest inhabitants of North America.”
Coppola hinted at the restaurant’s opening last month, though BiteClubbers quickly solved the mystery of the location at the Virginia Dare Winery, which Coppola opened in 2015. Dare was the first child born to English settlers in Roanoake, Virginia territory in 1587. The entire settlement vanished without a trace, and mystery and myth have surrounded the story of Dare and the encampment ever since.
Chicken and wild rice at Virginia Dare Winery’s Werowocomoco. Courtesy photo
The Pamunkey Indian Tribe, which continues to have a presence in the historic Richmond, Virginia region gave Coppola it’s blessing to borrow the name and honor the heritage of their history.
This is Coppola’s fourth restaurant, following Rustic and the Pool Cafe at his Geyserville namesake winery and Cafe Zoetrope in San Francisco.
The restaurant is slated to open to the public in mid-November after a private opening for the residents of Geyserville on Nov. 4.
It seems that Stormy’s owner Roger Cramer is proud of his signature prime rib. As a rapt audience watched him march around his restaurant with a giant roasting pan on a recent evening, he paused at each table to show off the huge chunk of meat’s crunchy, seasoned crust and golden-red juices.
“I want an end cut!” one guest suddenly shouted from a corner of the dining room.
“I want the other one!” shouted another guest. And so the dibs were done, since the dish is there only until it’s gone, and it’s first come, first served. There’s quite a bit of meat in between those two end cuts, but still, the prime rib is snatched up quickly.
Prime rib dinner with mashed potatoes and vegetables at Stormy’s Spirits and Supper, in Bloomfield, California.
I’ve been having a good time lately, mentioning Stormy’s to folks and awaiting the reaction. Most people have never heard of the place, but after I’ve finished my tale, everyone wants to go.
Sure, the spirits and supper house has been around since 1854, originally as a hotel, and it’s continued as a rural institution since Cramer’s grandmother, Ellen “Stormy” Cramer took it over in 1961. These days, it’s hard to find a better American comfort food meal for the price.
Bar decor at Stormy’s Spirits and Supper, in Bloomfield, California.
Yet tucked away in Bloomfield, a rural dairy community on the edge of Petaluma/Two Rock and Valley Ford, it’s not a stumble-in kind of spot. Besides the weathered redwood and stone-clad roadhouse eatery, there’s a Masonic lodge in this tiny burg, plus a town hall, a few homes and a whole lot of cows.
On the other hand, if people have been to Stormy’s but not in the past year, I sometimes get a wrinkled nose. For much of its history since Cramer expanded it from a bar to a restaurant in the early 1970s, the place has been notable more for nostalgia than dining, and meals ranged from fine to disappointing. But I would swear flavors are much better now, from the soup to the seafood, like prawns drenched in garlic butter ($35).
Not so, insists Cramer’s daughter, Taylor Marie Cramer. She, along with her dad, her mom, Carolyn Cramer, and her boyfriend, sous chef Fabio Herrera, have always stayed true to the family recipes, she explains. I’m not one to argue with owners, certainly, but my dining companions, who have been coming here for decades for cocktails and steaks, agree with me.
Guests seated for dinner at Stormy’s Spirits and Supper, in Bloomfield, California.
This is a stumble-out place, yes. After a couple of stiff cocktails and a monster-size meal, the next destination is home, happy to bed. All entrees include clam chowder, salad, potato, vegetable and French bread. That prime rib comes in a sidekick cut (16 ounce, $28), and a regular cut (22 ounce, $34), and the sidekick size gave me enough leftovers for three more meals.
The dining room is cozy, but regulars always converge in the lounge, drawn in by the intimate space, the dark, old-time bar and the fireplace that cranks flames even in the summer, given the coastal area’s nearly year-round fog and chill.
Roadhouse prawns with mashed potatoes and vegetables at Stormy’s Spirits and Supper, in Bloomfield, California.
Food arrives quickly, starting with hot clam chowder that’s made fresh daily and stocked with lots of seafood and vegetables in tomato-kissed broth. Dipped with butter-spread bread, it’s a very nice start. Salads are perfunctory but fresh, a toss of greens with tomatoes, cucumbers, croutons, julienned carrot and onion in house-made creamy Italian dressing. Creamy potatoes are fluffier and more tangy than in years’ past, and one evening’s seasonal veggies included al dente green beans, carrot coins and broccoli.
But really, we’re in cow country, and it’s all about the meat. Prime rib end cuts are for folks who like drier meat, but my medium rare was perfectly warm, pink and juicy inside, lined with a medium cooked exterior and lots of good, savory fat. A little cup of creamed horseradish was fine, but the off-menu Beaver brand horseradish is the bomb.
I’ve never tried heroin or kissed a live battery, but I imagine it might be like this condiment that was so insanely fiery that a tiny bit on the tip of my tongue shot an electric jolt up my nose into my skull and made my ears tingle. Surprisingly, a second after the shock came, it disappeared, leaving my brain clean and bright with no pain whatsoever. I couldn’t stop trying it again and again, and even begged for a to-go cup from my amused server.
Stormys Spirits and Supper, in Bloomfield, California.
Stormy’s is a good destination for its other beefy staples — New York steak with onion rings ($29/$37), or bone-in rib-eye ($1 per ounce plus $13 for chowder and salad) — that can be upgraded with sautéed mushrooms and/or grilled onions or blue cheese ($6).
I like the fried chicken, too, though it’s hard to wait the 45 minutes it takes to cook the crispy bird to order.
Some plates are even better bargains on Thursdays and Sundays, when fried prawns (regularly $28), chicken sauté ($28) or New York scallopini ($29) are discounted to $22.50 each with all the fixings, and a New York steak comes for $25.50 with mushrooms or onions for $3.
I also suppose if you wanted to fill yourself with appetizers while sipping a cold beer, cocktail or glass of wine, you’d be pleased enough with the decent steamed clams ($19), or deep-fried prawns ($9/$15) with a heavy, breadcrumb coating.
Carolyn Cramer, left, pours drinks while talk with longtime customers Kathy and Jon Little, at Stormy’s Spirits and Supper, in Bloomfield, California.
Just note that wines by the glass are house brand (all $9), meaning whatever is available, and listed simply as chardonnay, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, etc. Bottled choices focus on Sonoma County, like the Cramer Ranch cab from Sebastopol ($45), but I bring my own wine, happy to pay a $14 corkage to drink what I really want.
Still, it’s the prime rib, combined with the historic, casual/fun setting, that’s the star. It feels like a step back in time here, with a mix of saloon and good, old-fashioned steakhouse elevated by that superb beef.
Chef/owner Roger Cramer prepares deep fried calamari at Stormy’s Spirits and Supper, in Bloomfield, California.
Tip: Call, or check Facebook before heading out to Stormy’s. In the winter, coastal torrential weather closes roads, power outages happen now and then year-round, and if the family has an emergency or goes on vacation, they shut the doors.
Too, if you’ve got your heart set on that prime rib, show up by 5:30 p.m. or so to guarantee you score some of that slab. You know, that big, pretty piece of beef is being paraded around the dining room.
Carey Sweet is a Santa Rosa-based food and restaurant writer. Read her restaurant reviews every other week in Sonoma Life. Contact her at carey@careysweet.com.
Chef/owner Roger Cramer, left, works in the kitchen with cook Fabio Herrera and his daughter Taylor Cramer, one of the servers, at Stormy’s Spirits and Supper, in Bloomfield, California.
Photography by Alvin Jornada.
Looking for more things to do in Sonoma County? Click here
We recently polled our readers on what was missing from the Sonoma County food scene. For a county that prides itself on its local food and dining options, the response on what’s lacking was massive.
Have anything to add? Leave it in the comments.
Greek Food
First up, good authentic Greek food in Sonoma County, like gyros, tzatziki, pita bread, and more (some readers did suggest stopping over at Quincy’s in Rohnert Park or Falafel King in Sebastopol for your fix of Mediterranean food).
American Comfort Food
Restaurants that specialize in quality classic American comfort food, serving up chicken pot pie, mac and cheese, meatloaf, mashed potatoes, roast chicken…a meal like Grandma used to make without any fancy additions (some readers suggested checking out Sweet T’s in Santa Rosa, KC’s American Kitchen in Windsor, Bruno’s in Santa Rosa, Adel’s in Santa Rosa and The Backyard in Forestville).
A Downtown Restaurant with a View
Preferably 3-4 stories up, and maybe even a rooftop bar or patio. We may not be in Paris like the photo below, but we certainly should be able to enjoy a similar view from any Sonoma County town.
Affordable Farm-to-Table
An affordable indoor/outdoor farm-to-table breakfast/brunch spot, located in downtown and open 7 days a week.
Filipino Food
Authentic Filipino restaurants that serve up foods like lumpia, adobo, kare kare, singagong, halo halo and more.
Good Sushi
Readers are growing tired of particular local picks and want more impressive options when they’re craving raw seafood.
Non-Fusion Dishes
Basic food choices that aren’t part of the fusion movement. Some readers would prefer to have simple meals made with only one culinary tradition.
Sol Food
The Puerto Rican restaurant is tearing it up in San Rafael, with communal seating, authentic Puerto Rican food and often with a line out the door. It’s time Sonoma County got a little Sol.
(facebook.com/solfoodrestaurant)
Healthy Food in a Casual Setting
Healthy, tasty food at small, informal cafes, much like The Good Earth of yesteryear that was once located in downtown Santa Rosa.
Poke Bowls
A casual restaurant that serves poke and other authentic Hawaiian or island fare.
A Quality Restaurant That is Family-Friendly
Restaurants that really are family-friendly, with quality kids menus, activities for the kids and understanding servers. One reader suggested having a play area for kids, but in a restaurant with good food and not fast food.
Max Young, the owner of Rossi’s 1906 roadhouse restaurant in Sonoma, said that he’ll be closing the restaurant October 30. After three years of renovations, weekly music acts, and even well-crafted barbecue menu from Ari Rosen of Glen Ellen Star, it seems that the concept just wasn’t working. The restaurant will undergo another renovation and re-branding with a local partner, reopening in January.
Young purchased the former Little Switzerland property in 2013. After three years of dedication to the project, along with renovations, weekly music acts, and even well-crafted barbecue menu from Ari Weisswasser of Glen Ellen Star, Young said the concept just wasn’t working. The restaurant will undergo another renovation and re-branding with a local partner, reopening in January.
“When I opened I said I would listen to Sonoma – and our concept wasn’t quite cutting it. I can’t thank my staff enough for their hard work and dedication to Rossi’s for the past few years – they have been terrific. And while it is very hard to let this concept go, I am looking forward to a new direction with a new partnership and I can’t wait to share it with Sonoma in 2017,” Young said in a prepared statement.
The last hurrah, however, will be the restaurant’s annual Halloween Party on Oct. 29. So, if you want to get tickets click here.
Mark your calendars, we have a bunch of fun in store for you this week. This Friday and Saturday, enjoy art, music and wellness at the annual O+ Festival in Petaluma. Be inspired at Saturday’s TEDx Sonoma County. And travel back to the 1920s for a Speakeasy Party. All this and more is in our list of things to do.
FRIDAY, Nov. 4
O+ Festival in Petaluma: In a worldwide movement, venues in several different countries are connecting musicians, artists and health and wellness providers in a weekend festival of art, creativity and medicine. One of these celebrations will be held at several locations throughout Petaluma. This free event takes place Friday and Saturday, with program brochures available at The Petaluma Art Center, Griffin Map Design, and other participating locations, as well as by visiting opositivefestival.org/petaluma. (Nov. 4-5)
SATURDAY, Nov. 5
End of Harvest Fiesta: California Human Development is celebrating grape harvest workers this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa. The events will include cultural music and dancing, authentic Mexican food, health and community services, traditional family fun and more. The event is free to festival goers. Find out more at californiahumandevelopment.org.
TEDx Sonoma County: This year’s Sonoma County TEDx talks fall under the theme of “perspectives” — as in, how one person’s view will differ from another. The line-up of speakers includes storytellers, an animator, a photographer, musicians and more, plus a mystery guest. The event takes place at 1 p.m. at Sonoma Country Day School. Tickets are $25-$45. Find out all the details at tedxsonomacounty.com.
Windsor’s El Dia de los Muertos Celebration: Come in costume with your electric candle to celebrate loved ones who have passed on. A candlelight procession led by drummers and dancers will travel around Town Green, followed by music and dance performances, food and fun. This free event takes place 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Find out more at windsormuertos.org.
Bark After Dark: This Saturday, enjoy an evening of Pasta King food, music, silent auction and more, all for a good cause. This benefit dinner and auction event will include prizes from local wineries, restaurants, pet supply stores and service providers, and more. Find out all the details at pd2go.net/BarkAfterDark.
Bourbon, Bacon and Beer Speakeasy Party: Take a step back in time for a “Roaring 20s” shindig at Cloverleaf Ranch in Santa Rosa. From 7-11 p.m., guests are invited to play games, sample bourbon and beer, enjoy bacon bites, dance to ragtime and more. Dress in style wearing your Prohibition-era attire. Tickets are $125 and benefit Council on Aging’s Meals on Wheels program. Find out more at www.bourbonbaconandbeer.com.
More upcoming events:
American Jazz musician Helen Sung, and quartet, perform at the Healdsburg Jazz Festival, Friday, Nov. 4 (Photo by Jack Vartoogian/Getty Images)
Friday, Nov. 4
The Sam Chase plus The Crux: Rock and folk, New Orleans brass to jazz, 9 p.m., Mystic Theatre, Petaluma. $17. 765-2121, mystictheatre.com.
Helen Sung Quartet: Jazz standards and original compositions with the pianist/composer and her quartet, 7:30 p.m., Paul Mahder Gallery, Healdsburg. $32. 433-4633, healdsburgjazzfestival.org.
Fly by Train: Rocking folk Americana band, two sets, 8 p.m., Twin Oaks Roadhouse, Penngrove. Free. 795-5118, twinoaksroadhouse.com.
One Grass Two Grass: California string band music, 9 p.m., HopMonk Tavern, Sebastopol. $13. 829-7300, hopmonk-sebastopol.ticketfly.com.
‘Picasso at the Lapin Agile’: Pegasus Theater Co. production, opens 8 tonight, Graton Community Club. Open donation. Runs through Nov. 27. 583-2343, pegasustheater.com.
Saturday, Nov. 5
Wine & Food Affair: Wine tasting and food pairing, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, various wineries along northern Sonoma County Wine Road. $30-$80. wineroad.com.
‘Whose Live Anyway?’: Improv comedy scenes and songs with Ryan Stiles and crew, 8 p.m. Saturday, Luther Burbank Center, Santa Rosa. $39-$59. 546-3600, lutherburbankcenter.org.
Mini Maker Faire: Hands-on ‘Make and Collaborate’ science, technology and crafts activities, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Barnes & Noble, Santa Rosa. Free. 576-7494, barnesandnoble.com.
Patrick Ball: Renowned Celtic harpist and storyteller, 8 p.m. Saturday, Occidental Center for the Arts. $20. 874-9392, occidentalcenterforthearts.org.
‘AgStravaganza’: Santa Rosa Junior College AgTrust gala honoring Sebastopol vintners Terri and John Balletto, 5:30 p.m. Saturday, SRJC Shone Farm, Forestville. $75. 291-2857, agstravaganza.com.
‘Farewell to Engine #74’: Final day of service for C.P. Huntington Train after 47 years, 11:45 a.m.- 3:40 p.m. Saturday, Howarth Park, Santa Rosa. Sold out. ci.santa-rosa.ca.us.
Sunday, Nov. 6
The Ocean: Heavy metal show with synchronized lights, 7 p.m. Sunday, Phoenix Theater, Petaluma. $14-$16. 762-3565, thephoenixtheater.com.
Agent Orange: Punk rock band, first one mixing punk with surf music, 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Mystic Theatre, Petaluma. $17. 765-2121, mystictheatre.com.
Mendocino Mushroom, Wine and Beer Festival: Dinners, performances, mushroom foraging and exhibits throughout Mendocino County, through Nov. 13. Various fees. 937-4000, mendocino.com/mendocino-wine-mushroom-festival.
Monday, Nov. 7
Santa Rosa Symphony: ‘Keyboard Brilliance’ with pianist Orion Weiss, 8 p.m. Monday, Weill Hall, Green Music Center, Rohnert Park. $25-$85. 546-8742, srsymphony.org.
Tuesday, Nov. 8
Open Mic Night with Rojo: Weekly opportunity to take the mic, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Twin Oaks Roadhouse, Penngrove. Free. 795-5118, twinoaksroadhouse.com.
Wednesday, Nov. 9
‘Fire Birds’: Dark comic mystery, Sonoma County Jewish Film Festival presentation, 1 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Rialto Cinemas, Sebastopol. $10. 529-4222, jccsoco.org.
Thursday, Nov. 10
Hip Chick Farms co-owners: ‘Women in Conversation’ series closer with Jennifer Johnson and Serafina Palandech, 7 p.m. Thursday, Luther Burbank Center, Santa Rosa. $125. socowomenevents.com.
Napa Valley Film Festival: ‘Celebrity Tributes’ honors Lee Daniels, Kurt Russell and five others, 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Lincoln Theater, Yountville. $50. Festival runs through Nov. 13. napavalleyfilmfest.org.
Friday, Nov. 11
Face to Face Film Series: ‘Moonlight,’ a young man’s struggle to find himself, 7 p.m. Nov. 11, Rialto Cinemas, Sebastopol. $8.25-$10.75. 829-3456, rialtocinemas.com.
‘Laughing Matters’: North Bay stand-up comedians, 8 p.m. Nov. 11, Raven Performing Arts Theater, Healdsburg. $25-$55, benefits Movember Foundation. 433-6335, raventheater.org.
Saturday, Nov. 12
Anita Bear Sandwina: Original compositions with the soulful singer and guitarist, 8 p.m. Nov. 12, Occidental Center for the Arts. $15. 874-9392, occidentalcenterforthearts.org.
The Blues Session: Blues-influenced American music with local artists, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 12, Cloverdale Arts Alliance. $5. 894-4410, cloverdaleartsalliance.org.
Neko Case: Versatile indie-rock singer-songwriter, 8 p.m. Nov. 12, Luther Burbank Center, Santa Rosa. $30-$40. 546-3600, lutherburbankcenter.org.
Winger: Hard rock band from New York City, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 12, House of Rock, Santa Rosa. $40-$50. rockstaruniversity.com.
Coco Montoya: Blues and rock ’n’ roll guitarist and vocalist, 9 p.m. Nov. 12, Redwood Café, Cotati. $20-$25. 795-7868, redwoodcafe.com.
Michael Feinstein: Great American Songbook selections with the vocalist, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 12, Weill Hall, Green Music Center, Rohnert Park. $35-$85. (866) 955-6040, gmc.sonoma.edu.
Sunday, Nov. 13
Calidore String Quartet: Santa Rosa Junior College chamber concert series, 4 p.m. Nov. 13, Newman Auditorium, Santa Rosa campus. $17.75-$28.75. (415) 392-4400, communityed.santarosa.edu/chamber-concerts#2.
Celtic Thunder: Traditional Irish and folk music to contemporary, rock and classical crossover, 8 p.m. Nov. 13, Luther Burbank Center, Santa Rosa. $59-$69. 546-3600, lutherburbankcenter.org.
Pouya: Rap artist from Miami, known for ‘Straight Up,’ 8 p.m. Nov. 13, Phoenix Theater, Petaluma. $20. 762-3565, thephoenixtheater.com.
Fifth Annual California Banjo Extravaganza: Danny Barnes, Joe Newberry, Bill Evans, 8 p.m. Nov. 13, Sebastopol Community Cultural Center Annex. $22-$25. 823-1511, seb.org.
Bold makeup, bombastic sounds, tons of hairspray, patent-leather pants – and, of course, an endless amount of glitter. The spirit of glam rock was alive and well this Friday as U.K. band The Struts took the stage at the Napa Valley Opera House.
Over the past two years, The Struts have opened for the Rolling Stones in Paris, toured with Mötley Crüe and played countless concerts and festivals, including Napa’s own BottleRock festival – which featured not only a performance on the main stage, culinary stage and JaM Pad stages, but also an after show. On Friday, after having played two sold-out shows in LA and San Francisco during the week, the British band managed to top all previous concerts with a jam-packed, high-energy evening.
The Struts singer Luke Spiller at The Napa Valley Opera House, Friday November 4.
From the moment The Struts strutted on stage, the venue was in full swing with concert-goers jumping and swaying in ecstasy. Singer Luke Spiller enthralled the audience with exquisitely exhibitionist ensembles – to be expected by an artist whose style icons include Elvis Presley and David Bowie. Spiller has been outfitted by both Zandra Rhodes, the English designer who dressed Fred Mercury and Brian May, and Australian designer Ray Brown whose clientele includes AC/DC, Ozzy Osbourne, Judas Priest and Lady Gaga. The Struts drummer Gethin Davies, guitarist Adam Slack and bassist Jed Elliott also dressed to impress in true ‘70s glam rock glory.
The Struts: from left to right, bassist Jed Elliott, guitarist Adam Slack, singer Luke Spiller, drummer Gethin Davies.
Equally captivating as the glitz and glamor, was the group’s stage presence. The whole set was filled with whimsical and memorable moments in which the audience became part of the performance, singling along to nearly every word of “Put Your Money On Me,” keeping the beat with enthusiastic clapping to “Put Your Hands Up,” and following every command from Spiller — quiet one moment, roaring the next.
The Struts singer Luke Spiller commanding the audience at Napa Valley Opera House.
The night continued to crescendo; the music, the beat, the on-stage heat. When, during rock n’ roll anthem “Where Did She Go,” Spiller asked the audience: “are you ready to make history right here tonight?” the concert reached climax. On Spiller’s demand, the whole audience got down on the floor and then shot up on cue during the chorus.
With euphoric expressions, glitter in their hair and sweat streaming down their faces as they sang their hearts out in those final phrases, the audience got a taste of real golden-age glam rock — another sublime Napa night served up by The Struts.
Highlights from The Struts Show at The Napa Valley Opera House:
The sign at the entrance to the taproom at Grav South Brew Co. (Photo by Tim Vallery)
The sign at the entrance to the taproom at Grav South Brew Co. in Cotati. (Photo by Tim Vallery)
Grav South Brew Co. in Cotati is the newest addition to the burgeoning brewery scene in Sonoma County.
The brewery, opened in September, is run by Corinne Barclay and Greg Rasmussen. Barclay and Rasmussen met three years ago through a mutual friend, and quickly realized they had a lot in common: not only did they both work within fire protection (Corinne previously worked as a fire inspector and Greg is a fire captain in Forestville) and had both grown up on Gravenstein apple orchards, they also shared an affinity for beer: Greg loved to brew it, and Corinne loved to drink it.
The bar at Grav South Brew Co. in Cotati. (Photo by Tim Vallery)
When deciding to open up a brewery together, Barclay and Rasmussen wanted to pay homage to their shared background – not only by incorporating a shortened version of Gravenstein in the company name, but also through the design of the brewery.
“Greg’s father was very involved in Sturgeons Mill in Sebastopol, and we chose old growth redwood for our bar because of this,” said Barclay. “The apple boxes behind the bar are from my family’s farm. The wood on the bar around the brewing equipment was made from a salvaged water tank that Greg’s father had kept.”
Constructing their brewery in the Gravenstein South shopping center, Barclay and Rasmussen worked tirelessly alongside family, friends, and police and firefighter co-workers.
“We’re very fortunate to have had friends and family who have a wide skill set help us out with all aspects of design and construction,” said Barclay.
Morgan pouring brews at Grav South Brew Co. in Cotati. (Photo by Tim Vallery)
The hard work, collaboration and community spirit that built Grav South has created a “Cheers” vibe at the brewery; this certainly is a place where you can take a break from all your worries, where everybody knows your name, and they’re always glad you came.
Greg Rasmussen has been home brewing for 18 years. During this time, he has received over 150 local, state, and national awards for his beers. He is the recipient of the “Sierra Nevada Home Brewer of the Year” award (2013 and 2014) and the “Sonoma Beerocrats Brewer of the Year” (2013 and 2014). In 2015, Rasmussen won the Samuel Adams “Longshot Homebrew” contest, hosted since 1995 to honor home brewers. Longshot contest founder, Jim Koch called Rasmussen’s winning brew “a flawless robust porter.”
Rasmussen has also collaborated with several breweries, including Sierra Nevada Brewing Company for their 2014 Beer Camp series and the Bear Republic Brewing Company for 2 Pro-Am beers.
The beer sampler at Grav South Brew Co. (Photo by Jess Vallery)
At Grav South Brew Co., Rasmussen brews a “7 Figure” IPA, “Wet Hop” IPA, Bitter End, a tangerine beer, a wheat, rye, and a vanilla porter made with Madagascar vanilla. The brewery also offers a small wine list with wines by the glass for $5 and local guest taps from St. Florian’s,Henhouse, Petaluma Hill’s, and Plow Brewing.
Turkey panini and watermelon salad at Grav South Brew Co. (Photo by Tim Vallery)
Grav South Brew Co. head chef Scott Caddell, from Belvedere/Tiburon, will serve up a locally-sourced menu focused on fresh, bold flavors. There will be specials throughout the week and guests can expect different dishes depending on the season: watermelon feta salad, pozole, turkey panini, and smoked tri-tip sandwiches are a few examples.
Grav South Brew Co., 7950 Redwood Dr #15, Cotati, CA 94931, (707) 753-4198, gravsouthbrewco.com, @GravSouth BrewCo
The taproom at Grav South Brew Co. in Cotati (Photo by Tim Vallery)
Chefs Matthew Williams and Moishe Hahn-Schuman got their first big break for Ramen Gaijin as a pop-up at Woodfour Brewing in 2014. Five months later, they opened their successful brick-and-mortar just down the street. Now, the chefs are hoping to do the same for one of their employees.
On Nov. 14, the restaurant will host TacoUp, a pop-up featuring traditional Mexican food including tacos (natch), aguachiles, sopas and ceviches inspired by Mexico City. Behind the concept is Ruben Alcaraz, a cook for Ramen Gaijin, who will team up with Bravas bartender Adam Barta to pair craft tequila and mescal cocktails.
The meal is first-come, first-serve from 5 to 9p.m. Monday, Nov. 14, 2016. Details here.
Williams and Hahn-Schuman plan at least one more pop-up in the next few months, focused on the food of Northern Thailand with craft cocktail wizard Scott Beattie. Stay tuned for more details.
The white knuckling has begun for Bay Area restaurants as the venerable Michelin Guide taps the region’s best restaurants over the next week.
On Tuesday, the annual restaurant rating organization announced their “Bib Gourmand” winners, categorized as restaurants “serving high-quality food on their menus and make it possible to order two courses and a glass of wine or dessert for $40 or less”. Though that price point can be challenging around these parts, 75 restaurants made the cut, with four newcomers in the North Bay.
Bravas, SHED, Two Birds/One Stone and Village Sake were welcomed to the list this year, bringing the North Bay’s Bib Gourmand haul to 24, nearly a third of the total list.
In Wine Country, Bravas is the second “Bib Gourmand” restaurant on the list for the Stark Reality Group headed by Mark and Terri Stark (Monti’s is the other). Two Birds/One Stone, opened this summer by former Cyrus chef Douglas Keane and LA’s Sang Yoon was quick to make the list. After taking over the kitchens of SHED just about a year ago, Chef Perry Hoffman was a natural for the list.
Off the list this year: La Perla (closed) and Sazon (both Peruvian spots), Farmer and The Fox (closed). Bib Gourmands are not eligible for stars. Stay tuned next week for the star winners. Here is the full list of winners.
Congrats to these Marin and Wine Country Michelin Bib Gourmand Award winners for 2017
Patty melt with bacon, caramelized onions and avocado with potato salad at Starting From Scratch Cafe in Santa Rosa. Heather Irwin/PD
If you look closely, you’ll find hidden cafes in the most unlikely of spots: Office parks. It’s a growing trend, and one that goes against conventional wisdom of high foot-traffic, easy-to-find eateries open beyond 4p.m. But we think it’s kind of a brilliant idea to service the breakfast and lunch needs of office workers trapped in food deserts.
Take, for example, Chloe’s French Cafe (3883 Airway Dr., #415, Santa Rosa) which opened in 2008 and has become something of an institution for French pastries and casual lunches despite being at the back of a rather hidden medical building. Following suit, Chef John Franchetti’s namesake Franchetti’s Kitchen (1229 N. Dutton, Santa Rosa), Sondra Bernstein’s Suite D which features ramen pop-up dinners and other schwanky dining events, Bella Rosa Cafe(5491 Skyline Blvd. Suite 140, Santa Rosa), The Pharmacy Cafe (990 Sonoma Ave., #1, Santa Rosa), and now Starting from Scratch Cafe (404 Aviation Blvd., Santa Rosa in the Ag Credit building).
We asked BiteClubbers their favorite “hidden” office park spot. See what they said.
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These aren’t food carts or industrial kitchens pouring out bland processed food, but wildly creative chefs bringing excellent restaurant food to hidden spots inside office buildings.
Starting From Scratch, which opened this week inside the luxe new Ag Credit complex near the Sonoma County Airport, is both cafe and catering kitchen for longtime caterers Greg and Tammy Long. You may remember them from their days as custom omelet and breakfast burrito makers at the Wells Fargo Center farm market, but their new venture ventures into killer burgers, salads, sandwiches, and pastries.
Pumpkin Maple Cheesecake at Starting From Scratch Cafe in Santa Rosa. Heather Irwin/PD
From the breakfast menu: Scratch biscuits and gravy; daily quiche, breakfast burritos, and cinnamon Challah bread French toast for breakfast. For lunch, a massive Cobb salad ($15). For lunch, try the grilled chicken breast with Brie bacon and caramelized onions ($14), BBQ pulled pork with homemade sauce and coleslaw ($13 with salad) or the upscale **Patty Melt** with John Ford grass fed beef, bacon, avocado, caramelized onions, Havarti cheese and sriracha aioli ($16 with salad).
The portions are truly massive, and like most caterers, Greg and Tammy let the food do the talking rather than their egos, making for truly delicious, uncomplicated dishes.
Though the couple are still in start-up mode, they’re offering evening parties and custom menus for events, along with daily specials like Tammy’s “lasagna soup”, or **pumpkin maple cheesecake** — light, fluffy and not-to-sweet.
If it’s ever on the menu, don’t miss Tammy’s cheesecake inside a cake, which sounds so ungodly spectacular we can hardly imagine the decadence. Meaning we’re hoping she’ll make us one for our birthday. Which happens to be, um, whenever she makes one next.
Definitely worth a stop if you’re in the area. Open 7a.m. to 3p.m. week days. 404 Aviation Blvd., Santa Rosa in the Ag Credit building, (707) 843-3829, startingfromscratch.biz.
