Page 419 – Sonoma Magazine

Margarita Madness for Sonoma County Cinco de Mayo!

May 2016

By biteclub

Prickly Pear margarita at La Rosa Tequileria in Santa Rosa (Beth Schlanker)

Who’s got the best margaritas in Sonoma County? Let me know in the comments below…

Not like you need an excuse to hang out on the patio and drink margaritas all day, but hey, thanks to the victory of the Mexican army over the French some 150 or so years ago, you’ve got one. So grab a glass, some chips, a Cerveza or two and tap into the salsa and mariachi-filled love fest that surrounds. Ole!

MARGARITAVILLE
I’m far from a margarita purist, but I can appreciate a simple on-the-rocks salted rim with plenty of good tequila drink. I’m also pretty fond of the blended type. Either way, here are a few spots to get your ‘rita on.

La Rosa Tequileria: 500 4th St., Santa Rosa, 707.523.3663. Best. Margaritas. No contest. The La Diabla ($9) with muddled strawberries and jalapeno peppers on the rocks is picante’riffic.

Cornerstone Gardens: from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 5, with food and margaritas. Registration in advance gets you a free margarita. Ramekins.com/friends-of-ramekins. 23570 Arnold Dr., Sonoma.

Rossi’s 1906: Inaugural Cinco De Mayo party benefiting La Luz from 5 to 11:30 p.m. The evening will include live music with Grupo Karma Norteno and a Licores Latinos launch party featuring mezcal, tequila and artisanal rum. A special menu will be served until 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door. 401 Grove St, Sonoma, (from the Sonoma Index-Tribune)

Agave: Grab a mole and an Agave margarita with fresh lime juice and agave nectar. 1063 Vine St., Healdsburg.C

Maya Restaurant: Great tequila and margaritas. 101 E. Napa St., Sonoma

YOUR FAVES: From my BiteClub Facebook Peanut Gallery, here are some great ones…

Geyserville Gun Club: New spot in Geyserville from Dino Bugica. Tres chic. 21025 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville.

The Starling: Brand new spot for seasonal cocktails in the former Blue Moon. “Watmaugh strawberry margarita and the Fresno pickled pepper margarita” 19380 CA-12, Sonoma.

El Farolito: Oaxacan-influenced dishes & an ample list of tequilas. 128 Plaza St., Healdsburg and Windsor.

Mateo’s Cocina Latina: 214 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg

Low Brow…
El Torito: Hit the bar and get yourself some paper bull-horns (kids usually get them free with dinner). Let the hilarity ensue. Pitchers tend to be a little light on the tequila. So order several. 5090 Redwood Dr., Rohnert Park, 707.206.9100. Outdoor seating: Ole!

Chevy’s: Let the kids in on the Cinco-vibe! Hands-down my rugrats’ favorite spot for, uh, chicken nuggets and balls of raw tortilla dough, Chevy’s does the faux margarita oh-so-well. With whipped cream, and in a glass the size of your head. 24 Fourth Street Santa Rosa, 571.1082 Outdoor seating: Ole!

BEST CINCO DE MAYO EATS
(Want more great Latin eats? Check out this story)

Mateo’s Cocina Latina
Preston Farms strawberry margarita, a traditional margarita de casa, or spice it up with jalapeño (each $10). Plus, special tequila and Mezcal flights on the patio ($20 per person). They’ll also be roasting one of Winkler Farms’ heritage Mangalitsa pigs and serving it up with oysters, four sides, and salad, $35. Complementary chicharron bar begins with drink orders at 2p.m.; dinner starts at 5p.m. 214 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg.

La Toque, Napa becomes “El Toque”
We love the idea of this upscale French bistro showcasing a five course meal with family recipes of the Hispanic kitchen staff of the restaurant. The menu will include guacamole and family salsas, Coctel de Mariscos, chile relleno, “staff tacos” duck confit with mole and tres leches cake wiht roasted pineapple, pina colada ice cream and cajeta. A portion of the proceeds donated to the puertas Abiertas Community Center in Napa. 1314 McKinstry St., Napa, $75 per person, latoque.com.

Everyday Mexican Eats…
La Texanita: Located on Sebastopol Ave., Texanita is a perennial taqueria favorite for locals, with constantly changing daily specials. Weekends are for serious eaters, with posole, menudo and goat on the menu. 1667 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa, 707.576.8805

Chilenos: My neighborhood taqueria, we love the tacos dorados, ceviche and super burritos. 1079 Fourth St., Santa Rosa.

Taqueria Las Palmas: Chiles relleno combination plate ($5.80): Deep-fried delight stuffed with cheese. 415 Santa Rosa Ave, Santa Rosa, 707.546-3091

El Farolito: Fish tacos to die for. 128 Plaza Street Healdsburg, 707.433.2807

Lola’s: Amazing carnitas, mole and pretty much anything else from dried chiles to pig’s feet. 440 Dutton Ave # 17, Santa Rosa, 577.8846, or 1680 Petaluma Hill Rd, Santa Rosa, 571.7579.

SERIOUSLY CINCO EVENTS
The 11th annual Roseland Cinco de Mayo Festival happens from 4-9p.m. Thursday, with an estimated 10,000 plus people in attendance. Non-smoking, no alcohol, family-friendly. Awesome live music, mariachi, Ballet Forklorico, plus nearly 100 booths to visit with children’s activities, local organizations, and Latin eats including tacos, pupusas, pambazos, turkey drumsticks, fruta, paella, and kettle corn. Don’t miss the Classic Car Show from 5 – 7 p.m. and La Reina del Cinco de Mayo. santarosacincodemayo.org.

Windsor Town Green: Family-friendly event with live music, Ballet Folklorico Sarita, food, alcohol for sale from 5-8p.m.

– Robledo Family Winery: Wine, traditional Mexican dishes, Mariachi and folk dancers, $45, reservations required, robledofamilywinery.com on Saturday, May 7.

17 Best Picnic Spots in Sonoma County

April 2016

By Jenna Fischer

Annadel State Park in Santa Rosa. Annadel has plenty of trails and biking paths leading to perfect picnic spots. (BETH SCHLANKER/ The Press Democrat)

Savor the summer season with an al fresco meal. Click through the gallery for a few of our favorite Sonoma County picnic spots.

West End Farmers’ Market Moves to Railroad Square

April 2016

By Diane Peterson

Gwyneth Barker, 7, left, and Amber Vanoni, 8, taste honey from the Beelove Honey during the West End Farmers Market in Santa Rosa. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)

The West End Farmers’ Market, now in its fourth year, has opened for the season in its new location at Depot Park in Railroad Square, next to the new SMART train station.

The young, hip market, which is held from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays through November, moved from its original site by the DeTurk Round Barn in the West End neighborhood to a more central location in order to attract a wider range of customers.

“Our last spot was idyllic and wonderful, but the new location offers the farmers’ market to a broader portion of our community,” said Allen Thomas, market manager. “The new location has shade, beautiful buildings around it and tons of parking.”

There were about two dozen vendors in attendance last Sunday, with enough room left in the parking lot for about 10 more. Thomas estimated that the crowd included about 75 percent returning customers, plus some new folks staying at a few of the hotels in the vicinity.

Many of the market’s regular farmers and artisan food producers have returned, along with a new crop of food vendors serving everything from Japanese savory pancakes (okonomiyaki) to Indian food. Les Goodman of Goodman’s Jewish Deli has returned with a simplified menu of homemade bagels with cream cheese spreads.

This Sunday, April 10, the market will kick off the first of its new chef’s demonstration by cookbook author Michele Anna Jordan. The demos are sponsored by Teevax, a Railroad Square appliance company.

“She will be giving out tastes and doing a market walk, where she will take people through the market and show them what to buy and how to prepare it,” Thomas said. “There will be eight different demos, on the second Sunday of every month.”

During its opening day on April 3, farmers selling their produce and meat products included Leisen’s Bridgeway Farm of Santa Rosa, Blue Leg Farms of Santa Rosa/Cazadero, Singing Frogs Farm of Sebastopol and Ortiz Brothers Farm of Santa Rosa. Other farmers are expected to join the market n progress, bringing seasonal produce like blueberries, strawberries and peaches.

Artisan food producers in attendance last weekend included the Juice Runners, Revolution Bread, Sonoma County Meat Co., Criminal Baking Co. and Retrograde Roasters, a mobile coffee bar.

Each week, the market features live music, which is booked by Josh Windmiller and Second Octave Entertainment. On June 5, the market plans to collaborate with the Railroad Square Music Festival. Thomas said that the money from beer sales during that event will go toward the market’s EBT Match Program, which allows anyone with EBT to come to the market and get matching funds to spend on anything they want.

With the SMART Train scheduled to start running sometime this fall, Thomas hopes that the market will serve as a cheerful welcome mat for visitors to Santa Rosa while spreading the word about the agricultural bounty of Sonoma County.

“It was always part of our long-term vision to be close to the railroad development,” he said. “It will give people something to do when they get off the train on Sunday morning.”

Neighborhood Open House at Morton’s Warm Springs May 1

April 2016

By Lorna Sheridan

Siblings, Carter Gardea, 9, Sophia, 7, and Camille, 12, jump into the pool at Morton’s Warm Springs in Glen Ellen (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)

Sean Wadsworth and Laurie Hobbs, the new owners of Morton’s Warm Springs, are inviting the local community to an open house with food and family fun at the pool complex from 1 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 1. The spring-fed geothermal pools will be open for swimming with lifeguards on duty, and there will be games, activities and prizes.

Morton’s Warm Springs will not officially open to the general public until Saturday, May 7, so this event is specifically for the local community to meet the new owners. Attendees are asked to bring a potluck dish and to say the word “community” upon entry for free admission. Non-alcoholic beverages will be provided. Registration in advance at facebook.com/mortonswarmspringsCA. Wadsworth and Hobbs say they planned the social event as an opportunity for the community to make new connections, to get involved at Morton’s as a volunteer or for local musicians to learn about opportunities to play at Morton’s.

Morton’s is located at 1651 Warm Springs Road in Glen Ellen. The complex is currently hiring staff for summer 2016. For more information, visit mortsonwarmssprings.com or call 833-5511.

The Pork Belly Burger: Hey Misstir Bar & Grill, Santa Rosa

April 2016

By biteclub

Pork Belly Burger at Hey Misstir Bar and Grill in Santa Rosa (Heather Irwin)

The burgers at Santa Rosa’s Hey Misstir Bar & Grill are intimidating, even to an experienced eater. It’s not just the sheer size of these towering beefscrapers, but the carnivorous radicalism of a poultry, pork and beef menage a trois under a single bun. At a bar.

Now, readers have been extolling the virtues of this hidden bar on the outskirts of Rincon Valley. But after years of being burnt by reheated mozzarella sticks and mushy fries at neighborhood watering holes, we’ve been slow on the uptake.

Black and Blue Burger at Hey Misstir Bar and Grill in Santa Rosa (Heather Irwin)

However, on a crowded Tuesday night, mustering smiles as we walked past pool tables and gruff-around-the edges patrons and plopping ourselves on barstools, it was clear we were in for an off-the-beaten-path food experience.

Behold the Pork Belly Burger, which I’ve dubbed the Moo, Cluck, Oink and will break down layer by layer: Toasted Franco American bun, mayo, fried egg, bacon, pork-belly stuffed hamburger, requisite vegetables, toasted bun.

With a side of buffalo wing sauce-slathered fries (topped of course with blue cheese crumbles), it’s a cardiac nightmare, so bring an army to help you eat it. In fact, the food disposal called my teenage son declared the burger “too rich” to eat even half. A few bites are all you need for the profound experience of this $13.50 burger.

There’s a laundry list of other ridiculous burgers, made with the chef’s special grind of black Angus, short rib, chuck and brisket, including the Black and Bleu (balsamic onions, blue cheese, bacon) and Juicy Lucy, which is cheese sandwiched between two quarter pound patties. Plus cheese steak, homemade chili, homemade lumpia (Filipino egg rolls) and fried pickles.

We’re kind of astounded at this little gem, but it won’t stay under the radar long. Happy hour menu from 4-7 p.m., kitchen open daily from 11 a.m. to around 10 p.m., 52 Mission Circle, Suite 111, Santa Rosa, facebook.com/heymisstir.

Eats & Beats: Food, Drinks and Music at New Santa Rosa Event

April 2016

By Sofia Englund

Enjoy food from popular Sonoma County food trucks, live music, DJing, lawn games and much more at the inaugural Downtown Eats & Beats at Old Courthouse Square in Santa Rosa this Saturday, April 30th, 12pm-5pm.

Visitors to the event will be able to sample food and drinks from different corners of the world — from Spain to India — while listening to live music from R&B and Funk band Simply Amazing (the Santa Rosa based band is lead by Rodney Gregory, who has performed with numerous leading musicians, including James Brown, M.C. Hammer, Lenny Williams, Sheila E and The Earth, Wind & Fire Experience).

Tickets are $15 pre-sale or $20 at the door and give access to all lawn games, including Cornhole, Giant Jenga and Knockerball of Santa Rosa. $5 of every ticket will be donated to the Santa Rosa Downtown Santa Rosa Lights Event. Visitors must be 21 or older.

More Information & Tickets

eatsbeats_greengrocer — Sample foods from popular local food trucks and vendors, including Keith’s BBQ Beast, Camacho’s Southern Style BBQ, TIPS Tri-Tip, El Roy’s Mexican Grill, Tacos Los Tres Hermanos, The Green Grocer, Fork Catering, Paella People, Tuck Box Indian Food, Caribbean Spices, Croques & Toques, Trader Jim’s, The Kettle Corn Show, Sisters Switchel and Stick to Sweet.

Brewpub Replacing Old Mexico in Santa Rosa

April 2016

By biteclub

Old Mexico Restaurant in Santa Rosa will close after more than 50 years in business. (Facebook)

Old Mexico to Become Mountain Mike’s?

After more than 50 years of serving Santa Rosa, the venerable Old Mexico Restaurant & Bar (4501 Montgomery Dr., Santa Rosa) is closing. The restaurant will serve its last margarita Sunday, May 1, 2016, according to owner Gus Lopez. Burgeoning restaurant mogul Sonu Chandi’s restaurant group has purchased the space, and is reportedly planning a Mountain Mike’s Brewpub for the location after an extensive remodel. This is the first brewpub concept for the pizza chain, and will include craft brews and a full bar.

The Chandi Restaurant Group, which includes his two brothers and wife, currently own five Mountain Mike’s Pizza restaurants in Sonoma County, as well as Santa Rosa’s Stout Brothers, the recently-opened Bibi’s Burgers and the soon-to-open Craft 535 Kitchen + Bar (late May) in the former Caffe Portofino.

Lopez will continue with his barbecue catering company, Big Boy’s Bar-B-Que, and has plans for a future restaurant in Windsor.

Green Music Center Announces Summer Line-Up

April 2016

By Diane Peterson

Written by Diane Peterson for the Press Democrat.

The Green Music Center has announced the lineup for its Summer 2016 season at Weill Hall + Lawn, with an array of 22 events spanning all genres of music, several comedy shows and an outdoor movie marathon.

Headliners range from double bill of bluesmen Boz Scaggs and The Robert Cray Band on July 14 to the Silk Road Ensemble with cellist Yo-Yo Ma on Aug. 19.

Other concerts likely to draw a crowd include the Hollywood Vampires, featuring Alice Cooper, Johnny Depp and Joe Perry paying tribute to the ‘70s hard rock July 22; a new Blues at the Green mini-festival featuring The Taj Mahal Trio, Acoustic Hot Tuna and pianist Marcia Ball July 23; female music icon Melissa Etheridge Sept. 3; singer/songwriter Gavin DeGraw Sept. 11; bluegrass/folk/Southern rockers The Avett Brothers Sept. 15; and The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, celebrating 50 years of country rock Sept. 16.

“I tried to make this summer very well rounded this year,” said Peter Williams, GMC’s senior director of popular programming. “I think you’ll find something here for everyone — some comedy, pop, bluegrass, big names and new talents.”

The summer season kicks off July 4 with the annual Independence Day Spectacular for the whole family, featuring jazz singer Steve Tyrell and the Santa Rosa Symphony. The season runs through Sept. 25, ending with a kid-friendly performance by the Shanghai Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China.

“We’re trying to do some children’s programming, and we’ll be doing that throughout the year,” Williams said. “It’s expanding our mission to use the hall for as many people as we can.”

The GMC Bluegrass Festival will return July 10 with The David Grisman Bluegrass Experience, mandolinist Sam Bush and the Jeff Austin Band. The three virtuoso mandolinists will also join forces at the festival as The Mando Kings.

The summer season includes four comedy shows, ranging from Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias on July 16 and “Weird Al” Yankovic July 30 to “The Daily Show” host Trevor Noah Aug. 20.

“I wanted to making sure we had some good comedy,” Williams said. “I’m trying to draw in people who live in the community.”

New talents include quirky, electronic violinist Lindsey Stirling Aug. 11 and country-rock-blues singer Hunter Hayes Aug. 28. Young country artist Chris Young will appear Sept. 24.

“Country does really well,” Williams said. “Hayes has a very young following, and Chris Young is a pretty big name.”

In the jazz genre, guitarist Pat Metheny will appear Sept. 13 with a new group consisting of Antonio Sanchez, Linda Oh and Gwilym Simcock. Los Tigres del Norte, a popular Norteño band from San Jose, will perform Aug. 5.

“It’s a great group and a great way for us to support the local Latino community,” Williams said.

Back for the third year, a free Concert for the Community on July 31 will feature Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles and the Santa Rosa Symphony conducted by Michael Berkowitz.

Aug. 26 and 27 there will also be a free “Star Wars” Movie Marathon Weekend, with all seven films presented on the big screen outside of Weill Hall in conjunction with Campus Programming and On Campus Presents.

“We thought it would be a nice way to start the year off for the students,” Williams said. “But everybody’s invited.”

Tickets to Summer 2016 in Weill Hall + Lawn go on sale to season subscribers at 10 a.m. May 5 and to the general public at 10 a.m. May 10. Reservations are required for the free shows.

See the full lineup of the Green Music Center’s Summer 2016 MasterCard Performance Series at gmc.sonoma.edu/summer2016.

For a complete listing of events and ticket information, go to gmc.sonoma.edu or call (866) 955-6040.

Staff writer Diane Peterson can be reached at 521-5287 or diane.peterson@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @dianepete56.

Trail of the Week: Pomo Canyon Trail

April 2016

By Robert Stone

A group led by the Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods sets out on a therapy walk through Pomo Canyon Environmental Campground near Jenner. (Jeremy Portje / For The Press Democrat)

Written by Robert Stone for the Press Democrat.

Pomo Canyon Campground sits on the alluvial flats above broad Willow Creek canyon in a beautiful redwood grove. The Pomo Canyon Trail begins at the campground and winds across the rolling coastal hills, skirting the north slope of Red Hill.

The trail follows an ancient trading route of the Pomo and Miwok people. The path weaves through lush redwood forests, oak woodlands and open grasslands, crossing seasonal streams en route to the ocean at Shell Beach.

From the trail are panoramic vistas of the lower Russian River, Willow Creek, the town of Jenner and the serrated coastline.

From Highway 1 and Highway 116 (just south of Jenner) cross the south side of the Russian River bridge on Highway 1. Immediately turn left (inland) on Willow Creek Road at mile marker 19.79. Drive 2.6 miles on the narrow road to the Pomo Canyon Campground turnoff. Park near the gated road (but not in front of it). The campground is open from April through November. During that time, drive a half mile up the campground road and park by the kiosk.

A group led by the Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods sets out on a therapy walk through Pomo Canyon Environmental Campground. (Jeremy Portje / For The Press Democrat)

From Bodega Bay, drive 9 miles north on Highway 1 to Willow Creek Road at mile marker 19.79. The road is just before the Russian River bridge. Turn right (inland) and follow the directions above to the Pomo Canyon Campground.

Shuttle car

8901 Hwy 1 • Jenner

38.418837, -123.101977

Leave the shuttle car at the Shell Beach parking lot. The turnoff is located at mile marker 18.22 along Highway 1.

The Hike

From Willow Creek Road, walk past the gate and follow the unpaved campground access road. Stroll a half mile through a grassy valley between forested hills to the campground entrance. Head into the campground on the right as the road veers off to the left. Go 15 yards and bear right on the posted Dr. David Joseph Memorial Pomo Canyon Trail.

Pomo Canyon is named for the native people who once inhabited it. (Jeremy Portje / For The Press Democrat)

Enter the gorgeous redwood forest and stay to the right, passing two paths on the left and the campsites on each side of the main trail. Climb up the ridge through tanbark oak, bay laurel, Douglas fir, circular stands of redwoods, sword ferns, and trillium. Emerge from the forest to a Y-fork at 0.8 miles, located in a clearing with views of Jenner and the mouth of the Russian River.

The left fork leads to the 1,062-foot summit of Red Hill and forms a loop with this trail — an optional return route.

Stay to the right towards Shell Beach, and traverse the hill. Cross a bridge over a seasonal creek and curve right, skirting a rock outcrop. Descend through brush to the open, rolling slopes with ocean views. Cross a small stream and reenter a fir and redwood forest. Cross a third stream and gradually descend through the thick brush.

The trailhead at Pomo Canyon Environmental Campground near Jenner. (Jeremy Portje / For The Press Democrat)

Curve left into the gulch, cross the creek, and head down the draw. Ascend the hill to a knoll with a picnic area and vista point on the right. The main trail continues straight, with a view of the serpentine Russian River. Head up another hill on the wide, grassy path to a knoll atop the 500-foot oceanfront ridge and a junction with the west end of the Red Hill Trail.

Pass a trail on the right leading to Lookout Hill, then descend the slope, with views of Point Reyes, Bodega Head, Gull Rock, and Goat Rock. Drop down a partially paved utility road to the trailhead gate, across the road from the Shell Beach parking lot.

Pomo Canyon Trail

Pomo Canyon Campground to Shell Beach

Sonoma Coast State Park

Hiking distance: 6.6 miles round trip

3.3-mile one-way shuttle to Shell Beach

Hiking time: 3.5 hours

Configuration: out-and-back

Elevation gain: 650 feet

Difficulty: moderate

A campground sits vacant at Pomo Canyon Environmental Campground near Jenner. (Jeremy Portje / For The Press Democrat)

Exposure: a mix of forest and open hillsides

Maps: USGS Duncan Mills • Sonoma Coast State Beach map

To the trailhead

Willow Creek Rd. • Jenner

38.430110, -123.070255

Source: “Day Trips Around Sonoma County” by Robert Stone (Dayhike Books, 2016)

Hog Island Oyster Farm Picnic Outrage!

April 2016

By biteclub

Hog Island Oyster Company (Photo by Charlie Gesell) — Hog Island Oyster Company. (Photo by Charlie Gesell)

Hold onto your coolers. Hog Island Oyster Farm in Marshall quietly made two major changes to The Boat Oyster Bar picnic area recently: Seating is now reservation-only and no outside food or beverages are allowed.

Reservations are also limited to 90 minutes, which flies by faster than a Game of Thrones episode when you’re watching egrets hunting along the banks of Tomales Bay. (You’ll kindly be given a five-minute warning.) Luckily, the changes are only enforced Friday through Monday. If you needed an excuse to take that midweek vacation day this summer, you’ve got it.

Tables are still communal, but servers now tend to guests table-side, offering printed menus featuring two salads, a cheeseboard and a charcuterie plate in addition to raw and their wickedly delicious barbecue oysters. Also 86’d: those kitschy wire buckets for tossing oyster shells, the self-serve water station and the charming chalkboard drink menu. Your server will recite a short list of wines and beers. Paper cups of water are delivered upon request. A water jug is now situated at the end of The Boat counter for refills.

Adding insult to injury? If you’re a no-show, you’ll be charged a fee of $10 per person.

According to the Hog Island website, increasing demand and wait times led to the change. Their goal with this reservation system “is to serve you the best oyster experience possible.” We checked availability for some recent weekends, and Sundays definitely seem the toughest to book so far.

The good news amongst the sea of sorrow is that the beloved farm’s reservation-only shuck-your-own picnic area below The Boat remains unchanged. Parties can continue to book tables in advance on the Hog Island website, pay $5 per person for a three-hour time slot and get to bring all their own picnic provisions, including beer and wine. These coveted reservations can book out one to four months in advance, depending on the season. Techies just might hack the system faster than State Bird Provisions’.

The news will go down harder than a half dozen gulf oysters for locals who remember the days, less than a decade ago, when everything at Hog Island was BYO, save for the bivalves.

This guest post was submitted by the inimitable Lisa Mattson, author of The Exes in My Glass: How I Refined My Taste in Men & Alcohol {a dating memoir}. www.lisamattsonwine.com/books

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