Page 427 – Sonoma Magazine

Where to Eat in Sonoma County: Our Guide to The Best Restaurants

March 2016

By Heather Irwin

Mushroom and Truffled Bruschetta cream canapes at Bistro 100 in Petaluma. (Heather Irwin / The Press Democrat)

From new to well-aged, where to eat right now in Sonoma County

Delhi Belly Indian Bistro

It was a bold move to name this restaurant after a term sometimes used for an exotic travelers’ affliction (to put it gently). But the food and vibe here are nothing but delightful. Focused heavily on Northern Indian cuisine, Dehli Belly’s menu has a familiar lineup including palak paneer, daal and naan, and tandoori and tikka masala for traditionalists. But the real buzz is about the less-familiar dishes: roti and paratha (wheat breads), hariyali mali kofta (a cheese dumpling with spinach and vegetables in tomato sauce) and butter chicken. Often confused with tikka masala, butter chicken has a little more spice, a little less cream and a lot more butter. It’s tikka masala’s classier cousin.

520 Broadway, Sonoma, 707-343-1003, visit on Facebook

Hana Japanese Restaurant

For 25 years, this unassuming little sushi restaurant has served the North Bay’s most authentic Japanese meals. Working with fish flown in weekly from Toyko’s famed Tsukiji market, chef and owner Ken Tominaga is something of a sushi legend, despite the rather cramped quarters his restaurant had long occupied in Rohnert Park. Tominaga, however, recently doubled the space, adding a casual sake bar that serves some of the region’s finest sakes from throughout Japan. Hana is one of the few restaurants with its own sake sommelier, and flights of the rice wine are popular. Maybe the highest praise is that this is a trusted source for fresh uni (sea urchin) and ankimo (steamed monkfish liver), delicacies that can go very wrong in untrained hands.

101 Golf Course Drive, Rohnert Park, 707-586-0270, hanajapanese.com

Walter Hansel Wine & Bistro

The menu is Wine Country French featuring de Gaulle-era classics such as Coquilles St. Jacques (scallops with a white-wine truffle cream sauce, naughtier than a night at the Moulin Rouge); Julia Child-worthy boeuf Bourguignon, lobster bisque en croute, and a proper tarte tatin (apples in a flaky crust) with homemade caramel. Prices are steep, but the large wine selection (including many Walter Hansel wines) is impressive. Service is spot-on at this restaurant. It’s perfect for a romantic splurge.

3535 Guerneville Road, Santa Rosa, 707-546-6462, walterhanselbistro.com

Guiso Latin Fusion

Caribbean meets Salvadoran at this Healdsburg jewel box. The tiny kitchen at the former Ravenous can be slow, but the food is made with love. Jamaican jerk chicken with mango and pineapple salsa makes for tasty tacos; the Salvadoran take on the Cubano sandwich offers pulled pork marinated in citrus, with Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard. Heartier fare includes pescado con coco (fish sautéed with coconut) and slow-braised pork ribs. Don’t miss the pupusas stuffed with pork, chicken or vegetables and topped with elotitos — sliced pieces of corn roasted in jerk, butter and garlic. Save room for the quesadillita con helado, a mashup of rice and cheese bread with vanilla ice cream and hibiscus sauce.

117 North St., Healdsburg, 707-431-1302, guisolatinfusion.com

Soban Korean Cuisine

A sizzling pot of rice that continues to cook while you eat it? That’s bibimbap, a Korean comfort food. Meaning “mixed rice,” bibimbap is so hot you can cook an egg on it. It’s a signature dish at Soban in Petaluma, a recent entrant to the restaurant scene that locals say is as authentic as it gets, with homemade kimchi, pan-fried Korean pancakes, beef and pork bulgogi (marinated meats in a spicy sweet sauce), and the bibimbap made in a sizzling stone pot with pickled vegetables, seafood, kimchi, beef or chicken. Soban Chicken was just as good as a midnight snack as it was right out of the bowl.

255 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma, 707-796-3112, sobanpetaluma.com

Bistro 100

Comfort classics with a French twist are the signature of this cozy Petaluma bistro. Everyone knows everyone here, and if they don’t, the bistro tables lend themselves to casual conversation and knowing nods of approval as lusty plates of short ribs arrive. Most of the ingredients (and wine) are sourced from within 20 miles, giving diners a true taste of the county. Best bets include mushroom and truffled bruschetta cream canapés, Sonoma County terrine, and Cabernet-braised short ribs.

140 Second St., Suite 100, Petaluma, 707-981-8228, bistro100petaluma.com

Ca’ Momi Osteria

This “obsessively Italian” Napa newcomer focuses on authentic regional specialties. Travel through Italy with grilled rock octopus with lemon vinaigrette, inspired by Venice’s seafood bounty; imported burrata cheese from Puglia with roasted vegetables and olive oil; and oxtail stew with tomato, rigatoni, soffritto, pine nuts and raisins from the pastoral Lazio region surrounding Rome. Spaghetti is offered only “alla bottarga,” a briny dish that gets a shaving of cured fish roe — a specialty of Sardinia. Certified-authentic Napoletana pizza is cooked for exactly 90 seconds in a 900-degree wood-burning oven, dressed with simple toppings of San Marzano tomatoes, garlic and oregano, or more luxurious porcini mushrooms with white truffle cream and basil.

1141 First St., Napa, 707-224-6664, camomi.com

Basilico Cucina Italiana

This new trattoria comes from the owners of Cucina Paradiso in Petaluma. The menu is very similar, with a nice antipasti plate, exceptional beef tartare, fresh pastas and swoonworthy gnocchi with Gorgonzola-walnut sauce. Even if you’re not a veal fan, it’s worth trying the scaloppine al Marsala — a thin cut of tender veal with porcini mushrooms and Marsala wine sauce. The room can be loud and crowded with locals on weekends, but that speaks to its popularity and approachable dishes.

4776 Sonoma Highway, Santa Rosa, 707-539-0260, basilico-cucina-italiana.com

Sonoma Grille

With a nod to its past as Meritage Oyster Bar and Grill, the menu at this reborn surf and turf restaurant features many of the same dishes fans craved before. That also means a slog of more than 30 items (fewer than the previous menu) from which to choose. From fresh oysters and hefty seafood platters to pasta, roast chicken and steaks, there’s something for every taste. A new kitchen, bar and beer garden bring fresh vigor to this venerable spot.

165 W. Napa St., Sonoma, 707-938-7542, sonomagrilleandbar.com

Canneti Roadhouse Italiana

Marrying his own Tuscan culinary traditions with the best of Sonoma’s farms and fields, chef Francesco Torres has created a menu that’s both rustic and refined, capturing the best of west county’s bounty. In winter, hearty braised boar, local mushrooms and chestnut-flour gnocchi with cauliflower sauce shine. In warmer months, dishes include zucchini and mint over ricotta goat cheese and vegetable sugo with housemade pasta. Canneti boasts one of the most enchanting outdoor patios in Sonoma. Word is now out that this Forestville spot, with its modern interior and chatty bar, is worth the drive.

6675 Front St., Forestville, 707-887-2232, cannetirestaurant.com

Bella Rosa Coffee Company: Building Santa Rosa’s Perfect Cuppa Joe

March 2016

By biteclub

Jon Bixler, Cynthia Buck, GIacomo Bixler and David Greenfield of Bella Rosa coffee company (Christopher Chung/PD)

Four years ago, Jon Bixler and Cynthia Buck didn’t know a thing about coffee, but they did know David Greenfield. A bear of a guy with a shaggy gray goatee, piercing hazel eyes and a penchant for welding together brilliant contraptions for roasting coffee, Greenfield had a million-dollar idea without a home.

David Greenfield of Bella Rosa Coffee Company. (heather irwin)

With more than 30 years in the java business, this quirky Coffee Whisperer had a plan to revolutionize industrial roasting. Well, not exactly a plan, which is where Bixler and Buck came in, with a solid business model and entrepreneurial experience. The three joined forces in 2012, and Santa Rosa’s Bella Rosa Coffee Company was born. Specializing in organic, fair-trade and shade-grown coffee, the trio are forging a new path to your cuppa joe, one bean at a time.

“We’re doing this from scratch and evolving,” said Bixler.

After three years of explosive growth, the artisan coffee company is on track this year to roast 200,000 pounds of coffee. By comparison, Starbucks will roast an estimated 400 million pounds, while tiny micro-roasting businesses may do as little as 10,000-30,000 pounds per year. Bixler said they have more than 120 accounts and growing in Sonoma County, with restaurants, grocery stores, hotels and cafés.

“There’s a renaissance in artisan roasting,” said Bixler, sipping a latte in the small café Bella Rosa operates in front of its manufacturing area. “We’re seeing in coffee what has happened to craft beer in the last few years.”

But it hasn’t always been a bed of roses. The trio is admittedly a bit different than the usual coffee magnates, forging a very personal path for the company. “We are unabashedly who we are,” said Bixler, who rarely minces words. “We want to have fun, and we don’t take ourselves too seriously.”

Bella Rosa Coffee Company Cafe in Santa Rosa, California (Heather Irwin)

With mismatched chairs and hand-drawn signs strewn about (including one over the recycling bin that touts itself as “The Most Ineffective Sign in the World”), it’s not a place for plugging into your Wi-Fi and tuning out the world. Instead, the Bella Rosa crew, who purposely don’t offer Wi-Fi, encourage having an actual conversation over your cup. Adding to the homey atmosphere, the son of Bixler and Buck, Giacomo, colors and makes Play-Dough shapes in the corner while an oven full of bacon perfumes the café .

“It’s not for everyone, and that’s okay,” said Bixler.

Giacomo in the Bella Rosa Coffee Company Cafe (Heather Irwin)

The coffee also reflects their unique perspective. In a world where bitter, acidic coffees are often the norm, Bella Rosa uses a unique hot air roasting method, rather than conventional metal plates, that creates a balanced blend they call “Sweet Medium.” Think air-popped popcorn versus popping it in a pan.

“We believe the sweet spot is right between dark, smoky coffees and light, acidic coffees,” said Bixler.

They also won’t give you the stink eye if you choose to personalize your order with creamer, Splenda, agave, sugar or CoffeeMate.

Jon Bixler of Bella Rosa Coffee Company in Santa Rosa (Heather Irwin)

“I want people to put their two hands around a mug and say, ‘Ahhhhhhh, coffee’,” he adds, “not, ‘That tastes like lemon grass and burdock root’.” But selling their coffee around the globe isn’t the goal. Bixler said his primary focus is Sonoma County. “I don’t want to ship coffee to Florida,” he said, referring to buyers who would like to wholesale his product. “It isn’t eco-friendly or supportive of their local businesses.”

Bella Rosa lavender white chocolate mocha at the cafe in Santa Rosa (Heather Irwin)

The next step for the business is to build and license versions of their roaster, which has a tiny footprint, a state-of-the-art-computer and can be adjusted to specific parameters (and checked for consistency) via an internal computer network. The new energy-efficient models are in prototype and will be able to roast 60 pounds of coffee in four minutes.

“Artisan production doesn’t have to stop at larger production,” he said. The new roasting technology will ensure a consistent product, consistent temperatures and consistent quality no matter what the amount produced, he said. It’s an ambitious plan, but one Bixler said his team is ready for.

“Either it will work or it won’t, and that’s fine as long as it’s on our own terms,” he said.

Bella Rosa Coffee Company, 5491 Skylane Blvd, Santa Rosa, 542-6220. Hours are 7 a.m.-2 p.m. weekdays. Coffees also are available online in 10-ounce cans; 1-, 2- and 5-pound bags.

Chef Michael Chiarello Sued Over Sexual Allegations

March 2016

By biteclub

Celebrity Chef Michael Chiarello is being sued by two former female employees alleging serious sexual harassment by Chiarello’s restaurant management and the chef, himself.

Chiarello, who lives in the Bay Area, is best known for his television appearances on Top Chef, Food Network and ownership of restaurants in the Bay Area including Yountville’s Bottega and Coqueta in San Francisco.

The lawsuit, filed March 15, names Chiarello, his hospitality group and several individuals who worked as chefs and management at SF’s Coqueta in the lawsuit. The complaints for damages in the lawsuit include a variety of salacious allegations about sexually charged incidents at Coqueta. A separate class-action lawsuit includes allegations of labor code violations including falsification of time and attendance and failure to pay into required employee health funds.

The two female defendants were high-level servers assigned to wait on high profile VIP guests including Kim Kardashian, Kanye West and Russell Crowe.

According to the suit, Coqueta chefs and managers have engaged in “a pattern and practice of inappropriate sexual comments, touching and other sex-related abuse towards Coqueta employees…management either participated in the sex harassment directly or allowed it to continue unabated,” the suit said.

Chiarello is specifically named for making inappropriate statements (we’ll let you read them below rather than getting gritty here) including allegedly holding a baguette to his crotch and making “stroking motions over the bread with his hands in an overtly sexual manner.” (And that’s the tame stuff.)

The suit goes on to describe inappropriate touching and staring at women (including restaurant guests) within the last 12 months preceding the complaint. Coqueta’s chef is also named in the suit for allegedly using both racist and misogynistic language.

The suit is disturbing to read, with allegations that including requiring the women to take care of menstrual hygiene issues in stairwells and openly hostile comments with demeaning terminology toward females and minorities.

“Sexual harassment and abuse of employees is so endemic at Coqueta that multiple female managers have resigned as a result of the oppressive work environment…stating she could not tolerate (the executive chef’s) disrespect for women and view of female employees as second class citizens,” the lawsuit states.

The Mercury News reports that Chiarello’s attorneys have released a statement saying Chiarello is upset by the allegations and that neither Coqueta or Chiarello had seen the lawsuit before the media was notified. The lawyers statement to the Mercury News also said that Chiarello planned to “defend himself, his reputation and his team against these unfounded claims in a court of law”.

In SF.Eater, Chiarello publicists made the following statement:

Mr. Chiarello is very upset by the allegations made by two former employees. The allegations are not only upsetting to him, they are also against his core beliefs.

Mr. Chiarello strongly believes that a great restaurant cannot really be great without an outstanding team. Throughout his career, he has served as a mentor to the people who work with him and helped them climb the ladder in their careers. This claim flies in the face of who Mr. Chiarello is and how he has lived his life. Mr. Chiarello is the son of immigrant family, a true American success story, who became the acclaimed chef he is today by using the skills he learned from watching his mother cook when he was a young boy and caring about the people with whom he worked.

We are also disappointed that neither Coqueta nor Mr. Chiarello were provided a copy of the lawsuit prior to the former employees’ attorneys sending it to the media. Mr. Chiarello intends to vigorously defend himself, his reputation and his team against these unfounded claims in a court of law.

This lawsuit, if founded, is not an isolated case, or even the worst I’ve heard of. Restaurants are notoriously hostile work environments for women, and sexual harassment (often disguised as “joking around”) is endemic. Maybe epidemic is more appropriate.

Restaurants can be high stress workplaces with high demands. Anyone watching Hell’s Kitchen has a window into the histrionics that some chefs can display. Kitchens have very clear hierarchies, which are often enforced with bullying and boys’ club put-downs. Lower ranking employees (including servers) often take the brunt of the kitchen’s stress, and an accepted tradition of smack-talk and misogynistic/racist epithets often go on without recourse.

It’s horrifying to know this goes on in restaurants we patronize, and unacceptable in modern society. If nothing else, I hope that this high profile lawsuit will shine a light on the abuse that women and other minorities often face in the restaurant industry and elsewhere.

Update: Here’s what the Lawyer Herald had to say.

FEHA Complaint by EllenVzw7796531

Note: While I appreciate discourse and comments about the suit, anonymous comments regarding hearsay that could be construed as libelous toward Chiarello or his restaurants will be deleted. Fair is fair. Reporting on publicly filed lawsuits against public figures is standard practice in journalism, and (as written) all of the statements in the lawsuit are allegations at this point.

Double-Double Burger Meats The Amy: Mamy is Born

March 2016

By biteclub

The Mamy, an In-N-Out Double Double and The Amy from Amy’s Drive Thru (Matt Brown)

In an act that goes against all things holy, Matt Brown, managing editor of our sister paper, the Petaluma Argus-Courier, sends this fast-food missive that merges the Double Double and The Amy Burger from Amy’s Drive Thru. Here’s his email to me, in all its glory. What’s your dream food mashup?

Behold “The Mamy,” a meat-infused vegetarian burger made by combining The Amy from Amy’s Drive Thru with a Double Double from the In-N-Out next door.

To make this awesome concoction, order The Amy, go next door and order a Double Double, then swap one patty on each burger. This will make two distinct burgers. To make only one burger, order the single from both Amy’s and In-N-Out, and then Mr. Potato Head the parts together. I prefer the Amy’s top bun, Amy’s veggies and one Amy’s patty atop an In-N-Out patty, In-N-Out sauce and bottom In-N-Out bun.

Why do this? Did anyone question Mr. Reese when he (I assume) bought the peanut butter plant next door to his chocolate factory and mashed the two together? Probably, but now he is enshrined in the North Central Pennsylvania Hall of Fame as one of that region’s top five most innovative thinkers. My point is, it’s delicious.

Heather, I don’t have a food blog. But you do. Please, tell the world that this exists.

Humbly yours,

Matt Brown

Things to Do This Week in Sonoma County

March 2016

By Crissi Langwell

Written by Crissi Langwell & Dan Taylor for The Press Democrat.

If you’re looking for something to do this week, you’ve come to the right place. This Saturday night, don your best Rocky Horror fashions and arm yourself with props for the Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Phoenix Theatre. Burn some calories before your St. Paddy’s Day corned beef and hash at the St. Patrick’s Day 5K. And don’t forget to turn your clock ahead one hour when Daylight Savings Time begins this Sunday. All this and more is in our list of things to do.

March 10-13
Just Between Friends Sale: The semi-annual event is back this weekend with deals on gently used and new items for young families. With everything from strollers to clothing to toys and more, the event is a must for those with growing kids or growing baby bellies. Cost is $3 Thursday, $2 Friday and free on Saturday and Sunday. Free admission passes can be found at jbfnorthbay.eventbrite.com. Find out all the details at northbay.jbfsale.com.

March 11-12
Sporting Collectible Show: If your idea of a good day is one spent in a fishing boat or hunting game, you’ll want to mark your calendars for this Friday and Saturday when the Fishing Tackle, Duck Decoy and Sporting Collectible Show comes to the Veteran’s Building in Santa Rosa. In its 22nd year, the event is the largest sporting collectible show on the West Coast, and features items from more than 150 vendors. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Find out all the details at www.redsshow.com.

March 11-13
Barrel Tasting Weekend Continues: This weekend, multiple wineries throughout Alexander, Dry Creek and Russian River Valleys will be presenting the first tastes of their barrel samples, with a chance to purchase the wine at a discount when it has properly matured and is bottled. The event takes place 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday, and admission is $35-$60. Designated drivers are $5. Find a list of participating wineries and more details at www.wineroad.com/events/barrel-tasting.

Saturday, March 12
Rocky Horror Picture Show: Dammit, Janet, come to the Phoenix Theatre in Petaluma this Saturday night wearing your best Rocky Horror fashions and armed with a variety of props. Not sure what to expect? Check out a Rocky Horror virgin’s guide here. The all-ages show starts at 11:30 p.m., and tickets are $10. Find out all the details at thephoenixtheater.com.

Saturday March 12
Arbor Day: Come to Southwest Community Park this Saturday to celebrate Luther Burbank’s birthday. The celebration takes place 9 a.m. to noon and will include cake, prize giveaways, and seedlings to take home and plant your very own tree. Find out all the details at pd2go.net/arbordaySR.

Saturday, March 12
Coffee With a Cop: Come to the Coddingtown Starbucks this Saturday at 8:20 a.m. to discuss community issues over coffee with local law enforcement. See our article about a past Coffee With a Cop event here.

Saturday, March 12
Kidgits Eggstravaganza: This Saturday, bring the kids to Coddingtown for a mall-wide scavenger hunt, arts and crafts and special giveaways. The free event is from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and will be located near JC Penney. Find out more at pd2go.net/KidgitsEgg.

Saturday, March 12
Sonoma County Bluegrass & Folk Festival: Enjoy some boot-stompin’ music this Saturday with this 16th annual folk and bluegrass festival. Held at the Sebastopol Community Center from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., the event will include live music, jam sessions open to the public and food and beverages for sale. Doors open at noon. Tickets are $35 at the door, and free for kids 11 & under. Find out more at www.socofoso.com.

Saturday, March 12
Petaluma Food, Wine & Craft Beer Festival: This Saturday, the Petaluma Host Lion’s Club is hosting their 23rd annual fundraiser for Project Graduation in Petaluma, raising funds for Petaluma, Casa Grande, St. Vincent’s and Tomales High Schools. The event will include food from over 25 restaurants, caterers and food producers, as well as craft beer and premium wines. The event is 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Petaluma Veteran’s Memorial Building, and admission is $40. Find out more at www.facebook.com/PetalumaLions.

Saturday, March 12
Loretta Lynn Tribute Night: Sing along to songs by the ‘Coal Miners’s Daughter’ when local singers cover Loretta Lynn songs this Saturday at the Arlene Francis Center. Guests are invited to dress in western attire. Admission is a $10-$20 donation, and all proceeds benefit the YWCA Sonoma County’s Confidential Safe House. Find out more at the Facebook events page.

Sunday, March 13 – SPRING FORWARD!
Daylight Savings Time begins this Sunday, so don’t forget to turn your clocks an hour forward on Saturday night. Sure, you’ll lose an hour’s sleep. But that’s what Sunday afternoon naps are for.

Sunday, March 13
St. Patrick’s Day 5K: Burn some calories before St. Paddy’s Day at this traditional Santa Rosa run. Starting at Juilliard Park, the race kicks off at 3 p.m., and ends with a mug of beer or root beer. Participants are encouraged to wear their best St. Patrick’s Day getup. Stick around for the post-race fun with a judged costume contest, music, activities and more. Registration is $40. Find out all the details at srcity.org/spdrun.

Sunday, March 13
Improve Your Story Dialogue: This Sunday, the featured speaker at the monthly Redwood Writers general meeting is Mysti Berry, an accomplished linguist and an award-winning writer. Berry will share how to improve dialogue in writing through examples, and invites guests to bring their own page of dialogue to spruce up. The meeting is from 2-4:30 p.m. in the Empire Room at the Flamingo Hotel in Santa Rosa. Admission is $5 for members, and $10 for non-members. Find out more at redwoodwriters.org.

More upcoming events:

Friday, March 11

‘Wait Until Dark’: Broadway thriller opens 8 p.m. Friday, Spreckels Performing Arts Center, Rohnert Park. $16-$26. 588-3400, rpcity.org.

UPside Dance Company: ‘all.things.PAPER’ dance collage, 6 p.m. first act only, 8 p.m. full show, Wells Fargo Center for the Arts, Santa Rosa. $10-$25. upsidedance.com.

‘Anna in the Tropics’: Pulitzer Prize-winning play opens 8 p.m. at 6th Street Playhouse, Santa Rosa. $15-$32. 523-4185, ext. 1, 6thstreetplayhouse.com.

Lawrence Brownlee: Opera recital, African-American spirituals, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Schroeder Hall, Green Music Center, Rohnert Park. $17.50-$85. 866-955-6040, gmc.sonoma.edu.

Saturday, March 12

‘Full Circle’: Pond Farm Revisited pottery exhibit reception, 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Healdsburg Center for the Arts. Free. 431-1970, healdsburgcenterforthearts.com

‘The Birds’: Comedy by Cinnabar Theater’s Young Rep, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Cinnabar Theater, Petaluma. $10-$15. 763-8920, cinnabartheater.org

Mary Wilson: Motown sounds with The Supremes founder and musician Lenny Williams, 8 p.m. Saturday, Wells Fargo Center, Santa Rosa. $45-$75. Benefits Petaluma nonprofit Carousel Fund. 546-3600, wellsfargocenterarts.org.

M.F.K. Fisher book launch: ‘The Theoretical Foot’ discussion with the late author’s daughter, 7 p.m. Saturday, Copperfield’s Books, Healdsburg. Free. 433-9270, copperfieldsbooks.com/stores/healdsburg.

Sunday, March 13

Sonoma County Restaurant Week: Final day to explore dining options at specialty prices at 100-plus restaurants on Sunday. $10 and up. sonomacounty.com/restaurant-week.

Maria Muldaur: Dinner concert with ‘Jazzabelle’ & Her All-Star Jazz Quintet, 5 p.m. Sunday, French Garden, Sebastopol. $25-$30. 824-2030, frenchgardenrestaurant.com

Patrick Ball: Celtic harpist, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Cinnabar Theater, Petaluma. $15-$25. 763-8920, cinnabartheater.org.

Santa Rosa Symphony: ‘Gershwin’s Magic Key,’ with pre-show instrument “petting zoo” for kids, 3 p.m. Sunday, Green Music Center, Rohnert Park. $12-$17. 866-955-6040, gmc.sonoma.edu.

Monday, March 14

‘The Quiet Man’: 1952 John Wayne romantic comedy-drama, 7 p.m. Monday, Sebastiani Theatre, Sonoma. $9. 996-2020, sebastianitheatre.com.

Tuesday, March 15

Joyce Maynard: ‘Under the Influence’ author visit, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Book Passage, Corte Madera. Free. (415) 927-0960, bookpassage.com.

‘Clifford the Big Red Dog’: Live family musical, free pre-show art projects, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wells Fargo Center, Santa Rosa. $5-$17. 546-3600, wellsfargocenterarts.org.

Wednesday, March 16

‘Flavor! Napa Valley’: Five-day event opens with marketplace of food, wine and live entertainment, 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Culinary Institute of America at Copia, Napa. $95. flavornapavalley.com

The Polovetsian Dances: Santa Rosa Junior College Concert Choir, Chamber Singers and Orchestra, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Burbank Auditorium, SRJC, Santa Rosa. $5-$10. 527-4307, santarosa.edu/music.

Thursday, March 17

Sebastopol Documentary Film Festival: Opening party and screening, 7 p.m. Thursday, Sebastopol Center for the Arts Center. $35. 829-4797, sebarts.org.

David Luning: Americana Night, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Cloverdale Arts Alliance. $20. 894-4410, cloverdaleartsalliance.org.

St. Patrick’s Day: Live Celtic music, gypsy rock and blues funk rock, 7 p.m. Thursday, Arlene Francis Center, Santa Rosa. $15-$20. 528-3009, arlenefranciscenter.org.

Friday, March 18

Haymarket Squares: Bluegrass with a punk twist, 8:30 p.m. Friday, March 18, The Big Easy, Petaluma. Free. 776-4631, bigeasypetaluma.com.

‘Carnage’: Left Edge Theatre comedy, 8 p.m. Friday, March 18, Wells Fargo Center, Santa Rosa. $30-$40. 546-3600, wellsfargocenterarts.org.

Amit Peled: Cellist with pianist Noreen Polera, 8 p.m. Friday, March 18, Glaser Center, Santa Rosa. $30. 874-1124, redwoodarts.org.

Sir James Galway: Flutist with the Galway Chamber Players, 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 18, Green Music Center, Rohnert Park. $60-$130. 866-955-6040, gmc.sonoma.edu.

Saturday, March 19

Trashion Fashion: Showcase of apparel designed from repurposed items, 1 p.m. rehearsal, 4:30 p.m. show, Saturday, March 19, Sonoma Valley Veterans Memorial Building, Sonoma. $25-$50. 938-4626, sonomacommunitycenter.org.

Savor Sonoma Valley: Vintage wines, new releases and food, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, March 19 at 19 Sonoma Valley wineries. $10-$65. 431-1137, heartofsonomavalley.com

‘The Invisible Flame’: Twelve Centuries of Women Composers concert, 7 p.m. Saturday, March 19, Petaluma Historical Library & Museum. $25-$40. 778-4398, petalumamuseum.com

‘Modern Twist’: Contemporary Japanese Bamboo Art exhibit opening, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, March 19, Sonoma Valley Museum of Art, Sonoma. $5-$8. 939-7862, svma.org

James Ehnes: Classical violinist, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 19, Green Music Center, Rohnert Park. $35-$85. 866-955-6040, gmc.sonoma.edu.

Sunday, March 20

‘Acoustic Africa’: Guitarist Habib Koité and vocalist Vusi Mahlasela, 7 p.m. Sunday, March 20, Green Music Center, Rohnert Park. $35-$85. 866-955-6040, gmc.sonoma.edu.

‘Sons of Noir’: North Bay writers’ book launch, 2 p.m. Sunday, March 20, Occidental Center for the Arts. Free. 874-9392, occidentalcenterforthearts.org.

California’s Artisan Cheese Festival: Brunch, cheese tasting and marketplace, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, March 20, Sheraton Sonoma County, Petaluma. $45-$115. 837-1928, artisancheesefestival.com.

Food & Wine Magazine Named Fremont Diner Among “Best Diners”

March 2016

By Kathleen Hill

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. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)

Fremont Diner was just named among the “best diners” in America by Food & Wine magazine. Now it will be even more crowded, but everything works quite smoothly and the food is always interesting. It’s definitely a creative diner, rather than what we might think of as a traditional one. So often you see two people at a picnic table that could seat eight. Funky and hip all at the same time.

Here’s what Food & Wine had to say:

“Chef and owner Chad Harris taps into the agricultural gifts of the surrounding Carneros region to enliven his elevated take on comfort food, which at breakfast includes a fresh sunny-side up egg over house-smoked black-pepper brisket. A rusty pickup parked out front and walls lined with Harris’s own antiques lend this tiny wine country waypoint – open since 2009 – a throwback charm.

Congratulations!

10 Best Pizza Pies in Sonoma County

March 2016

By biteclub

Mombo's Pizzeria (photo John Burgess/PD) — Mombo’s Pizzeria (photo John Burgess/PD)

This isn’t your fancy wood-fired pizza, or pizza with four kinds of Brie. This is Friday night Pizza in Sonoma County. The ooey-gooey stuff you pull out of a box and eat with a paper towel. here are a handful of our favorite mom-and-pop spots for the Best Friday Night Pizza in Sonoma County. All of these were submitted by Biteclubbers.

1. NY Pie
Mike Petterssen has a favorite quote that pretty much sums up Americans’ universal love of pizza. “You can’t make everyone happy. You aren’t pizza,” says Petterssen, who owns NY Pie in downtown Santa Rosa. Pizza is the Friday night family dinner, with more than $38 billion in annual sales , primarily at mom and pop stores like Petterssen’s. It’s also the late night nosh, the quick lunchtime slice and the after-game fuel-up we all love.

“When kids get together, they don’t have hamburger parties,” Petterssen says.

And while fancy wood-fired, knife-and-fork style pizzas have their place, old school spots like NY Pie serve up thin-crust, tomato sauce and mozzarella pies meant to be shared. They require the Manhattan-style fold to cram a slice into your face, and they’re uniquely Italian-American.

“There should be a little grease running down your hands when you eat it,” adds Petterssen.

Best Friday Night Pizza in Sonoma County. This pizza is from Joey's in Santa Rosa. Photo: Heather Irwin (eater) — Best Friday Night Pizza in Sonoma County. This pizza is from Joey’s in Santa Rosa. Photo: Heather Irwin (eater)

He and his wife, Kristina, recently renovated the small pizzeria at the corner of Brookwood Avenue and Fourth Street, expanding the footprint of the original restaurant once owned by New Yorkers RJ and Camille Iervolino. Although the couple retired to Southern California, Petterssen says he frequently talks to them and continues to use the original recipes developed by Camille.

“The sauce is an old Italian recipe, and we fresh slice blocks of whole milk mozzarella. The real secret to a great New York style pizza is the recipe and ingredients.”

The Minnesota native, who has owned NY Pie for two years, says he loved being able to order pizza at 2 a.m. on Christmas morning — or pretty much any day — and having it arrive hot at his home, which is why he continues to provide daily delivery until 3 a.m. His busiest time? “Anytime after midnight.”

The pizzeria (65 Brookwood Ave., Santa Rosa, 526-9743) hasw 20 beers on tap, slices and an expanded menu including calzones and sandwiches. But Friday night pies will always be the heart and soul of his business, ranging from simple cheese to his best seller, the Godfather (with pepperoni, sausage, artichoke hearts and garlic).

“It’s just the funnest thing in the whole world to sell,” he says. “And we’ll always stay true to our New York roots,” he adds, which means that your pie will come with red pepper flakes and cheap Parmesan in a packet.

Here are some more local NY(ish)-style pies from pizzerias that offer late night delivery or pick-up, and the thin-crust, giant slices you can pick up, fold and share this weekend, with a smile on your face and just a little grease running down your fingers.

(Note: Call for delivery areas and hours, as they may vary.)

Gio's Pizza in Bennett Valley. Photo: Gios — Gio’s Pizza in Bennett Valley. Photo: Gios

2. Gio’s Pizza: This New York style pizzeria also was once owned by the Iervolinos and has stayed true to the founders’ vision. Friends say it’s the best slice in Sonoma County. Delivery 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays. 2700 Yulupa Ave., #5, Santa Rosa, 542-2797.

Mombo's Pizza in Santa Rosa California (mombo's website) — Mombo’s Pizza in Santa Rosa California (mombo’s website)

3. Mombo’s: There’s a reason the Santa Rosa outpost of this classic pizzeria is standing room only all weekend. It’s just darn good pizza. It’s our go-to on Friday nights, and we’re willing to wait the hour or two it takes for delivery during peak hours. Delivery available until 10 p.m. in Santa Rosa. Also, a selection of pizzas now available frozen. 1880B Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, 528-3278. Sebastopol location open until 9 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, until 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 560 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol, 823-7492.

4. Joey’s: Another neighborhood favorite, Joey’s has one of the largest pizza menus, including clam with garlic sauce and a cheeseburger pizza with mustard sauce and plenty of veggie options. Plus, you can get a slice of homemade cheesecake or Scooby Snacks (fried doughballs with cinnamon) added to your order. Late night weekend delivery until 1 a.m., 727 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, 595-5639.

Italian style pizza with basil, tomatoes, olive oil and mozzarella at La Vera restaurant in Santa Rosa. Heather Irwin/PD

5. La Vera: More than just a sit-down Italian restaurant, La Vera does a great take-out pizza. After 30 years in business, they know how to do pizza right. Slices available at lunch. Open until 9 p.m. daily, delivery via foodtoyou.com. 629 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 575-1113.

Simply Delicious Pizza in Santa Rosa. Courtesy of the PD.

6. Simply Delicious: This West Santa Rosa pizzeria always gets big props for its family-friendly pizzas, which range from simple cheese to fancier versions with grilled eggplant and roasted red peppers. The crust is a little thicker than traditional NY style, but just as tasty. Open until 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Dine in or pick up only. 2780 Stony Point, Santa Rosa, 579-2083.

7. Red Grape Pizza: Though this dine-in restaurant’s pizzas only come in one size (12 inch) and are a little fancier than the usual New York style slices, it is definitely where Sonoma residents go for their Friday night pizzas. Pizzas come in white (olive oil and garlic) or red (tomato sauce), and even the cheese version is special, with aged Parmesan and gouda. A personal favorite is pear and gorgonzola. Dine in or pick up only, 529 First St., West, Sonoma, 996-4103.

Sal's New Yorker Pizza (courtesy of Yelp) — Sal’s New Yorker Pizza (courtesy of Yelp)

8. Sal’s New Yorker Pizza: This 2014 newcomer to the pizza game is a favorite pizzeria of SSU students. Open until 9 p.m. daily, delivery available. 8270 Old Redwood Highway, Cotati, 664-8460.

Rafy's Pizzeria in Petaluma (courtesy of Yelp)Rafy's Pizzeria in Petaluma (courtesy of Yelp) — Rafy’s Pizzeria in Petaluma (courtesy of Yelp)

9. Rafy’s Pizzeria: A New Yorker who’s spent the year tossing pies in the Big Apple serves up authentic slices big as your head. Petalumans give it a big thumbs-up. Open daily until 9 p.m., delivery available, 615 E. Washington, Petaluma, 559-5735.

Forestville Pizza in Forestville (Forestville Pizza)

10. Forestville Pizza: A local winemaker took over the former Andorno’s several years ago, preserving as one of the few pizza spots in West County. A;though this definitely isn’t a late-night location, locals say it’s their favorite take-out spot, with delivery available daily from 5 p.m. 6490 Mirabel Road, Forestville, 887-9574.

Click here for even more stories about Pizza in Sonoma County on BiteClubEats.com

Have a favorite we missed? Let us know in the comments below.

Fort Bragg to hold 20th Annual Beer Festival

March 2016

By Brendan Dorsey

The Fort Bragg Rotary Club will be holding their 20th annual beer festival on Saturday, March 19 in Fort Bragg.

Sixteen craft brewers will pour their best beers and ales and the famous North Coast Brewing Company will be showcasing their new North Coast Steller IPA.

The beer fest is part of the Fort Bragg Whale Festival which celebrates whale migration up the North Coast every spring.

The Gnarly Pints will be providing music while you sip on a bubbly brew. And if you get hungry, feel free to check out the chowder tasting that features a chowder contest between various local restaurants.

After the beer fest head over to new Coastal Trail in Fort Bragg and see if you can spot some whales.

The event is from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., 21+ and no pets are allowed. Tickets are $30 and include unlimited beer tastings.

Sonoma County’s Evelyn Cheatham Named Woman of the Year

March 2016

By biteclub

Evelyn Cheatham talks with friend Penny Ferry, at Worth Our Weight Cafe in Santa Rosa. It was Cheatham’s 25th and final year leading the effort. BETH SCHLANKER / The Press Democrat

If there’s a patron saint of aspiring culinary talent in Sonoma County, it’s Worth Our Weight’s Evelyn Cheatham.

The tireless chef who founded Santa Rosa’s training program (and restaurant) for at-risk kids in 2006 was been named a “Woman of the Year” by U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson on March 1, 2016.

In honor of Women’s History Month, she was one of five “extraordinary women” representing each of the five counties Thompson represents. “They are leaders in their community and thanks to their efforts, our communities are stronger today,” said Thompson. Other honorees included Linda Parks of Napa’s Lixit Animal Care Products, Vallejo Together’s Maria Guevara of Solono County, Lake County businesswoman Monica Rosenthal and Contra Costa businesswoman Josephine Orozco.

Trail of the Week: Taylor Mountain Regional Park

March 2016

By Bruce Baird

Peri Olsson of Santa Rosa takes her dog Teddy on a walk at Taylor Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve in Santa Rosa on Wednesday, March 23, 2016. (Alvin Jornada / The Press Democrat)

Peri Olsson of Santa Rosa takes her dog Teddy on a walk at Taylor Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve in Santa Rosa, California on Wednesday, March 23, 2016. (Alvin Jornada / The Press Democrat) Santa Rosa ranked one of the best places to live — Peri Olsson of Santa Rosa takes her dog Teddy on a walk at Taylor Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve in Santa Rosa. (Alving Jornada)

A red-shouldered hawk surveys the greening slopes of Taylor Mountain from its perch, then lifts and wheels southward in search of lunch. It’s another wintertime visitor to the Santa Rosa open-space preserve, just minutes from downtown.

The hawk has plenty of bird company at the 1,100-acre preserve, which opened in February 2013. Year-round residents include quail, acorn woodpeckers, black Phoebes, turkeys and the ever-present vultures and crows. In winter and spring, flocks of bluebirds dot the open hillsides, along with the more solitary Western meadowlarks.

The shortest and perhaps most popular route to the top of Taylor Mountain is the Eastern Route, a sometimes steep 3.2-mile old farm road. The single-track Sky Lupine Trail is an easier grade, lazily crisscrossing the Eastern Route as the two make their way up the 1,000-foot hill. It is less slippery in the winter and less exhausting in summer.

It also offers a chance to see more of Taylor Mountain’s glory: wildflowers. Practically each week through late winter and spring, another flower species seems to make an appearance: lupine, tidy tips, woodland stars, poppies and the hypnotic gold curlicues of fiddleneck. Sharp eyes on the way up may even spot wild strawberries.

tm3 — A seasonal pond lies tucked away on the slopes of Taylor Mountain. (Bruce Baird)

A glance back from halfway up Taylor Mountain offers terrific views of the Santa Rosa Plain and Mount St. Helena to the north. From the summit, one sees Bennett Valley and Annadel State Park to the east, downtown Santa Rosa to the north, Cooks Peak, Sonoma Mountain and Mount Tamalpais to the south and the hills beyond Sebastopol to the west.

When the heat of summer comes, the mostly unshaded hike to the top will demand more sweat and sunscreen, but the Todd Creek Trail southwest of the Kawana Terrace parking lot is a shadier alternative on a hot day.

(Bruce Baird / The Press Democrat) — (Bruce Baird)

Cows still graze on Taylor Mountain, and making them aware of your close approach is always a good idea. Poison oak is limited to the heavy undergrowth and a few rocky outcroppings.

There are two entrances, one on Kawana Terrace, the other on Petaluma Hill Road. Parking is $7, though limited free parking is available along Kawana Terrace just outside the park. Dogs on leashes are allowed.

TAYLOR MOUNTAIN REGIONAL PARK AND OPEN SPACE PRESERVE

Eastern Route/Sky Lupine Trail

Distance: 3.2 miles, 4.2 using Sky Lupine Trail switchbacks

Configuration: out-and-back

Elevation gain: 1,000 feet

Time: 30 minutes to an hour to the top

Difficulty: moderate to strenuous

Exposure: mostly open hillside with a few shady groves of oak and laurel

Dogs: allowed on leash

Maps: USGS Santa Rosa, park map, Maplets app

A plein air painter captures the scene along the start of the Western Route at Taylor Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve. (Bruce Baird / The Press Democrat) — A plein air painter captures the scene along the start of the Western Route at Taylor Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve. (Bruce Baird)

The hike: From the Kawana Terrace parking lot, head to the left of the water tanks onto the Eastern Route Trail, an old farm road. Following the road without diverting onto smaller trails will take hikers directly to the summit. The small oak-topped hill to the left at the hike’s beginning offers a nice picnic spot with a view for those short on time.

At 0.3 miles, the start of the hike’s two steep sections, those looking for an easier way to the top can take a right onto the single-track Sky Lupine trail, which crisscrosses the main trail. The Sky Lupine Trail ends where it rejoins the Eastern Route at the top of its two steepest sections, at about 1,000 foot elevation.

A jackrabbit lopes along the Easter Route on Taylor Mountain. (Bruce Baird / The Press Democrat)

From here, the trail heads south along the mountain’s flank for a third of a mile in mixed oak and laurel shade before hitting a pair of switchbacks. Past the switchbacks, the trail heads south again for a quarter mile before sweeping east and up a rocky notch that delivers hikers onto the open summit area beyond an old freestone wall. In wet weather, the Sky Lupine Trail provides a less slippery descent past the main trail’s two steep areas.

Source: “Day Hikes Around Sonoma County” by Robert Stone (Day Hike Books)