Sonoma’s Best Fall Hard Ciders

By Heather Irwin

Sonoma's Best Hard Ciders

 

Golden State CiderSonoma County is known primarily for its wine, but it also has a ripe history of orchards. As early as ten years ago, a drive through the county’s orchards would’ve resulted in not-so-attractive photos of apples rotting on the ground. These days, the orchards have been rejuvenated through ciderists making popular hard ciders.

Check out this article for a list of the best hard ciders and the best spots to find them.

Best Sonoma Hard Ciders for Fall 2015

Black Jack 21, Ace Cider

Best places to find local ciders on tap and otherwise:

— Brew, 555 Healdsburg Ave., Santa Rosa

— Woodfour Brewing, 6780 Depot St., Sebastopol

— Sprenger’s Tap Room, 446 B St., Santa Rosa

— Heritage Public House, 1901 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa

— Petaluma Taps, 54 E. Washington St., Petaluma

— Olde Sonoma Public House, 18615 Sonoma Hwy., Sonoma

Ninebark Opens in Napa

By biteclub
Ninebark Restaurant has opened in Napa. Photo: Ninebark
Ninebark Restaurant has opened in Napa. Photo: Ninebark

Ninebark opens in Napa, as of Oct. 13, 2015

NYC’s Matthew Lightner has taken over the former Fagiani’s Cocktail Lounge and The Thomas with Ninebark (813 Main St., Napa). There’s a lot of interest in seeing what the 2-Michelin-starred chef will do with the bounty of Wine Country. The “California-inspired, market-driven restaurant” will have an emphasis on “smoking, perfuming, and grilling with unique ingredients and processes,” said reps.

Opening menu items include:

  • Grilled Avocado, kohlrabi, heirloom citrus dressing, crispy allium sprouts, and whole wheat crisp

  • Horiatiki Salad with buddha’s hand, persimmons, peppers, seasonal selections of fresh fruit and produce, local feta cheese, citrus, and olive oil.

  • Rock Cod Poke with slow-cooked kombu, brown butter dashi, onion marinade, house fish sauce, seaweeds, sea lettuces, and sesame seeds

  • Dumplings of Chicken, Shrimp and Ricotta Cheese with gravy of roasted chicken and prawns, smoked bread, and parmesan

  • Skewers of Trout from Mt. Lassen (California) lightly perfumed over cedar branch with eggplant, oyster mushroom, pine oils, and mushroom stock

  • House Blackened Sturgeon Collar, slow smoked over hardwood, porridge of heirloom rice, salt baked daikon and sourdough, fish sauce, and lemon.

  •  Charcoal Roasted Duck with Valencia orange, garden sorrel, and tarragon sauce

  • Poached and Grilled Halibut with escabeche, ragout of radishes, fresh and dried nasturtium, and broth of stewed vegetables

  • Aged Ribeye with cornbread pudding, young onions and leeks in a roasted grain jus.

  • Japanese-style cheesecake with persimmon, parmesan, and cream cheese ice cream

  • Thousand Layers of Chocolate S’mores with vanilla marshmallows, smoked chocolate mousse, and burnt sugar


  • Cocktails vary by location within the restaurant. First floor cocktails are twists on classics including: Pina Colada with smoked pineapple, white rum, and coconut; a Side Car with cognac, lemon, triple sec, and fig; and a Tennessee Cola with whiskey, house-made cola, and toasted grain.  Third floor cocktails are unique creations from the bar’s cocktail magnate, Andrew Salazar, including the Old Ball Game which combines popcorn and peanut-infused rye whiskey, demerara, and leather bitters; the Panache Indochine mixing up IPA, gin, whole pressed lemon, ginger, and kaffir lime; and the Route 15 combining Mosto Verde Italia Pisco with lemon, cream, egg white, orange blossom, and honeycomb

NINEBARK is open for dinner Tuesday – Sunday, 6:00pm-10:00pm.  The bar will be open Sunday, Tuesday-Thursday 5:30pm-12:00am; Friday-Saturday 5:30pm-1:00am. Reservations are accepted either through OpenTable by calling 707-226-7821, or by contacting the restaurant directly at info@ninebark-napa.com. In the coming weeks, NINEBARK will open for both brunch and lunch.

Pumpkin Patches in Sonoma County

By Dan Taylor
Sam Aerneson, 14, climbs atop a pyramid of hay bales at the Santa Rosa Pumpkin Patch in Santa Rosa, on Monday, October 5, 2015. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)

Where are the best pumpkin patches in Sonoma County?
Find out in this gallery and in this Press Democrat article

Sonoma County’s best spots for pumpkins and fall fun

 

Check out these Sonoma County pumpkin events while you can!

October 17-18 and October 24-25 — Tolay Fall Festival. In a season full of hay rides and pumpkin patches, this annual family event stands out, offering all that and more: a straw maze, gunnysack races, a pumpkin seed spitting contest, a barnyard animal petting area, a replica of a Native American village, demonstrations of archery, fly fishing and astronomy — and that’s still not a complete list. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. $5 for adults; $3 for children 12 and younger. Tolay Regional Park, 5869 Lakeville Highway, Petaluma. 565-2041, parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov.

October 24 — “Pumpkins on Pikes.” Here’s something a little different. The festivities start at 2 p.m. with food, music and pumpkin carving. Participants the chance to display their Jack-O-Lantern on a pike in the corn field. When the sun goes down the pumpkins are lit. Bring carving tools, a blanket if you’re staying after dark, and favorite dessert if you’re participating in the dessert potluck. Admission: $20; children age 6 and under free; $10 barbecue plate available for dinner. No dogs, please. Tara Firma Farms, 3796 I St, Petaluma. 765-1202 Petaluma. tarafirmafarms.com

Through October 31 — Petaluma Pumpkin Patch and Amazing Corn Maze. Traditionally, traffic tends to slow down along southbound Highway 101 north of Petaluma every fall as drivers gawk at those 5-acre attraction. sometimes sparking a few gripes, but visitors adore it. Pumpkin patch hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Free activities at the pumpkin patch include a straw mountain to climb, farm animals, a little kids maze, rubber duck races and a corn kernel “sandbox.” Corn Maze hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Sunday; 6-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Corn Maze admission: $5 during the daytime (age 5 and under free); $9 at nights. 450 Stony Point Road, Petaluma. 781-3132, petalumapumpkinpatch.com.

Eastside Seasonal Farm and Pumpkin Patch. This site also includes a corn maze, plus goats and ducks. Noon-6:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Saturdays; closing at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, and 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24. 5834 Petaluma Hill Road, Santa Rosa. No admission charges; discount coupons available at eastsideseasonalfarm.com. Information: 206-9672.

Grandma’s Pumpkin Patch. The patch features a petting zoo, farm animals, hay a stack for climbing, noodles for stringing and old tractors for imaginary driving. Open daily from 10 a.m. until dusk. Free admission. 17740 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg. 431-8058, healdsburggranny.com.

Great Peter Pumpkin Patch. There’s a lot more to do than pick a pumpkin at this Petaluma patch. Visitors can milk a cow, take a hay ride, dig for potatoes, taste fresh cheeses and eat homemade ice cream. Live music on weekends. Open 9 a.m.-dusk daily. Free admission and parking. 4235 Spring Hill Road, Petaluma. 762-9038, 775-1183, springhillcheese.com.

McClelland’s Dairy Organic Pumpkin Patch offers the full list of fall fun, with a hay maze, a hay pyramid, seed “sandbox,” tire swings, pumpkin tether ball, petting zoo, a peddle track racetrack and more. Free admission. 6475 Bodega Ave., Petaluma. 664-0452, mcclellandsdairy.com.

Muelrath Ranches Pumpkin Patch. Let the kids get interactive, with a pumpkin slingshot and a pumpkin cannon. Free admission and hay rides. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Fridays and Saturday. 3800 Walker Ave., Santa Rosa. 585-2195, muelrathspumpkins.com.

Santa Rosa Pumpkin Patch. This place thinks big, with 8 acres of pumpkins and an 8-acre corn maze, featuring both long and short routes. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Corn maze closes an hour before the patch closes each day. Admission: $2. 331-6653, santarosapumpkinpatch.com.

Handline Fish and Food Coming

By biteclub
Handline, a new restaurant from the owner of Sebastopol's Peter Lowell's, is slated to open next spring.
Handline, a new restaurant from the owner of Sebastopol’s Peter Lowell’s, is slated to open next spring.

Restaurateur Lowell Sheldon of Sebastopol’s Peter Lowell’s will open Handline Fish and Food, a “California coastal inspired restaurant” next May with partner Natalie Goble. There has been plenty of speculation about what’s going on at the former Foster’s Freeze on Gravenstein Highway, but Sheldon plans for a chef-driven menu that isn’t about clam chowder and fish and chips, but is more inspired by Californian flavors.

“We are many things in California, but essentially we are a blend of Mexican and American. This is our history, and this is what we grew up eating,” said Sheldon. Inspirations for the restaurant, he said, include the Marshall Store, Fish Restaurant, Gott’s Roadside, Swan Oyster Depot, the old Foster’s Freeze and El Molino Central.

The menu is still in development, but think ceviche, fish tacos, burgers, seafood stews and salads.

Also from Sheldon, Peter Lowell’s has recently implemented a no tipping, inclusive service charge to help employees earn a fair wage. Similar programs have come and gone in the county, but frankly, it’s time for food service professionals to earn enough to survive in this already insanely expensive region.

BiteClub Live Chat with Mark and Terri Stark @ Bird and The Bottle

By biteclub
Bird and The Bottle, a new Stark Reality Restaurant in Santa Rosa, CA

Join us on Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 5PM for a live cocktail chat at Bird and The Bottle.
Set a reminder to come back here and join us for (virtual) cocktails and a Q&A with Mark and Terri Stark.

2016 Bay Area Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand Awards

By biteclub
Ramen at Ramen Gaijin, a new pop-up ramen bar. Photo Heather irwin

It’s Michelin season! As a preview to the big stars that will be announced next week, the restaurant rating guide has announced their 2016 Bay Area Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand Awards.

In total 17 Wine Country Restaurants were tapped, with newcomers Diavola (finally), La Perla (wow–meaning we have TWO Peruvian restaurants in Santa Rosa that are winners) and Ramen Gaijin (yay!).

Falling off the list: Hotbox Grill, which shuttered, C Casa, La Salette, The Girl and the Fig and Willi’s Wine Bar.

It’s a huge feather in the caps of moderately-priced restaurants (ie: the ones most of us can actually afford) and a definite pathway to the stars. Bib Gourmands are NOT eligible for stars.

“Moishe and I are just honored to be in such great company and want to thank our crew, present and past for all the hard work this past year. The real challenge now is improving and staying on this list for the years to come,” said Chef Matthew Williams of Ramen Gaijin.

This year’s 2016 Bib Gourmand winners for Wine Country include:

Backyard (Forestville)

Bistro Jeanty (Yountville)

Bistro 29 (Santa Rosa)

Chalkboard (Healdsburg)

Cook (St. Helena)

DIAVOLA (geyserville, new!)

Glen Ellen Star (Glen Ellen)

Grace’s Table (Napa)

La Perla, Santa Rosa (new)

Monti’s Rotisserie (Santa Rosa)

Oenotri (Napa)

Ramen Gaijin, Sebastopol (NEW!)

Redd Wood (Yountville)

Risibisi (Petaluma)

Sazon (Santa Rosa)

Scopa (Healdsburg)

The Farmer & The Fox (St. Helena)

Libations Unlimited

By Heather Irwin
Christopher Long of Libations Unlimited is a roving bartender who brings his drinks to various locations working from a teardrop trailer in Sonoma and Napa counties. (photo by Conner Jay)

Check out this gallery

Heritage Public House Shutters

By biteclub
Heritage Public House in Santa Rosa has closed. Photo HPH Facebook Page.
Heritage Public House in Santa Rosa has closed. Photo HPH Facebook Page.

Heritage Public House (1901 Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa) has shuttered, effective immediately.

According to proprietor Dino D’Argenzio, the turnover of the kitchen and management to restaurateur Josh Silvers in April 2015, “didn’t fit” and the parties have ended the relationship on a “friendly note”. Several months ago, BiteClub tasted through the menu, which was impressive, but recently was cut back significantly.

“It’s disappointing it didn’t work out,” said Silvers. “The team was really gelling. I’m hopeful in this time of employee deficits they will get snapped up fast,” he added. Silvers is the owner of Jackson’s Bar and Oven and does frequent restaurant consulting.

Bloodline Brewing Co., which launched at the restaurant in 2014 and was a significant part of their tap program will continue brewing offsite and focus on increased distribution throughout the Bay Area. Bloodline is co-owned by several members of the D’Argenzio family.

The Heritage Public House building is available for lease, and D’Argenzio said he has some “exciting prospects”.

“We’d like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the community for supporting us over the last four years. It has been a pleasure getting to know you, serving you and being a part of the vibrant SRJC neighborhood,” said D’Argenzio on the Heritage Public House Facebook page.

Supermarket Spy: Primavera Roasted Tomato Salsa with Chipotle

By biteclub
Primavera Roasted Tomato Chipotle Salsa

An apple orchard isn’t the kind of place you usually find an artisan salsa that makes all salsas seem pale in comparison.

But that’s how it happened.

Part of a fancy snack spread my friends had set out for us volunteer apple pickers was Primavera Roasted Tomato Chipotle Salsa with tortilla chips.

At first it was just mindless hunger driving me to stuff my face with this smoky, roasty salsa. Then, paired with ice cold hard cider, it was a revelation.

Then it just got plain embarrassing as I double and triple dipped, with red drips staining the front of my shirt. Hiding my gluttony was pointless, so I smuggled out the rest of it in my bag. I figured I’d earned it.

This is no mass-production salsa, but a well-honed recipe from the kitchens of Karen Waikiki, the owner Sonoma’s El Molino Central and Primavera foods.

A longtime friend of Mexican cooking authority Diana Kennedy and Alice Waters, she’s made it her mission to revitalize the art of making stone-ground corn tortillas and sharing traditional Mexican recipes using local produce.

It’s not always easy to find, and you’ll spend a little more than a simple pico de gallo, but even Michelle Tam of Nom Nom Paleo is a fan, calling this salsa, “the best g******* salsa around.”

Primavera Roasted Tomato Salsa with chipotle, $5.99, Oliver’s Markets.

Cucina Paradiso 2 Coming to Santa Rosa

By biteclub
Cucina Paradiso will be expanding to Santa Rosa in fall 2015
Cucina Paradiso will be expanding to Santa Rosa in fall 2015. Photo: Foursquare

Cucina Paradiso is coming to Santa Rosa.

The much-loved Petaluma Italian restaurant is slated to open a second restaurant later this fall, according to owner Dennis Hernandez. The restaurateur took over Roberto’s Trattoria Lupo on Sonoma Hwy. in August 2015, with plans to reopen in early November.

The menu will be similar to the Petaluma restaurant, which has been a longtime Michelin Bib Gourmand.

Chef Angelo Cucco will take over the kitchen, a longtime SF chef and pal of Dennis.