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30 Best Sonoma County Restaurant Dishes of 2015

December 2015

By biteclub

Seared foie gras with baby kiwi and almonds at Valette in Healdsburg.

Liberty Farms duck leg with pistachio dukka, baba ganoush and pomagrates is the Best Sonoma County Restaurant Dish of 2015

As the year comes to a close, it’s always fun to look back at the best dishes of the year — or at least my favorites.

Choosing the best from hundreds of meals isn’t easy, and admittedly is rather subjective, but a few dozen rise to the top as truly special.

Wild fennel soup with smoked trout at SHED Cafe in Healdsburg

Anyone who’s dined with me knows the gratified look I reserve for these remarkable, memorable dishes and the hand clapping that usually accompanies it (I’m not subtle). So, what makes a great dish for me? It’s a combination of flavor, mouthfeel and elements of surprise that I find most delightful — which can come in almost any form, and at any price point.

Preston Farms carrot salad at SHED Cafe in Healdsburg. Photo: Heather Irwin.

Some are from fancy restaurants you know, others from food trucks or strip mall finds, or even a standout dish from a restaurant that I didn’t otherwise find memorable. For example, on the affordable end of the spectrum, I fell in love with a vegan chia parfait from Seed on the Go, Indian flatbread at the Outside Lands music festival in San Francisco and a bowl of shakshouka (basically eggs in a spicy, Mediterranean tomato sauce) from Goodman’s Jewish Deli. At the luxe end, a beautiful plate of seared foie gras at Valette captured my heart.

In the end, however, there had to be a single winner, and this year it was a Liberty Farms duck leg with pomegranate, baba ganoush and pistachio dukkah at SHED Cafe in Healdsburg. A perfect Mediterranean dish influenced by local ingredients with kicks of flavor — smoky, sweet, herbaceous and loaded with personality.

“Many dishes on the menu are vegetable-centric,” said Chef Perry Hoffman, who recently took over as Culinary Director, and created the dish. “The duck is almost an afterthought, but it works perfectly,” he said.

Roasted potatoes at SHED Cafe in Healdsburg, California. Photo: Heather Irwin

It was hard to pick a single favorite dish from Hoffman’s menu, with each course a surprise and delighted featuring root vegetables from nearby farms, fresh herbs and high-end plating, including dry farmed roasted potatoes with garlic aioli, carrot salad with bee balm and yogurt; wild fennel soup with smoked salmon (now off the menu until April) and braised beef cheeks with persimmons.

After multiple courses, I remember getting up from the meal and thinking it was one of the most intriguing and unexpectedly wonderful experiences of the year. Prices range from $9 to $25 for dinner.

Here are some of my other favorite dishes of the year:

hi1215_forkroadhouse_granola — House granola with stewed prunes: Fork Roadhouse

– House granola with stewed prunes: Fork Roadhouse, $$ (9890 Bodega Hwy, Sebastopol, forkcatering.com)

Kobe steak with foie gras butter at Valette in Healdsburg, CA

– Wakame and Ahi tuna, seared Kobe beef with foie gras butter: Valette, $$$ (344 Center St., Healdsburg, valettehealdsburg.com)

Best Sonoma County Restaurant Dishes of 2015: Grits with preserved egg, hen of the woods mushrooms, schmaltz at Bird and The Bottle in Santa Rosa

HI1015_MACCHEESEBB_752587 — “Craft” mac and cheese with mortadella and fried Brussels sprouts: Bird and The Bottle, one of the Best Restaurant Dishes of 2015

– Grits with preserved egg, hen of the woods mushrooms, schmaltz; “craft” mac and cheese with mortadella and fried Brussels sprouts: Bird and The Bottle, $$ (1055 Fourth St., Santa Rosa)

BBQ pork banh mi: Simply Vietnam Express one of the Best Restaurant Dishes of 2015

– BBQ pork banh mi: Simply Vietnam Express, $ (3381 Cleveland Ave., Santa Rosa, simply-vietnam.com)

Bacon scone from Dominique’s Sweets: Franchetti’s Kitchen,one of the Best Restaurant Dishes of 2015

– Bacon scone from Dominique’s Sweets: Franchetti’s Kitchen, $-$$ (1229 Dutton Ave., Santa Rosa)

Mixed mezze platter: Grape Leaf Mediterranean Grill, one of the Best Restaurant Dishes of 2015Mixed mezze platter: Grape Leaf Mediterranean Grill, one of the Best Restaurant Dishes of 2015 — Mixed mezze platter: Grape Leaf Mediterranean Grill, one of the Best Restaurant Dishes of 2015

– Mixed mezze platter: Grape Leaf Mediterranean Grill $-$$ (101 East Cotati Ave., Cotati, grapeleafecafeandgrill.com)

Spleen mousse (served at a special no-waste dinner): Backyard Restaurant, one of the Best Restaurant Dishes of 2015

– Spleen mousse (served at a special no-waste dinner): Backyard Restaurant, $$ (6566 Front St., Forestville, backyardforestville.com)

Ribs, hush puppies, cornbread and Brussels sprouts at KINSmoke, one of the Best Restaurant Dishes of 2015

– Ribs, hush puppies, cornbread and Brussels sprouts at KINSmoke, $$ (304 Center St., Healdsburg, kinsmoke.com)

– Pork belly Yakitori: Ramen Gaijin $$ (6948 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol, ramengaijin.com)

Candy Cap mushroom churros: Sam’s Social Club, one of the Best Restaurant Dishes of 2015

– Candy Cap mushroom churros: Sam’s Social Club, $$ (1712 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga, samssocialclub.com)

BLAT (bacon, lettuce, avocado, tomato): Wishbone,one of the Best Restaurant Dishes of 2015

– BLAT (bacon, lettuce, avocado, tomato): Wishbone, $$ (841 Petaluma Blvd. North, Petaluma, wishbonepetaluma.com)

Short ribs and polenta: Hazel Restaurant, one of the Best Restaurant Dishes of 2015

– Short ribs and polenta: Hazel Restaurant, $$ (3782 Bohemian Hwy., Occidental, restauranthazel.com)

CRUDO_735702 — Tuna crudo at Applewood Restaurant in Guerneville (now closed). Photo: Heather Irwin

hi1215_appetizers_barndiva — Pork belly, mozzarella, and duck confit at Barndiva Bistro in Healdsburg. Photo: Heather Irwin.

hi1215_bankclub_chilepies — Chile Pies’ sweet apple and chile pie with a drizzle of chile-infused honey with Nimble and Finn’s Manhattan (whisky, vermouth and cherry chunks). Photo: Heather Irwin.

hi1215_deldotto_mangalitsa — Mangalitsa charcuterie from Del Dotto Vineyards. Photo: Heather Irwin.

hi1215_drycreekkitchen_dungeness — Dungeness crab salad at Dry Creek Kitchen. Photo: Heather Irwin.

hi1215_frybread_outsidelands — Indian frybread at Outside Lands 2015, one of my favorite dishes of 2015. Photo: Heather Irwin.

hi1215_harvestkitchen_gnocchi — Gnocchi at Charlie Palmer’s Dry Creek Kitchen. Photo: Heather Irwin.

hi1215_pascaline_buns — Kougin amann and French pastry from Pascaline Bakery in Forestville. Photo: Heather Irwin.

hi1215_pastaking_polenta — Polenta with marinara from the Pasta King at the Sonoma County Fair. Photo: Heather Irwin.

hi1215_heritagepublichouse_burrata — Panzanella salad with burrata at Heritage Public House (now closed).

hi1215_hertitagepublichouse_smokedchicken — Smoked chicken with sweet potato smash and collards at Heritage public house (Now closed)

hi1215_personapizza_burrata — Beet, arugula and burrata salad at Persona Pizza

hi1215_quickly_octopus — Octopus skewers and boba tea at Quickly in Santa Rosa. Photo: Heather Irwin.

hi1215_ramengaijin_salad — Smoked whitefish salad at Ramen Gaijin. Photo: Heather Irwin.

hi1215_santarosaseafood_fishtaco — Fish tacos from Santa Rosa Seafood Cafe, a best dish of 2015.

hi1215_seedtruck_chai — Chia parfait from Seed on the Go.

hi1215_shakshouka_goodmans — Shakshouka from Goodman’s Jewish Deli.

hi1215_sitkaspruce_salmon — Ok, its not in Sonoma County, but this dish of smoked salmon and dill at Sitka and Spruce in Seattle was outstanding. Photo: Heather Irwin.

hi1215_sweetts_nachos — They’re not pretty, but dang they were good. BBQ nachos at Sweet T’s in Santa Rosa. Photo: Heather Irwin.

hi2015_eastwest_buns — East meets west in the pastry case at East Wind Bakery in Santa Rosa.

Sonoma County’s Best Restaurant Openings in 2015

December 2015

By Heather Irwin

There’s always a great new restaurant opening somewhere in Sonoma County, and this year was no exception. 2015’s lineup includes Michelin-worthy restaurants, fast-casual pizzerias, a vegetarian drive-thru, barbecue spots galore and even a neo-Jewish/Korean spot. All of these 2015 restaurant openings, however, share one thing in common: Awesomeness.

Here are our favorites of the year.

Amy’s Drive Thru, $

The “healthy” fast food alternative created by Andy and Rachel Berliner of Amy’s Kitchen is focused on an all-vegetarian (and vegan/gluten-free friendly) menu that includes double stack veggie burgers, chili cheese fries, milkshakes, burritos, pizza and salads that are good for the planet and a whole lot better for you than traditional fast food. The most popular item, not surprisingly, is the flagship Amy Burger ($4.29 with cheese), with freshly made buns, onions, lettuce, cheddar cheese, pickles, meatless patties and Fred Jr.’s secret sauce. (Insider info: Fred Jr. and Fred Sr. are the R+D team for Amy’s Kitchen that helped to develop the Amy’s Drive Thru menu.) “It’s fun to look at people’s faces. They’re so happy,” said Rachel Berliner. “This is food that even though it’s meatless, you don’t miss the meat,” she said. The (literally) million dollar question: Where and when will they expand? Judging by the still-lengthy lines at the drive-thru fans are coming back for more, and more, and more. More restaurants are in the works, but no word on exactly when. 58 Golf Course Dr. West, Rohnert Park. Open daily 10a.m. to 10p.m.

Valette, $$$

There’s a reason why people spend hundreds of dollars for a meal — to delight every sense, one at a time. Showcasing the best local products, well-studied technique and creative execution from pan to plate, Valette delivers on that promise. A gathering spot for the who’s who of Healdsburg, this upscale-yet-approachable restaurant is the namesake of Chef Dustin Valette, a longtime Charlie Palmer/Dry Creek Kitchen toque. Dishes are elaborate and carefully thought out to include a mix of textures, flavors, colors and culinary intrigue, so prepared for plenty of surprises. The best bet is to immerse yourself in the chef’s “Trust Me” tasting menu — a guided tour through four (or more) dishes on the menu. At $15 per course, you’ll get the most bang for your buck. 344 Center St., Healdsburg, (707) 473-0946, valettehealdsburg.com. Dinner service daily from 5:30p.m., lunch Friday and Saturday from 11:30a.m. to 2p.m.

Santa Rosa Seafood/Raw Bar, $$-$$$

For seafood in Sonoma County, it’s hard to beat this boat-to-table restaurant. An expansion of Santa Rosa Seafood’s retail shop, this casual cafe serves up destination-worthy fish tacos, fish and chips, and tuna ceviche along with more upscale classic seafood dishes like seafood cioppino, petrel sole piccata, grilled swordfish and North Beach style linguine with clams. This is the kind of fresh seafood you wish you could find at the Coast, but rarely do. Prepare to be hooked at first bite. 946 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa, (707) 579-2085. Open for lunch and dinner Wednesday through Sunday, santarosaseafood.com.

Bird and The Bottle, $$-$$$

Popular Sonoma County restaurateurs Mark and Terri Stark’s newest venture, Bird and The Bottle, is a marriage of East and West brought together by fire and schmaltz. Here, dishes like smoked black cod schmear and chicken skin cracklings fried in chicken fat (schmaltz) with Nashville hot sauce ($4) commingle with congee-style cheese grits, mac and cheese or buttermilk fried chicken. It’s a menu that not everyone gets, but the strange mash-up somehow works, with bold flavors, dishes that take a few risks, yet with the rib-sticking comfort qualities that the Starks’ restaurants have in spades. A great cocktail lineup and $1.5 million interior make it a favorite meet-up spot. 1055 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, (707) 568-4000. Open Sunday-Thursday, 11:30a.m. to 9:30p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11:30a.m. to 10p.m.

Hazel, $$-$$$

Two blisteringly hot wood-fired ovens are the muscle of Jim and Michele Wimborough’s Occidental restaurant, Hazel. Left by the previous owners of long-time French restaurant, Bistro des Copains, the ovens are being pressed into service for everything from house made sourdough loaves to whole braised branzino, perfectly-cooked pizzas, and every so often, pastry chef Michele’s chocolate chip cookies. Already being hailed as a new “West County classic”, the couple have quickly endeared themselves to the community with a mix of Mediterranean and California cuisines. Great weekend brunches as well. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 5p.m. to 10p.m.; brunch 10a.m. to 2p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 3782 Bohemian Hwy, Occidental, (707) 874-6003, restauranthazel.com.

Bistro 100, $$-$$$

Local, comfort classics with a French twist are the signature of this cozy Petaluma bistro. Here, everyone knows everyone or, if they don’t, the bistro tables lend themselves to casual conversation and knowing nods of approval as a lusty plate of short ribs arrives. Most of the food (and wine) is sourced from within 20 miles or less, giving diners a true taste of the bounty of the county. Best bets include mushroom and truffled bruschetta cream canapés and Sonoma County terrine, along with cabernet-braised short ribs. 140 2nd. Suite 100, Petaluma, (707) 981-8228. Open Tuesday through Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for lunch; happy hour 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.; dinner from 5 p.m, bistro100petaluma.com.

Persona Pizza, $

This bespoke fast-casual pizzeria features a small wood-fired oven that cooks your pizza at 800 degrees in about 90 seconds. Created by World Pizza Champion Glenn Cybulski, the dough is hand-stretched to order, and uses “00” Caputo flour (what the pros use). Serious bases of marinara, pesto, “bianca”(olive oil and garlic), and Margherita can be topped with pepperoni, Sopressata, meatball, anchovies, prosciutto, bacon, seasonal local veggies, pine nuts, caramelized onions, arugula, blue cheese and three types of mozzarella. Go for the winner of the World Pizza Competition in Napoli, the Chipotle Chicken, loaded with mozzarella, roasted chicken, chipotle sauce and fresh pico, its a bit gimmicky, but ends up being seriously addictive. OMG burrata salad (that’s fresh mozzarella with creamy ricotta in the middle), beets, arugula and vinaigrette. 701 Fourth St., Santa Rosa.

Dick Blomsters Korean Diner, $-$$

Follow your nose to this funky Korean pop-up where kimchee and KFC (Korean Fried Crack) are served up along with Kobe beef hot dogs (with pickled daikon and kimchee aioli, natch) and short rib mac and cheese. The sign goes up at 5p.m., outside Don Taylor’s Omelette Express after the pancakes and burgers are put away for the day. There are plenty of kid-friendly dishes that make this an experience for the whole family, along with fried PB&J with pop rocks for late-night diners. 112 Fourth St., Santa Rosa,(707) 869-8006. Open Wednesday through Sunday from 5p.m. to 10(ish)p.m., dickblomsters.com.

KinSmoke, Terry’s Southern BBQ, Sauced, Rossi’s 1906, Cochon Volant BBQ Smokehouse, Juicy Pig, $-$$

The new Sonoma aroma might just be wood-smoke and brisket. This year, barbecue restaurants popped up like gophers on a golf course. Turn around and another chef has spent a month in Austin, Texas learning the secrets of barbecue masters, and is now touting his secret sauce and philosophical approach to brisket. Call it an obsession.

With a “non-denominational” approach to regional barbecue, KINSmoke tops our list, featuring everything from St. Louis style pork ribs and Texas links to Alabama white sauce, Carolina mustard sauce and Texas brisket. With a serious approach to sides, they’re the all-around spot to get your ‘cue on, but be forewarned that when the brisket or ribs are gone for the day, they’re gone. 304 Center St., Healdsburg, 473-8440, kinsmoke.com, open daily for lunch and dinner.

The return of Terry’s Southern Barbecue (5979 Commerce Blvd., Rohnert Park) is cause for celebration among its many fans for fall-off-the-bone ribs, hush puppies, catfish and Momma’s Boss Sauce, and sweet peach cobbler. Sauced (151 Petaluma Blvd. South, Petaluma, saucedbbqandsprits.com) has the unicorn of West Coast barbecue, burnt ends, along with a monster-sized sweet potato with pulled pork, bacon, sour cream, chives and pretty much the kitchen sink of other goodies. Glen Ellen Star Chef Ari Weisswasser spent nearly a month in Austin learning the fine art of barbecue and has brought that back to Sonoma’s Rossi’s 1906 with a brand new menu. Working with owner Max Young, they’re calling it “Texas barbecue in a California context,” featuring authentic Texas BBQ with a Cali twist, like brisket and oysters. But its the brisket that Weisswasser has really put his heart and soul into. (401 Grove St., Sonoma, 343-0044, rossis1906.com). Juicy Pig: Recently-opened in Guerneville, with lots of promise from Chef Ruben Gomez. 16440 Fourth St., Guerneville, 604-7120. Newest to the lineup is Texas-style BBQ spot Cochon Volant, where Chef Rob Larman serves up ribs, brisket and pork shoulder sliced by the pound. 18350 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma, 509-5480, cochonvolantbbq.com.

Basilico Cucina Italiana, $$
Just-opened in Santa Rosa, this trattoria is the second from the owners of the critically-acclaimed Cucina Paradiso in Petaluma. Fresh pastas and real-deal Northern Italian entrees that go well beyond the usual spaghetti and meatballs fare. 4776 Sonoma Highway, Santa Rosa, (707) 539-0260.

See the original post on BiteClub Eats here.

12 Delicious Cookie Recipes For the Holidays

December 2015

By Heather Irwin

This is the results of our BiteClub Eats blogger Heather Irwin’s annual cookie contest. See the original post here.

Over seven years of the BiteClub Holiday Cookie Contest, this time of year finds me anchored to my stand mixer, whipping up dozens of recipes submitted by local bakers. I have tested hundreds of recipes, softened hundreds of pounds of butter, bought bag after bag of flour and wound up with a kitchen floor that’s sticky with powdered sugar until mid-May.

I thought maybe I had exhausted every possible version of chocolate chip, ginger, biscotti, thumbprint and caramel-coated cookies, but I was wrong.

This year, I tested about a dozen recipes and carefully considered the taste, the ease of construction and the story behind each one. A panel of friends, family and co-workers helped me select the winner.

The lemon snowflake cookies were standouts because of their unique refreshing quality and the heartfelt story behind Tonia Seidita’s favorite holiday cookie.

Here are some of this year, and previous years’ favorites.

1. Chocolate Crinkles

Kinda like a brownie, kinda like a cookie. Favorite of testers.

2. Jo’s Lemon Snowflake Cookies (Biteclub Holiday Cookie Contest Winner 2015)

A zesty, delicious cookie
Get Recipe (BiteClub Holiday Cookie Contest 2015)

3. World’s Best Sugar Cookie Recipe

So simple, so wonderful.
Get Recipe (BiteClub Holiday Cookie Contest 2015)

4. Yes We P’Can Tarts

Shortbread and pecans. What could go wrong?
Get Recipe (BiteClub Holiday Cookie Contest 2011)

5. Salted Caramel Apple Cookies

First you taste the caramel. Then the apple. Oh man…
Get Recipe (BiteClub Holiday Cookie Contest 2011)

6. Nutella Chocolate Chip Cookies

Nutella is my weakness
Get Recipe (BiteClub Holiday Cookie Contest 2011)

7. Twilight Vampire Cookies

Sexy. Vampiry. Yummy.
Get Recipe (BiteClub Holiday Cookie Contest 2012)

8. Salted Chocolate Chip Cookies

You’ll never look at chocolate chip cookies the same way again
Get Recipe (BiteClub Holiday Cookie Contest 2012)

9. Frank’s Red Hot Potato Chip Cookies

Spicy good.
Get Recipe (BiteClub Holiday Cookie Contest 2012)

10. Bacon Fat Snickerdoodles

Yes, really.

Get Recipe (BiteClub Holiday Cookie Contest 2012)

11.Vegan Butternut Squash Spice Cookie

Nobody puts Butternut in the corner.
Get Recipe (BiteClub Holiday Cookie Contest 2011)

12.Cranberry Orange Gluten Free Cookies

Gluten-free doesn’t have to be dull.
Get Recipe (BiteClub Holiday Cookie Contest 2011)

See Even More Cookie Recipes Here

New Sonoma County Food Truck: Croques and Toques

December 2015

By Heather Irwin

New Sonoma County Food Truck Alert: We’re loving the croquette-concept from Croques and Toques.

Here’s how to get all the flavors of the holiday into one bite: A roasted turkey, gravy, cranberry and mashed potato croquette! If you’ve never had the pleasure of stuffing one of these little fried balls of happiness into your craw, croquettes are crunchy, golfball-sized bites that can be filled with pretty much anything from meat to sweets.

SRJC cooking school alum and chef Andrew Jetson is bringing the croquette to the masses with his new food truck, Croques and Toques. His self-funded venture features these savory holiday feast croquettes ($9 for 5), along with the sweeter spiced sweet potato croquettes (cream cheese and sweet potato mousse, $8).

“They’re kind of a blank canvas,” said Jetson. Which makes sense considering that nearly every culture has some version, from Italy’s arancini to aloo tikka in India.

These tasty croques are super kid-friendly (just keep in mind the innards can be molten hot, so blow on them a little), and a new favorite at local farm markets around the county. Watch for the truck at the Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building farm market on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m to 1 p.m., or follow the truck at croquesandtoques.com.

See the orignial story at BiteClub Eats.

New Sonoma County Food Truck: Croques and Toques

December 2015

By biteclub

Andrew Jetson of Croques and Toques, a food truck in Sonoma County.

New Sonoma County Food Truck Alert: We’re loving the croquette-concept from Croques and Toques.

Holiday croquettes from Croques and Toques, a new food truck in Sonoma County. Photo: Heather Irwin.

Sweet Croquettes from Croques and Toques, a new food truck in Sonoma County. Photo: Heather Irwin.

Noms Brussels sprouts from Croques and Toques in Sonoma County.

“They’re kind of a blank canvas,” said Jetson. Which makes sense considering that nearly every culture has some version, from Italy’s arancini to aloo tikka in India.

Sonoma and Healdsburg named among best US holiday destinations

December 2015

By Pio Valenzuela

Sonoma was ranked among the best holiday towns in the US — Sonoma was ranked 24 out of 25 by Travel + Leisure as one of the country’s best towns for the holidays. Per Travel & Leisure: “While you’re shopping around the town’s plaza for relatives back home, you can admire the holiday window displays, then check out the civilized bottles of olive oil and rare artisanal cheeses at gourmet food market Epicurean Connection.” Keep clicking to see other California towns on the list. (Robbi Pengelly/Index-Tribune)

The magazine, Travel + Leisure, has named two Sonoma County towns, Healdsburg and Sonoma, among the best cities to visit this holiday season. These two towns are part of a 25-city list published by the popular travel magazine, five of which are in California.

Sonoma came in No. 24 on the list, the magazine reasoning, “if holiday stress takes much of the joy out of your world, this quaint wine-country town offers the ultimate antidote.” Travel + Leisure cites the city’s spas as one of its greatest draws, “allowing visitors to relieve their stresses and relax for the holidays. For the best Sonoma has to offer, visit Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa and get rid of every worry. Then, shop at the many stores surrounding the plaza, a true town square and central to downtown Sonoma.”
Healdsburg was ranked 17 out of the 25 top U.S. cities, offering a beautiful plaza in the heart of town. Walk through downtown Healdsburg and discover a variety of shops, tasting rooms and restaurants. The magazine shares how “visitors can bring home culinary gifts from Healdsburg Shed or take home great local wine from one of several wineries.”

Visitors can experience a true Healdsburg holiday through the Dickens Dinner Series at the Madrona Manor, “one of their biggest holiday traditions… featuring lobster shepherd’s pie and Christmas puddings that would make even Scrooge smile.”

To see all California cities listed, see gallery above.

View the original list here, and tell us your favorite holiday memories in Sonoma or Healdsburg in the comments.

Top 100 Wines: Dessert & Late Harvest

December 2015

By Sonoma Magazine Staff

Sonoma Cutrer Vineyards
2013 Late Harvest Chardonnay
$36
Best of Show Dessert/Late Harvest wine at the North Coast Wine Challenge, it’s sumptuous and sweet, with pear, spiced apple, peach and
honey flavors. (LM)

Imagery Estate Winery
2014 Upper Ridge Pine Mountain-Cloverdale Peak Muscat Canelli
$26
Floral and delicately sweet — approximately 3 percent residual sugar — this wine has ripe pear and apple flavors, a dollop of honey and mouthwatering acidity that makes it ideal for light fruit desserts and mild cheeses. (LM)

J. Rickards Winery
NV Los Niños Perdidos Fortified Red Blend Alexander Valley
$22
This dessert wine is juicy and sweet, black as night in color, and with Zinfandel-like hints of ripe, cooked plum, blackberry and black pepper.
It’s a good match for cigars after dinner. (VB)

Pedroncelli Winery
2009 Dry Creek Valley Four Grapes Vintage Port
$20
The name refers to the traditional Port varieties Tinta Madeira, Tinta Cao, Touriga Nacional and Souzao planted on the Geyserville estate. Wild berry, cherry liqueur, toffee, dark chocolate and baking spice mark this rich, potent dessert wine. (LM)

Top 100 Wines: Other Reds

December 2015

By Sonoma Magazine Staff

Devil Proof
2012 Farrow Ranch Alexander Valley Malbec
$80
A small-production wine from winemaker Jesse Katz, previously of Lancaster Estate and Roth, this is a rare example of the variety’s ability to thrive when planted in the right place. Built to age, it offers concentrated layers of wild blackberry and truffle, soft tannins and balancing acidity. (VB)

Imagery Estate Winery
2012 Sonoma Valley Barbera
$39
Rounded, silky tannins and voluptuous dark cherry and berry fruit make it a pleasure to drink. Just 600 cases were made and the wine sold out after it won the Best of Show Red award at the North Coast Wine Challenge. Look for the 2013 vintage in spring 2016. (LM)

Marimar Estate
2011 Don Miguel Vineyard Russian River Valley Syrah-Tempranillo
$45
This marriage of 80 percent Syrah and 20 percent Tempranillo from a cool climate offers white pepper and wild anise aromas and layers of blueberry, game meat and more of that pepper, succulent and savory at the same time. (VB)

Muscardini Cellars
2010 Sonoma County Tesoro Red
$49
A robust blend of Sangiovese, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, it’s structured and high-toned, with herbal cherry, raspberry, cigar box and
peppery spice. It’s enjoyable now and has the bones to get better with time in the bottle. (VB)

Trione Vineyards & Winery
2011 Henry’s Blend Alexander Valley Red Wine
$54
Named for winery founder Henry Trione, who died this year at 94, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec is balanced, supple and nicely integrated, with bright cherry, cassis and plum flavors and firm tannins for cellaring. (LM)

Top 100 Wines: Rosé

December 2015

By Sonoma Magazine Staff

Balletto Vineyards & Winery
2014 Russian River Valley Rosé of Pinot Noir
$18
Fresh strawberry aromas and flavors dominate this very fruity wine, which also has bright citrus and spice notes, finishing soft and juicy. Best of Show Rosé, North Coast Wine Challenge. (LM)

Charles Heintz Vineyards
Russian River Valley Rosé of Pinot Noir
$19
A lovely wine with juicy strawberry and watermelon aromas and flavors, and with a gentle citrus tang. It’s crisp and refreshing enough for
sipping on a warm afternoon or evening, and also has a subtle tannic bite that makes it a fine partner with food. (LM)

Kokomo Winery
Pauline’s Vineyard Dry Creek Valley
Grenache Rosé
$24
A consistent favorite of Grenache-based rosé fans, this stainless steel-fermented wine has juicy strawberry and watermelon flavors, supported
by lithe texture and minerality. (VB)

Lynmar Estate
2014 Russian River Valley Rosé of Pinot Noir
$20
This crisply complex rosé is spring-like and fresh in pineapple and strawberry, a snapshot of dried herb on the back palate. Structured and
dry, it has enough body to stand up to a range of foods, and should be enjoyed accordingly. (VB)

Pedroncelli Winery
2014 Dry Creek Valley Dry Rosé of Zinfandel
$12
With strawberry and cherry flavors that are lipsmacking yet remarkably dry (as in not sweet), this fun-to-drink wine shows Zinfandel’s spiciness and vibrant fruit flavor. It’s utterly delicious and a tremendous deal. (LM)

Tex Wasabi’s Reopens in Santa Rosa

December 2015

By biteclub

Guy Fieri’s downtown Santa Rosa restaurant, Tex Wasabi’s (515 4th St Santa Rosa, 707-544-8399) has reopened after a brief closure.

The celebrity chef’s “rock-n-roll sushi barbecue” joint closed unexpectedly in mid-November citing plumbing issues. Pamela Spiegel, a representative for the restaurant confirmed that “after a brief closing for repairs, the restaurant has reopened.” No further details were given.

The closure was the second since its opening in 1999. Housed in a historic block of in downtown Santa Rosa, the restaurant closed for 19 months after a ruptured sewer pipe resulted in severe water damage to the restaurant in 2009. Tex Wasabi’s reopened in 2011 with significant interior upgrades.

A second Sacramento-based Tex Wasabi’s restaurant closed in 2013. Guy Fieri operates two Johnny Garlic’s restaurants in Sonoma County, as well as restaurants in New York City, Baltimore, Atlantic City and Las Vegas.