Page 494 – Sonoma Magazine

Feedback on July/August 2014 issue

August 2014

By Sonoma Magazine Staff

From left: Bob and Delores Allen and Kathy and Chris Cutshall, the parents of Jason Allen and Lindsay Cutshall, on Tuesday visit the bluff overlooking the beach north of Jenner where their children were murdered ten years ago. (Kent Porter, file)

Our reader feedback this issue comes from the online conversation started by a particularly powerful story. A devout young couple from the Midwest were murdered on a Jenner beach 10 years ago in a haunting crime that remains unsolved. Our story, “Lost & Found,” detailed their parents’ search for understanding and evoked these strong responses from readers.

On Lost & Found

Jason Allen, 26, and Lindsay Cutshall, 22, took this photo of themselves days before they were found shot to death in August of 2004 on Fish Head Beach near Jenner.

Terri DuVal Riffle: Thank you for this article. We must always keep the memory of Lindsay and Jason alive. It is so good to know the Sonoma County detectives are actively working the case.

SRmom: I have thought about this crime off and on for 10 years. My heart goes out to these families and I pray that this cowardly murderer is caught and brought to justice. And I’m glad that law enforcement is diligent in solving this terrible crime. God knows who did this and everything is in His timing, not ours. Excellent article, compassionate and informative.

Jane: The father’s immediate reaction to his child’s death stunned me. It is not normal, even for a very religious person to behave the way he did. Any normal parent who believes in God would be devastated by that tragic news. I doubt if believing in a god had anything to do with this father’s view. God did not take their child from them: She was killed. Perhaps the father just couldn’t accept her death and dealt with it in his own way by denying it?

Kathy Cutshall (mom): My husband was in no way glad when he heard that our daughter was murdered. Our grief is so great that you could never imagine unless this happened to you. … He merely stated that he would rather know that she was safe in heaven than suffering at the hands of some crazy person. We know that we will be safe in heaven when we die. … Too bad that bothers some of you, because some day the truth will be known to you as well. Well written, Jeremy Hay.

mattnorcal: I thought the suspect in this case died in a shootout with cops in Nevada? Another rumor was that the guy who did this killed himself shortly after the crime. Either way, it’s sad that in today’s society we can’t even go sleep on the beach. …

Mary: I cannot believe it has been 10 years since these horrible, puzzling murders. Deep Peace to the victims’ families.

Immortal Illumined: Every time I go to the ROCK I think about them. How can we not find the killer?

Jane: The more I see this couple’s picture, the sadder I become. They look very happy and had everything to live for and the hope of a fabulous future together. Our northern coastal areas can be the most romantic place to be, especially when you are young and in love. Scary thought that there are brutal killers out there.

Santa Rosa Mom: I, too, still think of this story often. I do hope that the police find the person(s) who killed this beautiful couple. Back in the day, I always suspected that it may have been some gang initiation.

****

Chanell Adamson and her daughter, Tilly, 3 (photos by Chris Hardy)

Also in the July/August was a feature on Glamping, aka Glamour camping. Here is what readers had to say about that.

On Glamping

Jennifer Wagers: Give me the good ole way any day over glamping. Much better. Just my opinion. If you’re outdoors enjoying with others then it’s great any way. 🙂

Dennis Penny: I’m strictly old-school, I guess. If I’m going camping, I’m pitching a tent and truly camping, not this glamping nonsense. lol

Stephanie Merrida-Grant: We were die-hard dirt campers, but with three small children, we were limited to spring and summer camping. As a mom, I felt guilty taking my kids on off season camping trips in a tent. We bought a deluxe tent trailer with heated mattresses and a heater. … We love our new accommodations and the seasonal versatility we now have. We just returned from a monthlong adventure that took us to Zion National Park, the Grand Canyon and several sights along the way. There’s nothing sweeter than the memories we build and cherish together. …

Wine Country Weekend 2014

August 2014

By biteclub

Wine Country Weekend brings out the party in everyone

Sonoma County is no slouch when it comes to putting on world-class events. But the one that’s on everyone’s annual to-do: Wine Country Weekend.

The three-day event starts with winemaker dinners and barbecues throughout the county and a gala dinner at Francis Ford Coppola Winery on Friday, August 29 from 6:30 to 10p.m. Locals know that the poolside stage and million-dollar vineyard views make this Geyserville destination worth the drive, but with Chef John Toulze of the girl & the fig in the kitchen and more than 25 wineries pouring, this kick-off sets the tone for a weekend of indulgence.

Saturday’s Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Ranch is gastro-overload with 65 restaurants and more than 150 wineries sampling gourmet bites with Sonoma’s best wines. Let’s just say you have to work very, very hard to get to even half of the goodies on hand. Other Saturday events include wine and food pairings with Kendall Jackson, wine tours with Sonoma’s Sommelier Stars, a self-guided tour of the MacMurray estate, a Steel Chef competition (BiteClub will be judging!) and plenty of bubbly in the Bubble Lounge.

If you’re still able to stand upright by Sunday, the Sonoma Harvest Wine Auction raises some serious cheddar (last year it was $700,000) for literacy, mentoring, health and housing, arts and nutritional programs right here in Sonoma County. Auction items include an 82-bottle collection of iconic Sonoma County wines, a luxury tour of Hong Kong with winemaker Jean-Charles Boisset, a once-in-a-lifetime vertical tasting of exclusive Sonoma County pinot noirs and a private fly-fishing excursion at the ultra-exclusive Teller Wildlife Refuge in Montana.

Details and tickets online at sonomawinecountryweekend.com.

Ramen Gaijin Pop Up

August 2014

By biteclub

Donburi at Ramen Gaijin, a new pop-up ramen bar. Photo stolen from the Ramen Gaijin Faceboook Page.

Okay, so I almost don’t want to tell anyone about the ramen pop-up, Ramen Gaijin, happening on selected Mondays at Woodfour Brewing (6780 Depot St, Sebastopol, at the Barlow). Almost.

But we’re so starved for good ramen in the North Bay, that word-of-mouth is traveling fast and BiteClubbers just gotta be in on it.

In July, Chefs Moishe Hahn-Schuman and Matthew Williams quietly started a every-other-week slurp-n-burp shindig featuring incredible bowls of handmade ramen with pork belly, bonito flakes, mushrooms, and lightly poached eggs. To boot, the curated menu also includes karaage (Japanese fried chicken) or donburi, an Asian-inspired salad and sorbet with yuzu curd, depending on the chefs’ whims.

They sold out the first two, and are expecting a fairly large crowd this Monday, for the third edition, which runs from 5:30 to 10p.m. (first come, first served with the waiting list opening at 4:30p.m).

But these ramen boys are just warming up, with another Ramen Gaijin slated for Sept. 8 at Woodfour, and are in the midst of planning several others at Sebastopol’s Forchetta and SHED in Healdsburg.

I’ll have more details and some mouth-watering pix next week (in addition to some details on some, but meantime, you can get this week’s menu and more details online at facebook.com/RamenGaijin.

BBQ Spot Coming to Downtown Santa Rosa

August 2014

By biteclub

Favorite BBQ comes closer to ma mouf — The BBQ Spot will move to Downtown Santa Rosa later this year

CLOSED

Lots of folks buzzing about the news that BBQ Spot, the hugely popular barbecue restaurant on Santa Rosa Ave., will be moving its operations to The Brickyard Center in downtown Santa Rosa.

The ‘cue joint will take up residence at the long-empty Mister Hof-Brau (which closed in 2012) by late fall.

Owners say they’ve outgrown their tiny—and we mean tiny—storefront they’ve occupied since 2011. Fans line up for their brisket and ribs, which some days sells out by late afternoon.

Want to get your fix before the move? Head to 3448 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa, 585-2616.

Park 121 After Hours at Cornerstone

August 2014

By biteclub

Park 121 After Hours Kitchen opens at Cornerstone gardens in Sonoma

CLOSED

I’ve never quite known what to make of Sonoma Valley’s Cornerstone gardens.

Part art installation, part wine tasting room hub, part garden and part restaurant, it’s an amazing Wine Country destination that’s finally finding its groove. T

his week, Chef Bruce Riezenman of Santa Rosa’s Park Avenue Catering opens Park 121 After-Hours Pizza and Empanada Kitchen at the gardens.

The walk-up eatery will be open from 4p.m. to 7p.m.(ish) Thursday through Sundays through October. And if you’re wondering how 7p.m. is actually “after hours”, remember we’re in Wine Country, where many wineries are dark by 4:30p.m. Reisenman runs Park 121 cafe, grill and market daily from 10a.m. to 5p.m. at the gardens.

23584 Arnold Drive, Hwy 121, Sonoma.

Event: Taste of Petaluma

August 2014

By biteclub

The 9th annual Taste of Petaluma kicks off on Saturday, Aug. 23 with more than 50 restaurants, chefs, food purveyors, wineries and breweries taking part.

Every year, BiteClub gets a taste of something new happening in southern Sonoma County at this event, and this year is no exception. We’re especially excited about newcomers Free Range Provisions & Eats, Red Boy Pizza, Secret Kitchen (a Biteclub fave!), Native Kitchen, Jezebel Donuterie, Roast and Vine, Thistle Meats and Zodiac.

Sheesh, where was I when all these new spots opened? Get your taste of Petaluma from 11:30a.m. to 4p.m., $40, details at tasteofpetaluma.org.

Event: Farm to Fermentation Festival

August 2014

By biteclub

Farm to Fermentation Festival August 22, 2015

Farm to Fermentation Festival Sunday, August 24, 2014

We’re gaga for fermented foods—meaning everything from chocolate, wine, cheese, beer, pickles, to lesser known goodies like water kefir, kombucha and beet kvass.

Which is why we’re always first in line at the annual Farm to Fermentation Festival (Aug. 24, 11a.m. to 5p.m.) organized by the always-incredible fermentation-cheerleader Jennifer Harris.

This year’s event includes a DIY pickle station, fermented root beer float bar, a kraut-off, cheese pairing with Madame de Fromage, 20-plus classes and 45 vendors (including beer, hard cider and mead-tasting).

Get the details and tickets online at farmtofermentation.com. Santa Rosa Finley Community Center, 2060 W. College Ave., Santa Rosa.

Best Noshes of Outside Lands

August 2014

By biteclub

Sure it’s a music festival if epic proportions–but here food is just as much the star. Hundreds of eating opportunities, a GastroMagic performance stage pairing entertainment acts with local chefs (Big Freedia and beignets was the standout) plus craft beers, wine and just about anything else u can cram in your maw.

Best foods of outside lands
(Stay tuned for more updates)

1. Guittard liquid chocolate bars: warm milk chocolate spooned up with chocolate chips. CHocolands

2. Bacon flight on a stick: 5 strips if heirloom bacon (all different producers) crispy and delicious. Baconlands

3. Rich Table: Porcini donuts with raclette: not what u expect. Fried donut chunks with a warm cheese dipping sauce. Near cheese lands

4 wise sons deli, pastrami 19 sandwich: may have missed the boat not getting the pastrami sandwich fries. But no dissapointment with one of the best Sammies in memory. Ecolands

5. Pacific catch: Ahi tuna poke: perfect nosh for days end. Polo fields

6. Nombe ramen burger: fried ramen noodles replace the bun. Inside: a pork belly and beef burger with blue cheese and mushrooms. Agggghhhhh as Homer Simpson would say. Polo fields

7. Crispy Brussels sprouts with sweet Maple sauce, American grilled cheese kitchen. Polo fields

Bistro Ralph Ends Brunch. Nothing Else.

August 2014

By biteclub

Rumors that longtime Healdsburg restaurant Bistro Ralph was, gasp, closing have turned out to be, as author Mark Twain would say, “greatly exaggerated”.

What is true: The restaurant has ended its Sunday brunch from 10a.m. to 3p.m. as of July 27 (and are closed all day Sunday). The good news: Your chicken paillard and chicken livers are are still being served all day long, from 11:30a.m. to close. Phew. 109 Plaza St., Healdsburg.

GastroMagic and other food awesomeness at Outside Lands

August 2014

By biteclub

This weekend’s Outside Lands music, food and art festival (aka BiteClub’s favorite two days of non-stop noshing) is upping its foodie game this year. Not that it really needed to.

This incubator of fun, funky and insanely creative ideas in gastronomy hosts nearly 75 restaurant pop-ups, 9 food trucks, dessert-centric Chocolands and the new “Cheeselands”.

What we’re especially stoked for, however, is GastroMagic, a ridonculous lineup of amazing chefs (Chris Cosentino of Incanto, Boccalone, Brandon Jew of Bar Agricole, Kim Alter of Plum, Christopher Kostow of Meadowood, etc.) paired with acts like twerk-diva Big Freedia throwing beignets to the crowd, competing butchers breaking down a pig while dancers break dance on stage, a discussion of Mezcal with a troupe of limbo-ing mambo dancers, restaurateurs from Rich Table doing a Medieval-themed round table, and some of the Bay Area’s best chefs reading their worst restaurant reviews. Kinda perfect if you ask us.

Other highlights of the eating weekend ahead: 4505 Meats’ chicarrones; Gilroy garlic mac and cheese (Homeroom), braised collard greens from Southpaw BBQ and Southern Cooking, spun cotton candy bouquets from Sugar and Spun, pastrami cheese fries from Wise Sons Deli, Ramen Burgers (Nambe), Dried Porcini donuts at Rich Table, along with Humphrey Slocombe Ice Cream and sleeping on the lawn with a glass of Claypool Cellars rose in one hand and a Sonoma Cider in the other. SFOutsidelands.com. Stay tuned for updated photos, live updates and my foodie quest throughout the weekend at BiteClubEats.com.