Downtown Santa Rosa restaurant, California Thai quietly shuttered in January 2013 on the heels of several other Brickyard Center closures including Sapporo and Mister Hof Brau. But new signs of life abound on Seventh St. as California Thai 2 opened in the space next to recently-opened Haku Sushi. It’s worth mentioning that nearby Ganesha (535 Ross St.) has been plugging along for more than a year with one of the best lunchtime Indian buffets around. Chef Pramal Nakarmi has gained a loyal local following with made-to-order naan, flavorful tandoori and a spicy goa fish curry.
‘Wich Hunt at Battle of the Brews
Which ‘wich will win? The Second Annual ‘Wich Hunt sandwich competition — a sandwich cook-off for Sonoma County’s top toques — happens next Saturday, April 6 at the Battle of the Brews’ Craft Cup. Competing fat Grace Pavillion for the title of Best in Class Sandwich are dozens of restaurants including La Rosa Tequileria, Backyard, Kin Windsor, Jackson’s Bar and Oven, Monti’s, John Ash & Co, Zin, Healdsburg Bar and Grill, Kettle’s Vietnamese Bistro and many others. The exclusive pre-Battle event also includes tastings of craft brews and tasting of all the sandwich competitors.
For details and tickets: BattleoftheBrews.com.
Support Local Food with your Donations
FarmShorts, a local group documenting the North Bay food movement, its farmers and producers is nearly a third of its way toward raising $15,000 to fund its ongoing video project. Headed by local entrepreneur Kala Philo, FarmShorts aims to create 15 professional videos showcasing the food movement at its source. You can help with their crowd-funding effort at farmshorts.com.
Meanwhile, Sonoma cheesemaker and Epicurean Connection owner Sheana Davis is facing some ongoing medical challenges. Friends have set up the website sheanadavisfund.com to allow supporters in the food community and beyond to donate to her hospital bills.
Martin Yan opening a restaurant in Santa Rosa?
UPDATE 3/22/13
Wine Country is still abuzz at the news that M.Y. China’s Martin Yan has filed for a business license in Sonoma County. Though company spokesfolks aren’t confirming the news, rumors abound that Yan is looking at the forthcoming Graton Resort & Casino as a possibility.
Under construction in Rohnert Park, the upscale casino is promising four fine dining establishments and locals in the know say the offerings should be pretty impressive and have confirmed that the casino was in talks with Yan and a number of other high-profile restaurateurs. With plans for more than just gambling, including headlining concerts and events, and additional nine quick-serve eateries and close proximity to the new Green Music Center at Sonoma State (host to both classical and contemporary live music), it’s no wonder Yan and others may be eager to head north.
Yan Can Wine Country?
Rumor has it Martin Yan may be pondering a move north. After opening M.Y. China in San Francisco’s Westfield Centre last December to solid reviews, the buzz around Santa Rosa is that he’s looking for a second location in Wine Country.
Chris Smith says Yan has filed for a ficticious business name in Sonoma County in reporting the story.
Fueling the fire: Hints on Yan’s Facebook page that something big is in the works and a picture of Santa Rosa’s own cheflebrity Guy Fieri pulling noodles at the restaurant yesterday.
A collaboration in the works?
Speakeasy – Petaluma
Working in restaurants is a hungry business. Despite being surrounded by food, most kitchen staff and servers leave their jobs hungry, tired and ready for a beer at 10 p.m. or so — just about the time most eateries shutter in Sonoma County. Serving the county’s late night cravings with Lobster and Bacon Mac, the egg-topped Croque Madame, Sweet and Spicy Pork Belly and Wild Salmon Tacos is Speakeasy
Open from 5p.m. to 2 a.m., the tiny bar and dining room has quickly become a late-night hangout not only for industry folks, but also for barflies and revelers looking for a post-party nosh.
The tapas-style menu covers all the bases — from creamy asparagus soup with tarragon creme fraiche ($6) to butternut squash and goat cheese panini (with crispy pork belly, $13), vegan tahini burgers with hand-cut fries ($9), spring Pea and mushroom risotto ($10), chicken Paillard with citrus caper butter ($13), the signature lobster mac (which may run out, so order early, $13) and the smoked ham, cheese and fried egg sandwich with Mornay sauce (croque Madame, $11).
Don’t miss the Jalapeno Firecrackers ($8) which come with a verbal warning: Apparently the heat level is variable and you never know what you’ll get. Unpredictable vegetables, those jalapenos. Avocado puree and a ready glass of milk help mitigate the fear factor.
Also worth the trip is Orange-Tea infused creme brulee ($6) with cookies. So now you know where to go to quell your 1a.m. munchie-attack with a nice pork belly taco and sweet and spicy chicken wings. You’re welcome.
Speakeasy, 139 Petaluma Blvd North, Suite B, Petaluma
Artisan Cheese Festival
Follow your nose to Petaluma’s final day of the 2013 Artisan Cheese Festival and the marketplace of more than 70 cheese makers, wineries and breweries offering up their wares from noon to 4p.m, Sunday March 24, 2013. The big top event at the Petaluma Sheraton also includes plenty of chef demos, book signings and shoulder-rubbing with the cultured culturers. Tickets $45 at the door, 745 Baywood Dr., Petaluma.
Art’s Place – Rohnert Park
The King of Comfort Food at Art’s Place in Rohnert Park.
It’s fair-time all year long at Pasta King Art Ibleto’s new Rohnert Park restaurant.
His signature Sonoma County fair favorites — baked polenta with cheese and marinara ($9), half and half spaghetti (pesto and marinara, Art’s most popular fair food), Parmesan truffle fries ($6) and Caesar salads ($7) are all on the menu every day at Art’s Place. The restaurant is a joint venture with friends and family.
The opening menu also includes sandwiches, burgers and paninis along with a full page of wood-fired pizzas ($7 to $20).
Wine and beer on tap plus (we hear) a killer puff pastry apple torte a la mode ($7) we missed on our first visit. Second time’s a charm, right?
Art’s Place, 563 Rohnert Park Expressway, Rohnert Park, (707) 588-2787).
Oh snap! La Toque sued for serving foie gras
Napa’s La Toque restaurant, which has been a vocal opponent of the foie gras ban, is being sued by the Animal Legal Defense Fund in Napa County Superior court for serving foie gras.
According to the Napa Vally Register, the Michelin-starred restaurant “routinely sells foie gras products,” in violation of the 2012 ban which prohibits the sale of poultry products in which the animal has been force fed, a practice called gauvage.
Their part, executive chef Ken Frank says he does not sell the foie gras, but instead gives it away to customers who request it as part of their meal.
See more online at the Napa Valley Register…
Bianchini’s to open in Santa Rosa
It seems like the Big Salad fad hit the skids about the same time as Rollerblades and Magic Eye pictures — with only the Caesar and Chinese chicken surviving into the new millennium
The good news: Bianchini’s is bringing ’em back. The gourmet sandwich and salad market lets you craft a salad on the fly with a variety of toppings and dressings done your way. They’ve also got more than a dozen specialty sandwiches and other lunchtime goodies as well as a grab-and-go section.
They’re headed to Santa Rosa (in the former Baja Fresh on Mendocino) in the coming weeks. Their first Sonoma County location has been a popular noontime escape in Petaluma.
In SR, they’ll find plenty of competition from nearby Ike’s Place and Panera Breads as well as neighbors Five Guys and Panda Express, but who can resist a Big Salad?
2240 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa.
Haute Vegan Dinner at Tierra Vegetables
Santa Rosa produce paladins Tierra Vegetables and Chalk Hill Cookery are collaborating on a six-course vegan meal at the Tierra Vegetables Farm, Saturday March 23 at 6pm.
Chef Matteo Silverman turns humble produce, heirloom beans, and cornmeal grown on the farm into you’ll-never-miss-the-meat dishes like thyme-scented cashew cheese ravioli, butternut squash chowder with fire-roasted chile, spring lettuces with hickory-smoked olives, red polenta with shiitake mushroom ragù, and chocolate almond brownies with Meyer lemon nectar.
The cost is $65, some of which will benefit the White Barn project. Bring your own wine, beer, or other beverage. Reservations are required as seating is limited to about 50 people. Details online, 707-837-8366.