Torc, a new American restaurant in downtown Napa, opened in early December 2013. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the opening dishes. Stay tuned for other menu items including Dungeness crab with Buddha’s hand, artichoke soup, roasted beet salad, Liberty Duck agnolotti, pork with cheddar grits, Pacific sablefish and sweet and sour baked Rancho Gordo beans.
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On Dec. 5, 86 Sonoma County restaurants will donate up to 50% of their food sales to Food For Thought, Sonoma County AIDS Food Bank. The national night of dining out benefits local AIDS/HIV-focused non-profits. All you have to do? Eat out. A list of participating restaurants in Sonoma County is available at diningoutforlife.com/sonomacounty/restaurants.
So the new chef at the Hyatt Vineyard Creek isn’t exactly new. In fact, Liz Ozanich was actually one of the opening chefs for the Hyatt Vineyard Creek Inn’s restaurant, when it opened as Brasserie de la Mer in 2007. She replaces Richard Whipple, who left the restaurant in October. The new menu is in the works, and will likely take a couple of months to be fully established. BiteClub looks forward to seeing what’s new, but sheds a tiny tear for the loss of Whipple’s amazing Swedish cream cannolis.
Pescatarians rejoice! Healdsburg’s Spoonbar will once again celebrate the sea with The Feast of the Seven Fishes Wednesday December 18th through Christmas eve. This traditional Italian-American holiday, usually observed on the 24th, typically features seven seafood dishes on the Catholic holy night (when meat is verboten). Maldonado is taking this often-humble celebration to the next level by flying in fresh fish from Japan’s famed Tsukiji market.
Among the, ahem, fintastic dishes being served by Chef Louis Maldonado: Oyster panna cotta with trout roe, sea urchin tartlets, abalone roasted in seaweed butter, cold smoked yellow fin tuna, big fin squid salad, roasted crab bouillon, hamachi collar, clam fritters and of course plenty of clams.
Each of the dinners (which can include special wine pairings) is $75 and reservations are required. 219 Healdsburg Ave. at Mill St., Healdsburg, (707) 433-7222.
BiteClub’s plotzing about Hanukkah dinner at Backyard Restaurant in Forestville. The four course meal, which happens on Wednesday, Dec. 4, includes latkes, halibut quenelles (way better than gefilte fish!), matzoh ball soup, brisket, farro-stuffed pumpkins and a few more surprises including guest chef Josh Silvers joining exec chef Daniel Kedan in the kitchen. Reservations recommended. 6566 Front St., Forestville, (707) 820-8445.
Rumors have been flying for months about Napa chef Darren McRonald taking over the now-shuttered Three Squares (formerly the much-lauded Syrah) in Santa Rosa.
Until yesterday, owner Josh Silvers has been tight-lipped about the changeover, but an ABC “change of ownership” sign went up this week under the business name The Pullman Kitchen.
Silvers now confirms the potential owner is McRonalds but says nothing has been finalized. McRonald has been a fixture in several of Napa chef Cindy Pawlcyn’s restaurants including St. Helena’s Wood Grill and Bar (formerly Brassica) and Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen, along with the now-shuttered West County Grill in Sebastopol and Chez Panisse in Berkeley.
Popular Napa chef, Sean O’Toole opens the doors to Torc on Monday, Nov. 25, ending more than a year of speculation as to who would go into the former vegetarian restaurant/yoga studio, Ubuntu. Biteclub’s a big fan of O’Toole, who has roots in Sonoma County, and has cooked at a number of high-profile Bay Area restaurants including SF’s Cotogna and Quince and Napa Valley’s Bardessono and Hopper Creek Kitchen.
We’re especially excited to hear about his plans to showcase finds from superstar forager Connie Green (a Good Food Award nominee and author of “The Wild Table”) on his menu. His opening lineup includes Bengali Sweet Potato Pakora with Yogurt-Truffle Dip ($5), Violet Artichoke Soup with Chanterelle Mushrooms, Mint and Lemon ($10), Jamón Ibérico with Grilled Garlic Crouton ($15), Dungeness Crab Salad with Buddha Hand, Satsuma Mandarin, Avocado and Herb Salad ($14), Housemade Strozzapreti with Pecorino Romano, Tellicherry Pepper and Dino Kale ($13), Hudson Ranch Heritage Pork with Cheddar Grits, Collard Greens and Mustard Sauce ($25) and Roasted Chicken for Two with Black Spice, Coconut Rice and Spicy Bok Choy ($41). Dessert includes items like Mt. Tam Cheese with Piment D’Espelette Marmalade and Pickled Chanterelles ($6) and Napa Meyer Lemon Tart with Smoked Hazelnut Ganache and Sable Breton ($9).
Insiders say not much has been done to the chic space since its Ubuntu days, including the open kitchen and soaring 30 foot ceilings. The former yoga studio has been converted to a private dining area.
The curious name, Torc, pays homage to O’Toole’s Celtic roots, meaning “boar” in Gaelic. But to the chef, it’s an emblem of convivial feasting and hospitality. The restaurant will open for dinner only from 5:30 to 9p.m. daily, with brunch service starting in January.
1140 Main St. at Pearl St., Napa, (707) 252-3292. torcnapa.com.
The poor Tofurky. The football shaped loaf of tofu has been a running joke at Thanksgiving tables for years. Tofu instead of turkey? As if.
Thing is, you’d be hard-pressed to find an omnivore who’s ever tasted one. So BiteClub took on the challenge of cooking up the odd blob of tofu and spices with a rice and stuffing surprise in the middle. With Tofurky gravy. First off, it cooks up in about 90 minutes in a casserole dish to which you add carrots, onions and potatoes. Baste with some olive oil, soy sauce and dried sage. The scent is heavenly, and in the time it takes to get old Tom turkey dressed, seasoned and trussed, Thanksgiving is served.
Our unofficial taste test results: It’s pretty darn good. In fact, moister than a lot of turkey breasts I’ve had. The flavor is true to the traditional holiday bird, although there’s a definite “tofu” aftertaste. It’s a reasonable alternative if you’re cutting back on your animal proteins, can’t cook worth a darn (it’s pretty foolproof) or just want something a little different this year.
At least one reprieved turkey will thank you.
Available in the freezer section of most grocery stores.
Mariah Roat, 22, is in the fight of her life, facing Stage 4 colon cancer. The La Rosa Tequileria and Grill employee has garnered the support of La Rosa and many of the North Bay’s restaurant industry folks for a massive fundraiser on Nov. 21, 2013 from 11am Thursday to 2am Friday. During that time, 100% of sales, tips, donations and prayers received go directly to Mariah.
In addition, the restaurant will hold a silent auction from 4-8pm featuring luxury items and from local vendors including:
* Spa treatments for two and room stay at The Meritage Spa and Resort Napa
* Golf for four at Foxtail Course and Patron Golf bag
* 4 night stay at private home on Catalina Island
* Pearls gifted by E.R. Sawyer
* Camping gear provided by Marmot
* Snowboards, gear and lift tickets to Sugar Loaf
* Exclusive private taste pairings and winery tours by Portalupi Wines, Stag’s Leap, Chateau St. Jean and more
* Lash Extension Set by LashOut!
* Wine Paired Chef Dinner for 12 in Stark’s Steak House Wine Cellar
* Exclusive Signed Tequila Ambassador Book by Tomas Estes
* La Rosa Tequila Dinner Tickets
* La Rosa Bottle Service Package
The restaurant will feature special menu items along with live music in their upstairs lounge.
500 Fourth St., Santa Rosa.
Can’t make it in person? Donate online.
