You’ll be shaken and stirred at Straight Up! A vodka cocktail competition and tasting on March 8, 2012.
Charbay Family Distillery, area restaurants and expert mixologists from Cyrus, Farmstead, John Ash, Rocker Oysterfellers and Sonoma Meritage will team up to see who’s martini reigns supreme.
The $20.00 guest ticket price includes admission, appetizers, live entertainment, and two drink tasting tickets. You will be asked to cast your ballot for your two favorite cocktails. the event benefits Literacyworks.
Dress “Madmen” cocktail chic or just cocktail appropriate.
Writer Calvin Trillin may be best known for his humorous takes on current events in the New Yorker and the Nation, but serious eaters know him for his trilogy of food books, American Fried; Alice, Let’s Eat and Third Helpings.
Trillin joins KQED host Michael Krasny in conversation Sunday, March 11 at the French Garden in Sebastopol. The evening includes a champagne reception, gourmet dinner and the two speakers, beginning at 5pm. Tickets at seb.org or by calling 823-1511.
Cyrus chef Douglas Keane was among the chefs and celebs invited to celebrate boxer Muhammad Ali’s 70th birthday last weekend in Scottsdale, Arizona.
On the guest list: Andre Agassi, Lance Armstrong, Mia Hamm, Tony Hawk, Steffi Graf, Warrick Dunn and Alonzo Mourning. Keane and several other celebrity chefs were invited to the Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Spa and Resort for an Iron Chef competition that paired up the toques with sports figures.
The price tag for entry: $75,000. Proceeds were donated to Ali’s charities.
Rumor is that Lady Gaga has wine making on her mind.
The pop star visited Sonoma County in late February with boyfriend Taylor Kinney, spotted from Geyserville to Sonoma noshing at local restaurants. But some say the real reason for her visit: To start a vineyard.
According to Brit pub, The Sun, Gaga sees owning a vineyard as an investment when her pop-idol days are over. The platinum chanteuse apparently loves spending gobs on expensive wines, cooking and drinking “six or seven bottles of red wine” over dinner with friends.
Perhaps no one’s told her that the best way to make a small fortune in the wine biz is to start with a large one.
Move over Mr. Coffee, there’s a better way to brew the perfect cup.
Coffee experts at Sebastopol’s Taylor Maid Farmswill teach you brewing methods using the Hario v60, Aeropress and French Press as well as insider info on espresso roasts, coffee taste profiles, the structure of an espresso shot and basic milk-steaming skills.
Consider yourself a Barista-in-training.
$25 fee includes 1 can of coffee, 20% off all home espresso equipment, 10% off all home brewing equipment, as well as all the lattes and cappuccinos made during class.
Sign up at the store (7190 Keating Ave., Sebastopol) or by calling 707-824-9110.
Spring brings with it the promise of new hope. And that’s good news in the restaurant world. As buds begin to break, a fresh crop of chefs and restaurateurs are putting the final touches on local eateries and watering holes featuring everything from haute burgers and bacon-wrapped tater tots to Cajun po’ boys, wacky sandwiches and New Orleans-meets-Lebanese dining.
Here’s the tally of restaurants and bars bursting onto the spring and summer scene, and beyond.
Santa Rosa
Now open, O’Connor’s City Tavern: Just in time for St. Pat’s, the former John Barleycorns got a facelift and a new menu that’ll have Irish eyes a smilin’. Owner Dan O’Connor continues his mom’s much-loved local cooking traditions with made-to-order burgers (his secret is a mix of pork and beef); tasty sandwiches, fries, bangers and mash and bacon-wrapped tater tots. Don’t miss Mom’s Potato Salad, a much-coveted recipe he won’t reveal. O’Connor plans to start a weekly Irish Sunday supper in the coming weeks. Kids are welcome in the restaurant area, but the vibe is more pub than cafe in the later evening hours. 2700 Yulupa Ave.
Flipside Bar and Burger: This hotly-anticipated burger bar from the owner of Rendez Vous Bistro in Santa Rosa is in private previews for the next several weeks but should finally open to the public in late March. Located next to Third St. Ale Works, restaurateur Nino Rabbaa has been perfecting the menu — focused on gourmet-style hamburgers — with his new staff. Rabbaa said he plans to invite 50 of the restaurant’s Facebook fans for preview dinners. The space is likely to be a summer favorite, with a newly constructed patio and large glass panels that open the front to the outside. 630 Third St.
Ike’s Place: The popular SF sandwichery best known for their “dirty sauce” creatively-named sandwiches (the Lizzy’s Lips, Spiffy Tiffy, Fat Bastard, Pizzle) has been “coming soon” to Santa Rosa since sometime in 2010. But just when we thought all hope was lost, they’re fast-tracking it to opening at the at the gated-off S&S Market spot at 1780 Mendocino Ave. Look for a spring opening as soon as March.
Sprenger’s Tap Room: In the grand tradition of many a pub, Sprengers is selling Mug Memberships. For $125 (until March 10), members get a personalized 28oz mug (left at the bar) refilled throughout the year for the price of a 12-ounce pint plus $1. Expect 32 beers on tap when the Brickyard Center hangout opens in mid-March, along with burger and fries-style pub fare.
Mr. Hofbrau: Narsi Samii takes over the former Santa Rosa Junior College Cafe and Bakery at the Brickyard Center, continuing the tradition of his former carvery and sandwich spot at Coddingtown. He shuttered his Narsi’s Hofbrau in March 2010 after a losing his lease. After two years of legal tousles with mall owners, he and his brother, Sam Samii, hope to open their new venture by mid-March.
Under construction, BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse: Late fall or early winter is the anticipated opening date for BJ’s at the renovated north entrance of Coddingtown Mall. The national chain eatery will have a capacity for approximately 280 guests, and feature signature deep-dish pizza, handcrafted beer and of course, the Pizookie. Whatever that is.
In development, Boudin/SF: A 4,000 square foot restaurant and bakery is slated for construction at Montgomery Village, replacing the former Copperfield’s bookstore. The SF-based bakery and restaurant chain, Boudin/SF will move into the newly constructed location, along with a 1828 square-foot ACRE coffee shop. A heat patio and covered patio are part of the designs.
Healdsburg Louisiana Legacy: Popular Cajun cook and farm market staple Rob Lippincott is planning a brick and mortar at 60 Mill St., the former Johnny’s spot. He’s hoping to serve up everything from his signature beignets to po’ boys and gumbo at the off-Plaza location. Look for a late spring or early summer opening.
Now Open, Bergamot Alley: Former flour + water sommelier Kevin Wardell recently opened a combination wine shop/wine bar in a former antique shop just off the Healdsburg square that’s anything but stuffy. Featuring (gasp!) only wines from Italy, Spain, Morocco, France and Greece, Bergamot pays homage to locals with a variety of California craft beers on tap or in a cooler. Peek into the Wine Porn room, featuring a swoon-worthy collection of rare wines, listen to some vintage vinyl, and expect a nibbling menu to debut in early March with bites from local restaurants including Scopa, Zazu and Diavola. Open until 1am Monday through Saturday. 328A Healdsburg Ave.
Now Open, Healdsburger: Recent purchase by sports exec David Alioto has this former A&W Drive-in charming locals with made-to-order burgers, freshly cut fries and homemade milkshakes. Aluminum serving trays and neatly-dressed staffers are reminiscent of St. Helena’s Gott’s Roadside (formerly Taylor’s Automatic Refresher). 48 Healdsburg Ave.
Shuffles and Changes to Come: Staff change-overs at Spoonbar bar have the town atwitter. Rumors of a forthcoming chef from San Francisco are swirling, but Hotel Healdsburg General Manager Aziz Zhari isn’t talking yet. He has confirmed that the new toque starts in late March, so expect news of exactly who will be taking over the Mediterranean-themed menu in the next few weeks. Meanwhile, Scopa’s Ari Rosen is still remaining mum on his new restaurant concept, though a toque has been hired. And the new owners of John and Zeke’s Bar say they’re not planning to make any changes to the popular watering hole. The bar lost its lease earlier this year.
Ari Weiswasser
Sonoma & Glen Ellen Glen Ellen Star: Ari Weiswasser, an alum of French Laundry, Daniel and Picholine, is finalizing the menu for his wood-fired oven, rustic Italian-style restaurant. Preview dinners are impressive, including dishes like wine-braised short ribs with mustard flowers and ricotta gnocchi with orange blossom honey and pine nuts. Look for a spring opening, 13648 Arnold Dr., Glen Ellen.
Crisp Bake Shop: The big buzz around Sonoma (other than Lady Gaga’s recent sighting) is this forthcoming bakery and cafe in the old Artisan Baker’s space at 720 West Napa St., Chef Moaya Scheiman partners with pastry chefs Andrea Koweek and Christina Strickland to create “modern renditions of classic American baked goods.” Slated for a mid-March opening, they’ll be open from 6am to 2pm daily with morning pastries, lunch sandwiches, cakes, cookies and confections as well as offering specialty wedding and occasion cakes.
Pop-ups and trucks
There’s no slow-down in impromptu dining around the north bay.
Area food trucks continue to pull into weekday locations around Santa Rosa and Sebastopol (Truckin’ Thursday at O’Reilly Media, 1005 Gravenstein Hwy North), but will become increasingly visible as the weather warms. On the horizon: Wheel Food and Family Fun at Finley Park. Beginning March 15, the trucks pull up to the park from 5-7:30pm (third Thursday of the month) for dinner and music, with portions of the proceeds going to Santa Rosa Parks and Recreation programs.
March also marks the anticipated return of Park-n-Eat at Sonoma County Regional parks. Tuesday evenings, a group of trucks will pull up for al fresco dining at Spring Lake. On Thursday they’ll be at Ragle Ranch Park. Stay tuned for more truck sightings, including news of several new trucks on the horizon.
Chef Maria Vieages and her crew are working on a top-secret pop-up dinner slated for late March inside a local restaurant. We can’t say where just yet, but she’s planning a combination New Orleans and Lebanese-style dinner. King of the SoCo Pop-Ups, Chef John Lyle, has secured the Luther Burbank Home and Gardens for another series of his “Chosen Spot” dinners, anticipated for later this spring.
This ain’t no pansy cook-off. The first annual ‘Wich hunt during the very exclusive invite-only Craft Cup at Battle of the Brews is an iron-fisted sandwich brawl in which local chefs compete to construct the ultimate carbohydrate-protein-carbohydrate creation.
CONFIRMED PARTICIPANTS
– Zin Restaurant
– Kin Restaurant
– Jackson’s Bar and Oven
– La Rosa Tequileria
– Chicago Style Hot Dogs
– Brasserie Restaurant at Hyatt Vineyard Creek
– The Farmer’s Wife
– Healdsburg Bar & Grill
– Peloton Catering
– El Coqui Puerto Rican Restaurant
– Hopmonk
– Chef John Lyle, Chosen Spot
– Joey’s Pizza
– Street Eatz Mobile Kitchen
– Sheana Davis, Epicurean Connection
– Rendez Vous Bistro
– Original Superburger
– Pearson and Co.
– The Culinary Institute of America, Greystone
– Rocker Oysterfeller’s
– Boathouse Sushi
– John Ash & Co.
– El Coqui
Chief ‘Wich
– Heather Irwin
Judging:
– Chef John Ash
– Clark Wolf, Author and Food Consultant
– Ike Shehadeh, owner Ike’s Place
– Gabe Meline, The Bohemian
– Laurie Figone, Cooking with Laurie Figone
From Dagwoods to sliders, artisan BLT’s, heroes, hoagies, banh mi, and beyond, the only constraint is being able to fit into the eager maws of our judges and fans. Oh, and taste incredible, because there will be no awards just for showing up. We’re looking for off-the-charts, taste-bud exploding, meat-tastic (or alternative proteins), brain-bending creations that really showcase your talent.That’s you, right?
Okay then, here’s the Deal…
What do I have to provide?
About 150-200 sandwich “bites” in addition to your competition ‘wich. Easy peasy.
Ugh…so this costs me money? Wait! Here’s what you get…
The event takes place at during the exclusive, invite-only Craft Brew at Battle of the Brews (held at the Fairgrounds). We’re expecting about 200+ at the Craft brew portion of the program and several thousand for the later event. You’ll be invited to promote yourself/your restaurant at the later event for no charge. In addition, the ‘Wich event and results will be promoted on BiteClubEats.com as well as on several local radio stations.
Plus, there’s the whole karma thing. Battle of the brews is one of the largest fundraisers for at risk youth in Sonoma County, raising over $1,000,000 over the past 15 years. All donations are tax deductible. Thanks, IRS!
And did we mention that we have a number of sponsors we’re lining up to help keep costs to a minimum — but hey, there’s no reason you can’t splurge if you’re so inclined. Who’s Judging?
Heather Irwin and some other local food folks. You know, the Fooderati types. We know how to shower chefs with lots of love.
Can restaurants, owners, grocery stores, etc. donate food?
Why, yes! We would love that.
How do I ask more questions or get more info?
Email me at heather@biteclubeats.com.
*This is not really an amateur competition. You’ll need to have a catering license and a professional kitchen to be included. You can nominate someone, however, for me to go after…
Mob Hit #3: El Rinconcito Yucateco
3935 Sebastopol Road Santa Rosa
(707) 526-2720Date: Feb. 24, 2012, 12:30pm
Mobsters: 22 in attendance | Join the Mob
On the Tab:
Conchita Pibil: Melt-in-your mouth bits of juicy pork
Black Mole: “Dammit, we forgot this again!”
Fish Tacos: “Excellent”
Pork and Cabbage Sandwich: “It reminded me of the sandwiches we had in Mexico City”
Poc Chuc: “Not as good as usual, but hey, there were 22 of us and one cook in the kitchen.”
Pork Tamales: “Some of the best I’ve had”
Shrimp Ceviche: “Most Photographed Dish”
Shrimp Tostada: Mixed reviews. “It tastes sweet, like ketchup. I don’t like ketchup.”
Bacon-wrapped Shrimp: “I think I got the best thing here.” “Hey, who stole my shrimp? Heather….”What’s this? The NoshMob is a not-so-secret society of passionate eaters who descend on under-discovered restaurants each week. We share plates, friendships and views of the restaurant and invite you to share your experiences — either this week, or in the future — in the comments below.
Overall: Outdoor patio is a best bet for large groups. Authentic Yucatan cuisine depends on the day and how busy the kitchen is. Clearly there’s a great deal of care put into signature dishes like Conchita Pibil, Black Mole and Shrimp Ceviche. Tamales are stuffed full and tender. Overall, a Mob winner. “I will be going back too try it again,” said one mobster.
BiteClub Review In A Nutshell:Leave the English to Spanish dictionary at home, because panuchos, cochinta pibil , prickling fresh salsa and rellenos negro are international signs of a serious cook in the kitchen. No matter what your native tongue. What I can rave about first-hand are the fried panuchos (a sort of skinny pupusa filled with mashed black beans and fried up crispy) capped by savory pickled onions, cabbage and avocado and a special habanero sauce; Poc Chuc, slivers of pork seasoned with black pepper; and meltingly tender cochinta pibil, a spicy, oily slow roasted pork marinated in citrus that blows the pants off any pulled pork you’ve ever eaten. With chips, salsa, rice and more black beans than any human should consume, the feast set me back a paltry $30. Full Review
Can someone please go eat the Black Mole and tell us about it, though? Apparently the mole is no more. Bummer.
Did you bomb Valentines? Here’s your chance for a do-over…and a gift certificate for Restaurant Week!
Maybe the love bug infected you with a nasty virus instead of romantic gestures of adoration? Or perhaps Cupid’s aim was off? Maybe you’re just not a natural Romeo (or Juliet).
Whatever happened, your Valentine’s Day was more of a downward spiral than a trip to Paradise.
Give me your sob of a V-Day FAIL and what a perfect date would have looked like instead. I’ll award one gift certificate to a Restaurant Week participant Tuesday-Thursday. (You can use the gift certificate whenever you’d like).
Tuesday’s Winner: Olive and Vine, Sonoma $25
Wednesday’s Winner: Forchetta/Bastoni, Sebastopol, $25
Thursday’s Winner: Agriculture Bar & Kitchen, Guerneville, $50
Friday’s Winner: Jackson’s Bar & Oven, Santa Rosa, $25
Fine print: You are welcome to request a specific gift certificate in your post, but winners are going to get what they get. Because hey, it’s a contest and you’re getting something for nothin. If you don’t win, please don’t whine about it. That is really irritating. Here are the complete rules.
