Recently a group of restaurateurs, chefs, farmers, food purveyors and food justice folks got together to think about a whole bunch of issues in the local food scene — what we want to change, how we want to grow, how we think the world see us — and one really interesting question came up…

How is it that we really define what makes Sonoma County unique when it comes to food?

It seems like a really obvious question with really obvious answer. But is it?

Some people think we’re the American Provence.
Others suggest Tuscany.
Some people think we’re something that shouldn’t be compared to Europe.
Some people think its all about the farms and ranchers.
Others about our chefs. Or the wineries.
Some compare us to Napa. Others say we are something altogether different.
One thing most agree on is our authenticity.

But in the end, its a more difficult question than you might think.

So…I ask you. What defines us in Sonoma County when it comes to food? 

(This  article appeared in the PD, by Diane Peterson…I’m reprinting it here)

Lucy Fincher of Healdsburg and her brother, chef/owner Manuel Azevedo of LaSalette in Sonoma, have taken over the lease at Affronti restaurant in Healdsburg and plan to open it as Cafe Lucia later this fall, serving Portuguese cuisine with a Wine Country twist.

Azevedo will oversee the kitchen, where Jason Santos, a recent graduate of the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone, will serve as the Chef de Cuisine.

Fincher, a Healdsburg native who has lived in the town for the past 20 years, will run the front of the house. A former paralegel, Fincher started off her career in the restaurant business.

Fincher’s husband, Tracy, works for Clos du Bois Winery and started his own catering business, Hot Rod Barbecue, last year. The couple has two daughters, ages 12 and 14.

Located behind La Crema Tasting Room, Cafe Lucia will seat45 and an additional 35 outside on an all-season patio. The kitchen is currently under renovation, with a stove and a hood being added by the landlord.

The siblings plan to offer value-oriented food and a wine list that will draw heavily from Portugal as well as from the Healdsburg area.

“There needs to be a restaurant that appeals more to the locals,” said Azevedo, who received a Michelin Bibb Gourmand award for LaSalette. “The price will be fair, it’s comfortable and has real food.”

The menu starts off with a choice of three small “Tasca” plates, such as sardine paté, white anchovies and pickled vegetables, for $15.

Starters will range from $7 to $12, and entrees will be in the $20 to $25 range. Some of LaSalette’s signature dishes will anchor the menu, such as the Chourico-Crusted Scallops and the Oven-Roasted Branzino, a Mediterranean fish, but Azevedo expects the menu to develop in time.

“It will evolve and pick up its own personality,” he said. “It’s not LaSalette opening a new location. It’s about Lucy opening her first restaurant.”

According to a message on the restaurant’s voicemail, chef/owner Jude Affronti of Affronti will continue to serve sandwiches and salads at the Parkpoint Club, 196 Foss Creek Circle, in Healdsburg.

Cafe Lucia is located at 235 Healdsburg Ave. Tentative opening date is Nov. 1.

Just in case you were thinking of making in commode cocktail…

BiteClubber Paul R. says he snapped this little gem at Peet’s Coffee in Cotati.

Find any other restaurant signs that go without saying? Send ’em my way.

Local food celebrities Clark Wolf and Marcy Smothers gather some of the county’s most influential purveyors, writers, farmers, advocates and activists to discuss the future of food and farming in Sonoma County.

This Late Summer Farm Forum will be held Wednesday, Sept. 26 from 5-7:30pm at the Petaluma Seed Bank (199 Petaluma Blvd North).

On the panel:
– Carrie Brown, The Jimtown Store
– Dr. Frank Chong, President of Santa Rosa Junior College
– Michele Anna Jordan, PD Columnist, author and radio host
– Paul Kaiser, Singing Frog Farm
– Kendra Kolling, Nana Mae’s Organics
– Tony Linegar, Sonoma County Ag Commissioner
– Don McEnhill, Russian Riverkeeper
– Sam Mogannam, Bi-Rite Market
– Marlena Spieler, Food Writer
– Paul Wallace, Petaluma Seed Bank

Suggested donation: $15

Late Summer Farm Forum Save the Date from Scott Mitchell on Vimeo.

Top Chef contenders Ryan Scott, Eli Kirshtein and Casey Thompson compete at the 2012 Kendall Jackson Heirloom Tomato Festival Cookoff against challenger Justin Wangler, KJ’s executive chef. Ultimately, Thompson won the day, but all the dishes were spectacular. Take a look at the lineup.

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Hey BiteClubbers.

For a long time, I’ve thought about how cool it would be to have a Culinary Salon in Sonoma County — a place where like-minded folks could come and talk about whatever aspect of the food scene they’re interested in. Maybe its food politics. Maybe gossiping about the local restaurant scene. Maybe you want to get the word out about a local purveyor you’ve fallen in love with.

I also wanted a forum to chat about some of the things I’m passionate about at the moment. This month I’m super hot on Water Kefir, and want to share that with you. Next month, maybe it will be home brewing or figs, or whatever. Rather than just reading about it, I’ll try to bring the people I write about to you.

Square Belly Food Theater is the result of all that. It’s a fun way to connect the food community IRL. Its a series of salons and culinary how-tos at the Arlene Francis Center that are either low or no cost (we do accept donations for the AFC and to defray the cost of supplies, etc.).

Our mission is merely to have fun, share our food passions and bring together like-minded folks.

The first Salon will be held Wed, Sept. 19 at 6:30pm. There’s no set agenda, but we hope to see anyone who wants to hang out and chat, help us format future salons, etc.

On Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012 Slow Food’s Fresh Picnic is a sit-down family-style feast featuring some of the Bay Area’s best chefs including Ryan Farr of 4505 Meats, Liza Hinman of Spinster Sisters, Christopher Kostow of Meadowood and Dennis Lee of Namu Gaji in San Francisco. Local food producers Nightingale Breads, Foggy River Farms, Bohemian Creamery and Ramini Mozzarella will be features in addition to Anthill Farms Winery and Claypool Cellars. Alice Waters and Carlo Petrini will speak at the event, held at Rancho Mark West.

Tickets are $95 for Slow Food members, $125 for non-members, but reduced price tickets for farmers and under-30 food activists are available. Details at slowfoodrr.org.