Cyrus closing?!

By biteclub
Cyrus restaurant may reopen near Geyserville.

After several years of disputes and lawsuits between Healdsburg’s Michelin-starred Cyrus Restaurant and their Les Mars Hotel landlords, it was announced today that the restaurant will close October 29, 2012.

Crossroads Winery, LP, owned by investor Bill Foley, will take over ownership of the restaurant space inside the Les Mars. Foley is the owner of Chalk Hill Winery, Sebastiani Vineyard and Winery in Sonoma; Merus, Altvus, Kuleto Estate in Napa as well as numerous wineries throughout California and Washington and New Zealand. He co-owns the Les Mars with David Fink.

Despite a very public airing of their disagreements, Cyrus chef Douglas Keane is positive about the ultimate decision to shutter his restaurant. “It’s a good thing. This makes a lot of sense. Nick (Peyton, his business partner) and I are happy. There were a lot of misunderstood passions.”

The big question, however, is what’s next.

The restaurant will remain open for business, and throughout the fall, Keane will showcase some of the all-time favorite dishes from the seven-year stint of the restaurant. After that, he and Peyton will continue to run Healdsburg Bar and Grill. They have maintained the rights to the Cyrus brand, though aren’t making any immediate plans to relocate or reopen a new restaurant right now.

“I want to have some fun. I have nothing solid planned,” Keane said. He does plan to spend some time working with rescue dogs and spending time with his wife. “Maybe we’ll bring back the two martini lunch,” he laughs.

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Previous Coverage: Cyrus Eviction Notice

Kettles Vietnamese Restaurant | Santa Rosa

By biteclub

The owners of Boathouse sushi have opened Kettles, a Vietnamese restaurant, near Coddingtown Mall.

The menu runs several pages, with familiar items like pho, bun (rice noodles) and banh mi (Vietnamese Sandwiches), but it’s worth straying a bit off the beaten path and tucking into some less known items including lime marinated beef carpaccio served in a cocktail glass; a Vietnamese crepe that’s sweet and savory, filled with shrimp and bean sprouts; iced coffee, served in a drip-pour glass with sweetened condensed milk and exotic fruit sodas with banana, strawberry or raspberry. Shaken Beef is a top pick, with tender cubes of filet mignon and sliced onions in garlic and fish sauce that’s rich with tart, umami and peppery flavors. Don’t worry about the name, though which refers to the cooking technique of shaking the pan, not the beef itself.

At the former Panda Buffet, 1202 W Steele Ln., Santa Rosa, 528-3747.

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Wine Country Big Q

By biteclub

Q ain’t for quaint at the second annual Wine Country Big Q (1-5pm, July 14, 2012). This is a rib-tastic, porkapalooza of hardcore barbecue pit posses, itching for some Kansas City gold. The only KC-sanctioned event in Wine Country, this is the real-deal of barbecue cook-offs, with trained judges and serious teams vying for cash prizes and bragging rights.  Attendees can sample dozens of authentic barbecued meats, world class wines and award-winning brews while listening to the country crooning of local artist,

In addition to the ‘cue pros, wineries will also go head to head with the Big Beef Challenge to find the best tri-tip (paired, of course with their wines), and local firehouses will let ‘er rip with the Bold Bean Challenge–a competition for the best barbecued beans.

Wanna get in on the action? The Wine Country Big Q happens at Sonoma Academy (2500 Farmers Lane, Santa Rosa). Tickets are $45 for adults, $20 for kids with portions of the proceeds benefitting the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County. Buy tickets online or at G&G Supermarkets or Johnson Pool and Spa. Details online.

 

 

Ravenswood Winery Tattoo Coming Out Party

By biteclub

A little body ink for a lifetime of free wine?* Seems like a fair trade to the folks at Ravenswood Winery. They’ll host their annual Tattoo Coming Out Party at the Sonoma winery from 122-4:30pm July 14 to see who’s taken the challenge of tattooing the company logo– the David Lance Goines circle of ravens–on their bods. And trust us, its a growing legion. Not up for the lifetime commitment? Airbrush artists will give you a temp version while you snap your fingers to grape-inspired poetry and sip zinfandel. Smooth.

Fourth Annual Tattoo Coming Out Party and Poetry Slam: July 14, 2012, 12-4:30pm, $15/$10 Club Members. 18701 Gehricke Road, Sonoma, 888-669-4679.

*Of course, there’s a catch to free wine for a lifetime. It’s available only in the tasting room, in person. Full details on the website, but seriously…I’d ask for all the fine print before getting a tattoo.

Tendejons return at Cocina

By biteclub

Healdsburg chef Mateo Granados is bringing back his wildly popular Tendejon dinners–communal outdoor gatherings focused around rotisserie meats, cocktails and seasonal side dishes. The events will be hosted on the back patio of his new restaurant, Cocina Latina, Wednesday and Thursday nights with suckling pig, lamb or whole roasted Yucatan-style chickens. Dinners are $35 per person and reservations are suggested. 214 Healdsburg Ave. at Mill St., Healdsburg, 707-433-1520.

Copain Supper Clubs

By biteclub

Corey Lee of Benu, Momofuku’s David Chang and Ken Tominaga of Hana Japanese will be in the kitchens of Healdsburg’s Copain Winery for a series of exclusive Supper Club dinners. Winemaker Wells Guthrie will bring out a selection of the winery’s highly coveted library and single vineyard wines to pair with the carefully crafted menus of James Beard award-winning chefs.

Tominaga’s July 14th menu includes sashimi of live East Coast scallops, Mendocino uni, Lobster chawan mushi with sturgeon caviar, Wagyu beef and Kindai bluefin tuna toro.

Corey Lee cooks September 2nd, Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson of Boulder’s Frascaon September 30th and David Chang December 14th. Supper Club ticket prices vary by event, starting at around $300.  To maintain the intimate nature of the dinners, seating is limited. Tickets must be purchased in advance by calling the winery at 707-836-8822.

Pizzando Preview with Liza Shaw

By biteclub


With all the wood-fired restaurants cropping up in Wine Country, it’s clearly a good time to be familiar with a Mugnaini. And there  are few who know their way around big ovens, 00 flour and a pizza peel like Liza Shaw.

The former A16 chef has been tapped to impart her doughy ways at the recently-opened Campo Fina, Reddwood as a consultant. But don’t expect the same pizzas at each spot. We chatted with Shaw, and she explained how she customizes the texture, dough and cooking time for each restaurant. For one, it’s a sturdy, lightly browned pie. For another a spongier crust and darker crust.

So far, BiteClub’s favorite is the pizza at her newest project–the forthcoming Pizzando with Spoonbar chef, Louis Maldonado. Crafted with imported flour, a two-day rise and a super hot 750 degree oven, they’re crispy and chewy at the same time with minimal ingredients. Crushed San Marzano’s, fresh mozzarella, torn basil, a little salt.

Want to check it out?  Spoonbar is previewing the pizzas and other menu items at the remaining  “Pizzando Pop-Up” dinners on Wednesday July 11 and Wednesday July 25.

Check out photos from the June 26 dinner: Tuna crudo with salsa verde, pickled carrots and mint, pizza Margherita, slow roasted pork ribs with lavender honey, spiced oxtail, and baked polenta.

Pizzando Pop Up at Spoonbar: 219 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-431-2202.

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Summer Abroad at Petite Syrah

By biteclub

Spend the summer abroad: Each Thursday throughout the summer, Petite Syrah (205 Fifth St., Santa Rosa) spins the globe for culinary inspiration.  On July 5, it’s a New England lobster boil, chowder and blueberry pie ($39pp), followed by menus from Argentina (July 12), Provence (July 19) and Rome( August 9) and more.  More details at syrahbistro.com or by calling 568-4002.