King Falafel | Sebastopol

By biteclub

Once you’ve had a perfect falafel, it becomes a lifelong quest to find another.

We’ve found a pretty solid contender in the Deluxe Falafel Sandwich ($6.99) at Sebastopol’s King Falafel. Balls of ground chickpeas and spices get a swim in the fryer, then stuffed into a roll of lavash with pickles, hummus, tomato, lettuce, eggplant, pickles (yes!), tahini and shatta (a kind of Middle Eastern hot sauce).

Recently opened near the busy intersection of Sebastopol and Petaluma Avenues, it channels the ubiquitous mom-and-pop falafel shops that dot cities like New York and Philadelphia. Greek music blasts away on the boom box, the ambiance is dollar store chic and piles of pita bread sit for sale by the counter. Nothin’ fancy, just a simple mash-up of Greek and Middle Eastern street foods including Falafel, Kabob, Lebni, Gyro, Lahmeh and Tabouili.

If the menu’s all Greek to you, the ingredients won’t be — garlic, beef, lamb, lemon, parsley, mint, garbanzo beans, tomatoes, onions and plenty of oregano.

More familiar may be the Gyro ($7.99), with slices of pressed lamb, tomatoes and tzatziki (cucumber yogurt sauce). This is comfort food with ancient roots — even if the “meat cone” it comes from isn’t. You can also get a Kefta Kabob (seasoned ground beef pressed into balls) Sandwich ($6.99) or vegetarian-friendly eats like the  Lebni Sandwich ($5.99), a soft-cheese with cucumber, mint and spices.

Fried cheese in any language is music to the ears. But when its made with bits of chewy, salty Greek Halloumi wrapped in lavash with tomato and Zattar spices, a Big Fat Greek Disco Party of a meal. ($6.99)

Combination plates are heartier ($7.99, $8.99), with sticks of chicken and beef kabobs served with hummus, tabouli (a salad of bulgur wheat, mint, tomato, cucumber, lemon and parsley) and pita.

The true test of a Greek’s cooking prowess: Baklava. Not to sweet, not too soggy. Here’s its buttery, flaky and just sweet enough to be dangerous.

Grab some fresh pita to take home, sold at the front counter. And don’t forget a mint or two, because even though you may love a falafel or two, your office mates may not be so appreciative.

King Falafel: 100 Brown St., Ste 150, Sebastopol, 824-4800. Also in Cotati 548 E Cotati Ave/. Cotati, 664-8200.

Louis Maldonado new Spoonbar chef

By biteclub

Aziza chef de cuisine and Chronicle Rising Star Chef (’09) Louis Maldonado will replace Rudy Mihal as Spoonbar’s new exec chef.

Rumors that an alum of the critically-acclaimed San Francisco restaurant might be headed north have been circulating for weeks, but the restaurant announced today that the h2hotel chef will start his Healdsburg tenure with the kick off of Pigs and Pinot, a popular weekend-long event featuring several gala dinners. He’ll co-chef the “Eat 100” Pigs and Pinot Dinner with Cocina Latina Chef Mateo Granados on March 23, 2012.

Following the event, he’ll start reworking the spoonbar menu, which has leaned toward Middle Eastern flavors since opening several years ago. Best guesses are he’ll stick in that general direction, though Inside Scoop SF said, “he won’t be bound by any geographic region, and he expects entrees to top out around $23 (or thereabouts).”

In related news, spoonbar’s hyper-talented mixologist, Scott Beattie is moving onto new projects, namely the forthcoming Goose and Gander in St. Helena.

 

Titanic Dinner

By biteclub

CANCELLED. BUMMER.

Legend has it that tucked into the pocket of a steward, a single menu from the final dinner aboard the R.M.S. Titanic survived the fateful night of April 14, 1912. Regrettably, the steward did not.

In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the tragic sinking, Restaurant Ca’Bianca and historian Mark Green will recreate portions of the epic last meal served on the night of April 14.

Prepare in advance to loosen your corsets for this seven-course Edwardian eating marathon. On the menu: An amuse bouche, soup course of Consumme Olga (a veal-based broth); Poached Salmon in Mousseline Sauce (a richer version of Hollandaise); a choice of Filet Mignons Lili, Chicken Lyonnaise, Vegetable Marrow Farci; Punch Romaine (a boozy punch); mixed greens with Champagne Vinagrette; and Waldorf Pudding or Peach Sorbet for dessert. Think that’s rich? The original dinner included a whopping eleven courses.

Guests of the special historical dinner are encouraged to dress the part of First Class guests. Throughout the night, Green will share stories of the Titanic’s first and last voyage, toast the passengers, and share exhibits of China and glassware reproductions.

Life jackets optional.

April 14, 2012 at Ca’Bianca Restaurant (835 2nd Street  Santa Rosa, 542-5800). Tickets are $165 per person and include dinner, entertainment, two glasses of wine, tax and gratuity. Buy tickets here.


Farm Market Battle Continues

By biteclub


The ongoing struggle for control over the 40 year-old Santa Rosa farm market at the Veteran’s Hall continues.

In hopes of reversing the county’s decision to revoke their lease in July, Board Members and vendors from the Original Santa Rosa Certified Farm Market met with Sonoma County Regional Parks Director Caryl Hart, whose office oversees leasing and operation of the hall. In February, she awarded Redwood Empire Farmers’ Markets rental of the hall’s parking lot on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

In a closed meeting, market representatives questioned whether they got a fair shake when county officials decided not to renew their lease, according to board secretary Lesley Brabyn. “We wanted to know if due process was followed,” she said.

Though no official actions resulted after the meeting Brabyn said, “We understand some things better, but it has opened the door to more questions which are being explored by the market.” When asked if legal action on the part of the market was forthcoming Brabyn said,  “We are not ruling anything out.”

In continuing support of their position, and the increasing likelihood that they will have to move elsewhere, the current market board circulated a petition at the Saturday market in support of current market management and polled vendors about their intentions. Brabyn said support was overwhelming.

Meanwhile, the Redwood Empire Farmers’ Markets is moving forward with plans to take over the popular Santa Rosa market this summer.

This week, they announced the appointment of three board members. Spokesman Rob Cary, former Sebastopol Community Center Director, philanthropist and restauranteur Dan Smith and healthcare provider Suzanne Llamado are the first of an anticipated nine members of the new board. “We are in discussions with other potential board members and anticipate three more appointments soon,” said Cary. Three of the members will be elected by vendors, and six of the members will be community members.

Asked about the current controversy, Cary said “We continue to reach out to the Santa Rosa Farmers Market members and the board. We understand that there is a lot of fear right now and hard feelings, but expect that once the dust settles everyone can come together to work for the benefit of the whole community.”

“We’ve been asked a lot about how the markets at the Vets building will change in July,” Cary said. “We are expecting everyone to have the same market experience they are used to, except there will be more vendors and more choices. Our emphasis will be on expanding opportunities, cooperation and mentoring of small farmers throughout the county. We want to raise the bar so that a much higher percentage of produce, fruit, meat, eggs, and farm products are grown locally. The solution is simple: More market space for farmers and better promotion of the market to the public. Some friendly competition is the basis of every successful market.”

St. Patrick’s Day Pubs and Grub 2012

By biteclub

Here are a bevy of Leprechaun-approved spots to get your green on for St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2012.

B&B Lounge: A parade and corned beef feed that started as a lark more than 15 years ago has become a Healdsburg tradition. Though at first it was just a few barflies, now most of the town turns out for the annual St. Patty’s Day Parade. Kicking off at the B+B Lounge, early Saturday morning, the post-parade includes bag piping, singing and a blow-out corned beef and cabbage dinner that’s free for bar regulars. “They gotta pay for their drinks, of course,” said the bartender. 420 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg.

Murphy’s Irish Pub: You can take the high road or the low road, but all roads lead to Sonoma when it comes to annual St. Paddy’s parties. Just off the town square, this pub has one of the rip-roarin-est parties in the county, with plenty of Emerald Isle brews, whiskeys and cock o’tails. 464 First St. East, Sonoma, 935-0660.

Friar Tuck’s Pub: Costumed bagpipers belt out Danny Boy and other Irish tunes throughout the day, green beer flows and nearly 1000 pounds of corned beef steam at this Cotati pub. $12.99 for the corned beef dinner buffet, noon to 9pm. 8201 Old Redwood Hwy, Cotati, 792.9847

Maguire’s Pub: The former Finbar Devine’s Irish Pub opens at 10am and will have a special St. Pat’s menu includes Bangers and Mash, Shepherd’s Pie, Corned Beef and Cabbage, Fish and Chips and Grilled Salmon. Outdoor service, four open bars will have Guinness beer and Jameson Irish whiskey “flowing like water”. 145 Kentucky St., Petaluma, 762-9800.

Ruth McGowan’s Brewpub: Celebrating their 10th anniversary, the Cloverdale brewery will release a special barrel-aged Belgian brew and feature $3 pints of Irish Stout. On the menu, corned beef and cabbage, lamb stew. 131 E First St., Cloverdale, 894-9610.

Nutty Irishman: Each St. Patrick’s Day, the shamrock-hat and beer-goggle crowd overrun this usually-quiet local bar to the bemusement of regulars. Not that they’re not glad to see you. The bar puts out a spread of green beer and corned beef and cabbage for everybody, because, as one staffer says, “We’re all Irish here.” 995 Piner Rd., Santa Rosa, 544-1447.

Stout Brothers: This cozy faux-tiqued public house will still be packed to the rafters with whiskey and beer-drinking revelers on St. Pats. Fish and chips are still solid contenders here, as are its signature macaroni and cheeses (chicken bacon is tops). 527 4th Street, Santa
Rosa, 636-0240.

O’Connors City Tavern: The newest addition to Sonoma’s pub lineup promises some authentic Irish fare come St. Pat’s in addition to plenty of Guinness on tap. 2700 Yulupa Ave Santa Rosa, 843-3090.

Jasper O’Farrell’s Pub: Irish entertainment and beers a’plenty. 6957 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol, 829-2062.

Barley and Hops Tavern: Home made corned beef, REAL Irish beer (no green food dye… amateurs…).3688 Bohemian Highway  Occidental, 874-9037.

Local restaurants and clubs

Spoonbar: “We’re excited to welcome back guest bartender Fred Dagnino of SF’s famed Buena Vista Cafe. Fred’s served up The Buena Vista’s legendary Irish Coffee for over 43 years. By his count, he’s served over 4 MILLION of them. And of course, the celebration wouldn’t be complete without some special and specially priced green drinks. Think basil gimlets, the Irish Last Word and more. AND… corned beef and cabbage sliders.”

Casino: Mark Maliki does parsnip root soup and creme fraiche, a brace a hare and hazelnuts, corned beef and cabbage, roast pork belly, stuffed Dublin Bay Languistine, cockles, mussels and green mayo. Strawberry rhubarb truffle on Saturday.

Fresh by Lisa Hemenway: Three course Irish dinner, $35 served Thursday through Saturday includes choice of Irish soda bread, grilled asparagus with Green goddess dressing, leek and potato soup, potato-wrapped salmon with fennel, corned beef and cabbage, cottage pie with beef, stout-braised lamb shanks, rhubarb crumble. The pizza oven will be serving green pizza with  Creamy Pesto, zucchini,  artichoke hearts, arugula and mozzarella Fresca. 5755 Mountain Hawk Santa Rosa, 595-1048.

Hooter’s: Get pickled on St. Pats with free fried pickles, green beer specials and college hoops on TV. 353 Jefferson St., Rohnert Park, 585-9464.

Quincy’s Pub and Cafe: Corned beef and cabbage and homemade Irish stew from 9:30am to 6:30pm St. Patty’s Day, 6590 Commerce Blvd, Rohnert Park, 585-1079.

Henweigh Cafe: This West County cafe turns into “Kelly’s Boston Irish Gaelic Celtic County Cafe” for one day only, serving up Irish Stout Stew, Corned Beef and Cabbage and Shepherd’s Pie. Entrees include colcannon mashed potatoes. 4550 Gravenstein Hwy N  Sebastopol, 895-7500.

Windsor Community Center: All you can eat corned beef and cabbage dinner hosted by the Lions Club and Windsor Firefighters Association. No host bar. 4-8p.m., all proceeds go to charity. 901 Adele Dr., Windsor.

Jackson’s Bar and Oven: Classic corned beef and cabbage dinner, chocolate Guinness cake with Bailey’s ice cream.
135 4th Street  Santa Rosa, 545-6900.

Cafe Europe: Corned beef and cabbage for lunch and dinner on St. Patrick’s Day. 104 Calistoga Road, Santa Rosa, 538-5255.

Mister Hofbrau: Narsi Samii’s new restaurant opens just in time for St. Pat’s. Expect plenty of carved meats and sandwiches with a St. Pat’s slant. Brickyard Center, Santa Rosa.

Walk, Then Eat
Kill two birds with one great event — a 3.17 mile St. Pat’s Run/Walk fund-raiser for the Santa Rosa Recreation and Parks and corned beef and cabbage feed afterwards. This brand new event begins and ends at Juilliard Park in Santa Rosa, with a post-run dinner prepared by Worth Our Weight. Advance registration is $25 for adults and $15 for 18-year-olds and younger. Tickets can be purchased by visiting srcity.gov, at Steele Lane Community Center (415 Steele Lane) or on March 15-16 at Fleet Feet Sports (111 3rd St.). Adults registering at Juilliard Park on St. Patrick’s Day will pay $35 while the cost for those 18-and-under increases to $20.

Straight Up Cocktail Competition

By biteclub


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.

We’ll save an olive for you.

Thursday, March 8, 6-9p.m., Petaluma Sheraton Ball Room. Tickets available here.

 

Calvin Trillin at French Garden

By biteclub

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.

$75,000 Bday Bash for Ali

By biteclub

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.

Gaga to make wine in SoCo?

By biteclub

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.

Home Brewing & Espresso Class @ Taylor Maid Farms

By biteclub

Move over Mr. Coffee, there’s a better way to brew the perfect cup.

Coffee experts at Sebastopol’s Taylor Maid Farms will 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.