Page 60 – Sonoma Magazine

Guide to Sonoma County Crab Feeds 2025

January 2025

By Maci Martell

Guests dig into a feast of crab and all the fixings during the 31st annual Russian River Rotary Crab Feed at Shone Farm, in Santa Rosa. (Alvin Jornada / The Press Democrat)

The long wait for local Dungeness crab is finally over as crab season begins in Sonoma County. To celebrate the crustaceous occasion, various local restaurants and organizations will host crab feeds and feasts from January through February.

Don your bibs and stretch your shell-cracking knuckles for a series of all-you-can-eat crab extravaganzas. In addition to all the buttery goodness, the proceeds for many of these feeds benefit local charities and nonprofits.

Dunham Elementary Crab Feed Dinner, Jan. 11

Dunham Elementary School will host a crab feed from 5:30–9:30 p.m., Jan. 11, at Hermann Sons Hall in Petaluma. The adults-only event, which benefits the programs of Dunham Elementary PTO, will include all-you-can-eat crab, pasta, bread and salad, as well as a silent auction. Tickets are $77 per person, or $565 for a table of eight that includes two bottles of wine and dessert. Purchase tickets online or at the school office (4111 Roblar Road).

Hermann Sons Hall, 860 Western Ave., Petaluma, 707-795-5050, dunhamsd.org

Forestville Chamber of Commerce Crab Feed, Jan. 18

The Forestville Chamber of Commerce will host its annual crab feed starting at 5 p.m., Jan. 18, at Holy Ghost Hall in Sebastopol. Dinner starts at 6 p.m. and includes crab, pasta, salad and bread. There will be a raffle and silent auction. Tickets are $70 per person. To purchase tickets, call 707-481-3565.

Holy Ghost Hall, 7960 Mill Station Road, Sebastopol, 707-481-3565, forestvillechamber.org

The Penngrove Social Firemen host a crab feed on Feb. 5. (Courtesy of Penngrove Social Firemen) — The Penngrove Social Firemen host a crab feed on Jan. 18, 2025. (Courtesy of Penngrove Social Firemen)

Penngrove Social Firemen, Jan. 18

The Penngrove Social Firemen will host its annual crab feed benefit on Jan. 18 at the Penngrove Community Clubhouse. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. with cocktails, followed by a dinner of crab, pasta, salad and bread at 6:30 p.m. Proceeds from the feed will support improvements to Penngrove Park and Clubhouse, along with other community benefits. Tickets are $75 per person. Purchase tickets on Eventbrite, at Odd Cookie Bakery (10000 Main St.) or at Twin Oaks Roadhouse (5745 Old Redwood Highway). Last day to purchase tickets is at 4 p.m. on Jan. 16.

Penngrove Community Clubhouse, 385 Woodward St., Penngrove, 707-318-2191, penngrovesocialfiremen.org

Montgomery Education Foundation Crab Feed, Jan. 18

The Montgomery Education Foundation will host its annual crab feed from 5:30–9 p.m., Jan. 18, at the Friedman Events Center in Santa Rosa. The night of delicious crab is a fundraiser for Santa Rosa’s Montgomery High School to support grants, scholarships and facility improvements. General admission is $70 per person, to-go dinners are $45 per person and a VIP table is $600. Purchase tickets on Eventbrite.

Friedman Center, 4676 Mayette Ave., Santa Rosa, montgomeryeducationfoundation.com

Petaluma Riding and Driving Club Crab Feed, Jan. 25

The Petaluma Riding & Driving Club will host its annual crab feed, the club’s largest fundraiser, on Jan. 25. Takeout crab orders will be available from 3–5 p.m., doors open at 5 p.m. for the event and a seated dinner starts at 6 p.m. The dinner includes Dungeness crab, pasta, salad, French bread and homemade cookies. There will also be a silent auction and chair raffle. The all-you-can-eat dinner is $75 for members and $77 for nonmembers. Takeout dinners are $65 for members and $67 for nonmembers, and $20 for an extra crab per takeout meal. A wine corkage fee is $10. Purchase tickets online.

1820 Skillman Lane, Petaluma, 707-228-6736, petalumaridingclub.com

Russian River Rotary Crab Feed, Jan. 25

The Russian River Rotary will host its 38th annual crab feed, with a “We are the World” theme, from 4:30–8:30 p.m., Jan. 25, at the Friedman Event Center in Santa Rosa. Dinner will include all-you-can-eat crab, pasta, salad and a special dessert. There will be a silent auction, raffles, live music and games, as well as a live auction with Sen. Mike McGuire. The event benefits nonprofits in the Russian River area and scholarships for west county graduates. A sponsorship featuring VIP perks is available for $1,250. General admission is $110 per person. Purchase tickets online.

Friedman Center, 4676 Mayette Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-478-1805, russianriverrotary.org

State Sen. McGuire keeps the live auction bidding lively at the 32nd annual Russian River Rotary Crab Feed at Shone Farm, in Forestville, on Jan. 26, 2019. McGuire will return for the Rotary’s 38th annual crab feed on Jan. 25, 2025, at the Friedman Event Center in Santa Rosa. (Will Bucquoy/for The Press Democrat)

Ursuline Alumnae Association Crab Feed, Jan. 25

The Ursuline Alumnae Association will host its 13th annual crab feed starting at 5:30 p.m., Jan. 25, at the Cardinal Newman High School gymnasium in Santa Rosa. Dinner includes all-you-can-eat crab, pasta, salad, French bread and dessert, plus a no-host bar. The event will include a raffle as well as live, silent and dessert auctions. Proceeds will benefit the Ursuline Alumnae Association scholarship fund. Tickets are $75 per person. Purchase tickets online.

Cardinal Newman High School, 4320 Old Redwood Highway, Santa Rosa, ursulinealumnaesr.org

Petaluma Woman’s Club Crab Feed, Jan. 31

The Petaluma Woman’s Club will host its annual crab feed from 6–9 p.m., Jan. 31, at the clubhouse. Dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. and includes local Dungeness crab, French bread, salad with homemade thousand island dressing and a “Better Than Sex Cake” for dessert. The feed benefits the club’s restoration fund to help restore a historic Petaluma building designed by Brainerd Jones. A live auction by local Leland Fishman starts at 7:45 p.m. Tickets are $85 per person. There’s also a “takeout for two” option for $120, with pickup from 3-5:30 p.m. Purchase tickets on Eventbrite.

518 B St., Petaluma, 707-762-4271, petalumawomansclub.com

Healdsburg American Legion Crab Feed, Feb. 1

The Healdsburg American Legion Sotoyome Post 111 will host a crab feed Feb. 1. A no-host bar starts at 3 p.m. and a crab dinner will be served from 4–7 p.m. Dinner includes all-you-can-eat cracked crab, salad, garlic bread, beer and wine. The crab feed benefits local youth programs, college scholarships and the organization’s advocacy for veterans. Tickets are $95. To purchase tickets and make donations, email hanshenneberque@gmail.com or call Hans Henneberque at 707-849-6042.

900 Chanticleer Way, Healdsburg, healdsburgamericanlegion.org

Great Sonoma Crab & Wine Fest, Feb. 1

The Sonoma County Farm Bureau will host its 35th annual Great Sonoma Crab and Wine Fest starting at 4 p.m., Feb. 1, at the Sonoma County Event Center at the Fairgrounds. Reception and silent auction starts at 4 p.m. in the Hall of Flowers. Dinner and a live auction starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Grace Pavilion. Proceeds from the event support the Farm Bureau’s agricultural education programs. Tickets are $165 per person. Sponsorships featuring a number of VIP perks are also available, from $1,650–$10,000. Purchase tickets online.

Sonoma County Event Center at the Fairgrounds, 1450 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa, 707-544-5575, sonomafb.org

Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay & Crab Feast, Feb. 1

Kendall-Jackson Wines will host its 20th annual Chardonnay and Crab Feast from 5–8 p.m., Feb. 1, at the winery. Dinner will include appetizers, Dungeness crab and family-style side dishes such as Caesar salad, charred broccolini, roasted potatoes and focaccia. The 21 and over event will feature estate Chardonnay. Tickets are $175 per person and $140 for wine club members. Purchase tickets on Tock.

5007 Fulton Road, Santa Rosa, 707-571-8100, kj.com

Hanna Academy Crab Feed, Feb. 1

Sonoma’s Hanna Academy will host its inaugural crab feed from 5–9 p.m., Feb. 1, in the Hanna Center Auditorium. The all-you-can eat crab dinner includes specialty drinks and desserts. There will also be live music from bluegrass band Mission Blue. Proceeds support the students of the special education nonpublic high school. General admission tickets are $85 and VIP tickets are $125. Sponsorships are also available, from $500–$5,000. Purchase tickets on Eventbrite.

17000 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, 707-933-2560, hannaacademy.org

Annual Forestry Crab Feed, Feb. 1

The 62nd annual Forestry Crab Feed — a benefit for the employees of The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection — will be held from 5–10 p.m., Feb. 1, at Holy Ghost Hall in Sebastopol. Dinner will include all-you-can-eat crab cioppino, marinated crab, shrimp salad, garlic bread and wine. There will be a raffle, silent auction and live DJ music. Tickets are $75 per person. Purchase tickets online.

Holy Ghost Hall, 7960 Mill Station Road, Sebastopol, forestrycrabfeed.com

Piner High School Crab Feed, Feb. 1

The Piner Athletic Hall of Fame will host its 17th annual crab feed starting at 5 p.m., Feb. 1, at the Friedman Event Center in Santa Rosa. Dinner starts at 7 p.m. and includes appetizers, salad, sourdough bread, crab and pasta. There will be a no-host bar, raffle, silent auction and dessert auction. As Piner’s biggest fundraiser, proceeds benefit the school’s educational needs as well as its planetarium and observatory. Tickets are $65 per person. Purchase tickets at any Oliver’s Market locations or order by calling Joan Fleck at 707-888-3995 or via a form mailed (with payment) to the Piner Athletic Hall of Fame at P.O. Box 12284, Santa Rosa, CA, 95406.

Friedman Center, 4676 Mayette Ave., Santa Rosa, pinerhalloffame.org

Rancho Adobe Firefighters Association Crab Feed, Feb. 1

The Rancho Adobe Firefighters will host its annual crab feed starting at 6 p.m., Feb. 1, at the Penngrove Clubhouse. The event will include all-you-can-eat crab, a raffle, live entertainment and a chance to meet local firefighters. Tickets are $75 per person. Purchase tickets at the Penngrove fire station at 11000 Main St., Penngrove.

Penngrove Clubhouse, 385 Woodward St., Penngrove, 707-795-6011, rafd.org

Maria Carrillo Athletics Crab Feed, Feb. 8

The Puma Athletic Boosters Club will host its annual crab feed benefiting Maria Carrillo High School athletics programs starting at 5 p.m., Feb. 8, at the Friedman Event Center in Santa Rosa. Enjoy a crab dinner with all the fixings and bid on items in the silent and live auctions. The event is 21 and over only. Tickets are $90 per person. Purchase tickets online.

Friedman Center, 4676 Mayette Ave., Santa Rosa, mchspab.org

Rotary Club of Rohnert Park-Cotati Crab Feed and Seafood Festival, Feb. 8

The Rotary Club of Rohnert Park-Cotati will host its sixth annual Crab Feed and Seafood Festival starting at 5 p.m., Feb. 8, at Sally Tomatoes Event Center in Rohnert Park. Dinner will include cracked Dungeness crab, New England-style clam chowder, Bay Shrimp Louie salad and garlic bread. There will be raffles as well as live, silent and dessert auctions. Early bird tickets are $90 per person until Jan. 14 and $100 per person starting Jan. 15. Purchase tickets online.

Sally Tomatoes Event Center, 100 Valley House Drive, Rohnert Park, rotaryrpc.org

Pacific Empire Chorus Crab Feed, Feb. 8

Petaluma’s Pacific Empire Chorus will host a crab feed from 5–9 p.m., Feb. 8, at the Petaluma Veterans Building. The event includes all-you-can-eat crab, pasta, salad, French bread and dessert, as well as wine and Lagunitas beer. There will be auctions and a live a cappella show. Tickets are $80 for adults, $30 for children 10 and under, and $780 for a captain’s table for eight. Purchase tickets online.

Petaluma Veterans Building, 1094 Petaluma Blvd. S., Petaluma, pacificempire.org

Over 500 people attend the Fat Tire Club Crab Feed benefit for Becoming Independent at the Veterans Hall in Santa Rosa, Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019. (Will Bucquoy/For The Press Democrat) — Over 500 people attend the Fat Tire Club Crab Feed benefit for Becoming Independent at the Veterans Hall in Santa Rosa, Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019. Becoming Independent will host a crab feed this year from 5–9 p.m., Feb. 8. (Will Bucquoy/For The Press Democrat)

Becoming Independent Crab Feed, Feb. 8

Nonprofit Becoming Independent will host a crab feed to support its programs and resources from 5–9 p.m., Feb. 8. The evening will include a crab feast, drinks, raffles, and live music and performances. Tickets are $75 per person. Purchase tickets online.

1455 Corporate Center Parkway, Santa Rosa, 707-524-6600, becomingindependent.org

Kenwood Firefighters Association Crab Feed, Feb. 8

The Kenwood Firefighters Association will host its 15th annual crab feed with three seatings on Feb. 8 at the firehouse. Tickets are $85 per person and are on sale at the Fire Station. Call for more information.

9045 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, 707-833-2042, kenwoodfire.com

Sebastopol Rotary Club Crab Feed, Feb. 15

The Rotary Club of Sebastopol will host its annual crab feed with seatings at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Feb. 15, at Holy Ghost Hall in Sebastopol. A four-course meal will include crab, salad, clam chowder and dessert. The event will feature live music, raffles and a no-host bar. Proceeds support the rotary’s Mark Sell Teacher Grant Program. Tickets are $85 per person. Purchase tickets online.

Holy Ghost Hall, 7960 Mill Station Road, Sebastopol, sebastopolrotary.com

Rohnert Park Chamber Crab Feed, Feb. 15

The Rohnert Park Chamber of Commerce will host its annual ‘Hot’ Crab Feed Fundraiser from 5–9 p.m., Feb. 15, at the Rohnert Park Community Center. Dinner will include all-you-can-eat crab, bread, salad and Mary’s Pizza Shack pasta, plus dessert and a no-host bar. There will be games and raffle prizes. Tickets are $80 presale and $90 after Jan. 17. VIP sponsorships are available, from $900–$1,100. Last day to purchase tickets is Feb. 7. Purchase tickets online.

Rohnert Park Community Center, 5401 Synder Lane, Rohnert Park, 707-584-1415, rohnertparkchamber.org

Bodega Bay Grange Crab Cioppino, Feb. 16

The Bodega Bay Grange will host its 2025 Crab Cioppino from noon to 5:30 p.m., Feb. 16, at Bodega Bay Grange Hall. Dinner includes all-you-can-eat crab cioppino, cold marinated crab, green salad, garlic bread, ice cream and cookies. You can bring your own wine or beer, and soda will be sold on site. Proceeds support the Bodega Bay Grange, including scholarships for local students. Seatings are at noon, 1:45 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. Tickets are $85 per person. Purchase tickets on Eventbrite.

Bodega Bay Grange Hall, 1370 Bodega Ave., Bodega Bay, 707-875-3616, bodegabaygrange.org

Rotary Club of Petaluma Crab Feed, Feb. 21

The Petaluma Rotary Club will host a crab feed with a no-host bar from 5:30–9:30 p.m., Feb. 21, at the Petaluma Veterans Building. The dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. and includes crab, salad, pasta, rolls and dessert. There will be a live auction at 8 p.m. to benefit Petaluma Valley Hospital’s Orthopedic Center. General admission is $100. Purchase tickets on Eventbrite.

Petaluma Veterans Building, 1094 Petaluma Blvd. S., Petaluma, portal.clubrunner.ca/10088

DAV Chapter 48 Crab Feed, Feb. 22

The local Chapter 48 of Disabled American Veterans will host its fourth annual crab feed fundraiser from 3:30–9:30 p.m., Feb. 22, at the Veterans Memorial Building in Santa Rosa. An all-you-can-eat dinner includes Dungeness crab, salad, pasta, bread, dessert and drinks. There will be live music, raffles and a silent auction. Early-bird ticket holders can check in at 3:30 p.m. and general admission ticket holders can check in by 4:30 p.m. Proceeds will provide free rides for Sonoma County veterans to and from VA medical appointments. For more information and to purchase tickets, call 707-595-0324 or email DAV48Phone@gmail.com.

Veterans Memorial Building, 1351 Maple Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-595-0324, dav48sonoma.org

Sebastopol Masons Crab Feed, Feb. 22

The Sebastopol Masonic Lodge will host its benefit all-you-can-eat crab feed from 5–8:30 p.m., Feb. 22, at the Masonic Center. Family-style dinner will include crab, salad, pasta and garlic bread, and refreshments and desserts will be available for purchase. There will be two seatings, at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., as well as a takeout option. Tickets are $75 for adults and $37 for children 7 to 12 years old; children under 7 can attend free. Purchase tickets online.

Masonic Center, 373 N. Main St., Sebastopol, sebastopolmasoniccenter.org

Valley of the Moon Lions Club Crab Feed, Feb. 22

The Valley of the Moon Lions Club will host its 47th annual crab feed fundraiser from 5–9 p.m., Feb. 22, at the Veterans Hall in Sonoma. Dinner includes crab, shrimp salad, pasta, bread and homemade cookies. A no-host bar will also be available, featuring wine, beer, mixed drinks and nonalcoholic refreshments. There will be a silent auction and raffle, and 100% of profits from the event will benefit local nonprofits and Lions International. Tickets are $95 per person. Purchase tickets online.

Veterans Hall, 126 First St. W., Sonoma, 707-695-6570, e-clubhouse.org/sites/valleyotm

Gary Farrell Crab Dinner, Feb. 22

Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery will host its 18th annual crab dinner from 5:30–9 p.m., Feb. 22, at the winery’s barrel room. Winemaker Brent McKoy and the winery team will craft a feast paired with limited releases of Gary Farrell Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Tickets are $300 per person and $275 for club members.

10701 Westside Road, Healdsburg, 707-473-2909, garyfarrellwinery.com

Sonoma County Democratic Party Crab Feed, Feb. 28

The Sonoma County Democratic Party will host its 37th annual crab feed from 5:30–9 p.m., Feb. 28, at Graton Resort and Casino in Rohnert Park. Dinner starts at 7 p.m. and includes crab, pasta and salad. There will be a silent auction and a special guest (to be announced). Tickets are $80 per person, and sponsorships are available from $250–$3,000. Purchase tickets online.

Graton Resort and Casino, 288 Golf Course Drive W., Rohnert Park, 707-575-3029, sonomademocrats.org

Active 20-30 Club Crab Feed, March 1

The Active 20-30 Club of the Redwood Empire #1029 will host its 22nd annual crab feed benefiting kids from 5–10 p.m., March 1, at the Friedman Events Center in Santa Rosa. The 21-and-over event will include all-you-can-eat crab, cocktails, a silent auction and dessert auction. Proceeds benefit programs for local, disadvantaged youth. General admission is $95 and ticket sales end Feb. 18. Sponsorship opportunities are available, from $1,000–$2,000. Purchase tickets on Eventbrite.

Friedman Center, 4676 Mayette Ave., Santa Rosa, redwoodempire1029.com

Sonoma County’s Top Pizza-Slingers Join Forces for North Bay Pizza Week

January 2025

By Heather Irwin

Clockwise from top left, Hogwarts Express, Pep in Your Step, The Bird, Living on the Veg and the Pretty Fly for a Fungi pizza from Slow Co. Pizza, Dec. 20, 2024, in Cotati. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)

For twelve delicious days, from Jan. 8-19, more than 30 regional pizzerias and restaurants in Sonoma, Napa and Marin counties will participate in the inaugural North Bay Pizza Week.

Special pizzas will be available from some of Sonoma County’s top pizza-slingers (and my personal favorites) including Gabacool Provisions, Diavola Pizzeria & Salumeria, L’Oro di Napoli, PizzaLeah, Psychic Pie, Slow Co. Pizza, Sonoma Pizza Co. and The Red Grape.

Slow Co. Pizza offers a simple healthy menu with salads and seasonal veggies with a selection of beers and wine, Dec. 20, 2024, in Cotati. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)

PizzaLeah will participate in North Bay Pizza Week — Leah Scurto, co-owner and executive pizza maker, at PizzaLeah in Windsor, on Wednesday, May 27, 2020. PizzaLeah will participate in the inaugural North Bay Pizza Week. (Beth Schlanker)

Leah Scurto, owner of PizzaLeah, has created a special Pinot Pizza with Instagrammer @nochillmustafa for the event, with proceeds supporting the nonprofit Farm to Pantry.

Find more details and a complete list of participating pizza purveyors at northbaypizzaweek.com.

You can reach Dining Editor Heather Irwin at heather.irwin@pressdemocrat.com. Follow Heather on Instagram @biteclubeats.

Healdsburg Jazz Turns It Up With New Four-Day Winter Fest

January 2025

By Michael Shapiro

Sonoma County jazz singer Stella Heath. (Courtesy of Stella Heath)

When Marcus Shelby became artistic director of Healdsburg Jazz five years ago, he hoped it could become a year-round endeavor. “The only problem was the pandemic,” says Shelby, who is also the leader of the renowned Marcus Shelby Orchestra. The pandemic delay gave Shelby time to plan and develop new programs — and this February, after 25 successful years of summer concerts, Shelby and his team will debut a new four-day Winter Fest.

“It’s an opportunity to produce some concerts; have some education presence; bring in some national, international, local, up-and-coming and legendary artists; and really celebrate this art form in the middle of winter in one of the most beautiful places in the world,” says Shelby.

Winter Fest launches Jan. 30 at downtown Healdsburg’s Paul Mahder Gallery with Venezuelan pianist and composer Edward Simon, whom Shelby calls one of the great pianists of our era. Singer Paula West’s quartet takes the stage at Spoonbar for two shows Jan. 31. “She has a wide repertoire of songs that speak to liberation and justice,” says Shelby. And Feb. 1, versatile vocalist Stella Heath performs the music of Ella Fitzgerald in an afternoon show that also features stories from the life of the jazz legend. Heath is also the education coordinator for Healdsburg Jazz.

Sonoma County jazz singer Stella Heath will perform the music of Ella Fitzgerald Feb. 1. (Courtesy of Stella Heath)

The Harlem of the West Jazz Party Feb. 1 is a highlight of Winter Fest, featuring vocalist Tiffany Austin, vibraphone player and bandleader Sasha Berliner, pianist Darrell Grant, and baritone vocalist Jamie Davis of the Count Basie Orchestra, among others.

“They’ll form little groups — it’s not like they’re bringing their own groups,” explains Shelby. “It’s like an all-star game where people are really well known.”

Held at The 222 in the Paul Mahder Gallery, the four-hour Saturday night event will also feature the spoken word poetry of Healdsburg Jazz poet laureate Enid Pickett, writer Lewis Watts, and an exhibit of photographs of San Francisco’s Fillmore District, which was known for a thriving jazz club scene in the 1960s, earning it the nickname “Harlem of the West.”

(The district hosts its own jazz festival each June.)

Pianist Jason Moran, artistic director of the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., performs Feb. 2. (Clay Patrick McBride/Courtesy Healdsburg Winter Jazz Festival)

Pianist and composer Jason Moran, a 2010 MacArthur Fellow and the artistic director of the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., headlines a solo concert featuring the music of Duke Ellington as the festival concludes Sunday, Feb. 2.

Shelby calls Moran an incredible composer and one of the leading thinkers in jazz today. “It’s pretty special for us … to have Jason Moran out here,” says Shelby.

The festival is timed to coincide with the start of Black History Month. “Historically, it’s a slow part of the year up in Healdsburg,” says Shelby, “so it was a good time to kick off our Black History Month program.”

Healdsburg Jazz Winter Fest, Jan. 30-Feb. 2 at locations around Healdsburg. Individual event tickets from $40. healdsburgjazz.org

Cochon BBQ Returns for Barbecue Weekends at IL Fuoco

January 2025

By Heather Irwin

Customers order baby back ribs, sausage, pork shoulder, short ribs and beef brisket by the pound to create their mixed platter at the Cochon Volant BBQ Smoke House in Sonoma. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)

Chef Rob Larman has brought back his famous barbecue from noon to 7 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday at Il Fuoco restaurant.

The longtime chef of Cochon Volant BBQ will serve brisket, pork shoulder, baby back ribs by the pound, barbecue sandwiches, coleslaw and baked ranch beans throughout the weekend.

“People were really missing the ‘que,” said Larman.

Cochon Volant BBQ barbecue platter — Customers order baby back ribs, sausage, pork shoulder, short ribs and beef brisket by the pound to create their mixed platter at the Cochon Volant BBQ Smoke House in Sonoma. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)

The pop-up is held in a tent behind Il Fuoco, where Larman has been serving woodfired pizzas and burgers since 2021.

Il Fuoco, 18350 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma. facebook.com/CochonVolantBBQ

You can reach Dining Editor Heather Irwin at heather.irwin@pressdemocrat.com. Follow Heather on Instagram @biteclubeats.

Sumo Dog Brings Unique Hot Dogs to Napa

January 2025

By Heather Irwin

In a sea of strange food and even stranger attendees, Rolling Stone magazine called the Sumo Dog “The Best Footlong Meal” at Indio’s Coachella music festival.

Though that could be considered faint praise, chef Jeffrey Lunak’s wildly creative DIY hot dogs — loaded with everything from chili to furikake (a dry Japanese condiment) to togarashi cheese — have also been clocked by Vogue and online trendsetting website Thrillist.

In February, Lunak and Sumo Dog will arrive at Napa’s Oxbow Market — buns and relish in tow.

Chef Jeffrey Lunak of Sumo Dog will open at the Oxbow Market in Napa. (George Gutenberg)

The curated menu is focused on four kinds of “dogs” — an Angus beef frank, pork sausage, a hamburger-style dog with ground beef, and a vegan dog.

Purists can go “Traditional Style” with usual suspect add-ons like sauerkraut and spicy mustard; chili, minced onion, togarashi (a Japanese chili seasoning) and cheese sauce; or Windy City-style with relish, tomato, pickle, peppers and celery salt.

I’m more fascinated by Sumo Dog’s “Signature Style” options, which include a breaded and fried dog with miso mustard coleslaw, tonkatsu sauce and furikake; the bacon-wrapped dog with daikon and carrot slaw with lime and spicy mayo; and the megalithic foot-long Godzilla dog with chili, cheese sauce, wasabi relish, spicy mayo, furikake and teriyaki sauce.

The Sumo Dog pop-up is part of Oxbow’s chef-in-residency program that introduces locals to unique dining concepts from chefs testing the waters of the Napa Valley market. The residency is also a return for chef Lunak, the opening chef at Masaharu Morimoto’s namesake restaurant in Napa.

Sumo Dog has existing locations at Yankee Stadium in New York and appears at numerous events, including Coachella, Comic-Con and TwitchCon. eatsumodog.com

You can reach Dining Editor Heather Irwin at heather.irwin@pressdemocrat.com. Follow Heather on Instagram @biteclubeats.

Littorai Wines Puts Farming First in Sebastopol

January 2025

By Tina Caputo

Gold Ridge Estate and the Pinot vineyard at Littorai Wines in Sebastopol. (Littorai Wines)

Ted Lemon is legendary among Sonoma County winemakers, and if you’ve ever tasted Littorai wines, it’s easy to understand why.

I first learned Lemon’s story a decade ago, when I was editing the annual “20 Most Admired” issue of the industry trade magazine Vineyard & Winery Management. We’d asked a panel of top winemakers, grape growers, wine writers and sommeliers across the country to nominate their heroes among North American winemakers, and his name came up over and over.

Was it Lemon’s respect for the land and vines? His light hand in the cellar? The character of Littorai’s laser-focused Pinot Noir and Chardonnay? Yes, yes and yes.

The story

Ted and Heidi Lemon of Littorai Wines in Sebastopol. (Littorai Wines)

Lemon studied winemaking in Dijon, France and worked at several estates in Burgundy before moving to the Napa Valley in 1985. He worked as a consultant for local wineries, and in 1993, he launched Littorai Wines with his wife Heidi. They made their first 150 cases with purchased fruit and eventually added their own vineyards to the mix.

In 2003, the Lemons bought Gold Ridge Estate, a 30-acre property on a foggy ridgetop in Sebastopol. A passionate believer in biodynamic practices — avoiding chemicals in the vineyard and taking a holistic approach to farming — Ted planted a small vineyard at the site and brought in cows, chickens and sheep for natural soil enhancement and weeding duties.

In 2008, Littorai completed construction of its solar-powered, straw bale winery. It now produces 5,000 cases per year, made with a 50-50 split of estate fruit and grapes sourced from like-minded growers in the Sonoma Coast and Anderson Valley appellations.

The vibe

Leave the fancy shoes at home for a down-home wine tasting and farm tour at Littorai Wines in Sebastopol. (Littorai Wines)

There is no sign to mark the entrance of Littorai Wines, so you’ll need to drive slowly along rural Gold Ridge Road and keep your eyes peeled for the address. Once inside the gate, drive past the vegetable garden and century-old barn to reach the winery.

This is a real-deal working farm, so leave the fancy shoes at home. All tastings take place outdoors, mainly on the back patio overlooking the estate vineyard. On rainy days, guests cozy up inside a heated tent.

On the palate

Littorai makes about 18 wines each year, including many single-vineyard bottlings. Though they vary in profile, the wines share common threads of restraint and balance — showing off the vineyards rather than winemaking techniques.

Littorai Wines ready for tasting. (Nat Martinez/The Labs & Co.)

The vibrant 2022 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay ($70) reminds me of a crisp green apple, accented with stony minerality. Among the Pinots, I’m especially partial to the 2021 Thieriot Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir ($100), with its aromas of raspberries and spice, and juicy, red-fruit flavors. The 2021 Hirsch Pinot Noir ($100) from the cold and windy Fort Ross-Seaview AVA is a deeper wine, with dark berry flavors and impressive structure.

Tastings ($70-$90) feature six selections, and they typically include one older vintage that demonstrates the wines’ aging potential. Bonus: Littorai wines are under allocation and sold via a mailing list, but visitors can buy them at the source.

Beyond the bottle

Littorai Winery and constructed wetlands in Sebastopol. (Littorai Wines)

To get an inside look at Littorai’s farming methods, go for the sommelier-led Gold Ridge Estate Tour & Tasting ($90). It begins with a short walk to a rustic barn that serves as a drying room for stinging nettle, oak bark and other plants used in the winery’s natural vineyard sprays. There, a knowledgeable guide explains the concepts behind biodynamic and generative farming, and details how each practice benefits the land and vines. The tour continues through the Pivot Vineyard, past meadows and bubbling streams, and finishes with a seated tasting.

Tastings by appointment Monday through Saturday.

Littorai Wines, 788 Gold Ridge Road, Sebastopol. 707-823-9586, littorai.com

Tina Caputo is a wine, food, and travel writer whose work has appeared in numerous publications, including SevenFifty Daily, Visit California, HuffPost, and Sonoma magazine. Follow Tina on Twitter @winebroad, view her website at tinacaputo.com and email her story ideas at tina@caputocontent.com.

‘We Can’t Make Enough’: Healdsburg Bakery Sells Out Daily After Being Named Among Best in US

January 2025

By Maci Martell

Baker Amari Quiron adds Lox Toast while pasty chef Sara Ellsworth, right, tidies up the display of goods at Quail & Condor bakery Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, in Healdsburg. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)

Since opening Quail & Condor bakery in Healdsburg in 2020, Melissa Yanc and Sean McGaughey have enjoyed a steady stream of customers from near and far, seeking out their buttery pastries and freshly baked breads.

But this past year was a bit different.

“It’s funny,” Yanc said, recalling the past few months. “We had experienced a very slow period.”

Typically, things “perk up” for the Healdsburg bakery after Halloween, she said. But business lately had been unusually slow for the popular bakery and the crew was preparing to taper down.

Then, a New York Times article published on Christmas Eve named Quail & Condor among the best bakeries in the United States.

“When the article came out — we had no idea, for one thing. And two, it just kind of flipped everything,” Yanc said. “(Now) it’s just like, we can’t make enough.”

Quail & Condor bakery in Healdsburg — Pastry Chef Sarah Ellsworth moves a rack of bread variates available at Quail & Condor bakery Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, in Healdsburg. The bakery has been selling out fast since they received a nod in The New York Times. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)

On Friday, Jan. 3, the bakery had sold out of everything by 11 a.m., and the shop had to close early. “For the last week, it’s been at like 10 o’clock,” Yanc said.

The New York Times reached out to Yanc for photos before the article came out, but they didn’t provide details on what the feature was about. She didn’t bother to ask, either, because “normally it’s just a small write-up about Healdsburg.”

So Yanc was pleasantly surprised about the article and a following surge in business.

“It’s awesome,” Yanc said, noting that they have hardly had a moment to take it all in. “We have to react so quickly, and it’s like we’re running with our heads cut off.”

The bakery is operating out of a small space on Healdsburg Avenue, making it more challenging to fulfill increased orders. “We just have zero space,” said Yanc, “it’s like a clown car of a building and it’s awkwardly shaped.”

Yanc said they hope to move into a bigger shop by May.

croissants at Quail & Condor bakery in Healdsburg — Varieties of croissants available at Quail & Condor bakery Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, in Healdsburg. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)

Despite the ramped up business and limited space to keep up with demand, Yanc said she feels grateful for the New York Times nod and the journalist who wrote their nomination, Eleanore Park, who once lived in Windsor and had a Quail & Condor cake at her baby shower.

“It was just nice that this person — who is in my generation, who is a food writer, who has eaten at so many places, who writes for a very well-established publication — helps wake up our clientele and [they] remember, ‘Oh yeah, this place doesn’t cut any corners,’” Yanc said. “And it’s worth all the work. Like, we don’t pay for media and PR; we earned it.”

The New York Times article notes that at Quail & Condor, Yanc and McGaughey “run the gamut with luscious chocolate Champagne cakes, sourdough smacked with tang and pastries with lamination close to translucent.”

The bakery’s bread program and seasonal treats, like carrot cake and malted strawberry mini cakes, also received high praise.

Auspicious beginnings

Melissa Yanc of Quail & Condor bakery and Troubadour in Healdsburg. (Emma K Creative)

Pastry chef Yanc won the Food Network’s Holiday Baking Championship in 2019, and with the $25,000 prize (along with $20,000 from a Kickstarter campaign) opened Quail & Condor the following year with husband McGaughey.

Yanc and McGaughey were selling their goods at farmers markets and pop-ups for a while before they opened the bakery. So when Quail & Condor finally opened its doors during the height of the pandemic, fans flocked to the small Healdsburg Avenue shop for flaky croissants, seasonal scones and hearty bread loaves.

The bakery’s near instant success prompted a spinoff in the form of a bread and sandwich shop, Troubadour Bread and Bistro, that opened in 2022. Later that year, Troubadour began moonlighting as French-inspired restaurant Le Diner.

Le Diner at Troubadour Bread and Bistro n Healdsburg. (Emma K Creative) — Petite Escargot, served in a Limoges tea cup with creamy garlic velouté, from Le Diner at Troubadour in Healdsburg. (Emma K Creative)

Yanc said the recent New York Times article has also boosted business at Troubadour, and just in time, too. Having worked at a number of restaurants, including at the Michelin-starred SingleThread with McGaughey, Yanc said she knows what Michelin food tastes like.

“Lately, my husband’s been cooking Michelin food with this new crew,” Yanc said. “It’s awesome.”

As the bakery duo eye a Michelin star, Yanc said they’re “not trying to lose sight of who we are, because I think when you try to go for Michelin you kind of forget your foundation and your genesis.”

But losing sight of their vision doesn’t seem likely for Yanc and McGaughey, who are adamant about sourcing local and staying in tune with their customers’ values. And if the long lines and early “sold out” signs are any indication, the customers aren’t likely to forget anytime soon, either.

149 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-473-8254, quailandcondor.com

Modern Sonoma Farmhouse With Private Vineyard and Wine Cellar Listed for $13.5 Million

January 2025

By Karen Kizer

A newly built modern farmhouse — located minutes from downtown Sonoma — is currently listed for sale. This five-bedroom, six-bathroom, 6,476-square-foot home on 3.39 acres has its own 1.5-acre vineyard. The asking price is $13,500,000.

The gray-walled, U-shaped estate, designed by Suresh Hosakoppal and built in 2024, has juxtaposing pitched and flat roofs. Large windows offer immersive views into the vineyard, but the layout ensures privacy.

The interior, by Jessica Wichmann of Zeitgeist Sonoma, offers a muted palette of white oak floors and cabinets and natural stone surfaces. Iron and gold fixtures throughout offer bold yet delicate contrast.

Modern Sonoma Farmhouse — Living room. (Paul Rollins Photography)

A few showstopping design details energize the space further. Natural stone surrounds the DaVinci Maestro fireplace — vertical logs and a tall flame enclosed in glass. The piece is flanked by large windows that give a view to the vineyard.

Off the great room is a temperature-controlled wine cellar, which holds 860-bottles that appear to float in the room thanks to transparent shelves. A glass door and walls allows the spectacular display to be on full view from the great room.

Outdoor amenities include a pool and spa, a kitchen and a pergola-covered area with a fire pit.

For more information on 601 Napa Road, contact listing agents Joseph Zichelle, 415-279-2221, or Christine Krenos, 707-227-8661, Compass Real Estate, Krenoszichelle.com, compass.com

Sonoma and Napa Wineries You Need to Know in 2025, According to Food & Wine

January 2025

By Maci Martell

Raghni Naidu, owner and founder of Naidu Wines and Vineyards in Sebastopol. Photo taken Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)

Epicurean-focused Food & Wine magazine recently released a list of new California wineries you need to know in 2025. Among these 15 best newcomers are 11 local wineries, eight based in Sonoma County and three in Napa Valley.

The Food & Wine list encompasses a variety of wineries whose first vintage was launched within the last 10 years. Featured wines from each producer run the gamut from affordable Merlots and Rieslings to more pricey Pinot Noirs and Cabernet Sauvignons.

The local wineries you need to know

Alma de Cattleya

In its September/October 2024 issue, Sonoma Magazine featured Bibiana González Rave, the founder of Alma de Cattleya, in a winemaker portraits series (where each photograph was developed in wine). The magazine spotlighted Rave’s 2021 Cattleya ‘The Reward’ Syrah — a “mind-blowing,” small batch wine.

Rave worked at a number of top wineries around the world before starting her own in 2012 with her first label, Cattleya, the national flower of her native Colombia. Alma de Cattleya is her newest venture, featuring more affordable regional wines. Food & Wine highlighted Rave’s 2022 Cattleya ‘The Initiation’ Syrah ($70) as well as the 2023 Alma de Cattleya Sauvignon Blanc ($26).

While Alma de Cattleya doesn’t currently offer private seated tastings, guests can schedule a time to purchase wines at the winery and will be treated to a complimentary pour while the order is prepared.

607 Martin Ave., Suite 111, Rohnert Park, 888-597-2297, almadecattleya.com

Carboniste

Husband-and-wife team Dan and Jacqueline Person specialize in more “unusual” sparkling wines at Carboniste, founded in 2017. Food & Wine highlighted the label’s “ruby-hued, juicy” Carboniste Rouge Brute ($32). The Brut is a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Albariño for a rich and playful sparkler.

Carboniste doesn’t have a tasting room, but the winery is available for club member tastings by appointment. You can also catch them pouring at events around the Bay Area.

21684 Eighth St. E., Suite 300, Sonoma, carboniste.com

Joseph-Jibril

While working at Kosta Browne Winery in Sebastopol, winemakers Bobby Joseph Huff and Jaam Jibril Moynihan met and became friends over shared dreams of making their own wines. By 2021, their dream became reality when they started a wine brand, using their middle names for the label. Joseph-Jibril sources from organically farmed vineyards and focuses on minimal-intervention winemaking.

The Healdsburg-based Joseph-Jibril winery caught Food & Wine’s attention with its 2023 Joseph-Jibril Valdiguié ($30). An “ode to old-school ‘Napa Gamay,'” according to the winery’s website, the red wine is refreshing and juicy, with notes of pomegranate, mixed berry and violet.

Joseph-Jibril doesn’t currently have a tasting room. Email info@josephjibrilwines.com to schedule a tasting.

Healdsburg, josephjibrilwines.com

Matt Taylor Wines

This west county winery was recently featured on The New York Times roundup of most memorable wines of 2024 with its 2017 Komorebi Vineyard Chardonnay.

On a 6.5-acre vineyard on the Sonoma Coast, just outside Occidental, winemaker Matt Taylor has used organic, biodynamic and regenerative farming practices since launching his winery. The label’s first vintage was released in 2016.

Food & Wine spotlighted Matt Taylor’s 2019 Cuvée Kaela Pinot Noir ($80) for its distinctive and delicious taste, with notes of aromatic tea leaf and a spicy-tart cherry character (find it on wine-searcher.com). Fun fact: Matt Taylor’s Cuvée Kaela label is named for his wife, Mikaela.

Occidental, matttaylorwines.com

Morét-Brealynn Wines

Last year, Sonoma Magazine featured Morét Brealynn Chavez on its roundup of 15 Sonoma Winemakers You Need to Know in 2024. Her namesake winery specializes in Pinot Noirs (including her “Stray Dogs” label that supports local and national animal shelters).

Food & Wine highlighted Morét-Brealynn Wines’ 2023 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir ($50) for its “aromatic, intense” profile. The vibrant Pinot is only the third vintage from the young winery, which Food & Wine said “confirms [Chavez’s] impressive talent.”

Windsor, moretbrealynnwines.com

Naidu

From India to Australia to Sonoma County, winemaker Raghni Naidu pulls from a world of influences at her eponymous winery in Sebastopol, which she launched in 2020.

With a focus on Pinot Noir, Naidu wines are primarily made from grapes grown on the Sonoma Coast and Russian River Valley using sustainable farming practices. Food & Wine recommends the 2021 Naidu Estate Pinot Noir ($75) for its layers of juicy, red-fruit notes. The wine was a Double Gold winner in the San Francisco Chronicle’s 2024 Wine Competition.

2567 Blucher Valley Road, Sebastopol, 415-322-0565, naiduwines.com

Raghni Naidu, owner and founder of Naidu Wines and Vineyards in Sebastopol, on Tuesday, November 1, 2022. (Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat) — Raghni Naidu, owner and founder of Naidu Wines and Vineyards in Sebastopol, on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022. (Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat)

Newfound Wines

Wine veterans Matt and Audra Naumann founded this winery in 2016, establishing a ranch and vineyard in the Sierra Foothills. From here and other vineyards around Northern and Central California, Newfound sources its grapes to produce a “range of impressive wines,” Food & Wine stated.

The magazine spotlighted the 2022 Newfound Gravels Red ($30) — a bright blend of Grenache, Carignane and Mourvèdre with notes of cherry, sage and dried rose petal.

Private tastings are by appointment only.

1200 Oak Ave., St. Helena, newfoundwines.com

Oxlee Graham

In 2022, winemaker Jennie Murphy founded Oxlee Graham, named after her grandmothers — two strong women in Murphy’s life that serve as both an inspiration and commitment for the winery. Each label at Oxlee Graham carries the name of a woman who left a lasting impression on Murphy’s life.

Food & Wine suggests seeking out the winery’s 2023 Dayle’s Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast ($58), named for Murphy’s mother. The berry-forward Pinot has hints of orange zest and savory spices to complement the juicy red fruits, lending to a balanced and food-friendly wine.

3171 Ross Road, Unit 1002, Graton, 707-852-4030, oxleegrahamwines.com

Plinth

Flora and Jason Chang founded Plinth Wine in 2022 after selling their former Nine Suns winery and its Houyi Vineyard in Napa Valley to their longtime partners, Realm Cellars.

Plinth maintains its relationship with Realm Cellars and produces a limited batch of Cabernet Sauvignon from Houyi Vineyard that quickly became celebrated among wine connoisseurs.

Food & Wine recommends the 2022 Plinth Houyi Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ($315), along with the previous 2021 vintage, which the magazine stated is well worth the cost. The Cab features notes of cocoa, coriander, dark cherry and blackberry, and has a velvety texture on the palate. Purchase online; the winery ships to 40 states.

Napa Valley, plinthwine.com

Read Holland

In 2021, Sonoma Magazine featured Ashley Holland of Read Holland Wines as one of the up-and-coming winemakers to watch. Holland, who grew up riding horses before pursuing a career in winemaking, founded her boutique winery in 2016.

Read Holland now produces about 500 cases of wine per year. The one that caught the attention of Food & Wine is the “lime-zesty” 2023 Wiley Vineyard Riesling ($30). The wine, sourced from a Riesling block planted in Anderson Valley in 1976, boasts a sweet aroma of lilac, pineapple guava and fresh ginger, followed by a refreshing mineral and citrus finish.

Santa Rosa, 707-721-2401, readhollandwines.com

Vida Valiente

According to Food & Wine, Vida Valiente was founded in 2019 primarily to help fund the Vida Valiente Foundation, which supports low-income, first-generation students throughout their college career.

Winemaker Sam Kaplan “makes top-of-the-game Cabernet Sauvignon here,” Food & Wine stated, recommending the estate’s 2021 The Movement ($250). The Cab is a blend of grapes from all the vineyards Vida Valiente sources from, producing a powerful wine with dark fruit flavor. Plus, $100 from every bottle of The Movement sold goes directly to the foundation.

St. Helena, 415-794-8102, vidavalientewinery.com

How Will We Eat In 2025? Here Are Our Food Editor’s Predictions

December 2024

By Heather Irwin

The Euphoria nonalcoholic cocktail with Seedlip Grove, goji and schisandra berry, Euphoria Elixir, lime, prickly pear-hibiscus puree and jasmine water at Fern Bar in Sebastopol. (Heather Irwin/The Press Democrat)

At the start of each year, we all love a good prediction of the next 365 days. The food and restaurant world is no exception, and industry pundits crunch data, consult experts and posit theories about what we’ll be eating, how we’ll be dining out and what trends will influence us at the cash register.

Often, those predictions are ridiculous, wrongheaded or just wishful thinking, but sometimes they hold a nugget of truth.

This year, I’ve again sifted through dozens of “official” predictions, including those from Whole Foods Market, Food & Wine magazine, Forbes, Chowhound and reports from several trend forecasting companies to see what resonates.

My own predictions are also based on what I’ve seen and heard while eating at more than 120 restaurants, food trucks and food purveyors in Sonoma County over the last year. Here’s what you might expect in 2025.

The word that defines dining out in 2025 — Experience

Friends Aine Fitzgerald, left, and Rachael Brackett enjoy a drink together at The Block Petaluma food park in Petaluma, Calif., on Saturday, May 14, 2022. (Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat) — The Block Petaluma is a food park featuring drinks and live music. The varied entertainment and rotating food trucks provide something for everyone. (Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat)

Diners are paying attention to their food and are looking for value, entertainment, healthy alternatives, sustainability and customization — often all in the same package. Restaurateurs and grocers will need to up their game to create “experiences” that engage customers weary of high prices, unhealthy ingredients and uninspiring options. The mantra I’ve heard a thousand times: “If I can make it at home, why go out?” Diners want more for their money and are willing to seek out the players who best fulfill that desire.

The food watchwords of 2025

Artisan masa, fancy instant noodles, mushroom coffee, turnips, caviar, adaptogens, mood-altering nonalcoholic cocktails, saffron, guava, “swicy” (sweet and spicy), aquatic protein.

The biggest dining trend — Microsizing

We’re all looking for ways to get healthier, especially with the advent of Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) weight loss drugs, which have diners looking for power punches of flavor in smaller-sized servings. At the start of the new year, many are also trying to cut down on alcohol. We’re also looking for great deals.

To cater to those interests, more restaurants offer flights and “experiences” that include multiple tastes at a lower cost than full-size entrées. I recently ordered a $24 flight of four mini margaritas to share with a friend. It was fun to try different flavors and have an “experience” — neither of us missed having a hangover.

“Restaurants are now offering a smorgasbord of smaller, high-quality dishes and, in some cases, mini cocktails. Think amuse-bouche, bite-size starters, dumplings, tapas and two-sip cocktails — delicious tastes that double as snacks or mini meals,” according to food-trend adviser John Koch.

Table Culture Provisions chef Stéphane Saint Louis serves a collage of late spring bites for two, including squid-ink madeleines, asparagus cappuccino and golden orbs of Indian pani puri filled with Dungeness crab salad. Expect to see more bite-size starters and smaller, high-quality dishes in 2025. (Kim Carroll)

International snacking

Riding on the coattails of microsizing is international snacking. “Brands can tell their story by sharing their cultural roots, introducing consumers to different parts of the world. Think chili masala popcorn, Mexican chamoy candy, Korean seaweed chips, and Thai chili and lime rice chips,” said the Whole Foods 2025 food trend report.

Social media influences

Chopped sandwiches, Boursin pasta, Stanley Tucci’s pasta fagioli soup and chili oil noodles were everywhere on social media this year. Copycat recipes from social media influencers and celebrities show Gen X, millennials and Gen Z how to cook. Quick preparation equipment like air fryers and easy-to-find ingredients encourage people to stay home instead of dining out.

@andyseastcoastkitchen When Stanley Tucci speaks, the world listens—especially when it’s about food. Enter pasta fagioli, a hearty, comforting Italian soup that has captured hearts and taste buds everywhere. Made famous by Tucci’s love for simple and tasty dishes, this pasta fagioli soup is perfect for cold weather. It is warm, filling, and absolutely delicious. This isn’t just soup—it’s a bowl of tradition, rich with the flavors of Italy and packed with wholesome ingredients. It’s the kind of dish that feels like a warm hug. You can enjoy it on a winter evening or during a relaxed Sunday lunch. #fyp #foryou ♬ Peaches – Instrumental – Art James

“Food influencers have become culinary rock stars, wielding immense power over what ends up on our plates. Visually-stunning recipe demonstrations and endlessly creative meal ideas draw viewers in, inspiring them to experiment with new flavors and techniques,” said Amazing Food and Drink.

Low ABV is here to stay

The needle continues to swing toward less boozy drinks, whether in restaurants or at home after a long day at work. On trend are “mocktails” with “healthy” mix-ins like herbs, roots, shrubs and mushrooms. “While the millennial and Gen Z generations may have started the Sober Curious movement, it has expanded to all generations who value wellness,” according to T. Hasegawa’s “Flavor Trends 2025” report.

Adaptogens, mushrooms and probiotics

House specialty Green Chile Apple Pie with walnut streusel, cheddar crust, whipped cream and a red chile honey drizzle and an Adaptogenic mushroom tea from the House of Better at the newly renovated Dr. Wilkinsons Backyard Resort and Mineral Springs in Calistoga on Tuesday, July 6, 2021. (Photo by John Burgess/The Press Democrat) — House specialty Green Chile Apple Pie with walnut streusel, cheddar crust, whipped cream and a red chile honey drizzle and an Adaptogenic mushroom tea from the House of Better at the newly renovated Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort and Mineral Springs in Calistoga on Tuesday, July 6, 2021. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

Add a little lion’s mane mushroom powder, turmeric and ashwagandha to anything, and you have an “adaptogenic” food — or so the multibillion dollar wellness industry wants you to think. Somewhere between truth and fiction are herbs, roots, fruit, seeds, oils and fungi that may help the body deal with stress, fatigue, gut issues and aging — they may also make you look better, some claim. I am passionate about drinking my mushroom-infused coffee daily, but does it make me a more relaxed person with reduced inflammation? At least, it makes me think so.

“Expect to see more mushroom-based products in everyday pantry staples like pasta, broth and coffee, allowing consumers to effortlessly add its anti-inflammatory and sleep aid properties to their diets,” said Fresh Thyme Market’s 2025 food forecast.

Early bird dining

There are dozens of reasons diners are shying away from 8 p.m. dinner reservations and looking toward early bird eating. In my experience, early dining means fewer people, better service and shorter waits for food. Happy hour deals are a steal and usually offer smaller portions with plenty of variety. We are exhausted by blaring music and poor sound baffling at restaurants, and earlier hours are far less noisy.

“I think we are going to continue to see a push for earlier reservations. I thought this would eventually swing back to later, but we’re still seeing people wanting to eat much earlier than pre-pandemic,” said Food & Wine magazine.

Sustainability

Diners are becoming more familiar with the impacts of what they eat on the environment. Epic waste to toxic pesticides and climate change have us embracing meat alternatives, locally grown produce and environmentally friendly seafood. On the horizon are sustainable aquatic greens and proteins.

“Duckweed, also known as water lentils, is in the early stages of emerging on the scene thanks to a higher protein content than other leafy greens,” Whole Foods said in its 2025 food trend report.

What trends do you want to see? And what trends just need to die? Let me know.

You can reach Dining Editor Heather Irwin at heather.irwin@pressdemocrat.com. Follow Heather on Instagram @biteclubeats.