Wondering when the new Whole Foods in Coddingtown will open its doors? There’s been plenty of action happening, and the new date that BiteClub’s gotten wind of…September 22, 2010.
Stay tuned.
Black Cat closing, more bar shakeups
Where will we drink? There’s a rash of bar shakeups leaving their thirsty faithful, well, a bit parched. Here’s the download…
Black Cat: The freak flag flew high at this funky little Penngrove bar, and BiteClub for one is misty over its demise. Eight-year owner Robin Pfefer hosted some of the area’s coolest musical acts (squeezed into the tight corner) along with open mic nights and fostered a healthy community spirit where gay, straight, young, old and everyone on the spectrum could cozy up on the cracked vinyl seats and hang. All of us freaks. We’ll miss the mayor, the bras on the ceiling, le chat noir poster and the feeling that there was at least one last bastion the tan/gym/laundry crowd hadn’t infiltrated. The Cat hosts its final farewell on August 28, when the bras from above will be given to their owners/admirers. The bar will officially close in mid-September and has been purchased by the owners of Cotati’s Eight Ball, reopening in the fall as Mack’s. “It’s bittersweet,” said Pfefer, who is closing the bar in order to spend more time with her toddler son. “We had the greatest clientele, the greatest staff. But because the bar is gone doesn’t mean the people are gone. They’ll pick up the freak flag and fly it somewhere else,” she said. The only good news, Humble Pie next door will remain open. 10056 Main Street, Penngrove, (707) 793-9480.
The Vine: The ultra-lounge formerly known as Seven, and then The Vine, is officially closed. A for sale sign is posted in the window. Doomed from the start? It seems the ghost of Seven never quite left the building. 528 7th Street, Santa Rosa, (707) 527-5600
Stir: There’s no official word, but recently Stir hasn’t been stirring. We’ve seen this kind of thing before at the Mendocino Ave. cocktail lounge — one night packed, another mysteriously dark — so we’re not tolling the death bell just yet. But the phone has been “temporarily disconnected” and their Facebook fan page indicates that the swizzle sticks are on ice for now. The former Barcode has long been a challenging spot, but Stir seemed to be getting it right. Ste D, 404 Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa, (707) 284-7480.
Is there still hope? BiteClub hears through the grapevine that several other local spots are on the skids (though others are doing just fine, thanks). Why do some watering holes thrive while others head over the guardrail in just a few months? And while we’re at it, why do some bars swear they’ll never play hip-hop, only to throw it on the turntables a month later.
One insider we talked to said that he tells bar owners that they’ll be lucky to be full two nights a week. And if they can’t support that, then they’re swimming upstream. Especially in this market. What’s your take?
Personally, I’m voting for someone to open a burlesque bar atop the 440. Now that’s something we could all get behind…
Keane names new steakhouse
Shimo Modern Steak is the name of Douglas Keane’s forthcoming Healdsburg steakhouse. According to the Cyrus chef, shimo is a Japanese word referring to “frost” and use it to describe the white marbling in beef, especially the highly prized Wagyu whose fat has an almost snow-like appearance. It’s also particularly appropriate for Keane, who brings an Asian influence to nearly all of his cooking and plans to incorporate some Asian flavors and sauces into the steakhouse menu. The restaurant is anticipated to open winter 2010/11.
Friday Foodcart Fiesta: SF’s Off the Grid
The wagons have circled around the coolest food scene in the Bay Area — the Friday night foodcart extravaganza in Fort Mason called Off the Grid. And SoCo is solidly representing.
The idea: Somewhere between 15 and 20 of the best street food trucks ’round SF and beyond roll up into the Marina parking lot between 5 and 9pm on Friday evening, forming a tight ring of squeal-worthy eats at rock-bottom prices. Add some kickin’ tunes and a full bar, and you’ve got a gastro-party worth the hour trip south.
If you’re a fan of the Bay Area’s food cart scene (bottom line: top-notch chefs and creative cooks are reclaiming the roach coach, turning out restaurant-worthy bites from their mobile kitchens at prices anyone can afford), you’ll recognize many of the names: The Creme Brulee Cart, Chairman Bao, Kung Fu Tacos, Hapa Ramen and of course, Santa Rosa’s own Street Eatz truck, which is easily holding its own among the SF giants of cart cuisine.
Bring a pocket full of cash, a bib, some friends and a willingness to try anything. BiteClub and friends ate through as many of the trucks as we could in 90 minutes (we parked illegally and didn’t want to get towed, after all). Here’s the Fork-1-1…
Chairman Bao: By far the longest line is for these nouveau Chinese steamed and baked buns. And we counted no less than five very pregnant ladies in line, which is never a bad sign when it comes to crave-worthy eats. Best bet: Order one of each flavor (there’s a six bun max limit!): pork belly with radish, duck confit with mango, sesame chicken with scallions, garlic tofu with miso and meatball with kim chee. Regretting missing the pineapple salted caramel shaved ice.
Global Soul: Bourbon shrimp toasties were the best meal of the night. Curried shrimp atop two toasted buns.
CupKate’s Truck: “Best cupcakes ever” was the mantra overheard again and again. Solid.
The Taco Guys: Fish tacos to swoon over
Street Eatz: The gals from our neck of the woods change up their styles frequently, and we loved that “Asian” was on the menu last week, dishing out their amazing agedashi and curries.
Kung Fu Tacos: Don’t miss the duck and pork belly tacos.
Curry Up Now: Deconstructed Samosas are everything you love about a samosa turned inside out.
Hapa Ramen: Slow food noodles. Ramen, a soft boiled egg, pulled chicken, fresh corn and lots of happy slurping.
Happy Dumplings: Fresh-made dumplings. The only “meh” of the night.
Gobba Gobba Hey: Whoopie pies done right. Dulce de leche. Mmmm.
You can find nearly all of these vendors (and many more) at the Street Food Festival August 21, 2010 in San Francisco.
CLOSED Avatar’s Punjabi Burritos
CLOSED
Quick hit on Avatar’s Punjabi Burritos…
Stopped by last week with some friends, and the biggest surprise is that the burritos were actually our least favorite thing on the menu. Daily specials are where you want to focus your attention.
Less hokey that it sounds, Avatar’s has a solid grasp on Indian cuisine, but offers up a simple “burritos” (actually Indian flatbread) with fillers like curried garbanzo beans, potatoes, saffron rice, curried vegetables, lamb, chicken, shrimp, salmon and other tasty add-ins. You can completely customize your combo, so it’s a great choice for vegetarians, gluten-free or dairy-free eaters.
Daily specials showcase the restaurant’s flair for fusion/Indian cuisine. We had an excellent salad with grilled vegetables and surprisingly excellent lamb enchiladas.
Definitely worth stopping by to check out.
131 Kentucky Str
Petaluma, CA 94952
(707) 765-9775
www.enjoyavatars.com
Syrah news + guest chef dinner
With the wild success of Jackson’s Bar & Oven, chef Josh Silvers has decided to make some changes to his original restaurant, Syrah — for the better.
As of August 1, Syrah will no longer be open for lunch (nearby Jackson’s is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner) and Silvers, along with Chef de Cuisine Jamil Peden will be refocusing all their efforts on a new dinner experience. One of their first efforts is an expansion of their $29 3-course Prix Fixe dinner, which will now be offered Sunday through Thursday evenings from 5:30-7:00 PM.
Silvers is also going to be inviting guest chefs into his kitchen, with his first invitation going to Didier Ageorges of Chalk Hill Winery. On Wednesday, August 11, the two will prepare such highlights as Seared Dayboat Scallop & Braised Pork Belly with Green Onion Soubise & Black Barley, Szechuan-Pepper Crusted Duck Breast with Sauce Sangria, and Coffee-Glazed Kobe Flank Steak – and each course will be paired with an elegant wine from Chalk Hill Winery. $95 per person, reservations are limited, (707) 568-4002 for more details.
Boisset Taste of Terroir
BiteClub’s still floating on bubbles after a visit to the new Boisset Taste of Terrior tasting room on the Healdsburg Square. Located in the former Gallo space (company head Jean-Charles Boisset is married to Gino Gallo), it’s been transformed into a metro-chic tasting room with tons of designer schwank.
But rather than thumbing its nose at everyday tasters, the spot features a huge variety of affordable Burgundies, whites and Russian River pinots from DeLoach (now-owned by the Boisset family), Bouchard Aine & Fils and Louis Bouillot in the accessible $15-$40 range as well as some nifty grand crus usually reserved for high end restaurants (and Boisset’s close friends).
Tastings flights start at a thrifty $8 and climb to hefty $100 for a grand cru tasting. Think Old World meets New World in Philippe Starck ghost chairs.
Chocolate Covered Bacon: My Waterloo
I’m a hickory smoked slab of Heather covered in a blanket of rich, delicious guilt. I missed the Chocolate Covered Bacon at the Sonoma County Fair.
I could point fingers. I could lay blame. I could pretend that I’d eaten it and loved it. But the fact of the matter is simply that I missed it during our Fair Food Scramble. It is my Waterloo.
I was prepared to let it drop, but people keep freaking asking me about it. I don’t know already!
Thankfully, BiteClubbers (as always) come through. While there have been plenty of “yums” on the plus side, my inside eaters say that its more about the fun factor than the actual deliciousness. Here are some pix and comments from the faithful fans who eternally pick up the slack that I have left behind. Bless you…and your arteries.
From one BiteClubber: “My friend Nick said it tasted like a “salty Charleston Chew” and I think that’s pretty accurate.”
Further description: “Was it earth shattering? No. Was it a marriage of two wonderful things like Reese’s did with chocolate and peanut butter? Not really. Then again, I made the mistake of taking a bite from the fatty end first. It’s difficult to tell with it being coated in chocolate and all. Lucky for me, I had a funnel cake as a palette cleanser.”
Ann sends this picture of she and a friend sharing the bacon. And while entertaining, she was personally a bigger fan of the Virtual Reality Ride Booth. Ann…friends don’t let friends bacon and ride.
So what did you think? Love it? Hate it? Send me a picture of you eating it and I’ll try to post it.
Terducken of cakes: The Chernuttle
Meet the Chernuttle, the son of the popular CherPumple — a godforsaken behmoth of a cake. The ridiculous idea? Bake an entire pie inside a layer of cake. Repeat three times. Then frost and attempt to eat.
No seriously. It’s an internet sensation. And your friends will think you’re terribly clever. Plus, I was bored last night.
So here’s BiteClub’s take…
– Level one: Spiced cake with an apple pie baked inside
– Level two: Yellow cake with a cherry pie baked inside
– Level three: White cake with glazed donuts baked inside, mostly because the structural integrity of the dang thing was getting pretty precarious and it seemed like it needed a lighter layer.
Total weight: Approx six pounds. Regret after eating: Endless.
Here’s the inspiration video:
Vazzoler to chef new Hburg steakhouse?
BiteClub hears that Gary Danko alum, Kolin Vazzoler, may be tapped as chef for Cyrus toque Douglas Keane’s in-the-works steakhouse venture. Vazzoler was executive sous chef in Danko’s kitchen for eight years, and more recently executive chef at Marche in Menlo Park.
Though Keane is still reportedly in the process of nailing down some final details on the space (the former Cena Luna), it’s no secret that he’s been jonesing for a steakhouse in Healdsburg for some time. Keane’s been real estate scoping for months, and recently told BiteClub, “I can’t believe people haven’t done it yet in Healdsburg. All we really have for great steaks in Sonoma County is Stark’s, and people in Healdsburg won’t always go to Santa Rosa. I’ve just always wanted to do this for the great wines here.”
But don’t expect it to be called “Cyrus Steak”. Keane recently said that the restaurant will incorporate his signature Asian influences, but won’t be as high end and tweezer-perfect as multi-Michelin-starred Cyrus. “This will be all about the meat, the flavors and the wines. Simple California cuisine.”
This is the third venture for the chef. Along with Cyrus, Keane is part of the management team of the casual burgery, Healdsburg Bar and Grill, along with Cyrus maitre’d Nick Peyton. He will be a co-owner of the steakhouse and plans to involve Peyton in the management team.