UPDATE >CLOSED
Just a quick find before I jet off to the islands-
Steamed pork
buns are a love ’em or hate ’em kind of thing. All puffy, white and
doughy, they’re a bit like eating a pillow stuffed with meat. There’s a
certain nursery-like comfort to them, as well, though. When done right
(and they rarely are), they’re a steamy, sweet-savory treat that has no
real English translation “other than a sort of pork-filled jelly
doughnut.
I’ve had a tough time finding them fresh in the
North Bay. Sadly, Asia Gourmet, which routinely brought them in from
the city, recently closed its doors. In a stroke of good luck, however,
I stumbled on Jade BBQ on Santa Rosa Ave.
The spot’s been there
just a few months, serving up the usual take-out Asian fare, along with
hamburgers, fish ‘n chips and a few BBQ items. What’s more interesting,
however, is their steamed pork buns and duck special. For $14.99, you
can get half a crispy duck with a complement of plumy Hoisin sauce and
four fresh steamed buns.
The duck’s a bit fatty, but hey, it’s
duck. Chopped into mostly bite-sized pieces, you get a breast, leg and
wing with plenty of crispy, sinful skin. Be warned, the buns are
addictive.
Aloha!
Jade’s BBQ, 2790 Santa Rosa Ave, Santa Rosa, (707) 527-8536. Open Monday through Saturday.

Just a quick find before I jet off to the islands-

Steamed pork buns are a love ’em or hate ’em kind of thing. All puffy, white and doughy, they’re a bit like eating a pillow stuffed with meat. There’s a certain nursery-like comfort to them, as well, though. When done right (and they rarely are), they’re a steamy, sweet-savory treat that has no real English translation “other than a sort of pork-filled jelly doughnut.

I’ve had a tough time finding them fresh in the North Bay. Sadly, Asia Gourmet, which routinely brought them in from the city, recently closed its doors. In a stroke of good luck, however, I stumbled on Jade BBQ on Santa Rosa Ave.

The spot’s been there just a few months, serving up the usual take-out Asian fare, along with hamburgers, fish ‘n chips and a few BBQ items. What’s more interesting, however, is their steamed pork buns and duck special. For $14.99, you can get half a crispy duck with a complement of plumy Hoisin sauce and four fresh steamed buns.

The duck’s a bit fatty, but hey, it’s duck. Chopped into mostly bite-sized pieces, you get a breast, leg and wing with plenty of crispy, sinful skin. Be warned, the buns are addictive.

Aloha!

Jade’s BBQ, 2790 Santa Rosa Ave, Santa Rosa, (707) 527-8536. Open Monday through Saturday.

After months and months and, well, months of the good life in Wine Country, BiteClub needs a little break. I’m headed to Maui for a week of tropical drinks, beaches and all the Spam I can possibly avoid–leaving the store to you guys.

I’ve lined up a couple of foodie friends to weigh in while I’m gone, but I’m still looking for a handful of the area’s forklifters to share their favorite restaurants.

So, if you’re up to the task (no money involved, just my undying gratitude), send me your best efforts for possible inclusion in this week’s special Guest Blogs. The best three or four will be posted while I’m away, thrusting YOU into the culinary spotlight.

Now, keep in mind, I can smell a rat a mile away. Submissions that are overly fawning or obviously written by the chef ain’t gonna make it. You’ll also need to include your name and email so I can get back to you if I have any questions.

Bon appetit and Aloha!

Submissions must be sent to hirwin@pressdemo.com.

Check out my day at the Artisan Cheese Festival (scroll down if you can’t see it)

With 40 flavors on the menu, Del Secco’s gelateria’s has the scoop on Sonoma County’s sweet tooth. The recently opened Rohnert Park shop features exotic sorbet and gelato (kind of like ice cream, but creamier) flavors including blood orange, cantaloupe, gingerbread, 50-50(think Creamsicle) and snowflake--a mixture of white chocolate and coconut.

The gelato’s not made onsite, but by the uber-popular, flavor-savvy Gelateria Naia folks from the East Bay. Hungry yet? Grab a spoon.

Del Secco’s, 6285 Commerce Blvd., Suite 308, Rohnert Park, 585.1100, open daily.

Is 420 Mendocino Avenue cursed when it comes to restaurants? After spending months on an interior redesign, the short-lived Vivere has closed its doors. The spot never seemed to gain traction due to some strange staffing choices, inconsistent reports on the food, the lack of a liquor license and well, we’ll call it the curse of 420. The spot is up for lease, along with neighboring BarCode. What’s downtown coming to?

Check out my review of Vivere.

BiteClub’s been on a burger quest lately, with varying degrees of success. The latest grill: Healdsburger in (you guessed it) Healdsburg.

BiteClubbers had a few comments about this new(ish) burger spot after the Gayle’s post, so I figured it might be worth the 20 minute trek north to check things out.

First sign that things might go wrong was a nearly deserted restaurant during what should be a noon-time crush. The second uh-oh was a dissatisfied customer (one of only two people in the restaurant) complaining about his $8 burger. But the biggest skidout was ordering a $9 gorgonzola burger and having the cook throw a frozen patty on the grill. Ouch.

Overall, the burger wasn’t exactly awful and the sweet potato fries were passable. I’d probably order it again for $5. But for $9? I’m gonna have to put this one in the deep freeze.

Healdsburger, 48 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 473.9604. Open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner.

It’s been a slow couple of weeks on the restaurant opening front, so BiteClub’s opening the lines to you.

1. What are your most burning, yearning questions? Where to get the best sweet potato fries? Best Club sandwich? Tops in tiramisu? Chiles rellenos? Tell me. You’ll get an answer.

2. What restaurants are crying out to be called out? Is there an old standby that you’d like to see BiteClubbed? Is there a new spot in your neighborhood that I haven’t found yet? Do you have a favorite lunch spot that begs to be recognized?

Here’s your chance to get it all off your chest. I’m listening…

Santa Rosa’s downtown Korean BBQ, Nhabee Cafe, has recently been replaced by a new Ethiopian/Eritrean eatery, Abyssinia. Injera fans have been left hungry after the departure of Santa Trata Cafe several months ago. Stay tuned.

Abysinnia, 913 Fourth St., Santa Rosa