A British foodie recently came up with 100 things every Omnivore should eat before dying. What to try is so subjective, but the list is a fun start. I’ve crossed out what I’ve eaten and left blank the one’s I’ve yet to try. I can tell you I’m no rushing out for roadkill anytime soon.

Many of the foods are available locally without much looking. Others are more of a challenge (like Black Pudding, which I actually had at Oliveto). What would be on your 100?
Continue reading “100 Things to Eat”

Luxe hamburgers are my official food of The Economic Downturn. Straddling the increasingly disparate worlds of white tablecloths versus paper plates, they’re comfort food with class. A little bit PBR, a little bit Grey Goose.
Gobbling upscale hamburgers made with pedigreed beef, drizzled with aoili, tarted up with house made pickles and truffled fries feels like a ridiculous indulgence at a bargain-basement price. Consider them your entree into some of the area’s best restaurants on a lunchtime budget.
Not that a good burger won’t run you upwards of $10-$15 — an eye-popping amount for the Mickey D’s set. A cost-per-bite steal for Michelin-rated restaurants.
What’s worth the price? BiteClub navigates the grills to get the lowdown in a continuing investigation. Keep in mind that many of these burgers are only available during lunch.
Mike’s at the Crossroads KRUSH burger
It’s hardly haute, sitting on ripped vinyl and sipping out of a “Stolen from Mike’s” tumbler, but the KRUSH burger
brings a touch of class — and Zinfandel glaze — to this
hole-in-the-wall joint. Extra credit: Fries on Friday, really flavorful
meat, sauteed mushrooms, onions and garlic. Minus: Buns can’t withstand
all the deliciousness. You’ll do better to lose the top bun and eat it
with a fork. $9.25
Mike’s at the Crossroads: 7665 Old Redwood Hwy., Cotati, (707) 665-9999

Lots of eating to be done this weekend and BiteClub’s on the case.

Taste of Petaluma
If you don’t get down to P-town nearly as often as you should, call this a perfect opportunity to see what you’re missing in the dining department. If you’re a local, consider this a convenient smorgasbord of hometown faves. Either way, this weekend’s Taste of Petaluma has more than 30 opportunities to nosh and nibble your way around town.

Here’s the 411: Things kick off on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 11:30am and run until 4:30pm. For $40 ($35 in advance) eaters get 10 tickets (along with some other goodies) to sample small dishes, local wines, beer or other beverages. One ticket, one taste. A handy map directs you to the grub, along with what’s on the menu.

Well worth a ticket to try:
– Zoe’s Meats (killer charcuterie) at Aurora Colors Gallery
– Kashaya’s wood fired pizza next to Vino Grigio
– Pazzo’s goat cheese tart
– Kay Baumhefner’s tomato and bread soup at I Leoni
– The old school is new school Chicken Cordon Bleu (a favorite last year) from De Schmire at Sienna
– Out to Lunch Catering at Jungle vibes

Dessert
– Divine Delights petits fours and Korbel champagne at Haus Fortuna
– Gelato at Powell’s Sweet Shoppe
– Viva Cocolat’s house made milk toffee truffles with Valley of the Moon port

Check out the website for a full menu of all the deliciousness and tickets. And as you’re stuffing yourself silly just remember that it’s for a good cause — that being the Cinnabar Theater in Petaluma.

Farm Trails
I’ve become a serious CSA junkie. As in my Friday delivery from Canvas Ranch is cause for a weekend of eating and cooking celebration: Roasted kale! Carrot soup! Zucchini bread! Homemade tomato sauce! I’ve never been so giddy with joy at getting a hefty bag of fruits and veggies (and bread and cheese and flowers) in my life.

Whether or not you’re among the CSA converted or just farm-curious, this weekend’s Farm Trails is a choice opportunity to visit local producers of fruits, veggies, cheese and meat who aren’t often open to the public as well as a handful of restaurants. Gush about organic greens, play with the goats or just wander about.

Some of my top picks;
– Angelo’s Meats/Bud’s Custom Meats: For the inner carnivore in all of us
– Canvas Ranch: Walking tour, pick strawberries, CSA gushing
– Crane Melon Barn: The famous melons
– Gabriel Farms: Pear and apple tasting & a Ska Klezmer band from 3-5pm on Sunday
– Healdsburg Walking Tours: HIdden Culinary Treasures
– Spring Hill Jersey, Peter’s Pumpkin Patch: Pumpkin ice cream, cheese and a petting zoo
– Tierra Vegetables: Because I never get there often enough
Get maps and details on classes, workshop and visits from the Farm Trails website.

Bonus: Handcar Regatta

Erasmus P. Kitty presents the Great West End and Railroad Square Handcar Regatta and Exposition of Mechanical and Artistic Wonders. Oh my goodness the fun you’ll have (for free!) including music performances by the Lemon Lime Lights and the Hubbub Club marching band, Uni and her Ukelele as well as Mister December, Dr. Solar and plenty of sideshow curiosities. The vibe is 1860’s medicine show meets groovy crafters, tinkerers and creative types. Get your imagination (and perhaps a costume) on from 11am to 6pm on Sunday in Railroad Square. Stark’s Steakhouse will be serving up grub and the Roshambus is scheduled to be pouring. And wherever the Roshambus is…that’s where the party is. Did we mention it’s free?