Ayawaska Opens: Named for the mystical spirit plant native to the Amazon rainforests, Ayawaska RestoBar is bringing a bit of magic to Petaluma. Since opening in late May, the riverfront restaurant (formerly Red Brick) has been serving up modern Peruvian cuisine. Along with plenty of Pisco Sours, the South American spot offers up several ceviche dishes, lomo saltado, quinoa salads, purple corn pudding and a lengthy list of cocktails. It’s the second Peruvian restaurant in Petaluma. Quinua Restaurant Cocina Peruana opened in 2016. 101 2nd St., ayawaskasf.com
Eye Candy Chocolatier Pop-Up: San Francisco’s Bloomingdale’s department store is currently featuring a local Sebastopol Chocolatier (6761 Sebastopol Ave, Sebastopol) in a pop-up store June 17-23 from 11 A.M.-6 P.M. Eye Candy Chocolatier is based in Sonoma County on Sebastopol Avenue and specializes in artisan chocolate truffles. These are hand-crafted daily at their Gravenstein Station location, made with all natural ingredients. Jill McLewis, co-owner of Eye Candy, says, “We’re so excited for the opportunity to share our European style truffles beyond Sonoma County.” Eye Candy is located on Level 1 at the Mission Street entrance of Bloomingdales.
Mountain Mikes Reopening: One of several restaurants lost in the 2017 Tubbs Fire, the Cleveland Ave. Mountain Mike’s pizzeria is finally reopening, bigger and better than ever. Though several other locations of the pizza chain remained open, locals are cheering the return of an expanded restaurant with a full bar, 24 beers on tap, updated decor and a large patio with live music. An opening preview takes place next week, followed by the grand opening in early July.
Boozy Shakes: Throughout the month of July, Sonoma Portworks in Petaluma will be celebrating Boozy Milkshake Month, featuring its DECO port and DUET sherry milkshakes. The drinks will be made with local Three Twins Madagascar Vanilla and Mexican Chocolate ice creams. In August they’ll feature the chilled ‘Ginger Snap’, a blend of DUET and ginger beer with a twist of lemon. Sonoma Portworks is a local winery that specializes in ports and after-dinner wines. They’re also the makers of Sonomic, sweet-sour balsamic-style vinegar that’s perfect for sipping or drizzling.
Zazu’s On the Road: There’s been no rest for former Zazu restaurant owners John Stewart and Duskie Estes after closing their popular Barlow restaurant last spring. They’ve taken the show on the road with their food truck, the Black Piglet, showing up at Bottle Rock, Ferrari-Carano (June 22), the Healdsburg Jazz Festival, North Coast Food and Wine Festival and dozens of others. Here’s a lineup of a few more places to catch them this summer…
Weekends June 29 – Sept 8, Davis Family Vineyards from 1130a.m. to -3:30p.m (Healdsburg)
July 10 – Paradise Ridge https://shop.prwinery.
July 12 – Sandman https://www.sandmansantarosa.com/
July 27 – Heritage Fire https://cochon555.com/us-
August 17&18 Gravenstein Apple Fair
August 21 – Paradise Ridge https://shop.prwinery
September 11 – Paradise Ridge https://shop.prwinery
September 14,15, 21, 22 – Sonoma Harvest Music Festival https://