Raise a glass to the final days of American Craft Beer Week by heading to one of Sonoma County’s newest gastropubs: Belly Left Coast Kitchen & Taproom (523 Fourth St. at Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa) or Heritage Public House (1901 Mendocino Ave. at Steele Lane, Santa Rosa, 707-540-0395).
The food’s been getting better and better with each visit to Belly (one of the original chefs has been replaced) with happy-belly dishes like pulled pork sliders, crispy pork belly, Two Hog Mac and cheese (with twice the chorizo) along with crab cakes and a killer buffalo chicken pizza with Humboldt Fog blue cheese. The kitchen’s open until 1:30am and oh, did we mention the beers? My craft brew loving friends gave big props to the craft brew list.
We’re also loving the brotastic rumpus room vibe of Heritage Public House, which recently opened in the former Video Droid. The renovated space (with a pool table and plenty of big screens) features a California microbrew lineup of 24 taps (rotating weekly) and more than 30 bottled selections. Chef Andrew Oldfield is ramping up the menu to include lots of gastropub faves including burgers, fish and chips, lettuce wraps, and fried chicken sandwiches. Oldfield is promising some fun additions from the smoker soon.
Finally, the insanely popular BeerCraft now offers public beer tastings each Thursday from 6 to 8pm. Recently featured: 101 North Brewing’s Stigmata Red Rye Ale and Heroine IPA, and Auburn Alehouse. 5704 Commerce Blvd., Rohnert Park.
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