Here’s an easy way to support the community — eat and drink your heart out.
By now many of you know that I’ve spent the last three weeks running Sonoma Family Meal, offering free chef-made, to-go meals to anyone in need. We’ve received so much support from the restaurant community, and I’m proud of all the amazing volunteers, chefs, food purveyors and supporters who’ve helped us serve more than 70,000 meals.
I plan to continue this project as long as we are financially able, as well as continue my day job as a restaurant writer. You can still expect the same kind behind-the-scenes restaurant news and food stories that you’ve come to expect from me over the last 11 years. In addition, I’ll be highlighting the many fundraisers and food heroes that have come to the aid of the county with everything from pans of lasagna to thousands of pounds of donated meat. (Don’t worry, I’ll sleep later.)
We’re all in this together, and the success of farmers, restaurants, and non-profits is the key to keeping our Sonoma County food system strong. No one wants to be eating out of cans anytime soon, so the best thing any of us can do right now is to fill our bellies with the local bounty.
There are two fundraisers, however, that will impact Sonoma Family Meal directly and help us to continue operations, both run by organizations who have been integral to our operations from early on: One from Mark and Terri Stark, who lost Willi’s Wine Bar, and one from KJ, who have been supplying SFM with thousands of pre-made entrees from their commercial kitchen — specifically under Chef Tracey Shepos — since day one.
Fundraisers Supporting Sonoma Family Meal
Willi’s Classics: Favorite menu items from Willi’s Wine Bar will be served at the five remaining Stark’s restaurants through Dec. 31. That means you can get your curried crab tacos, pork belly potstickers, Tunisian roasted carrots, filet mignon sliders and more, with $2 from each item donated directly to our non-profit.
Willi’s Seafood and Raw Bar (403 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg)
- Curried Crab Tacos With Apple, Cucumber & Mint
- Spanish Octopus A La Plancha, Mole Amarillo, Pickled Hearts Of Palm
- Pork Belly Potstickers With Five Spice & Shiitake Mushrooms
- Organic Brick Chicken, Tzatziki Sauce, Fried Onion Salad
- Moroccan Lamb Chops, Preserved Lemon Cous Cous, Toasted Almonds And Arugula
Monti’s ( 714 Village Ct, Santa Rosa)
- Ahi Tuna Tartar With Lemon, Shiso & Pinenuts
- Tunisian Roasted Carrots With Pinenuts, Olives And Mint
- Truffled French Fries With Truffle Aioli
Bird And The Bottle (1055 4th St, Santa Rosa)
- Arugula and Endive Salad, Avocado, Manchego Cheese, Toasted Almonds, Lemon Truffle Vinaigrette
- Liberty Farms Pulled Duck Bbq With Smoked Cheddar Polenta
- Tunisian Roasted Carrots With Pinenuts, Olives And Mint
Starks Steak & Seafood (521 Adams St, Santa Rosa)
- Dungeness Crab Cocktail With Preserved Lemon Crème Fraiche And Smoked Paprika Chips
- Scallop Dumplings With Pea Shoots, Crispy Pancetta And Sherry Vinaigar Butter
- Roasted Bone Marrow With Toasted Brioche & Red Onion Marmalade
- Filet Mignon Sliders, Creamed Spinach, Whole Grain Mustard Bearnaise
Bravas Bar De Tapas (420 Center St, Healdsburg)
- Local Crimini Mushroom Salad, Extra Old Manchego
- Foie Gras Poppers, Orange Marmalade, Vanilla Bean Fleur De Sel
Kendall-Jackson
Sonoma Family Meal and the Redwood Empire Food Bank will split donations from the Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate and Gardens through Dec. 31. The folks at KJ are donating $5 for every bottle purchased and $20 for a wine club membership. Napa and Sonoma residents enjoy a complimentary tasting. 5007 Fulton Rd, Fulton.