What’s cookin’ Sonoma?

Harvest time in Sonoma, when the light is low and golden and the shorter days start chilly and clear and the afternoon sunshine persists in all of its heavenly warmth.  As the grapes are picked, gone from the vines magically overnight, the leaves begin to slowly turn from soft yellow to vibrant red and then ocher.  The farmers markets are simply exploding with local goodies, the tomatoes are thankfully at their most outrageous peak, and heirloom pumpkins have arrived whether we’re ready or not.  Town, although beginning to slow somewhat, is still bustling with visitors hoping to get in on the harvest action.  It’s this time of year that we embrace the very last of everything summery, mentally preparing for the cooler fall temperatures, the coming winter rains, the end of Sonoma’s seemingly endless summer events season, and the approaching quiet time when we are able to sort of claim our town again.  There is still plenty to keep us occupied during these last “hoo-rahs” of summer.

Here are just a few new and fun foodie happenings around town now.

A new restaurant named Rudy has opened in the space that previously housed Cafe 522 and Restaurant Lokal before that.  Rudy Mihal is the new owner and executive chef, a promising combination in my experience.  He comes from an auspicious list of restaurants that most recently included Healdsburg’s Spoonbar and before that Michael Mina.  I have enjoyed several visits to Spoonbar and was always happy with my meals there, but am most excited about Mihal’s stint at Daniel Boulud’s Cafe Boulud in Palm Beach, my all-time favorite South Florida restaurant where the spectacular food is as skillfully prepared and tastes as heavenly as any of the top spots in New York City.  Early word is that Rudy is yummy, but stay tuned for my full report coming soon!

You know how I love just about everything at the Fremont Diner?  My tummy yearns simply at the thought of their ham biscuit.  The fluffy biscuit is perfect with salty-dry southern ham, and – oh boy! – the seasonal fruit jam dripping luxuriously from between.  Just when I thought that the Fremont Diner couldn’t get anymore fun, the charming roadside eatery just installed a vintage looking photo booth!  I can’t think of a single thing that could make a meal here more memorable, except now you can document that silly, happy post-biscuit grin.

Chef Rob Larman and his Cochon Volant BBQ company always has plenty of piggy goodness going on, but in the most recent news, he expects to unveil his second “flying pig” smoker around Wine Country in the next week.  The second stunning metal pig sculpture was also created by local artist Brian Tedrick.  Larman has also been selected to prepare the food for the second day festivities for the grand opening of the fabulous new Green Music Center on the campus of the Sonoma State University.  The extraordinary new concert hall was funded by Sandy Weill, one of Sonoma’s generous residents.  Find Cochon Volant’s yummy BBQ at the Tuesday Farmer’s Market and at Sonoma’s Best.  For more information visit roblarman.com.

One of my all-time favorite Sonoma events, the Sonoma Garden Park Harvest Festival returns on October 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  The annual celebration boasts live music, hands-on children’s activities – including scarecrow building, an art and crafts project, pumpkin carving and decorating – tractor rides, pumpkin patch, a raffle, delicious food and beverages, a harvest market and plant sale, and the Garden’s ever-popular straw bale fort!  The Pie Contest is always my favorite part, where members of the community are invited to enter their homemade pies and vie for top honors.  A panel of local celebrity judges will judge the pies and awards given.  After the contest, festival goers can buy a sample of the entered pies!  Entry per pie is $5, and pie contest registrants enjoy free admission to the festival.  For more information or to register, please contact Marcia Duval at 996.0712 ext. 111 or [email protected].  Sonoma Garden Park is located at 19996 Seventh Street East, Sonoma, between Denmark and MacArthur Streets.

Summer Peach Pie
Peach pie is such a happy pie. Maybe because peaches are in season only during the summer, peach pie seems to call out for taking it easy and enjoying the last of our Sonoma summery days.

• 1 batch pie crust
• 5 to 6 cups peeled and sliced fresh peaches
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar, or as desired
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom, optional
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch, potato starch, or flour
• 3 tablespoons butter

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Roll out the pie dough and place the bottom crust in the pie pan. In a large bowl, toss the peaches with the lemon juice and sugars. Add the spices and vanilla, as desired. Add the thickener of your choice and stir to coat the peaches. Pour the peaches into the piecrust. Dot with butter. Add the top crust and make slits for the steam to escape. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.

On The Menu

Join Acacia Vineyards and Chef Ed Metcalf for a “Wine and Sushi Event” at Acacia Vineyard on Saturday, September 29, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Ed will be preparing his fun, fresh rolls on site and each will be paired with Acacia wines.  In addition, he is offering a 15 percent discount on all sushi to locals at this event.  Acacia Vineyards is located in Carneros, has really lovely views, and pours fabulous Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.  Visit acaciavineyard.com for more information.

There are many tasty sounding events coming up at the new Wine Annex!  Every Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. is “Yappy Hour” where dogs and their owners receive special pricing on wine and nibbles.  On Thursday, September 20, from 5 to 7 p.m. is “Baja Sushi Night” with specially prepared sushi with happy hour pricing.  Enjoy live music with Jon Williams on Saturday, September 22, from 5 to 7 p.m. while enjoying small plates priced for happy hour.  The Wine Annex hosts a “Winemaker Dinner with Peter Posert of Gain Bay Winery” on Friday, September 28, from 6:30 to 9 p.m.  Each of the four-courses will be paired with a different wine, while all Gain Bay Wines will be discounted that evening.  For a complete listing of upcoming Wine Annex events, to make reservations, or for more information “like” them on Facebook or call 938.7779.

Oktoberfest events are popping up everywhere in the coming weeks, but one I don’t want to miss is the “Oktoberfest Craft Beer Lunch” at the Kitchen Door in Napa on Saturday, September, 29.  This five-course, six beer lunch features local and German beers all paired with Chef Todd Humphries’ fabulous sounding renditions of German dishes such as mushroom Goulash, pork loin with Sauerkraut, and even Streusel!  For reservations or more information, call the Kitchen Door at 226.1560.

Kristin Jorgensen is one of Sonoma’s most passionate, food obsessed residents. In this weekly column, she covers all the delicious happenings, foodie events and restaurants in Sonoma, the rest of Wine Country and beyond.  Find her blogging daily as the Cook at thecardiganandcook.com or via email at [email protected].