Local chef and cheese guru Sheana Davis opens shop

Sheana Davis’ dream of opening her own shop finally came to fruition on Oct. 21. Her new endeavor, The Epicurean Connection, is located at 18812 Sonoma Highway in Boyes Hot Springs, where Davis lives and feels an enormous kinship with the neighborhood.

“I wanted to be here for my community so, when this spot became available, I made the decision to open the cheese and take-out foods shop,” said Davis. “The menu showcases my products as well as lots of locally-produced products that no one else is carrying.”

For example Davis offers Sonomic Vinegar made locally by Caryn Reading. According to Davis, it’s a real treat drizzled on cheese or a turkey sandwich. There is also Kendall Jackson Chef Justin Wangler’s verjus – a grape-based non-alcoholic juice for cooking. Davis stocks both red and green varieties which can be used in place of vinegar to add a bit of zing to salad dressings or soups, among other things. Tasty morsels for four-legged gourmands are locally made Ma Snax dog treats – which for this season are made from pumpkin.

Of course, Davis will have cheese, cheese and more cheese, stocking an ever-changing assortment of 20 to 25 local and international varieties each week.

On the take-out menu Davis will feature a daily freshly-made hot soup, a sandwich and a weekly cheese plate. A recent offering included a red bean soup, a roast beef poor boy and for the cheese course, a Great Hill Blue straight from Marion, Massachusetts.

In addition to bringing top quality products to the Valley, Davis is also giving back through a series of nonprofit days on the first Thursday of each month when she’ll donate 10 percent of sales to a selection of organizations. As November recipient, she choose the Sonoma Valley Youth Soccer Association to thank them for years of soccer on behalf of her daughter, Karina Davis. Other upcoming recipients will be Food for Thought Sonoma County AIDS Food Bank on Dec. 3 and the Sebastiani Theatre Foundation on Jan. 7.

“I believe that, as a business, it’s important to support the local community,” said Davis. “I also like the idea of blending the Springs and Sonoma and look forward to doing more of it through the shop.”

The Epicurean Connection is opened Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Matt Versaggi and Karina Davis stock shelves in the newly-opened Epicurean Connection, Sheana Davis’ new shop in Boyes Hot Springs
Photo by James Fanucchi