Slow Down and Eat. Even in our chaotic lives we are given little reminders to slow down, possibly eat something yummy and share a glass of wine with friends. Last Thursday night’s Slow Food Dinner was that sort of reminder my very fast and full life needed: new business, new newspaper column – yea!, new cookbooks to read and always new restaurants to try. This dinner was held at Rocket Café, local sisters Liz and Molly Heyerly’s charming little market-driven restaurant, in Boyes Hot Springs. Organized by Janet Church, who in December, submitted a plan to reform the Farmers Market along with her partners Josh Heiser and Steve Burns, but was sadly denied. Many of Sonoma’s local celebrity foodies were in attendance, John McReynolds of Cafe La Haye fame, Gary Edwards – cheese guru, and Deborah Rogers – queen of olive oil, just to name a few. An extraordinary, super-fresh Monterey Bay squid salad was the highlight of the small plates menu, vibrant with fresh ginger and chiles. Virginal Hubbell, the main coordinator of Sonoma’s distinguished Cittaslow designation, gave a short, but inspired address on the future goals for the organization – mainly to assist our local farmers and the Slow Food Sonoma Chapter in creating a more sustainable food system and to express her happy surprise at the quick success of the movement in such a short time. It was a truly special evening spent with a group of people so obviously passionate about food, wine, farmers and their community. slowfoodsonomavalley.com and rocketcafe.com
I’m for Peas. Even greater proof than our current warm weather that spring has sprung in the Valley, is the appearance of new spring produce on restaurant menus all over town. Asparagus on toast with an organic farm egg, prosciutto, Vella dry jack and a black truffle vinaigrette was decadent at the girl & the fig. Baby artichoke hearts, sweet onion and tiny carrot julienne, with a lemon aïoli were addictive – especially with a glass of bubbles – as farm frites at the Eldorado Kitchen and Harvest Moon’s bucatini with green garlic and fresh fava beans was a study in spring simplicity. Although, the most impressive showing of spring produce perfection was found this week at the Fremont Diner! Farmer’s Toast with Laura Chenel goat cheese and mint mashed peas on Della Fattoria’s crusty bread is a sublime starter or light lunch. Beer-battered baby artichokes were flawless little crispy fritters. Fava beans are a tasty treat, pan-fried with smoked chili salt and lemon skin. The veggies are from Greenstring Farm and proof eating locally and seasonally is a delicious part of life.
A Barn Raising. Always a day of great joy in my life, Oak Hill Farm’s Red Barn Store reopened for the season on Wednesday. The 100-year old dairy barn is the bucolic ideal, situated amongst Oak Hill’s 45-acres of organic flower and produce fields, fruit trees and rolling hills. Inside the rustic red barn, old farm tables hold massive flower arrangements, themselves worthy of the trip to Glenn Ellen, and an ever-changing seasonal selection of gorgeous heirloom vegetables, fresh and dried herbs, oversized bunches of just-picked flowers, amazing handmade wreaths and fruit all grown and harvested mere steps away. The Red Barn Store is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is located at 15101 Sonoma Highway, 996.6643. oakhillfarm.sonoma-sky.com
Wake up and smell the coffee. We couldn’t have been happier when the news broke Karen Waikiki, of the favorite Mexican food company Primavera, had decided to open a little retail spot in Boyes Hot Springs. The building that housed the original location of Barking Dog Roasters and then sat dilapidating for years, is now named El Molino Central and looks incredibly charming, sporting a coat of fresh white paint and cheerful green trim. A sparkling new kitchen has been installed, with a long marble counter where customers can order their famous tamales and tortillas all made on site. Groovy blue script across the front of the building boasts the best news of all: Blue Bottle Coffee will be available … the only spot in Sonoma – or for many miles around – offering the cult coffee company’s famous brew. Named after Central Europe’s first coffee house, the Oakland based “artisanal microroaster” takes freshness and small-batch roasting to an extreme not considered practical anywhere else in the coffee business. Coffee is roasted in batches a fraction of the industry standard and delivered within 48 hours or less after roasting. The result is an unimaginably good cup of coffee served at its peak of flavor. They’ll be serving both drip coffee and espresso-based drinks. I was unsuccessful in confirming a possible opening date, but after a peek in the window I’d guess within the next week or so. 11 Central Ave., Boyes Hot Springs, primaveratamales.com and bluebottlecoffee.net
He’s Crafty. A trusted source has confirmed the restaurant concept that local Sonoma resident Dean Biersch – of the worldwide Gordon Biersch Brewery Empire, is opening in the old Emmy’s Spaghetti Shack is indeed a Hopmonk Tavern, an upscale brewery, tavern and live music venue. The first of which opened in Sebastopol in 2008 and has garnered a loyal following; with their cozy atmosphere, inspired food and high-caliber musical performances. Obviously a great passion for Biersch, artisan, hand-crafted beer will be paramount here, with a seasonal selection on draft and as a main ingredient in many items on the tavern’s menu. It is truly exciting for this local foodie and small business owner to see a restaurateur of Biersch’s reputation believe Sonoma can support another restaurant of this high caliber. With his eye for detail, grand vision and devotion to local, seasonal ingredients the Sonoma Hopmonk will surely be a success for Biersch and our community.
Small Bites: You’ll never buy a grocery store egg again once you’ve enjoyed a local, lovingly raised Nix Chix Egg. In a rainbow of pastel colors and with the most gorgeous orange, buttery yolks, Nick Rupiper’s eggs are available at the Epicurean Connection, Readers Books and Sonoma Garden Park. Tickets for Estate’s Annual Fourth of July Barbecue and Fireworks party are now on sale. The evening boasts an abundant barbecue buffet, live music, Harvey’s Donuts, full bar and the best seat in town for the fireworks display. Call 933.3663 for reservations. Sonoma Garden Park, an exceptional local resource for gardening education, is still accepting applications for their Community Supported Agriculture and have a couple community gardening plots available for lease, how cool is that? Call Jessica for more information at 996.0712 ext. 108. The good folks over at Downtown Napa’s Oxbow Public Marketplace are giving us locals more reason than ever to venture over the hill these days. To better enjoy all the tasty goodies on offer at the temple of local gastronomic pleasures, simply go online and become a Friend of the Oxbow. The program allows its members awesome discounts from all the delicious Oxbow vendors. The sweetest everyday deals: $1 fries at Gott’s Roadside Tray Gourmet – previously Taylor’s Refresher, 10 percent of oysters at Hog Island, 10 percent off of Olive Press oils and vinegars and 50 percent off the featured bread at Model Bakery. Whatever time of day you visit, you’re sure to have a delicious experience and now you can do it for less!
