Stuffed!
I can tell that we are at the very height of Sonoma’s super indulgent summer events season because I have been stuffed for two solid weeks. Not that I am complaining, this is utterly my favorite time of year in Wine Country. This week alone, I managed to attend no less than five seriously food-filled events. Oh and how delicious it all was! I literally pigged out during the weekend-long debauchery that surrounds Napa’s Cochon 555 heritage meat and butchery festivities. I luckily managed to squeeze in a few platefuls of extraordinary and much-needed vegetables at the Full Moon Barn Dance hosted by Bi-Rite Market and HWY 12 Properties. I truly thought I would keel over after hungrily devouring platter after platter of perfectly prepared Italian dishes during an all-girls, family style dinner hosted by Sondra Bernstein on the stunning patio at ESTATE. We feasted on blistered Shisito peppers, salumi, ooey gooey Burrata cheese, herb-inflected porchetta roast, soft polenta, garlicky pasta generously topped with peppery parmesan, heaping bowls of roasted vegetables with yet more crumbled cheese and then finally, Italian doughnut holes dunked in Nutella! Mmm, happiness.
Another delicious evening in the midst of this week’s gluttony was a festive dinner at Rutherford’s Restaurant Brix, to celebrate Chris Jones’ recent appointment as Executive Chef. Jones, who spent many years overseeing the kitchen at the girl and the fig, is doing some pretty yummy things over there. Unsuspecting motorists whizzing by might never know what magic lies behind the gates. An enchanting, cozy dining room is lined with large windows overlooking famed Napa vineyards and an extensive garden of raised beds. It’s curious that there aren’t more places to dine in Wine Country with vineyard views, isn’t it? Anyway, I think we ordered the whole menu, which is small but chock full of tempting choices. A wonderfully livery chicken liver mousse is topped with a bright gelée of cucumber that somehow manages to work wonderfully. Pristine, wild Sockeye salmon arrives as a gorgeous carpaccio accompanied by tiny hard-boiled quail eggs and delicate fresh chervil. A towering summery salad of heirloom tomatoes, tangy feta and watermelon was spectacular. My favorite starter was a platter of sinfully creamy Burrata doused with a few generous glugs of bright green olive oil. The feast continued with a perfect square of pork belly, the richness offset by fresh peach and then a sous vide slice of beef tenderloin alongside a sliver of over the top, crispy fried bone marrow. If you can believe it, then our entrées arrived! Brix, 7377 St. Helena Highway, 944.2749. Visit brix.com to see the most current menu and to make reservations.
On The Menu
• Every Tuesday at Napa’s Oxbow Public Market is “Local’s Night” where each of the merchants offer discounts or treats to all of their patrons, local or not. The most exciting are the dollar oysters at Hog Island, but a dollar mini cupcake from Kara’s and the gratis cup of Tillerman Tea are both fun, too. Another great reason to hang out at the Oxbow is their occasional “Jazz on the Oxbow” Sundays held on their atmospheric patio overlooking the river. Next Sunday, August 28, is French-Gypsy jazz from our local favorite, Rue Manouche. Visit oxbowpublicmarket.com to keep up with all of their specials and events.
• Another one of Kunde Winery’s awesome “Hike and Taste in the Vineyards” is this Saturday, August 20 beginning at 10 a.m. This is such a unique opportunity to see some of Sonoma’s most stunning scenery…while tasting wine! Hikers bring a picnic lunch that will be enjoyed at a site with amazing views from a top one of Kunde’s highest peaks. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 833.5501. A portion of the $30 per person ticket is donated to the Sonoma Ecology Center.
• Each Saturday morning, the Sonoma Community Center hosts a “Saturday Market.” From 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. visitors to the market can pick up a lovely selection of local produce, organic prepared foods and unique artwork. For more information visit sonomacommunitycenter.org.
• Don’t forget, next week is the last Friday of the month, so it must be “Food Truck Friday” at the Sebastiani Winery. Beginning at 5 p.m. the festive event pairs delicious foods from area food truck vendors, Sebastiani wines for purchase, live music and a lovely outdoor, Wine Country setting.
Heirloom Tomatoes and Burrata
Recipe inspired by the Sunflower Caffé
Serves four as a first course
Burrata is a fresh Italian cheese, made from mozzarella and cream. The outer shell is solid mozzarella while the inside contains both mozzarella and cream, giving it an unusual, soft texture. It is usually served fresh, at room temperature. The name “burrata” means “buttered” in Italian. Find it locally at Sonoma Market.
4 large heirloom tomatoes (about 2 1/2 pounds)
Fleur de sel or other good quality coarse salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup torn fresh basil leaves plus additional whole leaves for garnish
1/4 cup best quality extra-virgin olive oil
4 (2.5-ounce) rounds burrata cheese
Cut tomatoes into wedges and place in large bowl. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Add basil and olive oil and mix well. Let stand at room temperature at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Place one Burrata cheese round in center of each plate. Place tomatoes around cheese, dividing equally. Drizzle with dressing from bowl. Garnish with additional basil leaves and serve with good, rustic bread.
Kristin Viguerie 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 (thecardiganandcook.com) or via email at foodandwine@sonomasun.com.
Be First to Comment