Summertime blues
The youth, of course, know best. “Slow-noma,” they moan. “Nothing to do in town.”
We remember when there was a bowling alley here. We remember when there was a slot car track. We remember when there was a public pool at the high school. We actually don’t remember this one, but we hear that there was a roller rink in town. Sonoma’s population has probably doubled since those days, yet the entertainment options are far fewer, at least for the crowd too young to go wine tasting.
Complain as we might, there must not have been a large enough demand for those private businesses to stay open. Is it TV, that’s drawn us all indoors? Maybe that’s part of it. Are we all focused a few feet away, texting on cell phones and browsing on the Internet? Could be some of that, too. Are the teens all too “programmed,” with camps and classes and vacations and events, so they aren’t inspired to get out, at least not without a mission? Maybe.
Whatever the reasons, though, the summer days themselves are still lazy. We might have to be reminded to get outdoors, but a pleasant evening in Sonoma is awfully relaxing, if not downright medicinal.
Dining out
Ten or 15 years ago, “dining out” meant that we were headed to Café La Haye or Della Santina, still two of the most consistent, high-quality dining experiences in the Valley. Part of the charm of dining out these days, though, is finding a bargain, and we’re enjoying this summer more than ever having an evening meal at the big orange mobile restaurant parked at Cavanaugh’s auto shop on Highway 12 at Boyes Boulevard or at the blue-and-white “taco truck” parked a few blocks down the highway, by the MetroPCS store due north of the Fruit Basket at Thomson Avenue. We’ve sampled the fare from quite a few of the trucks and found a considerable range in quality. These two reliably have fresh ingredients and mouth-watering sauces.
And speaking of sauces, the one served with the barbecued chicken in front of El Brinquito, on Highway 12 at Mountain Avenue, is so hot we don’t bother to take home the free container of it – our first tastes some time ago were enough. But these popular pollos, available on a first-come, first-served basis Thursday-Sunday afternoons, don’t need anything other than the marinade they’re grilled in.
When we’re adventuresome during the heat of the day, lunch is a treat at the Tortilleria Jalisco next to Dave’s Muffler on West Napa Street. A picnic table, shade, fresh tortillas and spicy filling – “Who could ask for anything more?”
These warm days in Sonoma, not us!
