The latest in food, in Sonoma and beyond

March 2, 2011

Restaurant perfection It means something different for everyone, doesn’t it. Finding your own little piece of restaurant heaven is often like finding your soulmate. A harrowing, heart breaking exploration that for some of us will never come to fruition. For most of my adult life,... Continue

Kristin wonders, what’s up?

February 23, 2011

During these rather quiet, uneventful winter days there’s plenty of time to spend pondering life’s most important questions. Queries such as, “What’s up with baked potatoes?” and why aren’t they on the menu at any restaurants anymore. Baked potatoes are by far one of life’s... Continue

Sonoma the bubble

February 16, 2011

I guess there is a reason why people refer to Sonoma as an island. It is just out there. In a league and a space all by itself. There simply is just no other place like it. Shhh, don’t let anyone else in on our... Continue

A heart shaped box

February 9, 2011

Valentine’s Day is a word that conjures up images of fear and anxiety for most men – what to get her, what to do? – and anger and disappointment in most women – he forgot, my present wasn’t romantic enough. The holiday for me, only... Continue

Don’t be fouled

February 2, 2011

From field to table One unusually warm, winter morning the clouds hung low in the sky, my bright orange camouflage hat shielded the hazy sun from my eyes. I eagerly tumbled from the truck, my feet heavy in oversized hunting boots. I was at the... Continue

What’s new, what’s hip and what’s happening

January 26, 2011

On the Menu One of my New Year’s predictions has come true! Sonoma will definitely have another sushi spot and, happily, it will be opened by Sonoma’s own favorite sushi chef, Ed Metcalf. Ed was the talented chef-owner of Shiso Sushi, the chic little Japanese... Continue

Did somebody mention pudding?

January 19, 2011

Say Cheese Laura Chenel, now practically a household name, was America’s first commercial producer of goat cheese, an early icon of California’s food scene. After a trip to France in 1979, Laura returned to Sonoma County to produce her fresh chèvre and sell at local... Continue

Street food, figs and first of year specials

January 12, 2011

Word on the street Well, you’ve heard it here before, but the “street food” scene is the trend in Bay Area dining right now. A hugely popular and vital form of eating in Asia for many, many, many years finally hit the States a few... Continue

2011 – the year of no regrets

January 5, 2011

Here we are y’all...2011. Can you believe it? As each year passes, it’s always hard to believe that yet another one has come and gone. Personally, my 2010 was a wonderfully yummy year, filled with many fabulous meals and experiences shared with friends and family.... Continue

Best of 2010

December 31, 2010

Go with the grain. Brown rice, the earnest mascot for the all too fibrous health food movement, has somehow ingrained itself in my brain. Pun intended. Alas, not just any brown rice, but the certified organic, heirloom Kokuho Rose medium grain brown rice from Koda... Continue

Food & Wine