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Archive for August, 2009

Aug 31

romano beans 2

BOUNTY OF PHOTOS: PETALUMA FARMERS MARKET

Hello Petaluma Farmer’s market! Good-bye Petaluma Farmer’s market. Our time together was good, but oh so fleeting.

I was able to (finally) make the Wednesday night farmer’s market in Petaluma this last week. My first of the season, their last of the season. *Le sigh* I must clearly work on my timing next year.

  1. Petaluma Farmers Market

Those of us that live in the Bay area know how lucky we are to have access to such wonderfully fresh and local produce, practically year-round. Sonoma County is home to many incredible summer-only markets, that in my opinion, end all too soon (usually just when things are getting going out in the fields). And although a permanent produce stand is a close runner up to the quintessential farmer’s market (Green String Farms: thank you!), there’s just something about a lively weeknight market that a produce stand, no matter how good, can’t fully replicate. Live music, food stands, dee-lish kettle corn, samples upon samples, face painting and a community gathering together – something that seems to be a lost art in these social media-centric times.

Click on the link below to view SCL’s photo celebration of the summer farmer’s market season. Almost all produce and vendors you see are Sonoma County based. Until next year…

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Aug 27

FOUND! YEAR ROUND ‘FARMERS MARKET’

Green String Farms

This is a story about a girl and her produce.

Once upon a time, a long, long time ago, a small town girl went to college in a much bigger small town and lived on her own for the very first time. One summer day she stumbled upon a year-round produce stand and before you could say zucchini, she was smitten in love with all things farmer’s market-esque. She visited the produce stand on a weekly basis and missed it very much when she had to finally leave (read: graduate).

After a few moves, a few years and a few cities – all without nearby farmer’s markets (goodbye Chicago!) – then a few more moves, a few more years and a few more cities – most with summer only farmer’s market (um, thanks Petaluma?) – she finally stopped at something in Sonoma County called Green String Farms, if only because the hand painted signs piqued her curiosity. See, she likes hand-painted signs. You can imagine her delight when she realized she’d stumbled upon a year-round, permanent, grown right-on-site produce stand, 3 times as big and 500 times as fresh as the original college town stand she fell in love with so long ago.

So she quickly loaded her bags with ultra-fresh, seasonal, organically grown produce like tomatoes, zucchinis, strawberries and figs. She bought farm fresh eggs with dirt left on, still warm from the field. She tasted samples of strawberries that smelled like summers gone by, purchased a jar of hand-made tomato sauce and salivated over the sign that read ‘grass fed beef available now’ (she walked away from that tempation…for now). The farmer was out checking on the produce and he took her Visa with a smile, as he must have sensed a fellow lover of fresh produce. And off she went with one of her own (a smile that is, not a new farmer), for she was once again in love with a produce stand and all signs (hand painted of course) pointed to happily ever after.

The End.

Green String Farms: 3571 Old Adobe Road, Petaluma; 707-778-7500; open 10-5 daily

SCL Insider Tip: The Green String crew is hella cool with their own ‘pesticide free’ band and an entertaining blog which is great to follow for tips on how to use the season’s produce. You may also find Green String Farm’s produce listed on Bay area who’s-who of restaurants, like Chez Panisse.

Aug 25

HIDDEN GEM: LOMBARDI’S BBQ

Lombardi's BBQ

Head up Petaluma Boulevard North on a weekend and you might be tempted to call the fire department when you spot plumes of smoke near the outlet malls. No need to fear. That’s not Banana Republic’s fall line going up in flames, but something much, much better. It’s Lombardi’s BBQ & Gourmet Delicatessen grilling and serving as fast as they can.

Right before you pull into the parking lot, you’ll know you’re in the right place by the rows of over-sized barbeque pits and the aromas of grilling goodness. There’s something about those mysterious black beasts, billowing with smoke and enticing aromas, that gets this Texas girl excited for a cold beverage (most likely not the virginal kind) and a full day of BBQ cook-offs. At least, that’s always the sensation I get when pulling into Lombardi’s parking lot full of trucks and motorcycles, equally fitting of the southern nostalgia. Ahhhh, the mysteries of the olfactory memory bank…

Lombardi’s, a family owned business that also does catering, opened their original Cotati location back in 1999. Although never having been to the original location (definitely on the SCL-to-do list), I can wholeheartedly attest to the Petaluma location which has now become a regular summer weekend lunch stop.

Climb up the wooden steps (past the pool supply store owned by a surely well-fed Herb), stake out your favorite table on the outdoor patio and you’ll soon find yourself in a normal looking, yet very busy, deli with loads of local wine for sale. Rows of it in fact. Head left to the end of the line which wraps around refrigerated cases filled with vintage soda selections, local microbrews and an enormous selection of potato salads. Then finally pony up to the shoulder-high counter to place your order, when the real decisions begin.

Full or half rack baby back ribs? Grilled salmon or BBQ oysters? Pulled pork or grilled chicken? Sandwich, salad or  à la carte à la Atkins? The SCL favorite: Lagunitas Sausage Sandwich on a soft roll. Everything, please.

After ordering your protein of choice, be sure to peruse the deli case in front of you which includes delectable sides such as deviled eggs, garlic mashed potatoes and cole slaw. Food can be packaged to go for both picnics and home (they even have a to-go dinner for 6 including all the sides, for those too-lazy-to-cook nights), but experience Lombardi’s the SCL recommended way:  grab a frosty microbrew with your sausage sandwich and enjoy both on the outdoor patio while watching the grill masters wield their craft.

Maybe one day they’ll have a cook-off.

Lombardi’s BBQ & Gourmet Delicatessen: 3413 Petaluma Blvd. North, Petaluma; 707-773-1271 (M-S: 10-8; Sun: 11-7). Cotati location: 101 E. Cotati Ave.

Aug 17

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LAGUNITAS TAPROOM

lagunitas

For all you Lagunitas Maximus fans, your day has finally arrived. The famed 16-year old Lagunitas Brewery has finally opened their doors for the general public in the version of an outdoor tap room. They call it their beer sanctuary. Others call it a TapRoom (no space). Whatever its name, it’s SCL approved.

Lagunitas Brewery, producer of 80,000+ barrels of beer per year, is located in Petaluma (it moved from its original Lagunitas location in 2004) and up until this last month, you were limited to taking a 3pm tour of the brewery to get an inside taste of the biz. That would be weekdays only. Hard to make, isn’t it? I could never figure out why such a cool and hip microbrewery didn’t have its own place to imbibe on its wares. And talk about disappointment when my home-brewing/huge Lagunitas fan of a father came to town on a weekend…they must have finally gotten the message.

Freshly opened, (they don’t even have tap room information up on their website yet), this 3,500 square foot biergarten meets tap room is a Sonoman good time that boasts large communal wooden tables, bright red Adirondack chairs, an outdoor music stage for acoustic tunes & numerous beers on tap and in bottle.

A pretty fun spot that exhibits Tony the Owner’s eclectic creativity (as he was affectionately called by a Lagunitas worker having a post-shift brew while I was there), the Lagunitas Beer Sanctuary feels like hanging out at a friend’s super-cool backyard to drink some frosty brews -  be sure to take note of the steel screw & lug nut pillars that decorate the surrounding fence. Both dogs and children are welcome and although there is no food service yet (paninis, soups & small dishes to come in 3-4 weeks), you’re welcome to bring your own bite to eat outdoors.

The economy is harsh right now; this we know. But now at Lagunitas, you can drink a few tasty microbrews on tap, bring a burrito to go, listen to some acoustic tunes and watch the sun set on the horizon for less than $10. Now that’s a smashing (and economic) SCL good time.

Say “LAH-GOO-KNEE-TUSS”.

Lagunitas TapRoom: 1280 North McDowell Blvd Petaluma, CA; open Wed-Fri 3-9 pm; Weekends 1-7 p.m.; live music every evening.

SCL tip: Google map the directions before driving. The signs aren’t too prominent and don’t let the industrial warehouse driveway and parking deter you. There’s a beer oasis at the end of the yellow brick road. Bonus tip: you’ll probably run into Tony the Owner and his dogs while there – his fascinating story consists not only of a great reputation in beer brewing, but also acoustic bluesgrass and being a widely read author. Check it out here. Or follow his cryptic, yet always intriguing, Twitter. Cheers!

Aug 14

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SONOMA GROWN: LALOO’S FIG ICE CREAM

Laloos Fig Ice Cream

(This is the first installment of the new Sonoma Grown column)

Laloo’s (pronounced Lay-Looz) Ice Cream. Fun name, isn’t it?

It took me for-ev-er to remember it.

I first heard about this cult status ice cream as I tried to figure out what the new Petaluma creamery, LaLa’s, was all about. You can see how I might have gotten the names confused. After reading rave after rave after rave about this La-something ice cream (which I assumed was the same as the new La-something creamery in Petaluma), you can imagine my disappointment when I came to realize that no, they were not one and the same. Not even close. No offense to LaLa’s. But I was looking for some Laloo’s.

Laloo’s tagline had me intrigued: The Goat Makes it Good. Yes, you read that right. Goat, not cow. Intrigued yet?  So was I.

Founded in Petaluma by Laura Howard, an ex-LA entertainment executive gone yogi gone goat milk ice cream lover, she has a motto I can’t argue with: the shorter the journey from the earth to the table, the better the food usually is. Laura’s goats frolic on 350 acres of lush hills in Sonoma County where they’re probably giving dairy cows a run for their money in who has the best California real estate. Naturally low in fat and lactose, goat’s milk provides a wealth of healthy bonuses compared to traditional ice cream. And the subtle tanginess hiding in the finish of this yummy goodness makes you go in quickly for another bite…and another…and another.

Laura also uses the finest local Sonoma ingredients she can source. Black Mission Fig is Laloo’s signature flavor, so when I spotted it at Whole Foods, I had to snatch it up and see what all the fuss was about. One spoonful in and I knew. Oh. My. Without any hint of pungent goat cheese flavor, I was more than surprised. Instead, it’s sweet as regular ice cream, with luscious fruit and has an intense creaminess that made me look twice at the calorie fat count on the label.

Then the hubby came home and I decided to have fun-with-marriage and pull a blind taste on him. No prior warning about the milk source, or the flavor, as he’s not the biggest fan of either. I knew I had a winner when he smacked his lips with a smile and asked for another bite. You can imagine his surprise when I told him a) figs b) goat milk. Gotcha.

Other delicious flavors of the Laloo’s line include: Strawberry Darling, Capraccino, Rumplemint and more. There is also a line of probiotic packed frozen yogurt in flavors such as Cajete de Leche and the Bambini ice cream sandwiches are SCL approved. Lip smacking good, I can’t wait to try them all.

Laloo’s is nationally distrubuted in Whole Foods and other local grocery stores (there’s a store locator tool here on their website.)

Sonoma goat milk ice cream. Who would’ve thought.

Aug 13

Vines & Signs

INTRODUCING: SONOMA GROWN

Recently inspired by The KRSH’s ‘Sonoma Grown Music’ spotlights, SCL is getting its own Sonoma Grown column, to be centered around my second most favorite topic (which just so happens to pair quite perfectly with my first favorite topic, wine,): F.O.O.D.

Perhaps best known for its wine production to those not intimately familiar with the county, Sonoma locals have long been keeping a great secret from the rest of you: with its rich agricultural heritage that extends well beyond viticulture, the SC is home to some incredible Sonoma grown food products.

Vines & Signs

Just take a meandering drive through the county and you’re bound to come across multiple produce stands, acres of vineyards, patches of orchards & pastures upon pastures of grazing cattle. That’s just a glimpse of agricultural Sonoma County. Now tell me: when’s the last time you saw a cow in Napa county?

Goats, pigs, chickens & salmon. Berries, apples, flowers & pumpkins. Cowgirl Creamery cheese, Stornetta yogurt, Kozlowski raspberries & Buena Vista Chardonnay. The list goes on and on, including both national brands and local, artisanal purveyors. There’s probably a reason this Texas girl feels so at home here: Sonoma County is a food and wine paradise with more than a little country flair.

Now I realize that essentially, this entire website is dedicated to Sonoma grown: Sonoma grown businesses, Sonoma grown food, Sonoma grown wine, Sonoma grown music…but this particular column will be dedicated to highlighting that individual Sonoma grown product that swept me off my feet from bite one.  Just a quick little spotlight,  you’ll get the scoop to hopefully broaden your Sonoma County culinary experience.

So welcome to Sonoma Grown. Check back soon for the first column. First up? Some tasty, tasty, tasty Sonoma grown ice cream. You’ll be glad you did.

Aug 12

FUN IN VINEYARDS WITH VIDEO

Good times here at SCL. I recently decided to spice things up a little around here (and for the sake of full disclosure, there might have been a little retail therapy involved for not becoming TV famous recently – more on that another time), so off to The Shack I went and purchased a fancy new HD handheld video camera – the Sanyo Xacti. Oh what fun new gadgets can be. Almost-celebrity depression gone.

These are a few test clips taken of Alexander Valley vineyards up near Healdsburg. I’m still deciding whether to keep this camera or trade it in for a more image stable camera (any feedback on the FlipHD or Kodak zi8? anyone? anyone? ). Geez, you might as well call this blog  Sonoma CNet. Since the launch of this blog, I’ve learned more about CSS editing, HTML code and frames per second than I ever cared to know. And now after 2 hours of a self-tutorial in imovie, I present to you: my first ever movie.

Enjoy the beauty of Alexander Valley. It’s almost harvest time and you can feel the anticipation in the air. More movies to come soon…

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Aug 9

ERNIE’S TIN BAR

“Use a cell phone, buy a round.”

That’s one of a few house rules at Ernie’s Tin Bar, a local hide-away of a dive bar in Sonoma county. Technically a Petaluma address, this little gem resides just outside of Petaluma as you make your way on Lakeville highway…

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Aug 7

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RADIO ISN’T DEAD: THE KRSH

Vintage Radio

Every good adventure needs a soundtrack. And every good Sonoma County adventure should have that soundtrack be The KRSH (pronounced ‘crush’), the local Sonoman wine country radio station found at 95.9FM.

You might have already noticed a link to The KRSH over yonder under ‘Stalk-Worthy Sites’. And it’s true. I love to stalk The KRSH. It’s that perfect of a Sonoma County Line soundtrack.

Based in Santa Rosa and only reaching (quite literally) to the Sonoma County lines, The KRSH (95.9FM) describes themselves as ‘Wine Country’s Roots Radio: featuring an eclectic array of Blues, Americana, Rock, Acoustic and Singer Songwriters,  Rhythm and Blues, Soul and Gospel, Rockabilly, Jazz, Reggae and World Music’.

Whew. That’s a mouthful. I like to describe it as Country Americana Blues Rock sprinkled with great local and indie flavor. And they’re serious about their music at the KRSH. It’s what radio stations used to be before unending contest giveaways, prank calls and wanna-be celebrity radio personalities.

To give you an idea, here is a sampling of their recent playlist just this morning (which you can access online): Jimi Hendrix, Delbert McClinton, Jeff Buckley, Regina Spektor, Anya Marina, Eric Huchinson, Lucinda Williams, The Killers, Tom Petty, David Gray, Moby & Stevie Ray Vaughn. As you can tell if you know your music, it’s quite the eclectic mix.

With minimal morning talk radio (which for the record, I HATE) and some very interesting local commercials (believe me Wild Birds Unlimited: I care about the birds), the KRSH is also very active in supporting the community and local artists.  They also put on some great live music concerts throughout the summer:  Backyard KRSH concerts (held outdoors at their studio; upcoming: Alabama Mike & Duke Robillard) & Lakeside concerts in Rohnert Park (upcoming: Anya Marina, Zee Avi & Inrid Michaelson).

My favorite KRSH memory: crushing Chardonnay grapes during harvest in gorgeous Alexander valley with The KRSH playing full blast across the vineyards and winery. Some favorite shows include: KRSH Americana, New Music Mondays & The 501 Blues show. Also, Ziggy the Wine Gal has a Wine Wednesday show, that for obvious reasons, I find quite entertaining.

Next time you’re on a Sonoma adventure, turn off your IPOD or satellite radio, set your radio to 95.9FM, roll down the windows and get the real Sonoma soundtrack. Believe me. It’s part of the Sonoma experience. Once you hear Wild Birds Unlimited’s bird call commercial in between a little Stevie Ray Vaughn & Johnny Cash, you’ll understand why. It just fits.

SCL Insider tip: While you’re away from the (actual) county line, you can always listen live online 24-hours/day.

Aug 5

Diavolo
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DIAVOLA PIZZERIA & SALUMERIA

We love the pig here at SCL. Love, Love, Love the pig.

Love it as a chop, as bacon, as sausage. Pork tenderloin, roasted pig, pork ribs – all swoon worthy. Pretty much wrap that pig in more pig and I’ll be over for dinner stat.

Did I mention the love for the pig?

Then it’s probably no surprise why I’m so in love with Geyserville’s epicurean delight a.k.a. Diavola Pizzeria & Salumeria. They cure their own salumi (Italian cured meats made mostly of pork). And they have a pig as their logo for gods sake. What’s not to love?

Diavola is the vision of Dino Bugica, former head chef at Santi Restaurant in Geyserville (soon to be relocated to Santa Rosa). His vision was a simple one: rustic Italian cucina povera (peasant food), using the best local ingredients, his magical wood-fired stove and his Italian heritage touch.

And I say: Bravo.

Diavolo

When you enter Diavola, the rustic yet refined decor is the first thing that gets you excited. Exposed brick walls, a salumi case at the front of the bar and house-cured meats hanging from the ceiling by meat hooks. Bare wooden tables, molded tin ceilings and the coup-de-grace: a gorgeous terra cotta colored wood-fired oven that is blazing at the back of the open kitchen. This is all sprinkled with quirky religious chotchke (think Mexico’s Day of the Dead meets Italy) and the feeling you just walked into a large Italian family’s dinner you forgot you were invited to (but of course are glad to have finally arrived).

Then comes the food.

See, beyond my addiction to the pig, I also have this one big hang-up ever since living in New York City and learning what real pizza is: it’s all about the crust. And Diavola won my heart over when they became the first restaurant this side of the New York state line to finally give me what I’ve been longing for these past 6 years: a thin crust pizza with crusts that crunch. Apparently, it’s all about the olive oil.

Some favorite eats at Diavola: The Salsiccia Pizza (house sausage, red field onions & pecorino cheese), the grilled Caesar Salad, the Salumi & Cheese board (all house-cured meats ‘just like Nonno likes’) and the Ham-Egg Panini. I’ve only been to lunch a few times thus far, but you can check out their dinner menu here. I’m sure it’s divine.

The wine list is also impressive with an array of Italian selections, including many by the glass selections and all are more than affordable (be sure to try to Barbolino Lambrusco with your salumi plate – a sparkling red with zingy plums & black fruit).  Last, but not least at all, is the house-made hot sauce they serve alongside your pizza – I’m not sure of the ingredients, but I know I’m in love and can’t get enough. Just be sure to shake well before pouring.

Diavola is located along the (small) strip of old buildings that comprise downtown Geyserville, a quaint little town in the heart of Alexander Valley. Next time you’re headed to Sonoma County for a day in wine country, do yourself a favor and push yourself a little further north than you usually go. Alexander valley is a gorgeous back road kind of wine country with some fabulous wineries, both big and small. Just remember that when you’re done wine tasting for the day, all good roads lead to the pig.

Diavola Pizzeria & Salumeria: 21021 Geyserville Ave. Geyserville, CA; 707-814-0111

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