Words such as ‘sustainable’, ‘locally-sourced’ and ‘slow food’ might be buzz words du jour for all that is wonderful in the food world right now (and we hope they stay around longer than du jour), but Tony Najiola was already ahead of the pack when he opened his restaurant Central Market in 2003. Upon moving … Continue reading »
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TAPS: A CRAFT BEER BAR ARRIVES
Ponder the following words: Abita. Deschutes. Bison Brewing. Or perhaps try these: Chocolate Stout. XXXX IPA. Karmeliet. Ok, how about these: Chicago Dog, Bratwurst, Garlic Fries. Sold yet? If you’re a beer fan, I probably had you at Abita. Petaluma has new bar in town and SCL’s vote is in: Bravo. Focusing on craft beers … Continue reading »
SCOPA, SCOPA, SCOPA, SCOPA
Dark. Exposed, rough concrete walls. High ceilings that accentuate (greatly) the acoustics. Narrow and tiny with only 12 or so tables. Not sounding too inviting yet? Al contrario, il mio amico. Add in being greeted by the owner in fluent Italian, flickering candles on the tables, an open kitchen in the back, streetside windows that … Continue reading »
THE LIST
Last night I finally got the chance to dine at Scopa, an Italian restaurant on Healdsburg’s plaza that I’ve been eager to try for some time now. They’re open for dinner only, so it’s been logistically tough to make it work. The evening was fantastic, filled with awesome food, a really wonderful atmosphere (including opened … Continue reading »
MICROBREWS & MUSIC: HOPMONK TAVERN SEBASTOPOL
Give me a lazy sunny Saturday afternoon with no real plans and there’s almost nothing better I’d like to do than sip it away at Hopmonk Tavern’s outdoor beer garden in Sebastapol. Bypass the usual need for reservations by cozying up to the bar and ordering from a fine selection of craft brews that are … Continue reading »
SONOMA GROWN: SAINT BENOIT YOGURT
(This is the second installment of the Sonoma Grown column) I have a thing for the French. Really. Almost as much as I do for the pig. Their wine (le vin!). Their cheese (le fromage!). Their bread (le pain!). Délicieux! And now, it seems, I also have a thing for their yogurt (le yaourt!). Saint … Continue reading »
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. Those … Continue reading »
FOUND! YEAR ROUND ‘FARMERS MARKET’
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 … Continue reading »
HIDDEN GEM: 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 … Continue reading »
SONOMA GROWN: LALOO’S 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 … Continue reading »
