Sonoma Bon Vivant

Wine Tasting at Tam Cellars in Marin County

Before moving up to Sonoma County, I lived most of my life in Marin. I hardly ever spend time there now, except to see family, friends, and my fabulous hairdresser Sandi at Robertson Roe Salon who gave me a great spring haircut today.  While I was in the area, I arranged to meet my dear friend Caitlin after work at Larkspur Landing. She told me there was a darling little wine bar there where we could catch up on each others adventures.

Tam Cellars is located by the Starbucks and E&O Trading Company. They've got a bar and seating areas with sofas for you to sit, sip, and chat.

We grabbed a spot by the window and decided to try their chardonnay tasting flight ($15.)

Our tasting included three regional selections:
1. Morgan 2008 Chardonnay, Monterey
2. Wellington 2008 Chardonnay Sonoma Valley 
3. Keenan 2007 Chardonnay Napa Valley

We both enjoyed the fruity unoaked Morgan chardonnay. The Wellington chardonnay was too dry for me, so I thought Caitlin might like that one, but it was her least favorite as well. I preferred the Keenan chardonnay ($27.95) which was oaked without being cloying and had a nice mineral quality that balanced the fruit.

Tam Cellars sells wine by glass, tasting flights, small plate snacks, wine accessories, and of course--bottles of wine. They focus on smaller boutique wines that you might not otherwise get a chance to taste because of distance or the winery not having a tasting room open to the public. Peter Lea (co-owner with his wife Laurie Cummings) said they try to source "high value" wines, those hidden gems that have great quality and great prices.

When I asked, "So what made you open up a wine bar?" They enthusiastically declared, "Because we love wine!" It made me smile, because enthusiasm is naturally contagious. I loved feeling their love for what they do.

Tam Cellars is located at 1803 Larkspur Landing Circle, Larkspur CA 94939, walking distance from the San Francisco-Larkspur Ferry terminal. Wine bar & store hours are geared toward the after-work crowd:

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 4pm - 9pm
• Thursday, Friday, Saturday 4pm - 10pm
• Closed on Sunday

Looks like they have some tasting events and rent out to private parties as well. For more info, check out their website: Tam Cellars.

Songs About Food: Mac Arthur Park by Richard Harris and Donna Summer

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Voted "worst song ever" in pop-music polls, Mac Arthur Park's cryptic lyrics are as sticky as "all the sweet green icing, flowing down," on that mysterious cake someone left out in the rain. Who left the cake out? If you took so long to bake it, from a recipe you'll never have again, why would you be so careless with it? The song is a perfect recipe for a one-hit wonder:  

1 part confusing lyrics
1 part catchy musical hook
Blend ingredients together with an inappropriately dramatic performer.
Heat in oven until half-baked.

That's the basic recipe, but if you substitute a deliciously sweet and silky smooth disco diva like Donna Summer, you've got an instant crowd-pleaser. 

Sonoma County Restaurant Week: February 22 - 28, 2010

To celebrate our abundance of yum, participating Sonoma County restaurants will be serving 3-course prix-fixe dinners at deliciously affordable prices during our first-ever Sonoma County Restaurant Week February 22-28, 2010.

There are many fantastic restaurants to choose from, but here are some of my favorites:

In the $19 dinner category:

• Sizzling Tandoor in Santa Rosa.
  Indian food in a casual, but elegant atmosphere. My favorite dish there is chicken tikka masal, and it's included as one of the entree options for restaurant week. If you make your reservation for Saturday 2/27, you'll also be treated to a live tribal-style belly dance show by my friend Seba's troupe, WildCard BellyDance.

In the $29 dinner category:

• Stark's Steakhouse in Santa Rosa.
  Someone once quipped to me, "You're one of those steak and martini kind of liberals, not one of the vegan hippie-types."  That apt comment still makes me laugh. I really like to strike a healthy balance though by eating "clean" meat and local, preferably organic produce. If that resonates with you, check out Stark's classic style steakhouse that still feels "Sonoma."
•  Willi's Seafood & Raw Bar in Healdsburg.
  Part of the same restaurant group as Stark's, Willi's Seafood is an energetic restaurant off the plaza in downtown Healdsburg. No matter what time of day, it feels like happy hour. That might be from the busy cocktail bar, but the sampling of small plate seafood dishes elicits yums that hum throughout the dining room.
• Zin Restaurant & Wine Bar in Healdsburg.
  On my favorite places to take friends who are visiting the area, Zin has great food with something on the menu for everyone. Their farm-to-table food, served in a casually upscale atmosphere epitomizes the Sonoma County dining experience. True to their fresh cooking style, their restaurant week menu includes a "nightly blue plate," special. It will be special. 

In the $39 menu category:

• Mosaic Restaurant & Wine Lounge in Forestville.
  Possibly the local fine-dining restaurant I visit most, Mosaic is a hidden gem that you should definitely discover. Their restaurant week menu includes my three favorite dishes there: a crisp house salad with apples & blue cheese; their signature mushroom saute; and delicious coffee-encrusted filet mignon. Big-time yum. Their risotto is also quite delicious.
• Syrah Bistro in Santa Rosa.
  Syrah serves up a classic wine-country dining experience in downtown Santa Rosa's Railroad Square neighborhood. With a menu that emphasizes local seasonal fare and fresh fish from far-away seas, they fulfill expectations of what I like in a bistro: food that is elegant, yet still feels homey. Book ahead, as their dining room seats a small-sized crowd.

Looking at the list of restaurants reminds me of how many places I haven't been to yet. These are some of the ones on my list of Sonoma County restaurants to try next (in order from the event list, not order of preference.)

• Henweigh Cafe in Sebastopol.
  I drive by this place that opened last summer all the time, but haven't stopped in.
• Bluewater Bistro in Bodega.
  My friend Kathlene at Bodega Bay Life gives their clam chowder a great review.
• Barn Diva in Healdsburg.
  Seems like my kind of place and run by the kind of people I'd like to meet.
• The Girl & The Fig in Sonoma.
  Countless numbers of swooning foodies are probably right, even though I sometimes avoid the popular places.
• Relish Culinary Adventures in Healdsburg.
  Learn to cook while you eat, what fun! I've been wanting to attend one of their programs for awhile. Their restaurant week program includes culinary class and a pork dinner. 

Sonoma County Restaurant Week suggests making advance reservations and I'll second that. In-restaurant promotions have been running for at least a couple weeks, as I've seen collaterals on the dining tables of Mosaic and Zin when I was there. Sure you can wing-it, because Sonoma County restaurants all have high standards, but if you have your heart set on getting a deal at one of the hot spots, book now.

Love to hear about your favorites, tried or untried, off the list of participating restaurants in the comments section!

Organic Wood Fired Hearth Breads in Forestville

Searching for yummy artisanal breads in Sonoma County? Check out Nightingale Breads at 6665 Front Street (Hwy 116) in Forestville, CA (Wednesday - Saturday 11-6.)

They have a wonderful selection of organic French sourdough batard, baguettes, rolls, sliced multi-grain, foccacia and a small assortment of local cheeses and flavored butters. 

Which to choose? I opted for their rosemary foccacia bread.

I sliced and served it with a simple dipping sauce of organic olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, balsamic vinegar and a bottle of chardonnay before dinner. Simple, delicious, and a bargain at $3.75 a loaf. I'm looking forward to trying their rye bread next, available only on Wednesdays.

 Nightingale Breads doesn't seem to have a website yet, but their phone number is (707) 887-8887. If you're in the west county area of Sonoma, they're absolutely worth a stop. 

Songs About Food: "Eat to the Beat" by Blondie

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"I know you got a sweet tooth, and I remember," so here's a Friday afternoon treat: Debbie Harry, the yummiest of punk pop-tarts, shaking and baking it back in 1979.

Recipe: Turkey Tamale Pie

As part of the Foodbuzz Tastemaker Program, I received two free bottles of Pace Picante Sauce and a challenge to use it in a Super Bowl party-worthy recipe.

I'm not a televised sports fan, but I've hosted a few Super Bowl parties back when I was married. My strategy? Clean the house. Put together some easy make-ahead dishes that don't need tending right before serving. Greet the guests. Have a beer with the guys. Find out who's playing in this year's game. Get laughed out of there. Do something else that afternoon. Return to a clean house, as per the handshake deal made in advance. As long as I don't have to watch the game, it's pretty fun. Go team!

So in the spirit of less work and more fun, I've resurrected one of my mom's mainstay casserole recipes that I've tweaked to make low-fat and less caloric, thereby affording you another beer.

Turkey Tamale Pie
Recipe serves 12. Ready to serve in under an hour. Can be made ahead.

Ingredients:
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
2 tbs olive oil
1.5 lbs ground turkey meat
1 bottle Pace Picante Sauce (I used medium hot)
1 15 oz can fire roasted chopped tomatoes
1/2 can tomato paste
8 oz frozen corn kernels
12 oz light cheddar cheese, shredded
2 boxes cornbread* mix (+whatever additional ingredients needed for it.)
salt and pepper
*I use Jiffy cornbread mix for this casserole, as it's drier than other brands.

Optional garnishes: Fat free sour cream*, cilantro, avocado.
*Naturally Yours fat free sour cream (cow pattern container) tastes best.

You'll need a 13x9" baking pan or dish, a large skillet, and a mixing bowl.

Preheat the oven to 350-degrees.

Heat the skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil.
Saute the onions until translucent.
Add the turkey to the onions and cook until there is little or no pink.
Add the fire roasted chopped tomatoes. Stir until heated through.
Add the Pace Picante Sauce.
Stir in the tomato paste.
Cook with the lid off, stirring over medium heat, until the liquid is reduced.
Fold the frozen corn into the turkey mixture.
Add salt and pepper to taste. Use cayenne pepper for even more heat.
Turn off the burner for the skillet.

Prepare the double-batch cornbread mix according to package directions.
Transfer the turkey mixture into the bottom of your ungreased baking dish.
Evenly pour the cornbread batter over the turkey mixture.
Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the cornbread batter.
Put the casserole into the 350-degree oven and bake for about 25-minutes.
It's done when a thin knife poked into the cornbread pulls out clean.

Cut into 12 pieces and leave on the buffet table. Fat free sour cream is a cooling complement to the rich spiciness of the turkey tamale mixture, as is avocado. So is beer. Go crack open a cold one and enjoy the game!

Recipe: Bacon Picante Pinwheel Sandwiches

As part of the Foodbuzz Tastemaker Program, I received two free bottles of Pace Picante Sauce and a challenge to use it in a Super Bowl party-worthy recipe.

Don't know about you, but my idea of a Super Bowl Sunday fare is something simple, that can be prepared ahead of time, and that transports easily, since I'm not usually the one hosting such affairs. This appetizer recipe I created is so easy that a child could do it. It's also been kid taste-test approved by my boyfriend's eleven year old son. Hope you like it, too.

Recipe makes 1 pinwheel sandwich, 8 bite-sized slices each.

Ingredients:
1 whole wheat flour tortilla (I used La Tortilla Factory Smart & Delicious)
5 slices bacon, cooked & crumbled
8 oz cream cheese (I used Kraft Philadelphia 1/3 Less Fat)
2 tbs Pace Picante Sauce (I used mild)
2-3 romaine lettuce leaves, chopped (or any crunchy lettuce)

Mix the picante sauce and cream cheese with a fork until well blended.
Cover the tortilla with an even layer of the picante cream cheese mixture.
Sprinkle the crumbled bacon evenly over the cream cheese.
Cover the bacon with an even layer of chopped lettuce.
Roll the tortilla up, tightly and evenly.
Cover the rolled sandwich with plastic wrap.
Chill in the refrigerator for 15 minutes (up to a few hours, if desired.)
Once the chilled picante cream cheese is firmed up, slice into 8 pieces.

It's yummy, affordable, and won't make you a kitchen slave that misses out on the game!

Songs About Food: "I Just Want to Have Something to Do" by The Ramones

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The whole song isn't about food, but you gotta appreciate Joey Ramone's teenage angst of settling for chicken vindaloo when he really just wants his chick. The opening scene where  they're riding topless in a Gabba Gabba Hey plated pink cadillac tossing chicken bones is pretty tasty, too.

Any other Sonoma County people remember seeing The Ramones play the Phoenix Theater in Petaluma in 1981?

Update: The original video embedded in this post was a scene from the cult classic film Rock 'n' Roll High School and has since been removed from YouTube, so I swapped it for this non-video version of the song. 

The movie is packed full of The Ramones and would go great with some chicken vindaloo takeout and cold beers. Here's the link if you want to get a copy of Rock 'n' Roll High School on DVD at Amazon.

Songs About Food: "Two Triple Cheese" by Commander Cody

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In 1979, before MTV, us San Francisco Bay Area kids watched Videowest. Hungry for early punk and new wave, we were satisfied. But "that old guy" Commander Cody gave us indigestion. I swear they aired this video every week. A couple decades later, I find it pretty cheestastic!

A Rockin' Holiday: Guerneville's Holiday Parade of Lights (December 5, 2009)

When:Saturday, December 5th at 7pm.
Where:Main Street in downtown Guerneville.
What: Home town holiday fun!
More Info: Russian River Chamber of Commerce

This is my fourth winter in West Sonoma and the Holiday Parade of Lights has become an annual winter tradition for my friends and me. Guerneville is a summer camp of a town that turns cold and isolated when the tourists go home. Yet during the month of December it sparkles again, with holiday lights, the toasty smell of fireplaces, and the welcoming warmth of a diverse community who are eager to stave off cabin fever and have some fun.

The parade itself is charmingly home-spun. Fire trucks polished and bedecked with lights. Flat bed trucks with children's choirs. Rocking bands and DJ's on floats from the local pubs and nightclubs. The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Electric horsemen from the riding clubs. Then there's us, dressed up in our warmest coats and gloves, cheering wildly at the humblest parade entries. Every good parade needs an enthusiastic crowd.

If you're traveling from a distance or want to enjoy some Russian River Valley wine, consider staying the night. I recommend Fern Grove Cottages. My friends and family like it and and rave about the generous continental breakfast that's included.

Another place some of my friends stay at is The Woods. Guerneville is a very liberal gay-friendly town. You shouldn't experience homophobia here, but if you and your beloved are more comfortable in gay-oriented lodging, The Woods is a good, reasonably quiet place to stay.

Both of those hotels have great prices and are walking distance to the downtown parade, restaurants, and shopping. Also, there are many Christmas Tree farms in the area. Come for the parade on Saturday then do some wine tasting or pick up a fresh cut tree on Sunday.

Tis the season to be jolly!