Catering sisters Molly and Liz Heyerly open their Sonoma cafe and kitchen five nights a week to an intimate dinner crowd. Friends and restaurant folks huddle around Rocket Cafe's sushi bar where Jacob Talbert, a Hawaiian-trained sushi roller, cranks out specialty rolls like the Ruby Rocket (tempura shrimp with ahi tuna, jalapenos, lemon aioli and pesto oil, $13.50), Drawn in Butter (prawns and Dungeness crab wrapped in soy paper with a hot butter sauce, $13) or Hawaii 5.0 (mango, cilantro, avocado, tuna and crab with macadamia nuts, $14.50). What easily becomes a ham-fisted mess in less capable hands is instead a clever and flavorful homage to traditional sushi flavors.

The sisters will re-introduce monthly themed menus in April, starting with a France (in addition to the sushi menu). May is Spanish tapas and seasonal produce will be featured throughout the summer. As the weather warms, don't miss the covered/heated outside patio.
Rocket Cafe, Open Tuesday through Saturday, 5 to 9:30pm, 18812 Sonoma Hyw, Sonoma, 707.933.9755.

Put on your party pants, because Chrome Lotus is officially open for business. After two nights of pre-parties with friends and Facebook fans, the revamped 505/Acapulco throws open its doors to the public and gets the taps flowing.

The Vibe: The interior has been transformed and the massive space broken up into two distinct parts: A casual bar area in front, and a live stage in back where the management hopes to bring local acts and touring bands. There's no goofy "club wear" dress code (meaning yes, you can wear jeans) though no "affiliation" wear will be permitted. "It's a space where everyone can have a casual good time," said Chris Denny, whose local company The Engine Is Red, handles PR. Denny says owners hope to attract 20-somethings as well as an older crowd with the laid back atmosphere. (Note, the pix are from Denny...)

The Beverages: Full bar with prices set at around $3 for domestic beers, $8 for top-shelf booze, according to Denny. And party pitchers with, um, colorful names. One comes with mustaches for everyone. I'll leave it at that.

The Music: No DJ's, no hip-hop says Denny. When live bands aren't playing (this weekend opens with indie band Music For Animals on Friday and dance party cover band SuperBad on Saturday), music will pipe in from the jukebox. Patrick Malone, who does talent aquisition for Hopmonk will be helping to bring in 80-90 percent local bands to the bar.

To do: Pool tables, party kits for bachelorette parties, video screens, a disco ball and stage are among the perks for partiers. The bar is a completely separate entity from next door's forthcoming restaurant, Franco's, though Denny says he hopes the bar (which has no kitchen) will be able to collaborate to have some nibbles for bar-goers.

The Peeps: The owners are Bill Cutting and Gianni Messmer, who also own the Round Robin. Messmer was a founding partner of Seven Ultralounge (he was later bought out by former Los Robles Lodge owners Andy and Joy Kalia).

Hours: The club will be open from 2pm to 2am daily, 364 days a year.

Chrome Lotus, 501 Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa, chromelotussr.com

Eating oysters this time of year is a rather pressure-filled event. Every suck or slurp is somehow laden with innuendo as bystanders (or worse, your date) snicker and give off knowing glances about the legendary aphrodisiac. Suddenly and oyster isn't just an oyster. It's a public peep show.

But one man's oyster is another's Cinnabon (yep, cinnamon is a known male turn-on). What foods get our libidos going are as different as we are.

For the ladies chocolate seems to be a universal, along with honey, raspberries, cucumbers and bananas (stop laughing). For the guys, oysters, figs and papayas tend to be popular. Wine and honey swing both ways, along with whipped cream and anything in syrup form.

Then again, I've known folks who really get frothy over stinky cheese and beer. It takes all kinds.

What's the one food that really gets your engine revving? Sound off!

Hand-slapping usually isn't considered good form around the office, but some stinging wrists around BiteClub's desk serve as a lesson to anyone touching my Valentine treats. I don't share.

You can go and get your own this weekend at Rodney Strong's annual Wine & Chocolate Fantasy this Saturday (2/6/10) -- an early Valentine for the sweetie in your life. The barrel room will be transformed into a sea of raspberry and pink with local chocolatiers like Peter's Chocolates, Sonoma Chocolatiers, Bert's Desserts, Patisserie Angelica, Ellene's Peanut Brittle, Zettie's Confections, Miller's Candy Emporium, Vintage Sweet Shoppe, Harry London Chocolates, The San Francisco Chocolate Factory, eager to ply you with their truffles, brownies, and other coco-covered delights.

Pairs Well With: Velvety Symmetry Meritage or the recently released True Gentleman's Port, which should probably come with a smoking jacket, slippers and a recliner for the ultimate experience. I can say with assurance, however, that it works equally well with a slice of pizza and yoga pants, so you're covered.

The Excuse: Just think of all the resveratrol and anti-oxidants you'll be consuming. Not to mention the happy honey you'll be taking home after wards.

The Enablers: On hand will be Ziggy the Wine Gal and Jeff Mall from Zin Restaurant with two chocolate demonstrations.

Rodney Strong Wine and Chocolate Fantasy 2010, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., February 6, 2010.
Fee:  $40.00 per person ($35.00 for Collectors Circle Members) tickets may be purchased at the winery or online.

It's the one day a year when there's no shame in eating spray-cheese on CheezIts as an appetizer (I recommend a young can of bacon cheddar with spicy hot 'zits), three bowls of chili with Fritos as a snack, a bucket of chicken wings, a bowl of clam dip and a whole box of Little Debbies for dessert. And possibly some nachos just to take the edge off at half-time.

Embrace your inner sports-lover and indulge in all the gross, processed, overly salty, horrible stuff we love to hate today.

BiteClub finds the best spots to do it. Plus a few recipes for really delicious stuff you can make yourself.
WHERE TO GO
Barley and Hops: Pub owner Noah Bolmer knows his beers like nobody's busines. His take on beer-drinking this weekend? Do it right or go home.

"Superbowl is a beer drinking commitment; I'll easily go through a dozen of something, so I recommend something low octane, but full flavored. If you see it on a half-time commercial, STAY AWAY.  Would you watch the Super Bowl with... a Lean Cuisine? Perhaps watercress tea sandwiches? Hell no. Then why in the name of (insert favorite deity) would anyone drink LIGHT WATERY BEER? Grab something that will put out the flames of those pounds of hot wings (such as our perfect organic ones), something without a ton of alcohol, so you can drink a dozen, but not something pretending to be a beer."

'Nuff said. Bolmer puts his money where his mouth is with some top Superbowl brews (left) and will set you up proper this weekend. S 3688 Bohemian Hwy, Occidental, 707.874.9037.

McNear's Restaurant: Danger Dogs (bacon-wrapped weenies), Super Sliders and Game Day Nachos with belt & brew chili, each $6.95. Beer and drink specials throughout. 12 to 9pm, 23 Petaluma Blvd North, Petaluma.. FACEBOOK details.

Hopmonk Tavern: Two events on one super Sunday.  Uptownish: Fritz Maytag (of Anchor Brewing and York Creek Vineyards fame) hosts a brewer's luncheon at 1pm, $45pp, meals and drinks.
Downtownish: Big screen TV and buffet in the Abbey. Menu includes chili, brats, wings (and a whole lot of other delish artery-clogging goodies). Abbey bar will be open. Post-game ice cream bar. No cover, all ages. 230 Petaluma Avenue, Sebastopol,707.829.7300

Ausiello's 5th St. Grill: Free appetizer spread and half-time spaghetti dinner. With 17 televisions and a full bar, this is every fan's dream spot. Stretch your legs at the outside patio, where you can eat, drink and let your pasty face get a few rays. Throughout the day, the grill will be fired up, serving the restaurant's regular menu. Don't miss the Lava Love burger, a big beefy hamburger with bacon, Swiss cheese and sweet-spicy BBQ sauce. Beer and wine only. 609 5th St, Santa Rosa, 707.579.9408

John & Zeke's Bar: The friendliest place in Wine Country. 111 Plaza Street, Healdsburg, 707.433.3735.

Third Street Ale Works: Rockin' house brews, $5 pizza and an all-dog menu with various kinds of bratwurst. 610 3rd St., Santa Rosa 707-523-3060

Russian River Brewing Co.: It's no surprise that some of the best beer in Wine Country flows from the taps of SR's own RRBC -- downtown's favorite rumpus room. "North of Malibu" performs free live surf-style music after the Super Bowl. Pizza and regular menu items. 725 4th St., Santa Rosa, 707.545.2337

Beyond the Glory: All manner of batter-dipped and fried delights. Plus, 14, 42-inch plasma screen TV's. Your husband may never come home. 1371 N McDowell Boulevard, Suite 130, Petaluma, 866.377.7389.

Cinema West Movie Theatre, located in Downtown Petaluma, projecting the game on the big screen with free admission, with a $5 snack bar purchase. Seating starts at 2:45 p.m.

Bear Republic Brewery: 72" TV, appetizer specials & raffle prizes, 345 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg, 1:30 to 9pm. 707.433.BEER.

WINGS OF GLORY
Jackson's Bar and Oven: NeoClassical Buffalo Wings with Point Reyes Blue Cheese Dip, 135 Fourth Street, Santa Rosa, 707-545-6900.

Russian River Pub's Famous Chicken Wings: Super Bucket $22.95, 11829 River Road, Forestville (707) 887-7932.

Original Buffalo Wings; 219 Lakeville Street, Petaluma. Delivery and open throughout the day Sunday.

RECIPES TO TRY AT HOME
Brown Sugar Bacon-wrapped Weenies
Tater Tot Pie