BiteClub Eats

Moose A Moose Hates Candy Corn!

Santa Rosa bistro is what Applebee’s can only aspire to: Good eating in the neighborhood.

Despite a menu that runs for several pages, Thai Issan needs to go back to basics. The recently-opened Sebastapol restaurant may have bitten off a little more than it was ready to chew when it comes to flavorful Thai cooking

Meals on wheels, a secret kitchenWhen the Napa Valley Wine Train rolled out of the station in the late 1980′s, it wasn’t exactly to a rousing welcome. In its early years pockets of tourist-averse townies railed against the idea of a train bringing hordes of tourists to the valley. A disgruntled Sonoma winemaker held it [...]

Syrah owner Josh Silvers has just closed a deal to take over the former Mixx space in Railroad Square. After months of speculation about who might go into the vacant restaurant but Silvers tells BiteClub that construction and renovations have begun. Named Jackson’s Bar & Oven, plans are for affordable dining with a focus on [...]

BiteClub’s finally gotten word on the whereabouts of former General’s Daughter chef Preston Dishman. After hunting around Sonoma and Napa for the right gig without luck, Preston and his wife will be heading to San Mateo. Dishman will be the new executive chef of Viognier, owned by the Draeger family. Though we’re sad to see [...]

For months now, BiteClubbers have been lauding the breakfast-time merits of Carlos Country Kitchen, the red-checkered diner off College Avenue. Bordered by a gas station, botanica and car-repair shops just past the 101 overpass, the neighborhood isn’t the most charming. There were some health inspection issues that were corrected. But hey, it keeps out the dilettantes and dabblers–though certainly not fans who pack the parking lot to overflow capacity

RESTAURANT CLOSED

Santa Rosa French Bistro specializes in crepes and food from the Brittany region of France, including cassoulet, mussels, steak frites and soupe des Johnnies

Hot Dogs: Though Wine Country doesn’t even register among the top hot dog consuming spots (New York is, not surprisingly number 1 with LA coming in second) a handful of doggeries have opened in recent months to rave reviews. Uh, especially among local chefs who among their most rabid fans.

A British foodie recently came up with 100 things every Omnivore should eat before dying. What to try is so subjective, but the list is a fun start. I’ve crossed out what I’ve eaten and left blank the one’s I’ve yet to try. I can tell you I’m no rushing out for roadkill anytime soon. [...]

Raw, vegan and vegetarian-friendly foods in Healdsburg at Cafe Gratitude

BiteClubClub is feeling the pinch, as are many restaurant owners around the North Bay. You may have noticed that my coverage of new restaurants has all but fallen off the map — opening has become almost impossible. Even for longtime restauranteurs, getting credit is a laughable endeavor. I spent most of last month lamenting to [...]

A lot of restaurants are talking a big game about using local foods, but the reality of securing what they need in a timely manner can be a whole other story. Enter Fork & Shovel, which is hosting a kickoff party Oct. 5 with a stellar lineup of farmers and chefs.

Posh burgers

Luxe hamburgers are my official food of The Economic Downturn. Straddling the increasingly disparate worlds of white tablecloths versus paper plates, they’re comfort food with class. A little bit PBR, a little bit Grey Goose. Gobbling upscale hamburgers made with pedigreed beef, drizzled with aoili, tarted up with house made pickles and truffled fries feels [...]