Wild Foxx opening

In search of great macaroni and cheese

El Coqui on the horizon

New Puerto Rican, Underground Food Academy

Move over cupcakes. The darling of the pastry-set these days are Whoopie Pies, a less precious, more lunchbox-friendly marriage of cake and cream.

Reasonable prices. RP/Cotati folks swear by the lunch buffet.7530 Commerce Blvd., Cotati, (707) 795-1729www.karmabistro.com...

Live entertainment and an extensive Indian menu in downtown Santa Rosa

Artisan cheese festival 2009

Best corned beef

Rendez Vous Bistro

Santi moving to SR, Odyssey goes BBQ, Crepes safe at Bistro 29

Love whiskey? Even know what whiskey is (and isn't)? A primer on this ancient drink and where to get it.

Number 42 on my ongoing must-eat list: birria, a Mexican meat stew usually made with lamb or goat. Along with pozole and menudo, it's one-dish comfort food that attracts the same kind of dedicated followers you find face-first in a...

Zazu Restaurant: Devoted to Slow Food and sustainability, the restaurant pulls from its own backyard garden along with a biodynamic plot grown for them at Quivira Winery and other local food sources.

Girl and the Fig: Sondra Bernstein's sunny bistro marries the best of country French and fresh California flavors.

Fleissner is taking her commitment to local and sustainable foods very seriously, which can make for a challenge when folks want out-of-season strawberries or shrimp to show up on the menu.

It's not a huge surprise, but a disappointment nonetheless, that COPIA's signature annual event, TASTE3, has been canceled for 2009. It's hard to express just what a bummer  this is...but BiteClub's been on the guest list the last two years...

Best Pancakes in Sonoma County

Roberto is back at one of Santa Rosa's favorite Italian trattorias -- now called Trattoria Lupo.