Recently in BBQ Category

Risibisi Italian Restaurant in Petaluma gets a new chef

Pinot on the River: Everything's popping up pinot. This weekend (October 23-25, 2009), is the annual gathering of pinot noir enthusiasts at Pinot on the River.

BBQ at Saint Rose, Nonni's, Casa Del Mar

Napa and Sonoma County's Best BBQ

Blazing Saddles is that kind of BBQ joint. The type you don't stumble upon but go out of your way to find. Red and white checkered tablecloths, burnt-wood art and cowboy knick-knacks at the hind-end of an industrial mini-mall. Unsaddled by ambiance. Full of potential.

Best bets for BBQ in the North Bay

Bluegrass Bar and Grill's menu has some very solid contenders for the restaurant's assertion of "Best BBQ in Sonoma", namely the St. Louis Ribs ($16.99 half). These are a smoked and rubbed version, so the gloopy, gloppy is at a minimum, though sauce is served on the side. They're tender, fall-off-the-bone tasty with just enough spice to be noticed

Because it's going to be months before your grill sees the light of day. Because hot sauce is a sure fire flu chaser. Because you can only eat so much soup. And because huddling around heat lamps on a rainy day is a good way to make new friends, BiteClub is sending you all to Buster's Southern BBQ

Best bet for croissants, French pastries and delish entrees at this odd spot in Santa Rosa

Redemption at BarBersQ comes in the form of cornbread squares that are firm and sweet with (could it be?) a hint of smoky bacon--oh please, let it be bacon--and honey butter. Rancho Gordo baked beans are also on the menu, along with collard greens, veggies, cole slaw and potato salad. At between $3.75 and $5.75, you can easily rack up a pretty serious bill just on sides, however. Skip the BarBersQ fries entirely. I was misdirected to this side which is a boggling $5.75 and were actually less impressive and less seasoned that the frozen fries I force my kids to eat. For me, that's an unforgivable misstep by someone as experienced as Barber. Dude, get the fries right.

Puffing away quietly on the deck, the Red Rose Café's Southern Pride smoker tells you all you need to know. Where there's smoke there's BBQ.

Without a second thought or even a napkin, I have scarfed down a sandwich the size of Cleveland--beef brisket covered in melty smoked cheddar with mayonnaise, pickles, onions and peppers on a sourdough bun.