California Wine Country Vacation

The weather this morning sucked - drizzle and a howling wind - but I ran any way and it felt good. But most people cringe if they thought they had to run or even worse, run in the rain. So here’s a little tidbit on what to do this Sunday that has nothing to do with rain - hopefully it doesn’t - and nothing to do with drinking - maybe afterwards.

Point Reyes. Over Valentines/President’s weekend that’s where the nature lovers went. It wasn’t too crowded but people were out because it was very “spring-like” weather. We started at the Visitors Center and walked the Earthquake Trail. It was beautifully quiet and educational at the same time.  Then we drove over to the beach, sat and watched the waves crash. It was so misty from the churning water but it wasn’t too cold. By then we were hungry and stopped in Inverness at Pricilla’s Pizza and Cafe for a tasty lunch before driving off to our last stop, what use to be Johnson’s Oyster Farm, and we bought two dozen medium, briny, bivalve molluscs - yum, yum.

Sometimes we forget what we have in our own backyard.

For those of you who knew of the short lived West County Grill located in downtown Sebastopol, a new restaurant has opened from the same people only this time their emphasing a simple menu - Pizza Vino 707, is the name.

I haven’t tried it yet but I will, right along with Peter Lowell’s on Healdsburg Ave.  I never tire of a menu based on what’s in season and grown locally. I’ll give you my review as soon as I try the place. Hopefully, Michael Bauer will hold off his review for a bit.

http://www.pizzavino707.com/

Our little town of Petaluma is really lucky to have Cinnabar Theater as our own little slice of the cultural pie. Starting in August will be their Summer Music Festival and all cultures of music will be showcased, an Italian orchestra, Taiko drumming, jazz singing.  It’ll be San Francisco without the parking problem. www. cinnabar.2009-petaluma.summer.music.festival.htm

Petaluma's Cinnabar Theater Summer Music Festival

We were driving back from Guerneville last Friday early evening and decided to try out the Willow Wood Cafe in Graton. If you can believe it, over the years a few people have stayed at our Sebastopol hotel and have asked specifically where this place was.

Willow Wood started out as a market way back when, so it has retained its provincial charm. The food is as good as any california-centric, whats-in-season restaurant in the Bay Area with prices in the not too shabby area. 

Graton is a one-horse town, similiar to Penngrove, but it seems that great food can be found in small, charming out of the way places.  They have a website, http://www.willowwoodgraton.com/

Recognized as one of the best Thai restaurants in the Petaluma area, Sea Modern Thai Cuisine features an extensive menu of traditional Thai dishes and modern adaptations. Best of Petaluma voters have named Sea Modern Thai Cuisine the Best Asian Restaurant in Petaluma.

Volpi’s Ristorante & Bar has been satisfying hungry appetites in downtown Petaluma since 1925. This family-run Italian restaurant serves up piping hot, hearty dishes made from age-old recipes. Full bar and live music.

Della Fattoria in downtown Petaluma is the quintessential corner bakery whose aroma of fresh-baked breads pulled warm from the oven wafts down the street. Savor delicious homemade breads, artful cakes, gourmet sandwiches, and more.

French Garden Restaurant and Bistro in Sebastopol is noted for its artful cuisine paired with farm-fresh ingredients pulled directly from the restaurant’s own farm. The menu changes seasonally based on the local harvest.