R.I.P. GG's and P's

Am sad to report that my favorite Santa Rosa restaurant, Pizzio's, at Fulton and West Third, closed its doors at the end of June. P's was never in a great, high-traffic location (it epitomized, to me, the neighborhood joint), and didn't have a separate room, for special (and high dollar) occasions; instead, it survived by a loyal local following. The economic downtown, however, apparently proved to be too big a hurdle to clear. I will miss Pizzio's. (WHY didn't they hire a marketing guy?)

I won't miss GG's Earth and Surf, a very -- in my opinion -- pretentious place in downtown Santa Rosa that lasted maybe six months. I met the owner and was NOT impressed. I hate to dish dirt, but for those interested, check out all the rumors, innuendos and tidbits at Bite Club. (WHY didn't they hire a marketing guy?)

So what do I do when I feel down? Why, grab a beer at Silverado Brewing Co, of course!

Brewer's Dinner--Wow!

Had a fantastic dinner last night with G. at Silverado Brewing Company's Brewer's Dinner, in which owner Michael F., head brewmaker Ken Mee, and Chef Bernardo combined to create a five-course dinner, with a beer pairing for each course. Highlights included a Porcini Mushroom Risotto (Pale Ale), Cedar-planked Wild Pacific Black Cod (Wheat Ale), and an Organic Mixed Berry Crumble (Hefeweizen). Great food and beer, great people, and a lot of laughs -- what more could anyone ask for?

The next Brewer's Dinner will be in October, for SBC's Oktoberfest celebration. Stay tuned for more info about that. For now, here are some pics from last night. Enjoy!

Three Amigos

Chef B

It's All About Mee

Glasses

The Cod

TRIPLE-fisting?

Brewer's Dinner

Am looking forward to a special Brewer's Dinner later this month at Silverado Brewing Company. SBC chef Bernardo Ayala and Head Brewer Ken Mee are working on, as I write this, a special five-course menu in which SBC beers will be paired with (and used in) each course. Also, following the theme of It takes a lot of great beer to make good wine, there will be many Napa Valley winemakers in attendance.

Don't miss this opportunity for a unique food, beer and fun event, as seats are limited to just 40 lucky people.

Details:

Thursday, June 25, 6:30 p.m.

Silverado Brewing Company, in St. Helena

Cost is $65 pp

To grab your seat, call the Brewery at: 707-967-9876.

I'm Back!

Sorry, folks (and especially Jimmy Z). Lost my EMAF mo-jo there for awhile. But starting to get the juice back, as they say (not the A-Rod kind), and ready to dive in again. (In fact, the CARDS are coming better too -- look out, May 15; I'm going for the sheer blitz, the no-holds-barred pop-the-cork-and-duck type of thing).

Some cool events, for when I win a WSOP event or two:

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival

Weekend Der Spontane Gisting

Ciao, all.

Fantastic Dinner

Had a fantastic dinner recently during the Wine Country Inn's Return Guest Reunion. Chef Bernardo Ayala of the Catering Company at Silverado Brewing Company prepared a wonderful meal: Maine lobster salad, pan-seared filet mignon, and, for dessert, dagoba organic bittersweet chocolate cake with raspberry ganache and passion fruit coulis. Wonderful! We also had wines from Benessere Vineyards, which make Italian varietals in the Napa Valley. All in all a wonderful time: great food and wines... and new friends from all over the country.

Thoughts of C in 2009

Happy New Year from Every Meal A Feast land. While I have many food and wine "resolutions" for this new year, at the top list certainly is a visit to the two-Michelin-star Cyrus Restaurant in Healdsburg. With a certain birthday coming up in February, let's just say that wheels-are-in-motion for a wonderful dining adventure there soon. More details -- of course -- to follow soon.

Ciao.

Happy Holidays!

...from Every Meal A Feast.