A LA CARTE: K-J'S Santa Rosa festival to celebrate tomatoes

For the first time, the festival will host gardening guru Amy Goldman of New York, author of “The Heirloom Tomato: From Garden to Table — Recipes, Portraits, and History of the World's Most Beautiful Fruit.” Goldman will conduct a tomato seminar.

Chefs from more than 50 restaurants across the country will serve imaginative dishes from heirloom tomatoes. Other activities include live music, wine-tasting, wine education seminars and a culinary “smackdown” featuring several top chefs/

Tickets are $65, with proceeds going to the School Garden Network. To reserve, go to kj.com or the Kendall-Jackson Wine Center, 5007 Fulton Road.

SANTA ROSA: Enjoy a Taste of Railroad Square

A Taste of Railroad Square, an annual benefit for the 6th Street Playhouse, will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at Railroad Square, Third and Wilson streets.

Passports to the event include a map and tasting tickets that can be redeemed for culinary dishes, beer and wine.

Among the participating businesses: LoCoco's, Syrah, Khoom Lana Thai, Jack and Tony's Whiskey Bar, Chevy's, Stark's Steakhouse, Jackson's, Cold Stone Creamery, Oliver's Market, Franco-American Bakery, La Brasserie and Cellars of Sonoma.

Passports with 10 tasting tickets cost $45. To reserve, go to 6thstreetplayhouse.com or call 523-4185.

NAPA: New dine-in, take-out eatery at Oxbow

Graham's Take-Away Foods has opened in the Oxbow Public market in downtown Napa, bringing a new option for locals looking for convenience and quality.

Graham and Andrea Zanow, both graduates of the Culinary Institute of America at Hyde Park, opened the take-out restaurant in the main Market Hall. It offers breakfast, lunch and dinner items for take home or dine-in.

“The idea ... is to execute everday casual cuisine at the highest possible level,” said Graham Zanow, who has cooked at the French Laundry in Yountville. “We wanted to open a place where we make everything from scratch, from our daily entree specials down to our salads and muffins.”

For breakfast, Graham's serves homemade baked goods, quiche and granola. Lunch features a bounty of salads, wraps and sandwiches made with local ingredients such as Willie Bird Turkey. One packaged dinner entree per day is offered.

Oxbow Public Market is located at 610 and 644 First St., Napa. For more information, go to oxbowpublicmarket.com.

BODEGA BAY: Seafood, Art & Wine at Watts Ranch

Roll out the chowder and the beer. The Bodega Seafood, Art & Wine Festival returns to Watts Ranch in Bodega Aug. 28 and 29 for two days of music, crafts and food.

Headliners include Jules Broussard on Aug. 28 and Dan Hicks and The Hot Licks on Aug. 29, in addition to many other musical performers.

Food choices include everything from Cedar Plank Salmon and Key Lime Calamari to pasta and vegetarian fare. More than 30 wineries will pour, and 15 microbreweries will offer artisan ales for tasting.

Tickets are $12-$15 adults, $10-$13 seniors and $8-$11 for kids between 12 and 18. Watts Ranch is located at 16855 Bodega Highway. For more information, go to winecountryfestivals.com.

PETALUMA: Elementary school plans farmers market

Wilson Elementary School will offer a farmers market from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 28 and Sept. 11 at the school in Petaluma.

The market will offer produce grown from the families at Wilson School, who are interested in teaching kids about farm-to-table eating.

Wilson Elementary School is located at 3775 Bodega Ave. 765-4340.

SEBASTOPOL: Brewer's dinner at Hopmonk Tavern

Hopmonk Tavern will host a brewer's dinner with Firestone Walker Brewing Co. at 6 p.m. Aug. 22 at the Sebastopol brewery.

The four-course menu, paired with beer, includes Shrimp and Alligator over Grit Cakes, Grilled Radicchio Salad with Green Tomatoes and Red Pepper Coulis, Wood Plank Arctic Char with Dirty Rice, and Coconut and Banana Duo with Bourbon Reduction.

The dinner is $50. To reserve, call 829-7300. Hopmonk Tavern is located at 230 Petaluma Ave.

WINDSOR: Radio-Coteau winemaker dinner

Restaurant Mirepoix will hold a winemaker dinner with Eric Sussman of Radio-Coteau at 5:30 tonight at the Windsor restaurant.

Mirepoix chef/owner Matthew Bousquet will prepare a five-course meal paired with the wines. Cost is $150, plus tax and tip. Reservations: 838-0162. Mirepoix is located at 275 Windsor Road.

SANTA ROSA: SRJC farm stand at Traverso's Market

Shone Farm in Forestville has launched a farm stand that is open from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursdays at Traverso's Market in Fountaingrove Village.

The Forestville farm, which is run by Santa Rosa Junior College, also offers a CSA, or community-supported-agriculture, subscription.

Traverso's also sells the wine made from Shone Farm grapes. Traverso's is located at 2097 Stagecoach Road.

HEALDSBURG: John Hiatt at Rodney Strong Aug. 21

Musician and songwriter John Hiatt beckons for the 20th annual Summer Concert Series at Rodney Strong in Healdsburg Aug. 21.

Hiatt will perform hits from his latest release, 2010's “The Open Road.” Tickets are $50, and the show begins at 5 p.m., with doors opening at 4 p.m. For more information call 869-1595. The winery is at 11455 Old Redwood Highway.

RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY: Wineries join for Grape to Glass

Time to sip, taste and get physical at the upcoming “Grape to Glass Weekend” Aug. 20 to 22. The three days will feature wine, food, music, art, cycling, kayaking and a sparkling brunch in various locations in the Russian River Valley.

Times, events and fees vary. For detailed information call 521-2535 or go to rrvw.org.

You can reach Staff Writer Diane Peterson at 521-5287 or diane.peterson@pressdemocrat.com and Staff Writer Peg Melnik at 521-5310 or peg.melnik@pressdemocrat.com