A la carte: Crab days are back again

HEALDSBURG

Dry Creek Kitchen welcomes Wilson as new chef

Andrew Wilson has joined Charlie Palmer’s Dry Creek Kitchen as its new chef, taking the place of outgoing chef Dustin Valette, who is opening his own restaurant in the former Zin space in Healdsburg.

Wilson, a native of Pennsylvania, was most recently the chef at the Carneros Bistro & Wine Bar in Sonoma. He also spent many years cooking in Charleston, South Carolina, and is a veteran of many top San Francisco eateries.

“I’m most looking forward to building a team with great focus and creativity and working closely with Charlie and everyone at Dry Creek Kitchen to bring the restaurant to the next level,” he said, via a press release. “I can’t wait to get my hands on the best quality ingredients that the surrounding area has to offer.”

Wilson will be working with General Manager Drew Munro and Wine Director Courtney Humiston to create a new style of service, enhanced operations and all-new menus.

Dry Creek Kitchen is at 317 Healdsburg Ave. 707-431-0330.

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MENDOCINO: It’s crab days again on the coast

Fishing for some fun? The annual Crab, Wine and Beer Festival launches Friday through Jan. 25, offering delectable dinners, trips and more at various Mendocino County venues.

Highlights of the annual event include a Cioppino Dinner at Pentecost Hall in Fort Bragg on Jan. 23, the annual Crabcake Cookoff from noon to 3 p.m. Jan. 24 in Fort Bragg and All-You-Can-Eat Crab feeds on Jan. 24 at the Fort Bragg Firehouse and Crown Hall n Mendocino.

There will also be a Crab Feed at 6 p.m. Jan. 30 at the Little River Inn, and two Crab & Wine Express trips on the Skunk Train from Fort Bragg to Camp Mendocino, at 10 a.m. Jan. 17 and 10 a.m. Jan. 24.

For more details, events and special discounts, go to winecrab.com.

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NAPA: New Atlas Social restaurant

Michael and Christina Gyetvan have opened Atlas Social, located in downtown Napa, with well-known Napa Valley chef Nick Ritchie heading up the kitchen.

The couple, who owns the Napa restaurants Azzurro Pizzeria & Enoteca and Norman Rose Tavern, has opened the restaurant at 1124 First St.

Atlas Social features “shared dining with flavors from around the world, focusing on small plates inspired by the seasonal products of Northern California.

Ritchie, who has worked at MIchael Chiarello’s Bottega in Yountville and Alex Italian Restaurant in Rutherford, will be working with front-of-the-house manager Pat Jeffries, who has worked at ZuZu and Celadon in Napa.

Among the early menu items are a Salad of Endives, Apples and Pistachio Vinaigrette, Swordfish “

Atlas Social is open from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. for lunch and dinner, with seasonal extended weekend hours. Reservations will be accepted for large parties only. 258-2583. atlassocialnapa.com.

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ST. HELENA: Northern Italian cuisine at Cook

Chef/owner Jude Wilmoth and Meagan Rounds opened Cook Tavern, an adjunct of Cook St. Helena restaurant, last month at 1310 Main St., with a menu of Northern Italian cuisine.

The menu is divided into smallest, small and not so small bites, from Warm Spiced Castelvetrano Olives ($5) to Veal & Smoked Bacon Meatballs ($12) and a Slow Roasted Pork Cubano sandwich with ham, pickles and gruyere ($15).

Classic Cocktails include the Old Fashioned ($12) and a Barrel Aged Manhattan ($15). Craft Cocktails range from a Pear Eau de Vie ($12) to a Fallen Apple ($12).

The restaurant seats 39, including 11 counter seats. It’s open for lunch and dinner 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and for Sunday brunch and dinner from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. 963-7088. cooksthelena.com.

Compiled by Staff Writer Diane Peterson, who can be reached at 521-5287 or diane.peterson@pressdemocrat.com, and Peg Melnik, who can be reached at 521-5310 or peg.melnik@pressdemocrat.com.