You Say Tomato: There’s no doubt it's the very pinnacle of tomato season. In fact, when Biteclub ran into a certain grocery store tycoon recently, he arched a doubtful eyebrow when we suggested great heirloom tomatoes might be available until the end of September.
If you’re gonna get ‘em, get ‘em right now. Aside from local grocers and farm markets (don’t forget the burrata), you can take the easier route and let a pro help. We’re loving:
Salt cod with tomato jam and Bodega Red potatoes, Backyard, 6566 Front St, Forestville.
SunFed Ranch Burger, thick slab of heirloom tomato marinated in balsamic and garlic, mozzerella, pesto aioli, The Breakaway Cafe, 19101 Sonoma Hwy, Sonoma.
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BLT’s with Panache: Green Grocer (Original Santa Rosa Market), Twist Eatery (6535 Front St., Forestville), Jack and Tony’s (115 Fourth St., Santa Rosa).
Brown sugar tomato jam, housemade burrata and heirloom tomatoes: Epicurean Connection (122 W. Napa St., Sonoma).
Tomato and chevre gallette, Patisserie Angelica (6821 Laguna Park Way, Sebastopol).
Potato and cheddar-stuffed chiles Rellenos on a bed of heirloom tomatoes: Undercover Baking Agency (463 Sebastopol Ave., Santa Rosa).
Tomato tartare with buttermilk fried quail, Chalkboard (29 North St., Healdsburg).
Keep in mind these are seasonal dishes, so if you have your heart set on something, check first.
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Kendall-Jackson Heirloom Tomato Fest: And speaking of all things deliciously tomato-inspired, Kendall-Jackson Wine Center will host its 18th annual Heirloom Tomato Festival on Saturday, Sept. 27 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
It’s one of my favorite events all year (and not just because I get to be a Chef Challenge Judge), because of the nearly 200 varieties of heirloom tomatoes available for tasting, 50 restaurants serving tasty bites of everything from pizza to fried green tomatoes, and of course the wine.
Tickets are $95, Kendall Jackson Wine Center, Fulton Road, Fulton. Proceeds benefit the Ceres Community Project.
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Viola Pastry Boutique and Cafe Closing: Sad news in Montgomery Village. Chef Jennifer McMurray has announced that her popular cafe (709 Village Court, Santa Rosa) will shutter on Sept. 27.
The good news, however, is that her homey cooking (and her hostess/mom, Vickie) are continuing their culinary journey. McMurray will continue catering private parties and events and is looking for a new location for her restaurant. Stay tuned.
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Feast for the Ears: Saturdays get even tastier on local news station KSRO (1350AM, 103.5FM) with the debut of “At the Table with Wolf & Smothers” on Oct. 4.
Wine Country food fanatics Clark Wolf and Marcy Smothers will dish each week on food news and personalities, with guests including Ruth Reichl, Emeril Lagasse, Bruce Aidells, Martin Yan and Top Chef Master’s Douglas Keane.
The dynamic duo’s first show airs live from the Sonoma County Fairgrounds during the Harvest Fair, and will be heard on KSRO each Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. following The Good Food Hour with John Ash from 11 a.m. to noon and On the Wine Road with Jeff Davis from noon to 1 p.m. Delicious!
Still hungry? Check out Heather’s food and dining blog at BiteClubEats.com.
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