It's back to the future in Geyserville.
Santi and Virginia Catelli first opened Catelli's the Rex in downtown Geyserville in 1936, in the same location where Santi restaurant thrived for the past 10 years.
With Santi moved out and reopening in Santa Rosa's Fountaingrove Village next month, the space will not stay empty for long.
Santi and Virginia's grandchildren - chef Domenica Catelli and brother Nicholas Catelli - are resurrecting the family restaurant with a modern twist.
Catelli's, slated to open sometime in March will serve a healthy version of classic Italian food, including some of the old favorites from the original Catelli's the Rex. The menu and the specials will feature local, organic products whenever possible.
Entrees range from Chicken Cacciatore and Grilled Pork Chops to a Zinfandel Braised Lamb Shank, for $15 to $22. Pastas and paninis include a Seasonal Veggie Risotto, Original Catelli's Raviolis and Nick's Steak Sandwich, for $9 to $15.
Starters include such classics as a Charcuterie Plate, Fried Calamari, Noni's Minestrone and Meatball Sliders, for $6 to $12.
"We want the local families to come twice a week instead of once a month," Nicholas said. "It will be simple, healthy food."
For the past 13 years, Nicholas Catelli has worked with Food Network host Guy Fieri at Johnny Garlic's and Tex Wasabi's in Santa Rosa.
Domenica Catelli opened her first restaurant in Mendocino and has worked as a food stylist and chef to celebrities. She is the author of the healthy, family cookbook "Mom-a-licious."
The restaurant, which seats about 150, has been repainted and lightened up. Booths were added in the bar and the dining room.
Catelli's will serve one menu from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Beer and wine will be served
Catelli's is at 21047 Geyserville Ave. 857-3471.
SANTA ROSA: Guy Fieri to host March 6 benefit
Guy Fieri will host a fundraising event from 4 to 10 p.m. March 6 at Chrome Lotus, the former Acapulco Restaurant in Santa Rosa.
Proceeds from the event will benefit Lisa Thompson, who was recently diagnosed with brain cancer.
The party includes live music from rock cover bands High Speed Wobble and Superbad, food, drinks and a special drawing for a "Kulinary Gangsta" customized Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
Tickets are $35 in advance, $40 at the door. For more information and ticket sale locations, go to friendsraisingfunds.org.
SONOMA COUNTY: 80 restaurants offer meals $19 to $39
If you need a good excuse to eat out, here's one of the best.
We're now in the midst of the first-ever Sonoma County Restaurant Week, which runs through Sunday. More than 80 restaurants in Wine country are offering three-course, prix-fixe dinners for $19 to $39.
The promotion, sponsored by the Sonoma County Tourism Bureau, also includes free meal prizes, including "Dine Out Free for a Year."
For a list of participating restaurants, go to sonomacountyrestaurantweek.org. Reservations are strongly recommended.
SEBASTOPOL: Talk on how to reduce carbon &‘food-print'
Chef Laura Stec, author of "Cool Cuisine: Taking the Bite Out of Global Warming," will offer an overview of how the "green cuisine" food movement evolved at 7 p.m. Thursday at Copperfield's Books in Sebastopol.
The San Francisco Bay Area chef wrote the book with Eugene Cordero, San Jose State professor of meteorology.
In the book, Cordero presents research on the energy efficiency of the food system while Stec highlights regional food system leaders and the emerging investment models that support them.
The book also addresses how to reduce your carbon "food-print," by focusing on where food comes from, how to cook with it and how what you eat impacts climate change.
Copperfield's is located at 138 N. Main St. 823-2618.
GEYSERVILLE: See new reserve room at Sbragia Vineyards
Sbragia Vineyards is debuting its newly renovated reserve room called the Arkon on Saturday. Winemaker Adam Sbragia will treat you to a rare tasting selection of vintages from the winery's extensive library. The free tasting is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information call 473-2992. The winery is at 9990 Dry Creek Road in Geyserville.
MONTE RIO: Wild Hog Vineyards winemaker dinner
The Village Inn & Restaurant in Monte Rio is having a dinner with the winemaker of Wild Hog Vineyards on Sunday. Wild Hog Vineyards is a small family-owned and operated winery and vineyard in the hills between Cazadero and Fort Ross on the Sonoma Coast. The owners are Daniel and Marion Schoenfeld, who have been making wine since 1977 and opened the winery in 1990. (Daniel is the official winemaker.)
The restaurant is at 20822 River Blvd. The 6 p.m. dinner is $48 and includes gratuity and tax. For reservations, call 865-2304.
Compiled by Staff Writers Diane Peterson, who can be reached at 521-5287 or diane.peterson@pressdemocrat.com, and Peg Melnik, who can be reached at peg.melnik@ pressdemocrat.com.
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