A la carte: Take time out for tea and other holiday treats

HEALDSBURG

Holiday tea and treats

The Hotel Healdsburg will be serving a festive Holiday Tea from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 23 for families and friends who want to create a new seasonal tradition.

The menu prepared by Executive Chef Scott Romano includes petit sandwiches, housemade pastries, custom blend teas and a choice of specialty cocktails like the Hot Tea Toddy or the Poinsettia Sparkler.

Served in the Fireplace Lounge, the tea welcomes adults and children. Cost is $45 for tea service and food, or $55 with cocktail; $25 for children with choice or tea, cider or hot chocolate. Tax and tip not included.

To reserve: call 707-431-2800 or email dck@hotelhealdsburg.com. 25 Matheson St.

PETALUMA

Crab season is here

Enjoy the sweet treat of winter - Dungeness Crab - at Cinnabar Theater's benefit Crab Feed at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, at the Lagunitas Beer Garden.

The feast includes fresh crab, salads, pasta, bread and dessert. Cost is $55, $65 at the door, not including beer and wine. To reserve: cinnabartheater.org/events, 1280 North McDowell Blvd.

HEALDSBURG

Dickens Dinners begin

Madrona Manor will host the celebratory Dickens Dinners this Friday through Christmas Day at the Michelin-starred restaurant.

The five-course feast from Chef Jesse Mallgreen will be punctuated by strolling carolers in 19th-century garb serenading diners throughout the evening.

The menu includes Smoked Egg Sabayon with Estate Watercress and Prosciutto Syrup and Potato; Beef Wellington and Mashed Potatoes with Red Wine Reduction; Osetra Caviar with Black and Alba white truffles; and “Candy Cane” Peppermint Creamsicle with Chocolate and Peppermint.

Prices range from $90 to $170 per person. To reserve: 707-433-4231. 1001 Westside Road.

SONOMA VALLEY

Signature tickets on sale

Tickets are now on sale to the Signature Sonoma Valley wine tasting event May 16 to 19 hosted by the Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance.

The Signature weekend is centered around The HUB in the heart of Sonoma's historic Plaza. Tickets: $65 to $350. For a complete schedule and to reserve: sonomavalleywine.com

PETALUMA

Learn to make mini treats

The Artisan Baking Center at Keith Giusto Bakery Supply will hold two classes on sweet finales the weekend of Dec. 14-15.

Rosetta Costantino will teach “Southern Italian Desserts” at noon Dec. 14 at the teaching kitchen. Tickets: $114.

Andrea Koweek will teach a class on “Holiday Dessert Displays” at 10 a.m. Dec. 15. Tickets are $135. The class teaches how to bake and display miniature sweets for your holiday guests.

To reserve: centralmilling.com/artisan-baking-center. The Artisan Baking Center is located at 1120 Holm Road.

HEALDSBURG

Crab dinner at Spoonbar

The h2hotel's Spoonbar restaurant will host its first Crab Feed Dinner at 6:30 tonight to toast the opening of the Dungeness crab season and support victims of the Camp fire in Butte County.

The family-style meal paired with wine includes roasted Dungeness crab served with grilled lemon, pearl potatoes and caramelized fennel with platters of Brussels sprouts, truffled mac‘n'cheese, a winter chicory salad and housemade focaccia.

Tickets are $65, not including tip or tax. To reserve, call 707-433-7222. 219 Healdsburg Ave.

Staff Writer Diane Peterson can be reached at 707-521-5287 or diane.peterson@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @dianepete56.