Green Music Center makes you say 'wow'

What began more than a decade ago as a modest building project on the Sonoma State University campus has resulted in a world-class venue for chorale and symphony performances, exceptional classrooms for music students, and fine dining. The Green Music Center’s Weill Hall is off to a grand start, with numerous big names in classical music, contemporary music, and comedy having taken the stage already. I received a private tour of Green Music Center just two weeks before Weill Hall’s opening night. Read about the center’s long road to reality––and even the fabulous restrooms––in my latest article for North Bay biz magazine: http://tinyurl.com/bpalr2t

Dining outside the box

Whether called pop-up dinners, underground dinners, or off-the-grid "suppers," experiences designed for adventurous diners have hit their stride in the North Bay. Read my latest article for North Bay biz magazine at http://tinyurl.com/98c4qrn

My interview with Gina Gallo

Though she's now raising twin toddlers, Gina Gallo is still an important influence on the fine wines being produced in Sonoma and Napa counties. In my latest article for North Bay biz magazine, the winemaker behind the Gallo company's high-end products talks about her family, the old general store she owns in Dry Creek Valley, and how she is very much hands-on during the grape harvest, going on now. For all you wine wonks, my article also features insight into Gallo's grape-growing science, courtesy of Jim Collins, senior director of coastal winegrowing operations for Gallo. Read the article here: http://tinyurl.com/9kpp7eh

Meet John Webley, green entrepreneur

My latest article for North Bay biz magazine is a profile of John Webley, a man who made his mark in the telecom world in the 1980s and 90s. Now he's leading two new companies, based in Sonoma County, dedicated to (1) cleaning up and desalinating water on a global scale, and (2) filtering out everything nasty in our indoor air. Read all about him and his new ventures in the August issue of the magazine, available here: http://tinyurl.com/d9gwb6q

Two book signings later....

It was an exhausting week, with two busy book signings back to back. Here I am in St. Helena on Friday, all set up and ready to go. The previous Saturday I gave a presentation and signing at Copperfield's in Santa Rosa, and the store sold out its entire stock of my books (more were ordered, of course).

My thanks also to all the vendors and visitors at the St. Helena Farmers' Market who made me feel welcome and pampered, especially Wendy and Annie.

Two more signings may be in the works.... details to come.

What's in store for visitors?

Tourists are back, and we're ready for them. My latest article in North Bay biz magazine summarizes what our local visitors' bureaus and others have planned for travelers to Wine Country. From the sunny side of the Golden Gate Bridge in Marin County, to the splashy summer fun at Francis Ford Coppola Winery in Sonoma County, to the pursuit of a Guinness World Record in Napa Valley, read what's new and in the works for visitors here: http://tinyurl.com/7ogfh69

Book signing planned for St. Helena

If you're in the vicinity of the St. Helena Farmers' Market on July 27, please stop by and say Hello. I'll be signing copies of Food Lovers' Guide to Napa Valley from approximately 9 to 11 a.m. The SHFM is a delightful destination––a fun way to spend a morning with locals and visitors, too. Check out the fresh produce and flowers, and the many locally produced food products, such as Annie the Baker's exceptionally moist cookies. See you there! Find out more about the market at this link: http://www.sthelenafarmersmkt.org/

New careers for baby boomers

A former real estate agent goes into the entertainment industry... a tech company executive starts his own business... a labor law expert runs her company from a home office with a golden retriever at her feet. Read how baby boomers can reinvent themselves in encore careers––my newest article is the cover story of the June issue of North Bay biz magazine. Follow this link, and enjoy! http://tinyurl.com/7cka82j

Book signing on July 21

I announced here back in November that book signings were in my future, and the future is almost here. Join me for a fun gathering at Copperfield's Books in Santa Rosa's Montgomery Village center on Saturday, July 21, at 6 p.m. I'll be signing copies of "Food Lovers' Guide to Sonoma" and "Food Lover's Guide to Napa Valley," with a little bit of discussion beforehand and perhaps a Q&A, too.

Make a point of stopping by before having dinner at one of the restaurants in the Village––and there are several to choose from. See you then!

"Harvest" documents tough year in the vineyards

I'm looking forward to the screening of "Harvest," premiering this weekend in Sonoma during the Sonoma International Film Festival. Directed by John Beck, the documentary follows an all-female grape-picking crew that slogged their way through Sonoma County vineyards in autumn 2011. That harvest was challenging, to say the least. Hundreds of acres of premium wine grapes had been severely stressed after enduring weeks of untraditional weather––too much heat and too much rain at the wrong times, an alchemy that led to disaster on many of the vines. John commissioned my husband to design the film's attention-grabbing poster, pictured here. Follow this link to read more about the film and watch the trailer: http://www.harvestmovie.com/

Get your tasty salumi cones here

Anthony Bourdain would be as happy as a hog in mud at the Boccalone retail shop. "Tasty Salted Pig Parts," the tagline for Boccalone's pork products, pretty well sums up their offerings. Located in San Francisco's Ferry Building marketplace, Boccalone sells artisan salumi from heritage-breed, pasture-raised pork. The meats are processed in small batches across the bay in Oakland, using Italian sea salt and fresh spices. Hanging in the huge refrigeration case at the retail store are salumi in as many as 20 flavors. On a recent day there was also a queue to buy lip-smacking salumi cones, pictured here––a great midday snack costing only $3.75. Reasonably priced salumi platters and panini sandwiches are available for noshing onsite, too. Mr. Bourdain, it's time to come back to the City by the Bay. That address is 1 Ferry Building, Shop 21, San Francisco.

OMG! It's Becks and Posh!

Soccer star David Beckham and his eye-candy wife, Victoria (the former Posh of Spice Girls fame) were spotted dining at Oenotri in downtown Napa recently. It's been a good month for Oenotri. First, the restaurant earned a multi-page spread in the latest issue of Food & Wine magazine, which makes the bold claim that it's the best new Italian restaurant in the United States. And then to have Posh and Becks roll in with uber-critical TV chef sensation Gordon Ramsay, well, hearts were fluttering and eyes were popping. Read more about Oenotri on page 51 of my book "Food Lovers' Guide to Napa Valley." Buy it here: http://tinyurl.com/72etwsc

One thing you can always count on in Napa Valley is a shifting landscape on the dining scene. While high-profile places such as Tyler Florence's Rotisserie & Wine and the vegetarian palace Ubuntu are both expected to reopen soon following time off for renovations and sabbaticals, new eateries are filling the void.

Consider St. Helena's La Condesa, with food and decor inspired by a trendy Mexico City neighborhood. The casual fare at this Main Street destination is far from the standard taqueria menu. One of the signature dishes is corn tortillas shaped like huarache sandals and loaded with different toppings.

Move over, In-N-Out Burger––there's a new choice for grilled meat in Napa. The Habit Burger Grill that just opened on Trancas Street is the latest in the chain's 50-some locations throughout California (and three in Arizona). Char-broiled hamburgers are the specialty, but they raise the bar by also offering sandwiches such as fresh albacore tuna and tri-tip. Pretty decent salads, too, and shakes and sundaes to end the meal.

And the Japanese sushi and sashimi restaurant called Eiko's in downtown Napa (kittycorner from Oenotri on First Street) has added liquid nitrogen cocktails and ice cream to its menu. This fad has been going on for some time in trendy bars and restaurants as a way to add a touch of drama to drinking (or to impress the kids with steamin' sweet stuff).

Dishing with ice cream makers

Spring is here, and the hot days of summer are just ahead. Time for artisan ice cream! Read my latest article about entrepreneurial ice cream makers in Wine Country, now appearing in the April issue of North Bay biz magazine. Here's the link: http://tinyurl.com/7raenn2

Knocking at the Kitchen Door

Recommended eating in Napa: Kitchen Door in the Oxbow Public Market. Try the Pho Chicken Noodle Soup –– like a warm hug on a recent rainy day –– filled with noodles, bites of roasted chicken, bean sprouts, and cilantro. Also yummy is the Armenian Fold and Eat Flatbread, spread with a layer of spiced ground lamb then smothered with a green salad mixed with harissa yogurt dressing. Very tasty, and those marinated sweet onions are super.

One of the best hamburgers in all of Napa Valley (sorry Gott's!) is the grilled half-pound Kobe-style beef burger –– don't miss it. And the cream of mushroom soup is fabulous, no doubt a holdover from the Martini House in St. Helena, the previous great restaurant helmed by KD's chef Todd Humphries.

In its own space separate from the larger, cavernous market, Kitchen Door tends to be quieter and better for conversation. Try sitting at the small bar to watch the food-prep action, if desired, or out on the patio when it's sunny.

Some diners have been turned off by the restaurant's order-and-take-a-seat approach, but I found the staff exceptionally friendly and accommodating, offering lots of smiles and helpful information about what we were eating. There's a small but interesting wine list, with some "on tap" at reasonable prices, and many other beer and non-alcohol choices. Next time you're in Napa, make time for Kitchen Door.