By 707 correspondent Heather Irwin.
Chef Louis Maldonado of h2hotel’s SPOONBAR has been tapped to open a new wood-fired pizzeria at sister property HOTEL HEALDSBURG in August. Dubbed Pizzando, it looks to be more than just another upscale pizzeria, with former ~A16~ chef Liza Shaw consulting on the menu. Also involved is Paolo Petron of Mill Valley’s venerable PIAZZA D’ANGELO, whose hospitality group manages Hotel Healdsburg, h2hotel, and Spoonbar. Hotel Healdsburg also houses Charlie Palmer’s DRY CREEK KITCHEN.
Want to get an advance look? Maldonado will preview the menu at a series of bimonthly pop-ups inside Spoonbar beginning Wednesday June 27th. Expect gourmet pizza (made in a portable Mugnaini oven, natch) with stinging nettles, burrata, lardo, or hen-of-the-woods mushrooms; fried chicken; the chef’s own take on spaghetti carbonara; and grilled romaine hearts to make appearances. The three-course tasting menu, $32, is served family style. Limited seatings by reservation. 219 Healdsburg Ave. at Westside Rd., Healdsburg, 707-433-7222.
Meanwhile, longtime Cal-Ital trattoria BOVOLO is pulling up stakes from its downtown Healdsburg location at 106 Matheson Street. Co-owner John Stewart, also of ZAZU RESTAURANT + FARM, says they’ll be moving to the nearby DAVIS FAMILY VINEYARDS tasting room. 52 Front St. at Hudson, Healdsburg, 707-433-3858.
In St. Helena, it seems it’s never too early to start thinking about Christmas. The RESTAURANT AT MEADOWOOD has announced its annual TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS chef and vintner lineup for 2012 with some sparkling-bright names attached. The luxe eat-and-drink-a-thon and benefit pairs Michelin-starred chef Christopher Kostow with esteemed toques. Beginning with chef Scott Anderson of New Jersey’s ELEMENTS on December 7th, the list includes Jason Franey of Seattle’s CANLIS, Oakland’s James Syhabout of COMMIS, and Josh Habiger and Erik Anderson of the CATBIRD SEAT in Nashville. Vintners participating in the dinners include PHILIPPE MELKA and Bill Harlan of BOND. 900 Meadowood Lane, St. Helena. Tickets start at $1,240 (includes lodging and dinner for two), and reservations can be made by calling 707-967-1205.
