By 707 correspondent Heather Irwin. Sign up for the BiteClub Newsletter.
THE TIMBER COVE INN, on the Sonoma Coast, has named William Oliver as its executive chef. Perched on a cliff along Highway 1, the inn features the Alexander Restaurant and Sequoia Lounge. Oliver has previously worked at Cook in St. Helena, the Farmhouse Inn, and several area wineries. 21780 North Coast, Highway 1, Jenner, 707-847-3231.
Grab your top hat, corset, and perhaps a towel or two for the Greatest Slough on Earth, aka the RIVERTOWN REVIVAL in Petaluma. Hard to categorize, it’s a theatrical one-day event that includes art-boat races on the Petaluma River (read hand-built contraptions of dubious water-worthiness), aerial acts, indie band performances, food, beer, wine, and of course, $5 weddings. Yup. Really. The event lasts from 11am-8pm, and creative costuming is pretty much required. $5 entrance fee, Steamer Landing Park, 6 Copeland St., Petaluma.
It’s not a secret I’m a huge fan of CHALKBOARD, which opened in the former Cyrus space in Healdsburg in May. But there’s even more to love now that they’ve expanded their service to include lunch on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday beginning at 11:30am and continuing throughout the afternoon (making it a perfect spot for a leisurely repast). The full menu is available, including the popular Dungeness crab tater tots, buttermilk fried quail, and swoon-worthy Candy Bar, with brownie, caramel, and nougat ice cream. 29 North St. at Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-473-8030.
It’s a rare occasion that I can’t finish a good burger, but the Burger con Funghi at FLAVOR BISTRO brought me to my knees. A homemade brioche bun is filled with roasted tomato and toy box mushrooms, sautéed onions, garlic confit, escarole, and a hefty beef patty, and comes with a side of Dijon cream sauce ($15.95). It’s a fork-and-knife situation. If you’re not a mushroom fan, the “burgers only” menu also includes a breakfast version (bacon, ham, and a fried egg) or a burger topped with jumbo prawns and saffron aioli. Not a beef lover? Chicken breast versions are also available. 96 Old Courthouse Sq. at Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa.
CAKEBREAD CELLARS’ co-founder Dolores Cakebread has been named a Grand Dame of Les Dames d’Escoffier, a culinary accolade that puts her the company of Julia Child and Alice Waters, among others. Cakebread’s Rutherford winery has long promoted local foods, wine and food pairing, and cooking classes for both chefs and the public. Cakebread co-authored a popular cookbook featuring her own recipes in 2003.
