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Jack and Tony's opens

Bacon wrapped weenies

Restaurant at Bardessono

Barley and Hops is one of the few watering holes within a 20-mile radius between Sebastopol and Bodega Bay, making it about 85 percent locals on any given night - friends and neighbors catching up over a beer and wings at a quintessentially neighborhood bar. What makes it destination-worthy for the rest of us, however, is pretty much everything.

The hunt for fried chicken

I'm a sucker for good tag-lines. The turn of a few well-placed words turn a Volkswagon into an lucky opportunity (Drivers Wanted? Sign me up!). Just Do It became a personal mantra for several years (along with the purchase of several pairs of Nikes that still sit collecting dust). But one of my favorites has to be Applebee's "Eating Good in the Neighborhood". Personal flair and well-coordinated chotskies aside, it connotates belonging and familiarity. Until you try to choke down microwaved appetizers. Not eating good. Bruno's on Fourth is what Applebee's can only aspire to: Good eating in the neighborhood.

For months now, BiteClubbers have been lauding the breakfast-time merits of Carlos Country Kitchen, the red-checkered diner off College Avenue. Bordered by a gas station, botanica and car-repair shops just past the 101 overpass, the neighborhood isn't the most charming. There were some health inspection issues that were corrected. But hey, it keeps out the dilettantes and dabblers--though certainly not fans who pack the parking lot to overflow capacity

If you've been around town for more than five minutes, at some point you've probably stumbled into Mendocino Avenue's Tipsy Triangle anchored on three corners by the Belvedere, the 440 Club (props!) and the Round Robin. Despite looking more like a bed and breakfast than a bar, the low-ceilinged downstairs rooms are usually packed with JC students, chain-smoking patio-goers and low-brow affectionados come Friday and Saturday night. And although just about anyone on the street can point you to 727 Mendo, you'll get a confused look if you ask for the restaurant. "They serve food?" In fact, they do.

Couple opens homestyle eatery in Penngrove attached to the popular Black Cat Bar

It's hardly news to the carnivorous-set that Mike's at the Crossroads is probably the best place to dive into a nice half-pounder in the North Bay. Count me among the converted, having recently refreshed my tastebuds with a classic...

Time to tighten the money belt and suss out lunches with a slimmer economic profile. But hey, let's not get crazy. They've still got to taste, well, reasonably good.

After weeks of waiting (and trust me, a whole lot of you have been asking), the Cheese Steak Shop is finally open just off Stony Point Road. Some of you are rabid fans who've sampled the goods elsewhere. Others are just jonesing for a taste of Philly. Neither will be disappointed

Mark's already proven himself to locals--from his years of service as winery chef and caterer to his ever-intruiging menus at the old Saint Rose. We get it. But the new spot reflects more of his comfort with, uh, comfort foods. Easy-going preparations of farm-fresh ingredients that feel so very right out here

Just a couple weeks into its new ownership, The Healdsburg Bar and Grill is noticeably changed under the watch of Cyrus' Nick Peyton and chef Douglas Keane. Though the look and feel is still very much the same as the old HBG--casual inside tables, t-shirted waitrons and kids running around the bocce ball court outside--the menu has been elevated to haute burger status

Bluegrass Bar and Grill's menu has some very solid contenders for the restaurant's assertion of "Best BBQ in Sonoma", namely the St. Louis Ribs ($16.99 half). These are a smoked and rubbed version, so the gloopy, gloppy is at a minimum, though sauce is served on the side. They're tender, fall-off-the-bone tasty with just enough spice to be noticed

Hopmonk needs work

Though the restaurant was only supposed to be a temporary experiment, Thomas Keller's home-style prix-fix diner has settled in for the long haul after enthusiastic eaters practically mobbed the place. Unlike other chef-lebrities who've lowered standards to accommodate eager fans,

Enter Big Boy's Buns and Burgers. Around since 1963, it's got a local following that borders on rabid. Larkfield locals frequently line up at the walk-up windows, waiting patiently for their half-pound Big Boys and beer-battered onion rings for as long as it takes.

Santa Rosa's airport restaurant isn't quite ready for takeoff

Redemption at BarBersQ comes in the form of cornbread squares that are firm and sweet with (could it be?) a hint of smoky bacon--oh please, let it be bacon--and honey butter. Rancho Gordo baked beans are also on the menu, along with collard greens, veggies, cole slaw and potato salad. At between $3.75 and $5.75, you can easily rack up a pretty serious bill just on sides, however. Skip the BarBersQ fries entirely. I was misdirected to this side which is a boggling $5.75 and were actually less impressive and less seasoned that the frozen fries I force my kids to eat. For me, that's an unforgivable misstep by someone as experienced as Barber. Dude, get the fries right.