Recently in Santa Rosa Category

Move over cupcakes. The darling of the pastry-set these days are Whoopie Pies, a less precious, more lunchbox-friendly marriage of cake and cream.

Rendez Vous Bistro

Love whiskey? Even know what whiskey is (and isn't)? A primer on this ancient drink and where to get it.

Fleissner is taking her commitment to local and sustainable foods very seriously, which can make for a challenge when folks want out-of-season strawberries or shrimp to show up on the menu.

Roberto is back at one of Santa Rosa's favorite Italian trattorias -- now called Trattoria Lupo.

Jack and Tony's opens

Cheap Indian food, Tandoori Express, has fresh naan

La Strada becomes Casa Del Mar

When it comes to holiday treats, call in the professionals.

How does a restaurant last two decades? And not just last, but thrive. What keeps people coming back year after year, Friday night after Friday night, season after season? What brings in families, couples and seniors in equal number?

Heir apparent to the troubled Club Seven Ultra-lounge (liquor-free until mid-December) is Santa Rosa's newest entrant into the nightclub scene, Casbar. As in bar. Not the Clash song.

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

Bistro 29 in Santa Rosa: Onion soup for the soul. Now open for lunch.

Though it's hardly a newsflash, the Bay Area just isn't known for its hot dog culture. Outside of backyard barbecues, Brats, foot-longs and chili dogs were almost unheard of if you traveled north of Modesto or east of, well, Chicago....

Posh burgers can be a bit like a beautiful woman -- each delightful in their own way, but with certain charms only appreciated by the beholder. Thin or thick around the middle; dressed impeccably or bare; with pickles or without.I'm...

Luxe hamburgers are my official food of The Economic Downturn. Straddling the increasingly disparate worlds of white tablecloths versus paper plates, they're comfort food with class. A little bit PBR, a little bit Grey Goose.Gobbling upscale hamburgers made with pedigreed...

Lots of eating to be done this weekend and BiteClub's on the case.Taste of PetalumaIf you don't get down to P-town nearly as often as you should, call this a perfect opportunity to see what you're missing in the dining...

Long before Anthony Bourdain ruined Sunday brunch for, well, pretty much everyone, BiteClub had her suspicions. Frankly, I think we all tend to be a bit too forgiving after a long, hard night of drinking. We tend to overlook soggy toast and mushy eggs through the fog of sleep still crusted in our eyes and the camaraderie of friends, kids and dogs gathered 'round the brunch table. We get a little too involved in sunny patio tables and crossword puzzles to pay much attention to the canned orange juice and fishy salmon.

Just a quick hit on the new Saigon Bistro in downtown Santa Rosa. BiteClub and Co. hit the revamped spot on Mendocino Ave. which previously housed the ill-fated Vivere, which was previously Nirvana, which was previously Tahini Grill. The interior hasn't undergone much change, aside from repainting and the upstairs balcony is slated to be open for dinner.