Minnesota Girl in the World

Needless to say, the past few days I’ve been feverishly been scrounging through the Sonoma County Restaurant Week list deciding which Restaurants I’ll be stopping into.

This tradition, for me, started nearly 3 years ago, 6 months after I moved to Sonoma County. It was a GREAT way for me to get to know the area restaurants and their offerings. AND also a great way for locals and those visiting to get out to really see the amazing offerings from Sonoma County restaurants.

The Sonoma County Restaurant Week is now in its 7th Year, and the Restaurants are getting more thoughtful in their offerings. Its a great time to GET out to that Restaurant you’ve been wanting to visit (to see if you like it at a reasonable price!) Lunch offerings begin at 10 and 15 dollars. Dinner offerings come in at 19, 29, or 39 Dollars. Not only that BUT over 17 Cities within the county are participating!Yes, Sonoma County is larger than the state of Rhode Island.

Whether you want to enjoy a meal while sipping wine viewing the beautiful Sonoma Coast, or taking in a meal after a day of Wine Tasting, or heading to one of your favorite local spots during the week, there really is something for everyone in this county.

A few of the local’s favorites include:

Barndiva: Healdsburg 39 Dinner Menu:

First:

GAMBAS FRAÎCHES au SAUCE RAIFORT chilled prawns, horseradish & lemon cocktail sauce, arugula salad, shallot vinaigrette

Second:

PAILLARD de VOLAILLE crispy breaded chicken breast, warm potato fondant, lemon caper parsley butter

Third:

GATEAU au CHOCOLAT chocolate layer cake, ice cream

Valette: Healdsburg

Valette, was born from two brothers lifelong dream of creating a unique dining experience in our hometown of Healdsburg. Our goal is to provide a canvas for local farmers, winemakers and artisans to showcase their craft.

$39 Dinner

First Course

Nouveau French Onion Soup Bernier Farms Welsh Onions Silky Onion Velouté – 64 Degree Egg – 18 Month Valette Prosciutto or House Made 100% Semolina Pasta Preston Farms Fava Bean Tips Fava Bean Hummus – Crispy Pancetta – Aged Manchego Cheese

Entrée

Honey Brined Pork Chop Bernier Farms Watermelon Radish Vanilla + Brown Butter Parsnip Mousseline – Pickled Kohlrabi + Jicama or Goat Cheese + Quinoa ‘Boudin Blanc’ Preston Farms Mustard Flowers Smoked Celeriac Lardon – Purple Sauerkraut – Roasted Beet Salad

Dessert

‘The Chocolate Bloc’ Carmella Chocolate Mousse – Sea Salt – Toasted Meringue or Warm Olive Oil Cake Vanilla + Orange Creamsicle – Compressed Tangerines

Backyard: Forestville

Chicken and waffles baby! #backyard #sonomacounty #brunch #sundayfunday A photo posted by Jamie Gall (@jamiegall1930) on Jun 28, 2015 at 2:01pm PDT

I’ve dined here, and it’s definitely worth a visit! And with their 15 Lunch Menu and 29 Dinner Menu offering, definitely worth the price!

Backyard is a seasonal, sustainable restaurant nestled in the small town of Forestville, California. We draw our inspiration from Sonoma County, with all of its amazing bounties; orchards, farms, ranchers, foragers and fisherman. We are proud members of Sonoma County Farm Trails, Slow Food Russian River & we have received Bib Gourmand by Michelin Guide, three years in a row.

MENU Lunch Menu $15:

First Course:

Wild Mushroom Soup creme fraiche & salsa verde ~or~ Farmer’s Lettuce Salad seasonal vegetables, wild sorrel vinaigrette

Main Course

(served with seasonal sides) Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich ~or~ BLK (bacon, lettuce, & house-made kimchi) ~or~ Tim’s Grass-Fed Burger ~or~ Tempeh Reuben

Dessert

House made organic ice creams Vanilla Chocolate Cocoa Nib Citrus Sorbet Candy Cap Mushroom Ice Cream

Dinner Menu $29:

First Course:

Farmer’s Lettuce Salad seasonal vegetables & wild sorrel vinaigrette ~or~ Wild Mushroom Soup crème fraiche, salsa verde ~or~ House Cured Duck Prosciutto wild lettuce & citrus

Main Course:

Chicken Pot Pie heirloom carrots, young onions, potatoes, buttermilk biscuit ~or~ Gluten Free Gnocchi purple majesty potatoes, wild mushrooms, Cinderella squash, hemp seed pistou ~or~ Grass-Fed Steak creamy polenta, black trumpet mushroom butter, buttermilk onion rings

Dessert

Ron’s Chocolate Budino salted caramel, sweet cream, chocolate pearls ~or~ Citrus Curd sweet cream & shortbread ~or~ House made organic ice creams: Candy Cap Mushroom Coco Nib Vanilla Chocolate Citrus Sorbet

Please keep in mind that our menu is locally-farm driven, menu items are subject to change due to availability –

Zazu Kitchen & Farm: Sebastopol

An amazing dinner at Zazu Kitchen and Farm @thebarlow707 @insidesonoma

A photo posted by Jamie Gall (@jamiegall1930) on Dec 4, 2014 at 9:09pm PST

Finding ourselves in the agricultural and viticultural mecca of Sonoma County, with the best ingredients and wine in the world, we focus on a menu that is “wine friendly” and uncomplicated. We are committed to the philosophy of finding ingredients as close to the restaurant as possible, harvested at peak ripeness, and doing as little as possible to alter their natural perfection. Zazu cuisine is Americana and rustic northern Italian inspired.

$39 Dinner

grilled asparagus, meyer lemon aioli

short rib zasugo, redwood hill goat cheese gnocchi

crepe tallstack, espresso whip, dark chocolate sauce

Underwood Bar & Bistro: Graton

$39 Dinner

FIRST COURSE:

Hearts of Romaine Salad roasted pears, candied walnuts, point reyes farmstead blue cheese, lemon-champagne vinaigrette Roasted beets endive, walnuts, feta cheese Soup du Jour

SECOND COURSE:

Flat Iron Steak Frites mushroom-shallot butter, arugula, chipotle steak sauce, frites Ravioli artichoke hearts, bellwether farms ricotta, meyer lemon & pancetta, pea leaves, parmesan cheese Roasted Steelhead fennel, saffron & green olive relish, white bean puree, grilled asparagus, salsa rioja

THIRD COURSE:

Warm Chocolate Torte Creme Brulee –

Seared Steak And Seafood: Petaluma

Seared is the long awaited steakhouse and fresh seafood restaurant in Petaluma! We serve the highest quality of beef and fresh seafood, in a comfortably elegant atmosphere. Enjoy our Raw Bar featuring a selection of oysters, sashimi and tartares. PS: They know their craft and you are in for an excellent meal!

MENU $39 Dinner

First Course:

Ahi Poke Nori chip, scallion, benne seeds, crispy shallot, chili, tangerine ponzu, cilantro Or Baby beets, heirloom apples, wild arugula, candied pecan, fig yogurt, purple haze goat cheese, citrus vinaigrette Or Soup Du Jour

Second Course:

Akaushi Hanger Steak Green garlic mash, braised swiss chard, demi-glace, bone marrow butter Or McFarlands Springs Trout Brussel sprouts, neuskes bacon, sunchoke, meyer lemon charmoula Or House Ricotta Mendocino hedgehog mushrooms, shallots, confit garlic, Estero gold, Thai basil

Third Course: Daily Ice Cream Sandwich Or Chocolate pudding, mini chocolate brownies, hot chocolate whip cream

These potato nachos were da bomb! At Pub Republic #petaluma A photo posted by Jamie Gall (@jamiegall1930) on Aug 28, 2015 at 5:50pm PDT

I wish I could honestly list all of the Restaurants Partaking, and all of the offerings, but since Sonoma County has so many GREAT restaurants, truthfully, you have to let your stomach guide you in the week ahead. Be sure to make your reservations ahead of time, as restaurants will get crowded.

Oh, and PS: The Beer-Misu at Bear Republic Brewing Company: Da Bomb

Another please? The beer-misu! @sonomacountyrestaurantweek

A photo posted by Jamie Gall (@jamiegall1930) on Mar 15, 2015 at 5:55pm PDT

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ItsMyMasterpiece #CollectiveBias

Diet Coke has recently inspired me by their brand new, uniquely designed “It’s Mine” Glass Bottles. Each one is custom designed, and NOT ONE bottle is the same. With their bright colors, and fun designs, it was hard to resist not getting creative with them.

As a long time supporter of Coca Cola, these fun, new bottles are a nice tribute to their loyal fans.

My other half and I have been working hard on trying to de-clutter our home, and with that, we’ve been looking for new ways to add a bit of brightness into the home. With spring right around the corner, these newly designed bottles, and my craving for flowers, this is what I came up with:

How to Make A Homemade Vase with Coca Cola Bottles:

Flowers-Vases

The thing I loved about these Diet Coke bottles was the fact that they’re already designed with bright, fun colors. So really, there’s only a few things you need beyond the bottles:

Diet Coke Its Mine Glass Bottles
Flower Bouquets (you pick!)
Ribbon
Water!

Yep, it’s that simple! Hah.

Instructions:

Start by Drinking Your Diet Coke. After bottle is empty, wash out bottle thoroughly.

Add water to the bottle, about a third of the way full.

Break up your flower bouquet, and pick out your flower combinations for the Vases (2 to 3 flowers per vase!) Before inserting into bottles, cut the stems of the flowers so they’ll be fresh.

Add Your Ribbon Details.

And, then, add your vases around your home:

Bedroom-Decor

Around the Bedside.

Bathroom-Decor

Around the Home.

Home-Accents

You can find these Diet Coke It’s Mine Glass Bottles at your local Walmart. Along with the Glass Bottles, Walmart Retailers have other designed Diet Coke Cans throughout their stores that can be found in the soda aisle:

diet-coke-its-mine

Now that I have you creativity going. What would you create with the Diet Coke Glass Bottles? You know the cool thing? Coca Cola is CREATING one giant mosaic with all the Masterpieces their fans are creating with the bottles. Be sure to share your creations through the hashtag #ItsMyMasterpiece. For more information check out the site here.

Sonoma County Restaurant Week: March 7 – 13.

How to Make Your OWN Homemade Coca Cola Bottle Vase!

Partake in Santa Fe’s New Margarita Trail!

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Sonoma County Restaurant Week: March 7 – 13.

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How to Make Your OWN Homemade Coca Cola Bottle Vase!

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Partake in Santa Fe’s New Margarita Trail!

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