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Holidays in Sonoma – Local Cheese in Sonoma

January 14, 2015 by Pechluck 11 Comments

Besides local beer, I am always looking for local cheeses as well when I travel. When you are in Sonoma, there are several to choose from- in fact, there is a whole Cheese Trail if you are so inclined. With our Thanksgiving weekend visit the timeline was too short to fit such a trip in, but it’s an interesting activity to consider for a future visit for me.

Besides, you will inevitably want some bread, crackers, and cheese as a absorbant snack while you are out on the wine tasting room visits, right? And, while here you want to choose to support artisans here by getting the local cheese in Sonoma right?
Our Sonoma wine tasting picnic with cheese, bread, grapes, hummus, and various spreads

The most convenient cheese stop is right in Sonoma Plaza, in fact it’s even right by a free parking lot! That stop is The Sonoma Cheese Factory. Inside you will find a whole two cases worth of various cheese they produce, as well as a large deli that offers other products for a Sonoma picnic, microbrews and local wine for you to take home as well- even BBQ! They offer some tasty sounding sandwiches or you can build your own selecting from among 16 different proteins, half a dozen types of bread, almost a dozen cheeses, and more than 20 extras varying from brown sugar pecan mustard to three types of aioli or bacon, jalapenos, roasted red peppers, even sauerkraut. You can make your sandwich a lunchbox to take with you if you’d like.

In the cheese cases I was mentioning, they have several that you can sample, and when I saw they had a buy 2 get 1 wedge of Sonoma Cheese Factory Cheese (nicknamed SCF) I couldn’t resist over-purchasing even though there were just four of us.

Most of the cheeses at SCF are Jack type cheeses, and vary from the traditional to some of our favorite flavorings that we picked out of Garlic Jack, Habanero Jack, Pesto jack and Mediterranean Jack Cheeses. They also had some aged Cheddars. The three we ended up getting that you see are the square aged cheddar, the white is the Garlic Jack, and the one with all those flecks is the Mediterranean Jack.

The three we ended up getting that you see from Sonoma Cheese Factory are the square aged cheddar, the white is the Garlic Jack, and the one with all those flecks is the Mediterranean Jack.

While you are here in Sonoma Plaza, I might suggest you grab some bread at nearby (literally a block away) Basque Boulangerie, which has some great sourdough and French breads. If it’s late and Basque is closed, you might also consider visiting the local grocery store Sonoma Market where I also appreciated they had lots of local bread.

Also nearby to Sonoma Plaza is Vella Cheese, Besides Jack cheeses and Cheddar, they also have some Italian style cheeses. And, they only use vegetarian rennet.

Another option is the Epicurean Connection Cafe, Beer and Wine Bar, where you can stock up on goods and also get some tasty versions of cheesy sandwiches (including more than half a dozen grilled cheese sandwiches), tartines, crepes, salads and cheese plates. Some of the spreads you saw in my first photo of the post are from Epicurean, including a triple cream Les Trois Fromage made from cow, goat, and and sheep milk.

My favorite cheese visit though was much more out of the way. This visit the cheese maker Matos Cheese Factory. The name says Factory, but you are going right to the Farm. Matos Cheese Factory only makes one type of cheese, St Jorge Cheese. This cheese’s heritage comes from Sao Jorge, Portugal, the original homeland of the founders Joe and Mary Matos.

It involved driving up towards Sebastopol as we were heading towards Iron Horse Vineyard anyway, and was only a little 10 minute drive from California Route 116 anyway that you would be taking. Be prepared to be driving a bit longer than you might think on an all dirt driveway up to the farm buildings. And, you are literally parking in the space amid their barns, there is no parking lot. As you are driving up to the farm you will even pass by the cows who produced the milk for the cheeses. You can see they are so impressed by your visit and getting this far.
Cows that produce the milk for St Jorge Cheese at Matos Cheese Factory

As you walk in you might encounter one of the farm cats like we did, or the farm dog as well. The little shop has a little bell that rings as you open the door so that wherever they may be working they then know you are there. The little shop is really more of a counter that only fits a handful of people, though it also offers a glimpse into the much larger aging room.
Visiting Matos Cheese Factory, makers of St Jorge Cheese St Jorge Cheese in the aging room of Matos Cheese Factory in Sonoma
They are happy to let you taste two version of their St George, also known as St Jorge Cheese – a younger version and an older version, so you can contrast the more buttery younger version that is like a cross between Havarti and Manchego, and also we tried a more aged one that turns crumbly and is a bit more like Parmesan.
Visiting Matos Cheese Factory, makers of St Jorge Cheese
Your whole visit will likely only last 15 minutes or so, but I left with really delicious cheese and the happy feeling of buying directly from the farmers themselves – in fact in my case, directly from the granddaughter of founder Joe Matos himself. They only accept cash or check.
St Jorge Cheese in the aging room of Matos Cheese Factory in Sonoma My purchase of cheese from Matos Cheese Factory, makers of St Jorge Cheese in Sonoma Cows that produce the milk for St Jorge at Matos Cheese Factory

I didn’t have time for this last two cheese locations, but in Petaluma there are also the options of Marin Cheese, which produces a softer cheese in a French style like brie and camembert, and the Petaluma Creamery that offers tries of their Spring Hill Jersey Cheese, and Petaluma Creamery cheeses as well as pizza and ice cream.

Have you had cheeses in Sonoma?

This post is part of my series on my trip to Sonoma where I list various recommendations.

Arriving in Sonoma – kick off with Gloria Ferrar and Viansa right at the entrance on Route 121
The gorgeous castle of Ledson Winery and Vineyards
Continuing south on Highway 12 with visits at St. Francis, Chateau St Jean, Kunde Family Estate, Arrowood Vineyards and Winery, Imagery Estate Winery
Thanksgiving dinner at the girl and the fig
My favorite winery in Sonoma that I visited, the sparkling of Iron Horse Vineyards
Visiting breweries in the Sonoma area: Lagunitas, Russian River, and Bear Republic.
Love cheese? Recommendations for visiting local cheesemakers in Sonoma
The sister wineries of Cline Cellars and Jacuzzi Family Vineyards

Filed Under: Cheese, Food and Drink, Travel Tagged With: #holidaysinsonoma, Basque Boulangerie bread, buy local, California cheese, cheese addict, cheese love, choose local, Garlic Jack Cheese, Holidays in Sonoma, Jack Cheese, local cheese, local Sonoma Cheese, Matos Cheese Factory, Mediterranean Jack Cheese, Sonoma, Sonoma cheese, Sonoma Cheese Factory, Sonoma County, Sonoma MArket, Sonoma Wine Country, St George Cheese, St Jorge Cheese, support local, Vella Cheese

Boke Bowl Dim Sum

January 12, 2015 by Pechluck 8 Comments

I only visited once so I don’t think I’m ready to really review the new Boke Bowl dim sum service, which is only a month or so old at this point. However, I thought I’d share a few photos of what some of the possible offerings you would see. Dim Sum is only available at the Boke Bowl West location, which is at 1200 NW 18th (cross street is Northrup, right along the trolley line), and is only served from 11 AM – 3 PM on Saturday and Sundays.

Although dim sum is available, you can also still choose to order from their regular ramen menu and such as well. For a winter special they are offering a duck ramen (which you see here with the add in of fried chicken and their orange dot sauce, a pickled mustard seed in aioli base) and they have a vegetarian ramen option with Caramelized fennel dashi and add in of brined smoked tofu).
Boke BowlDuck ramen which is a winter special ramen, seasonal veggies are the Brussels sprouts and butternut squash. I upgraded the ramen with the add in of fried chicken with their orange dot sauce, pickled mustard seeds in an aioli base sauce . Boke Bowl vegetarians ramen bowl with Caramelized fennel dashi and add in of brined and smoked tofu Boke Bowl Duck ramen which is a winter special ramen, seasonal veggies are the Brussels sprouts and butternut squash. I upgraded the ramen with the add in of fried chicken with their orange dot sauce, pickled mustard seeds in an aioli base sauce

If you haven’t experienced Boke ramen yet, I think it is very tasty especially if you want to take a vegetarian and if you are ok and even want to try a fusion style that is not traditional ramen in any way and set your expectations accordingly. For instance, I always always get the fried chicken add in, not just for the chicken protein but to add the ODS sauce flavor to the bowl.

Reservations and take out are not available for dim sum- and just like most dim sum service, there are carts (two that I saw) that are wheeled around the dining space and as you select from what they have, there may be more replenished into the cart at any time.
Boke Bowl dim sum at Boke Bowl West, only on Sat and Sun 11 - 2, this cart is being pushed and serviced by Boke man Brannon Riceci himself The steamed dim sum cart at Boke Bowl dim sum at Boke Bowl West

The food plates are simply priced by the size of Small, Medium, and Large, and so a stamp on a dim sum card is how they count and calculate the price of what you have eaten. There is a whole page of cocktails as well.
Menu at Boke Bowl dim sum at Boke Bowl West, only on Sat and Sun 11 - 2

And that cocktail list includes this amazing Boke Bloody Mary, which includes Baiju, fennel dashi, fish sauce, lime, tomato, and Boke fried chicken
Boke Bloody Mary with Baiju, fennel dashi, fish sauce, lime, tomato, fried chicken at Boke Bowl dim sum

For a simpler cocktail option, you might consider the refreshing Boke Buzz, house bottled and carbonated highballs. There are a few to choose from- this is the Whiskey Coco with bourbon, coconut, lime, and palm sugar
Boke Buzz, house bottled and carbonated highballs, this is the Whiskey Coco with bourbon, coconut, lime, and palm sugar from Boke Bowl

Unlike many dim sum restaurants though, I was really pleased to see there were several dim sum options that are marked as being vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free, which you will not always see! I can never get F to dim sum because there are literally only a handful of options for him usually at a traditional dim sum, but at Boke Bowl Dim Sum half the options are fair game for a vegetarian. Many popular dishes, such as hum bao, lotus wraps, sui mai etc. have both a meat version and a veggie version so your vegetarian can also have a full dim sum experience.

As they wheel the carts around and tell you their options, remember that not all the options may be at one of the carts at once so you probably want to check out the carts more than once to see what is new. You can also ask if there are certain dishes you are looking for and if they are not too in the weeds they may be able to bring it directly to you.

Their take on Chicken and Waffle (gluten free) with yeast rice cake and Boke fried chicken, these disappear quickly from the carts!
Their take on Chicken and Waffle (gluten free) with yeast rice cake and Boke fried chicken at the Boke Bowl dim sum at Boke Bowl West, only on Sat and Sun 11 - 2

Super chubby sui mai dumplings, these are with pork and shrimp, but there is also a vegan vegetable version
Super chubby sui mai Dumplings at Boke Bowl dim sum at Boke Bowl West, only on Sat and Sun 11 - 2

Turnip cakes can either be vegan and gluten free, or get it with ham like this version
Turnip cakes with ham at Boke Bowl dim sum at Boke Bowl West, only on Sat and Sun 11 - 2

Shrimp rice noodles, there are also options of pork or gluten free vegetarian for the filling. On my visit the rice noodles were thick and still tough like they hadn’t been fully cooked, but it was their first weekend of service so I would try it again. There is a tray of various sauces you can add to your food- make sure you are not shy about using it.
Shrimp Rice noodles at Boke Bowl dim sum at Boke Bowl West, only on Sat and Sun 11 - 2

Lotus Wraps that are streamed and inside have rice and spicy pork, there is also an option with squash that is vegan and gluten free, with mushroom and black bean sauce. They come in square bundles of leaf and string that you unwrap to see this rice and protein mixture inside. The version I had with spicy pork really had a nice kick of heat and I enjoyed it.
Lotus Wrap with spicy pork at Boke Bowl dim sum at Boke Bowl West, only on Sat and Sun 11 - 2

Fried potstickers of pork, cabbage, and ginger

What do you think of having a dim sum brunch instead of a western brunch – do you do it? What sort of dim sum items do you like to look for? And would you believe I was so into dim sum that I made a photo checklist once (including Cantonese syllables for saying them and a picture from Google images so I could ask for it in case the server didn’t know the English description of it?) here in this a google doc? Food dork alert…

Filed Under: Food and Drink, Restaurant Review Tagged With: American dim sum, asian brunch, Asian brunch PDX, Asian brunch Portland, Asian Chicken and Waffle, Baiju Bloody Mary, Boke Bloody Mary, Boke Bowl, Boke Bowl dim sum, Boke Bowl west dim sum, Boke Buzz, Boke fried chicken, boke sum, chicken and waffle, dim sum, dim sum brunch, duck ramen, dumplings, Fried potstickers, Lotus Wrap, Lotus Wrap with pork, Portland dim sum, Rice Noodles with Shrimp, Shrimp Rice Noodles, shu mai, steamed dim sum dumplings, steamed dumplings, sui mai, Turnip cake with ham, vegetarian dim sum, vegetarian Portland dim sum, Yeast Rice cake

Bing Mi Food Cart

January 9, 2015 by Pechluck 13 Comments

When it starts into the winter season, I always try to make extra effort to support a local Portland food cart if I can because it’s a hard time for them. They are still staying up late/getting up early to prep the food, but then seeing so many less people come out because of the colder/rainier weather.

While all customers do is endure running out there to grab the food and then bring it back to eat, the food cart owners are left all day in their small food cart abode, just looking out into the grey skies and feeling perhaps the sideways wind blow into them if they are unlucky. If they are lucky, they might have a little window to try to build up a little warmth while they are waiting for customers, but as soon as they slide it open to welcome you, remember all that is gone!
Bing Mi! Authentic Chinese Wraps from a cart in Portland. A jianbing is a savory crepe with scrambled egg, black bean paste, chili sauce, green onion, cilantro, pickled vegetables, and wonton cracker. You can get extra egg or extra cracker, or add sausage to your jian bing if you'd like.

Bing Mi! food cart, located at SW 3rd and Ash (UPDATE: it seems now they are moving to SW 9th & Alder and will be there starting next week) specializes in one main dish: JianBing.
Bing Mi! Authentic Chinese Wraps from a cart in Portland. A jianbing is a savory crepe with scrambled egg, black bean paste, chili sauce, green onion, cilantro, pickled vegetables, and wonton cracker. You can get extra egg or extra cracker, or add sausage to your jian bing if you'd like.

Jianbing (or jian bing) is a crepe like snack that is popular in Northern Chinese cities. You get it from streetside stalls, so it seems a perfect fit to be a food cart in Portland. In China people eat it for breakfast, as a snack, or after drinking.

A jianbing by Bing Mi! includes scrambled egg, black bean paste, chili sauce, green onion, cilantro, pickled vegetables, and big flat pieces of wonton cracker. You get a choice of spiciness to the chili sauce. Also, you can get extra egg or extra cracker, or add sausage to your bing if you’d like. Without the extra protein a jianbing is a light meal. Really jianbing can be filled with anything, so I wonder if over time we might see more special additions available.
Bing Mi! Authentic Chinese Wraps from a cart in Portland. A jianbing is a savory crepe with scrambled egg, black bean paste, chili sauce, green onion, cilantro, pickled vegetables, and wonton cracker. You can get extra egg or extra cracker, or add sausage to your jian bing if you'd like.

When you get it made fresh, it is bundled up in paper so you can hold it and warm both hands as you are enjoying the soft and crispy textures with every bite.

Bing Mi! has only been open barely a month, and I appreciate that they are bringing something unique to the food cart scene. They are open 7:30 to 3:00, which is perfect for a breakfast or lunch that you can eat on the go!

Have you ever heard of jianbing before?

Filed Under: Food and Drink, Food Carts Tagged With: #foodiefriday, Bing crepe, Bing Mi, Bing Mi food cart, food cart, Food Cart Portland, food carts, food carts pdx, Food Carts Portland, Jian Bing, jianbing, PDX food carts, portland food carts

Holidays in Sonoma – Beer

January 7, 2015 by Pechluck 9 Comments

Just because you are in Sonoma doesn’t mean you only have the choice of wine. One of the things F and I always do is we always look for local breweries to visit. Our visit to Sonoma was no exception – we visited 3 places offering beer in Sonoma during our Thanksgiving stay.

The first time we visited was Russian River Brewing, but when we saw the line wrapping down the block around 6 PM (which we realize was still within happy hour time, which may have been part of the reason), and the fact it was raining and we didn’t want to stand in the rain in line, we instead headed towards Lagunitas Brewing Company, located in Petaluma.

There are a few things you should know to figure out where visiting Lagunitas is for you. First, you have to know that the biggest area is outside. Most of it is covered, and there are a few heat lamps but you should be dressed for the fact you might be outside.

You should also expect that it might be packed – and it is all seat yourself. Kids and dogs are allowed, so make sure you look down as you are hunting for an open seat! Yes the big tables and benches are communal. There was live music for a while playing, and as soon as we found an open countertop a waiter was there to take our order. Don’t be overwhelmed, although that will be your natural feeling when you first enter.

You can make your beer flight, which is how we saw our very first beer flight that had a bottle as one of the tastes. It was too dark to take photos of the food, but besides the usual beer food I did notice they had some bbq options.
Lagunitas Brewing Company, a beer flight where you can choose yourself may end up with a bottle instead of a little sampler ha ha

So the next day (Saturday), we headed to Santa Rosa for Russian River Brewing again, this time at lunchtime. This made our wait in line much shorter to get carded and then to the hostess stand to then be called when a table was ready.
Visiting Russian River Brewing Company in Santa Rosa, CA

Once we were carded, we were at least free to go to the bar and get a beer. They had a separate line for those who were just coming to buy cases of Pliny the Elder and not stay. Despite the people at the bar, the bartender was so attentive and noticed we were new and got our beer orders even before some of my party had a chance to digest the menu (and look up beers they had already had and rankings on Untappd) and know what they want!

Overall I found all the staff very friendly and aware and very efficient. Be careful of the beer you order – some of the ABVs are up there, and especially if you were wine tasting during the day! So stay hydrated with water!
Pliny the Elder in cases at the back room (staff took photo for us) at Russian River Brewing Company in Santa Rosa, CA Visiting Russian River Brewing Company in Santa Rosa, CA Sanctification beer at Russian River Brewing Company Supplication by Russian River Brewing a sour aged in Pinot barrel Make sure you stay hydrated with water while tasting beers at Russian River Brewing Company in Santa Rosa, CA

They have sampler trays as well- there are multiple options, including an option that has everything from both boards (the left board are a variety of styles, while the right board are all Belgian Style and aged beers usually with a “tion” at the end of their name). The one with ALL the beers is pretty impressive looking with bottle caps identifying each beer. This tray should definitely be shared.
Visiting Russian River Brewing Company in Santa Rosa, CA

The third and final brewery we had time for was Bear Republic Brewing located in Healdsburg. I thought it was funny how as we were going to each of these three breweries, we were being upgraded in the surrounding atmosphere from what seemed like an industrial park to then a city like Santa Rosa which had a medium sized city feel to now the charming but also trendy and bustling wine town of Healdsburg.
Visiting Bear Republic Brewing in Healdsburg

We had a beer flight here as well. Fair warning – it really smells garlicky in here because they serve baskets of their Sonoma County Harvest Fair award winning Garlic Fries.
Visiting Bear Republic Brewing in Healdsburg

If you are in the Sonoma area and need a beer break, you might consider any of the three above as an option. By Sonoma Plaza (also located in Sebastopol and Novato) we also wanted to try Hopmonk Tavern, but unfortunately didn’t make it- just one more option in case that is located more conveniently to you in Sonoma. It’s not a brewery, but they have a good and large variety in terms of beer selection.

Have you been to any of those breweries I mentioned in this post, or had any beers from any of these three breweries before?

This post is part of my series on my trip to Sonoma where I list various recommendations.

Arriving in Sonoma – kick off with Gloria Ferrar and Viansa right at the entrance on Route 121
The gorgeous castle of Ledson Winery and Vineyards
Continuing south on Highway 12 with visits at St. Francis, Chateau St Jean, Kunde Family Estate, Arrowood Vineyards and Winery, Imagery Estate Winery
Thanksgiving dinner loop at the girl and the fig
My favorite winery in Sonoma that I visited, the sparkling of Iron Horse Vineyards
Visiting breweries in the Sonoma area: Lagunitas, Russian River, and Bear Republic.
Love cheese? Recommendations for visiting local cheesemakers in Sonoma
The sister wineries of Cline Cellars and Jacuzzi Family Vineyards

Filed Under: Beer Review, Food and Drink, Travel Tagged With: Bear Republic Brewing, beer, California beer, choose local, Craft Beer, craftbeer, drink local, Healdsburg, Lagunitas Brewing Company, Petaluma, Russian River Brewing, Santa Rosa, Sonoma beer, support local, Wine Country beer

A visit to Maurice in Portland

January 5, 2015 by Pechluck 12 Comments

A photo essay of the various example options (they change daily and seasonally, with menus written daily) at Maurice Luncheonette in Portland.

Outside of Maurice Luncheonette in Portland

A few expectations you should have: although they open at 10 AM, Kristen Murray handwrites the menu everyday with love as it changes daily. So, until 11 AM when the food menu is ready, you only have the options of beverages and whatever pastries and desserts are already in the case.
The lunch menu is written every day with love. Until 11 am, only the beverage and pastries in the case are available, no food service

The tea here is very good- a big selection, and she specifically brings the selections from a tea proprietor in Massachusetts. Don’t be shy about asking for a refill of hot water.

The scone they offer (here is the Currant and Rosemary Scone) is the most perfect I’ve ever had – a crispy crunchy outside but soft inside and not dry in any bite like scones often are, so you might as well order one to go with your beverage.
The tea service from Maurice are from MEM TEA Imports at Watertown, MA Setup for Tea Service. The tea that Maurice carries are from MEM Tea Imports from Watertown, MA Currant and Rosemary Scone with fresh whipped cream. It was the most perfect scone texture I've ever had, with the crisp outside but soft insides and not dry at all

The atmosphere is clean and bright, with mostly two tops, counterspace, and only two tables on either side of the windows that might be able to accommodate 5 people at most, so not a place for larger groups. It manages to balance minimal decorations with a strong feel of being darling. When Bon Appetit included it in the Hot 10 of 2014 it’s described with sunshine and bluebirds and “earnest, a bit precious, and crazy charming”
Atmosphere at Maurice. Usually it is more clean lines and simple, but the garlands were added for the holidays! Kristen Murray, owner of Maurice, is in the hat on the right Atmosphere at Maurice is usually very clean and simple, the wreath is an addition just for the holidays, and you can see more of the carefully selected wine list on the chalkboard there Atmosphere at Maurice. Usually it is more clean lines and simple, but the garlands were added for the holidays

Just looking at that artfully arranged case as you enter, it’s like a perfectly set scene of pastries from a romance-comedy movie or the perfect small town bakery owned by the heroine in a Hallmark movie that the whole town adores (actually, that’s pretty close to the sentiment Portland has for Maurice, if you read the reviews from Portland Monthly, Oregonian, Willamette Weekly, and the Portland Mercury, although the dinner some mention is no longer offered. I think the word charming is in half of those reviews.). And here Maurice is, looking perfect everyday for real.

Ask for details of what are the various beauties in the case or on the platters on the case (an initial title and cost are listed on the chalkboard just to the right of the case)
Some of the treats at Maurice on and in the case by the register counter
All the plates are tiny but plated in a sweet and intricate and sometimes whimsical, always thoughtfully curated artistic way.

The biggest bang for your buck will be the desserts. This is a perfect spot for a little tea or a glass of wine with a little bite, but don’t expect a big meal unless you get a lot of those petite plates and the plates at close to $10 a piece will add up. Maurice is most appropriate for a snack with tea or a small light meal.

Start the photo essay:
Pear and Pistachio Tarte
Pear and Pistachio Tarte, beautiful and made with love, as always at Maurice

Radishes with butter and salt / Lucques Olives
An appetizer at Maurice from the lunch menu, Radishes with butter and salt A snack at Maurice of Lucques Olives

Lefse of the day: lefse with ham, brie and tumeni pickles
A plate of lefse with ham, brie and tumeni pickles from the menu at Maurice

One famous standby dessert is the Black Pepper Cheesecake and a bit of strawberry leather, here with Salted Butter Ice Cream
Maurice Black Pepper Cheesecake with Salted Butter Ice Cream and a bit of strawberry leather

Fika Pastry, a Swedish pastry, and it also means social drink break (most often accompanied by a sweet pastry, can be coffee or otherwise for the beverage) in Swedish and is both a verb and a noun
Fika Pastry from Maurice, Portland

Chocolate Mousse
Maurice Chocolate Mousse

The famous standby dessert (besides the black pepper cheesecake) at Maurice is the Meyer Lemon Souffle Pudding Cake

A lovely Chocolate Banana Cake Box, love the layers and the valrohna chocolate balls on top
A lovely chocolate banana cake box from Maurice, love the layers and the valrohna chocolate balls on top