Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen Eclectic. $$-$$$. As
Cole’s Chop House American steakhouse. $$$$$. Handsome, upscale 1950s-era steakhouse serving chophouse classics like dryaged porterhouse steak and Black Angus filet mignon. Wash down the red meat with a “nostalgia” cocktail. Dinner daily. 1122 Main St, Napa. 707.224.6328.
Compadres Rio Grille Fazerrati’s Pizza. $-$$. Great pie, cool brews, the game’s always on. Great place for post-Little League. Lunch and dinner daily. 1517 W Imola Ave, Napa. 707.255.1188.
Fumé Bistro & Bar California cuisine. $$$. California bistro fare that nearly always hits the mark. Lunch and dinner daily; brunch, Sat-Sun. 4050 Byway E, Napa. 707.257.1999.
Gilwoods Cafe Diner. $$$. Classic hometown diner, specializes in the homemade. Breakfast and lunch daily. 1320 Napa Town Center, Napa. 707.253.0409. 1313 Main St, St Helena. 707.963.1788.
Gott’s Roadside Tray Gourmet Diner. $. Formerly Taylor’ Automatic Refresher. Lunch and dinner daily. 933 Main St, St Helena. 707.963.3486. Also at Oxbow Public Market, 644 First St, Napa. 707.224,6900.
La Toque Restaurant French-inspired. $$$$. Set in a comfortable elegantly rustic dining room reminiscent of a French lodge, with a stone fireplace centerpiece, La Toque makes for memorable special-occasion dining. The elaborate wine pairing menus are luxuriously inspired. Dinner daily. 1314 McKinstry St, Napa. 707.257.5157.
SMALL BITES
To Cook or Not to Cook? The racial history of whole-hog barbecue. How to sweat a perfect mirepoix. Why we are so drawn to umami, that elusive fifth taste. These topics and many more are dissected in Michael Pollan’s seventh book, Cooked: A Natural History of Transformation. The bestselling author of The Botany of Desire and The Omnivore’s Dilemma, Pollan understands more than most the plants and animals that humans consume—for better and for worse—in this post-industrial age. As a writer, Pollan, who speaks at the Petaluma Seed Bank on June 17, has hit on a winning recipe: Mix equal parts history, science and personal narrative. Season with sharp sociopolitical analysis and a liberal dose of how-to instruction. Serve earnest, with a side of wit. Hold the bravado. Whether he’s being splattered with hot pig fat or analyzing the role of the cauldron in ancient Greece, Pollan’s prose is dense yet easy to digest. By exploring the role of each of the four elements—fire, water, air and earth—in transforming raw ingredients into edible meals, Pollan reveals the intricacies of grilling, braising, baking and fermenting. For those who come away inspired to wrest their nutrition from corporate hands, Pollan includes his own recipes for pork shoulder barbecue, sauerkraut, whole wheat country bread and meat sugo. But don’t be intimidated by his gastronomic piety. As Pollan recently admitted to Stephen Colbert, he does enjoy a box of Cracker Jacks every now and then. Michael Pollan speaks on Monday, June 17, at the Petaluma Seed Bank. 199 Petaluma Blvd., N., Petaluma. 7pm. $30 includes book; $35 includes book and one extra ticket. 707.762.0563.—Jessica Dur Taylor
Summer Summer Special Sp ecial
M o n d ay + W Monday Wednesday e d n e s d ay Happy 5–10pm H appy Hour, Hou r, 5 –10 p m $ 50 1 S Sapporo apporo drafts d ra f t s 50¢ chicken 5 0¢ Haku Ha ku c h icken wings w i n gs
HAKU S USHI
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A Special Invitation for Dads
Father’ s Day Sunday, June 16 David Haydon invites all fathers for a celebratory and complimentary entree.
Pizza Azzurro Italian. $. Run by a former Tra Vigne and Lark Creek Inn alum, the pizza is simple and thin, and ranks as some of the best in the North Bay. Lunch and dinner daily. 1260 Main St (at Clinton), Napa. 707.255.5552.
Red Rock Cafe & Backdoor BBQ American. $-$$. Cafe specializing in barbecue and classic diner fare. Messy, delicious. Lunch and
dinner daily. 1010 Lincoln Ave, Napa. 707.252.9250.
Redd California cuisine. $$$$$. Rich dishes balanced by subtle flavors and careful yet casual presentation. Brunch at Redd is exceptional. Lunch, Mon-Sat; dinner daily; brunch, Sun. 6480 Washington St, Yountville. 707.944.2222.
Siena California-Tuscan. $$$$. Sophisticated, terroirinformed cooking celebrates the local and seasonal, with electric combinations like sorrel-wrapped ahi tuna puttanesca. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily; brunch, Sun. 875 Bordeaux Way, Napa. 707.251.1900.
www.ildavide.net 907 A Street, San Rafael Open at 4:30pm Reservations 415.454.8080 or online at urbanspoon.com
13 NORTH BAY BOHEMIAN | JUNE 5-11, 2013 | BOHEMIAN.COM
comfortable as it sounds, with a rich and varied melting pot of a menu. Lunch and dinner daily. 1327 Railroad Ave, St Helena. 707.963.1200.