SMALL BITES Move over, Rome. For beer aficionados from across the globe, all roads lead to Santa Rosa, where the Russian River Brewing Company unveils its limited edition Pliny the Younger every February. “It’s Pliny the Elder on steroids,� co-owner Natalie Cilurzo says of the famous brew, which contains three times the hops of their regular IPA. Beginning at 11am on Friday, Feb. 1, the brewery will dole out the rationed beer one 10-ounce glass at a time every day until Valentine’s Day. Repeatedly voted the No. 1 beer in the world, it’s no wonder Pliny the Younger draws people from as far away as Japan and Europe waiting up to five hours for their turn. Because the line sometimes snakes all the way down to D Street, “I’ve been offered $100 to sneak people in the back door before,� says longtime RRBC employee Gabe Rivera. (Schucksters, take note: he refuses all bribes.) Despite its cult-like following, Pliny the Younger is not the cash cow one might assume. In fact, the beer is available only once a year precisely because it takes so much time, effort, space and money to brew. For the region at large, however, the economic benefits are substantial, which is why Pliny the Younger figures prominently in a current study by the Sonoma County Economic Development Board regarding the impact of local craft breweries. This year, the Flamingo Hotel is even offering a special “Pliny the Younger� rate for out-oftowners. How’d’ya like those suds? —Jessica Dur Taylor
steakhouse serving chophouse classics like dry-aged 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.
Fazerrati’s Pizza. $-$$.
Compadres Rio Grille
California cuisine. $$$. California bistro fare that nearly always hits the mark. Lunch and dinner daily. 4050 Byway E, Napa. 707.257.1999.
Western/Mexican. $-$$. Contemporary food and outdoor dining with a Mexican flavor. Located on the river and serving authentic cocktails. Nightly specials and an abiding love of the San Francisco Giants. 505 Lincoln Ave, Napa. Lunch and dinner daily. 707.253.1111.
Great pie, cool brews, the game’s always on. Great place for post-Little League. Lunch and dinner daily. 1517 W Imola Ave, Napa. 707.255.1188.
FumĂŠ Bistro & Bar
Gilwoods Cafe Diner. $-$$. Classic hometown diner, specializes in the homemade. Breakfast and lunch daily.
PAID ADVERTISING SECTION
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. $$$$. La Toque makes for memorable special-occasion dining. The elaborate wine pairing menus are luxuriously inspired. Dinner, Wed-Sun. 1314 McKinstry St, Napa. 707.257.5157.
SEBASTOPOL GALLERY
Miguel’s MexicanCalifornian. $$. Ultracasual setting and laid-back service belies the delicious kitchen magic within; chilaquiles are legendary. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. 1437 Lincoln Ave, Calistoga. 707.942.6868.
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, Mon-Fri; dinner daily. 1260 Main St (at Clinton), Napa. 707.255.5552.
Fine Art and Crafts by Local Artists www.sebastopol-gallery.com 150 North Main 829.7200
Red Rock Cafe & Backdoor BBQ American. $-$$. Cafe specializing in barbecue and classic diner fare. Messy, delicious. Lunch and dinner daily. 1010 Lincoln Ave, Napa. 707.226.2633.
Redd California cuisine. $$$$$. Rich dishes balanced by subtle flavors and careful yet casual presentation. Brunch at Redd is exceptional. Lunch, Mon-Sat; dinner daily; brunch, Sun. 6480 Washington St, Yountville. 707.944.2222. Siena California-Tuscan. $$$$. Sophisticated, terroir-informed cooking celebrates the local and seasonal. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily; brunch, Sun. 875 Bordeaux Way, Napa. 707.259.0633. Zuzu Spanish tapas. $$. Graze your way through a selection of tasty tapas in a lively rustic chic setting with a popular wine bar. Bite-sized Spanish and Latin American specialties include sizzling prawns, Spanish tortilla, and Brazilian style steamed mussels. Lunch, Mon-Fri; dinner daily. 829 Main St, Napa. 707.224.8555.
"RUB-AL-KALI 8a" by James Ford Grant, 2004
Open Wed thru Sun, 11 to 5pm 144 Petaluma Blvd North, Petaluma
707.781.707 t calabigallery.com
;)%:)67
'SRXIQTSVEV] )\TVIWWMSRW SJ ER %RGMIRX 'VEJX .ER ÂŚ1EV %VXMWX (IQS *IF ÂŚ TQ ;SVOWLSTW HIQSRWXVEXMSRW ERH QSVI
4)8%091% %687 ')28)6
,SYVW ÂŚ TQ 'PSWIH [[[ TIXEPYQEEVXWGIRXIV SVK 8YIW ;IH 0EOIZMPPI 7X 4IXEPYQE
15 N O RT H BAY B O H E M I A N | JA N UA RY 3 0 - F E B R UA RY 5, 2 0 1 3 | B O H E M I A N.COM
It’s Pliny Time
1320 Napa Town Center, Napa. 707.253.0409. 1313 Main St, St Helena. 707.963.1788.
At the Veterans Building 282 South High St. Sebastopol, CA 95472 707.829.4797 www.sebarts.org