Yes, yes. The Cured Ham is lucky to eat out on a regular basis. For instance, I just had the Autumn Pasta Tasting Menu at Flour + Water just this week and yes, it was a lovely meal. But it can't be eight-course meals every night. Take for instance my meal at home this evening, green bell peppers and chicken hot dogs fried in olive oil.
I love this meal!
Probably not a house-hold item. However, Cyrus in Healdsburg does have a small inventory of Serbian Brandy.
The one on the far right tasted a bit like gasoline and road tar. However the other two were tasty. More like an unrefined grappa than pure fire water. It's nice to have a place in town that can challenge the palate (and the liver).
An under-the-radar food truck has hit the Dry Creek Valley in Healdsburg. Parked near Family Wineries, Papapietro Perry, and the Dry Creek Olive Oil company, the Al Fresco Kitchen offers a real alternative to the Dry Creek General Store down the road.
For me, if a Reuben sandwich is available, I order it. It’s my Control Sandwich, like tacos carnitas and al pastor or a Cesear Salad. It’s the dish I’ve had a hundred times and will probably have one hundred more times if I’m lucky enough to live that long. Some friends ordered the pulled BBQ pork sandwich, also pictured.
My Reuben sandwich was solid. 10 Times better than the Dry Creek Store reuben down the road, but that isn’t saying much. Al Fresco’s Reuben was moist, well dressed with the Thousand Island, not too much sauerkraut and the bread was grilled, not toasted. The potato salad was really good. A generous portion was served with my sandwich. The potatoes were tender, but not mooshy, seasoned well and perfectly cold. I haven’t gotten this excited about potato salad since I was in Portland and another deli.
Sandwiches at Al Fresco are Wine Country and Captive Location expensive, but the view on a clear day is unmatched by any restaurant in or out of Healdsburg. As I mentioned, the close-by alternative Dry Creek Deli General Store is equally priced and the Oakville Grocery in town usually offers long lines, no vineyard views and high prices (albeit gourmet options). I think Al Fresco is worth the try.
I'm usually not a big eater of bar snacks when I'm out for a drink. Sure, I'll nibble on some peanuts or some decent bridge mix (the one with the Chex cereal), but for the most part, not so much.
HOWEVER, the deep-fried pieces of crack, won-ton seasoned with Japanese spicy pepper and the side of sweet sesame mayonnaise that comes with them, are some of the best bar snacks I've ever had. They're crunchy, salty, well-seasoned and not a bit greasy. The mayo they pair it with is also tasty and I think would go well with a hamburger. Yes, they have to be unhealthy, but they are oh so good.
This is fast becoming a “no brainer” for me in Healdsburg. I’ve been a few times now for dinner and I walk away satisfied. Sure, I’ve made noodle bowls at home and yes, they’re cheap to make. But some nights I don’t feel like cooking and want something healthy that isn't fried in butter. Or worse, going to a great restaurant in town and feeling some obligation to order 2 courses. I suppose it’s less of an obligation, but when I have access to so much good food, I have little self-control not to order house-cured salami or deviled eggs.
Shimo has plenty of choices for my broth and my additions, so it becomes a matter of what I’m in the mood for. Usually it’s soba noodles in miso with a whole egg. Sometimes my protein is pork belly, sometimes chicken. Regardless of the combination, the bowl usually comes out of the kitchen in 5 minutes piping hot. There are several Japanese beers available and they’re all cold.
The beer and the bowl will cost about $20. Without the beer, the bowl will probably cost less $12 unless you order Waygu. I walk away full and hydrated and I suggest you give the new Shimo a try.
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