At Home, Sonoma, CA

Thought that it would be a good idea to try our own concoctions, as there are SO many possible variations of this dish.
For fish I chose what was labelled as "True Cod" at our local fish counter at Sonoma Market. Don't know what makes this Cod 'True' but What the Hell I say, Gimme a pound (or so)...I cut it into chunks and marinated it in 'Casa Sanchez Mild Salsa Roja'. While the fish was 'soaking' I looked for and found a great recipe for Chipotle Aioli. All the other recipes I came across called for starting with a cup or so of mayonnaise. This recipe used an egg and egg yolks and olive and canola oils for starters in the Cuisinart (or blender as the case may be) and then adding the other ingredients including a whole can of Chipotles in Adobo Sauce! I was a little leery of using the whole can, but I figured 'WTF, you only live once...' so in it went. My Goodness is this delicious...and it makes a lot, too! This recipe is now in the 'To Be Made on a Regular Basis' file, though...Yummy!
To round out the plate I made guacamole with a smooshed-up ripe avocado mixed with some more of the Casa Sanchez Salsa, a pot of Trader Joe's Basmati Rice Medley, and a salad of fresh Spinach, Arugula, and Cilantro. For my Tacos I used the La Tortilla Factory Chipotle tortillas (though Tehra and her Mom used the Jalisco Flour Tortillas from the tortilla factory just down the street from here). The beverage of choice was the 2010 GlenLyon Blush O' The Boar Estate Syrah Rosé (Thank You Squire and Suzy!).

Big 3, Sonoma, CA ---- Closed

The Big 3

In discussing local dining establishments it came to Tehra's and my attention that we had never shared a meal alone together at the Big 3 Cafe in the 'Heart' of lovely downtown Boyes Hot Springs. So on a blustery Wednesday evening we decided that it would be an ideal time to pay the Big 3 a visit.
In looking over the menu one of the first things we saw was their offering of Blackened Fish Tacos. Sounded good so I ordered a plate along with a bottle of Racer 5 IPA from Bear Republic Brewing in Healdsburg. I was pleasantly surprised when they brought out the 22oz. bottle that Tehra & I shared...good start, I thought.
What I didn't catch quickly enough was the sour cream in the description on the menu. Personally, I feel they could have benefitted from a tad less sour cream or maybe distributed a bit more appealingly. Anyway I scraped most of it to the side and very much enjoyed the flavor of the fish with the salsa. Now were I preparing this one I would have made a roasted tomato salsa as a side to go with the blackened fish, and I also would have mashed that avocado with some of that roasted salsa and served it in place of the slices of not-quite-ripe avocado. Next time we serve Blackened Fish Tacos (yeah, right) here at the house I will make sure that the kitchen staff heed my suggestions...
We did enjoy the friendliness of the staff and also, picked up two of their macaroons, one chocolate and the other mango-coconut, for dessert at home....now those were quite tasty!

Breakaway Cafe, Sonoma, CA --- Closed

The Breakaway Cafe

At this time in my life I have come to enjoy having a pleasant comfortable neighborhood establishment a casual walk from home. A place where you are on a first name basis with those working there, and when you say 'The Usual' it is recognized with a simultaneous nod of the head, a welcome glance and a smile.
Friday Happy Hour at the Breakaway Cafe has become such a place for us, 'us' being our good friend, Gail, Tehra and myself. Two short blocks from the house, an almost enjoyable amble, made only mildly unpleasant by having to cross the 4-lane Hwy 12 at some point along the walk. We have become quasi-regular at Fish Taco Fridays. Those $5 Friday margaritas are a perfect accompaniment to the tropical flavors of the tacos. Or if a great beer is what you would rather have they serve the chewy Anderson Valley Oatmeal Stout on tap. You can't go wrong with either beverage selection (and I am told that water goes just fine with the meal too...)
We also visit during the week, upon occasion, where the plate is 3 tacos at just a little more cost.
One night, right around this last Christmas we watched the police DUI checkpoint set up shop right outside the restaurant and start pulling over unfortunate motorists on their way by....the benefit of living within walking distance....