Business Beat
Jacinto's Kitchen now open
There's a new place to eat in northern Sonoma Valley - Jacinto's Kitchen at 6576 Oakmont Dr.
Chef/owner Erasto Jacinto is well known in the Napa Valley, having worked his way up the restaurant food chain. His resumé includes over two decades at Mustards Grill, learning the ropes from iconic Bay Area chef and restaurant owner Cindy Pawlcyn. Erasto is also known for his C Casa in Napa, a unique taqueria with a foodie focus (how about a seasoned buffalo taco?)
In Erasto's new venture, Jacinto's Kitchen brings the flavors of Oaxaca to local diners, including the Oaxacan specialty roasted chicken and molé sauce, served with white beans and crumbled queso Cotija. Other entrées include Guajillo-braised lamb tostado, crispy pork loin cutlets, and a grilled hanger steak with tomato salsa and homemade fries. If you're in the mood for a sandwich, you won't be disappointed as you can choose from a grilled Portobello mushroom sandwich, grilled chicken breast, or an angus beef hamburger.
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Chef and owner Erasto Jacinto with restaurant manager Beth Henigan at Jacinto’s Kitchen in Oakmont. |
Don't forget to start off your meal with either the soup of the day, crispy onion rings, a sweet corn tamale, Buffalo chicken wings, or sautéed shrimp with homemade chorizo. And at the end of the meal, make sure you try the Arroz con Leche, hot Mexican rice pudding.
Wine and beer are available, as well as homemade sangria.
Jacinto's Kitchen is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and restaurant manager Beth Henigan says to look for breakfast service in a few months. When the weather warms up, there will be service on the patio, as well as an outdoor grill.
To reach Jacinto's Kitchen, call 537-8933.
Chateau St. Jean new site of wine auction
The 20th Annual Sonoma Valley Harvest Wine Auction comes to Kenwood this year, the signature Sonoma Valley wine event that has helped raise millions of dollars for charitable organizations.Chateau St. Jean will be the site for the Sept. 2 live auction, which is the culmination of three days of food and wine events in Sonoma County, known as Sonoma Wine Country Weekend.
“Chateau St. Jean is an absolutely beautiful location central to Sonoma Valley and Sonoma County,” said Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Executive Director Maureen Cottingham. “We look forward to working with our enthusiastic partners at Chateau St. Jean.”
The auction has been at Cline Cellars the last four years. Last year's event raised $1.4 million and Cottingham said the charitable beneficiaries will be announced soon.
Mardi Gras at Oakmont Gardens
Come celebrate Mardi Gras at Oakmont Gardens Senior Living on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 21, from 2-4 p.m.There will be refreshments, and live entertainment by the Barnebey Hot Six Band. Don't forget to bring your beads, masks and costumes.
RSVP by Feb. 18 by calling 538-1914. Space is limited. Oakmont Gardens is located at 301 White Oak Dr. in Oakmont. For more information, go to www.oakmontgardens.com.
Tillem estate planning seminar
Attorney Len Tillem is offering a free estate planning and asset preservation seminar on Thursday, Feb. 9, 10 a.m. to noon, at the Hilton Sonoma Wine Country, 3555 Round Barn Blvd. in Santa Rosa.Topics will include new estate tax changes, how to protect your assets, special needs trusts, asset preservation planning and why you need a living trust.
Seating is limited, so call 800-996-4505 to make a reservation, or go to www.lentillem.com.
New chef in town
After six years working with the esteemed Michelin Star-rated British chef Gordon Ramsay in London and New York, Steven Snook brings his passion for food and culinary excellence to the Executive Chef position at the award-winning Kenwood Inn and Spa..jpg) |
New Kenwood Inn & Spa chef Steven Snook. |
Chef Snook's career is illustrious: in 2004 he placed third out of 1,700 participants from across the U.K. in the Young Chef of the Year competition and achieved a gold award from the Academy of Culinary Arts. In 2006, he landed a post at Gordon Ramsay at Claridge's, a luxury hotel in London, where during his two-year tenure he assisted Ramsay with the filming of the fourth season of the BBC's F Word. In 2008, Snook transferred as sous chef to Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in London, the group's flagship location, and longest-standing three-Michelin Star restaurant in London. In 2009 Snook returned stateside to create dishes for the fast-paced, urban kitchen of Maze by Gordon Ramsay in New York City.
From his early days cooking with his grandmother in the English countryside, Snook has consistently insisted on using the highest quality ingredients in his cuisine, and prides himself on maintaining good relationships with his purveyors. Snook intends to contribute the bulk of the ingredients on the daily menus from the inn's garden and supplement with local products. “My long term goal is for us to be 90 percent self-sufficient from our garden to meet our produce needs. Ultimately, I envision us making our own bread, yoghurt, cheese and even charcuterie on the property,” said Snook. Get a sample of Snook's culinary abilities on February 18 at the HKG Tasting Room in Glen Ellen, where he and executive pastry chef Khambay Khamsyvoravong, will host a special olive-themed dinner from 6-8 p.m. in celebration of olive season.
The prix-fixe, wine-paired menu can be viewed at hkgtastingroom.wordpress.com. Seating is limited and reservations are required. Call 938-7622.
Glen Ellen man takes helm at Coldwell Banker
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Tim Freeman |
A San Francisco native, Freeman started his professional career as a CPA with Deloitte & Touche after graduating from California State University, Hayward. Freeman's strong finance background led to his co-founding of a boutique investment banking firm, which primarily worked with tech companies in the early stages of investment. Around this time, Freeman purchased a 2.5-acre property in Sonoma County and began a complete renovation of the country property.
In 2003, Freeman moved to Chicago to begin a career in real estate - his true passion. He joined the Coldwell Banker, Lincoln Park office - one of the largest and highest producing Coldwell Banker offices in the country. He was soon promoted to assistant managing broker, and in 2008 he became manager of the Coldwell Banker Chicago Gold Coast office. In 2010, Freeman moved back to Sonoma County to be closer to family.
In addition to managing the Santa Rosa office, Freeman hosts a segment about personal finance on a radio show called Mornings in Sonoma with Ken Brown that airs on Sun FM 91.3 every other Tuesday morning.
Cecil receives long-term care degree
Glen Ellen resident Dale Cecil of the New York Life Insurance Company has been awarded a professional degree in the field of long-term care, Certified in Long-Term Care (CLTC). The program is independent of the insurance industry and focuses on providing insurance professionals with the tools they need to meet their client's long-term care needs.“Our agency is very sensitive to the needs of our community” Cecil said. “Many of our clients have experienced the devastating effects chronic illness has on their families.”
Cecil works to help solve a client's long term care needs. That includes explaining that government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid will not pay for the care a person will need should a catastrophic illness occur. These costs of care can be prohibitive. Cecil pointed out that home care costs about $9-12 an hour, which can add up quickly, and nursing home care in this area averages $65,000 per year.
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Dale Cecil |
“Few families can afford these costs” Cecil stated. “Long term care insurance may be the solution.”
The CLTC program encompasses the myriad issues that are integrated into long-term care, such as financial planning, tax law, home care, government funding, housing and elder law.
To reach Cecil, call 939-7422 or toll-free (877)977-LIFE. Or you can email him at dcecil@ft.newyorklife.com.
HKG celebrates olive season
HKG Estate tasting room in Glen Ellen will have a special olive-themed dinner on Feb. 18, 6-8 p.m.This prix-fixe All Love for Olive wine-paired menu includes black olive poached Monkfish with creamy herbed polenta (paired with HKG Russian River Valley Chardonnay); olive braised shoulder of lamb ragout (paired with a HKG 2009 Pinot Noir), and citrus olive oil cake with olive oil gelato (paired with Hop Kiln Thousand Flowers 2009).
Cost is $55 ($45 for wine club members) plus tax and gratuity, and seating is limited. Make your reservations by calling 938-7622.
The HKG tasting room is located at 13647 Arnold Dr. in Glen Ellen.
Muscardini Cellars winemaker dinner
Muscardini Cellars will be hosting a winemaker's dinner with Michael Muscardini on March 3 at Estate Restaurant in Sonoma starting at 6 p.m.New wine releases will be paired with a four course menu prepared by Estate Restaurant chef Brian West. Estate is located a 400 East Spain St. in Sonoma.
Only 18 seats are available so make your reservations now. Cost is $95 per person. Call 933-9305 or email muscardiniwineclub@yahoo.com.
Muscardini Cellars' tasting room is located in the Kenwood shopping center at 8910 Sonoma Highway in Kenwood.
