Forget Groupon and other coupon-driven deals. The Restaurant Week promotion is one of the best of the year, and no coupon clipping is needed. Loads of top Sonoma restaurants offer fixed price meals each day throughout the event to help boost exposure of and drive traffic to their stores, drawing in customers with multi-course meals at rock bottom prices of $19, $29, or $39.

From upper end destinations like Estate in Sonoma to romantic hideaways like La Gare in Santa Rosa to casual home-style eateries, most of the restaurants are independently owned, and many have nationally acclaimed chefs. It’s clear, reservations are recommended.

How to start? Here are some recommendations from the lengthy list of options:

$19

Be elegant with FIG CAFÉ & WINEBAR in Glen Ellen, for Caesar salad, fig and verjus braised pork shoulder over creamy polenta and braised greens, and chocolate pot de crème. Go exotic with BASTONI in Sebastopol, for Go’s curry rice balls or green papaya salad, Southern Thai curry or wet noodles, and sticky rice pudding or fried bananas. Eat down-home with HENWEIGH CAFÉ in Sebastopol, for a generous array of choices including New England clam chowd-ah, classic chicken potpie, and house made bananas Foster bread pudding.

$29

Be elegant with THE BAY VIEW RESTAURANT AT THE INN AT THE TIDES IN BODEGA, for steamed black mussels in tomato, garlic, white wine and lemon, grilled salmon in béarnaise sauce, with red onion marmalade and rösti potatoes, and tiramisu. Go exotic with SAZON PERUVIAN CUISINE in Santa Rosa, for ceviche clásico (tilapia, rocoto “Leche de Tigre,” red onion, roasted Peruvian cancha, Cuzco corn, sweet potato, cilantro and lime), arroz con marizcos (Peruvian paella with calamari, scallops, shrimp, clams, mussels), and passionfruit crème with mango coulis. Eat down-home with CHARLIE’S AT WINDSOR GOLF CLUB, for grilled duck sausage on asiago cheese polenta with zesty roasted tomato coulis, lemon brined crispy fried chicken with roasted garlic-bacon mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables, and warm chocolate brownie with semi-sweet chocolate chunks and vanilla bean ice cream.

$39

Be elegant with CORKS in Forestville, for creamy yellow cauliflower soup with purple Peruvian potatoes and Himalayan truffles, crispy Sonoma duck leg confit over bacon braised red cabbage and roasted rosemary potatoes, and lemon curd tart. Go exotic with RUSTIC, FRANCIS’S FAVORITES in Geyserville, for Cho Cho salad, Bumbola Con Broccoli E Salsiccia, and panna cotta. Eat down-home with PETITE SYRAH in Santa Rosa, for Little Gem Caesar salad, braised short rib with ragout of fingerling potato, carrot and Brussels sprouts, and chocolate puddle cake.

Details: sonomacountyrestaurantweek.org.

Tip: Restaurant Week is even more fun with friends. Save more $ by carpooling, in your private Pure Luxury Transportation limo or Town Car.

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Tin Barn Vineyards’ goal is to “produce elegant yet unapologetically full-bodied red wines.” Current Releases include Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. Talisman’s goal is to create “delicious Pinot Noirs that are true to their roots and accurately reflect their places of origin.” Enkidu Wines strives to make “handcrafted wines of outstanding character that are the result of passion, art, and intelligence, mixed with hard work and a degree of luck.” Enkidu’s current releases include Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and a red Rhone-style blend.

Stone Edge Farm Vineyards uses organic growing methods to create Cabernet Sauvignon, and Bordeaux blends. MacRostie Winery & Vineyards is committed to producing high-quality wines from sustainably farmed vineyards and is currently working towards changing their status from a California Green Business to a certified sustainable business. MacRostie’s current releases include Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Rose, and Syrah. Ty Caton Vineyards uses sustainable farming practices in their estate vineyards. Current releases from Ty Caton include estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Verdot, Merlot, Riesling, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Dessert Wine, and Red Wine Blends.

Parmelee-Hill Wines & Vineyards is family-owned. Their current releases include Syrah, a white Rhone-style blend, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Syrah Rose, and Syrah Port. Three Sticks is a boutique, family-owned winery with current releases of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir.

Anaba Wines was named after the winds that flow through Anaba’s vineyards. Anaba handcrafts Rhone and Burgandian grape varieties. Current releases from Anaba include Viognier, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Late Harvest Viognier, Viognier Port, Syrah Port, white Rhone-style blends, and red Rhone-style blends. Patz and Hall specializes in single-vineyard Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs.

A portion of this season’s ticket sales will benefit a global water charity, water.org.

Enjoy your visit to Eighth Street Wineries Open House to the fullest by contacting Pure Luxury for your private chauffeured transportation.

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Summer is just around the corner, and now is when many happy couples’ thoughts turn to weddings. Sonoma is one of the world’s most popular locales for the blessed event, yet where exactly to stage the big day?

Here are some of our favorite spots, perfect for tying the knot. Tip: Looking for a large venue? Be sure to check into the Sonoma County Tourism Bureau’s Suite Deal referral service. It’s not only free, but can offer up to $1,500 toward your Sonoma County wedding. Just note that you must contact the Bureau before contacting a lodging property, at 707-522-5814 or smontes@sonomacounty.com.

Hyatt Vineyard Creek Hotel and Spa
Dreaming of a big wedding? Keep in mind that many venues such as restaurants, wineries and churches can only hold 100 or so guests indoors. Yet the Hyatt in Santa Rosa has hosted events for more than 400 guests, on two emerald green lawns and interior ballrooms that seat up to 420 people while still leaving space for a dance floor. Large events are easy, too, since Hyatt’s wedding planner coordinates everything from linens to glittering crystal, silver, and china, and can recommend top quality florists, live music, and other accents.
170 Railroad St., Santa Rosa, 707-636-7286, vineyardcreek.hyatt.com.

River Rock Casino
It may seem like an unlikely spot (certainly we’re not suggesting marriage is a gamble). Yet for large groups, or wedding parties that want one-stop-planning, this venue is a unique, fun choice. Perched mountainside in Geyserville, the newly renovated property offers a wide range of private party spaces in all sizes and custom décor, with convenient, delicious dining and catering right on-site. For another bonus, there’s no need to hire an expensive band to play the reception, since the Casino features live entertainment every Friday and Saturday starting at 10 p.m.
3250 Highway 128, Geyserville, 1-877-883-7777, riverrockcasino.com.

Trentadue Family Estate Winery and Vineyards
For a fuss-free wedding, this elegant property in Geyserville takes the cake. Or brings the cake, actually. The Tuscan-style estate overlooking Alexander Valley offers room for up to 250 guests indoors and up to 500 guests outdoors, including vine-covered Garden Arbors, the South Lawn & Gardens, the Old World Italian ambiance Sala del Leone Vineyard Pavilion, and the North Lawn. On-staff coordinators handle the details, too, including use of on-site gourmet commercial kitchen, a VIP wine tasting for the bride and groom, and preferred packages from caterers.
9170 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville, 707-433-3104 ext. 107, trentadue.com.

Kunde Family Estate

Actor Seth Rogen took a break from making movies such as Superbad, Kung-Fu Panda and The 40 Year-Old Virgin last October to marry longtime girlfriend Lauren Miller at this Kenwood winery. He chose the winery’s Boot Hill surrounded by vineyards and a grove of oak trees, but Kunde parties can select from several one-of-a-kind event spaces overlooking the fabled Valley of the Moon, including the graceful stone ruins of the century-old Dunfillan Winery, Olive Hill, Mountain Top, the dramatic Aging Caves, or Hill House.
9825 Sonoma Hwy., Kenwood, (707) 282-1534, kunde.com.

Tip: Transportation sets the mood to-and-from the special day. Part of the Pure Luxury Wedding package includes a complimentary bottle of premium champagne, sodas and bottled water in your limo.

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Alderbrook Vineyards combines the best of Dry Creek and Russian River Valley. This weekend, on Saturday February 11th, visitors will enjoy a chocolate and Zinfandel tasting while listening to Adam Lieb perform in Alderbrook’s beautiful tasting room to celebrate Alderbrook’s Valentine’s Pick Up Party. The warmth from the fire will add to the romantic and relaxing ambience and the warmth from unique chocolates with names like Spicy Chipotle and Ancho Chile fudge promise to warm visitors inside and out. Purchase tickets in advance or at the door.

Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates celebrates the Valentine’s Day holiday this weekend and on Valentine’s Day. Saturday, at Kendall-Jackson Wine Center, the 3rd Annual Gumbo Smackdown challenges Kendall-Jackson’s Executive Chef to a battle with four local renowned chefs. Guests will witness these master chefs at work while the Tri Tip Trio shares soulful vocals and sounds of the washboard, harmonica, and accordion pulsing to beat of the drum. On Sunday, February 12th and Tuesday, February 14th, guests are invited to a special pairing of chocolate truffles from Truffle Gateau with Kendall-Jackson wines.

Kunde Family Estate located in the heart of Sonoma Valley offers a special two-for-one tasting to be purchased by tomorrow, February 10th, but that can be enjoyed during the month of February. This special Mountain Top Tasting invites guests to sip while gazing over an incredible view.

Moshin Vineyards specializes in Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. Their other wines include a port-style wine, a late harvest white, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Merlot, Chardonnay, and red blends. On Valentine’s Day, visitors are encouraged to experience a flight of outstanding Moshin Vineyards Pinot Noir and to take advantage of wine specials offered to celebrate the holiday.

Paradise Ridge Winery located in Russian River Valley will be sharing breathtaking views as part of their Valentine’s Sunset in Paradise. Paradise Ridge will host special hours on February 14th from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. so that guests can enjoy the natural light show while delighting in a Valentine’s Day tasting. To celebrate the holiday, guests will taste current releases plus two additional pairings. The first extra incredible pairing, chocolate covered strawberries, is paired with a Gold Medal winning 2009 Pinot Noir. The second tasty pairing is blue cheese topped with apricot jam, sprinkled with pancetta and pistachio nuts, drizzled with honey and paired with 2009 Ode to Joy Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc. Guests are encouraged to call ahead to make reservations.

Stryker Sonoma will also be sharing a breathtaking view that is quintessential Alexander Valley. The senses of taste and smell will be tantalized with a wonderful pairing of Healdsburg Toffee Co.’s decadent spiced chocolates designed to compliment Stryker Sonoma’s Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon. Visitors will swoon over the wines and chocolates as they enjoy the stunning vistas and vineyards from the tasting room. This pairing is available daily beginning February 10th and continuing throughout Valentine’s week. Reservations are not needed.

Whether surprising someone special or indulging yourself in the ultimate wine country experience, contact Pure Luxury Transportation for your private chauffeured car or limousine.

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Well, lucky him. Northern California grows some of the best produce in the world, so it’s no surprise for that Sonoma, Napa and Marin counties are home to wonderful, vegetarian restaurants.

Here are just a few places in Sonoma that I’ll take my friend. And remember, even if an entire restaurant theme isn’t meatless, nearly every NorCal chef respects our seasonal bounty, and offers exquisite vegetarian, vegan and raw choices.

Stay tuned for more picks in Napa and Marin.

Avatars Punjabi Burrito, Petaluma
The original Avatars has been a Sausalito institution for meatless groupies since 1989, and the new Petaluma outpost follows the ideal deliciously. The friendly cooks will make any dish to specification, for vegan, gluten or dairy free recipes, and they have true skill. Who knew, for example, that basic button mushrooms could be as magical as they are here, simmered in mild, buttery curry reduction? Burritos, of course, are the star, wrapped in whole wheat tortillas plump with rice, garbanzo beans, homemade yogurt, tamarind, salsa, fruit chutney and carrot pickle, and enhanced with your choice of extras like curried pumpkin, mustard greens and spinach, or blackened seasonal vegetables. Just come hungry – the monster bundles require knife and fork and plenty of belly room.
131 Kentucky Street, Petaluma, 707-765-9775, enjoyavatars.com.

Fresh China, Santa Rosa
Indeed, the rather darkly lit, ultra-casual, weirdly retro eatery isn’t much to look at, and service can be brisk. But chef-owner Peter Hsian takes the “fresh” aspect of his Coddingtown Mall restaurant seriously, from the lengthy regular menu to the dim sum list of nearly 60 dishes. His recipes emphasize local, seasonal, organic ingredients, all the dim sum is made to order, and the kitchen happily accommodates special requests. Among the vegetable-centric plates are elaborate stir-fry creations, noodles and soups, plus uncommon bites like sweet taro moistened in coconut milk, ambrosial mango custard, and sumptuous steamed organic squash bun. Be sure to ask about the chef’s daily choice, since that’s where the more creative, inspired-by-the-daily-Farmers’ Market dishes are often showcased.
284 Coddingtown Mall, Santa Rosa, 707-527-6444.

Peter Lowell’s, Sebastopol
Vegetarian can be super-stylish, and few do it better than this sleek, chic Italian café that tempts with contemporary bites so well crafted that meat most likely will never be missed. These are full flavored recipes, from a simple bagel sandwich stuffed with BBQ tempeh and caramelized onion (fried egg optional), to a beautiful “gemischter salat” of Bohemian Farm Collective winter greens, root vegetables, toasted pepitas and goat cheese in balsamic vinaigrette. The pizzas are positively addictive, fired to a crisp-chewy bubbled edge crust on an 800-degree fire deck pizza hearth, topped with a choice of artisan cheeses including soy-based, and finished with green goodies like marinara, wild arugula, exotic mushrooms, Calabrian chiles, escarole and such. Nearly all ingredients are sourced from Sonoma, and many are so fresh they come from Sebastopol-based boutique farmers, ranchers, cheesemakers and foragers. Dishes change often, but look for delights like Laguna Farms mixed greens tossed with shaved radishes and sweet carrots in Nana Mae’s Organics apple cider vinegar; and Rainbow’s End goat milk vanilla panna cotta topped in cherries.
7385 Healdsburg Avenue, Sebastopol, 707-829-1077, peterlowells.com.

East West Café, Sebastopol
Since 1989, this charming, family-owned Mediterranean spot in downtown Sebastopol has lured food lovers in for its generous portions of honest, satisfying veggie and vegan options. The menu goes on for several pages, and all is good, but regulars swear by the Organic Macro Plate of braised tofu or grilled tempeh with vegetables, arame seaweed, black beans, brown rice, hummus and tahini; the Thai tofu stir fry in spicy Thai peanut sauce; and the veggie Benedict, bringing a toasted English muffin topped with avocado, tomato, sautéed shiitake mushrooms, poached eggs and homemade hollandaise alongside country potatoes and salsa. Toast your healthy eating with a glass of organic wine, and certainly save room for the famous chocolate-beet cake.
128 N. Main Street, Sebastopol, 707-829-2822, eastwestcafesebastopol.com.

Tip: Veggie eating is green and sustainable, and so is a ride from Pure Luxury. Carpool to a festive feast with a group of friends in a limo or Town Car, and be assured that as members of Green Ride Global™, Pure Luxury is a leader in environmental responsibility.

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The 34th Annual Barrel Tasting Celebrates Wines from Alexander, Dry Creek, & Russian River Valleys for two Weekends in March

Guests will have the opportunity to meet winemakers and to choose from over 100 wineries to visit. Samples of these impeccable wines are served straight from the wine barrel. Some wineries will be sharing wines that have not yet been bottled. Fans of wines not yet bottled are invited to purchase the wine in advance to guarantee that all of their favorite wines will be available.

This year’s 2012 event is offered during two weekends – March 2nd to March 4th, and March 9th to March 11th. Some important things to remember; not all wineries will be participating both weekends, no one under the age of 21 is permitted, and some wineries are not able to accommodate groups of 8 or more. Purchase your tickets by February 27th and save more money for wine purchases.

Discover New Wineries & Visit Favorites

A few of the wineries only participating on the first weekend are A. Rafanelli Winery, Quivira Vineyards & Winery, Hawkes Wine, Moshin Vineyards, Paradise Ridge Winery, and Stryker Sonoma Winery. Some of the wineries participating both weekends include Alexander Valley Vineyards, Armida Winery, Everett Ridge Winery, Hop Kiln Winery, Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates, and Sbragia Family Vineyards.

Contact Pure Luxury Transportation for safe, chauffeured transportation during this incredible event. Our extensive fleet of new vehicles includes options such as Executive Sedans and Suburbans for smaller groups, and Passenger and Executive Vans for mid-sized groups under 20 people.

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However you are celebrating with your significant someone, a delicious dinner out is a classic treat. While at the table, you can offer him or her that little gift (diamonds, perhaps?) and play a little footsie, too.

In an inventive (and helpful for our packed schedules) extra this year, some restaurants are extending their special menus past just Feb. 14, while some also offer hotel packages for the evening. Be sure to ask about extras like flower bouquets, signature chocolates and other custom touches to warm up your honey’s heart.

Here are some San Francisco favorites that tickled our fancy:

Lafitte
Chef Russell Jackson puts extra decadence into his five-course menu ($89) this year, served in a stylish setting with stunning water views. Hearts are sure to go pitter-patter for such delights as an appetizer of Oeufs Truffled (truffled eggs) or Coeur Rasé de Canard Tartare (duck heart tartare); plus a second course of Strausberg Pie (foie gras in brioche) or Terrine Végétale (seasonal vegetable terrine). For the third course, tuck into Pintade Rotie, Cardons a l’Anchois (roast fowl with cardoons), Daube a la Provencale (provencal braised beef), or Legume en Vol au Vont (seasonal vegetables in pastry). Next, it’s a cheese course, and then dessert, which is extravagant chocolate, naturally.
Pier 5, San Francisco, 415-839-2134, lafittesf.com.

Postrio
Chef Michael Reining turns up the heat on Valentine’s Day, plus before and after, with a special menu offered from Feb. 10 through Feb 19. A la carte choices include a first course of halibut crudo topped in arugula, smoked almonds, avocado and dried apricot vinaigrette ($17), and entrees of pesto rubbed New York steak with asparagus, mint dressing and rosti potatoes in veal demi ($20) or salmon Coulibiac over rice with dill and saffron, spinach and mushrooms in saffron cream sauce ($19). For dessert, chocolate banana almond cake tempts with whipped mascarpone cream, chocolate sauce and berries ($8).
545 Post Street, San Francisco, 415-776-7825, postrio.com.

Luella
Chef Ben de Vries sends out a four course feast ($55 plus $25 for wine pairings). While some restaurants’ special event menus can be limited, here, the most challenging part of the evening will be for guests to choose their appetizer, a pasta, a main dish and dessert from the lengthy array of offerings. Consider just the appetizers, which include oysters on the half shell with red wine mignonette, snapper crudo with micro cress and American sturgeon caviar, winter chard soup with ditali rigati pasta, and lamb chop with house made mustard sauce, arugula purée and tomato brunoise. Then, there are the pastas, ranging from fresh crab ravioli with lobster sauce and chives, black truffle fettuccini with chopped black truffles, gnocchi with roasted butternut squash, wild mushrooms, hazelnuts and sage brown butter, or braised beef cheek cannelloni with pecorino béchamel and gremolata.
1896 Hyde Street San Francisco, 415-674-4343, luellasf.com.

FIVE
Okay, it’s a lavish treat at $499, but the “How Do I Love Thee – Let Me Count Five Ways” special is an entire package that your sweetie will always remember. The deal includes all these goodies: One-night stay in one of Hotel Shattuck Plaza’s Suite; Candle-light dinner for two at FIVE; Choice of two FIVE Valentine’s Day themed Cocktails; A dozen red roses; and Guaranteed late checkout at 3 p.m. Snatch it up from Feb. 10 through 16 by reservation at the hotel www.hotelshattuckplaza.com. If dinner is more your budget, then on those same dates. $55 gets you a four-course menu titled entice/tempt/fulfill/indulge. Some choices include Marin miyagi oysters; pear, arugula and Pt. Reyes bleu cheese salad in local honey vinaigrette; and California halibut with cauliflower, roasted pepper agrodolce and Voduvan spiced emulsion.
2086 Allston Way, Berkeley, 510-225-6055, five-berkeley.com.

Fifth Floor
Valentine’s Day spans an entire week for this fine dining spot within the Hotel Palomar, with a special cherub-themed menu offered from Feb. 7 through Feb. 18. Indulge in a 7-course tasting menu ($95) or go all out with a 9-course tasting menu($130).
12 Fourth Street, San Francisco, 415-348-1555, fifthfloorrestaurant.com.

Tip: What goes perfectly with that special evening? A limo, of course. And Pure Luxury Transportation can stock your luxury car with chocolates, sparkling wine and flowers.

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Another opportunity for wine-lovers to learn more about how wineries use Biodynamic Agriculture in their vineyards while tasting the delicious results is presented by Quivira’s Winter Farm-to-Table Dinner: Rhone Blending with Winemaker Hugh Chappelle. This unique event takes place on Saturday, February 11, 2012. Along with learning about the biodynamic farming practices at Quivira, visitors will spend the evening with Quivira’s winemaker, Hugh Chappelle, as they enjoy blending their own Rhone varietals followed by a scrumptious dinner paired with Quivira Rhone varietal wines. Dinner will be prepared by local guest chef Joe Rueter, owner of theGreenGrocer, who is committed to using local, sustainably farmed ingredients.

The menu for this special evening begins with a creative and tasty course featuring beets from Quivira’s garden. The beets are prepared then thinly sliced. A delightful goat cheese is spread between two slices to create a “ravioli” which is then heated in butter with walnuts, brown sugar, and other herbs and spices. The “Ravioli” is served with Heritage Red Wattle Smoked Ham Tempura and Sweet Onion Marmalade. This first course is paired with Quivira’s 2008 Elusive – an impressive Rhone blend of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, and Petite Sirah.

Quivira Vineyards & Winery Winemaker Hugh Chappelle

The next course features other ingredients from Quivira’s garden. Chef Rueter uses Quivira’s onions and carrots to create a Garden Spring Onion “Canneloni” served with Jersey Raw Milk Farmers Cheese and an aromatic, mouthwatering Garden Heirloom Sweet Carrot Sofrito. The wine paired with this course is Quivira’s stunning 2010 Viognier – Sauvignon Blanc.

While the first two courses incorporate ingredients from Quivira’s garden, the next course showcases Quivira’s estate honey. Crispy Heritage Rouen Duck Leg Confit is served with Rainbow Charred Salad and Local Tart Cherry-Estate Honey Gastrique. This amazing course is paired with an equally amazing Quivira 2009 Grenache which includes a hint of Mourvedre and Syrah.

Quivira Estate Honeybees, Chickens, & Garden

After enjoying Quivira estate produce and honey, the next course invites guests to enjoy Country Fried Quivira Hen’s Egg served with Quivira Garden Parsley Puree and Heritage Red Wattle Bacon Lardons. This course is paired with Quivira’s exquisite 2009 Flight Zinfandel which features a splash of Viognier.

Quivira 2008 Mourvedre is 100% Mourvedre. This outstanding wine is paired perfectly with Grass Fed Dry Aged “Cote du Boeuf” served with Quivira Garden English Thyme Relish and Garden Rutabaga Dumplings.

Dinner comes to an end with Petit Fours.

A visit to Quivira Vineyards & Winery, whether for a special event or to taste award-winning artisan wines, is an adventure and an unforgettable experience. Contact Pure Luxury Transportation to make your adventure in Dry Creek Valley truly unforgettable.

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And did you know that olives are an alternate bearing fruit? Meaning that one year, a tree may produce plentiful harvest, but the next year, the branches may be nearly bare.

One thing is consistent, however, and that is Sonoma’s annual olive festivals. Starting Saturday Jan. 28, the celebration kicks off with the Eleventh Annual Feast of the Olive Dinner, hosted at Ramekins Culinary School in Sonoma and showcasing the talents of eighteen chefs – the largest number of toques ever for the Feast.

As expected, recipes are inspired by opulent olives, in a multi-course wine-paired supper prepared by Sonoma Valley’s top chefs, including John Toulze (the girl & the fig), Bruno Tison (the Michelin-starred Santé), Jeffrey Lloyd (Zagat rated Café La Haye), Jason Rose (the new Carneros hotspot Ram’s Gate Winery). You can see the complete red carpet round up of chefs here.

The menu is top-secret until the night of the dinner, but for some mouthwatering temptation, last year’s plates were swoon-worthy, such as wild boar with mushroom and olive risotto; scallops, Brussels sprouts, truffle ravioli, and smoked olive oil; red wine braised short rib with creamy garlic polenta, niçoise and picholine olives, caperberries and piquillo peppers; and rosemary grilled prawns with black olive tapenade, arugula salad and red pepper coulis finished with stone edge farm extra virgin olive oil.

Part of the fun is that a separate team of chefs is assigned to each table grouping, so guests can compare meals with their neighboring diners. Dessert is a highlight – last year wowed with delights like Guittard chocolate mousse with Moroccan black olive crème anglaise and tuile, picholine and blood orange tapenade.

Details: Eleventh Annual Feast of the Olive Dinner, Jan. 28, 6-10 p.m. at Ramekins Culinary School, 450 West Spain Street, Sonoma. For tickets ($150/person), call (707) 996-1090 ext.108 or visit sonomavalley.com.

For another olive-licious highlight, don’t miss the 7th Annual VinOlivo Grand Tasting, held Feb. 17, from 7 to 10 p.m. at The Lodge at Sonoma. It’s an evening of sipping Sonoma Valley’s best wines, poured personally by the winemakers, and paired with food from more than two dozen Sonoma chefs, caterers, and artisans. The crowds love the pommes frites and sparkling wine bar, and the exclusive Port collection.

Details: VinOlivo, Friday, February 17, from 7 to 10 p.m. at The Lodge at Sonoma, 1325 Broadway, Sonoma. Tickets are $75 per person in advance, $85 at the door. Pre-Sale tickets close Friday, February 17 at 3 p.m. PST. To purchase, call 707-935-0803 or sonomavalleywine.com.

The olive season doesn’t end with the supper, and so, neither does the celebration. Through February, there are many opportunities to celebrate the noble fruit, from complimentary tastings at the Olive Press and Figone’s, to an Olive Odyssey at Jacuzzi Family Vineyards on February 18 and 19, where olive curers will offer samples of their special delicacies and share their curing recipes in the beautiful Tuscan courtyard at the winery. The curious can get tours of the olive mill, while the hungry can enjoy an olive inspired lunch or snack like Village Bakery olive bread and Italian pastries. There will even be olive inspired photography, ceramics, glass bead art, paintings and more.

Admission is free, at Jacuzzi Family Vineyards, 24724 Arnold Dr, Sonoma, (707) 931-7551, jacuzziwines.com.

Tip: Pure Luxury is perfect for olive your transportation needs, be it a limo to the Olive Feast, or a Town Car to the tastings.

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We’re all familiar with this scene on television and movies. The defendant takes the stand. The attorney for the other side probes, asserts, and interrogates until the defendant breaks down or the attorney has exhausted an arsenal of questions. What we’re not familiar with is this scene involving two master chefs who are also great friends.

Good vs Evil: An Evening with Anthony Bourdain & Eric Ripert, presented on February 10, 2012 at Wells Fargo Center for the Arts, begins with what Bourdain has referred to as “a cross examination” of one another. Audiences enjoy the goodhearted interrogations before the chefs begin to share their experiences with and philosophies about food.

Anthony Bourdain is best known for his Emmy award-winning show on the Travel Channel, No Reservations, where Bourdain travels the world sampling local dishes and learning about local cultures. This graduate of the world-renowned Culinary Institute of America has earned many awards during his career including being named Food Writer of the Year in 2001 by Bon Appetit magazine for his uninhibited and honest memoir, Kitchen Confidential.

Anthony Bourdain: chef, author, & world traveler

Eric Ripert is well known for his Emmy and James Beard award-winning show on PBS, Avec Eric, for his position as Executive Chef and co-owner of three-star Michelin restaurant Le Bernardin, and for his appearances as a guest judge and mentor on Bravo’s Top Chef. Ripert’s long list of awards includes Outstanding Chef of the Year in 2003 by the James Beard Foundation.

Bringing the two of them together for this special event is entertaining, funny, and thoughtful. The question and answer session with the audience is just as spontaneous and humorous as the rest of the presentation.

Eric Ripert: chef, author, & co-owner of Le Bernardin

If you are passionate about food, and enjoy learning everything there is to know about food and the food industry, you’ll definitely want to be at Wells Fargo Center for the Arts on February 10th. Add a luxurious flavor to the evening by contacting Pure Luxury Transportation for your private, chauffeured vehicle.

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