Kathleen Hill: Taub Family Outpost, St. Paddy’s Day and more

Taub Family Outpost update

After an original opening date goal of last August, the Taub Family Outpost in the two-story building at the corner of West Napa Street and First Street West appears to be ready inside but its opening seems to be delayed by the PG&E work on the sidewalk outside.

With late hours, owner Linda Taub, an attorney, hopes to capture some after-work business from restaurant and hospitality workers. Taub's late husband, David, was CEO and chair of Palm Bay International, a worldwide spirits and wine import company.

New Sunday Suppers at Tips Roadside

Tips Roadside in Kenwood launches a new series of Sunday Suppers this Sunday, March 8, according to co-owner Susie Pryfogle.

New chef Tony Calderon, a transplant from Los Angeles restaurants, launches the series with smoked meat loaf, mac 'n' cheese, and baked beans. Full bar available featuring local products. $24. 5 to 8 p.m. Reservations at 509-0078 or tipsroadside.com.

Beltane Ranch's 'Farming for the Future'

The 'Beltane family,' which consists of Rosemary Wood's descendants Alexa Wood and her children, Alex Benward and Lauren Benward Krause and their kids, also includes everyone who works with them at Beltane Ranch Estate Wines. Rosemary, a good friend of neighbor MFK Fisher, passed on her farming principles recently formalized by 'the kids.' In 2015 Beltane became a Certified Sustainable Vineyard and Winery where they now promote 'regenerative agriculture, a sustainable supply chain and hospitality,' according to a press release from the ranch.

To achieve these goals, Beltane now has their own flock of Southdown Babydoll sheep — and their protectors, Great Pyrenees guardian dogs — for soil health, pest and weed control and quality.

They believe that the best packaging and processing of the food they grow is no packaging at all when possible, while serving their own free-range heritage chicken eggs, organic estate olive oil, Beltane Ranch honey, organic and heirloom fruits and vegetables grown on site.

They say they have eliminated all single use dispensers in bed and breakfast rooms and common spaces and make their events waste-free. They also use UPS carbon neutral shipping and recycle and reuse packaging.

Beltane is a bee-friendly ranch that also accommodates butterflies, bats, hummingbirds and even a beekeeper named Joy. And, finally, they use cover crops and regenerative grazing to achieve 'Landsmart Certified Farming' to replenish the soil, improve water holding capacity, reduce erosion, manage nitrogen, and sequester carbon.

St. Patrick's Day treats

St. Patrick's Day is actually Tuesday, March 17, but some community celebrations will be over the previous weekend, March 14 to 15.

St. Francis Solano Church

One of the best meals to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in the evening will be at St. Francis Solano where, in Father Robert's Hall, Mara Roche and friends will cook up a feast blending traditional Irish dishes with her mother's, all on Saturday, March 14. San Francisco's Buena Vista-style Irish coffee will be available.

The evening starts with appetizers of Irish bangers and mustard, smoked salmon with citrus butter and brown bread; and twice-cooked mini potatoes with Kerrygold Irish cheddar. Dinner itself brings Irish soda bread and brown bread, Irish pub salad (defined as greens, sliced pears, hazelnuts, Epicurean Connection's Delice de la Vallee cheese and vinaigrette), corned beef and cabbage with potatoes and carrots, and the late Genevieve Roche's Warm Apple Irish Whiskey cake and vanilla ice cream. Roche was once a St. Francisco Solano School board member. Live music by Irish folk singer Kyle Alden and Friends. $45, goes to 2020 charitable giving. Tickets at St. Francis parish office or at vomknights.eventbrite.com. 469 Third. St. W., Sonoma.

Rotary of Sonoma Valley

Sonoma Rotary hosts its annual St. Paddy's bash at the Moose Lodge cooked by Rotary members led by Sam Morphy of the Red Grape and Ron Lawson, president of Rotary and renowned local Irish fan.

The club says there will be assorted hors d'oeuvres, plus 'the most tender corned beef in the county, wilted shredded cabbage salad with bacon and onions, baby carrots flambé with Bourbon tarragon sauce, crispy Irish dairyman's new potatoes with sour cream and green onions, bread and butter, beer and wine.' Moose's no-host full bar. Music by Rich Little. Free to Rotary members, $40 guests. 5 to 10 p.m. 20580 Broadway, Sonoma. $50 raffle tickets for trip to Ireland or $10,000, plus other prizes. Tickets at Eventbrite,com or Sonomavalleyrotary.org .

Larson Family Winery

The Larsons start the week with their Wine Wednesday Paint Night on March 11. Participants will be inspired to create their own work of art to take home, inspired by inclusive art supplies and a glass of Larson wine. $40. 5 to 7 p.m. Tickets at cellarpass.com/events.

On Sunday, March 15 the Larsons will release their 2017 Larson Pinot Noir that won a Double Gold medal at the Sonoma Harvest Festival. Local Celtic band Plaid Menagerie will play from noon to 2 p.m. The Which Cheese Food Truck will be back with grilled cheese sandwiches to go with some of Larson's pinots. Free, food available for purchase. Reserve table at larsonfamilywinery.com/tasting-table-reservations. 23355 Millerick Road, Sonoma.

Murphy's Irish Pub

Murphy's Irish Pub is making a long weekend of St. Patrick's Day. It starts Saturday, March 14 with what owners are calling 'an alley party' with an added outdoor bar, corned beef and cabbage added to the regular menu, and live music all day including Wildflower Weed at 1 p.m., Adam Traum & His Band at 4 p.m., and Frankie Bourne & His Band at 7 p.m.

On Sunday, March 15 and Monday, March 16 they will present two evenings of dinner theater with a performance of 'Outside Mullingar' and dinner from 6 to 9 p.m. in the back room, which they have renamed in honor of Rose Murphy, late wife of Larry Murphy and co-founder of Murphy's.

Rose Murphy also hosted readings of Irish literature in the room. Dinner will include Caesar salad, followed by a choice of corned beef and cabbage, Irish stew, or vegetarian pasta for $35 including the play. Some of the money from these evenings will go to Sonoma Stage Works.

Then on the actual St. Paddy's Day, Tuesday, March 17, Murphy's will keep the corned beef and cabbage on its regular menu for their 'St. Paddy's Day Bash' that features more Irish bands and beer. 464 First St., E., Sonoma. 935-0660.

Three Fat Guys party on

Next up at Three Fat Guys will be a free Pinot Release Party with all three 'fat guys' on hand at once on Saturday, March 14. Former Green Bay Packers teammates Tony, Daryn and Jason will all be there. None of them still plays football, but they now have their own winemaking team. Wine club members can pick up their allotments, but you don't have to be a club member to attend and sip. Free glass of pinot for everyone (21 and over) who walks through the door, according to Tony Moll. Free. Noon to 5 p.m. 20816 Broadway, Sonoma. 938-7211.

Bakers of Paris in San Francisco closes

Bakers of Paris, which made croissants and baguettes among other things for huge stores such as Safeway and Whole Foods, has closed its San Francisco doors. This means other bakeries have the opportunity to pick up the clients. But wholesale baked goods have a small markup.

Proof Bakery scores

A little proud mama boasting: Our daughter-in-law, Na Young Ma, who is married to our son Mack and has a French bakery called 'Proof' in Los Angeles's Atwater Village neighborhood, just learned last Monday that she is among the semi-finalists for the national James Beard Awards' 'Best Baker' award. Of the 20 semi-finalists, Na Young Ma is the only baker from California. Late last year Los Angeles magazine named her croissant the best in Los Angeles. At different times, LA Weekly, Los Angeles magazine and the Los Angeles Times have all named Proof the Best Bakery in Los Angeles. So blessed for hard work!

Leap Year Day Celebration of Women

Sondra Bernstein hosted an unusual Leap Day event at Suite D featuring women vendors who had appeared on her podcast, 'The Bite Goes On,' with sommelier Brian Casey and a buffet of foods by the Girl & the Fig Caters' chefs.

Guests got to indulge in a raclette with coppa cotto, tiny roasted baby potatoes, sliced pears, cornichons artisanal breads, beef shawarma and grille vegetables, with fattoush salad and grilled naan, Fig Cakes + Sweets mini desserts, Maddy's Amethyst Geode Cake, Amy's Wicked Slush that some people topped with wine, Uppercase Tea, Miyoko's Cheese, Renegade Plant-Based Charcuterie, Women Owned Wineries (WOW), CannaCraft with Care By Design, Satori chocolates, and comedian Sandy Stec.