Hot news on local restaurants

Here is the rundown on upcoming restaurant changes in Sonoma Valley.

Nima Sherpa is still working on transforming what was Carlo Cavallo’s Meritage into Sonoma Grille, expected to feature seafood and steaks, and “real martinis,” hoping to open in late October, but it well could be later.

Pemba Sherpa tells me that his Sherpa Brothers Group that has purchased La Casa will continue serving Mexican food and will also add pastas and seafood entrées.

Rob Larman is working on re-doing Hot Box Grill into his Cochon Volant (Flying Pig). In an email to me while I was in France he said, “I have leased the Hot Box. It will be my catering kitchen” and, he continues, will convert half the dining room to prep/storage/refrigeration and convert the front to a barbecue shack under Cochon Volant BBQ.

Larman has commissioned Brian Tedrick to create a new Flying Pig and plans to offer an “Austin, Texas set up at the counter, and all the meats will be sold by the pound, all carved to order and put on trays with pink butcher paper or wrapped to take home with that same pink paper. Of course all the sandwiches and a special blend of ground beef burger” are aiming to be as popular as Franklin’s in Austin. Will keep you posted on possible opening dates.

Manuel Azevedo will open a Portuguese tapas and wine bar, to be called Tasca Tasca, Having purchased the Epicurean Connection from Sheana Davis. Azevedo takes over the space Oct. 2.

Davis will continue to cater and give lots of cheesemaking classes at wineries, hotels and private homes, as well as at Ramekins, the General’s Daughter, the Lodge at Sonoma and Silverado Resort. She plans to focus on selling her Delice de la Vallee and Crème de Fromage cheeses, which are made in Berkeley, through retail outlets and restaurants. According to Davis, they are already served at the French Laundry, Stark’s Family of Restaurants, Kendall Jackson Estate Wineries, John Ash & Co., La Salette, The Farmhouse, Applewood Inn, Willie’s Wine Bar, and the Depot Hotel. Fiancé Ben Sessions and James Fanucchi, will join Davis in her endeavors.