Kathleen Hill: Mint and Liberty to open, plus free food for fire commemoration

Food news from around the Valley.|

Breakaway Café to become Mint & Liberty

Ending an era of Sonoma comfort food established by former owner Bob Rice, the Sunflower Caffé Group, led by James Hahn and wife Mila Chaname, will close the Breakaway after service Oct. 7. Fans should rush in for their favorite specials before the end of this weekend.

After an estimated three weeks of remodeling, the onetime Lyon's restaurant will reopen as Mint & Liberty - A Modern Diner with new décor and menu, supposedly with some Jewish favorites included. Mila's respected Boyajian family owned San Francisco's Sears Fine Foods and Copper Penny for several years and Baskin Robbins and IHOP franchises where she worked in all of them with the family. James grew up in Sonoma County with family-owned Anderson Valley vineyards and said, 'We would only use ingredients in our restaurants that we would use at home with friends and family.'

Locals Melissa Cameron and Aaron Mills are partners in the group. Melissa started washing dishes at the Sunflower Caffé at age 15 and worked her way up with a business management degree from Sonoma State University. She spent summers in New Zealand fishing for snapper, digging cockles and shopping for kiwi pie at local bakeries, learning from Maori and Kiwi cooking traditions. Aaron Mills came to the Sunflower with a film industry and management background.

Chef Michael Siegel arrived in San Francisco in 2003 to cook at Grand Café, Bix, and Betelnut, and in 2013 opened Shorty Goldstein's Jewish Deli in San Francisco, featuring Jewish deli options and Michael's family recipes. Thomas Painter serves as general manager. The new Mint & Liberty will include produce from Lola Sonoma Farms, Bee-Well Farms, and Sweetwater's Sonoma Farm. 19101 Highway 12, Sonoma. 996-5949. Mintandliberty.com. (Website in development).

Springs Community Farmers Market begins

A new farmers market will begin Sunday, Oct. 7 in the sort of triangular parking lot (now known as a plaza) at Boyes Boulevard and Highway 12 between the post office and old Church Mouse and Armando's Automotive. Kelly Smith has moved this market here from Larsen Park.

Watch for micro greens from Eddie's Farm in Kenwood; lots of vegetables from Tolay Valley Farms in Petaluma; lamb, eggs and veggies from Two Moon Family Farm in Glen Ellen; the Patch's variety from Santa Rosa and Sonoma; Neufeld Farms fruit varieties; and both summer and winter squashes and lettuces from Rize Up Farm. Crafts people will include Gypsy Garden, the Stinging Nettle and Life on Coffee all from Boyes Hot Springs, and Jessica Jo Jewelry of Sonoma. Still accepting vendor applications. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Dec. 15. Agriculturalcommunityevents@gmail.com.

Fig Rig on a roll

Wine Down Wednesdays are going on now at Sondra Bernstein's Rhône Room featuring wood-fired pizza and a glass of wine for $20, or $10 for wine club or Suite D members. 4 to 7 p.m.

On Oct. 20, the Fig Rig will start showing up at the Rhône Room serving a Food Truck Brunch every Saturday and Sunday with fried chicken and waffles, 'Everything Latke,' ham hash burritos, dirty fries and gravy, and a 'Bowl o' Donut Holes.' 20816 Broadway, Sonoma. 935-1233.

Ty Caton Barrel Tasting Saturday

Ty Caton celebrates his winery's 10th barrel tasting at his Eighth Street winery on Saturday, Oct. 6. Enjoy Caton's 2017 wines straight from the barrel, which is an experience entirely different from tasting wine in a glass. Chef Sandy will offer 'savory food' to accompany the wines. Free to wine club members and three guests, public $20 advance, $25 at door. Reserve and get address by calling Briana at 938-3224, ext. 1.

First Responders eat free Oct. 8 at Tips

Susie Pryfogle announced that first responders and their families will eat for free Oct. 8 at Tips Roadside in Kenwood 'in gratitude for their tireless efforts and sacrifice during the 2017 Sonoma fires.'

Thanks, in part, to the Pryfogles' two Tips Tri-Tips Trolleys cooking and distributing food to first responders throughout the active fires, many of those responders called ours the '10-pound fire' because they ate so well. Local chefs and many others cooked and donated food throughout the Valley.

There are a few restrictions or requirements: First responders must make reservations; each group many not exceed four people; reservation is good for lunch or dinner; and reservation for free food does not include alcohol. The day is sponsored by Andrew Pryfogle's Intelisys telecommunications company in Petaluma. 8445 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood. Reserve at 509-0078. Tipsroadside.com.

Palooza serving free pizza Oct. 8

It's for everyone. Not just so-and-sos. Everyone.

All day at Palooza Jeff and Patrick will be there to show gratitude to the community. 8910 Sonoma Highway in the Kenwood Shopping Center, Kenwood. 11:30 a.m. on. 833-4000. Paloozafresh.com.

Top That Yogurt free cones Oct. 9

Top That Yogurt will give away free yogurt cones on Oct. 9, 'in appreciation of your continued support and to honor our first responders,' according to the banner tied between sidewalk trees in front of Top That. Noon to 8 p.m. 531 Broadway, Sonoma.

'60s Flower Power at Muscardini

Join Michael Muscardini and Kate Eilertsen on Saturday, Oct. 13 for a 'Flower Power Pink Party' with a '60s rock theme that includes Muscardini's collection of original '60s rock posters and Gina Lollobrigida's flower photography.

Muscardini's staff encourages people to wear 'far out apparel' and sip pink wine while company accountant Jackie will do a '60s music set with the Bee Rays on the patio. A food truck will show up to complete the evening. 5 to 8 p.m.

UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy:
  • This is a family newspaper, please use a kind and respectful tone.
  • No profanity, hate speech or personal attacks. No off-topic remarks.
  • No disinformation about current events.
  • We will remove any comments — or commenters — that do not follow this commenting policy.