Kathleen Hill: Picazo brunch, Chick-fil-A and Mexican non-tariffs

Picazo Kitchen & Bar opens for brunch

Fret not, breakfast will be there. 'Brunch' starts at 8 a.m. and runs until 2 p.m. at Picazo, every day but Tuesday.

The breakfast part of brunch, available until 2 p.m., includes the All American Breakfast of two cage-free eggs, bacon or sausage with country potatoes and toast; egg white omelets, scrambles, eggs Benedict, a morning pizza, breakfast burrito, biscuits and gravy, Kina's Avo Toast, buttermilk pancakes, Belgian waffles, and French toast. Plus there's oatmeal and an acai bowl.

You can also choose from among several salads, Picazo's specialty burgers including portobello and salmon and dill, wraps, New York steak sandwich and a BLT.

Picazo's Michelada of beer, lime juice, chili powder and tomato juice sounds intriguing, to say the least. Brunch 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Happy Hour 3 to 5 p.m. Dinner 5 to 9 p.m. Closed Tuesdays. Full bar. 19101 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma. See dinner menu at picazokitchen.com. 935-EATS.

Williams-Sonoma launches dinner series

Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance has been named 'the official and exclusive wine partner' for Williams-Sonoma's new cross-country Williams-Sonoma Dinner Series.

The series includes dinners hosted in seven cities. Restaurants included in the Williams-Sonoma series will be Nightshade in Los Angeles, Monteverde in Chicago, UB Preserve in Houston, Flour & Water in San Francisco, Bloomsbury Farm in Nashville and King in New York City.

For information, email andriana@sonomavalleywine.com.

New food and wine pairings at Edge

Until now, Stone Edge Farm's Edge 'culinary home' next to Della Santina's has only served dinner on Thursdays to wine club members and guests.

Now they offer a three course tasting menu paired with Stone Edge wines and encourage guests to share their impressions of the food and wine pairings over the 90-minute experience.

The new summer menu includes a strawberry and King salmon tiradito; duck confit with smashed potato, pickled cherries and cured egg yolk, and a Five Dot Ranch rib eye with corn purée, kimchee and mushroom. Chef Fiorella Butron has succeeded John McReynolds in that role and will oversee each tasting. 2 p.m. seating, Wednesdays through Saturdays. $125 wine club, $150 others. 139 E. Napa St. Reserve via Larry Nadeau at larry@stoneedgefarm.com.

Sonoma Raceway updates food

Believe it or not, some NASCAR and other auto race fans go to the noisy and exciting events not just to see crashes and winners, but to eat their favorite junk foods — much like county fair fans attend every year to get their favorite corn dog and cotton candy.

Sonoma Raceway celebrates its 50th anniversary this year at the NASCAR Toyota/Save Mart 350 next weekend, June 21 through 23.

Oscar Bendeck is the current Sonoma Raceway chef for Chicago-based Levy Restaurants which specializes in catering big sports events. Founded by Larry Levy, the group is now owned by the Compass Group of the United Kingdom.

Fans can still get fried Twinkies, but slightly healthier foods are also available, so don't worry.

Sonoma Raceway has also partnered with Loubier Gourmet of Benicia, named the 'official barbecue sauce and rubs of Sonoma Raceway.' Loubier will give out tastings of samples of their products in the main paddock.

Loubier will also be featured at the 'Sonoma BBQ' stands at both Turn 2 and Turn 7 and will offer quarter-pound house-smoked meats topped with coleslaw and Loubier BBQ Sauce on a brioche bun with kettle chips, beef brisket, pulled pork, smoked chicken ($12 to $13), and the Smoke Stack of a brioche bun loaded with brisket, pork, smoked chicken, coleslaw and a pickle with Loubier BBQ sauce ($19).

Also new to Sonoma Raceway, Devil Mountain Coffee will give out samples and sell hot and cold drinks of its 'high octane coffee' at a booth under the Main Grandstand. On its website, Devil Mountain claims to produce 'the strongest coffee in the world.'

Beer lovers will find craft brews such as Bear Republic Brewing Company's Racer 5, Lost Coast Brewery's Great White, Barrel & Sons Pilsner, and Oskar Blues Brewery's Dale's Pale Ale, all organized by Morris Distributing.

And finally, the Grill Gardens at Turns 2 and 9 will have shaded areas built with Humboldt Redwood Company's redwood arbors for a cool place to have lunch throughout the weekend. Shade is always welcome at Sonoma Raceway events.

Adobe Road Winery's Racing Series

Possibly not coincidentally, Adobe Road Winery's Racing Series was just named one of the best Father's Day wine gifts by Forbes.com. Winery owner Kevin Buckler is also a championship auto racer. His team, the Racers Group, have won 100 professional races around the world. Adobe Road combines his and wife Debra's passions for racing and wine.

Their new wines are named Redline, Shift, the 24 and Apex. Garrett Marin is the winemaker. Adobe Road first had a tasting room in Sonoma on First Street West, but moved it to the Petaluma Mill building while they plan and build what they describe as a 'multimillion-dollar winery headquarters and events center on the vibrant Riverfront in downtown Petaluma in late 2019.' Call 939-7967.

Northwest 'Road Trip' pop-up dinner

Hot days lead to cool climate fantasies like the climate and food of the Pacific Northwest.

Suite D brings it all to us on Sunday, June 23, and you don't even have to leave home.

Guests will enjoy a shaved asparagus and hazelnut salad, rubber rubbed salmon with blueberry sauce, summer succotash, and pine nut pesto, followed by a maple-glazed doughnut. $38, less for wine club and Suite D Social Club members. $5 corkage, but free to members. 5:30 p.m. 21800 Schellville Road, Suite D, Sonoma. Tickets at therhoneroom.com.

Chick-fil-A controversy in Redwood City

Redwood City approved Georgia-based Chick-fil-A moving into a former McDonald's site on Whipple Avenue. San Mateo County Supervisor Dan Canepa has objected to the arrival of Chick-fil-A due to its CEO Dan Cathy's vocal opposition to same-sex marriage. Canepa thinks the timing is terrible during Pride Month.

Protests often greet Chick-fil-A sites. The chain's other branches in the Bay Area include Santa Rosa, Walnut Creek, Novato, Fremont, Sunnyvale and San Jose.

According to its website, the fast food company specializes in grilled and deep fried chicken sandwiches, but does offer a salad, fruit cups, a superfood bowl, and a Greek yogurt and fruit parfait. (This isn't a recommendation.)

Mexico tariffs averted, for now

After creating panic that traveled from guacamole lovers to automobile manufacturers and the stock markets by threatening tariffs on everything Americans imports from Mexico, President Trump agreed to the same efforts by Mexico to stop migration as had been OK'd in March, according to the New York Times.

Hence, prices of avocados, beer and tequila imports should not escalate by the 10 cents they might have this month had Trump carried through with his tariffs. Since he received protests against the tariffs from Republicans and Democrats alike, the president agreed to Mexico placing 6,000 of its national guard on the Guatemalan border to keep migrants from walking into Mexico on their way to the U.S.