Oakville Grocery open is San Francisco

Oakville Grocery, that famous, tasty, tiny gourmet grocery store, perched just off the pavement of Highway 29 in Oakville, California for more than 100 years, serving as the gateway to Napa Valley wine country, recently opened its doors in another historic building, San Francisco's Del Monte Cannery. For the residents and visitors of San Francisco the store will once again prove to be a gateway to great things gourmet. The new location and design, which has married and merged the feel of the old and quaint with the robustness metal and modern offers customers a comfort from vine country blended with a San Francisco air.

A welcomed neighbor, according to those residents of Russian Hill who quickly came down to peruse the prepared food cases and purchase products from the floor to ceiling shelves, the store was quickly welcomed with open arms by the locals.
"It is so wonderful to have you in the city" said Mrs. Judith Bain. " I love the Napa location and now will not have to wait to get there to order my favorite cheeses and gift baskets for the holidays."

The 4000 square foot store, opened to sunny skies and almost 10,000 people- most were participating in the bridge to bridge race that was held on the opening morning. It was quit a site to see that many people coming towards you as the door opened, said one stock boy who was relieved that the crowd ran by.

Oakville has long been the anchor of the Oakville community. A pioneer on the road to lushness. But with the opening in San Francisco- there are other stores in Healdsburg, on the square and Palo Alto in the Stanford Shoppping Center- is by far one of the company's warmest locations.

Larger than the tiny gem that sits directly in front of the Opus Once Vineyard, the Del Monte Cannery location shouts food. The closest the city has come in emulating a New York City Zabar's, Oakville has twelve feet of prepared foods, a selection of cheeses that would make the population of Point Reyes give a standing o, and a grab and go counter filled with salads, sandwiches, pre-washed fruit and of course piazza fresh from the open hearth oven.

But this Oakville, unlike its cousins in the communities to the north and south, offers room to roam and browse at the tremendous selection of purchasable product that doesn't have to be eaten by days end. The still hard to find anywhere else jams and chutneys. Salsa's and sauces are available, but this Oakville has a variety of gifts and baskets for gift baskets that you will not find in the other locations.

And, of course- flagship stores- as all stores in San Francisco have become known - have to have something different than other locations in a group. The wine tasting bar Oakville offers is the perfect place to go after a long walk down the hill. The other day as I passed through the eatery, I noticed four women who had just finished shopping on Polk St. sitting down with a bottle of wine and four glasses, discussing the purchases they made at Brown Dirt Cowboy. If that isn't cosmopolitan, what is?

If you have not had the time to browse the newest Oakville Grocery, stop in - you'll like what you see. A well known Napa valley resident was shopping in the store last week. When asked what she was doing in the store she comically said, "We love it. It gets us down to the city."

Sonoma's La Salette's Star Rises

When in Sonoma, La Salette is a welcome find for food, drink and atmosphere. The somewhat secluded eatery, snuggled amongst the shops and fountains down a distinct courtyard, has an inviting outdoor patio, a comfortable bar counter overlooking the chefs who create pleasing plates in front of a wood burning oven, and a menu that isn't to be found in other area restaurants.

Although Portuguese restaurants are not common in Northern California, if at all in Sonoma Valley, La Salette has raised the bar for food in this rapidly growing community. Having enjoyed breakfast, lunch and dinner at the cozy culinary cafe, the impressions left were tastefully delightful.

Breakfast is a casual event ordered from a chalk board. But don't let that fool you into thinking that the tastes soon gracing your palate is anything on the order of fast food. An array of crepes- spanning the sweet and savory tastebud, will momentarily make you wonder whether to enjoy Blueberries with Farmer's Cheese wrapped in the see-through blanket that snuggles the berries and dairy together, or opt for the scrambled egg and bacon crepe that will somehow feel mentally hardier. Whatever your choice- both were sensuous- you can compliment your selection with a freshly made doughnut, so light that you don't even realize you are eating dough at all. Quince paste, Farmer's Cheese, and a freshly baked roll proved the perfect breakfast for my wife. Although we had already ordered the crepes, in retrospect European was the way to go.

Lunch was a different story. The roasted butternut squash soup with a dollop of Chevre in the center of the bowl. Again served with a warmed roll was perfect. The selections at lunch are delightful and all of the p[plates coming out of the kitchen appeared to be artfully prepared and presented.

dinner was a delight. The MOZAMBIQUE PRAWNS, pan roasted in Piri- Piri, with coconut rice and tomato-peanut sauce was a tasteful experience.

As a child I remember my grandfather serving Salted Cod, Baccala, during the holidays. Everyone of my cousins ran like hell at the site of the dish on the table. However, the child in me has left in some respects. BACALHAU, a baked casserole of salt cod, potatoes, onions and olives, served with olive oil was an experience which made me sorry I ever ran on those Christmas Eve night. I didn't know what I was missing. However, I will return to experience this dish again. The Cod was flavorful but not overpowering as one would suspect, and the olive oil was the perfect compliment to the saltiness.


The PORK TENDERLOIN stuffed with olives, figs and almonds, with roasted potatoes and citrus sauce is a picture on a plate. This work of art takes composition in front of the lucky diners who sit at the counter and have the opportunity to watch the chef perform magic. Pulling items out of the wood burning stove, such as the Leg of Lamb or Petaluma Duck, makes one long for a return visit before the night ends. Plus, the oven does a remarkable job of taking the Autumn chill out of the air.



LaSalette is located at 452 First street East, across from the Sonoma Plaza. They are open Tuesday through Sunday. For more information call 707-938-1927. Reservations are suggested.