In a new fashion editorial titled “Life in the Slow Lane,” they write:

“You don’t have to be a foodie to love Healdsburg. You don’t have to be a wine snob, either. Or a cycling geek. But if you’re all three, leaving this Sonoma County outpost after a weekend getaway will surely break your heart. Which explains why there’s a growing community of creative and impressively fit professionals living in this town of just 11,000. They came to eat, drink, and play – and realized this is how they wanted to live.”

Pretty cool, right?

Pick up a copy of the June issue.

And come into Spoonbar for Cappy’s autograph. And one of his mind-bending cocktails.

The piece focused on our 5-Star Dining and touched upon the open secret among locals. That we are completely, undeniably… wait for it… spoiled! Yes, spoiled. But it’s not our fault! No, really.

“Live in Sonoma County,” they write, “and you may start to take things for granted. You might think rack of lamb is always grilled on an authentic Argentine parrilla, as it is at Francis Ford Coppola’s winery in Geyserville. That any class called The Art of Wood-Fired Cooking would naturally be taught by Andrea Mugnaini, an authority on Old World open-hearth ovens (her oven company has a Healdsburg cooking school). That every pizza joint offers house-cured lardo as a topping (Diavola Pizzeria in Geyserville). That your Sazerac should be poured by the guy who literally wrote the book on artisanal cocktails (Scott Beattie at Healdsburg’s Spoonbar). Which is to say, you just might get a little spoiled.”

Very funny. And very true.

Here’s a link to the whole piece.

And for those of you who are looking for a change, a place to live your 5-Star Dining Dream, well, we suggest you take their advice. “Take a trial run at eco-happy h2hotel.” And spoil yourself. You deserve it.

A Message from Healdsburg's iconic Raven Theater

Psst…

Yeah, you. The one with the nice eyes scanning across the screen. Well, I’m gonna let you in on a little secret. But you can’t tell everyone you know. You ready?

This is The Best Time of the Year in Healdsburg.

Don’t get me wrong. This town dazzles in the spring, summer and early fall, when the weather is hot and dry and the Square is teeming with brides and tourists from near and far. It’s fun then, too. Lots of fun. But the off-season holds its own singular appeal. It’s as if post-Harvest – when most vacationers are planning their trips to the tropics – we all take a collective breath and the small town charm is particularly expressive. You can walk into Scopa on a whim and maybe, just maybe get a table. You can step into Spoonbar and strike up a conversation with Scott Beattie about his world-famous cocktails. On those many temperate days, you can ride a bike down a quiet country road, lapping up the outrageous beauty of the naked vines. Or on rainy days, you can cozy up to the fire in the h2 or Hotel Healdsburg lounge. There’s still so much to do, there’s just less people doing it. Which, as a local, makes everything that much more sublime.

See for yourself…

FIVE GREAT REASONS TO HEAD TO H2 NOW-ISH.

1) Scott Beattie’s Holiday Cocktail Class – Learn how to make Hot Buttered Rum, Classic Punch, the allspice-laden Lion’s Tail, and more from the best of the best. This Saturday afternoon class is like a mock holiday party. Complete with a “Hideous Holiday Sweater Contest.” Yup, you read that right. Time to crash your attic, dust off the moths, or rifle through a Goodwill for the worst of the worst. The person with the most hideous holiday sweater wins a dinner for two at Spoonbar! (Saturday; 11/13; h2hotel Green Room; 2-4pm. Class includes all produce, spirits, materials, and snacks provided by Chef Rudy Mihal of Spoonbar. Size is limited to 30 lucky guests and costs only $50. For reservations call 707 433-7222.)

2)  Mushroom Hunting & Cooking Class - Our friends at the Relish Culinary Center have a great event on their calendar featuring chef Elissa Rubin-Mahon (past president of the Sonoma County Mycological Association). As you’ve probably guessed, she’s an expert in all things fungi, and she’ll take one lucky group into the surrounding woodlands and teach them how to forage for mushrooms. Afterward, the group will return to the Center for a cooking demonstration featuring… you guessed it… wild mushrooms! A complete lunch will be served with wines from Gustafson Vineyards. (Sunday, 11/28; Relish Culinary Center; 9am-2pm. Foraging from 9-11, class and lunch to follow. $94. For more details, click here.)

3)  Healdsburg’s Downtown Holiday Party – Once you’ve recovered from your Thanksgiving food coma, head downtown for a festive town celebration. An annual affair, the shops and galleries in and around the Plaza light up their stores and stay open late. There’s live music and wine, snacks and smiles.  It’s the perfect time and place to get a jump on your holiday shopping at our unique boutiques. (Friday, 11/26; Downtown; 5-9pm. For more info, call 707-433-6935 or follow this link.)

4)  Handmade Holidays @ h2hotel – The incredibly talented ladies behind Healdsburg boutique design studio notion:creative will guide you through an evening of arts and crafts, where you’ll stamp, collage, draw, stencil & sew one-of-a-kind note cards or gift tags for holiday gift-giving. Materials provided will include recycled papers (newsprint & old book pages), vintage reprints (photographs & ephemera), stamps, fabric, and metal & plastic whatsits. Feel free to bring your own stash of crafting materials to contribute to the creativity. And of course, if you need a little extra inspiration, something to get stir your creative juices, arrive a little early and order one or two of Scott Beattie’s holiday cocktails. (Saturday, 11/27; h2hotel Green Room; 5:30-7:30. The $30 fee includes materials for 6 notecards or 12 gift tags, a short idea session from notion:creative and bottomless inspiration. For questions contact info@notioncreative.com or call 707.321.7811. Or if you’re the type who knows a good thing when you see it, go ahead and BUY YOUR TICKET NOW.)

5)  Scott Beattie’s DIY Winter Citrus Cocktails – With the winter citrus season well under way, we have the chance to incorporate the rare and complex flavors of fruits such as the Rangpur Lime and Bergamot Orange into show-stopping cocktails. This class will draw from Scott Beattie’s book Artisanal Cocktails to show how to use peak-of-season citrus and local fresh-fruit enhanced spirits in cocktails such as Pelo del Perro, Meyer Beautiful, and Waverly Place Echo. You’ll also learn how to make creative rims for your drinks with colored sugars, salts and ground spices; make silky foams from juice and cocunut milk; and dehydrate thin slices of fruit using your own conventional oven at home. In other words, once again, Scott Beattie will show you how to be a dinner party legend. (Saturday, 12/11, h2hotel Green Room, 2-4pm. Class includes all produce, spirits, materials, and snacks provided by Chef Rudy Mihal of Spoonbar. Size is limited to 30 lucky guests and costs only $50. For reservations call 707 433-7222.)

**

Oh, and details of our New Year’s Eve DJ bash coming soon!

A Healdsburg Institution

When I first moved to Healdsburg a handful of years ago, there were two coffee shops in town. One always had a line out the door while the other, well, let’s just say it would’ve made a very nice echo chamber. It looked like a scene pulled from the McCarthy Era, and I remember thinking, how bizarre! At the time, I didn’t drink coffee and couldn’t understand why anyone would wait 20 minutes when there was absolutely no line just a few doors down.  

The coffee, obviously had much to do with it. Flying Goat Coffee, or “the Goat” for short, is one of the country’s premier roasters, offering microlot coffee from around the world. Microlots that co-founder, Phil Anacker, personally visits each year. But the other draw is the scene. Locals don’t mind waiting in line because this is, arguably, the town’s epicenter slash meet-up spot. (In fact, if I had a nickle for every time someone said “let’s meet at the Goat,” I might be able to buy the place.) And so naturally, while the Goat has become the place to caffeinate, that other coffee shop has become something entirely different. Like the place to buy amazing frozen yogurt.

Of course, not all of our guests will want to deal with the social swirl of the Goat in the morning. Which is why we’ve partnered up with them to offer French Press single origin coffee… delivered right to your door. You get that and house-made pastries for only $6 per person. And down at our Receptobar, we offer Flying Goat espresso drinks. Though, we still suggest you check out the Goat for yourself.

Artist Ray Degischer. (Feeling it.)

Especially on the nights when they have art openings. Like this Friday, August 6th. (8-10pm).  Local artist, Ray Degischer of Country Industrial, will be exhibiting new pieces. Ray rummages scrap yards and breathes new life into found objects – transforming old pipes into vases, machine parts into chandeliers. He was recently spotlighted in California Home & Design for his unique metal works. BUT… that’s not what he’s showing at the Goat. He’s also a talented painter, and will be exhibiting his stuff for the first time. As you can tell from this pic, he’s a pretty quirky guy. And we’re really excited to check out his new works.

Oh, and if you need just one more reason to be there, rumor has it that Ray will be providing a keg of PBR “for the PEOPLE.” The people being me and you and whomever shows up on Friday night.

A fresh take on a very old place

Admittedly, there are a lot of ways to fill your days in and around Healdsburg.  But here’s a tip.  A hip tip.  Something to scrawl up at the top of your list of things to do.  The brand new Medlock Ames Tasting Room and Bar.  Actually, it’s not exactly brand new as it was built – or rebuilt – on the site of the historic, century-old Alexander Valley Bar and Store, using all sorts of salvaged materials, recycled and repurposed wood.  (Not surprising, given the super green winery’s long commitment to sustainability.)  But for the sake of argument, we’ll call it brand new, as it just opened in May.

By day, it’s just about the most stylish tasting room you’ve ever set foot in.  Designed by Will Wick, it’s a decidedly modern space that feels retro and rustic with its vintage refrigerators and salvaged mining lamps.  From 10-5pm, guests can enjoy Medlock Ames’ array of highly acclaimed organic wines, as well as local artisan bread, cheeses and jams.

Catch sunset here

And for those who want to revel in the wine valley’s resplendent beauty, there are plenty of great picnic spots on the property.  Like the outdoor bistro seating by their organic garden.  Or the large communal table beneath big, bushy olive trees.

But when the clock strikes five, the tasting room closes and the adjoining bar opens.  The bar – hidden behind an unmarked door – has the hush-hush feel of a Prohibition-era speakeasy.  The space is marked by salvaged redwood walls, plush Victorian-style banquettes, an elaborately embossed tin ceiling and an old factory carpentry table that’s been repurposed as a communal cocktail table.  And echoing the speakeasy feel, there’s even a revolving “under the counter” selection of rare bourbons and scotches and spirits, available on an ask-only basis.  (Do ask.) However, in a nod to these times, the Medlock Ames bar has the kind of modern drink program we’ve all come to expect around these parts (thanks Scott Beattie!)  Think seasonal, “farm-to-glass” cocktails using fresh fruits, herbs and edibles from their own gardens.

photo booth fun: h2blogger, amber, and lukka (from barndiva)

And as if the atmosphere and ambiance of the bar weren’t cool enough, they’ve even got a photo booth.  A photo booth! We love photo booths.  Especailly here.  Because no matter how much you imbibe in those ask-only, “under the counter” cocktails, or how little you might recall the next morning, you’ll always remember how much fun you had at Medlock Ames Tasting Room and Bar.

So slap this atop your list of things to do, and you can thank us later.

For those who want to read more, here’s a piece about Medlock Ames from UrbanDaddy.

Medlock Ames Tasting Room and Bar
3487 Alexander Valley Rd
(at Highway 128)
Healdsburg, CA 95448
707-431-8845
official website

Now, regardless of what you may or may not think about slogan stickers like the aforepasted, it’s hard to argue with her sentiment.  Especially when you see how a small community like ours has rallied to restore a creek.  Foss Creek, which cuts through Healdsburg and outlines our h2hotel property, was once a thriving Steelhead habitat, with thousands of the endangered trout running through it each year.  And then came plants like the Himalayan Blackberry, or English Ivy.  If they sound suspiciously “un-Healdsburgian,” that’s because they are.  Since these non-natives are removed from their natural predators and flora competition, it’s easier for them to run rampant.  In our case, the Himalayan Blackberry overwhelmed the banks of Foss Creek, and in the blink of an eye, effed everything up.

How?

Foss Creek Flooding, Jan '08

Let’s start with the flooding.  The Blackberry in question is an extremely fast growing plant that “leapfrogs” other plants by growing branches through existing plants and those branches sprout new branches that climb higher until, just like that, it envelopes native vegetation. In its growth Himalayan Blackberry weaves a web of fibery branches that will knit together from opposite sides of a creek and form debris dams that can, you guessed it, withstand the force of flowing water. When this happens it can cause a creek to jump its banks as Healdsburgers saw in January of 2008.

Beyond that, non-natives are bad news for the wildlife.  Here’s an oversimplified, and questionably scientific summary of the problem:

Plants don’t like to be eaten.  So they develop self defense mechanisms like poisons or terrible tasting compounds to avoid being eaten.  Well, over the course of however many tens of thousands of years, the local wildlife have evolved to deal with the local plants’ self-defense strategies.  If they didn’t, they wouldn’t be here.  (Take the Monarch Butterfly, for instance, which has developed anti-bodies to deal with the poisonous milkweed.)  Now, when you introduce an exotic, non-native species that the local wildlife can’t safely eat, or don’t want to eat, well, they go away.

The Folks Margaret Mead Was Talking About

While Foss Creek, like so many other urban creeks, has been an afterthought for far too long, in recent years, local organizations like Russian Riverkeeper and Trout Unlimited have spearheaded an effective restoration project.  h2hotel and sister property, Hotel Healdsburg, have partnered with these non-profits, and the funds we provide train local volunteers in native and exotic plant identification.  Volunteers are taught the proper eradication techniques for exotic plants, and optimal methods for re-establishing native species.  The funds are also used for planning, regulatory permits, tools, new native plants, irrigation to establish new plants, erosion control and interpretive signage to educate visitors on the restoration project.

But beyond our fiscal contributions, we knew it was imperative that our hotel was mindful of the neighboring creek’s delicate ecosystem.  It is, after all, right in our backyard.  And so, in addition to our efforts to restore the native plant species, our architects, contractors and consultants used low impact development strategies to reduce or eliminate stormwater pollutants.  Our living roof is the most obvious example.  Sure it looks cool and recalls the rolling hills of Healdsburg, but it also filters rainwater and protects Foss Creek from runoff.  The end result is that a small group of thoughtful, dedicated citizens is helping to transform a blighted creek into the jewel it could and should be for residents, visitors and, most importantly, wildlife.

Find out more about the Foss Creek Project.  And if you’re feeling inspired, sign up for one of the Saturday morning Volunteer Days.  After all, we can change the world.  Or at least save the endangered Steelhead.  One Himalayan Blackberry bush at a time.