Happy New Year! It was so wonderful to see so many of you when we got back from vacation. We look forward to enjoying lots of good food, wine, and stories with you over the coming year. We have many fun and exciting new things in store for 2013! We are also conducting our first Facebook contest! It seems only fitting with Baci meaning “kisses”, our special sweetheart table and Valentine’s Day coming up, that we would throw a Valentine’s contest for our Facebook fans. Winner will receive $100 towards dinner for 2 at our special Sweetheart Table. Check out the picture of Dan Gustafson and his wife Phyllis at the sweetheart table below! If you are a fan of Baci’s Facebook page, you are eligible to enter the contest. If you are not a fan yet, what are you waiting for?

This month, we are again highlighting some very cool and interesting local folks that we feel are part of the Baci mosaic:

Baci’s Special Seasonings: The Staff

Mike Cilenti – Employee of the YEAR!

What do you get when you combine Mr. Clean with a super hero? That would be Mike Cilenti! And no, he didn’t model for the Mr. Clean logo, but Mike resembles him in more ways than one! Most of you know the front of the house crew already with my big “Heelloooo” and our familiar faces. But, just like a car, nothing would run smoothly without a good engine. Our engine is our kitchen. It’s actually more like a fine tuned symphony, with everyone knowing their part to create a great experience for each guest. This includes our unseen hero, and our Employee of the Year, Mike Cilenti. Mike comes in every afternoon and cleans the entire restaurant, including floors, windows, and the restrooms. Then, when it’s show time, he is our main dishwasher. He makes sure we have enough plates, utensils and glasses for even the busiest night.

Mike has lived in Healdsburg for 25 years and has three kids that are 16, 18 and 26 years old. He met Shari working out at the Healdsburg Health and Fitness Gym. Mike needed some work, so Shari offered him a job dishwashing at Baci. That was over 2 years ago, and he has never even called in sick! Mike and Shari still work out at the same gym, but says Shari doesn’t partner with him because he isn’t strong enough (just kidding).

Mike is dedicated, hardworking, and the reason the restaurant is so pristine each and every day. He always has a good attitude, a smile, and something funny to say. Mike says he likes working at Baci because the time goes by very fast. We really like and appreciate him too, as it’s not often to find an employee of his caliber. Thank you Mike! Now the next time you have dinner at Baci, you know who has been working behind the scenes to make your evening spotless.

REGULAR ROUNDUP - Our tribute to some of our regulars that have become family to us here at Baci. We think they are a pretty special part of our mosaic.

Kim Endries Tyner – Reinventing herself with ReHealdsburg

Most people wish they could take their favorite hobby and turn it into a successful career. That is what Kim did recently with ReHealdsburg. Kim’s new venture is much different than the corporate world in San Francisco that she commuted to everyday for over 10 years from Healdsburg. When the company she worked for downsized 1 1/2 years ago, she grabbed the opportunity to travel and figure out the next chapter in her life. That became apparent when Kim sold her house and decided to consign some of her furniture to a pop-up with upper scale home furnishings that was considered the best kept secret in Healdsburg. Those “in the know” loved this exclusive hidden treasure full of great deals. She considered working for them until the opportunity came to purchase the business. Hello next chapter! Kim partnered up with Kathy Weil, another local Healdsburg gal and friend, and together they are taking ReHealdsburg to a whole new level. You go girls!

I went to visit their warehouse and I was surprised by their unique and eclectic collection of classy home furnishings and good prices. I wanted to pull up a truck and take it all home! There is a catch though, the pop-up warehouse  is only going to have 8 sales per year. Yes, that’s it! The first sale is Friday and Saturday, January 25 & 26 from 9-5, and Sunday, January 27, from 10-2. The address is 1229 Grove St., Healdsburg. For more information, please call 707-433-3231 or go to: http://rehealdsburg.com/home. Don’t miss it!

About once a week, you can find Kim and Kathy at the Baci wine bar, having dinner and usually laughing. Kim has been a Baci fan since we opened. In fact, Kim met Lisbeth at the Baci grand opening reception, and they became fast friends. Since then, they have enjoyed many “strategy meetings”, commiserating on Kim’s boat in Lake Sonoma over life and business. I asked Kim what her favorite hobbies are, and she said boating, traveling and shopping for furniture. We are so happy that she can now take that passion to help others create their dream homes too.

Kim says she is a regular at Baci not only because she is good pals with Lisbeth, but because it’s a local hangout, a family atmosphere, and the charm that oozes from Chef Shari.

TASTING NOTES - Spotlighting noteworthy wines from the Baci Wine List

Gustafson Winery -  Hard to say but easy to love (Goose-taf-son)

There are certain people you meet that have really great energy. You can’t explain it, but there’s something special about them. That’s Dan Gustafson. Dan is the owner of Gustafson Winery, a stunning winery and property above Lake Sonoma that probably has the best view for wine tasting in all of Healdsburg, and is the highest elevation estate vineyard and winery in Sonoma County. Besides being just a really nice and genuine guy, Dan is a visionary, a successful entrepreneur, a family man, and a producer of great wines.

Dan started a landscape architect business 45 years ago while attending college in Minnesota. That business is still thriving with employees that have been with him for over 20 years. As a wine connoisseur, Dan would visit the wine country often and eventually purchased a home in Sea Ranch.  In 2002, when Dan was driving from Healdsburg to the coast one day, he discovered the land that is now Gustafson Winery and his Healdsburg home. Out of the 247 acres he purchased, 20 acres are now planted to vineyards which produce 9 different varietals including Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Rosé of Syrah. All of the vineyards are sustainably farmed and the remainder of the land is an ecological preserve. They also planted around old groves of madrone, oak, and redwood trees, including the “Sonoma County Heritage Tree.” This 300-year-old madrone has a trunk diameter of eleven feet and is thought to be the largest madrone tree in Sonoma County, and perhaps the entire state of California.

It is amazing that the winery is run by a 3 person crew including Dan, dual winemaker and vineyard manager Emmett Reed, and Emmett’s sister, Kaitlin Reed Childers, who is the Tasting Room Manager. They have really become one big family. Emmett and his wife not only live on the estate, but when they had their first baby 6 months ago, Dan was one of the first to hold him at the hospital.  What also touched me was that to celebrate Dan’s birthday last week, Emmett and Kaitlin cooked a special homemade dinner for him and his wife, Phyllis. It’s not often you hear employees doing that!

The combination of the view, great wines, and beautiful winery has created a high demand for weddings and events on the estate. Dan hired Baci Café & Wine Bar to be the winery’s exclusive caterer because we know the lay of the land. Dan says this way he doesn’t have to worry about the events because he knows we will take care of everything and the food will be good.  That is essential for Dan because he still travels back and forth from Minnesota for business and to see his 2 grown children and grandkids.

Baci will be catering at Gustafson Winery for Winter Wineland this weekend on January 19 & 20 from 11-4. Be among the first to taste their 2012 Estate Rosé of Syrah and 2012 Estate Riesling!  The tasting room is also open every Saturday from 10-4. I suggest you bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the view! The winery is located at 9100 Stewarts Point-Skaggs Springs Rd. For more information or to join their Wine Club, check out their website at: www.gfvineyard.com or call 707-433-2371. Gustafson is a Featured Winery on Baci’s wine list, so we encourage you to give them a try if you haven’t already discovered how good they are!

FEATURED FARMER –

Sonoma Organics – The one stop shop for local bounty

Sonoma Organics was founded in 1995 by Richard Robinson who wanted to help small, local organic farmers sell their produce. By consolidating their produce, he created easy access for restaurants to access everything they needed from one place. Now Richard has 3 trucks delivering all over the Bay Area with numerous employees, and an expanded product line. While still representing numerous local farmers, Richard and his wife have recently added artisan cheeses, wild mushrooms, pasta, oils, vinegars, chutneys, heirloom beans, and various spices to their portfolio.

Supporting local farmers is very important to us, so we like being able to support the “little guys” that depend on Sonoma Organics to get their produce in the kitchen. Having a one-stop shop makes the process easy and convenient. For example, Sonoma Organics is where we get an array of artisan cheeses and wild mushrooms, as well as various produce.

Richard is always looking to source new local products. If you have something he may be interested in, please call him at 707-829-8200 or go to http://www.sonomaorganics.com.

MONTHLY RECIPE – Short and sweet, but very good!

Rigatoni Salsiccia - Serves 6 people

1 lb Fennel Sausage
1 yellow onion finely diced
1 tablespoon minced garlic
3 fresh, ripe tomatoes
4 cups organic Italian tomato sauce
2 cups Zinfandel
salt & pepper to taste
½ cup Parmesan cheese
1 lb dry rigatoni

Sautee the meat until slightly brown. Drain off the grease. Add in the onion, garlic and fresh tomatoes. Cook until meat is coarse. Add the tomato sauce and wine, and let simmer for an hour. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook the pasta al dente. Toss the pasta in the salsiccia sauce, and add the Parmesan cheese when ready to serve.

This is a favorite dish of Frankie Williams, owner of Toad Hollow Winery!

BACI BITES -

Lawrence Holmefjord-Sarabi Kicks off Debut World Tour Next Month in Healdsburg!

Please remember that our son, Lawrence, who is an award winning classical pianist is returning home to Healdsburg to kick off  his major debut World Tour performing selected pieces from Grieg, Beethoven, Brahms, Debussy, Stravinsky, and Balakirev. He will be at the Raven Theater in Healdsburg on Wednesday, February 13, at 7:00pm. Tickets are Adults: $30/Students: $20 and there is a Food & Wine Reception at Baci Café & Wine Bar following the concert: & 75. Thank you Flanagan Winery for sponsoring the event. If you are planning to attend the VIP reception after Lawrence’s concert, please hurry and get your tickets as they are selling fast. Buy tickets at the restaurant or online at: www.bacicafeandwinebar.com.

Other US performances include:
All tickets available at: www.bacicafeandwinebar.com
San Jose, CA: Friday, February 15th, 7:00pm at Le Petit Trianon Theatre at 72 North 5th Street, San Jose, CA
Boulder, CO: Friday, February 22, 2013, 6:00pm at the Boulder Library, 1001 Arapahoe Avenue, Boulder, Colorado
Houston, TX: Saturday, February 23, 2013, 7:00pm at Dowling Hall, 2615 Southwest Freeway #220, Houston, TX

Valentine’s Day Facebook Contest! Enter to win $100 dinner for 2 at our Sweetheart Table!

Don’t forget to go on our Facebook page and enter our Valentine’s contest to win $100 towards dinner for 2 at our special sweetheart table! Entries will be taken until February 9th and we will announce the winner on February 10. If you are a fan of Baci’s Facebook page, you are eligible to enter the contest. Valentine’s day inspired us to do the contest, but you are not restricted to use it for two people and we won’t force you to sit at the sweetheart table. Heck, if you win, you could even show yourself some love and use the $100 towards a dinner just for yourself!  The $100 has no cash value or expiation date.  To enter, please go to our Facebook page. If you are not already a fan, please like us!

That’s a wrap!

We had so much fun last Tuesday when Tuxton China  filmed a commercial at the restaurant! I even got to hold the clapboard and say “Action”! Could I have missed my calling?

Thanks for reading our blog. Til next month!