Hungry? try one of these three Wine nation spots - Santa Rosa Press Democrat

It's spring, and eating places are popping up like daisies during the Sonoma County. here are two new spots to try, and a third it truly is value a further seem to be.

Miminashi

Izakaya, casual eastern drinking establishments, are eventually making their option to Wine nation. each exotic and established, they enchantment to younger American cooks who are smitten by the raucous after-work spots regularly occurring for their convenient flowing beer, sake and spirits paired with wealthy bits of fried food, small plates of fish or greens, and the signature "sticks" of charcoal-grilled meat and veggies known as yakitori.

Miminashi is the latest addition, and perhaps probably the most eagerly expected. It lately opened in downtown Napa with Curtis Di Fede on the helm. As chef/co-owner at Oenotri, he spent several years researching genuine japanese ideas for izakaya.

"It's every little thing that isn't sushi," says Di Fede, with an offhand nod to americans' every so often singular focus on raw fish.

although the menu comprises a couple of sashimi plates at Miminashi, look for more rib-sticking dishes like pork stomach ramen (($16.50), pork stew ($28) and ribeye steak ($75).

Smaller bites encompass fried potato croquettes with jap mayo ($4.50), fried rice ($14), rock cod kaarage (fried, $13.50) and gyoza ($11).

in case you go for one thing, despite the fact, go for the yakitori. here you're allowed to play with your food, sharing little bites and nibbling straight off the skewers. in case you're squeamish about offal, go for the veggies or thighs ($3.50 to $7 per stick).

but if you're up for a true japanese experience, are trying the coveted items of epidermis, tail, gizzard, coronary heart and cartilage ($7 to $9). trust me, you're about to love the fatty, crispy, prosperous hen tail grilled over hot coals.

Sake is the ordinary spirit enjoyed with this form of pub grub (like beer with mozzarella sticks, or wine with cheese). Miminashi's sake sommelier will e book you through the manner, made interactive through first choosing a cup from his tray of fantastically mismatched ceramics. Our decide upon: Shichi Hon Yari Junmai, an approachable sake that's convenient to pair with the smoky, earthy yakitori.

delicate serve ice cream, called "delicate cream" in Japan, has been interpreted from American way of life in flavors like black sesame, green tea, ginger peach and "fruity cereal milk" ($6). but add ons like caramelized white miso, tempura "crispies" and whisky butterscotch sauce (50 cents every) make it splendid.

Plans call for opening a walk-up window just for chocolate, black sesame, fit eco-friendly tea or vanilla tender serve, however for now, get it only on the desk. Splurge for the crispy, caramelized waffle bowl and as many toppings as you want on the facet.

From the moment you arrive, that you could't ignore the fantastic, representational structure of the restaurant, starting with the doorways. Surrounding the doorway are lots of tiny Mount Fujis crafted from wood, searching like so many magnified goosebumps camouflaging the large door. not that it concerns, because you'll be busy working your fingers over the bumps for the few moments it takes earlier than somebody else opens the door.

internal, the low ceiling rises to a 20-foot middle apex, mirroring a jap temple, and dried fish hang over a charcoal hearth. despite the fact that you're in downtown Napa, the feeling conjures up Nippon, where salarymen hunch over yakitori in darkish grottoes, toasting with cups of sake.