The holiday season is upon us, and Wine Country is abuzz with restaurant openings and festive events. Here are a few local happenings about which everyone’s talking.

Northern Sonoma County is aflutter with excitement over the opening of the latest restaurant: A fast-casual sandwich shop from the owners of Quail & Condor bakery. The shop, named Troubador, has opened in the Healdsburg Avenue storefront formerly occupied by Moustache Baked Goods. What can you expect? According to owners Melissa Yanc and Sean McGaughey (see this months profile): “naturally fermented bread, chef-inspired and locally sourced wizardry.” Loosely translated, that means sandwiches on fresh Q&C goodness, as well as a small sampling of prepared foods and baked treats from the mothership down the street. See mouthwatering photos below. Photo Credit: Emma K Morris

Walkers, bikers, rollerbladers and skateboarders have a new way of getting to and from the north end of Healdsburg with the latest section of the Foss Creek Pathway. The paved trail now stretches from the Community Center at the corner of Grove Street and Healdsburg Avenue all the way to Front Street by Memorial Bridge—a total of 2.4 miles one-way. The newest section connects the Community Center with the trail south of the Skate Park, and includes two bridges. City workers also installed a traffic light and crosswalk spanning Dry Creek Road just west of Big John’s. Eventually, the pathway will continue to North Village and the entrance of Montage.

One of our favorite holiday traditions is about to begin… Holiday Tea at Hotel Healdsburg. Beginning December 04 – 19 on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 PM – 2:30 PM, Holiday Tea is the perfect way to spend a festive afternoon out with friends and family of all ages. They’ve decked the halls with holiday decor and will have live piano music for the occasion. Custom blend teas and classic cocktails are served with house-made pastries, dainty finger sandwiches, and other holiday fare from Dry Creek Kitchen.