Perhaps the staff at Santi in Geyserville figured that house-made beef tripe braised with borlotti beans and garlic fettunta wouldn’t fit well in a suitcase. Or that a moving van packed with pan-roasted pork tenderloin atop slow-roasted pork belly, sautéed broccolini and potato purée in pork jus wouldn’t be the best thing to take on the road.
Whatever the inspiration, when the Santi crew hosts its New Year’s Eve celebration this year, it’s also taking the opportunity to clean out its kitchen.
As in, completely.
The gala marks the last night the decade-old restaurant will operate out of the tiny town of Geyserville, since it’s relocating to Fountaingrove Village in Santa Rosa, and the former Santi space is turning into another Italian restaurant called Catelli’s.
And so Santi’s special Eve feast is all-you-can-eat, in a near-endless orgy of chef Liza Hinman’s rustic-chic Italian specialties.
Rather than a formal fete, guests will mingle in an open-house style affair, carousing through the entire restaurant and the tented patio out back and stuffing themselves on platters of savory and sweet delights. A sneak preview of just a few of the dishes include Santi’s handcrafted salumi, crab crepes, fritto misto, roasted loin of beef with red wine truffle sauce, New Year’s cotechino sausage with lentils, braised pork with white polenta, beef tortellini in brodo, lasagna bolognese, tiramisu and much more.
It’s the deal of the decade, too. The ticket price of $100 per person includes unlimited food, red and white wine, and a Prosecco toast at midnight (just beware: when staff hands out the party favors, they may also slip you a packing box or two to fill).
There will also be live music by the Susan Comstock Swingtet, showcasing classic late 1940’2 pre-bebop jazz and blues.
The night starts with appetizers at 8 p.m., followed by dinner and dancing at 9 p.m. Cocktails aren’t included in the ticket price, but Santi owner Doug Swett wants a clean bar, too, so is offering New Year’s specials that, as he says, “are lighter on your wallet.”
As for the new Fountaingrove digs, they will join Traverso’s gourmet Italian market in the upscale shopping center at Fountaingrove Parkway and Stagecoach Road. Swett says he’s keeping his existing menu, focusing on seasonal, local ingredients, but is also adding a pizza oven, and will host special events along with Traverso’s.
Look for a March 1 opening.
As for Geyserville, there will still be plenty of reasons to keep it on the dining map. The original owners of the Santi building, the Catelli family from the property’s previous incarnation as Catelli’s The Rex, are installing a restaurant of their own in the historic structure.
Called Catelli’s, the concept will be healthy, locally-inspired Italian, with a “community-friendly price point,” according to owner Nicholas Catelli. It’s scheduled to open by late February.
Nicholas’ sister and business partner Domenica Catelli is stepping in as executive chef, bringing back family classics including patriarch Richard Catelli’s signature ravioli and meat sauce, and their Nonni’s minestrone.
The wine list will emphasize Alexander Valley, Dry Creek and Russian River appellations plus a nod to “a few family friends who make wines but have vineyards outside the area,” says Nicholas.
While no drastic architectural changes are planned for the signature high-style property, the interior will be lightened, brightened, opened up a bit and returned to a look that Nicolas calls “similar to the way it was when our family retained the space.”
Details: Santi, 21047 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville, 707-857-1790, tavernasanti.com.
