By Michael McCarthy And Lauren Stone By Michael McCarthy And Lauren Stone | October 14, 2021 | Food & Drink,
Michelin-starred eatery Lord Stanley's new concept, Turntable, takes diners on a tasty journey around the globe, and a Healdsburg newcomer is worth the road trip.
Inside Lord Stanley
Chef Micaela Najmanovich of Argentina brings her culinary talents from ANAFE, the Buenos Aires eatery she owns and runs with her partner Nico Arcucci.
Since 2015, Michelin-starred Lord Stanley has served up modern European fare, but that all changed in September when husband-and-wife owners Rupert and Carrie Blease ushered in a novel concept: a rotating showcase of great chefs. The restaurant’s transformation into the pop-upstyle Turntable allows patrons to experience an exceptional assortment of tastes from around the globe. “[We look for] people who have inspired us, who are doing something completely different than us and those whose food we would love to eat,” Carrie says.
Argentina’s Narda Lepes of Narda Comedor in Buenos Aires
Opening a pop-up-style restaurant with ever-changing chefs and menus has been a dream of the culinary couple for some time, and, while keeping the same staff, they’ve turned it into a reality. “We’ve always loved the idea,” Carrie says. “It’s a way to keep the restaurant fresh, vibrant and interesting, not only for our guests but for our entire staff.” Through Turntable, the couple want to re-create the experience of traveling, cooking and eating abroad right from their Polk Street space.
A squab dish
Turntable’s first “Argentinian Season,” through November, will be capped off by Narda Lepes, named in 2020 among Latin America’s best female chefs on the World’s 50 Best list. Each featured chef creates a menu using local ingredients sourced with the help of Rupert and Carrie, who introduce them to their nearby markets, suppliers and farmers. “It’s the opportunity to create their own food with California [and] Bay Area ingredients,” Carrie adds. The structure allows the chefs to try new concepts in both the dining room and take-away window—allowing the opportunity to create casual menu options along with fine dining courses.
Carrie and Rupert Blease, owners of Lord Stanley
With a rotating door of diverse chefs from all corners of the world and an immense freedom to create, Turntable provides a cultural experience for San Francisco diners and a chance to taste their local ingredients in a whole new way. 2065 Polk St., 415.518.2624
The wood-burning oven at Roof 106
For those heading to Healdsburg this month, don’t miss The Matheson and Roof 106, which recently opened on the town’s historic plaza. The trilevel building features two restaurants, each with its own personality: fine dining (Sonoma-style) at The Matheson and the casual Roof 106.
Heirloom tomato salad at The Matheson
“Four years ago, I began renovating my great-grandfather’s original bakery—known as Snowflake— into my dream restaurant,” says Healdsburg native and chef-vintner Dustin Valette. “Through the partnership of longtime friend Craig Ramsey, master craftsmanship of Jerry Eddinger, countless local artisans and the vision of architect Cass Smith, our dream has finally come to fruition.”
Craft cocktails at Roof 106
The Matheson, located on the street level, features a vaulted ceiling constructed with beams stained with natural hues and in red, similar to Bordeaux wine barrels. Patrons will find modern Sonoma County-influenced fare in the space. Sourcing from local growers, ranchers, fishermen and artisans, the culinary team created five- and eight-course tasting menus. The sushi kitchen features a la carte sashimi, hand rolls and specialty dishes; the bar seats up to 12 guests.
The wine wall features murals by San Francisco artist Jay Mercado.
Roof 106 and Lounge, located on the third floor, is a lively indoor-outdoor dining and bar space with views of the plaza. The menu features seasonal dishes from the woodburning oven; the wheat flour for the dough is sourced from a biodynamic, organic farm and vineyard owned by Lou Preston, a renowned Dry Creek Valley winemaker, farmer and baker. Guests also can enjoy seating in the mezzanine, and a gorgeous private dining area holds up to 12 patrons. When dining at this new wine country venue, don’t forget to look up: Valette and his team commissioned San Francisco artist Jay Mercado to paint eight murals that celebrate Sonoma County’s agricultural heroes. It’s a fitting tribute in a space dedicated to celebrating the culinary riches that come from this sacred slice of California. 106 Matheson St., Healdsburg, 707.723.1106
The sushi kitchen features sashimi.
Photography by: FROM TOP: INTERIOR PHOTO BY BLAKE MARVIN; NAJMANOVICH PHOTO COURTESY OF MICAELA NAJMANOVICH; LEPES PHOTO COURTESY OF NARDA LEPES; DISH PHOTO BY TINA YANG; BLEASE PHOTO BY ANTOINETTE BRUNO/STARCHEFS; PHOTO BY DEB WILSON; PHOTO BY DEB WILSON; PHOTO BY DEB WILSON; PHOTO BY DEB WILSON; PHOTO BY M. WOOLSEY