Restaurant Review - Rio Nido's New Deli: The Farmhand
By Beth Rudometkin
Overlooking the beautiful Russian River, on the “Rio Nido Strip”, is a new Deli/Espresso Bar that you must frequent. My first experience was on a mid-week, sunny day with a close friend who had been raving about this place.
We sat out on the back deck in summer-like weather on our lunch hour and soaked up our surroundings while eating scrumptious deli sandwiches. I had the special of the day, the Cubano and she had the Blast (bacon, lettuce, avocado, sprouts and tomato). Both were thoroughly enjoyable and I have yet to have an unpleasant experience here.
Throughout the next week, I kept hearing my clients rave about the Farmhand and asking, “Oh have you been there yet?” The Apple & Brie Panini seems to be a favorite along with the Veggie Panini (roasted zucchini and yellow squash, roasted red onions, tomatoes, arugula & olive tapenade on sourdough). My co-worker raves about the Ham & Swiss Panini with Dijon mustard, caramelized onions & arugula…so many choices and all are winners.
I attended the Russian River Chamber of Commerce Mixer that was held at the Farmhand in January and had the pleasure of savoring an array of tastings off of their menu, along with some special items not normally on the menu, which you can create with items from the cold case and dried goods section. They offer many types of pastas, marinades, sauces, dressings, olive oil, crackers, Chili Gods hot pepper sauce, dried beans, the list goes on and on. After spending a quiet morning sipping my Vanilla Latte inside this clean, crisp, old fashioned feeling of a deli, I wanted to purchase the Purple Haze Goat Milk Cheese, a log of salami, some dolma’s, apples, toasted crisps and just head to the beach for my own private picnic.
Recently on a work day, I had failed to pull something out of the freezer for dinner but all was not lost. I didn’t have to endure the line at the grocery store and spend an hour cooking. They have to-go dinners prepared for you to grab on the way home: Meatloaf with roasted potatoes, Chicken Cacciatore and Shepherd’s Pie.
I love this place and am looking forward to summer, when the frozen case is full of ice cream and the beer and wine license is activated!
