Jim Leonardis, left, and Zino Mezoui. Courtesy photo.

SODA BAY – Local restaurateur, Zino Mezoui, formed a friendship through the years with dining patron and local organic farmer, Jim Leonardis. Leonardis now supplies Mezoui with fresh vegetables for the Italian delicacies served nightly at Zino’s Ristorante in Soda Bay.

From heirloom tomatoes and basil expertly transformed into fresh bruschetta, as well as a traditionally prepared fresh tomato pomodoro pasta sauce, to the fresh creamed squash soup served nightly, Leonardis’ products provide a local grace, taste and flair unmatched — one that is desired by more and more patrons.

This summer Mezoui also is featuring Leonardis’ French heirloom Ronde de Nice (round squash) stuffed with couscous, chickpeas and a touch of roasted bell pepper for flavor emphasis. Mezoui prepares this appetizer especially for his vegetarian customers, though all can enjoy the subtle and smooth flavors.

This season, Mezoui also has modified his eggplant parmesan with Leonardis’ heirloom squash varieties.

Mezoui, whose French and Italian parents and grandparents were restauranteers, was born in France and moved to the United States in the 1980s. He owned and operated Zino on the Plaza in Sonoma for 23 years and moved to Lake County in 2006.

Zino’s Restorante, which overlooks Soda Bay on Clearlake, is operated by he and his wife, Jan. Mezoui’s attention to detail and the professional blending of unique Italian flavors provide a deeply satisfying and rich experience for any dining connoisseur.

Leonardis Organics, a dream of once corporate technology sales and marketing manager and now farmer Jim Leonardis, features three acres of organic vegetables, melons and flowers amongst a 40-acre organic walnut orchard on Argonaut Road in Lakeport.

Leonardis’ produce is available through various outlets including Zino’s Ristorante, Nature’s Bounty in Lakeport, Lake County Community Co-op’s CSA boxes, Ukiah Co-op, Finley Farmers’ Market and direct from the farm sales.

He also participates in the Farm to School program with Kelseyville and Konocti Unified districts providing a direct link for students to their food.

The growing trend in local and organic produce has hit Lake County in a wave peaking this summer.

“The more connections to local produce a community has, the more sustainable the community will be and the more flavor the locals will enjoy,” Leonardis said. “There’s great work being done at the Lake County Food Policy Council level to increase connections in our community to locally produced food,” he continued, “and you just can’t beat the taste of fresh locally grown organic products.”

Zino’s Restorante is located at 6330 Soda Bay Road in Kelseyville and serves dinners nightly from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. For reservations or more information call 707- 279-1620.

Leonardis Organics is located at 1010 Argonaut Road, Lakeport. For more information contact Jim at 707-483-4004.