From Michelin nods to what locals are embracing, here are 6 Sonoma restaurants you’ll want to try this fall.
KINSmoke
Look for lines out the door waiting for St. Louis-style ribs, brisket, smoked chicken, cornbread and pulled pork at this modern Texas roadhouse. You’ll be asked if you want fatty or lean brisket (a true sign of a great barbecue spot), sides aren’t an afterthought and the beer and wine list are exemplary. One other thing: Get there early, because when it runs out of ’cue, that’s it for the day. There’s a roll of paper towels on each table and five regional sauces from which to choose, from Alabama white to Carolina mustard, plus a Kansas City-style that’s been a secret of co-owner Brad Barmore’s wife’s family for generations. Contact: 304 Center St., Healdsburg, 707-473-8440, kinsmoke.com
Diavola Pizzeria & Salumeria
Enjoy devilishly great pizzas, homemade salumi and authentic Italian entrees from one of Wine Country’s most talented young chefs, Dino Bugica. After spending 10 years in Italy studying butchering and family-style cooking, Bugica has made his osteria/pizzeria a trek-worthy destination. Contact: 21021 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville, 707-814-0111, diavolapizzeria.com
Ramen Gaijin
Two white guys making Japanese ramen? That’s the deal with this buzzy noodle and yakitori spot. Owners Matthew Williams and Moishe Hahn-Schuman are passionate about ramen, painstakingly making their own noodles, dashi and pork stock, and using the best local ingredients. They’ve also added a small yakitori grill featuring everything from chicken skin to pork belly. Ramen Gaijin offers disciplined and beautiful adherence to Japanese tradition with a California twist. Contact: 6948 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol, 707-827-3609, ramengaijin.com
Shiso Modern Asian Kitchen
There have been nothing but raves for this Asianfusion sushi bar and restaurant just off the Sonoma Plaza. Ramen and yakisoba noodles meet Japanese deviled eggs and miso-garlic-grilled corn, martini scallops and superfresh sushi. Contact: 19161 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma, 707-933-9331, shisorestaurant.com
Savvy on First
Far-flung Cloverdale is quietly becoming an impressive food destination, led by Savvy on First. This combination cafe and catering business has some of the best pastries, breakfasts and lunches for miles (and miles), and opens for dinner Thursday through Saturday with small plates like truffled lobster mac and cheese, and larger plates of buttermilk fried chicken and steak frites. A dedication to using local ingredients from farmers and other purveyors puts this restaurant high on the list of go-to places. Contact: 116 E. First St., Cloverdale, 707- 894-3200, savvyonfirst.net
Healdsburg Shed
Michelin-starred chef Perry Hoffman continues to lift the menu of this “Modern Grange” downtown. Dinner service now includes dishes such as slow roasted lamb shoulder with sunflower seed molé, radishes, pomegranate and papalo, and Channel Island halibut with mussels, spinach, walla walla onions and smoked tomato broth. There’s also a Fall Pepper Pizza and bumped-up wine pairings. Contact: 25 North St., Healdsburg, 707-431-7433, healdsburgshed.com
Make it a special Day to visit SHED. Closed Tuesdays. Nice MC ride from Santa Rosa. Cheese plate is way yum. No disappointments at up scale SHED. Set EXPECTATIONS aside once in a while. Grain and Cheese rooms are wonderful. Authentic Austrian Wood Mill. Terrific as I am a 50 years DONE, Master Craftsman. Top Shelf quality is for me.
Healdsburg Shed is truely bizzare… Walk in there and its empty..always, there is a produce section that has some bokchoy and a couple heads of cauliflower with a coffee serving station…You stand around wondering whats up for a long time while employees mill around doing nothing…odd place… i did manage to get seated once and order food…I seemed like they were confused that people wanted to sit down and eat…. it wasnt fantastic, ill try it again sometime… The fact that its always empty but open for years now adds to the oddity
Why not list the prices? They matter.
Crocodile French Cuisine in Petaluma is open, great food…
can’t wait to try it!
Likewise!