Fuerza Regida will perform at Festival La Onda on June 1 at the Napa Valley Expo. (Courtesy of BottleRock)
It’s on.
Festival La Onda, an event scheduled to bring some of the biggest Latino acts for a two-day event at the Napa Valley Expo is set for June 1 and 2.
Equipped with the latest technical wizardry and large-scale setup like the most famous music festivals, the producers are hoping to amaze audiences.
Then there’s the acts. Maná, Fuerza Regida, Alejandro Fernández and Junior H and over two dozen more artists. La Onda, which is created by the same producers of Bottlerock, will have bands and soloists known for music genres like rock, reggaeton, ranchera, grupero, tropical, banda and many more.
Dave Graham, the CEO of Bottlerock, is the creator of La Onda.
All the acts will be Latino, but organizers are hoping for an eclectic, distinctive event geared toward people of all ages and musical tastes, he said.
Acts like Fuerza Regida, with their edgy mix of grupero and reggaeton are sure to wow younger audiences, while veterans like Alejandro Fernandez are poised to mesmerize ranchera and romantic music lovers, Graham said. On the other hand, classic Mexican rockers like Maná will be ready to floor audiences with their stadium rock vibe.
“It’s really a world-class lineup mostly consisting of incredible touring Latino artists. You mentioned Maná, arguably the biggest rock and Latino rock band in the world. What we really wanted to do was to make the lineup multi-generational and make it such that Latinos of all ages could go — that it would be cool enough for all the 25-year-olds and approachable enough for someone of my age, and everything in between.”
Junior H will perform at Festival La Onda on June 1 at the Napa Valley Expo. (Courtesy of BottleRock)
The weekend-long event will offer an immersive experience for festivalgoers who will be able to enjoy their favorite music genres and artists in different settings, from spaces such as elevated lounges, nightclubs, a relaxing spa and a dance club, among other different and innovative options, Graham said.
“When you come to La Onda you’re going to see, for example massive international touring stages, the same stages that you see at Bottlerock, at Coachella, at Lollapalooza. You don’t see that level of production at Latino music festivals. You don’t see double-decker sky decks built around the stages and VIP experiences that are second to none. It just hasn’t existed, and we feel like it’s time for Latinos to experience a Latin music festival of this level.”
Let the music play
La Onda’s organizers expect that crowds will show up to see some big names in Latino entertainment up close. Many artists showcasing the most popular Latino music genres will take the stage.
Some major headliners like Maná have been filling up rock stadiums since the late 1980s. Alejandro Fernandez, son of legendary Mexican ranchera singer Vicente Fernandez, has been one of the chief Latino acts since the mid-1990s.
More novel acts like Fuerza Regida and Junior H are wildly popular among younger audiences. Bands like Los Angeles Azules hit their stride in the cumbia genre in the mid-1990s and they have been on top ever since, creating hit after hit and joining forces with some of the most respected pop artists, like Miguel Bose, Julieta Venegas, Juanes and Yuri.
On the Banda music front, Grammy Award winners La Arrolladora have steamrolled over the Mexican regional music charts. In addition, Café Tacvba, Mon Laferte, Yahritza y Su Esencia, Edén Muñoz, Danna Paola, Farruko, Alex Fernández and many more are scheduled.
So, what motivated Graham, who speaks Spanish, to do La Onda? He said that after looking around and seeing that a large part of Northern Calfornia’s population was Latino, he noticed a lack of Hispanic events and music festivals.
“There is no major Latin music festival in all Northern California. It was time for Latinos in this area, in this community, to have a festival to call their own,” Graham said. “Something for everyone. I think what we expect is for people that attend to be blown away and to experience something that just has not happened in Northern California.”
Alejandro Fernandez will perform at Festival La Onda on June 1 at the Napa Valley Expo. (Courtesy of BottleRock)
Latino culture
Just one week after Bottlerock, La Onda will follow, Graham said. Though both festivals will share many similarities, like having some of the experienced staff and organizers, the look, culture and feel will be quite different.
Besides the music, the food will be local and Latino, with classics like zesty tacos and other Mexican dishes. Wine lovers will be able to savor Napa and Sonoma wines culled from families like Robledo and other Hispanic-owned wineries.
Instead of bars, there will be cantinas. The beer brands will change, and revelers will have access to different brands of tequilas.
So far, ticket sales have been good, and Graham feels confident everything will go well. The bar for La Onda has been set very high and he knows that his team will learn to do things better for 2025, but so far, he is confident that folks will have a good time.
“I think people are going to be pleasantly surprised,” he said. “We are eagerly awaiting to see the smiles on everyone’s faces.”
If you go
What: Festival La Onda by Bottlerock. A two-day music festival featuring big-name Latino acts.
Where: Napa Valley Expo, 575 3rd St, Napa
When: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. June 1-2
Lineup: Maná, Fuerza Regida, Alejandro Fernández, Junior H, Farruko, Eslabón Armado, Café Tacvba, Los Angeles Azules, Mon Laferte, Gabito Ballesteros, Danna Paola, Yahritza y su Esencia, Maldita Vecindad, La Arrolladora, Edén Muñoz, Gera MX, Ximena Sariñana, Siddharta, YNG Lvcas, Silvana Estrada, Nivel, Allison, Mario Bautista, Alex Fernández, Joss Favela, Kaia Luna, Wonderfox, Agudelo888, Rayburger.
In-N-Out Double Double cheeseburger with animal-style french fries. (ShengYing Lin/Shutterstock)
Last month, we dug into restaurants founded in Sonoma County that became so renowned, they blossomed into treasured local chains, opening one or more other locations to cater to their adoring fanbases. Now, we’re taking a look into outside chains — from the greater Bay Area and across the Golden State — that opened up shop in the county and became instantly popular.
Bay Area chains
Mi Pueblo
The Mi Pueblo restaurants that have been a longtime staple in Marin and Sonoma counties started in a small spot on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard in San Anselmo in 1997. The following year, the taqueria — known for its affordable, quality Mexican cuisine — opened a second location on Petaluma Boulevard North in Petaluma, according to a May 29, 1998, business brief in the Petaluma Argus-Courier. Since then, Mi Pueblo opened locations in Novato, Cotati, a second in downtown Petaluma, Windsor, Santa Rosa and San Rafael. This past March, the Bay Area chain announced another location opening in Sparks, Nevada, making a total of nine locations.
Mi Pueblo landed a spot on our roundup of best margaritas in the county for its large, specialty margaritas, as well as on our list of best local burritos for its saucy The Macho burrito. The cheese and chicken enchiladas are local go-tos, as are the fish tacos.
A couple prepares to eat the Lincecum sandwich, left, made with avocado, bacon, ham, havarti and turkey and the Rum Rum sandwich made with halal chicken, marinara and provolone cheese at Ike’s Place in Santa Rosa. (Erik Castro/for The Press Democrat)
Ike’s Sandwiches
Ike Shehadeh made a splash in the deli scene with deliciously inventive sandwiches when he opened Ike’s Place in 2007 in San Francisco. According to SFGate, the small sandwich shop became popular so quickly — thanks in part to promotion from the relatively new Yelp food review site — that people from as far as Italy and Australia came to try Ike’s sandwiches. Now, Ike’s has over 80 locations across a handful of western states — including its first (and only) one in Sonoma County, which opened on Mendocino Avenue in Santa Rosa in 2012. Gabe Meline noted in the Bohemian that on opening day for the Santa Rosa Ike’s, the line filed out the door and Shehadeh himself was there, personally delivering sandwiches to customers with a hug.
With literally hundreds of different sandwich combinations offered, the options are near endless for both meaty and vegetarian sandwich lunches. An all-around favorite is the Matt Cain (named for the San Francisco Giants pitcher) — a sandwich loaded with roast beef, turkey, salami, provolone and “Godfather Sauce” (a concoction of garlic, Dijon and horseradish). Or try a local-themed sandwich, such as the Charles Schulz, Luther Burbank, SRJC Bear Cub and Deep Throat (named for the Watergate informant Mark Felt who lived in Santa Rosa toward the end of his life).
Locations in Santa Rosa and across California, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Utah and Colorado. ikessandwich.com
Mountain Mike’s Pizza
Mountain Mike’s began as a small pizzeria in 1978 in Palo Alto, and over 45 years later it grew its pizza venture to nearly 300 locations across the western United States. According to Chandi Hospitality Group, which owns and operates over a dozen Mountain Mike’s Pizza locations in the North Bay, the first restaurant it purchased in the region was a Rohnert Park Mountain Mike’s in 2007. The Chandi Group developed the idea of adding a full bar to the traditional pizzeria in 2016 — and now some locations even have large screen TVs and a game room with arcade cabinets. Local Mountain Mike’s locations are charitable, too, donating portions of their proceeds to county schools since last year as part of the SchoolsRule program.
The Everest pizza is a classic combo of meats and veggies that always satisfies, and the Sizzlin’ Bacon Classic is a favorite, made with a garlic sauce topped with ham, crispy bacon, olives, mushrooms and green onions. Cheesy garlic sticks are a successful crowd pleaser.
Locations in Cloverdale, Windsor, Santa Rosa, Petaluma and Rohnert Park. mountainmikespizza.com
Chandi Hospitality Group founder/president Sonu Chandi, left, and senior vice president/COO Joti Chandi pose for a portrait at the rebuilt Mountain Mike’s Pizza location on Cleveland Avenue in Santa Rosa. (Alvin Jornada / The Press Democrat)
Sol Food
San Rafael native Marisol ‘Sol’ Hernandez, daughter of a Puerto Rico-born father, founded Sol Food Puerto Rican Cuisine in 2002 and began selling homestyle dishes of rice, beans, chicken and plantains the following year at the downtown San Rafael Farmers’ Market. A brick and mortar location followed in 2004 — a 12-seat shack that soon saw large groups lining up at the door before it opened. Since then, Hernandez and her husband, co-owner Victor Cielo, expanded their cult-favorite restaurant — which received a nod from Forbes — to include the iconic lime green, Caribbean-inspired spot on San Rafael’s Lincoln Avenue (referred to as the “Big Place”), an outpost in Mill Valley and a large, plant-filled location in Petaluma, opened in 2022.
Everything on the menu sings with fresh and vibrant flavors. The Pollo al Horno (baked chicken) is a traditional must-have, the Cubano and Bistec sandwiches are beloved meaty lunches, and the Maduros (sweet fried plantains) are impossibly delicious. The pique (hot pepper and vinegar sauce) is non-negotiable.
Michael Braun originally opened Michael’s Sourdough Sandwiches in Marin County over 30 years ago. A location popped up on Petaluma’s Industrial Avenue in late 2006 on a conditional use permit, and proprietor Rudy Porchivina, a longtime friend of Braun’s, won over locals with fresh subs stacked high on sourdough rolls made from scratch. Another sandwich shop followed in Rohnert Park in November 2010. In spring of 2019, the county locations changed names to Sonoma Sourdough Sandwiches, crafting the same hearty sandos locals have come to love over the past few decades.
Sonoma Sourdough whips up a solid Reuben and over two dozen other gourmet sandwiches, such as the Chicken Cordon Bleu and the Petaluma-inspired Creamy Leghorn with chicken breast and fresh basil sauce. They also offer salads as well as chips and cookies at the counter.
Popular dishes at the Santa Rosa Crepevine, according to Yelp, include the Asian Chicken Salad and the savory Tuscany Crepe with chicken, mushrooms, tomatoes, feta and pesto. There’s also a variety of sandwiches, egg dishes, salads, pasta and more.
Vowing to use only high-quality roasted beans, Alfred Peet opened his first coffee shop on April 1, 1966, in Berkeley at Vine and Walnut streets, where it still resides today. Nearly 60 years later, Peet’s Coffee has hundreds of locations around the world — the majority being in California, with over 200 of the coffeehouses across the state. Between 2006 to 2013, five Peet’s locations opened up in Sonoma County, and in 2017 Peet’s partnered with Petaluma-based Revive Kombucha to ramp up its national distribution of the bubbly, fermented tea.
At Peet’s Coffee shops, find everything from seasonal lattes and Mighty Leaf teas to hot breakfast items and fresh baked pastries. Local favorites, according to Yelp, include the Horchata Cold Brew Oat Latte, Dark Chocolate Mocha, Iced Cinnamon Roll and frittatas.
Locations in Sonoma, Petaluma, Cotati and Santa Rosa. peets.com
Chevys Fresh Mex
Father-and-son team Warren Simmon, Sr. (Pier 39 developer) and Warren “Scooter” Simmon, Jr. founded Chevys in 1986 in Alameda, offering Californian and Mexican fusion cuisine. Nearly 40 locations opened across California by the 1990s, including one in Santa Rosa, though many locations have closed since the chain filed for bankruptcy in 2003 and again in 2018.
The Chevys in Santa Rosa’s Railroad Square District is still going strong — a favorite spot for happy hour margaritas, Taco Tuesdays, chicken flautas and sizzling fajitas.
William ‘Bill’ Larson founded Round Table Pizza in 1959 in Menlo Park with a vision to share pizza with loved ones. The Bay Area pizza chain was acquired in 2017 by Atlanta-based Global Franchise Group, which itself was acquired by FAT Brands, owner of Fatburger and Johnny Rockets, in 2021. Round Table Pizza locations began opening up all over the county in the early 1970s, and now there are nearly a dozen of the pizzerias from Healdsburg to Petaluma.
Offerings at Round Table Pizza include a dozen specialty pizzas — or create your own with over 20 toppings to choose from — as well as wings, salads, sandwiches, garlic bread, cookies and churro twists.
Locations in Sonoma, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, Windsor and Healdsburg. roundtablepizza.com
California chains
In-N-Out
As the first drive-thru hamburger stand in the state, originally founded in 1948 in Baldwin Park, In-N-Out has since garnered a devoted following in California. The first Sonoma County location opened in 1996 in Rohnert Park, and its fourth local location, on Santa Rosa Avenue, opened last year. As of March of this year, there are approximately 400 In-N-Out locations across the U.S., with the majority in California.
There’s not much to say about In-N-Out and its unchanged menu that most locals don’t already know. The Double-Double is a regular classic, and ordering a protein-style burger or animal-style fries off the “not-so-secret menu” will make anyone feel like a real Californian.
Locations in Petaluma, Santa Rosa and Rohnert Park. in-n-out.com
Cattlemens Steakhouse
Rancher Pete Gillham Sr. founded Cattlemens in 1968, opening his first steakhouse restaurant in Redondo Beach. Following locations opened in Santa Rosa and Petaluma in 1970, and several more across California over the next two decades. The Santa Rosa restaurant closed in late 2022 and a new location opened in Rohnert Park at a former Outback Steakhouse last year. The steakhouse chain has since relocated its corporate headquarters to Rohnert Park, formerly located in Santa Rosa where the Sonoma County Meat Co. Warehouse is now. For the past few years, the Petaluma location has been in danger of closing down, and the city planning commission’s approval of a site plan last fall to replace the existing steakhouse with a Chick-fil-A virtually cemented its inevitable demise.
For now, the Petaluma location is still open and going strong, as is the location on Redwood Drive in Rohnert Park. Best bets are the juicy prime rib, filet mignon, piping hot baked potatoes and bacon-wrapped shrimp.
This sourdough-focused sandwich shop was founded in El Dorado Hills in 2010, singing the praises of sourdough’s health benefits for digestibility and nutrient absorption. Romy Uppal, a Sourdough & Co. franchisee since 2017, owns 14 locations across the North Bay, most recently opening a location in Sonoma in 2023. Other county locations can be found in Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa and Windsor.
The Sourdough & Co. menu has 20 sandwiches on the menu, plus soups, salads and mac and cheese. Popular items include the French Dip, the Garlic Pesto with turkey, the Southwest Chicken Salad and the New England Clam Chowder served in a sourdough bread bowl.
Locations in Petaluma, Sonoma, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa and Windsor. sourdoughandco.com
Fosters Freeze was founded in 1946. (Kilmer Media/Shutterstock)BBQ Bacon Char with Cheese from Habit Burger Grill. (Habit Burger Grill)
Fosters Freeze
George Foster opened the first Fosters Freeze in Inglewood in 1946, introducing soft serve ice cream to the masses. The frozen dessert was a hit and Fosters Freeze grew into a chain, soon adding hamburgers, fries and other fast food staples to its menu. The Fosters Freeze on 1400 Fourth St. in Santa Rosa originally opened in 1949, and it’s been serving burgers and soft serve in the same place for the past 75 years. Other locations later opened in Petaluma, Cloverdale and Sebastopol, but all have since shuttered — the most recent being the Gravenstein Highway location where Handline opened in 2016. Now, there are just two Fosters Freezes in the county, both in Santa Rosa.
The old school ice cream parlor and burger joint landed a spot on our best ice cream in the county roundup for its nostalgia-inducing soft serve. Popular menu items include the Big Boss burger, the Oreo Twister milkshake and the chocolate dipped soft serve cone.
Habit Burger was founded in 1969 in Santa Barbara, and brothers Brent and Bruce Reichard bought the burger restaurant in 1980 and expanded the regional chain. In early 2020, the brothers sold the company to Yum! Brands. In 2018, a Habit Burger opened in Santa Rosa, joining two other county locations in Petaluma and at the Graton Resort and Casino in Rohnert Park. Last year, the burger chain announced “a development agreement to bring new restaurant locations to Northern California, near Sonoma County.”
Habit Burger’s signature charbroiled burger, or “Charburger,” is the go-to item here. Other popular offerings include the portabella char burger, grilled chicken sandwich, ahi tuna filet sandwich, Santa Barbara Cobb salad, tempura green beans and various shakes.
Locations in Petaluma, Rohnert Park and Santa Rosa. habitburger.com
In October, the 1960s-era main building, the centerpiece of Sea Ranch community life, reopened with new public spaces open to all, including a redesigned restaurant, a new café, and expansions to the bar, lounge, and general store. (The Sea Ranch Lodge)
In choosing the list of hotels that made the cut, Esquire said that it looked for hotels that not only offer luxury, but also provide guests with a stay that offers them a special way of seeing the neighborhood and city that surround them.
“The most memorable travel experiences are the ones we didn’t expect and can’t replicate anywhere else,” said the magazine.
The magazine is effusive in its description of Dawn Ranch and Guerneville, which it said is “quite possibly one of the most fun places in all of California.” Among the features that adds to the appeal of this “bohemian enclave,” according to Esquire, are its breweries, wineries, restaurants and diners, its proximity to Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve and the Russian River, and the events it hosts such as the LGBTQ+ gathering, Lazy Bear Week.
A guest room at Dawn Ranch in Guerneville. (Gentl and Hyers/Dawn Ranch)Gleaming bathrooms with handmade sage-green tile that echoes the colors of the trees and river at Dawn Ranch in Guerneville. (Gentl and Hyers/Dawn Ranch)
Noting Dawn Ranch was damaged by the flood in early 2019 and reopened just last year after a multi-million-dollar renovation, Esquire said, “the entire property retains a warm, summer-camp feel with an array of cabins, cottages, and glamping tents.” The Dawn Ranch restaurant, the Lodge, is perhaps the “crown jewel” of the hotel’s amenities, according to the magazine. Chef Fernando Trocca’s menu combines traditional Argentine and Uruguayan dishes with fresh California ingredients.
“Be sure to get a bottle from the wine list, which is robust and features more than a few spectacular choices from the Sonoma coast,” advises Esquire.
The magazine also has nothing but good things to say about the Sea Ranch Lodge and the coastal area near the northern border of Sonoma County.
“The Sea Ranch Lodge is that rare place that attracts those with an affinity for nature, modern architecture, and design and an appreciation for how all of these things can be inspirational in their own right and downright spiritual when combined in the right ways,” said Esquire.
Many of the redesigned guest rooms at The Sea Ranch Lodge offer cozy window seats that encourage guests to linger and take in sweeping coastal views. (Adam Potts)
The 1960s-era coastal lodge unveiled a refreshed look in 2021 with new public spaces open to all, including a redesigned restaurant, a new café, and expansions to the bar, lounge, and general store. Last year, the property debuted its redesigned guest rooms. Though the hotel accommodations, bar and restaurant all enhance the experience, the heart of traveling to this place is being able to take in its incredible natural surroundings, according to the magazine.
“You don’t come here for the luxury. At the end of a day of hiking, hitting the community pool, walking the beach, and observing the way sea-foam can float into the air, all eyes look out toward the horizon and the setting sun, which will eventually give way to a pitch-dark night of stars,” said the magazine.
The Dillon Beach Resort received high marks for the way it combines an easy going vibe with its first rate accommodations. “Was scrappy luxury already a thing or did Dillon Beach Resort invent it?” mused the magazine.
The resort features a collection of tiny homes that were added last year to the hillside of the property overlooking the mouth of Tomales Bay, as well as “coastal cabins” that accommodate up to six people, equipped with their own private fire pit and yard for grilling.
But if you don’t want to prepare your own food, there are plenty of delectable options at the resort restaurant.
“The Coastal Kitchen, attached to a general store and surf shop, is a gathering place with an approachable wine list from the legendary wineries of surrounding Sonoma County and an unmissable clam chowder,” said the magazine.
Guest room at Lodge at Marconi. (Lodge at Marconi)
Not far from Dillon Beach, located in Tomales Bay, is The Lodge at Marconi. The property has a colorful history, beginning with its founding in 1915 as a radio receiving station and hotel for employees of Guglielmo Marconi, an inventor of the radio.
Following a recent renovation, the lodge now features “a collection of funky-cool cottages perched on a verdant, secluded hillside overlooking Tomales Bay.”
There are plenty of Adirondack chairs, fire pits and common areas where guests can relax during their stay. Noting that the lodge is located near great trails for hiking, oyster farms and cheesemakers, the magazine points out that the silence you can experience at the end of a busy day might just be its best attribute.
“At night, the splashes from the bay and the gentle sounds of the woods will lull you into a deep sleep.”
In addition to the local hotels that made Esquire’s list, other hotels that made the cut in California included the Pendry Newport Beach in Newport Beach, the Drift Palm Springs in Palm Springs and The Line in San Francisco.
Hotels in other parts of the United States on the list included Kona Village, a Rosewood Resort in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, Mollie Aspen in Colorado, Four Seasons Hotel in Boston, the St. Regis Chicago, Arlo Williamsburg in Brooklyn, and The Fifth Avenue Hotel in New York.
International hotels on the list include The Dorchester in London, Bulgari Rome, Maison Delano France in Paris, Amarla in Panama City and The St. Regis Kanai Resort in Riviera Maya, Mexico.
Healdsburg will host Edge Esmeralda, a monthlong gathering organized byEdge City, “a society incubator,” and the Esmeralda Land Company.
The June event will take the form of a temporary pop-up village for “founders, scientists, urban planners, researchers, engineers, philosophers, storytellers, and beyond … thoughtful people who are brilliant, curious, and kind … who believe the future can be better and are actively working to make it happen,” according to the event website.
The goal is to foster a thriving community dedicated to innovation and well-being. The Healdsburg event marks the first phase in creating Esmeralda, a permanent, utopia-like settlement in Northern California.
“This gathering is based on a participant-driven format called an “unconference” in which the agenda is created by the attendees themselves, rather than centrally planned by the organizers,” said event co-organizer Devon Zuegel.
The organizers of Edge Esmeralda are looking to foster conversations on how to create a better future. (Courtesy of Edge Esmeralda)
The projected itinerary includes talks and discussions on various themes, such as human organization, artificial intelligence, crypto, health and longevity, and multiple types of hard tech. The knowledge and experiences gained during the June gathering will serve as the foundation for the longterm vision of Esmeralda.
Sonoma County locals can attend the event for $200, while visitors from other parts of the country and the world will be paying up to $2,000.
“By giving each guest ownership over how the time is spent, it turns the event into a shared project. Building things together builds strong relationships, and it can blossom into longer-running collaborations after the event. We want locals to feel empowered to not just attend the sessions already on the schedule, but to also bring their own expertise and knowledge to co-create the schedule as well,” said Zuegel.
Healdsburg was chosen as the destination for the event for several reasons, including the co-organizers’ connections to the area and the high concentration of local talent at the forefront of movements like regenerative agriculture.
“Healdsburg is a beautiful town with a rich history and reputation as a center of healthy living. It has great urban design, with a walkable town center that prioritizes local businesses and is centered around a public square, which makes it perfect for the walking- and biking-oriented lifestyle we want to promote in our community,” said Zuegel.
Circe Sher, who co-founded Piazza Hospitality, which developed and manages Hotel Healdsburg, Harmon Guest House, and h2 hotel, believes the event could serve as an infusion for Healdsburg’s hotels.
“If all goes well, we expect to be very busy in June at all three properties with a large portion of the occupancy at h2 and Harmon coming from Edge Esmeralda participants,” she said.
Sher also is excited about what Edge Esmeralda might bring to the Healdsburg community.
“I love the idea of all these people coming to town and discussing innovative ideas, hopefully solving a few problems, and enjoying the town mostly by foot or on bikes,” she said.
Each of Sher’s hotels is located within blocks of Healdsburg’s town square. Hotel Healdsburg offers access to 8-speed PUBLIC bikes for a ride around town or between sessions of the Edge Esmeralda event.
The h2 hotel, known for its sustainable design and living roof, has a Green Room that will serve as one of the venues for Edge Esmeralda programming. The hotel also offer bike rentals as well as complimentary Ashtanga yoga classes on Sunday mornings.
Leading up to June’s Edge Esmeralda event, Harmon Guest House will launch a new guest chef pop-up series at its Rooftop bar and terrace, which will run May through July. The hotel also is planning to debut a new artist installation in May, featuring the work of local artist and wine producer Alice Sutro, which is part of the hotel’s ongoing, rotating art installation series.
‘We’ve always thought of our sustainably designed h2hotel and Harmon Guest House as great spaces to foster big ideas and conversations, and I am delighted that Edge has chosen to have some of their sessions at our properties,” said Sher.
The organizers of Edge Esmeralda have connected with locals leading up to the June event.
“The Healdsburg community has been incredibly welcoming to us. One of our key priorities has been talking to at least one local every single day for the last few months, and it’s been incredible to see each of those locals get energized by the conversation and begin overflowing with ideas for how to make June wonderful for locals and visitors alike,” said Zuegel
Families with kids are also welcome to Edge Esmeralda, and childcare is available, in addition to activities for families throughout the month. One area of focus will be on integrating family life with a creative life.
With a big vision for the future, the organizers of Edge Esmeralda are envisioning the Healdsburg event as an example of a new way of living and interacting.
“This popup village is a perfect microcosm to showcase what is possible,” said Zuegel.
Edge Esmeralda is 2-30 June in Healdsburg. For more information about the event, visit edgeesmeralda.com
The former Acacia House at Alila Napa Valley will reopen in mid-May as Violetto, a fine dining experience with tasting and a la carte menus. (Alexander Rubin)
The former Acacia House at the Alila Napa Valley will reopen in mid-May as Violetto, a fine dining experience with tasting and a la carte menus. Executive Chef and Director of Culinary Thomas Lents, whose resume includes Michelin-star restaurants in the Midwest, a stint at Joel Robuchon’s Mansion restaurant, and Quince in San Francisco, will head the reimagined eatery.
The menu is focused on Northern Italian cooking with California influences. It offers a variety of dining options — from simple to long and luxurious — including a $95 prix fixe dinner menu featuring dishes such as squash blossom bucatini with Santa Barbara sea urchin, rigatoni with lamb sugo, truffled Petaluma hen with fiddlehead fern, braised Wagyu beef cheek and Agnolotti de Violetto, described as a “nose to tail and steam to seed” pasta of the house.
The former Acacia House at Alila Napa Valley will reopen in mid-May as Violetto, a fine dining experience with tasting and a la carte menus. (Alexander Rubin)The former Acacia House at Alila Napa Valley will reopen in mid-May as Violetto, a fine dining experience with tasting and a la carte menus. (Alexander Rubin)
Violetto’s $130 dinner tasting menu ups the game with a smoked sturgeon tartlet, Liberty Farms duck, spot prawn and sea urchin with white asparagus budino, and a chocolate torte for dessert. A la carte options include many of the prix fixe items offered individually.
The hotel restaurant will also be open for weekend brunch from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., as well as a more casual lunch.
Executive Chef and Director of Culinary Thomas Lents and his team at the forthcoming Violetto restaurant in St. Helena. (Alexander Rubin)
Chef Chris Cosentino previously helmed the hotel restaurant as the well-received Acacia House from 2017 to 2022. The restaurant was noted as a Top 100 restaurant by the San Francisco Chronicle in 2018. Cosentino is best known for his elevated everything-but-the-squeal menus at San Francisco’s Cockscomb and Incanto, both now closed. He won Top Chef Masters in 2012. In August 2023, Cosentino revamped the menu at Marin’s historic Nick’s Cove seafood restaurant.
Violetto is located at Alila Napa Valley, 1915 Main St., St Helena.
Drew Peletz, the owner of Mombo’s Pizza, has confirmed that a fourth location will open later this summer in Cotati.
Rumors had swirled for several weeks that a new pizzeria was coming to town as Cotati continues to expand its downtown restaurant scene.
Best known for its East Coast-style, hand-tossed pies, the family-friendly Mombo’s was founded by Fred Poulos, who died in 2020. The affable owner proudly mentored a generation of pizzaiolos, including longtime manager Peletz, who purchased the Santa Rosa and Sebastopol restaurants after Poulous’ death.
Peletz opened a Healdsburg Mombos’ in August 2022 and took over the former Superburger location (8252 Old Redwood Highway) earlier this year.
Previous restaurant openings in Cotati this year include Mezzeluna Greek restaurant (February) and a new Jersey Mike’s sandwich shop (March). Lady Blume Microbakery is slated to open in May. Here are a few of our favorite Cotati restaurants.
The Charlie Hustle fried chicken sandwich from Jam’s Joy Bungalow in Cotati and Sebastopol. (Courtesy of Jamilah Nixon-Mathis)
Chef Jamilah Nixon closed her outpost of Jam’s Joy Bungalow at 101 E. Cotati Ave. April 28, saying that, despite the thriving business, “the cost of doing it is very high and requires too much from me to be sustainable.”
Nixon’s walk-up eatery in downtown Sebastopol will remain open, and the chef plans to expand the food options, including plate lunches and favorites from the Cotati menu. She’ll also be working with the crew at Rocker Oysterfeller’s as they take over the former Lucas Wharf in Bodega Bay.
“This is an opportunity for me to explore my southern roots, embrace a new project and be creative with a new menu,” she said.
At RO Restaurant and Lounge in Yountville. (David Escalante)
What began as a pop-up caviar lounge in 2021 from French Laundry chef Thomas Keller is transforming into a full-fledged restaurant focused on Asian-inspired cuisine. The former Regiis Ova Caviar & Champagne Lounge in Yountville, which showcased Keller’s own brand of caviars, has become RO Restaurant and Lounge.
While caviar will still have a strong showing at the intimate indoor/outdoor Yountville destination, Chef de Cuisine Jeffery Hayashi has imagined a debut menu that includes Hokkaido Uni Toast, Artichoke Custard infused with almond wood-smoked pork belly, Wolfe Ranch BBQ brined in shio koji (a Japanese marinade) and Shave Ice, a Hawaiian favorite topped with huckleberry and dried hibiscus syrup. The restaurant menu is inspired by Hayashi’s roots in Hawaii, with California touches.
“We’ve listened to our guests looking for a local spot that highlights some of the best Asian flavors,” said Keller in a press release. Hayashi served as the Head Chef Candidate for Team USA Bocuse d’Or in 2019 and 2023 and has worked for several Michelin-starred restaurants.
Chef de Cuisine Jeffery Hayashi. (David Escalante)The restaurant menu is inspired by Hayashi’s roots in Hawaii, with California touches. (David Escalante)At RO Restaurant and Lounge in Yountville. (David Escalante)
RO’s new cocktail menu will include a sipable version of Keller’s signature “Oysters and Pearls,” a luxurious dish of pearl tapioca with fresh oysters and caviar served at The French Laundry. For the drink, three grams of Royal Caviar are paired with butter-washed Beluga vodka and dry vermouth infused with roasted oyster shells.
Live music performances on Friday and Saturday evenings will include a rotation of Bay Area musicians.
Keller, whose French Laundry restaurant has three Michelin stars, founded Regiis Ova (“Royal Egg” in Latin) in 2017 with caviar expert Shaoching Bishop, the former CEO of Sterling Caviar and Tsar Nicoulai Caviar.
RO Restaurant and Lounge is open Wednesday through Friday from 3 to 11 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 11 p.m. Reservations are available on Resy, and walk-ins are accepted. 6480 Washington St., Yountville. More details at regiisova.com.
Brunch at Wit & Wisdom restaurant in Sonoma. (David Varley/Wit and Wisdom)
Consider this a friendly reminder to start making plans: Mother’s Day is May 12 this year.
If there’s one thing all mothers love, it’s a good brunch. Luckily, we live in Sonoma County, which is teeming with delicious brunch spots that are putting on special events for the holiday.
Now is the perfect opportunity to start paying your mother back for all the love and care she’s provided you by taking her out to a lovely meal at one of Sonoma County’s hottest brunch spots.
Santa Rosa
Bennett Valley Golf Course: A Mother’s Day golfing session and brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the golf course’s Iron & Vine restaurant. The brunch menu includes eggs Benedict, churro French toast, chicken Madeira and carving station with rosemary and pepper crusted top round. Brunch is $59 per adult, $23 per child ages 3-12 and complimentary for children 3 and under. Moms golf for free with another paying golfer. Reserve a spot online. 3330 Yulupa Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-852-1162, bennettvalleygolf.com
Flamingo Resort: This Santa Rosa resort’s epic buffet features everything from prime rib, sweet potato frittata and salmon curry to bagels with smoked salmon, muffins, veggies and baked macaroni and cheese. Save room for dessert options like cinnamon rolls, chocolate mousse tart and chocolate chip cookies. $70 per person, kids $35. Reservations are required, prepaid, and are available at flamingoresort.com. 2777 Fourth St., 707-545-8530.
John Ash & Co. at Vintner’s Resort: No one leaves hungry at this high-end buffet that includes a carving station with turkey breast and beef tenderloin, slow-roasted salmon with heirloom tomatoes, raw oysters, shrimp cocktail, multiple salads, cinnamon swirl French toast and much more. Kids get a special buffet with dishes like tater tots and chicken nuggets. $105 for adults; $45 for kids. Brunch runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with reservations available at vintnersresort.com. 4350 Barnes Road , 707-527-7687.
Enjoy the flowers in the garden at John Ash & Co at Vintners Resort in Santa Rosa. (Vintners Resort)Breakfast at Vintners Resort in Santa Rosa. (Vintners Resort)
Healdsburg
Breathless Wines: This special bubbles and brunch event starts with a glass of Blanc de Blancs and lighter fare, including quiche, fruit salad, assorted muffins, scones and a dessert treat on the charming outdoor patio. Live piano from Nick Foxer accompanies an afternoon of award-winning sparkling wines for purchase by the glass or bottle. Tickets are $38 for nonmembers and $30 for Sparking Society members. Reserve spaces at exploretock.com/breathlesswines. 499 Moore Lane, 707-395-7300.
Comstock Wines: This Healdsburg winery celebrates its annual Mother’s Day brunch with seatings at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The food and wine pairing for adults 21 and over includes Black Truffle deviled egg, Comstock poke, chicken and waffles and house-smoked chicken hash with a poached egg. Tickets are $125 per person, or $110 with club membership. A $75 deposit per person is required when reserving a table. Reserve at exploretock.com/comstockwines. Guests must be over 21. 1290 Dry Creek Road, 707-723-3011, comstockwines.com
Hazel Hill at Montage Healdsburg: A Mother’s Day brunch buffet from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with dishes crafted by executive chef Jason Pringle, chef de cuisine Sean Koenig and their team. The buffet will include housemade pastries, traditional breakfast fare, a seafood bar, a carving station with herb crusted salmon, grilled lamb loin, roasted strip loin, and more. Guests will also be treated to libations and a celebratory gift to take home. Tickets are $145 for adults;$65 for children (ages 5-12). For reservations, call 707-354-6900 or book on OpenTable. 100 Montage Way, Healdsburg, 707-979-9000, montagehotels.com/healdsburg/dining/hazel-hill
Dry Creek Kitchen: Chef Shane McAnelly’s menu features something for everyone, including some Dry Creek Kitchen classics, such as smoked salmon toast and Kanpachi crudo, for the first course. Main course dishes include eggs Benedict, Mary’s Chicken Roulade and more. Finish off with seasonal desserts. And don’t forget the special Mother’s Day cocktails! Brunch is $110 per person, $55 for children 6 and under. Reserve a table at drycreekkitchen.com. 317 Healdsburg Ave., 707-431-0330, drycreekkitchen.com
Spoonbar: This classy-yet-low-key spot serves a brunch buffet from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., featuring seasonal California cuisine. The buffet includes savory breakfast classics, seasonal salads, sweet treats and more. Menu highlights include fresh fruit salad, Eggs Florentine, ricotta pancakes, a New York striploin carving station, chocolate-dipped profiteroles and more. Brunch is $69 per person, $25 for kids 12 and under. Add-ons, like bottomless Bellini’s or bottomless mimosas, cost an additional $25. Reservations at spoonbar.com. 219 Healdsburg Ave., 707-433-7222.
Greek yogurt Panna Cotta from Hazel Hill at Montage Healdsburg. (Emma K Creative)A bottle of bubbly from Breathless Wines in Healdsburg. (Courtesy of Breathless Wines)
Geyserville
Geyserville Grille: Part of the Geyserville Inn, Geyserville Grille will serve an outdoor brunch buffet with grilled lamb chops, chicken Florentine and breakfast classics like waffles with seasonal berries and an omelet station. Vegetarian and vegan options include marinated tofu and various salads. Brunch is $30 per person, $15 for children 12 and under. For more information, visit geyservilleinn.com. 21714 Geyserville Ave., 877-857-4343.
Kenwood
Salt & Stone: The Mother’s Day a la carte menu includes special brunch breakfast items, like chicken and waffles, brioche French toast and Salt & Stone eggs Benedict. The full menu and reservations are at saltstonekenwood.com. 9900 Sonoma Highway, 707-833-6326.
Sonoma
Folktable: This Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient celebrates mom with a complimentary botanical mocktail when purchasing a meal. Enjoy daily menu items like the Honey Fried Chicken Sandwich or the French Farm Omelet. Reserve your table at folktable.com. 23584 Arnold Drive, 707-356-3567.
Layla at MacArthur Place: MacArthur Place Hotel’s Layla restaurant will host a three-course Mother’s Day brunch. The menu includes smoked trout rillettes, buttermilk pancakes, New England lobster Benedict, huevos rancheros, shrimp and grits and steak frites. Plus, a trio of mini desserts — carrot cake, a chocolate mint ice cream sandwich and lemon almond tart with strawberries – and creative spring cocktails. Brunch is $65 for adults and $35 for kids. 29 E. MacArthur St., Sonoma, 707-938-2929, macarthurplace.com/food-drink/layla-restaurant
Santé at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa: A Mother’s Day brunch at Fairmont’s Santé restaurant from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with a decadent menu with a beautiful seafood platter to share and choice of entrees like the Butter-Poached Lobster Benedict, Miso Braised Short Rib Hash or Spring Omelet. Satisfy your sweet tooth with Chef Melissa’s signature dessert station, with delicious selections like Meyer Lemon Tart and Cappuccino Crème Brûlée. The brunch is $125 per person, $39 for kids ages 5-12, and complimentary for children 4 and under. 100 Boyes Blvd., Sonoma, 707-938-9000, fairmont-sonoma.com
Wit & Wisdom: This restaurant, located in The Lodge at Sonoma, offers a three-course prix-fixe menu from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with starters like Hamachi Crudo and dishes like classic eggs Benedict and chef Michael Mina’s famous lobster pot pie. The meal is $89, with add-ons from the a la carte menu available for an additional fee. Reservations are encouraged by booking ahead at witandwisdomsonoma.com. 1325 Broadway, Sonoma, 707-931-3405.
Brunch at Wit & Wisdom in Sonoma. (Wit & Wisdom)
Petaluma
Seared: A Mother’s Day brunch 9:30 a.m. to noon with a variety of a la carte dishes, including half dozen oysters on ice, lobster deviled eggs, housemade cinnamon rolls, biscuits and gravy, chicken and waffles, prime rib hash, and filet and eggs. Make reservations online or by calling 707-762-5997. 170 Petaluma Blvd N., Petaluma, petalumaseared.com
SingleThread restaurant in Healdsburg. (SingleThread)
Hotels in Sonoma, Napa and Mendocino counties have been recognized as among the best in the country by the Michelin Guide, best known for handing out coveted stars to exceptional restaurants.
On Wednesday, the French tire company announced its inaugural class of 124 Michelin Key winners in the United States, including top honors — or three keys — for SingleThread Inn in Healdsburg, Auberge du Soleil in Rutherford and Meadowood in St. Helena. Only 11 hotels received this distinction, described by the Guide’s inspectors as “extraordinary stays.”
The new awards rate hotel properties in five categories: architecture and interior design, quality and consistency of service, overall personality and character, value for the price, and significant contribution to the guest experience in a particular setting.
“It’s all about astonishment and indulgence here — this is the ultimate in comfort and service, style and elegance. It is one of the world’s most remarkable and extraordinary hotels and a destination in itself for that trip of a lifetime. All the elements of truly great hospitality are here to ensure any stay will live long in the memory and hearts,” said the Guide of three Key winners.
More than 1,000 properties were ranked, with California receiving 124 nods — the most of any state. Stays at Michelin noted hotel properties in Wine Country range from $500 per night for private rooms to more than $6,000 for villas.
Three Key winners (“Extraordinary stays”)
Topping the Three Key list, Kyle and Katina Connaughton’s five-room luxury inn is the only U.S. property with both three Michelin stars for its restaurant and three Michelin keys.
The five-room bespoke inn above the restaurant offers a rooftop breakfast, guaranteed reservations at the restaurant (usually booked months in advance) and a four-course Japanese hot pot experience for room service. The nightly rate ranges from $1,300 for a weekday stay in a guest room to $2,600 for a suite.
“Our hospitality has always been about welcoming guests to our home … This is the home of a chef and a farmer and a family that we’ve built around what we do,” said Kyle Connaughton.
The Guide described Rutherford’s Auberge du Soleil as a must-stop for well-heeled visitors.
“They come for the setting, with views over endless vineyards and olive groves; they come for the hotel, which is effortlessly, unpretentiously luxurious; and they come, most of all, for the restaurant, which stands out as something special even in Napa Valley, a region that’s arguably America’s culinary capital.”
The resort also has a one-Michelin-star restaurant. Nightly rates range from $1,500 for a single guest room to nearly $7,000 for a private two-bedroom house.
In St. Helena, the sprawling Meadowood Napa Valley got high marks for its wine program, with guides calling it “California wine country’s most rarefied — and wine-obsessed — hotels. Meadowood Napa Valley has been a local institution for half a century, but far from showing its age, today it remains an absolutely first-rate luxury resort.” The property has 36 suites and rooms, ranging from $1,500 to $2,200 for a suite
In 2020, the property’s Michelin-starred restaurant was destroyed by the Glass Fire. The restaurant remains closed.
Two Key winners (“Exceptional stays”)
The Stavrand, Guerneville: After a 2021 update, this historic hotel offers a “warm, bohemian, slightly utopian vision of California life,” according to the Michelin Guide, costing $530 to $1,020 for a king suite.
Montage, Healdsburg: This sleek, modern resort tucked into the vineyards and woodlands north of Healdsburg includes a high-end restaurant, bar, and other luxury amenities. Nightly rates range from $1,479 to $9,000 for a four-bedroom residence.
The Madrona, Healdsburg: This 1881 Victorian mansion recently underwent a complete design overhaul, mixing old charm with newer art and interiors. Studio rooms are $650, with a private Bungalow suite rate of $1,330.
Milliken Creek Inn & Spa, Napa: This popular Napa property has only 12 guest rooms and offers a romantic and relaxed atmosphere. Nightly rates are not listed online.
Bardessono, Yountville: This hotel has a distinctive, modern look backed by many sustainable features. Nightly rates range from $1,365 to $4,218.
North Block, Yountville: A villa-like experience with 20 rooms ranging from $975 to $1,325 per night.
One Key winners (“A very special stay”)
Harbor House, Elk: This small property on the rugged Mendocino Coast has six rooms and a Michelin-rated restaurant. The deluxe cottage suite is $675 to $1,650 per night.
The Sea Ranch Lodge, Sea Ranch: “The Sea Ranch has long been one of coastal California’s most unusual places — a planned community, established in the 1960s, where a number of prominent midcentury architects built a variety of low-profile, low-impact timber-frame houses,” says the Michelin Guide. $600 to $1,195 for a four-bed, three-bath home.
Stanly Ranch, Napa: Another Auberge resort set on a 712-acre ranch. Guestrooms, suites, and villas are available for $1,045 to $4,200 per night.
Rancho Caymus Inn, Rutherford: Built by salt heiress Mary Tilden Morton, the inn is a hacienda-style tribute to the Spanish countryside, says the Guide. A total of 26 rooms and suites ranging from $650 to $898 per night.
(Please note that prices are approximate based on current website searches and may be significantly higher or lower based on the time of year and specific days.)
A variety of Mexican dishes served at the Mitote Food Park in Santa Rosa. (Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat)
The first commemoration of Cinco de Mayo took place in California in 1863, one year after a stunning Mexican victory over a much larger invading French army at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.
161 years later, Cinco de Mayo continues to be a cause for celebration in the United States where people of all ages get together to celebrate Mexican American culture. This year, Sonoma County serves up a variety of opportunities to enjoy the day with food and fun. Here are a few things to do this Cinco de Mayo.
Cinco de Mayo events
Roseland Cinco de Mayo Festival, Santa Rosa: Roseland’s immensely popular Cinco de Mayo festival returns for its 15th anniversary after a four-year pandemic-era hiatus. In 2019, the last year it was held, the celebration drew about 10,000 to the Roseland Village shopping center on Sebastopol Road. This year, it will take place from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, May 5, at Mitote Food Park (665 Sebastopol Road). The event will feature live music from Banda La Congora, Maxima Frequencia, Los del 7, Mariachi Cantares de Mi Tierra and more, dance performances, delicious food and drinks, and a variety of vendors. The family-friendly event is free to attend. More information at santarosacincodemayo.com
Cinco de Mayo Celebration, Sonoma: La Luz Center, a Sonoma Valley nonprofit that “strengthens community through family services, economic advancement and community engagement,” will host its popular Cinco de Mayo celebration from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 5, on the Sonoma Plaza. The free event, which usually draws hundreds of visitors, will feature live music from from local bands Mariachi Juvenil Aguascalientes and Banda Valle Alegre, folkloric dances from Grupo Folklórico Quetzalén, and “captivating storytelling sessions highlighting the significance of Cinco de Mayo.” There will be a variety of food vendors serving Mexican cuisine, as well as artisans selling handmade crafts and artworks inspired by Mexican heritage. More information at sonomacity.org
Cinco de Mayo Fest, Windsor: The town of Windsor will serve up Mexican cuisine, live music, traditional dance and family-friendly activities from 2 to 8 p.m. at Windsor Palms Plaza, 8465 Old Redwood Highway. The event is free. More information at 707-545-1460, business.windsorchamber.com/events.
Joel Garcia and Angelica Ramirez of V!va Folklorico dance on stage during the Roseland Cinco de Mayo festival, in Santa Rosa, California, on Saturday, May 5, 2018. (Alvin Jornada / The Press Democrat)“El Potrillo” Jose Alejandro Rincon, 7, performs lasso tricks during the Roseland Cinco de Mayo festival, in Santa Rosa, California, on Saturday, May 5, 2018. (Alvin Jornada / The Press Democrat)
Food and Drinks
Cinco de Mayo Lunch: Residents ages 50 and up can attend an event from noon to 2 p.m. on May 2 at Finley Community Center in Santa Rosa, which includes a delicious lunch that honors Mexican culture and history. Call or register online. $9-$12. 707-543-3745. 2060 West College Ave., Santa Rosa. srcity.org
Cinco de Mayo Fiesta at Robledo Family Winery, Sonoma: Sonoma Valley’s Robledo Family Winery will continue its tradition of hosting an annual Cinco de Mayo event from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 4. It will be a day filled with delicious Mexican food, Mariachi music, Ballet Folklorico dance performances, and, of course, wine from the Carneros-based winery. Make sure to grab a glass of Sauvignon Blanc — and a dance partner. Tickets are $115 for wine club members; $125 for non-members. 21901 Bonness Road, Sonoma, robledofamilywinery.com
Cinco de Mayo Mezcal de Leyendas Dinner, Santa Rosa: The Flamingo Resort’s Lazeaway Club will host a dinner event in partnership with Mezcal de Leyendas, a distillery known for its distinct, terroir-focused spirits made from lesser-known agave regions (outside of Oaxaca). Lazeaway chef Chris Ricketts will prepare a menu from local, seasonal ingredients to pair with the mescal. There will be a reception from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on May 5, followed by dinner. Dinner is $95 per person. Reservations can be made on Open Table.
Cinco de Mayo Brunch Behavior Day Party, Petaluma: The Block food park in Petaluma will celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a Brunch Behavior day party from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 5, with beats from DJ C-Los, DJ Cal and DJ Sykwidit. Sonoma County’s Tacos Don Pepe will provide the food, there will also be specialty drinks and VIP tables with complementary champagne bottles and access to a bar that is exclusive for VIP guests. “Stylish day attire” is required for this 21+ event. Early bird tickets are $15; general admission is $20; tickets at the door $25. VIP tables are $250. Purchase tickets on Eventbrite. The Block Petaluma, 20 Grey St., Petaluma.
Chicken, vegetables and rice with red mole from the Maria Machetes food truck at the Mitote Food Park in Santa Rosa. (Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat)Banana margarita at La Fondita on Third Street in downtown Santa Rosa. (Chad Surmick / The Press Democrat)
Margaritas
One of the drinks most commonly associated with Cinco de Mayo is the margarita. Often hailed as the quintessential Mexican cocktail, the origins of this drink remain debated — some claim it was invented in Tijuana in the 1930s while others say the first margarita was concocted by a Dallas socialite at her Acapulco vacation home in 1948.
No matter where it came from or how you like yours — frozen or on the rocks, with or without salt, flavor-infused or classic — Sonoma County serves up some marvelous margaritas. A few Sonoma Magazine favorites include La Rosa’s La Diabla, with lime, strawberry (or other fruits, your choice) and muddled serrano chiles, served on the rocks; Agave’s La Reyna del Sur, with Herradura silver tequila, fresh squeezed lime and Grand Marnier; Maya Restaurants’s House Margarita, with 100 percent Blue Weber Agave silver tequila, orange liqueur, and fresh lemon and lime juice; and La Fondita’s unconventional libations, like the surprisingly tasty toasted Marshmallow Margarita, along with their classic margaritas.
Dining editor Heather Irwin’s personal favorites are the clear margarita at Rooftop 106 in Healdsburg and the margarita from Sushi Kosho in Sebastopol.
