Bartholomew Estate Winery, formerly an inmate hospital, in Sonoma. (Bartholomew Estate Winery)
Those who’ve visited Sonoma’s historic Buena Vista Winery may not realize that neighboring Bartholomew Estate winery was once part of the same property. Today, the expansive estate has an identity all its own, yet it remains steeped in Sonoma Valley history.
The story
Bartholomew Estate’s colorful past stretches back to 1823, when Mission Solano de Sonoma planted vines at the site for sacramental wines. In the century to follow, the property assumed an array of fascinating identities, from pioneering Buena Vista Winery founder Agoston Haraszthy’s vineyard estate to a private country compound with its own 40-room “castle” to a state-owned rehab farm for “delinquent women.”
In 1943, war correspondent Frank “Bart” Bartholomew bought the abandoned property for $17,500 as a gift for his wife Antonia. Discovering remnants of old vines and winery ruins, the couple revived Buena Vista’s legacy with the help of legendary winemaker André Tchelistcheff. The Bartholomews later sold Buena Vista but kept 375 acres as their private estate.
The sun rises over the vineyards at Bartholomew Estate in Sonoma. The Sonoma Valley estate includes 22 combined acres of Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. (Bartholomew Estate Winery)
The ranch’s latest incarnation launched in 2019, when the Frank H. Bartholomew Foundation — created in 1980 to preserve the property and its history — teamed up with winemaker Kevin Holt to open Bartholomew Estate Winery. Today, the Sonoma Valley estate includes 22 combined acres of Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.
The vibe
Bartholomew Estate looks a lot like a park — because it is one. Driving through the woodsy property to reach the winery, you’re likely to pass locals walking their dogs along its meandering paths or cyclists getting in a morning ride. Though the estate is privately owned, its pup-friendly hiking trails and picnic areas are open to the public free of charge.
The former inmate hospital for the “delinquent” women’s farm, built in 1922, now houses the winery tasting room. It’s not nearly as creepy as that sounds. The space is warm and cheerful, with a gallery room that features a rotating display of work by local artists.
The Bartholomew Estate tasting room is warm and cheerful. A gallery room features a rotating display of work by local artists. (Bartholomew Estate Winery)The serene Oak Knoll tasting terrace at Sonoma’s Bartholomew Estate is ideal for outdoor sipping. California live oaks shade various seating areas. (Bartholomew Estate Winery)
Bartholomew Estate’s setting is ideal for outdoor sipping, especially on the serene Oak Knoll tasting terrace, open April through September. Set among the trees and overlooking a lovely Sauvignon Blanc vineyard, it includes seating areas shaded by California live oaks. It’s hard to imagine you’re just a five-minute drive from the Sonoma Plaza.
On the palate
Bartholomew Estate makes many of its wines from grapes grown on the property, along with vineyards in the surrounding area. The 2022 Marsanne-Rousanne ($38) is a standout, with its floral aromas, peachy flavor and zingy lime notes. (The soon-to-be-released 2023 vintage won a Best of Class award at the 2025 Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge, and as a judge in this year’s competition, I can attest to its deliciousness.) The 2022 Press Release — another Best of Class winner — is a mixed berry pie of a wine made with Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. The 2022 Wildcat Mountain Pinot Noir ($65) is all about cherries, accented with baking spices. Wines are sold only in the tasting room or online, and all earnings go toward maintaining the property and park.
A mezze platter from Sonoma’s Spread Kitchen at Bartholomew Estate in Sonoma. (Michelle Hogan)
Tastings range from $45-$55 for the Estate Wine Tasting to $75 for the Wine Tasting Flight + Mediterranean Mezze Delights, which includes a colorful platter of Middle Eastern snacks from Sonoma’s Spread Kitchen.
Beyond the bottle
Plan to explore Bartholomew Estate’s 3 miles of public hiking trails, set among mature oaks, madrones, redwoods and vineyards. Bring a picnic and a bottle of the winery’s crisp Sauvignon Blanc or rosé to sip with your portable feast. You can also book horseback tours through Sonoma Valley Trail Rides ($150-$170) or join a nature therapy guide for an immersive “forest bathing” session that ends with a seated wine tasting ($150).
Tina Caputo is a wine, food and travel journalist who contributes to Sonoma magazine, SevenFifty Daily, Visit California, Northern California Public Media, KQED and more. Follow her on Bluesky at @winebroad.bsky.social, view her website at tinacaputo.com, and email her story ideas at tina@caputocontent.com.
Nicole White’s her passion for honey from around the world led her to open, La Ruche, a new honey and mead tasting room Thurs., Jan. 16, 2025 in Healdsburg. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
For those whose primary experience of honey centers on a squeezable plastic bear, a visit to Healdsburg’s new honey tasting room, La Ruche (“the hive” in French), is an eye opener.
There’s wildflower honey from a boreal forest in Northern Canada, pine honey from Greece and creamed honey from Redwoods Monastery in Humboldt County, plus selections from three local specialty producers. Owner Nicole White says what she loves about honey is that it’s so different depending on where it comes from.
“If you’re into food and taste and experimenting, that’s what I think is really fun about this,” she says.
Nicole White, owner of La Ruche, a honey tasting room in Healdsburg. (John Burgess / Sonoma Magazine)
Walk-in guests can enjoy casual tastings — coming soon are seated tastings with cheese, charcuterie and mead. White hopes La Ruche helps others appreciate what a delicacy honey is, and how much there is to learn.
“If you want to geek out about honey,” she says, “there’s plenty to geek out about.”
Guerneville resident and JKA Design owner John Anderson designed this pentroom for the 46th annual San Francisco Decorator Showcase benefiting the San Francisco University High School financial aid program. The home tour is open to the public through May 26. (Christopher Stark)
The San Francisco Decorator Showcase — a home tour in its 46th year benefiting the San Francisco University High School financial aid program — will be open to the public through May 26. Every year, top Bay Area designers and a fleet of volunteers, donors and sponsors come together to transform the interior of a remarkable San Francisco home, which is then visited by thousands. This year, Sonoma designers and artisans have lent their talents to the exquisitely decorated home.
A 1902 T. Paterson Ross dwelling in Pacific Heights is the site of this year’s tour. The seven-bedroom, eight-bathroom mansion spans 9,000 square feet over five levels, and includes an elevator and rooftop gardens with bay and skyline views.
John Anderson, Guerneville resident and principal designer of JKA Design, was tasked with transforming the pentroom on the home’s roof deck. Entitled “Way Out West: A Technicolor Time-Out,” the room features high-octane accents — like Terri Loewenthal’s color-saturated nature photos — among neutral hues and textured elements. Anderson described the room design as: “High chroma accents that are rooted in this desert-like natural envelope.”
Room by John Anderson of JKA Design. (Christopher Stark)
The room is influenced by Anderson’s affinity for the American Southwest and references several spots he has traveled to or called home, from Dallas, where he grew up, to Arizona, where he went to school, and then to Palm Springs.
“We created a room that we would have wanted to hang out in,” Anderson said of the design his team built. “We imagined you’d be having a hot tub (in the adjacent rooftop Jacuzzi) and then coming into the space and listening to some music and making yourself a cocktail. And no TV, no other technology. It’s going to be a listening room and bar.”
The design includes a vinyl record player, and Anderson created a Spotify playlist spanning many decades, including country, downtempo chill and techno music to add, he said, “a very dreamscape vibe” to the room.
Country star Orville Peck was on Anderson’s personal playlist as he and the team were designing. As a result, Peck’s influence is tangible in the space. The South African musician, known for concealing his face with fringy masks, inspired the use of fringe in the room — on the shades and chairs as well as on the sconces in a vibrant blue bathroom.
The bathroom off of the bar and lounge by John Anderson. (Christopher Stark)John Anderson and other Sonoma designers have their work featured in this year’s San Francisco Decorator Showcase. This bar in the pentroom of the Pacific Heights home was designed by JKA Design. (Christopher Stark)
Glass bricks, referencing clarified ice in cocktail glasses, make up the base of the front bar — a nod to Guerneville’s cocktail lounge El Barrio that Anderson co-owns. Anderson contrasts the icy look with a luxe copper top. He embraces contrast a lot in this design with differing elements, like “soft and hard, rounded and angular, luxe and casual.”
Sonoma resident and San Francisco designer Kelly Hohla created the Marine Layers family room that takes design cues from the city’s prime mood-maker: the fog. The room uses wavy lines, amorphous shapes and gradient colors from white to gray to blue with sunshiny spots of gold. The room is “layered” with playful design details, including a custom credenza made by Sonoma cabinet maker Paul Benson.
The Marine Layers room features this bespoke credenza by Sonoma furniture maker Paul Benson. (Kelly Hohla Interiors)
The white oak cabinet has randomly spaced circular perforations (lined in bronze like tiny portholes) and hand-formed nodules on the countertop to achieve a wonderfully whimsical look.
Cloverdale-based artists and furniture makers Tulle and Reed added a fireplace screen to the room with clean lines and metal half-circle accents that might suggest phases of the moon. The design duo also lent their fabrication skills to a coffee table in the showcase’s living room, designed by Geoffrey De Sousa Interior Design. The table, designed by De Sousa, holds a ceramic medallion by Brooklyn artist Peter Lane. The table’s triangular shape and rounded corners offer a curvy contrast to the rectilinear grid of the traditionally styled wall paneling.
This living room by Geoffrey De Sousa Interior Design features a coffee table fabricated by Cloverdale-based Tulle and Reed. (José Manuel Alorda)This Moroccan-inspired dining room by designer Julie Rootes features drapes sourced from Healdsburg’s Sandra Jordan Prima Alpaca. (Sen Creative)
The home’s Moroccan-inspired dining room, by designer Julie Rootes, is completely shrouded in gathered drapes on the ceiling and walls. Sourced from Healdsburg’s Sandra Jordan Prima Alpaca, the sustainable alpaca fabric has an impossibly rich eggplant hue.
Tiles from Healdsburg-based McIntyre Tile provide elegant shine and texture in a caviar-colored laundry room by designer Fernando Castellanos. Castellanos considered the diminutive space the jewel box of the home, which he adorned with contrasting finishes of caviar: glossy cabinets and matte walls. The showstopping space features a glass jewel-shaped pendant light and a pair of fine art photos. An inspired placement of the washer and dryer on opposing sides gives the room compelling symmetry.
46th Annual San Francisco Decorator Showcase, 2935 Pacific Ave., San Francisco. April 26 – May 26, Tuesdays through Sundays; closed Mondays, except for Memorial Day. $45-$55. For tickets and information, visit DecoratorShowcase.org.
The Nico Pie with olive oil, mozzarella, roasted garlic cloves, fresh rosemary, cracked black pepper and shaved Parmesan from PizzaLeah Wednesday, April 16, 2025, in Windsor. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Leah Scurto isn’t afraid to think outside the pizza box when it comes to toppings for her award-winning pies — asparagus, sunchokes, pineapple, orange zest — but there’s one thing the PizzaLeah owner refuses to use: Green peppers.
“They just take over everything,” she said, wrinkling her nose.
Ingredients are integral to Scurto. In 2024, she received Slow Food Sonoma County’s Snail of Approval for her dedication to sourcing sustainable, ethical ingredients from local farms and food producers like SingleThread Farms, Journeyman Meats and Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co.
Chef/owner Leah Scurto adds fresh grated Parmesan to a pie at PizzaLeah Wednesday, April 16, 2025, in Windsor. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
More than just a neighborhood pizzeria, PizzaLeah has become a destination for devotees of New York, Detroit and “grandma style” pies made by Sonoma County’s world-renowned pizzaiola.
Flour is in Scurto’s DNA, and sauce is in her soul.
When PizzaLeah opened in March 2020, just as COVID-19 took hold, Scurto’s fledgling takeout business became a welcome reprieve for families in lockdown. Her easy smile and shockingly good pizzas kept customers coming back.
The Nico Pie with olive oil, mozzarella, roasted garlic cloves, fresh rosemary, cracked black pepper and shaved Parmesan from PizzaLeah Wednesday, April 16, 2025, in Windsor. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Dough is the foundation on which all great pizzas are made, and Scurto doesn’t mess around. Passionate about the art and science of pizza-making, she carefully evaluates each batch, adjusting for subtle shifts in temperature or humidity and getting a literal feel for the dough’s unique character.
“It should never be the same, because it’s a living thing. I make it every morning and the result is always different,” she said.
Like any obsessive bread baker, her proof is in the proofing.
‘Everyone eats pizza’
As one of the most widely consumed foods in the world, pizza needs no introduction — it is a shared culinary memory for nearly everyone.
“Not everyone ate Chinese food or other cuisines growing up, but everyone ate pizza,“ said Scurto. “There’s that nostalgia of having it at a soccer party or with your kids. I try to tap into that.”
Greg Marcaelli, left, and Lynette Campbell enjoy a pie for lunch from PizzaLeah Wednesday, April 16, 2025, in Windsor. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
That connection has earned PizzaLeah a spot on numerous “best of” lists for Bay Area pizza, which is no small feat in a region notoriously picky about its pies. But unlike some traditionalists, Scurto won’t chide anyone for drizzling hot honey on their slice or dipping crusts in her housemade ranch dip.
“We have hot honey on our menu. We have ranch. I think people should eat what they like to eat,” she said. “Anyone saying, ‘You can’t eat that,’ is wrong.”
Scurto travels to pizza competitions with her favorite flour from Petaluma’s Central Milling, whole milk mozzarella and even bottles of local water — frozen for the trip. “I know its mineral content,” she said.
The Food
Crust is a big deal at PizzaLeah and comes in a regular thin New York, crispy Detroit or square “grandma style.”
The Mush-a-Roni is a perfect place to start. The square pizza (made in limited quantities) has a thick, airy crust with red sauce, pepperoni, mushrooms, shaved Parmesan and basil. Move on to the Po-Tay-To, with smashed potatoes, smoked bacon, garlic cream and mozzarella.
The Mush-a-Roni square pizza with red sauce, pepperoni, cremini mushrooms, shaved Parmesan and fresh basil from PizzaLeah Wednesday, April 16, 2025, in Windsor. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)Uncle Frank’s Meatballs with red sauce, pecorino and Italian parsley from PizzaLeah Wednesday, April 16, 2025, in Windsor. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Pizza pros know that Old Grey Beard is one of Scurto’s signature creations — a spicy, sassy round pie with fontina, mozzarella, Italian sausage, Calabrian peppers, hot honey and orange zest.
Don’t miss the deceptively simple Caesar salad or Uncle Frank’s meatballs, a secret family recipe with flecks of pecorino cheese and a sublime tomato sauce.
The Perks
Wednesday is Detroit pizza day, with Scurto’s crispy, crackly pan pizzas.
The Tab
Thin-crust round specialty pies are $23 (12-inch) or $31 (16-inch). Square pies are $31, and the required garlic knots are $8.50.
Garlic Knots with garlic oil, Parmesan and Italian parsley from PizzaLeah Wednesday, April 16, 2025, in Windsor. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
The Deals
Scurto likes to hide gift cards to the restaurant for social media followers to find. Follow her on Instagram @pizzaleah707.
The Service
Fast, friendly and fun. There are several inside tables and a lovely patio if you’re sticking around.
The Love
Scurto’s Fork to Future nonprofit helps upcoming female pizza-makers with their education in a low-stress environment.
The Spot
9240 Old Redwood Highway, Suite 116 inside Bell Village, Windsor, 707-620-0551, pizzaleah.com
Poppies bloom at the front entrance. (Amanda Cornelius)
A 1912 cottage on Wheeler Street in Santa Rosa’s Luther Burbank neighborhood is currently listed for sale. The renovated two-bedroom, one-bathroom home is priced at $649,000.
The 988-square-foot home no doubt takes design cues from the nearby Luther Burbank Home & Gardens, which features some of the 800 plant varieties created by botanist Luther Burbank. Burbank influenced the area with his experimental plant breeding from 1875 to 1926.
Poppies bloom at the front entrance of this cottage near Luther Burbank Home & Gardens. (Amanda Cornelius)Steps to the patio. (Amanda Cornelius)
Beginning with a bright exterior of green siding and an inspired choice of yellow for the front door, the home on Wheeler Street has the cheeriness of a garden in bloom. In fact, the garden is a prime asset of this home, which is surrounded by trees, potted plants and wildflowers. A backyard deck has built-in planter box benches brimming with flowering annuals. Trees and ferns shroud a walkway to the back of the yard.
Living room. (Amanda Cornelius)Kitchen. (Amanda Cornelius)
The home retains its vintage charm with an ample front porch, decorative siding, interior moldings and a wood-burning stove. But it sparkles further with updates like new stained-wood cabinets and appliances in the kitchen, new tilework in the bathroom, and plank wood floors throughout. Another important update is earthquake retrofitting.
For more information on this home at 647 Wheeler St., contact listing agent Laura Fennell,707-327-6708, 2321 Bethards Drive, Suite B, Santa Rosa, socoproperty.com
From dramatic waterfalls that tumble onto the beach to peaceful redwood groves hidden along fern-lined trails, Northern California offers some of the most stunning places in the country to pitch a tent. That’s according to a recent article from travel website Matador Network, which highlighted 60 of the most scenic campsites across the United States. Among them, two standout destinations — Wildcat Campground in Point Reyes and Van Damme State Park in Little River — represent the rugged natural beauty of California’s north coast.
Both campgrounds made the cut in the site’s West Coast roundup for offering more than just a place to stay. With striking landscapes and immersive access to the wilderness, they’re ideal for campers looking to unplug and reconnect with nature.
Marin County
The safest way to get to the Alamere Falls, according to the National Park Service, is to hike to Wildcat Campground and then to Wildcat Beach. (Eddie Hernandez / Shutterstock)
Wildcat Campground, Point Reyes
Perched on windswept coastal bluffs with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, Wildcat Campground offers an unforgettable backcountry camping experience. It’s one of the few places where campers can hike to a secluded beach and watch a waterfall, Alamere Falls, plunge directly onto the sand. Accessible only by foot, Wildcat features eight walk-in sites spaced apart for solitude, surrounded by rolling meadows that burst with wildflowers in spring and early summer. During migration season, lucky visitors may spot gray whales breaching offshore.
Hiking distances to the campground vary depending on trailhead, but expect to trek at least 5.5 miles one way. There are vault toilets and water access on site, but no campfires are allowed. Advance reservations are required year-round. 1 Bear Valley Road, 415-464-5100, nps.gov
Abalone diving group Ab Camp, at Van Damme State Park in Little River. (Chris Hardy)Pygmy Forest Swamp at Van Damme State Park in Little River. (R. Alan Meyer / Shutterstock)
Van Damme State Park, Little River
Nestled in a quiet canyon just south of Mendocino, Van Damme State Park blends coastal access with ancient forest immersion. While the main campground offers drive-in sites, the best experience is found along the Fern Canyon Scenic Trail, where five walk-in campsites sit beside a babbling brook in dense redwood forest. It’s only a 2-mile hike to reach them, but the atmosphere feels far removed from the modern world — perfect for campers seeking peace and quiet without a long backcountry trek.
Van Damme is also home to pygmy forests, tidepools and beach access. Amenities are available at walk-in sites and reservations — especially in peak season — can fill quickly. 8001 Highway 1, 707-937-5804, parks.ca.gov
Chef/ownerJacob Harth will bring a world of culinary experience to Bistro Lagniappe Friday, April 25, 2025, opening this spring in the former home of Molti Amici in Healdsburg. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Chef Jacob Harth is leading the charge at the new Healdsburg bistro. He first captured local attention last September at a pop-up preview of Winnie’s, a seafood restaurant centered around responsibly sourced West Coast seafood.
While Winnie’s is still in development, Bistro Lagniappe is set to make its debut this spring with a menu focused on wood-fired dishes inspired by both California and French countryside cooking.
“Bistro Lagniappe will showcase California countryside cooking inspired by the rural routiers (roadside restaurants) and bistros of France, informed by the best ingredients from Sonoma County,” Harth said.
Though the menu is still in the works, Harth described his cooking style as “minimalist and straightforward, allowing our exceptional local artisans to shine.”
The back patio at Molti Amici in Healdsburg Wednesday, July 19, 2023. The restaurant is reopening as Bistro Lagniappe later this spring. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
A new chapter
The Bistro Lagniappe announcement ends months of speculation surrounding the future of the 330 Healdsburg Ave. space, which had been vacant since Molti Amici’s closure. It comes in the wake of the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by Molti Amici co-owner Jason Cutrer against the shuttered restaurant’s founder, Jonny Barr. The lawsuit had sought more than $1.5 million in damages.
In a joint statement released April 11, Cutrer and Barr said, “While we will not be working together moving forward, we have worked collaboratively to reach an agreement that enables each of us to focus on our respective paths and future endeavors.”
Harth said Thursday that Cutrer is no longer in the public-facing role he assumed after the closure of Molti Amici, but that Cutrer and other Molti Amici investors will retain ownership stakes in Bistro Lagniappe.
Sustainable seafood is a specialty of chef Jacob Harth, who is opening Bistro Lagniappe in Healdsburg. (Jacob Harth)
The menu
The Healdsburg Avenue space will give Harth a key tool to use in crafting his cuisine. A large wood-fired oven, which can reach temperatures of 1,200 degrees, is a centerpiece of the expansive patio behind the restaurant.
The oven was built by chef Ari Rosen when Campo Fina occupied the space. (The Italian restaurant closed after 10 years in 2022, with a downtown Healdsburg funeral parade mourning its loss. It was forced to shutter due to skyrocketing rent, according to Rosen.)
“It’s a powerful heat source and has been used in people’s homes for hundreds of years,” Harth said.
Though brick ovens are a favorite of pizza-makers, the Lagniappe menu will feature comfort dishes like cassoulet, gratins, roasted oysters and wood-fired fish – no pizzas.
A chef with national recognition
Before taking over the former Molti Amici location, Harth earned national acclaim for his Portland-based restaurant, Erizo, which was named one of Eater’s “16 Best New Restaurants of 2019.”
Erizo’s menu was built around a sustainable seafood tasting experience, with an emphasis on invasive species such as purple sea urchins, bycatch and seasonal seafood from sustainable fisheries.
Taking sustainability a step further, Harth even obtained a commercial fishing license to harvest rarely used seafood, like sea grapes and gooseneck barnacles.
Bistro Lagniappe will initially be open for dinner, with plans to expand into weekend brunch down the line.
Croissants at Cafe Des Croissants on Lomitas Ave. in Santa Rosa. (Crista Jeremiason)
A Cafe des Croissants bakery will replace the former Pharmacy café at 990 Sonoma Ave. in Santa Rosa. It will be Cafe des Croissants’ sixth location in Sonoma County. The cafes serve croissants, bagels, coffee and other breakfast items.
The Pharmacy closed in November 2024 after nine years in business. Owner Kim Bourdet did not give a reason for the closure. She also owns a plant-based eatery, The Branch Line, at 10 Fourth St. in Railroad Square.
Sonoma Magazine reached out to Cafe des Croissants for comments and further details but did not receive a response. Stay tuned for more details.
Salt & Sea at The Barlow
Chef Jake Rand, owner of Sushi Kosho, is set to launch Salt & Sea, a poke and smoothie shack at Sebastopol’s The Barlow, with an opening planned for early summer.
The Chirashi sushi bowl features a variety of fresh sashimi from Sushi Kosho in Sebastopol’s Barlow District. Sushi Kosho owner/chef Jake Rand is set to launch Salt & Sea, a poke and smoothie shack, at The Barlow. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Though it’s just steps from his sushi bar and restaurant, this new spot will expand Rand’s casual dining options in the central food court. The menu will feature poke and donburi rice bowls, boba tea, acai bowls and snacky sides like togarashi-dusted wonton chips with plum sauce, spicy tuna nachos, Japanese potato salad and seaweed salad. 6570 McKinley St., Sebastopol, koshosushi.com
Mendocino Farms at Montgomery Village
Mendocino Farms, a fast-casual salad and sandwich chain, will open at Montgomery Village in Santa Rosa in May. (The Image Party / Shutterstock)
Mendocino Farms, a fast-casual salad and sandwich chain with more than 50 locations, will open at Montgomery Village on May 13.
The addition is part of sweeping changes at the historic shopping center after its sale to an East Coast developer in 2021. Other food businesses on the horizon include Salt & Straw ice cream, Blue Bottle Coffee, Sprinkles Cupcakes, Sweetgreen salad chain, and Fieldwork Brewing Co. 2400 Sonoma Ave., Santa Rosa, mendocinofarms.com
Chicken Panuchos from Yucamami, a food truck in Mitote Park specializing in Yucatecan street food Wednesday, June 5, 2024, in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Santa Rosa’s popular Mexican dining destination Mitote Food Park has reopened at 100 Sebastopol Road just three weeks after leaving its original Roseland location.
On April 19, Mitote owner Octavio Diaz posted a surprise social media announcement inviting diners to the new location, despite it still being a work in progress.
“This soft opening is our way of supporting our trucks, who have been impacted during this time of transition, so please stop in and show them some love,” wrote Diaz in the social media post.
A grand opening date is yet to be announced for the new Mitote location, which, once completed, will include a bar and ample indoor seating.
Mitote Food Park will move to a new location at 100 Sebastopol Road, the former home of Roseland University Prep. Photographed Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
The Meatball Sub on a toasted ciabatta roll with provolone and asiago cheese, marinara and french fried onions from Canevari’s Delicatessen & Catering in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
In Sonoma County, there are the restaurants tourists flock to. And then there are the restaurants where locals enjoy equally amazing food, without the hype.
Read on below for a few favorites that deliver time after time; the places locals like to keep under wraps, just for us. Scroll through the gallery above for a sneak peek of what to expect.
Canevari’s Deli
A junior college neighborhood classic that’s been around since, well, as long as anyone can remember. Tri-tip BBQ sandwich, meatball sub and housemade raviolis are on the menu, plus…where else can you get a good gabagool? 695 Lewis Road, Santa Rosa, 707-545-6941, canevarisdeli.com
Housemade ravioli with marinara and pesto from Canevari’s Deli Friday, March 14, 2025, hidden in the Santa Rosa’s JC neighborhood. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)Italian tuna and hardboiled egg salad with lettuce, tomato served on housemade Focaccia bread at Cafe Citti in Santa Rosa, June 12, 2024. (Chad Surmick / The Press Democrat)
Cafe Citti
This former Kenwood restaurant is now a small spot in Santa Rosa with some of the best pasta and sauces in Sonoma County. We love their polenta with creamy porcini mushroom sauce and the classic tuna egg salad sandwich on focaccia. 2792 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-523-2690, cafecitti.com
Charm Thai Kitchen
A handful of dishes are standouts and unique locally, including taro empanadas, kee mao (also known as drunken noodles) and chicken larb. Taro, a mildly sweet purple cousin of the potato, is an Asian staple; here, it’s stuffed into fried pockets of dough and comes with a peanut-vinegar dipping sauce. 1710 East Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park, 707-242-3016, charmkitch.com
Sam’s Mediterranean
You don’t stumble on this out-of-the-way deli unless you spend a lot of time cruising quiet office parks looking for hole-in-the-wall lunch spots. Thankfully, I do, and this charming little place is a Middle Eastern gem. Their panini-style chicken shawarma wraps are a delicious entry point, with gently-spiced meat and melted cheese. Comes with garlic and hot sauces and a Greek salad. Hummus gets a four-star rating. 613 Martin Ave., Suite 111, Rohnert Park, samsmeddeli.com
Real Döner
A real-deal Middle Eastern and Turkish stunner that’s stood the test of time. We’re especially fond of the doner wraps — long rolls of lavash bread with sliced meat or kebab snuggled inside — and the Pink Sultan, a roasted beet and yogurt dip. Their hummus gets a five-star rating. 307 F St., Petaluma, 707-765-9555 realdoner.net
One of the many locally-sourced dishes at Lunchette in Petaluma. (Houston Porter / Petaluma Argus-Courier)Dolsot Bibimbap, rice topped with vegetables and fried egg in a sizzling stone pot with beef, with traditional Korean side dishes from Soban Korean in Petaluma. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Lunchette
Chef-driven lunch dishes include salads, bowls, soups, pizza slices and seasonal specials. The best-selling Farro Chicken Salad features apples, shallots, herbs, candied almonds, harissa-roasted chicken breast, goat cheese, pickled onions and mustard vinaigrette. But our heart has always been with the Smoked Trout Salad. 25 Fourth St., Petaluma, 707-241-7443, lunchettepetaluma.com
Soban Korean Cuisine
Routinely recognized as the best “true” Korean cuisine in Sonoma County, Soban serves up an array of hard-to-find dishes like savory pancakes with kimchi, Japchae (glass noodles), Tteokbokki (chewy rice cake that’s a popular street food), spicy pork Bulgogi, sizzling rice bibimbap and soft tofu soup. 255 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma, 707-769-3112, sobanpetaluma.com
Grata
Honest Italian classics from a former Stark Realty Restaurants chef is why this charming cafe has become a neighborhood favorite. Don’t miss the ricotta gnudi. 186 Windsor River Road, Windsor, 707-620-0508, gratawindsor.com
Baci Cafe & Wine Bar
You’ll find plenty of Healdsburg locals who say this is a favorite spot often overlooked by tourists. Elevated Italian dishes are the specialty of chef/owner Shari Sarabi. Bolognese sauce is made with Kobe beef, veal and pork ribs for an extra luscious dish. 336 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-433-8111, bacicafeandwinebar.com
Cachapa, a fresh corn pancake with mozzarella fresco, shaved broccoli salad, and honey lemon vinaigrette at Guiso Latin Fusion restaurant in Healdsburg. (Heather Irwin/The Press Democrat)Clockwise from top left, pressed rice Oshizushi with pickled shiso, unagi, tuna, pickled shiso and miso-cured salmon from Taste of Tea in Healdsburg. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Guiso Latin Fusion
Named one of the best restaurants in America by Open Table, this tiny cafe mixes Latin and Caribbean flavors with panache. Way off the beaten path of the usual Healdsburg suspects. 117 North St., Healdsburg, 707-431-1302, guisolatinfusion.com
Taste of Tea
Healdsburg gets plenty of play for its chef-driven cuisine, but we like the homey Japanese comfort food of this tea shop. The curry ramen, bento box and rice bowls pair perfectly with the extensive list of imported teas. 109 North St., Healdsburg, thetasteoftea.com
Corner Project Ales and Eats
At this family-run brewpub in Geyserville, one brother brews while the other operates the kitchen. More than just fried pub grub, chef Tom Adamian’s menu includes lots of comforting dishes like meatball sliders, pulled lamb on focaccia with preserved lemons, and a perfect pickled veggie sando on thick slices of bread (my favorite). They also sell beers from other brewers. 21079 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville, 707-814-0110, cornerprojectales.com
Mole verde Pipián, chicken with green pumpkin seed mole sauce, is served at El Milagro in Cloverdale, Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
El Milagro
Regional Mexican cuisine that runs the gamut from pumpkin seed mole and guisado (slow-braised stew), to simple flautas and tacos. Everything is made from scratch, following authentic family recipes. The owners of El Milagro also opened a second location in Healdsburg, offering the same authentic regional Mexican cuisine that made the restaurant a comforting neighborhood staple. 485 S. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale, 707-894-6334, elmilagrocloverdale.com; 14 Matheson St., Healdsburg, 707-385-4672, milagrohealdsburg.com
Spread Kitchen
Chef Cristina Topham (best known for her catering and farm market offerings) has opened a humble Lebanese-style cafe with fresh pita with hummus, beef and chicken shawarma, chickpea and black bean falafel and beef and lamb kofta. 18375 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma, 707-721-1256, spreadkitchensonoma.com
Poppy
Slated to open soon in the former Fig Cafe hidden away in Glen Ellen, Poppy will celebrate the classic French dishes that Fig founder Sondra Bernstein and managing partner John Toulze loved about their trips to France. While the menu is still in final development, dishes like duck liver terrine, Coquilles Saint Jacques, roasted rabbit, and chicken with wild mushrooms will likely appear. 13690 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen, 707-938-2130, thefigcafe.com
Croque madame at Pascaline Bakery and Cafe in Santa Rosa. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)Co-owner, Michele Wimborough shows off her pies at Hazel Restaurant in Occidental, Friday, January 24, 2025. (Darryl Bush / For The Press Democrat)
Pascaline
French pastries with a crisp lacquered crackle and Parisian authenticity. Expanded lunch offerings are perfect for bringing on winery visits or to the office. 1021 Hahman Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-303-7151, pascalinebistro.com
Canneti Roadhouse Italiana
A passion for regional Italian cuisine is at the heart of this family-friendly roadhouse that’s as close to Italy as you’ll get in Sonoma County. Specials change up almost daily, but are always as delicious as they sound. 6675 Front St., Forestville, 707-887-2232, cannetiroadhouse.com
Hazel
A cozy bistro focused on wood-fired dishes. Must-orders include roasted chicken with smashed Yukon potatoes, spring onions, lemon vinaigrette and arugula; and Pt. Reyes blue cheese pizza with caramelized onions, Marcona almonds, mozzarella and arugula. Save room for housemade desserts that will astound. 3782 Bohemian Highway, Occidental, 707-874-6003, restauranthazel.com
Lightwave Coffee and Kitchen
Located by the Creekside Skatepark in Monte Rio, this curious little cafe is a mix of smoothies, bagels, pies and Middle Eastern cuisine. The desserts are outrageously decadent. 9725 Main St., Monte Rio, 707-865-5169, lightwavecafe.square.site
