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Alioto’s Healdsburger: A locals’ favorite at a former A&W, it’s pricey, but the burgers and hot dogs are top-quality stuff. Sixteen regular-menu burgers and several specials are available, including the hangover burger with fried egg, bacon, cheese, Sriracha sauce and mayo, paired with fries and a drink. 48 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-473-9604, healdsburger.com. (Photo by John Burgess)
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Boathouse Asian Eatery: The former M.Y. China has been reborn as a swanky restaurant featuring Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese cuisine. Flavors are fresh, portions are big and signatures impress, such as duck soup, classic sushi and pork belly kimchee lime fried rice. 630 Park Court, Rohnert Park, 707-588-9440, gratonresortcasino.com/dining. (Photo by John Burgess)
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Calistoga Kitchen: A local’s secret, this classic cottage bistro deserves to be on everyone’s radar. Chef-owner Rick Warkel is a Culinary Institute of America graduate, and his training shows in his meticulously crafted panroasted Grimaud Muscovy duck breast in sour cherry jus and skillful rabbit gumbo. 1107 Cedar St., Calistoga, 707-942-6500, calistogakitchen.com. (Photo by Alvin Jornada)
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Coast Kitchen: Since 1963, the redwood and stone Timber Cove resort has been a fun, if somewhat funky, retreat. A lavish renovation in 2016 turned it into a truly deluxe destination, with a luxury Cal-cuisine restaurant to match. Inventive bites shine, like fried quail drizzled in sweet chile vinaigrette, and King salmon over lentils and tangy sorrel salad. 21780 Highway 1, Jenner, 707-847-3231, coastkitchensonoma.com. (Photo by John Burgess)
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Cochon Volant BBQ Smoke House: Longtime barbecue master Rob Larman has transformed his mobile ’cue trailer into a brick-and-mortar, with the same delicious almondsmoked meats, including beef ribs and pork shoulder. The casual spot has upscale touches, too, such as Sonomastyle sauces and boutique beer and wine. 18350 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma, 707-509-5480, cochonvolantbbq.com. (Photo by John Burgess)
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Crocodile: When the classic French cooking is spot on, it shines. But dishes can be unevenly seasoned with lots of salt, or completely underseasoned. Roll the dice — you can count on superb boeuf bourguignon and a cozy bistro mood, at least. 140 Second St., Suite 100, Petaluma, 707-981-8159, crocodilepetaluma.com. (Photo by Heather Irwin)
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Della Fattoria: Showcasing the art of hearth-baked bread and fresh Petaluma ingredients, this beloved breakfast and lunch spot still shines after more than a decade. They’ve added dinner service, and everything is excellent: salads, sandwiches, soups, pastas, main courses and in particular, the six toasties: sweet and savory toast with creative toppings. 141 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 707-763-0161, dellafattoria.com.
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the fig café & winebar: Sondra Bernstein and chef John Toulze have worked their magic together for 20 years now with their nationally renowned Cal-French cooking. One taste of signatures like fig arugula goat cheese pancetta salad, or steamed mussels and blue cheese butter steak-frites reveals why. The casual bistro is darling and offers friendly touches like complimentary corkage. 13690 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen, 707-938-2130, thefigcafe.com. (Photo by John Burgess)
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Fork Roadhouse: Tucked in a quiet Sebastopol valley, this charming roadhouse is a locals’ favorite for its topnotch California food at fair prices. Chef and owner Sarah Piccolo impresses with signature dishes such as her Tuscan bean breakfast of Meyer lemon broth with kale and two fried eggs, and a pistachio-pepita-encrusted wild salmon with grapefruit lime sauce over a panzanella salad. 9890 Bodega Highway, Sebastopol, 707-634-7575, forkcatering.com.
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Franchetti’s Wood Fire Kitchen: If you love Rosso in Santa Rosa and Petaluma, you’ll love this spot, too, from former Rosso chef John Franchetti. The setting is bare bones, in an office park, yet the menu is artfully simple, with wood-fire dishes including crackly-bubbly thin-crust pizza and succulent pork shoulder on the bone. 1229 N. Dutton Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-5261229, franchettis.com.
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Gypsy Café: Comfort food is elevated with top-notch ingredients, such as “pork and beans” boasting Rancho Gordo yellow-eye heirloom beans and savory greens, or wine-braised pot roast anchored by golden-seared Parmesan polenta. The chic-antique decor makes a meal extra-special as well. 162 N. Main St., Sebastopol, 707-861-3825, gypsy-cafe.com.
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Handline: You order at the counter, but the kitchen treats this place like a first-rate restaurant. Local ingredients focus on seafood such as poached calamari with sugar snap peas, spring onions, mint leaf and avocado in a lively dressing of citronette, Calabrian chili oil and whole-grain mustard crème fraîche. 935 Gravenstein Highway, Sebastopol, 707-827-6297, handline.com. (Photo by John Burgess)
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LaSalette Restaurant: Chef owner Manuel Azevedo pours love into his meticulously prepared Portuguese dishes served in a sophisticated, tile-mural-trimmed bistro. Classics include soothing salt cod casserole, while fancier fare thrills with entrées like açorda, a lemongrass-truffle broth stocked with asparagus, artichoke, fava beans, pine nuts, country bread and a slow-cooked egg on top. 452 First St. E., Suite H, Sonoma, 707-938-1927, lasaletterestaurant.com. (Photo by Crista Jeremiason)
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Mi Tierra Mexican Restaurant: Formerly Pepe’s, the ambience and menu at this restaurant have been upgraded, with fun, fiesta-like touches such as michelada beverages of beer, lime juice, spices and peppers garnished with chile-salt dusted lime, orange, jicama and cucumber, served in a carved-out pineapple. Tacos and burritos are fine, but treat yourself to excellent, fancier specialties including molcajete and camarones jarochos. 2000 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa, 707546-1777, mitierramex.com. (Photo by Chris Hardy)
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Negri’s Italian Dinners & Joe’s Bar: The Negri family has had a winning formula since 1943, and it’s stood the test of time with delicious classics like chicken parmigiana, lasagna and garlic shrimp pasta, all served with family-style starters including minestrone soup, mixed green salad, antipasto veggies, salami, French bread and butter, and for some entrées, ravioli, too. 3700 Bohemian Highway, Occidental, 707-874-0301, negrisrestaurant.com. (Photo by John Burgess)
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Ramen Gaijin: Chefs Matthew Williams and Moishe Hahn-Schuman call themselves “gaijin” as a play on the Japanese term for non-Japanese people, but all ethnic differences end in the kitchen. This is the real deal, with authentic, outrageously delicious Japanese fare including robata yakitori meats, artisanal pickle platters, and the star: ramen with handcrafted noodles and succulent pork chashu. The craft cocktails are works of art. 6948 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol, 707-827-3609, ramengaijin.com. (Photo by John Burgess)
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Seaside Metal: Guerneville is morphing into a city-style foodie town, as proved by this spinoff of San Francisco’s Bar Crudo. Grab a seat in the sleek, tiny space and explore dishes such as arctic char with a dollop of horseradish crème fraîche, wasabi tobiko and dill; all kinds of oysters; lobster noodle soup; and braised octopus with yogurt. 16222 Main St., Guerneville, 707-604-7250, seasidemetal.com. (Photo by Alvin Jornada)
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Single Thread Farm, Restaurant and Inn: Plan on four hours and serious wallet damage for supper at this luxury kaiseki destination that’s the Japanese answer to The French Laundry. The menu changes nearly daily, combining Asian ingredients with precious produce from the restaurant’s own farm. 131 North St., Healdsburg, 707723-4646, singlethreadfarms.com. (Photo by John Burgess)
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Sonoma Cider: Come for the superb artisanal ciders and homemade apple brandy cocktails, and stay for satisfying noshes like French dip on Costeaux bread, good banh mi, first-rate mac-and-cheese and excellent French onion soup spiked with that same homemade brandy. 44F Mill St., Healdsburg, 707-723-7018, sonomacider.com. (Photo by John Burgess)
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Stormy’s Spirits & Supper: Part of the charm is the historic roadhouse setting in a rural dairy community. The beef is top-notch, too, especially the superb prime rib. And you can’t beat the prices, with all meals including homemade clam chowder, salad, potato, vegetables and French bread. 6650 Bloomfield Road, Petaluma, 707-7950127, stormysrestaurant.com. (Photo by Alvin Jornada)
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Trading Post Restaurant & Bakery: Come for the first-rate bakery, and stay for dinner. Chef-owner Erik Johnson crafts a simple but satisfying menu of roast chicken, duck fat tater tots, and excellent sausage-stuffed mushrooms. Be sure to order the bread board and the savory topped toasts. 102 S. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale, 707-894-6483, thepostcloverdale.com. (Photo by John Burgess)
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Twin Oaks Roadhouse: An iconic roadhouse since 1924, the live music joint is now owned by beer maven Dean Biersch and offers dozens of boutique brews. Try the standout burgers, the fried chicken sandwich or the first-rate French onion soup. 5745 Old Redwood Highway, Penngrove, 707795-5118, twinoakstavernpenngrove.com. (Photo by Kent Porter)
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Werowocomoco: The fry bread tacos and charred corn are worth a visit at this Disneyesque Native American cafe from Francis Ford Coppola. Cooking at the cafeteria-style spot isn’t necessarily authentic, but some dishes shine, like the slow-roasted, shredded bison that’s been lightly rubbed in chiles, coffee and chocolate. 22281 Chianti Road, Geyserville, 707-735-3575; virginiadarewinery.com. (Photo by John Burgess)
