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The Girl & The Fig, Sonoma: Just off the Sonoma town square, Sondra Bernstein’s sunny bistro marries the best of country French and fresh California flavors. In addition to figs (which you’ll find on both the menu and in a must-try collection of bottled compotes), don’t miss the cheese course, mussels, the signature arugula and goat cheese salad, selection of Rhone-only wines and secluded outdoor patio. Bernstein’s plats du jour change every Thursday and can look something like this: Little Gem salad with radicchio, brioche toasts, and lemon-Parmesan vinaigrette; braised pork ragout atop polenta with roasted baby carrots and pearl onions; and a brownie sundae topped with salted fig caramel, brandied cherries, cocoa nibs and Chantilly cream. Add wine to the three courses for just $12. 110 W Spain St, Sonoma, 707-938-3634, thegirlandthefig.com. (Photo by Beth Schlanker)
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El Dorado Kitchen, Sonoma: You’ll feel like an A-lister in the courtyard of this award-winning restaurant on the Sonoma Plaza. Excellent food and craft cocktails complement the upscale outdoor cabanas and pool in this very intimate space. Menu stars include the addictive truffle oil and Parmesan fries, which you can get at lunch or dinner, best paired on the outdoor patio with a cocktail. Either way, they’re great alone, or with a signature EDK burger. 405 First St. West, Sonoma, 707-996-3030, eldoradosonoma.com. (Photo by Crista Jeremiason)
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John Ash, Santa Rosa: One of Santa Rosa’s most popular dining destinations pays homage to the godfather of Wine Country cuisine, Chef John Ash. With a focus on local ingredients and seasonal preparations, the restaurants at the Vintners Inn is nestled among acres of vineyards, with stunning views from just about every angle. Twinkling lights and a lovely patio make it a perfect sunset spot or proposal spot. The menu changes frequently, pulling from their own culinary gardens, but whatever you order, you’ll be getting a taste of Sonoma. 330 Barnes Rd, Santa Rosa, 707-527-7687, vintnersinn.com/dining/john-ash-co. (Courtesy photo)
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The Spinster Sisters, Santa Rosa: The avant-garde enclave of Santa Rosa known as SOFA (South of A Street) is a center of art and culture, well-matched by culinary creativity of Chef Liza Hinman. Disparate cuisines mingle on the menu, from Middle Eastern to Korean. Kimchi deviled eggs, wilted kale salad, crispy pork belly, fresh lox and bagels and mushroom pappardelle are menu favorites. The “concrete chic,” interior has exposed stone walls, tall windows, a wrap-around bar and a bookcase-lined wall. Local artists are prominently featured. Open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. 401 S A St, Santa Rosa, 707-528-7100, thespinstersisters.com. (Photo by Alvin Jornada)
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Bird and the Bottle, Santa Rosa: Sonoma County restaurateur Mark Stark’s curious-sounding but delicious mix of Asian, American South, East Coast and Jewish comfort food has become a favorite local meet-up. Set over two floors, it’s a mix of hip lounge and chic dining rooms, and the menu holds plenty of surprises including matzoh ball ramen soup, chicken liver schmear with pickled shallots, maple, cracklings and smoked salt and can’t miss thrice-fried potatoes. Fried chicken is excellent, atop bean sprout-black-eyed pea slaw. Weekend brunch. 1055 4th St, Santa Rosa, 568-4000, birdandthebottle.com. (Photo by Heather Irwin)
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Jackson’s Bar and Oven, Santa Rosa: If you’re riding into town on the SMART train, there are a handful of great restaurants within walking distance, but this bustling corner cafe is one of the most iconic, headed by former Syrah chef Josh Silvers. Hand-tossed wood-fired pizzas, burgers and the world’s best truffle fries (with extra aioli, natch) along with its ever-popular farm-to-glass cocktails and solid wine list have made it a compelling Railroad Square hotspot. 135 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 545-6900, jacksonsbarandoven.com. (Photo by Christopher Chung)
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Della Fattoria, Petaluma: Man cannot live on bread alone. But you know, add a little cheese, some crème fraiche, maybe a slice or two of jambon, and a person could survive in quasi-Parisian bliss for days. Toss in a half-gallon bowl of latte so rich you can feel your thighs ballooning, and the odds get even better. And hey, that cupcake with the butter frosting bouffant definitely wouldn’t hurt either. All this is available at Della Fattoria, a popular Petaluma meet up location and one of the best bakeries in Sonoma County. Breakfast and lunch served daily, weekend brunch. 141 Petaluma Blvd N, Petaluma,707-763-0161, dellafattoria.com. (Photo by Beth Schlanker)
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Central Market, Petaluma: This is a genuine farm-to-table restaurant: chef Tony Najiola raises pigs, hens, and vegetables for the restaurant on his organic farm not far from town - those pigs become some of the best charcuterie around, and the vegetables are snapping fresh and respected by the cooks. While the menu is local, the wine list is global in scope. Everything is made from scratch daily, even the bread. 42 Petaluma Blvd., Petaluma, 707-778-9900, centralmarketpetaluma.com. (Photo by Crista Jeremiason)
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The Block, Petaluma: Sonoma County’s first permanent location for the region’s fleet of mobile kitchens showcases an evolving lineup of trucks, from El Roy’s Mexican kitchen on wheels to The Bodega’s epic fried chicken, slaw and smoky aioli on an English muffin. A large tap room with local beers and permanent pizza oven makes it a local gathering spot where you’ll find young families, friendly dogs, singles and retirees sitting side by side on the picnic benches. 20 Grey St., Petaluma, 775-6003, theblockpetaluma.com. (Photo by Heather Irwin)
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Barndiva, Healdsburg: A little bit country. A little bit rock and roll. Barndiva is the cool kids hang out in Wine Country, with its organic sensibilities, minimalist barn decor, and swanky cocktails. Open Wednesday evening through Sunday, the restaurant has serious out-of-towner appeal--and prices to match. Check out their Sunday brunch; the menu is a who’s who of local producers including breadmakers Della Fattoria, Neiman Ranch, Cowgirl Creamery and organic eggs (in addition to bagels flown in from Manhattan). Can’t get a table? Head to no-reso neighbor Barndiva Studio for cocktails, bites and art exhibits. 231 Center St, Healdsburg, 707-431-0100, barndiva.com. (Photo by Crista Jeremiason)
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Single Thread, Healdsburg: The steep price tag on this ultra-bespoke dining experience make it a natural special occasion spot, especially with just a handful of quiet tables. Tweezer-perfect dishes made by Chef Kyle Connaughton are based on an ancient Japanese calendar of seasons, making each bite of the multi-course dinner perfectly of the moment. Here food is as much art as sustenance, and sitting with someone special makes the hours-long experience very intimate. Not recommended for first dates, natch. 131 North St, Healdsburg, 707-723-4646, singlethreadfarms.com. (Courtesy photo)
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Dry Creek Kitchen, Healdsburg: This iconic Charlie Palmer restaurant has been a cornerstone of the Healdsburg food scene for more than a decade, serving American classics with a Sonoma twist. The dining room is one of the most romantic and relaxing we’ve found, with comfy chairs, excellent service and soft lighting (everyone looks better in soft lighting). Menu stars include blue cheese crusted filet mignon and arctic char. A Sonoma Neighbor menu is three courses from $36 per person, featuring weekly specials Monday through Thursday. 317 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg, 707-431-0330, drycreekkitchen.com. (Photo by Crista Jeremiason)
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Trading Post, Cloverdale: This Cloverdale restaurant is an ode to whatever’s coming from the garden that morning. Chef/owner Erik Johnson and baker Aaron Arabian make the northbound drive on 101 worthwhile with insanely delicious breads and pastries and can’t miss dishes like Mushroom Escabeche, Duck Fat Potato Tots, and Brisket Tartine. A three-course midweek market menu is available for $30 per person on Wednesdays, and there’s a small take-out counter with their bread, cookies and tarts. 102 S. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale, 707-894-6483, thepostcloverdale.com.(Photo by John Burgess)
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Fork Roadhouse, Sebastopol: Chef Sarah Piccolo of Fork Catering has rehabbed an old roadhouse into a homey little noshery open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. With about a dozen tables and wood bar running the length of the space, there’s room to spread out with your polenta bowl filled with goat cheese, kale and a poached egg, pork belly taco or grass-fed burger with tomato jam. The menu includes a number of vegetarian options, and everything is made with local, seasonal ingredients, and a whole lot of love. We’re especially excited about the back patio, with creekside dining and a toasty fire pit. 9890 Bodega Hwy, Sebastopol, 707-634-7575, forkcatering.com. (Photo by John Burgess)
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Backyard, Forestville: Unlike a thousand other restaurants with twee Mason jars and artisan farminess slathered all over their menus, Forestville’s Backyard Restaurant gets its dirt-cred authentically. The chefs at this popular downtown restaurant source the menu from their own backyard: meats from local ranchers, fish from local fishermen, fruit from local orchards, vegetables from local farms, wine and beer from local producers. Lunch menu stars include the Backyard Reuben, charcuterie and pickle plates and buttermilk fried chicken sandwich. Be sure to try the Buttermilk Onion Rings first with their signature hot sauce. You won’t regret it. 6566 Front St., Forestville, 707-820-8445, backyardforestville.com. (Courtesy photo)
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Estero Café, Valley Ford: If only more menus had an asterisk at the bottom stating that they deep fry in local pork lard. That alone is worth the cost of admission to the Estero Cafe, though the breakfast sandwich of two fried eggs, grilled Village Bakery sourdough bread, Estero Gold cheese, onion and mayo with bacon from the Sonoma Meat Co. will fill your belly for a long day of hiking along the coast. The restaurant pays homage to local farmers with its hand-lettered chalkboard menus and dishes. Wednesday night dinner is served weekly, but the cafe is typically a breakfast, brunch and lunch spot where you find locals hunched over a cuppa joe at the counter. 4450 Highway 1, Valley Ford, 707-876-3333, esterocafedotcom.wordpress.com. (Photo by Chris Hardy)
