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Seared, Petaluma: The beef at Seared tends to be the Japanese breeds, often aged and sometimes grassfed. Order a 21 Day Aged Wagyu Ribeye or Surf and Turf with filet medallion and day boat scallops. 170 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 707-762-5997 petalumaseared.com. (Kent Porter/The Press Democrat)
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Cattlemens, Petaluma: A traditional family-owned steakhouse, Cattlemens has been serving up hand-cut beef in a ranch-style atmosphere since 1968. Sizzling prime rib is available in 9, 12 and 16-ounce cuts, there are "beef and reef combos" (including Sirloin steak with crab) and "classic steaks" and ribs. 5012 Petaluma Blvd. N,. Petaluma, cattlemens.com. (Crista Jeremiason/The Press Democrat)
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Stormy’s Spirits and Supper, Petaluma: Established as a roadhouse, Stormy’s has hosted generations of west county diners. The restaurant turned into a steakhouse in the early 1970s and remains a family-style dining destination in Bloomfield. The beef is top-notch, especially the superb prime rib. And you can’t beat the prices, with all meals including homemade clam chowder, salad, potatoes, vegetables and French bread. 6650 Bloomfield Road, Petaluma, 707-795-0127, stormysrestaurant.com. (Alvin Jornada/The Press Democrat)
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Stockhome, Petaluma: Stockhome's plank steak is literally a steak on a wooden plank. It arrives with an aggressive-looking upright knife stabbed into the center of the steak. Swedes are impressed and say this is childhood memory kind of food. It is served with piped “Duchess” potatoes, asparagus, grilled tomato and Bearnaise sauce — a classic French tarragon cream sauce that’s a bit of a rarity anymore, but such a perfect pairing with steak. 220 Western Ave., Petaluma, 707-981-8511, stockhomerestaurant.com. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
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Stark's Steak & Seafood, Santa Rosa: Casually elegant with an upscale feel, Stark’s Steak & Seafood serves up classic fare with a modern approach. All beef is selected by owner/executive chef Mark Stark and served à la carte. The bone-in ribeye is dry-aged for 28 days and is the best in town. 521 Adams St., Santa Rosa, 707-546 5100, starkrestaurants.com. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
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Sazon, Santa Rosa: This perennial favorite and frequent Bib Gourmand winner in Santa Rosa serves traditional homestyle entrees, including an excellent Lomo Saltado — fried tenderloin steak with onion, tomato, soy sauce and fries tossed together. 1129 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa, 707-523-4346, sazonsr.com. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
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Monti's, Santa Rosa: One of our favorite spots for outdoor dining, Monti's serves up Sunday Night Prime Rib after 5 p.m. featuring pit-roasted certified Angus beef rib with potato lyonnaise, Gruyere cheese, creamed horseradish and natural jus. 714 Village Cout, Santa Rosa, 707-568-4404, starkrestaurants.com.
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630 Park Steakhouse, Rohnert Park: Here’s your big-time, casino-style steakhouse. The meat is as terrific as the prices and side dishes of vegetables, potatoes and comfort foods like mac and cheese complete the experiences. You only live once. Graton Casino, 288 Golf Course Drive W., Rohnert Park, 707-588-7115, gratonresortcasino.com. (Conner Jay/for Sonoma Magazine)
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Underwood Bar & Bistro, Graton: This bar and bistro serves up perfect tapas (tuna tartare, cauliflower gratin, french onion soup, harissa fries, ceviche tostada), oysters and cocktails from lunch through late night, and heartier entrees for dinner, including an excellent steak frites. 9113 Graton Road, Graton, 707-823-7023, underwoodgraton.com. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)
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Salt & Stone, Kenwood: Steak here is a staple, with ribeye, filet mignon and bavette. Make your meal "salt and stone" by combining filet mignon with roasted lobster tail, sautéed gulf prawns or seared scallops. It comes with Buttermilk Mashed Yukon Golds, Bleu Cheese Demi, Cabernet Butter and Wine Salt. 9900 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, 707-833-6326, saltstonekenwood.com. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
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Glen Ellen Star, Glen Ellen: A wood-fired oven is central to most of the dishes at this tiny-but-mighty Sonoma Valley outpost. Chef Ari Weisswasser's Wagyu zabuton (a Denver strip) is served with with potato dauphinois, broccoli, crispy guanciale and bordelaise sauce. 13648 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen, 707-343-1384, glenellenstar.com. (Glen Ellen Star)
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Animo, Sonoma: Chef Joshua Smookler lets his kingsized Porterhouse cut dry-age for up to 45 days, imparting a luxurious depth of flavor even before the Béarnaise sabayon sauce. Served for two, the dish comes with kimchi fried rice and a salad. 18976 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma. instagram.com/animo_restaurant (Kim Carroll/For Sonoma Magazine)
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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. Their filet mignon is served with roasted Yukon gold potatoes, mushrooms, carrots, sauce bordelaise and smoked potato skin puree. Order the addictive truffle oil and Parmesan fries and a craft cocktail. 405 First St. West, Sonoma, 707-996-3030, eldoradosonoma.com. (El Dorado Kitchen)
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Sonoma Grille, Sonoma: With a nod to its past as Meritage Oyster Bar and Grill, the menu at this reborn surf and turf restaurant features many of the same dishes fans craved before. Order the filet mignon and add a half Maine lobster, with grilled asparagus, blue cheese herb butter and red wine sauce. 165 W. Napa St., Sonoma, 707-938-7542, sonomagrilleandbar.com. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
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Hazel Hill, Healdsburg: Montage's restaurant, Hazel Hill, features a menu of French-influenced California cuisine and currently includes a Wagyu Strip Loin, served with duck fat potatoes, foraged mushrooms and sauce au poivre. The views are stunning, too. 100 Montage Way, Healdsburg, 707-979-9000, montagehotels.com/healdsburg. (Montage Healdsburg)
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Valette, Healdsburg: Chef Dustin Valette and brother Aaron Garzini operate a restaurant that could be a superstar on any culinary stage in the country. Valette was chef at Dry Creek Kitchen for years, and his skills are honed, and then some. His Smoked Prime New York Steak comes with mustard frills, celery root pureem charred cippolini onion, and sauce au poivre. 344 Center St, Healdsburg, 707-473-0946, valettehealdsburg.com. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)
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Butcher's Choice - Journeyman Meat Company, Healdsburg: Five-ounce steaks—whatever’s the best pick for the day—are cooked up in the wood-fired oven just feet from your seat. Served with a green salad and garlic bread. 404 Center St., Healdsburg. 707-395-6328, journeymanmeat.com (Journeyman Meat Co.)
