When it comes to buying and gifting locally, Willow Peterson is a bona fide expert.

The Sebastopol flower farmer and real estate agent purchased Made Local Marketplace in 2020 to prevent it from closing its doors for good in downtown Santa Rosa. After moving to Montgomery Village later that year, she’s continued to grow and refine the shop that features local artisans and makers and is beloved by shoppers for offering an alternative to mass-produced goods.

A Made Local outpost opened last year in Novato, and in February, the Santa Rosa store relocated within Montgomery Village. Peterson sees the move as an opportunity for growth and plans to add a small section of wine and beer from boutique producers.

424 Farmers Lane, Santa Rosa. 707-583-7667, madelocalmarketplace.com

A believer in using products that are sold at Made Local Marketplace, Peterson keeps chili crisps from Hei Ma (formerly Big Spoon Sauce Co.) in her cupboard at all times. “I make a savory oatmeal in the morning and I use the Kraken Sauce,” she says describing the mild, seaweed-based chili crisp, one of the seasonal specials from Hei Ma’s founder, Lani Chan. “It’s got a fried egg on top and Sriracha sauce and the seaweedy crispiness. It’s amazing. It’s the weirdest breakfast, but it’s so nourishing.” heimamade.co

Peterson has two big dogs — Akbash mixes — including one, named Zeke, who weighs in at 150 pounds. And big dogs need big treats, which is why she heads to Panizzera Meat Co. for their super-sized snacks. “They have bones that are cheap, but very good quality,” she says. “I give my big guy big beef bones so that he doesn’t destroy the house.” 3905 Main St., Occidental. 707-874-9770, panizzerameatco.com

As a busy working mom, finding time to work out can be a challenge. After dropping her daughter off at school, Peterson sometimes heads to Helen Putnam Regional Park to squeeze in a micro-hike on the Panorama Steps. “It’s this long set of stairs that goes to the top of the hill and has this amazing view,” she says of the 123-step climb nicknamed The Stairway to Helen, which she climbs twice. “Then I get back to the car in 20 minutes, huffing and puffing a little bit.” 411 Chileno Valley Road, Petaluma. parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov

Living in Sebastopol, Peterson and her family are all about apples and grow their own. In April, the Apple Blossom Parade and Festival is a long-standing family tradition. “We love to watch the parade. It feels like the unofficial start of spring.” When harvest rolls around a few months later, they take apples from their trees to Slow Food’s community apple press to make cider. Apple Blossom Parade & Festival is April 25-26. appleblossomfest.com; for community apple press, see slowfoodrr.org.

The post Made Local Marketplace Owner Shares Favorite Things in Sonoma County appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Healdsburg’s Dutch Door Donuts (109A Plaza St.) has announced it will close on April 26.

“This is not a goodbye we saw coming. Circumstances beyond our control made it impossible to continue our chapter here, and we are deeply grateful for every single guest who walked through our Dutch Door and tasted our handcrafted, made-to-order donuts,” the social media announcement read.

Dutch Door Donuts was founded in 2021 by a group of friends living in Carmel and co-owners Jill Schlenker and Victoria Bunch partnered with Kirstin Ducommun to expand the business to Healdsburg, opening in September 2025. The original location will not close.

Campanella in Sebastopol (7365 Healdsburg Ave.) will serve its last meal on April 30.

“This restaurant was the realization of a 20-year dream, and bringing it to life has meant more to us than we can fully put into words,” said a social media post announcing the closure.

The Italian-American menu was inspired by owner Tom Rutledge’s memories of his East Coast grandmothers.

The post Dutch Door Donuts, Campanella Closing in Sonoma County This Month appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Santa Rosa is about to get a whole lot spicier.

Sonoma Spice Queen Wind McAlister has announced a second location for her hand-crafted spices, teas and rubs at 404 Mendocino Ave. downtown. And she’s well aware the space’s former tenant was the decidedly spicy Kozy Kar nightclub.

After renovations (and, perhaps, a thorough smudging), she’s aiming for a mid-June opening.

McAlister had been scouting Healdsburg and Sonoma when the Santa Rosa storefront became available. With the city losing both Savory Spice and Penzeys in recent years, she saw an opening for her small-batch blends.

“I figured it was just meant to be,” she said.

McAlister has been grinding whole spices and herbs by hand for more than 13 years and was among the first in Sonoma County to secure a Cottage Food Operator Permit in 2013, allowing nonperishable foods to be produced in a home kitchen. She now works out of a commercial kitchen.

Today, she offers more than 50 single spices — including saffron, paprika and cinnamon — along with dozens of housemade blends and rubs, each ground, mixed, packaged and labeled by hand.

Her bestseller is also the most labor-intensive: vadouvan French curry, a layered blend of nearly a dozen ingredients, including turmeric, ginger, coriander, garlic and curry leaves. Other global mixes include Middle Eastern za’atar, Ethiopian berbere and Lebanese sabah baharat, all available at her Petaluma shop, 9 Fourth St.

“We make everything ourselves, and we’re known for spice blends that are truly authentic,” she said. “It’s not mass-produced somewhere in the Midwest.”

sonomaspicequeen.com

The post Sonoma Spice Queen Will Open a Santa Rosa Store appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Social media has always been a mixed bag for restaurateurs.

Anonymous reviews from questionable “critics” can sink a restaurant overnight, but a few well-placed raves can just as quickly pack a dining room. At Rohnert Park’s Pressed, owner Maen “Eric” Alkfof swears the glowing buzz around his smashburger cafe isn’t the result of a calculated marketing campaign, but of Sonoma County’s food-obsessed social media crowd.

For more than a year, members of the Sonoma County Foodies Facebook group, along with Reddit fans and Instagrammers, have gushed over the $9 smashburgers at this suburban strip mall spot.

“I have never ever ever ever ever had such a good burger. Ever. Seriously,” read one Facebook post, followed by “It lived up to the hype” and “Very generous portions. Very delicious burgers.”

Still, social media can only take you so far. The proof is in the patty.

Pressed sat on my to-do list for months, slipping further down until a text from a friend bumped it back to the top.

“If you want a story about a good, cheap burger, Pressed in Rohnert Park,” he wrote. “I go all the time.”

The words “good, cheap burger” are a dog whistle to a food writer. Immediately my ears perk up and I’m on the hunt.

Simple but satisfying

Like any hidden gem, you sometimes have to look for the sparkle behind vinyl signs and a neighboring liquor store. Pressed isn’t about expensive decor or vibey touches.

Inside, the former Pepper’s Cafe has a restaurant-supply-catalog feel — vinyl booths, laminate tabletops and bright lighting that leans more “efficient” than intentional. A muted “Friends” on loop above the register offers a welcome distraction from doomscrolling or a slow date. From the open kitchen, the fryer occasionally burbles to life as tater tots hit the oil, while pickup orders move out at a brisk clip. It could be any strip mall cafe, anywhere.

What sets Pressed apart from the county’s many neighborhood burger spots are the little touches.

Alkfof makes every sauce in-house. His smash patties are thin with crisp, lacy edges; the buns are soft and squishy; the loaded fries are piled high. Milkshakes are rich and creamy, produce is fresh, and the servers are friendly.

Pressed is solid across the board, with every item I tried well-crafted and satisfying. It’s not trying to be a Michelin-starred restaurant or a once-in-a-lifetime meal, just good food at a good price.

On the side

Alkfof’s busser-to-boss experience is a significant part of the Pressed story. The Jordanian immigrant arrived in 2007 speaking no English and needing work. A cousin in the restaurant business hired him as a dishwasher, and from there he learned the language and mastered the American diner menu. In 2016, he bought his first restaurant, Pepper’s Cafe, a much-loved breakfast and brunch spot. After COVID-19, business slumped. In 2024, he reimagined the space as Pressed, reopening a few months later as a burger and sandwich shop.

Alkfof got the timing right — smashburgers are having a moment, and Pressed struck while the griddle was hot. But trends are fickle. It’s the burgers that bring locals back, along with family-friendly prices that make Pressed an easy after-work dinner, while Rancho Cotate High School and Sonoma State students keep things busy during the day.

Pressed isn’t trying to be a Michelin-starred restaurant or a once-in-a-lifetime meal, just good food at a good price — and sometimes that’s the kind of advertising you can’t buy.

Best bets

The Classic ($7 single/$9 double): I love a deal, especially when you can get fries and a cheeseburger for roughly what you’d pay at In-N-Out ($6.80) or McDonald’s ($8.58). Price-wise, the single is hard to beat, but the double has the better meat-to-bun ratio, with two patties, cheese, pickles, onions and housemade Pressed sauce (a sort of Thousand Island-meets-ranch situation). Keep in mind, this is a smashburger, so the patty is thin, well-done and nicely crisped.

The Original ($12): A half-pound burger with some heft. Cooked to order (I’d recommend medium) with grilled onion, American cheese, lettuce, tomato and sauce.

Reuben ($14): The zippy horseradish aioli is what sets this classic sandwich apart. Made with corned beef, sauerkraut and Swiss on toasted rye. Ask for a side of Pressed sauce for extra sauciness.

French Dip ($14): Skip the tri-tip and substitute in thinner “Philly steak” for a more authentic version. Griddled with red and green peppers and onions on a toasted French roll. The au jus is perfectly salty and dunk-worthy.

Loaded fries, The Classic ($9): Tots (rather than fries) are the best move here, keeping their crispiness while topped with ground beef, melted American cheese, pickles, grilled onions and Pressed sauce. Heat up the leftovers in the air fryer for a late-night snack. Bacon and cheese loaded fries with creamy cheddar sauce are also an excellent choice.

Chocolate and vanilla milkshakes ($6): Happy-making, if not life-altering.

Chicken Ranch ($14): A satisfying sandwich, with a slim but flavorful piece of marinated chicken, thick slices of bacon, avocado, pepper jack cheese and housemade ranch on a ciabatta bun.

If you go

Weekday specials include a chili burger (Tuesday) and Shaka Burger with pineapple bacon jam on Friday. Vegetarian Beyond Burgers are available, gluten-free buns are not currently available, but burgers can be wrapped with lettuce. Beer and wine available. Open 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

1451 Southwest Blvd., Suite 123, Rohnert Park, 707-992-0067, facebook.com/pressedburger

The post The $9 Smashburgers at Pressed Are Driving Social Media Buzz in Sonoma County appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Tired of the ritualized sip and swirl? In Sonoma County and Napa Valley, wineries and tasting rooms are rethinking the formula.

As wine consumption evolves, so, too, does the experience around it. Increasingly, vintners are inviting guests to loosen the rules — to treat wine not as something to decode, but something to enjoy alongside whatever happens to be on the plate. The old pairings — Cabernet with steak, Pinot Noir with duck — are giving way to a more playful sensibility. Across Wine Country, tastings now feature unexpected companions: shortbread and s’mores, beignets and elaborate brunch boards.

Here are a few favorites.

Sonoma County

Cookies and Cabernet at Alexander Valley Vineyards

What started as a holiday treat at Alexander Valley Vineyards has turned into a year-round favorite. Each tasting flight arrives with five housemade shortbread cookies, thoughtfully paired with different wines from the estate.

The pairings range from classic to delightfully unexpected: think vanilla bean and sassafras shortbread with Chardonnay, or fig-pistachio with Cabernet Sauvignon. Culinary director Tim Gleadall crafts each cookie in-house, often reaching into the estate gardens for inspiration.

For those skipping alcohol, the kitchen offers a parallel experience of nonalcoholic shrubs — including fig, ginger-hibiscus and sorghum — designed with the same attention to pairing.

$30 per person. Reservations are required and can be made on Tock.

8644 Highway 128, Healdsburg, 707-433-7209, avvwine.com

Weekend Brunch Boards at Anaba Wines

At Anaba Wines, weekends are made for lingering. Guests can add a seasonal brunch board to their tasting — fried chicken and waffles, just-picked strawberries from the Watmaugh stand next door, and Carmody cheese from Bellwether Farms in Petaluma all make an appearance.

The boards change with the seasons, giving you a reason to return. The staff offers pairing suggestions for each pour, making the experience feel more like a leisurely meal than a formal tasting.

Tastings range from $45–$65; brunch boards are $48. Reservations are recommended and can be made on Tock.

62 Bonneau Road, Sonoma, 707-996-4188, anabawines.com

Bubbles and Beignets at J Vineyards & Winery

On select summer days, Sonoma Wine Country gets a taste of The Big Easy. Fresh, pillowy beignets dusted in powdered sugar are served alongside pours from J Vineyards’ sparkling library, with live music setting the mood.

Scheduled for May 17 and July 5. $60 per person. Reservations are recommended and can be made on Tock.

11447 Old Redwood Highway, Healdsburg, 707-431-5430, jwine.com

Napa Valley

Savory S’mores at V. Sattui Winery

At V. Sattui, the campfire staple is reimagined as a savory course. Marshmallows infused with flavors like cherry-thyme or aged Gouda are toasted tableside and layered with housemade crackers and cured meats such as Italian mortadella and bresaola.

Chocolatier and pastry chef Katryana Zide keeps the pairings fresh, but the spirit is always the same: familiar treats, surprising flavors. The s’mores experience is part of the tasting flights at the newly revamped Mercato del Gusto.

$20, plus tasting. Reserve a tasting on CellarPass.

1111 White Lane (at Highway 29), St. Helena, 707-963-7774, vsattui.com

Farm to Brunch at Clif Family Winery & Farm

This multicourse tasting is a love letter to the region’s farms and fields, with ingredients sourced from the estate and neighboring producers.

It starts with Clif Family’s own buttermilk-cheddar biscuits, English muffins from The Model Bakery and Mt. Tam cheese from Cowgirl Creamery. From there, the menu unfolds into seasonal dishes such as charred asparagus with sauce gribiche and fresh herbs; hash browns topped with crème fraiche, caviar and vanilla-cinnamon bacon from Journeyman Meat Co.; and egg yolk ravioli with greens and ricotta in a rich bacon jus.

$125 per person; reservations required. Seatings are at 10 a.m. daily. Vegan pairing menu or mocktail flight available on request. Reserve a tasting on Tock.

1334 Vidovich Lane, St. Helena, 707-968-0625, cliffamily.com

Bacon & Wine Experience at Priest Ranch

If you believe everything is better with bacon, this wine tasting is for you. Four cuts of pork belly, each with its own seasoning, are matched with estate wines in a tasting that leans unabashedly rich. Recent iterations have included strawberry-rhubarb bacon with Merlot and ras el hanout — glazed pork with Zinfandel.

$85 per person. Reservations are required and can be made on Tock.

6490 Washington St., Yountville, 707-944-8200, priestranchwines.com

The post Weird and Wonderful Wine and Food Pairings in Sonoma and Napa appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

For years, the unassuming taqueria at Montgomery and Mission was a neighborhood fixture, perfectly wedged between Rincon and Bennett Valley and just steps from Howarth Park. Lepe’s was the go-to for post-hike takeout on a Wednesday night, beloved for its simplicity and affordability. Its closure in early 2026 left a real void for locals.

Restaurateurs Hayley Cutri and Efrain Balmes felt the loss as much as anyone. Balmes, a regular after long bike rides through the park, knew the corner well. When the space became available, they saw the chance to bring back a neighborhood gathering spot, this time with a casual menu of American and Mexican comfort food. After a quick spruce-up, Parkside Eats quietly opened its doors in early April. Locals wasted no time — news spread quickly and so did the appetites.

The vibe

By late Sunday morning, as breakfast blends into brunch, the dining room and bar fill with families and couples easing into the day.

The kitchen hums with activity: chilaquiles, huevos rancheros, birria, pancakes and tres leches French toast filled with cream. Sturdy Mexican clay mugs are filled with coffee, café de olla and Mexican hot chocolate, while the bar pours mimosas and tangy-sweet jamaica.

Colorful butterfly wallpaper brightens the room and an enclosed patio sits ready for sunny days ahead. The staff is friendly, if a little stretched in these early weeks, but it’s clear Parkside Eats is in experienced hands.

Lunch brings a quieter pace, with scrambled eggs making way for burgers and burritos. By dinner, the room fills again for heartier plates: pan-roasted rosemary chicken, wild sea bass in tomato broth, baby back ribs and a rib-eye with white truffle fries.

Door closed, window opened

Parkside Eats was meant to be a second act for Cutri and Balmes, who also ran Sonoma Eats in Agua Caliente. When rising rents shuttered that spot just as Parkside opened, it became an unexpected blessing. Loyal regulars followed them north and new faces quickly filled the seats. With a small but dedicated crew — including Cutri, Balmes and new chef-partner Gerardo Reyes — the restaurant’s reputation grew fast on social media.

Chef Reyes brings serious chops from his time at Michelin-starred Auro in Napa, and it shows. Birria hash arrives neatly pressed in a ring mold; jicama salad is layered with pepitas, little gem lettuce, Tajín vinaigrette and edible flowers. The food isn’t fussy, but there’s clear attention to ingredients, flavor and presentation.

Cutri and Balmes hope to eventually reopen Sonoma Eats, with its focus on Balmes’ Oaxacan recipes intact. In the meantime, a few favorites have made the trip to Santa Rosa.

Best bets

Roasted Brussels Sprouts, $14: These sprouts had a shaky debut, but they’ve found their groove. Tender inside, crisp outside, with a drizzle of Dijon honey and a kick of chorizo.

Ahi Tuna Poke Nachos, $24: Yes, it’s a splurge, but the quality of the tuna and the bright toppings — pickled onions, cucumber, avocado — make it worth the extra dollars. Presentation is spot on.

Jicama Salad, $16: Crisp jicama triangles, orange segments, cucumber, and pineapple are layered in a wreath and topped with leafy lettuce and a Tajín vinaigrette. It’s as refreshing as it looks.

Parkside Cheeseburger, $21: I don’t hand out burger praise lightly, but this one earns it. A half-pound of house-ground Angus, fresh produce, red onions, cheddar, garlic aioli, and a pillowy brioche bun. It’s a two-hander — save the fries for after.

Baja Fish Tacos, $14: Lepe’s fish tacos set the standard, and Parkside’s version rises to the challenge. Beer-battered fish with a sweet kick of chipotle aioli — worthy of the legacy.

Cauliflower Steak, $28: I veered off my usual path for this vegetarian plate. A thick, golden slice of cauliflower sits atop creamy garlic mashed potatoes, brightened with chimichurri and pickled onions. Worth every bite — garlic breath be damned.

Chilaquiles, $16: Huevos rancheros may be the crowd favorite, but the chilaquiles with their bright, tart verde sauce are the sleeper hit. Sautéed tortilla chips, black refried beans, eggs and avocado round out the plate.

Tres Leches French Toast, $16: Sweeter than abuela’s kisses. Croissant slices get a soak in tres leches batter, fried crisp, then filled with whipped cream and berries.

Birria Hash, $22: I’m somewhere between love and obsession with this one. Birria, potatoes, and red peppers are pressed into a tidy ring for a composed plate — not the saucy birria I usually crave, but delicious all the same. Fried goat cheese balls on the side are a bold move. It’s not what you expect, but sometimes that’s the point.

The price

Prices are on par with other casual spots in town, but this is no fast food joint. Starters and salads are $12 to $16, tacos (three per order) are $14, and burgers or sandwiches (with fries or salad) run $18 to $22. Larger plates range from $26 to $28, with the rib-eye at $42. Breakfast is $14 to $21, brunch $16 to $22. There are plenty of gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options. Taco Tuesday is an all-day affair: five tacos for $14, or two tacos and a draft beer for $10.

What to expect

Parkside Eats is already drawing crowds, so expect a wait on weekend mornings and Taco Tuesdays. Parking can be tight in the lot, but there are usually spots in back. Like any new spot, there are still a few kinks to work out. And just to clarify: Parkside Eats is not connected to Dierk’s Parkside Cafe on Santa Rosa Avenue.

Parkside Eats is located at 4323 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa. Instagram.com/meetme_parkside

The post Parkside Eats Brings American and Mexican Comfort Food To Former Santa Rosa Taqueria appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Faith isn’t a prerequisite to stop in for coffee and pastries at Redwood Gospel Mission Baking Co. — but you might just leave praising the holy trinity of flour, butter and sugar.

The North Bay nonprofit opened its new coffeehouse and bakery Tuesday, April 14, offering housemade croissants, kouign-amann, scones, sandwiches, salads and espresso drinks. The venture also serves as a culinary training program and pathway toward future employment for people in the gospel mission’s residential programs.

Tucked into a quiet medical park that houses the mission’s Family Campus, the cafe is a bright, cozy space with a large redwood community table and plenty of room to sip a morning coffee while checking emails or contemplating a warm chocolate chip cookie.

“We want to see transformation in the lives of our students and measurable impact on the community,” said Paul Haddorff, the mission’s director of food services.

A graduate of Santa Rosa Junior College’s culinary program and a former fine-dining chef, Haddorff oversees the kitchen alongside Doug Cavaliere, a longtime bakery owner whose guidance has helped students produce glossy, well-laminated pastries, fresh breads for toast and sandwiches and a rotating selection of galettes.

Only days into its soft launch, the menu is impressively executed. There’s no shortage of butter in the croissants ($4.50 to $5.50), the glazed lemon scone is a favorite ($4.50), and the kouign-amann is caramelized and crisp with a soft center ($6.50). The avocado toast with goat cheese, pickled onion and hot honey ($6) is worth a return. Sandwiches come with greens, roasted potato salad or chips, making the half chicken caprese ($10) a deal.

Food service manager LaDonna Lane completed the Gospel Mission’s program more than 30 years ago and now helps guide participants through the same process.

“These women come through the program and get a job,” she said. “And hopefully they launch and do what they’re really good at.”

The Baking Co. is part of a growing network of social enterprises operated by Redwood Gospel Mission, which also includes a coffee roastery, a catering business and a thrift store. The organization provides shelter, meals, recovery programs, job training and spiritual support for people experiencing homelessness or seeking stability.

The cafe is open 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, with lunch service starting at 10:30 a.m. 2447 Summerfield Road, Santa Rosa, rgm.org

The post Redwood Gospel Mission Baking Co. Opens in Santa Rosa With Pastries and Job Training appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

After 43 years in the restaurant business, chef Gary Chu has only one regret. “I have no hobbies,” he said, sitting inside his longtime restaurant Osake in Santa Rosa on an early Saturday morning.

With a mug of coffee in hand, Chu looked back on decades spent in his family’s Chinese restaurants and later building a local restaurant empire with Gary Chu’s and Osake in Santa Rosa and Sake’O in Healdsburg. Now, as he considers a future without 14-hour days, he can’t help but grin at how deeply the restaurant world still calls to him.

“I love what I do. Whatever happens outside, when I come through these doors, I forget everything,” he said. The smile rarely leaves his face, making it easy to believe.

At 68, Chu is woven into the fabric of Sonoma County dining. In the 1980s and ’90s, his namesake Chinese restaurant in downtown Santa Rosa stood out as a rare destination north of San Francisco for elevated, California-influenced Asian cuisine. Szechuan lamb, tea-smoked duck and Champagne scallops shared the menu with crowd-pleasers like lemon chicken and the now-iconic Martini Prawns, a dish that’s been imitated across the region.

Today, Osake is Chu’s last remaining restaurant, a cozy, low-lit spot he opened in 1998 that endures while others have come and gone. The menu leans Japanese, but longtime fans will spot a handful of Chu’s Chinese classics. Through economic ups and downs, shifting tastes and even a pandemic, Osake has held steady, a testament to the staying power of well-crafted, timeless Japanese and Chinese dishes and genuine hospitality.

And his fans have aged with him, something Chu doesn’t take for granted.

“People have been following me for the last 30 to 40 years,” he said. Like many of his patrons, Chu’s once-dark hair is now mostly gray and his children are grown, bringing their own children and grandchildren to the restaurant.

Still, it takes more than loyal regulars to keep the lights on. Osake, tucked near Montgomery Village, may not draw attention with flashy decor, but the kitchen consistently turns out excellent food. Chu’s brother, Christopher, has been at the stove for decades, while Gary is a fixture behind the sushi bar, entertaining guests and expertly slicing salmon and tuna throughout the day.

Chu is always the first to arrive in the morning and the last to leave at night. Over the years, he’s earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand, a shelf full of ‘best of’ awards, and a reputation as one of Sonoma County’s most dedicated restaurateurs. He says he’s achieved nearly everything he set out to do, though another Michelin mention would be a fitting capstone.

Lately, he’s started to imagine a slower pace: fewer hours at the restaurant, quiet mornings over coffee with his wife, and maybe, finally, time for a hobby.

The inspiration

Chu, who spent much of his youth in South Korea, worked in his parents’ restaurants for many years, including the restaurant they originally owned on Fifth Street in Santa Rosa. His experience working in Japan inspired the menus for Sake’O and Osake. The name Osake (pronounced oh-SAH-kay) is a nod to Japanese rice wine, with the honorific “O” prefix, though most people default to calling it Osaka, like the Japanese city.

The vibe

Step inside and you’ll find a dining room that feels like a time capsule, with dark wood, carpet and soft lighting that harken back to another era. There’s a bit of wear around the edges, but everything is spotless and the welcome is as warm as ever. The sushi bar, where you’ll often find Chu, is the best seat in the house. Spacious tables and banquettes make it easy for groups to gather, while cozy two-tops offer a more intimate setting. Near the entrance, a large fish tank draws curious glances — the residents, it should be noted, are not on the menu.

The food

Most popular dishes: Martini prawns, Szechuan wonton, lemon chicken, Utah roll.

The menu spans Japanese classics — bento boxes, nigiri, wood-grilled yakitori, sukiyaki, and sushi rolls — alongside a takeout selection of Chu’s favorite Chinese comfort foods: kung pao chicken, walnut prawns, Szechuan prawns, and fried rice. Even at lunch, plates arrive artfully arranged, with bold sauce swirls and vibrant, fresh ingredients.

Don’t miss the spicy Szechuan wontons, silky black miso cod, tuna carpaccio with soy truffle oil or the well-crafted nigiri and sashimi. For takeout, classics like wor wonton soup, spicy plum pork, kung pao chicken and fried rice are always a hit.

Fun fact

The Martini Prawn is a Gary Chu original, a dish now found on menus all over Sonoma County. One hectic night at his downtown restaurant, Chu improvised a quick appetizer, riffing on walnut prawns with a spicier sauce and serving them in a martini glass — simply because it was handy. A sprinkle of grated carrot finished the sweet, crispy dish, and a signature was born.

Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday, closed Monday. 2446 Patio Court, Santa Rosa. 707-542-8282, osake-sushi.com

The post At Osake, Gary Chu’s Legendary Japanese and Chinese Cuisine Endures appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Moms deserve all the best things in this world — and a Wine Country brunch is a good start. Restaurants and wineries across Sonoma County are pulling out all the stops to make this Mother’s Day special.

All Mother’s Day brunches will take place on Sunday, May 10, unless otherwise noted.

Santa Rosa

Flamingo Resort & Spa: Seatings available from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for Flamingo’s annual Mother’s Day buffet-style brunch. $70 for adults and $35 for children under 12. Reserve on Tock. 2777 Fourth St., 707-545-8530, flamingoresort.com

John Ash at Vinarosa: Seatings available from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for Mother’s Day brunch at the Vinarosa Resort restaurant. $145 per person. Reserve on OpenTable. 4330 Barnes Road, 707-527-7687, vinarosaresort.com/dining/john-ash

Iron & Vine: Seatings at 9:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. for the Mother’s Day brunch buffet at the Bennett Valley Golf Course restaurant. $59 per adult, $20 per child ages 3-12 and free for children under 3. Reserve online. Moms golf for free (with another paying golfer) on Mother’s Day. 3330 Yulupa Ave., 707-852-1162, bennettvalleygolf.com/ironandvine

Safari West: Mother’s Day brunch at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on the Sonoma Serengeti. $55 for adults, $35 for children ages 4-12 and free for children 3 and under. Reserve online. 3115 Porter Creek Road, 800-616-2695, safariwest.com

Kenwood

Salt & Stone: Seatings available from 9-11:30 a.m. for Mother’s Day brunch. Reserve on OpenTable. 9900 Sonoma Highway, 707-833-6326, saltstonekenwood.com

Glen Ellen

Songbird Parlour: Short-rib stroganoff dinner from 5-9 p.m. for Mother’s Day. Dinner is $42. Reserve on Toast. 14301 Arnold Drive, Suite 3, 707-343-1308, songbirdparlour.com

Sonoma

Chateau Sonoma: Mother’s Day celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., May 9, at the Chateau Sonoma Farm. Includes Champagne, a hands-on floral design class and farm-fresh brunch prepared by chef Kyle Kuklewski. $350 per ticket, plus fees. Purchase tickets on Eventbrite. 20730 Fifth St. E., 707-309-1993, chateausonoma.com

Santé at Fairmont: Mother’s Day brunch from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa restaurant. $125 per adult, $39 per child ages 6-12 and free for children under 5. Reserve on OpenTable. 100 Boyes Blvd., 707-938-9000, fairmont.com/sonoma

El Dorado Kitchen: Mother’s Day brunch from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the El Dorado Hotel restaurant. Entrees will range from $25 to $50. There will be an a la carte menu for children under 12. Reserve on OpenTable. 405 First St. W., 707-996-3030, eldoradosonoma.com/el-dorado-kitchen

Wit & Wisdom: Mother’s Day brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a three-course, prix-fixe menu at The Lodge at Sonoma Resort restaurant. $75 per person. Reserve on OpenTable. 1325 Broadway, 707-931-3405, witandwisdomsonoma.com

Roche Winery & Vineyards: Mother’s Day brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. $95 per adult, $80 for wine club members and $20 per child ages 3-13. Reserve on CellarPass. 22097A Bonness Road, 707-935-7115, rochewinery.com

Bartholomew Estate Winery: Mother’s Day picnic brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring wine and flowers to bring home. Catering by Preferred Sonoma Caterers and florals by Cassidy Ranch. $150 per person, $130 for club members and $35 for children ages 3-10. Reserve on Tock. 1000 Vineyard Lane, 707-509-0540, bartholomewestate.com

Larson Family Winery: Catered brunch with live music from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sonoma winery. More details to come. 23355 Millerick Road, 707-938-3031, larsonfamilywinery.com

Honrama Cellars: Brunch and bubbles from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., including a special experience for moms. 22985 A Burndale Road, 707-628-2743, honramacellars.com

Petaluma

McEvoy Ranch: Mother’s Day tea service from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at McEvoy’s historic Victorian. $95 per guest and $65 for children under 12; members get 15% off. Reserve on Tock. 5935 Red Hill Road, 707-769-4138, mcevoyranch.com

Penngrove

Penngrove Social Firemen: Mother’s Day brunch from 9:30-11:30 a.m., May 9, at the Penngrove Clubhouse. $25 per person and $10 for children ages 5-12. Purchase tickets by May 6 on Eventbrite or from Kim Hanson at 707-391-2191; mrsjjava@hotmail.com. 385 Woodward Ave., penngrovesocialfiremen.org

Rohnert Park

Sally Tomatoes: Annual Mother’s Day Champagne brunch starting at 10 a.m. featuring a buffet and bottomless mimosas. $32 for adults and $16 for children. Endless sparkling mimosas are $20. Call 707-665-9472 to RSVP. 1100 Valley House Drive, 707-665-9472, sallytomatoes.com

Sebastopol

Muir’s Tea Room: Mother’s Day high tea served May 9-10. $82 for adults on Saturday, May 9, and $86 for adults on Sunday, May 10; $42 for children both days. A gluten-free menu is also available. See menu and reserve online. 330 S. Main St., 707-634-6143, muirstearoomandcafe.com

Windsor

Fleur Sauvage: Mother’s Day “Petit & Sweet Tasting” — a European-inspired dessert tasting experience — with seatings available from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Windsor chocolate shop. $40 per person. 370 Windsor River Road, 707-892-2162, fleursauvagechocolates.com

Healdsburg

J Vineyards & Winery: Mother’s Day weekend brunch at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., May 8-9, in the Bubble Room, and at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., May 10, on the Terrace. $125 per person and $110 for wine club members. Reserve on Tock. 11447 Old Redwood Highway, 707-431-5430, jwine.com

Jordan Vineyard & Winery: Mother’s Day afternoon tea from 3:30-5 p.m., May 8-9. $95 per person. Limited availability; reserve online. 1474 Alexander Valley Road, 707-431-5250, jordanwinery.com

Convene by Dan Kosta: Mother’s Day weekend wine tasting from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., May 9-10, at Convene by Dan Kosta at Bacchus Landing. There will be popcorn and Chardonnay, including a complimentary glass for mom. Reserve a free ticket on Tock. 14210 Bacchus Landing Way, Suite 300, 707-861-8199, convenebydankosta.com

Tisza Bistro: Mother’s Day brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; limited seating. Reserve a spot on OpenTable. 165 Healdsburg Ave., 707-291-5193, tiszabistro.com

Folia at Appellation: Mother’s Day brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a three-course menu. $110 per person and $25 for children 6 and under. Reserve on OpenTable. 101 Dovetail Lane, 707-723-2130, foliabarandkitchen.com

Auteur Wines: Mother’s Day brunch starting at 10 a.m. with a five-course menu and a perfumery sensory experience. Brunch includes debut of estate’s sparkling Blanc de Noir Rosé. Florals by Zannah Farms. $103 per person. Reserve on Tock. 10520 Wohler Road, Healdsburg, 707-766-0222, auteurwines.com

Breathless Sparkling Wines: Mother’s Day brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. featuring live music and sparkling wine. Children welcome. $30 for wine club members and $38 for non-members. Reserve on Tock. 499 Moore Lane, 707-232-5976, breathlesswines.com

Spoonbar: Mother’s Day brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the h2hotel restaurant. $75 for adults and $35 for children 12 and under. Reserve on OpenTable. 219 Healdsburg Ave., 707-433-7222, spoonbar.com

Dry Creek Kitchen: Mother’s Day brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a three-course, prix-fixe menu. $110 per guest and $55 for children 6 and under. Reserve on OpenTable. 317 Healdsburg Ave., 707-431-0330, drycreekkitchen.com

Hazel Hill at Montage: Mother’s Day brunch from noon to 3 p.m. with a prix-fixe menu. $175 per guest ages 13 and over; $75 per guest ages 4-12. Reserve on OpenTable. 100 Montage Way, 707-979-9000, montage.com/healdsburg

Geyserville

Francis Ford Coppola Winery: Mother’s Day celebration starting at 11 a.m. More details to come. 300 Via Archimedes, 707-857-1400, francisfordcoppolawinery.com

West County and Sonoma Coast

Coast Kitchen: Mother’s Day brunch from noon to 3 p.m. at the Timber Cove Resort restaurant. Dishes range from $12 to $38. Reserve on Resy. 21780 Highway 1, Jenner, 707-847-3231, timbercoveresort.com

Drakes Sonoma Coast: Mother’s Day brunch from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Lodge at Bodega Bay restaurant. Brunch is a la carte and the Mother’s Day special, a Dungeness crab Benedict, is $30. Reserve a spot on OpenTable. 103 Coast Highway 1, Bodega Bay, 707-875-3525, drakessonomacoast.com

Nom Nom Cakes: Mother’s Day specials for pickup or delivery. Desserts range from $24 to $95. Order online. 390 Calle del Sol, Bodega Bay, 805-350-0680, nomnombaking.com

Multiple locations

See’s Candies: Mother’s Day treats for pickup or delivery. Spring and holiday-themed boxes of chocolate range from $20 to $53.75. Other springtime confections, such as jelly beans, lollipops and shortbread bites, are also available. Purchase online or visit locations in Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa and Windsor. sees.com

Did we miss a local Mother’s Day brunch? Let us know at maci.martell@pressdemocrat.com. 

The post Mother’s Day Brunches in Sonoma County 2026 appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Last week, I wrote about 20 new restaurant openings in Sonoma County. That wasn’t the final count. Here are a few more additions.

Wonderland Pizza: The former Lucy’s in Monte Rio, previously home to several short-lived restaurant concepts, is under new ownership and undergoing a complete renovation. Owners Brian Perloff and Kellee Kessler will open Wonderland Pizza on May 22, offering quality food, local beer and wine, live music and art inspired by the Russian River. 20391 Highway 116, Monte Rio, instagram.com/wonderland_pizzeria

Redwood Gospel Bakery: The Redwood Gospel Mission will open its new bakery at 2447 Summerfield Road in Santa Rosa on April 14. More to come on this. rgm.org

Cloverdale Supper Club: The boutique Cloverdale House Inn offers a Sinatra-era atmosphere, with steaks, seafood and classic martinis. Grand opening is April 11. 240 N. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale, 707-669-5072, instagram.com/supperclubcloverdale

Capriciano Osteria: A hand-painted sign now marks the former Tipsy Taco location in downtown Santa Rosa. The spacious venue, previously home to the Acapulco Lounge, has hosted several concepts over the years, including French, Mexican and Brazilian. Details on the menu and opening date are not yet available. 505 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, capriciano.com

Now open

Kyoto Ramen and Hawaiian BBQ: This new location for the casual California-Pacific Rim chain offers 15 types of ramen, as well as poke bowls, curry, rice bowls, katsu and kalua pork. 1940 Piner Road, Suite 600, Santa Rosa, 707-888-2906

The post Even More Restaurant Openings in Sonoma County appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.