French Garden Restaurant: Stop by from 11am to 2pm Sunday for a mini farm market featuring produce from the restaurant’s own biodynamic gardens and shockingly good house-made pastries including mini quiches, eclairs, cookies and tarts. 8050 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol, 824-2030
Bistro 29: Crepes, both sweet and savory, are the signature of Brian Anderson’s Santa Rosa bistro. Order off the menu or mix and match ingredients (bacon, maple syrup and a soft-boiled egg is BiteClub’s fave) to make your own creation. Plus, the best escargots stewing in a miniature hot tub of garlic, herbs and melted butter. Five-course Prix Fixe Bastille Day menu includes two crepes, charcuterie, roasted pork loin and salad. 620 5th Street, Santa Rosa, 546-2929
Rendez Vous Bistro: Downtown Santa Rosa’s newest comer to the French bistro game has made big improvements since opening and features a top-notch patio for summer sipping. Late night and two happy hours each day. 614 4th Street
Santa Rosa, (707) 526-7700
Chloe’s French Cafe: This is a restaurant I get asked about often– partially because folks can’t believe how good it is, and
partially because they’re trying to figure out where it is. Located in the Sutter Medical Building, its an unlikely location, but always ridiculously crowded at lunch. Brothers Alain and Marc Pisan, along with Alain’s wife Renee serve up brasserie-style fare: homemade croissants, Palmier, sandwiches (including a hearty Nicoise, grilled ham and Brie and zut alor, Croque Monsieur–Béchamel sauce, baked ham and Gruyere on bread) along with soups, quiche, salads and daily crepe
specials. Don’t leave without some of Alain’s Parisian-quality pastries — eclairs, tarts and cakes made daily. Chloe’s French Café, 3883 Airway Dr., Suite 145, Santa Rosa, 707.528.3095. Open 7:30am to 5pm
weekdays. Closed on weekends.
K&L Bistro: Michelin-rated, Sebastopol’s home of French soul food has long been a favorite of Francophiles. Best bets include duck confit, rich onion soup, skate wing and steak frites. On July 14 they’ll be serving up a prix fixe dinner with a number of choices including warm rabbit rillette, fig salad, Coq au Vin, duck confit, skate wing, creme brulee or Crepes Suzette. 119 S Main St, Sebastopol, 823-6614
Cousteaux Bakery: Healdsburg’s Frenchest bakery goes full-tilt into the July 14 spirit with moustache painting, Eiffel Tower decorating, can-can dancers, cake tossing and the Tour de Cousteaux Stationary Bike Race. Oh, and then there’s the bread and pastries, not to mention a special menu on Bastille Day of Vichyssoise, escargots, Parisian sandwiches and french fries. 9am to 4pm, July 14, 417 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 433.1913.
La Gare: Classic, old school French cuisine. Chef Roger’s a whiz a Beef Wellington and is trying to mix things up at this 30-year-old institution by adding dishes like goat curry. 208 Wilson St., Santa Rosa, (707) 528-4355.
Healdsburg Charcuterie: Escargots are always on the menu at this cozy bistro, along with a house charcuterie plate of salami, duck rillette and pate.335 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, (707) 431-7213.
Bistro Des Copains: Worth the drive to Occidental for Provencial pates, duck and hearty French home-cookin.3782 Bohemian Highway, Occidental, 874-2436.
Bistro M: Settled into the Windsor Town Green Bistro M has familiar old friends from owners Bryan and Matthew Bousquet’s former restaurant, Mirepoix: steak frite, escargot, coq au vin and steak au poivre. 610 McClelland Drive, Windsor, 707-838-3118
