I’m always amazed at the number of brave souls daring enough to open a restaurant. Despite grueling hours, minimal profit margins and increasing challenges — like the cost of eggs quadrupling — there are still determined Sonoma County restaurateurs opening their doors every week. Here are some of the most recent entrants and those we’re anticipating later this year.
January
Mr. Stroopwafel: The Dutch teatime cookie gets an American twist at this Petaluma sweet shop. The thin wafers are filled with caramel, but at Mr. Stroopwafel, you can get them dipped in chocolate and covered with fresh strawberries, mini marshmallows, Biscoff cookies and other nuts and candies. 441 N. McDowell Blvd., Suite 24, Petaluma, mrstroopwafelusa.com
Enclos: All eyes are on this Michelin contender in Sonoma. The intimate, 30-seat fine dining experience is headed by chef Brian Limoges, an alum of Atelier Crenn, Quince and Birdsong restaurants in San Francisco. Enclos sources produce from Stone Edge Farm’s 16-acre organic gardens just north of downtown Sonoma. The multicourse menu focuses on seasonally-aligned dishes that pair well with Stone Edge Farm’s Bordeaux-style wines. 139 E. Napa St., Sonoma, 707-387-1724, enclos-sonoma.com
February
Darbar: Casual Indian cuisine with an extensive lunch buffet in downtown Santa Rosa. 615 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-919-3095, darbarkitchensr.com
L’Oro di Napoli, Petaluma: The second location for the owners of downtown Santa Rosa’s favorite Neapolitan pizzeria. The 8,000-square-foot Petaluma restaurant offers wood-fired pizza and an expanded menu of pasta and appetizers. 208 Petaluma Blvd. N, Petaluma, 707-981-7175, lorodinapolisantarosa.com
March
Stella: The Cal-meets-Ital restaurant from the owners of Glen Ellen Star opened on March 1 at the former Cafe Citti. The menu leans heavily on housemade pasta, woodfired meats and sides. Unlike Glen Ellen Star, there is no pizza — but there is a mozzarella bar. The restaurant is the newest venture for chef Ari Weiswasser, his wife Erin and managing partners Spencer and Ashley Waite. Glen Ellen Star’s chef de cuisine, Bryant Minuche, leads the Stella kitchen. 9049 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, 707-801-8043, stellakenwood.com
April
El Roy’s Santa Rosa: El Roy’s Express Mex, popular for its bright orange fleet of taco trucks, will open a brick-and-mortar restaurant in south Santa Rosa less than a half mile from its 2728 Santa Rosa Ave. food truck location. La Plaza and Los Dos Gallos previously occupied the space. The new restaurant will include indoor and outdoor seating and a drive-through window. 602 Elsa Drive, Santa Rosa, elroys.com
April/May
Dutch Door Donuts: The former Burdock space has gotten a bright orange paint makeover in preparation for the arrival of this Carmel-based doughnut shop. The menu features made-to-order masterpieces of fried dough that come in seasonal flavors like passion fruit and hibiscus, miso caramel, salted brown butter and almond sesame cinnamon. For purists, there’s also vanilla, chocolate and cinnamon. 109A Plaza St., Healdsburg, dutchdoordonuts.com
Acre Pasta: Acre Pizza owner Steve DeCosse has taken over the 850-square-foot oyster and Champagne bar formerly owned by Sushi Kosho’s Jake Rand. DeCosse founded Acre Coffee (now Avid Coffee) and plans to open an affordable pasta restaurant at 6770 McKinley St., Sebastopol.
Late May
In Napa — Carabao: French Laundry alums Mathew and Jade Cunningham are set to open a brick-and-mortar Filipino restaurant in Napa this May. Carabao takes its name from the national animal of the Philippines — a hardy species of water buffalo that symbolizes resilience and a deep connection to the land. 145 Gasser Drive, Suite C, Napa
Bijou: The owners of Table Culture Provisions (TCP) will open a new French-inspired restaurant, Bijou, at the former Easy Rider in downtown Petaluma after plans to take over the former Quinua Cocina Peruana (500 Petaluma Blvd. S.) stalled. “It’s our little jewel,” said Table Culture Provisions executive chef and co-owner Stéphane Saint Louis of the contemporary California-French restaurant. Saint Louis will head the kitchen while business partners Marta Saint Louis and chef de cuisine Steven Vargas remain at Table Culture Provisions. 190 Kentucky St., Petaluma
No official opening date
Montgomery Village continues to announce new restaurant and food vendors in Santa Rosa, including Portland-based ice creamery Salt and Straw, Berkeley’s Fieldwork Brewing, Sprinkles cupcakes, Blue Bottle Coffee, Mendocino Farms and Sweetgreens. Details at montgomeryvillageca.com.
Jimtown and then Sum: The famous Jimtown Store will hopefully reopen this year under Michelle Wood, the owner of Dim Sum and Then Sum. Watch for pop-ups and opening announcements at jimtown.com. 6706 CA-128, Healdsburg
Winnie’s: The impressive sustainable seafood pop-up that debuted at Healdsburg’s Maison Wine Bar in August 2024 has kept a low profile as plans move forward on a location for a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Sonoma County. Watch for updates on Instagram @eat.at.winnies.
Hapa’s on the Mainland: Hawaiian restaurant from the owners of Sweet T’s. 4618 Old Redwood Highway, Santa Rosa, 707-322-2850, hapasmainland.com
P.F. Chang’s: The Chinese food chain known for its lettuce wraps and 11-foot horse statues has pushed back its opening date at the Santa Rosa Plaza until late 2025. Menus at pfchangs.com.
Dave & Busters: Santa Rosa Plaza has also announced the future opening of a 46,230-square-foot sports bar, arcade and restaurant chain at the former Forever 21. daveandbusters.com
You can reach Dining Editor Heather Irwin at heather.irwin@pressdemocrat.com. Follow Heather on Instagram @biteclubeats.