Mustard-baked Christmas ham (julskinka), Swedish meatballs, sausages, ginger-glazed spare ribs at Stockhome’s annual Julbord in Petaluma. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
Pickled fish isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but, in Sweden, it’s the star of most holiday meals: Easter, Midsummer and Christmas — at the very least.
Last Sunday, my homesick Swedish friend and I spent a sunny afternoon enjoying a whole lot of Swedish fish (the smoked, cured and pickled kind) along with a variety of Nordic specialties at Stockhome’s annual julbord, a multiple-course Christmas meal.
In Sweden, the julbord is served buffet-style in restaurants in the weeks leading up to Christmas (this is a popular outing for companies). It is also served at home on Christmas Eve (Swedes celebrate Christmas on Dec. 24). The meal includes a variety of cold starters followed by warm entrees and sweet treats for dessert and is paired with beer and “nubbe” (shots of vodka or flavored aquavit) or, if you’re a kid or would like to skip the Christmas Day hangover, julmust (a yuletide soda).
Dill-cured salmon (gravlax) and cold-smoked salmon, served at Stockhome’s annual julbord in Petaluma. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)Pate of elk on rye bread at Stockhome’s annual julbord in Petaluma. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
At Stockhome in Petaluma, Swedish chef Roberth Sundell serves up the kind of traditional julbord that will bring a tear to an expatriate’s eye with dishes like julskinka (Christmas ham), revbensspjäll (spare ribs), gravlax (cured salmon), köttbullar (meatballs) and three kinds of sill (pickled herring). Although sometimes difficult to pronounce, these are dishes anyone could love.
Okay, there was one bit of herring I wasn’t prepared to love. But pretty much anything drenched in cream, dill and onions is okay with me, so problem solved. At least they didn’t serve us lutefisk (or “lutfisk” in Swedish), the dried and rehydrated cod (preserved in lye or “lut”) that only a Scandinavian could adore.
“You have to grow up with it to love it,” said my Swedish pal with a laugh. But there are so many other dishes to love at the Swedish julebord we shared.
Beware, there are many, many courses so arrive hungry. Start with the julmust, which is a less-carbonated cross between root beer and cola. Think of it as a way better holiday beverage choice than egg nog. Swedes down gallons of this this stuff during Christmas (and also during Easter when it’s simply renamed “påskmust” or “Easter soda”). It pairs well with some of the heavier julbord dishes.
Next up is sweet rye bread with butter followed by a herring course and potatoes with fresh dill and sour cream. To be super authentic, slather the butter on the bread to the extent that it seems ridiculous, recommends the Swede. Save a bit of bread for a cold course of gravlax, lantpaté (pate of elk), chicken liver mousse, sylta (pig’s head terrine) and rullsylta (shaved pork and lamb belly) with pickled vegetables. It’s all delicious, if not entirely familiar.
Save room for the meat course, with mustard-baked Christmas ham, Swedish meatballs, sausage and ginger glazed spare ribs (our Swede’s favorite entree) piled over red and brown cabbage and apple sauce. Jansson’s Temptation, au gratin potatoes with salty anchovies, is a dish everyone should try once. Wrap up the meal with warm and sweet risgrynsgröt (rice pudding) that hides a lucky almond. The one who finds the hidden almond is said to be the next to get married. So, it’s up to you how much you want to dig for it.
There are a few tickets left for the seated Julbord on Dec. 19 or you can order a to-go julbord on Dec. 20 at bit.ly/3yhIXPy.
Dungeness Crab Sandwich at The Marshall Store. (Christopher Chung / The Press Democrat)
Of all the Bay Area restaurants that The New York Times could have added to its recent “Top 50 Restaurants in America” list, The Marshall Store seems about the least likely.
The small, yellow seafood shack perched over the Tomales Bay is a locals-only kind of place for barbecued oysters that’s long been a tourist drive-by on the way to the more popular Hog Island Oyster Co. just north of the town of Marshall.
But what The Marshall Store lacks in polish, it makes up in just-harvested oysters that are served either raw on the half shell or barbecued with garlic butter, Worcestershire sauce, bacon and parsley. Whichever way they’re prepared, the oysters apparently are memorable enough to land this seafood pit stop on the Times’ list of the “most vibrant and delicious restaurants in 2021.”
These restaurants, according to the Times, “reflect the rich mosaic of American dining.” And, for many locals, what truly makes Northern California dining special is just the kind of unassuming dining spots like The Marshall Store. Owned by locals and serving the freshest harvest with integrity and flavor — and without pretense — it’s a worthy winner of the title.
The veranda fireplace at Ram’s Gate Winery in Sonoma. (Courtesy of Ram’s Gate Winery)
Oh, the weather outside’s not frightful, but the fire is still delightful. And since we’ve no place to go, let us go, let us go, let us go … wine tasting during the holidays.
Sonoma County may not get snow, but December’s chilly days and frosty nights make us want to bundle up and get cozy among the seasonal lights and tinseled trees. Local wineries, many in full holiday dress, are offering special events and pouring winter-friendly wines to warm the coldest of hands and hearts. Here are a few to visit during the festive season.
Barber Cellars: Take in Hotel Petaluma’s beautifully decorated lobby and courtyard with a massive Christmas tree, then step into Mike and Lorraine Barber’s tasting room for a sip and a casual bite. They pour their wines, most produced from Petaluma Gap and Carneros grapes, and serve grilled cheese sandwiches and cheese and charcuterie boards to match, just a few steps from the restored art deco hotel’s lobby. Zinfandel, sangiovese and barbera are ideal Barber winter warmers. 112 Washington St., Petaluma, 707-971-7410, barbercellars.com (Hotel entrance is at 205 Kentucky St.)
Bella Vineyards & Wine Caves: Caroling in the caves used to be a popular holiday activity, but COVID has silenced the voices for now. That doesn’t mean wine caves are off-limits to visitors, and Bella’s experience has and continues to be well worth the time. The Cave Tour/Immersive Wine Experience ($55) is sold out through December, but seated tastings inside the cave (or in the Bella Backyard overlooking the Lily Hill vineyard) were still available at press time ($30), with a focus on Bella’s numerous zinfandels, plus chardonnay and pinot noir. From Dec. 12 – 19, this upper Dry Creek Valley producer offers a dessert and wine pairing, Bella Bingo, with sweet treats, a Celtic harp performance, cookie decorating kits and a fiddle and guitar performance by Chris Rovetti on Dec. 19.Visit the website for details. 9711 West Dry Creek Rd., Healdsburg, 707-473-9711, bellawinery.com
Bricoleur Vineyards: On Dec. 12, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Hanson family hosts a Holiday Market on its Windsor property, with local vendors selling gifts and goods, photo ops with Santa, holiday activities and foods, and Bricoleur wines available for purchase by the glass and bottle. A $5 donation is requested, to be used to buy toys for deserving kids. There are also several sessions of evergreen wreath-making classes on Dec. 12 ($125), which start with a flute of Bricoleur Flying by the Seat of Our Pants Brut sparkling wine and continue with a charcuterie board and glass of Kick Ranch Sauvignon Blanc. 7394 Starr Road, Windsor, 707-857-5700, bricoleurvineyards.com
Freeman Vineyard & Winery: The sights and smells of evergreens and redwoods surrounding this family winery west of Sebastopol are enough to put anyone in a winter holiday state of mind. On pleasantly warm days, outdoor tastings under the forest canopy are invigorating. When the weather turns wet and cold, the wine cave is a welcoming shelter, where winemaker Akiko Freeman and her husband, Ken Freeman, pour their chardonnays and pinot noirs for a very fair cost of $30. Tours of their small winery and cave are available, perhaps even a stroll through their adjacent Gloria Vineyard, time and rain permitting. 1300 Montgomery Road, Sebastopol, 707-823-6937, freemanwinery.com
Lambert Bridge Winery: This Dry Creek Valley winery is somewhat famous for its big stone fireplace and redwood-beam mantle in the vaulted, wood-ceiling tasting room. Warm, welcoming and surrounded by redwoods, it reminds of a visit to a Tahoe lodge, one filled with artfully stacked oak barrels. Jerry Lambert established the winery in 1975 and in 1993, Patti and Ray Chambers took ownership. Over time, Lambert Bridge has become one of Sonoma County’s finest producers of Bordeaux-style red wines, sold only at the winery and to wine-club members. The 90-minute Cellar Tasting Experience ($95) is private and includes five limited-release wines made by Jennifer Higgins, accompanied by a cheese and charcuterie board. The Barrel Room Tasting Experience ($50) offers four current-release wines plus cheese and charcuterie and is also available on the outdoor patio. Closed Dec. 24 through Jan. 1. 4085 W. Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, 800-945-0555, lambertbridge.com
Meadowcroft Winery: The location of Tom Meadowcroft’s tasting room at Cornerstone Sonoma affords visitors an eyeful of holiday wonder and whimsy. In 2004, Artefact Design & Salvage owner David Allen bought hundreds of decorative snowmen from a factory soon to close, and the dapper gents have lit up the Cornerstone complex since. At Meadowcroft, four wines are served at each tasting ($25). Tom and his winemaker, Peter Kiralov, produce a dizzying range of wines, among them cabernet sauvignons from Sonoma County and Mount Veeder in Napa Valley and Sonoma-grown pinot noir, chardonnay, viognier and roussanne. 23574 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, 707-934-3094, meadowcroftwines.com
Ram’s Gate Winery: Joe Nielsen’s remarkable chardonnays and pinot noirs taste even better sampled in front of the veranda fireplace. The Veranda Package ($165) includes a guided two-hour tasting of five wines, accompanied by cheese and charcuterie boards. A $50, five-wine, open-air tasting is also offered. The modern ranch-house-type architecture of Ram’s Gate is classy and welcoming, with the hilltop location affording vast views of the Carneros region. 28700 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, 707-721-8700, ramsgatewinery.com
Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery: For nearly 120 years, wine was produced at this Sonoma winery. Various Sebastianis operated the winery until 2008, when William Foley added it to his Foley Family Wines portfolio. The winemaking has since been relocated, yet a vibrant visitor center remains, which is decorated to the nines for the Winter Wine Fest, ending Sunday (1-4 p.m., tickets $75). There will be fresh oysters paired with Carneros rosé and hearty bites served with new-release red wines. Barrel samples of the flagship Cherryblock Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon will also be poured. Can’t make the event? Then bask in the glow of holiday lights during the daily tasting ($40) of five wines in the courtyard. Or reserve the Cherryblock Vineyard Tour and Tasting ($110), where a wine educator discusses the winery’s history during a walk through the estate vineyard, followed by a tasting of five wines. 389 Fourth St. E., Sonoma, 707-933-3201, sebastiani.com
Three Fat Guys Wines: Local Tony Moll and two fellow (and former) Green Bay Packers football linemen are partners in this Sonoma winery and, as you can guess, big, bold cabernet sauvignons are their passion. Another big guy, Santa, will visit their tasting room 4 – 5:30 p.m. Tuesday to enjoy cookies, cider and wine with visitors. The event is free and reservations aren’t necessary. They are, however, for the Friday Cuts N Cab – Holiday Edition dinner on the outdoor patio of the tasting room. Chef Erik Lowe of Belfare will prepare grilled New York steak and rosemary frites, matched with Three Fat Guys 2019 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon ($60). Regular tastings are $30 and include sparkling brut rose, chardonnay and pinot noir. 20816 Broadway, Sonoma, 707-938-7211, threefatguyswines.com
Zina Hyde Cunningham: Zina Hyde left Maine in 1849 for the Gold Rush, landed in Sonoma County in 1865, established a ranch in Kenwood and expanded into Mendocino County. Hyde grew grapes and made wine and, long story short, his great-great grandson, Steve Ledson, revived the Zina Hyde Cunningham winery in Mendocino’s Anderson Valley. The tasting room, the Zina Lounge, is now located in the Ledson Hotel on the Sonoma Plaza and it has all one could want in a tasting venue this time of year: a wide range of wines, festive holiday decor and a cozy fireplace. A flight of five wines is $25; add $18 for cheeses and charcuterie. 480 First St. E., Sonoma, 707-895-9462, zinawinery.com
Healdsburg for the holidays: Downtown Healdsburg is decked out with decorated trees, bright lights, wreaths and garlands through Jan. 1. The city is also loaded with some two dozen tasting rooms on or within a few blocks of the central plaza, making it a gold mine for one-stop walking to several tasting venues, no driving required. There are too many to list here, but here are a few personal favorites:
Celebrate in Sonoma: As in Healdsburg, the town of Sonoma buzzes with holiday energy and 30-plus wine tasting rooms within a block or two of its plaza. Visit sonomaplaza.com/wine-tasting-rooms for suggestions. Among my personal favorites:
Auteur Wines, 373 First St. W., Sonoma, 707-938-9211, auteurwines.com. Chardonnay, pinot noir.
Bedrock Wine Co., 414 First St. E., Sonoma, 707-343-1478, bedrockwineco.com. Zinfandel, old-vine blends, sauvignon blanc, rosé.
Three Sticks, 143 W. Spain St., Sonoma, 707-996-3328, threestickswines.com. Chardonnay, pinot noir, pinot blanc, rosé.
The holiday season is in full swing, and what better way to get into the festive spirit than with a warming, seasonal drink? Local craft distillers are shaking things up with flavorful cocktails that offer a taste of the merry weeks ahead. Much like chefs, they are inspired by the changing seasons when spicing up their menus for fall and winter.
We asked a handful of Sonoma distillers to share recipes for their go-to cocktails for the holiday season. From a hot, decadent chocolate and vodka concoction to a bright red cranberry, clove and gin libation, here are five drinks that are easy to mix up at home and will make your night more jolly with just a sip. These cocktails are also available in the distillery tasting rooms until the end of the year.
Barber Lee Spirits, Petaluma
Sicilian Sting: This martini-like, grappa-based cocktail from Barber Lee Spirits (120 Washington St., Petaluma) is made with honey, lemon juice and egg white and is finished with a chamomile sugar rim.
Why it’s good for the holidays: Inspired by the coziness of a cup of chamomile tea, the Sicilian Sting is calming, bright and refreshing. It is served cold and is a nice compliment to Barber Lee’s warmer winter cocktails.
“For us, grappa is very much tied to the holiday season as we make (ours) from the pomace from our winery at the end of harvest and release it through the distillery at the end of the year,” said Michael Barber, co-owner of Barber Lee Spirits. “A good holiday cocktail should have some warming spice to it, so this grappa cocktail checks all boxes.”
Sicilian Sting cocktail at Barber Lee Spirits in Petaluma. (Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat)Aaron Lee, co-owner of Barber Lee Spirits, pours a Sicilian Sting, a mix of grappa, honey, lemon juice, egg white, with a chamomile sugar rim. (Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat)
How to make it at home:
Ingredients
1 ounce Barber Lee Spirits Grappa
⅟₂ ounce honey
⅟₂ ounce egg whites
Juice of half a lemon
Organic chamomile tea and white sugar for the glass rim
To make chamomile sugar: Grind chamomile tea in a spice grinder. Sieve the tea and separate the powder from the stems that remain. Mix the powder with white sugar for the glass rim.
Shake all ingredients together except the chamomile sugar until a froth starts to form. Add ice and continue to shake until chilled. Rim the edge of a coupe glass with the chamomile sugar. Strain the contents of the shaker into the glass, making sure to shake out the foam as well.
Griffo Distillery, Petaluma
Cranberry Clove: This vivid-red drink from Griffo Distillery (1320 Scott St., Suite A, Petaluma) is a blend of gin, cranberry shrub, cardamom-clove syrup, fig shrub and club soda. Skip the gin and it’s a snazzy mocktail.
Why it’s good for the holidays: Loaded with flavor, this versatile cocktail is a crowd-pleaser that brims with yuletide cheer. The cardamom-clove syrup is from FloraLuna Apothecary and Trading Co. in Petaluma (122 Kentucky St., floralunaapothecary.com), the black mission fig shrub is from INNA in Emeryville (innajam.com) and the cranberry shrub is from Som Cordial in Portland (somcordial.com).
“This is the perfect holiday cocktail because the cranberry is so bright and seasonally delicious when combined with the cardamom and clove,” said Jenny Griffo, who owns the distillery with her husband, Michael. “It’s what I’ll be drinking all winter.”
The Gin Cranberry Clove cocktail at Griffo Distillery and Tasting Bar in Petaluma. (Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat)The Gin Cranberry Clove cocktail kit includes Griffo Scott Street Gin, Cranberry Som Shrub, FloraLuna Cardamon Clove Syrup, INNA Mission Fig Shrub, and Fever Tree Club Soda. (Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat)
How to make it at home:
Ingredients
1 ⅟₂ ounces Griffo Scott Street Gin
1 ⅟₂ ounces Som Cranberry Shrub
⅟₂ ounce FloraLuna Apothecary and Trading Co. Cardamom Clove Syrup
⅟₂ ounce INNA Black Mission Fig Shrub
Fever-Tree Club Soda
Shake together the first four ingredients, strain into a glass and top with club soda. For fun, top with a few fresh or dried cranberries.
A cranberry clove cocktail kit ($95) with gin, shrubs, syrup and club soda can be purchased at Griffo Distillery and online at griffodistillery.com. Makes 12 cocktails.
Hanson of Sonoma Distillery, Sonoma
Hanson Espresso Hot Chocolate: This boozy and caffeinated hot chocolate from Hanson of Sonoma (22985 Burndale Road, Sonoma) is a heated twist on the classic espresso martini. It melds seasonal organic espresso vodka with hot cocoa, heavy cream and your favorite holiday treats.
Why it’s good for the holidays: A holiday staple in the Hanson family home, this decadent drink has a way of making you feel very merry, especially when topped with festive candy canes. It is a great companion on a chilly afternoon or evening.
“Enjoyed best by a warm fire with family and friends, this cocktail is hard not to love,” said Darren Hanson, head of production at Hanson Sonoma.
The Hanson Espresso Hot Chocolate cocktail from Hanson of Sonoma. (Courtesy of Hanson of Sonoma)
How to make it at home:
Ingredients
1 ounce Hanson Organic Espresso Vodka
5 ounces hot cocoa
³⁄₄ ounce heavy cream
Marshmallows and candy canes, for garnish
Make a hot cocoa of your choice. Pour in the vodka and heavy cream and serve warm in a mug. Garnish with your favorite holiday treats.
Spirit Works Distillery, Sebastopol
Whiskey Winter: This not-too-sweet drink from Spirit Works Distillery (6790 McKinley St., Suite 100, Sebastopol) features whiskey, blood orange shrub, lemon juice, a few drops of cinnamon tincture, cherry syrup and simple syrup and a dash of chocolate bitters.
Why it’s good for the holidays: Imagine one of those chocolate oranges you only find on candy store shelves during the holidays, but soaked in whiskey and dusted with chile spice. Thirsty yet?
“We created the Whiskey Winter cocktail for the holidays because the blood orange and hint of cinnamon feel reminiscent of mulled wine, something we often have at home during the holidays,” said Ashby Marshall, co-owner of Spirit Works Distillery.
All those holiday flavors also make this cocktail a good choice for non-whiskey drinkers. (The cinnamon cocktail spice is made in Seattle by a company called Addition and can be purchased online: drinkaddition.com.)
The Whiskey Winter cocktail from Spirit Works Distillery in Sonoma. (Courtesy of Spirit Works Distillery)
How to make it at home:
Ingredients
1 ⅟₂ ounces Spirit Works Straight Wheat Whiskey
³⁄₄ ounce blood orange shrub
³⁄₄ ounce lemon juice
10 drops Addition Cinnamon Cocktail Spice
1 bar spoon (5 ml) Luxardo cherry syrup
1 bar spoon (5 ml) simple syrup
A dash chocolate bitters
Combine all ingredients in a shaker tin with ice. Shake for 10 seconds, then strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Top with a dash of chocolate bitters, then garnish with a rosemary sprig.
Young & Yonder Spirits, Healdsburg
Dirty Harry: Your favorite childhood mocktail, the Shirley Temple, is the inspiration for this drink from Young & Yonder Spirits (449 Allan Court, Healdsburg). Similar to a Dirty Shirley, it combines straight bourbon whiskey with lime juice, ginger ale and housemade grenadine.
Why it’s good for the holidays: Despite its name, the Dirty Harry is refreshingly light. The bourbon’s presence in the cocktail is subtle but it packs enough punch to keep you warm on a chilly December night.
“What we like about this cocktail is its combination of warming bourbon notes, accompanied by sweet ginger balanced with the flavor of pomegranate (from the grenadine),” said Joshua Opatz, who owns Young & Yonder Spirits with his wife, Sarah. “The tart berry and warming spices remind us of the holidays.”
The Dirty Harry cocktail from Young & Yonder Spirits in Healdsburg. (Courtesy of Young & Yonder Spirits)
How to make it at home:
Ingredients
1 ⅟₂ ounces Young & Yonder Straight Bourbon Whiskey
³⁄₄ ounce lime juice
⅟₂ ounce grenadine
3 ounces ginger ale
Cherry, for garnish
Shake together all ingredients but the ginger ale. Pour into a highball glass, top with ginger ale and garnish with a cherry.
Young & Yonder’s homemade grenadine and everything else you need to make a Dirty Harry can be purchased at the tasting room in Healdsburg.
A group of Single Thread alums plan to open a modern wine bar in downtown Healdsburg in early 2022 dubbed Maison Healdsburg. Owners Evan and Jade Hufford and Ryan Knowles said diners at the Michelin-starred Single Thread were often interested in having a glass of wine after their meals — sometimes as late as midnight — with little available after hours in town.
“We saw a huge need for a wine bar in Healdsburg. There’s a high demand from diners and the hospitality workers who are dying for somewhere to go,” said Evan Hufford, a professional sommelier who was the opening wine director at Single Thread. His wife, Jade, was a service director at the restaurant and business partner Ryan Knowles, a certified sommelier, was also on the opening team at Single Thread.
They’re banking on that after-hours crowd, with the eyebrow-raising hours of 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. in this sleepy county.
“It will depend on demand,” said Hufford, adding that he’s seen demand growing as vaccine rates increase.
“People are starting to feel good now, and they want to have fun. The three of us felt there was a niche missing for late-night wine in Healdsburg ever since Bergamot Alley closed,” he said.
But it won’t be all Dom Pérignon and Harlan Estate at Maison Healdsburg. The wine bar owners also want to create a space that’s welcoming to anyone who wants a glass of well-curated wine.
“We’ll have some affordable options, and we don’t want to alienate anyone,” Hufford said.
What’s getting buzz, however, is their very proletariat plan to open coveted older bottles — gems that Hufford and his partners love to track down for collectors — and offer tastes by the glass.
“No one would normally do that, but we want people to be able to taste the iconic bottlings of the world without going broke,” he said. They plan to announce those bottle openings on Instagram.
There also will be a teaching component (Hufford teaches at the SF Wine School), to engage locals in learning about global and local wines.
The wine bar will be next door to the forthcoming Lo & Behold (214 Healdsburg Ave.), opening soon at the former Mateo’s Cocina Latina. Former Duke’s Spirited Cocktails partners Laura Sanfilippo and Tara Heffernon are partnering with Chef Sean Raymond Kelley for a small-plates and cocktails lounge.
A rendering of The Madrona in Healdsburg. (Courtesy illustration)
After a lengthy closure and remodel, Healdsburg’s Madrona Manor (now called The Madrona) is aiming for a spring 2022 reopening, according to its new owner, designer Jay Jeffers. That means Michelin-starred chef Jesse Mallgren will be back in the kitchen with a new menu and new point of view for the restaurant.
Gone will be the fussy, dusty Victorian decor that never jived with Mallgren’s forward-thinking culinary prowess. Instead, design renderings show clean lines of banquettes and modern lighting along with a more minimally decorated Palm Terrace outdoor patio and eclectic old-meets-new bar area. Overall, it’s a visual relief that makes the historic building a worthy new destination.
Chef Jesse Mallgren of Madrona Manor in Healdsburg. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
We were a bit curious about menu items promoted in a recent news release as “Signature Dishes” that seem worlds away from Mallgren’s ambitious tasting menus of the past. New dishes include a traditional Chicken Paillard infused with Southeast Asian flavors from Mallgren’s travels in Thailand; Steak Tartare with goma dare, quail egg and fresh wasabi; Local Anchovies cured with Madrona lemons, featuring fennel pollen from the onsite garden and DaVero olive oil from The Madrona’s neighboring farm; and Camomile Roasted Carrots, with nasturtium salsa verde from the garden and rich Manchego cheese.
The veteran chef says he’s excited about the revamped menu that’s more approachable but still elegant. We’ll be eager to see what’s in store.
PORTUGAL: 9 Islands Bakery: Pasteis de Nata, a Portuguese custard pastry, is popular at Christmas. Heather Irwin/PD
Every family has a holiday food tradition, whether it’s lasagna while watching “A Charlie Brown Christmas” or hunting high and low for the most authentic Hungarian poppy seed roll. The smells and flavors of grandma’s house linger in our memories, and more than any other time of year, we crave a little taste of our heritage.
Click through the gallery for some of the holiday dishes from around the world that you can find here in Sonoma County — from potstickers to pavlova — to make the yuletide that much more delicious.
Holiday Tea at Hotel Healdsburg will be held on the Saturdays and Sundays between Dec. 7 – Dec. 22 and will include holiday fare such as house-made pastries and dainty finger sandwiches from Dry Creek Kitchen. Tea service and food is $79 for adults, and tea service with food and wine or cocktails is $93. Food, tea, cider and hot chocolate for children 12 and under is $49. 25 Matheson St., Healdsburg. stayhealdsburg.com
Muir’s Tea Room in Sebastopol will be hosting its annual Winter Woodland Wonderland High Tea on Saturdays and Sundays from Dec. 7-31. The tea service ($74 per person) comes complete with tarts, finger sandwiches, scones and more (plus a matching gluten-free menu which costs $80). There’s also a tea service for children under 12, for $39 per child, with tea or sparkling apple cider along with savory and dessert items. Don’t forget to pick up special holiday tea blends, seasonal bakery items and other holiday gifts for that special tea fanatic in your life. 330 South Main St., Sebastopol, 707-634-6143, muirstearoomandcafe.com.
Mexico — Tamales: A favorite holiday tradition in Mexico, these steamed corn cakes are popular year-round but at the holidays they are even more special. Filled with everything from chicken, pork and cheese to beans, pineapple and even chocolate, they’re perfect for a party of any size. Our favorites are atTamales Mana. For a twist on the usually savory snack, we love tamales with sweet mango salsa atDon Julio’s in Rohnert Park. Tamales Mana, 1110 Petaluma Hill Road, Santa Rosa, 707-595-5742, tamalesmana.com. Don Julio’s, 217 Southwest Blvd., Rohnert Park, 707-242-3160, donjulioslatingrill.com.
Italy — Panettone: Filled with candied fruit, this Italian sweet bread was one of the many reasons to make a trip to the much-missed Traverso’s Deli — but Basque Boulangerie in Sonoma serves up homemade panettone along with brioche Christmas wreaths and challah at the holidays. 460 First St. East, Sonoma, 707-935-7687, basqueboulangerie.com.
Germany — Cakes, Cookies and More: Pfeffernusse cookies and “glüewhein” (a spiced mulled wine) are among the most cherished holiday traditions. European Food Store in Santa Rosa has holiday candies, cookies (including pfeffernusse) and boot-stuffers from Germany and Eastern Europe. Franchetti’s Gasthaus has plenty of authentic German treats all-year-round with schnitzel, wurst, vesper cheese and charcuterie plates and much more. European Food Store, 2790 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-527-0319, alleuropeanfood.com. Franchetti’s Gasthaus, 1229 N. Dutton Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-526-1229, franchettis.com.
Schnitzel and strudel are traditional German holiday dishes. You can find them on the holiday menu at Franchetti’s Gasthaus in Santa Rosa.
Eastern Europe — Poppy Seed Roulade: At the European Food Store in Santa Rosa, find Eastern European holiday favorites like poppy seed roulade, caviar, smoked fish and imported chocolates. 2790 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-527-0319, alleuropeanfood.com.
Sweden — Julbord:Stockhome in Petaluma is your go-to spot for all things Swedish. On Dec. 8 and Dec. 15 at noon and 5 p.m. and Dec. 22 at 5 p.m., they will serve an authentic julbord — a family-friendly meal featuring holiday specialties. There will be a julbord takeout option on Dec. 23 with pickup times from Noon-4 p.m. To learn more about Stockhome’s holiday festivities this year, click here. 220 Western Ave., Petaluma, 707-981-8511, stockhomerestaurant.com.
France — Bûche de Noël: Eating a log might not sound so delicious, but when it’s filled with buttercream and frosted with chocolate? That’s another story. The tradition stems from ancient pagan rites of burning logs to usher in spring, but we like the elaborate versions at Sarmentine Artisan Boulanger in Santa Rosa, Les Pascalsin Kenwood, Patisserie Angelica in Sebastopol and Pascaline Patisserie and Cafe in Forestville. Need a gluten-free version? Check out Sonoma County Cakes made at Zoftig Eatery in Santa Rosa.
More French Holiday Treats: Pastry chef Alexandra Zandzliet of the new Sarmentine Artisan Boulanger in Santa Rosa is offering traditional French holiday sweets, in addition to Bûche de Noël, including pain d’épices (French spice cake) and advent bread studded with 12 different fruits and nuts. 52 Mission Circle, Suite 112, Santa Rosa, 707-623-9595, sarmentine.com.
New Zealand — Pavlova: It’s summer down under during the holidays, just in time for fresh strawberries, raspberries and blueberries that make this light dessert such a holiday favorite. Made with a meringue base, whipped cream and berries, the best spot to find it is BurtoNZ Bakery in Windsor, the only New Zealand-style bakery in the region. 9076 Brooks Road South, Windsor, 707-687-5455, burtonzbakery.com.
Puerto Rico — Sweet Rice Pudding: Coconut, raisins, spices and cloves make this a special rice pudding (arroz con dulce) that’s traditional on the island. You can find it at El Coqui Puerto Rican Cuisine in Santa Rosa. 400 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa. 707-542-8868, elcoqui2eat.com.
Ethiopia — D’oro We’t: This spicy chicken stew takes days to prepare, with a mix of African peppers and spices. Long-simmered with garlic and onion, hard-boiled eggs are added to soak up flavor, and it’s typically served with fermented injera bread. Though Ethiopian Christians celebrate on Jan. 7 according to the Orthodox calendar, you can find d’oro we’t any day of the year at Abyssinia in Santa Rosa. 913 4th St., Santa Rosa, 707-568-6455, my-abyssinia.com.
Chinese for Christmas? Many Jewish folks have a favorite holiday tradition of eating Chinese food — often from the only restaurants open on Christmas. It’s also a great way to avoid the kitchen after a day of exhausting present opening. Lately, more and more Chinese restaurants have been closing on Dec. 25, making this jolly night out harder to come by. China Legend in Santa Rosa is one spot that will be open on Christmas Day for sure. City Chopsticks in Petaluma has also been reliably open on Christmas. China Legend, 500 Mission Blvd., Santa Rosa, 707-538-8698, chinalegendsantarosa.com. City Chopsticks, 127 N. McDowell Blvd. Petaluma, 707-763-3083, citychopsticksca.com.
Thailand — Mango Sticky Rice: A traditional South Asian dessert made with fresh mango, glutinous rice and coconut milk, mango sticky rice is often enjoyed on Songkran, the Thai New Year’s holiday in April but is popular during other holidays as well. Tomi Thai Restaurant in Windsor and OSHA Thai BBQ in Petaluma both serve up elegantly plated Mango Sticky Rice that’s a refreshing, delicious ending to any meal. Tomi Thai Restaurant, 426 Emily Rose Circle, Windsor, 707-836-1422, tomithai.com. OSHA Thai BBQ, 1390 N. McDowell Blvd., Unit A, Petaluma, oshathaibbq.com.
Turkey— Baklava: While baklava is a popular dessert to mark the end of Ramadan, this sweet, delicate treat of thin phyllo pastry layered with a honeyed nut mixture can be enjoyed any day of the year. Along with other Turkish holiday delights like dolmas and borek, Real Döner in Petaluma serves heavenly pistachio baklava with the right touch of sweet and crunchy. 307 F St., Petaluma, 707-765-9555, realdoner.net.
India — Kheer: A simple yet wholesome dessert, traditional Indian kheer is a sweet rice pudding commonly found at festivals and on the holidays in India. Himalayan in Windsor offers an old-fashioned and lightly spiced Himalayan-style kheer, and Kafal Restaurant in Santa Rosa has a sweet, refreshing kheer flavored with cardamom. Himalayan, 810 McClelland Drive, Windsor, 707-838-6746, himalayanrestaurantwindsor.com. Kafal Restaurant, 535 Ross St., Santa Rosa, 707-595-3311.
Japan — Kentucky Fried Chicken: Though Christmas isn’t widely celebrated in Japan, KFC is a holiday tradition. Since the 1970s, the “Party Barrel” has attracted lines of eager eaters after a marketing campaign made Kurisumasu ni wa Kentakkii (Christmas with Kentucky) a thing. To follow suit, take your pick among Sonoma County’s eight KFC locations.
Calling all holiday decor fanatics: We’ve picked out a few of our favorite ornaments, made by Sonoma County artisans or sourced from around the world and available in local stores. Buy one of these treasures for your home and gain some festive style plus shop-local pride. Click through the above gallery for details.
Drinking sparkling wine is a year-long ritual for many, yet some save it for end-of-year holidays, most obviously on New Year’s Eve. The time to sip and shop is now, and the choices of Sonoma-made bubbly are many.
Three decades ago, a handful of Sonoma County wineries mastered the time-consuming techniques for making sparklers that mirror the quality and depth of true Champagne, which relies on chardonnay and pinot noir for the base wines and a secondary fermentation in the bottle, called méthode champenoise or méthode traditionnelle.
In the 1980s, Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards, Iron Horse Vineyards, J Vineyards & Winery and Piper Sonoma joined Korbel Champagne Cellars (established 100 years earlier) as power players in the local sparkling wine scene, turning sunny California fruit into wines with brioche and toasty aromas and flavors, a fine bead of tiny bubbles and crackling acidity.
More recently, wines made with less-intensive methods, and/or using nontraditional grape varieties, have burst upon the scene. There are pétillant naturels, or pét-nats, which are bottled while still undergoing a first fermentation and closed with a crown cap instead of a cork. The French call this process méthode ancestral, with the yeast staying in contact with the wine until the cap is removed. Out gushes a fruity, slightly creamy and easy-to-drink sparkler that lacks the complexity of Champagne-like wines yet is crowd-pleasing for its simplicity.
Some wineries apply the charmat method to carbonate their wines in large steel tanks, adding carbon dioxide to create the bubbles. Like pét-nats, these wines are all about the fruit; they are non-fussy yet satisfying, ready to enjoy soon after bottling and typically cost half as much as méthode traditionnelle sparkling wines. Zinfandel, syrah, malbec, sauvignon blanc and gewürztraminer are showing up in Sonoma-produced bubblies, thus expanding the aromas and flavors beyond the more traditional chardonnay and pinot noir.
For holiday-time fizz tasting and bubbly bottle purchases, try these Sonoma wineries. (Click through the above gallery to see the tasting rooms.)
Amista Vineyards
Amista owners Mike and Vicky Farrow had their hearts set on producing sparkling wine when they bought what is now called Morningsong Vineyards in 1999. They added syrah to the chardonnay vines, purchased cabernet sauvignon and zinfandel grapes from others and released their first wines in 2005. Three years later, they launched their sparkling syrah, a relatively bold move in Sonoma yet a long-established tradition in Australia. So besotted with sparkling wines were the Farrows that they created the Amista Sparkling Friends wine club in 2014. Winemaker Ashley Herzberg bottles a wide array of méthode traditionnelle wines for this Dry Creek Valley winery, in addition to still (table) wines. The reserve tasting experience ($40) includes sparkling and still wines.
A bottle of bubbly from Breathless Wines in Healdsburg. (Courtesy of Breathless Wines)
Breathless Wines
Rack & Riddle Custom Wine Services co-founder Rebecca Faust and her sisters, Cynthia Faust and Sharon Cohn, created Breathless Wines to honor their mother, Martha Jane Faust, who died of a rare respiratory condition — but not before teaching her daughters the joy of each breath taken. Unofficial fourth sister, Penny Gadd-Coster, is their winemaker, and her méthode traditionnelle sparklers are fresh and lively, with three new wines introduced in 2021: two single-vineyard blancs de noir from the Robledo Vineyard in Sonoma and a blanc de blancs from the McMinn Vineyard in Russian River Valley. Guests can choose from three different wine flights ($20) and add cheese and charcuterie boxes and caviar for additional costs.
Spain’s Ferrer family came to Sonoma in 1982 and established the first sparkling wine house in Carneros, in 1986. The parent company, Freixenet, was acquired by Henkell and Co. in 2018, although fine fizz continues to flow from this pioneering producer. The “Gloria” nonvintage brut, blanc de noirs and brut rosé are relatively easy to find (and good values at around $22). But head to the tasting room for the more complex, aged Royal Cuvée Brut Late Disgorged Carneros, Anniversary Cuvée and Carneros Cuvée Late Disgorged Brut, Gloria Ferrer’s top-end wines. The Classic Carneros Experience ($34-$45) features four wines, which can also include still chardonnay and pinot noir. Or splurge on the Culinary Wine Pairing ($68-$85) – a multi-course food and wine matching meal available Friday through Sunday.
Sparkling wines at Gloria Ferrer Caves and Vineyards in Sonoma. (Courtesy of Gloria Ferrer Caves and Vineyards)A glass of sparkling wine is poured at Gloria Ferrer Caves and Vineyards in Sonoma. (Jeremy Portje / For The Press Democrat)
Harvest Moon Estate & Winery
Randy Pitts’ family has grown wine grapes in the Russian River Valley since 1976. In 2000, he assumed the farming responsibilities at the 9-acre ranch and began making zinfandel from the ranch. Pitts’ sparkling wine program began in 2003 with gewürztraminer, the lone white grape grown on the estate. Over the next decade, he added small lots of sparkling pinot noir rosé, chardonnay, zinfandel and gewürztraminer. Nearly all the grapes are grown on the estate on Olivet Road, where the tasting room is located. The bubbles are poured on weekends, along with still wines, in six-wine flights ($30).
2198 Olivet Road, Santa Rosa, 707-573-8711, harvestmoonwinery.com
Iron Horse Vineyards
The tasting room at this Sebastopol sparkling wine superstar has an east-facing view of its vineyards, the Mayacamas mountain range and Mt. St. Helena. Fog seeps into this Green Valley of Russian River Valley site morning and evening, refreshing the grapes, yet the days can be gloriously sunny for sipping Champagne-quality bubblies and taking in the visuals. As outstanding as the Sterling family’s sparkling wines are – and there are more than a dozen of them, some with charity fundraising ties – tastings ($30) are reasonably priced and outdoors, casual and non-fussy, and staged in front of a redwood barn-style building. Spitting sampled wines down the hill is not only OK, it’s encouraged for those driving, although it’s so very difficult to not swallow these elegant, refined wines. Seated tastings in a gazebo are also offered ($50).
The Bubble Room at J Vineyards and Winery in Healdsburg. (Courtesy of J Vineyards and Winery)
J Vineyards & Winery
Judy Jordan and her father, Tom Jordan of Jordan Winery, founded J Wine Co. in 1986 for the express purpose of producing Champagne-style wines. Judy later took over the business and with her then-winemaker, Oded Shakked, vaulted J to the top tier of U.S. sparkling wine houses. E. & J. Gallo purchased J in 2015 and has continued to offer stylish wines and a fine visitor experience, with an emphasis on wine and food pairings. The J Bubble Room’s five-course tasting menu, matched with Nicole Hitchcock’s winery-only and older-vintage wines, is not to be missed ($150). The Legacy Tasting ($35) offers a five-wine, all-sparkler flight, and one of a mix of sparkling and still wines; add cheeses for an extra $15. The standup, Signature Bar Tasting ($25) is an affordable way to start. The Cuvee XB Extra Brut, not available in stores, is arguably J’s most food-friendly sparkler, dry and bracing.
11447 Old Redwood Highway, Healdsburg, 888-594-6326, jwine.com
Korbel Champagne Cellars
This is the oldest continually operating sparkling wine house in North America, established in 1882. That history gives Korbel the legal right to use the term “California Champagne” on its labels, even though the wines are not from Champagne, France. They’re produced in Guerneville, from grapes sourced from Sonoma and throughout California. The brut, rosé, blanc de blancs and blanc de noirs sparklers are ubiquitous in supermarkets, yet visits to the winery are still recommended. Not only does the staff pour winery-only reserve bubbles and still wines, the three-wine Market Tasting is complimentary, and the all-bubbles flight is just $15 for five wines. Sip a sense of history at Korbel.
13250 River Road, Guerneville, 707-824-7316, korbel.com
Visitors enjoy a glass of champagne at Korbel Winery in Guerneville. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)La Prenda Wines tasting room in Sonoma. (Robbi Pengelly/Index-Tribune)
La Prenda Wines
Ned Hill, proprietor of La Prenda Vineyard Management, farms multiple sites within Sonoma Valley. A few years ago, he began producing wines from his clients’ grapes and selling them under the Sonoma Collection and La Prenda labels. In 2021, Ned and his wife, Erika, opened a tasting room in Sonoma, where their Sonoma Coast Brut Rosé, Carneros Pétillant-Naturel and Secco North Coast Brut are poured and sold, along with a wide range of still wines. Five-wine flights are $20.
Fizz runs through the veins of Longboard owner and winemaker Oded Shakked. A former sparkling winemaker at J Vineyards & Winery, he founded his own business in 1998. While syrah, malbec, pinot noir, rosé and sauvignon blanc are foundation wines at Longboard, Shakked’s love of bubbles is evident in his Healdsburg tasting room (the Surf Lounge). There, methode traditionnelle brut, brut rosé and a scintillating Brut Z are likely to be poured for those seeking sensational sparklers. Tastings are just $20, and the fee is refundable when two or more bottles are purchased. Cheese and charcuterie items are available for purchase. The tasting room will be closed Dec. 24-Jan. 6 for vacation and renovation.
Winter in Sonoma County may be mild relatively speaking but there are days and — especially — nights when Jack Frost’s nipping and all you want to do is snuggle up by a crackling fireplace with a hot drink and a warm, comforting meal.
Thankfully, there are plenty of restaurants here that serve up great food with a side of cozy winter vibes, offering respite from the chilly world outside. Some have fireplaces and those that don’t make up for it with a warm, welcoming environment, candle-light ambiance, comfy furnishings and comfort food that warm the spirit.
If you’d like to dine outdoors, many restaurants have heat lamps and blankets to keep you warm; some, like Wit & Wisdom in Sonoma, Hopmonk Tavern in Sebastopol and Brewsters Beer Garden in Petaluma, even have fire pits.
Here are a few of our favorite cozy restaurants and cafes for cold winter days in Sonoma County. (Click through the above gallery for photos of the restaurants.)
Catelli’s
Stepping into Catelli’s restaurant in Geyserville is like being transported to a rustic villa in the Italian countryside. There are elegant touches, like the black and white marble adorning the back patio and bathrooms, but the cushioned chairs and finished wood features in the dining room lends the restaurant a casual, cozy atmosphere. A large cobblestone fireplace adds extra warmth to the indoor space, while heaters and covered cabanas on the patio keep alfresco diners toasty and dry. This is a nice place for a romantic dinner or a gathering of family and friends, with authentic Italian cuisine (order the lasagna), a long list of excellent local wines and the kind of hometown hospitality that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy.
This trendy restaurant on Fourth Street is more than just a cozy place to eat. Located in what looks like a residential house, the restaurant is divided into different rooms. The decor is sleek with plush taupe and leather dining chairs and light cream colored walls, but the atmosphere is home-like; reminiscent of a London gastropub. Vintage artwork, contemporary light fixtures and a tiled fireplace add to the sophisticated yet laidback vibe. The menu is an unlikely mix of Jewish comfort foods, Southern classics and Korean fare and the dishes, most of them shareable, are artfully executed. Order the Warm Pretzel Bread topped with everything bagel spice and a side of creamy whipped labneh — the warm, pillowy bread with a flavorful, golden and crunchy crust pairs well with cold winter nights.
Bird and the Bottle in Santa Rosa. (Alvin Jornada/The Press Democrat)Wood grilled Gulf shrimp, grits and potatoes at Bird and The Bottle in Santa Rosa. (Heather Irwin/The Press Democrat)
Brew
If you find yourself reminiscing about childhood winter days spent drinking hot cocoa and playing boardgames with friends, then Brew is the place to recreate those moments. This welcoming cafe has hot cocoa made with TCHO chocolate, high quality teas by the pot and seasonal selections of Ritual Coffee Roasters fresh coffee that can be paired with pastries from Village Bakery — muffins, scones, chocolate chip cookies and more. For breakfast and lunch, there’s avocado toast, burritos, wraps, sandwiches, macro bowls and other wholesome dishes made with locally-sourced ingredients. Come for the Ginger Cardamom Latte and belly-warming Baked Oatmeal; stay for the homey feel and riveting rounds of Yahtzee. And, because you’re now a grownup, you can also order a beer.
Located in Santa Rosa’s Historic Railroad Square, Stark’s Steak & Seafood restaurant does cozy old-school style. Slide into a leather seat, order a dry martini and dine on high-quality beef and sustainable seafood in a dining room that makes you feel like you’re in an episode of Mad Men. A brick-ensconced fireplace adds to the ambiance. This is a popular spot for happy hour Monday to Friday (3-6 p.m.) with well-crafted classic cocktails and top-notch bites like tuna tartar taco, prime rib banh mi, potato skin fondue, BBQ oysters and truffle fries.
Romantic dim lighting, chicken roasting over an open fire and an invitingly warm atmosphere — owners Mark and Terri Stark hit the cozy mark again with this Montgomery Village gem. Enjoy a gourmet meal inside under dreamy bulbous lights, or dine outside on the spacious patio beneath toasty heat lamps — lap blankets and seat cushions provide extra warmth on particularly cold nights. The Mediterranean menu includes wholesome and comforting dishes like Smoked Salmon Rillettes with dill crème fraiche and Grilled Lamb Burger with feta cheese and cucumber tzatziki; it’s the kind of food that works well on a winter day whether you’re in southern Europe or in Wine Country.
Tea cups on a shelf during at The Tudor Rose English Tea Room in Santa Rosa. (Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat)
Tudor Rose English Tea Room
This hidden gem in downtown Santa Rosa — an authentic tea room fit for a queen — transports you to the British Isles with vintage and antique decor, delicate tea sets and servers dressed to the nines in traditional English garb. You’ll feel like a royal — and very cozy and snug — as you sip on a spot of tea and nibble on crumpets in the Victorian couch near the fireplace. All high tea selections include an endless pot of tea, from the traditional (Earl Grey, English Breakfast) to the more extravagant (like the James Bon tea with chocolate chips and coconut flakes), and come with treats like tea sandwiches and scones and more substantial comfort dishes like chicken pot pie. You’ll be so immersed in all things British you might just walk away speaking the Queen’s English.
Situated in Sonoma’s boutique El Dorado Hotel on the downtown plaza, this restaurant serves up seasonal, farm-to-table cuisine in upscale yet relaxed surroundings. The main dining room is elegant and Wine Country-chic, but the private fireplace lounge is where you’ll want to go for group brunches and intimate gatherings. The refined decor, cozy atmosphere and accommodating service make this a great place for creative cocktails by the fire, such as the Jalapeño Business with chest-warming jalapeño tequila, orange liqueur and lime. Before or after your meal, take a stroll on the Sonoma plaza, which offers holiday cheer in December with festive lights and gift shopping.
A winter cocktail at El Dorado Hotel & Kitchen on the Sonoma Square. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)Sonoma’s downtown plaza in December. (Kent Porter/The Press Democrat)
The Girl & The Fig
This classic Sonoma restaurant has the feeling of a French country townhouse and serves bistro fare with a California twist in a quaint and homey dining room. There are vintage touches throughout: An antique bar greets customers by the entrance; retro light fixtures and colorful artwork decorate the walls. Sink down into a cushioned seat indoors and order Chef Jeremy Zimmerman’s three-course plats du jour (the menu changes every Thursday) with a wine flight (the menu focuses on Rhone-style wines); or dine outdoors under cozy string lights on the secluded patio.
The aroma of pizza and garlic bread wafts from the kitchen, through corridors and greets customers in the stairwell leading up to Old Chicago, located on the second floor in one of downtown Petaluma’s historic brick buildings. But this pizza spot doesn’t just rely on delicious, cheesy deep dish pies in their quest to keep customers satisfied, they take things up a notch with nice decor, romantic lighting and a cozy atmosphere. Candles and chandeliers illuminate the dining area, old black-and-white photos adorn the brick walls and the pizza ovens keep the restaurant pleasantly warm.
The industrial look of this coffee and tea house adds to its simple, rustic charm. A large, red coffee grinding machine takes center stage and consistently churns fresh beans, filling the room with an invigorating coffee aroma. The walls are lined with shelves stacked with loose leaf tea packages and burlap sacks with coffee beans; one wall is designated for comfy couches where you can sit down, sip and relax, read a good book, or listen to the resident piano man playing jaunty tunes. Whether you need a Macchiato pick-me-up, a well-spiced Chai Latte or beans and leaves by the pound, Petaluma Coffee & Tea has you covered with a cozy experience.
Refined yet casual, spacious but also intimate, lively while comfortable — famed restaurateur Jan Rosen’s 256 North does cozy dining in style. There’s a grand piano by the entrance and modern lights illuminate the space. The lounge area couch, bar stools and dining chairs are upholstered in cushiony leather, and brick alcoves offer tucked away spaces for groups or couples. Up to coziness factor by ordering a slice of Rosen’s famous cheesecake, like Frank Sinatra liked to do.
The 256 North burger, Wagyu beef from Snake River Farms, Sierra Nevada white cheddar, grilled Vidalia onions, lettuce, tomatoes on a brioche bun at 256 North in Petaluma. (Alvin Jornada/The Press Democrat)A slice of Jan Rosen’s famous cheesecake which is served at her downtown Petaluma restaurant, 256 North and also exported to 12 US states. (Crissy Pascual/Argus-Courier)
Retrograde Coffee Roasters
Serving breakfast and lunch all day, with all the coffee you can consume, of course, this community-minded cafe is equal parts fun and relaxed. From its small batch coffee roasting and locally sourced ingredients to the abstract artwork on the walls and numerous plants dotted around the sunlit cafe, Retrograde provides a friendly, calm environment to lounge or work in (hint: free Wi-Fi). Sip on a house-made Turmeric Latte and nosh on a flavorful breakfast sandwich made to your liking at this wholesome shop in downtown Sebastopol.
At the Farmhouse Inn in Forestville, guests can stay in cottage rooms equipped with all the Wine Country charm you could fit into a weekend. The inn’s Michelin-starred, white-tablecloth restaurant is housed in a restored farmhouse. It is upscale but cozy and serves Cal-French cuisine in a sophisticated dining room that also manages to feel unpretentious. A marble-ensconced fireplace and an extensive wine list will make you feel warm both on the outside and inside. Order the decadent chocolate soufflé for dessert and you’ll be set for the night.
The restaurant at the Farmhouse Inn. (Charlie Gesell/Sonoma Magazine)
The Farmhand
The Farmhand’s deli and market is a great place for picking up provisions for a hike or a cabin retreat in the woods. It is stocked with locally sourced goods and has a welcoming, laidback atmosphere. Stay for a while, relax and enjoy a piping hot latte, buttermilk waffles or a gourmet panini; there are seats on a cushioned couch by the modern fireplace, at wooden tables in the enclosed rustic veranda or outside on the deck overlooking the Russian River.
15025 River Road, Guerneville, 707-604-7795, thefarmhand.net
Northwood Restaurant
Another cozy spot by the Russian River, Northwood Restaurant serves comfort food in an unpretentious, rustic environment with views of the surrounding golf course dotted with redwood trees. A round, brick fireplace sits in the center of the sizable dining room, keeping patrons warm and snug, and the skylights in the tall, vaulted ceiling provide plenty of natural light. This is a locals’ favorite for hearty American home-cooked meals and drinks around the fire.
Order a clam chowder and snuggle up by the large stone fireplace or belly up to the 300-year-old elm tree wooden bar at this coastal gem at the Bodega Bay Lodge. Or dine outside and take in bay views by the fire pits at Drakes Fireside Lounge. For the ultimate cozy coastal getaway, check in at the lodge and order a Dungeness Crab Benedict (when available) for breakfast and enjoy it on your balcony or patio and then soak in the hot tub, also with bay views.
