Page 171 – Sonoma Magazine

This Tiny Sonoma Town Serves Up Great Food

April 2022

By Carey Sweet

Downtown Forestville spans only three blocks along Front Street and the town’s population is a tiny 3,761. But lately, chefs have been taking note of the quaint burg, setting up exciting new restaurants next to the classic favorites. Here are five to visit. (Click through the above gallery to see some favorite dishes.)

A La Heart Kitchen

Deborah Rodgers opened her catering business in Duncans Mills in 1982 and moved to Santa Rosa’s Railroad Square in 1991. This spring, her daughter, Mariana Krambs Belew, relocated the shop to downtown Forestville and expanded it into a café.

The charming enterprise offers premium picnic groceries and grab-and-go meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. “You come in, check out the fridge and see what looks good today,” Belew says. That might be everything, since the daily changing menu tempts with mouthwatering specialties like bacon and shrimp hush puppies, biscuits and sausage gravy, chile cheese cornbread, chicken and tofu satay with peanut sauce and Tuscan chicken with sour cream mashed potatoes and cauliflower gratin. Save room for cheesecake with pecan praline sauce.

6490 Mirabel Road, Forestville, 707-527-7555, alaheart.com

Sonoma Pizza Co.

So close, we can taste it… The former pizza pop-up has landed a brick-and-mortar setup in the former Jigar’s wine tasting room space and is hiring pizzaiolos, prep cooks and service experts. That means we’ll soon be devouring lots of great, wood-fired stuff, like a Pizza Margherita loaded with creamy fior de latte and mozzarella; a Nirvana pie topped with Ezzo Supreme pepperoni, Grana Padano, basil, ricotta and hot honey; and a Bianca Fun Guy smothered in local mushrooms, housemade roasted garlic crema, charred kale, mozzarella and Grana Padano.

For an edible adventure, try the Bora Bora piled with organic pulled pork, charred pineapple, beer battered onions, Bachan’s Japanese ginger-mirin barbecue sauce, mozzarella and Grana Padano. You can get gluten-free dough and/or vegan cheeses and plant-based meats, too.

6615 Front St., Forestville, sonomapizzaco.com

Pizza Margherita from Sonoma Pizza Co. in Forestville. (Courtesy of Sonoma Pizza Co.)

Pizza with Alba clamshell mushrooms, caramelized onion, mozzarella and goat cheese from Sonoma Pizza Co. in Forestville. (Courtesy of Sonoma Pizza Co.) — Pizza with Alba clamshell mushrooms, caramelized onion, mozzarella and goat cheese. (Courtesy of Sonoma Pizza Co.)

Gerard’s Paella Catering

Chef Gerard Nebesky famously beat star chef Bobby Flay in a Food Network paella throwdown in 2008. He also turned his successful catering business into a Santa Rosa restaurant, shuttering it after COVID-19 set in. Now he’s back, working on a new bistro in the former Twist location. He called in with this report: “I’m setting up for the first Coachella since the pandemic and I said I feel a little rusty…..then someone yells … ‘we’re all rusty together.’ Ugh, so true.”

After fixing up the Forestville space, Nebesky’s been doing tastings there for weddings and other events. On periodic Fridays, he has been offering take-and-bake paella. “As the season calendar fills in and stabilizes, we will have more announcements on how to get paella to the people,” he promises.

6536 Front St., Forestville, 707-874-2711, gerardspaella.com

Canneti Roadhouse Italiana

Francesso Torre learned to cook in his grandmother’s kitchen, while growing up in the Tuscan coastal town of Massa, Italy. One of his favorite feasts was – and still is – tordelli, large raviolis stuffed with meat and a touch of cinnamon. As a teenager, one of his first jobs was working with chef Giuseppina Moscaat at her Michelin two-star Il Bottaccio in Montignoso.

Since opening Canneti in 2013, Torre puts his own California accents on his Italian cuisine. It takes a full day of slow simmering to make his Bolognese, he makes his own fennel salame, focaccia and even olive oil, and wows with signature dishes like steamed savoy cabbage rolls stuffed with handmade whole milk ricotta over San Marzano tomato cream and crispy capers.

6675 Front St., Forestville, 707-887-2232, cannetiroadhouse.com

Cannoli from Canneti Roadhouse Italiana in Forestville. (Canneti Roadhouse Italiana) — Cannoli from Canneti Roadhouse Italiana in Forestville. (Courtesy of Canneti Roadhouse Italiana)

La Rosa Market and Taqueria

Founded by Rosa and Pedro Lepehernandez nearly two decades ago, this cozy gem delights with sturdy, savory staples like chile rellenos stuffed with tons of gooey Jack under a mantle of more cheese; a pork chile verde burrito plump with veggies, beans, rice, cheese, sour cream, guacamole and salsa; and delectable shrimp sautéed in butter, garlic, onion and bell pepper, served with rice, black beans and warm tortillas.

Go for the street tacos, as well – an order of four lets you choose two types of meat (we love the carnitas and the tender lengua). Bonus: you can sip wine and beer with your meal.

6555 Front St., Forestville, 707-887-8741, la-rosa-market.com

A Photo Stylist Remakes a Historic Petaluma Victorian

April 2022

By Meg McConahey

Santa Rosa natives and high school sweethearts Brad Villeggiante and Caroline Hall were happy in the snug 1,200-square-foot West Petaluma cottage that they had renovated top to bottom. But when their daughter, Cecily, arrived six years ago, the couple was prompted to dream bigger.

As in, really big. What they found was an eight-bedroom, 3,800-square-foot Queen Anne in Petaluma’s historic Brewster-Oak Hill neighborhood. The home was founded as a private hospital and later was put to work as a group home for youth and a bed and breakfast inn.

But Hall, a freelance art director, stylist, and producer, could tell the house had potential, both for a new chapter as a single-family dwelling, and also as a new income stream as a location for filmmaking and photo shoots.

“We went to an open house and looked at it and just loved it so much more than we thought she would,” Hall says. “Initially, my husband took some convincing, mostly because it was so big.”

The Hall home in Petaluma. (Eileen Roche/for Sonoma Magazine)

Daylight streams through gauzy curtains into the main living area, where Hall’s love of botanicals is on full display, with feathers, antlers, and a large fiddleleaf fig tree. (Eileen Roche/for Sonoma Magazine)

Hall’s love of botanicals is on full display. (Eileen Roche/for Sonoma Magazine)

Hall immediately noticed that the home, built in 1905 and graced with large windows throughout, was much brighter than other Victorian-style homes, and it still had highly sought-after original features, including wood floors, crown molding, antique chandeliers, and stained-glass windows.

“What I loved about it was all the amazing light,” Hall says. The couple didn’t want to change any of the good stuff. Their mission was to freshen up the interior and make it more appealing for commercial photography work as well as their own family life.

Hall and Villegiante ripped out dated wallpaper, restored the floors, and repainted the entire home.

“We were scraping paint for a year,” laughs Hall. “We kind of just took it one room at a time.”

Decorating such a large space was an adventure— one that was no problem at all for Hall, who had a large collection of accessories and furniture she’d used at work and on photo shoots over the years.

The family took on a major kitchen remodel during the pandemic. They preserved a beautiful, original stained-glass window, but added a large new range, a honeycomb tile backsplash, and IKEA cabinets. On weekends, Hall usually has an all-day cooking project simmering away — often soup or homemade bread. (Eileen Roche/for Sonoma Magazine)

Overall, Hall and Villeggiante created an eclectic blend of ornate Victorian and contemporary industrial, like metal airplane chairs from Restoration Hardware paired with a tufted sofa. Hall leaned into her love of botanicals with terrariums, bell jars, indoor plants, and scientific posters. “The house was amazing, like a sponge,” she explains. “We found a way to fill the space really quickly.”

“The nice thing about Victorians like this is that they embrace a lot of different styles,” Hall says.

“You get a midcentury modern house, and you feel like you have to put midcentury furniture in there. With Victorian you can get away with many different kinds of styles.”

The family has found uses for the multitude of rooms. Downstairs is a formal living room, a playroom for Cecily, a family room, a formal dining room, a kitchen, and a guest bedroom. Upstairs, in addition to the family’s bedrooms, Villeggiante and Hall each have a home office. Villeggiante went for a midcentury modern look with abstract wallpaper, sleek Scandinavian furniture, and a restored console stereo. Hall chose a mod British urban loft look with a teapot lamp and a vintage World War II flag.
Now that much of the restoration work is finished, the family can relax and simply enjoy being in the space. “Usually there’s something cooking or being prepped all day that we’re working on for dinner. We both really like to cook, so he’ll often smoke something, and I like to make bread or sourdough pizza,” says Hall.

“And we do actually use the dining room every night.”

A small dining area, above, started with a mid-century table and chairs. (Eileen Roche/for Sonoma Magazine)

Collections of ceramics and plants form carefully considered displays. (Eileen Roche/for Sonoma Magazine)

Weekend days revolve around the garden: feeding the birds, collecting eggs from the chickens, and peeking into the palm tree out front, where a barn owl — which Cecily has named Owl-bus Dumbledore — is nesting. This time of year, the backyard is filled with tulips and daffodils they’ve planted as a family.

Cecily creates mud projects in her outdoor play kitchen while Hall works nearby. “She’ll hang out with me while I garden all day,” says Hall. “Everything gets kind of overgrown and wild for a little bit with all the bulbs in bloom, but I kind of love it. I don’t like it when things are too manicured.”

The couple sees themselves staying in the home for the long term, bonding with their neighbors and fellow parents. “We’ve met a lot of people who are similar to us, creatively—and it seems like so many people we’ve met here have kids our kid’s age,” says Hall. “I don’t really know what it is specifically, but it’s special here. It just feels like home.”

The Hall family outside their home. (Eileen Roche/for Sonoma Magazine)

What’s it like to rent out your house for photo shoots?

Freelance stylist and art director Caroline Hall once worked as a photo director for a large housewares company, working with location companies to find interesting homes for product photo shoots. “That was my job — to look at locations and book them. I initially thought I would book this house,” she says.

Renting out your home for a photo or film shoot can mean $1,500 to $5,000 a day of extra income. Crews take over the home for the day, though, requiring the homeowner to find somewhere else to stay during filming.

What are location scouts looking for when they book a home? It’s not just the architecture or design.

It’s also about beautiful light and plenty of space for camerapeople to move around. There’s also the issue of ease of access and convenient parking. It’s nice to have neighbors on board who won’t complain about shortterm disruptions. And access to gardens and outdoor space is helpful. “It’s great especially if they’re doing outdoors stuff, to have a nice yard you can shoot in.” Interestingly, a home’s décor isn’t usually as important; most crews bring in their own stuff, explains Hall.

Hall lists her Petaluma Victorian with two area companies: Scout Napa Valley and Mint Locations in Marin.

To learn more, check out carolineavhall.com.

Renowned Architects Create a Forever Home Outside Healdsburg

April 2022

By Abigail Peterson

When Jan O’Brien and Craig Hartman first set foot on an undeveloped rural plot of land along Chalk Hill Road southeast of Healdsburg, they were initially a bit unsure, though that quickly changed. “There was just a little truck path to the top of the hill, and we came up it and looked back out and thought, ‘Oh my gosh, this is just unbelievable,’” says Hartman. “Whatever the site had in mind, the house was always going to be bold.”

As architects, O’Brien and Hartman could parse both the promise and the particular challenges of the site. Both have been with the firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill for decades. O’Brien focuses on interior architecture and residential design, while Hartman serves as a senior consulting partner for projects such as Oakland’s Cathedral of Christ the Light, the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, the U.S. Courthouse in Los Angeles, and the International Terminal at San Francisco International Airport. The couple raised two children in Marin while overseeing large-scale projects in San Francisco and China, work that connected with themes of social justice and environmental sustainability.

Architects Jan O’Brien and Craig Hartman with their dog Gryffin. (Kim Brown Photography)

Given the couple’s grounding in green design, it was fitting that Hartman and O’Brien connected so deeply with the rural, rolling landscape of Chalk Hill. “It feels rooted in old Sonoma County,” says O’Brien. “It’s one of the reasons we wanted to be here. This area has agrarian roots; there’s cattle around. Not everything being vineyards is kind of nice.”

The 840-square-foot home the pair designed is nestled tightly in a stand of valley oaks and consists of two separate rectangular pavilions that are connected by an open-air walkway. The decision to split the spaces with a breezeway was meant to engage the couple in their natural surroundings — even on a rainy day, one has to go outside to get from one portion of the home to the other. “We spent a lot of time thinking about that and not leaving too much to chance,” says Hartman. “Though in the end,” adds O’Brien, “the serendipitous things are the things we love — such as when a branch breaks, and it completely changes the view.”

A picture window just off the kitchen centers on an old-growth valley oak. O’Brien, who studied ornithology, follows a family of woodpeckers that makes its home there. (Cesar Rubio)

Kitchen in the day pavilion. (Cesar Rubio)

The slightly larger pavilion, dubbed the daytime pavilion, has the kitchen, dining area, and living room, along with a front deck that spans the width of the space. From here, Hartman and O’Brien take in a broad sweep of open space, including the actual Chalk Hill, with its light-colored soils, a stand of redwoods, a few neighbors’ homes, and a small slice of vineyards in the distance, part of Warnecke Ranch. It’s an ever-changing view as layers of morning fog burn away, gradually revealing the land and its wildlife. “We seem to be on a migratory path through here,” says Hartman. “You see ducks and geese flying through, almost at eye level sometimes. We’ve had pigs, lots of deer, obviously, and foxes.”

The smaller nighttime pavilion has the primary bedroom, the home’s only bathroom, and an office/guest room, where Hartman often works, and where the couple’s daughter spent time during the pandemic. Both pavilions were designed to sit gently in the landscape. “We did a lot of 3D mock-ups before committing to anything.

For the most part, it worked out,” says Hartman.

The overall effect is an airy simplicity — essential, elemental spaces, pared back to the furniture, books, and art the couple loves the best.

Constructing a home on a hilly, rural lot meant thinking about issues that neither architect had addressed before. “We quickly had to learn about the infrastructure of building in a place like this,” explains Hartman. “Number one was the well, and number two was the septic field. We did some backof- the-envelope analysis of what it was going to cost.”

They also had to factor in road access, rainwater storage tanks, and the home’s electricity needs, which they’ve addressed with a solar array and batteries.

“I think part of it is, it’s always going to be a leap of faith,” says O’Brien. “At some point, you do fall in love, and you go, ‘Well, we’ll make it work.’”

In the summer of 2019, Hartman and O’Brien were about launch a project to build a second dwelling further up the hill. But a few days before they were to head to the permit office, the Kincade fire turned those plans upside down. As the blaze moved through the property, O’Brien and Hartman evacuated to Marin, hosting their Chalk Hill neighbors, who were also fleeing the flames. Their home fared well — its concrete foundation and metal cladding offered strong protection. But they decided to abandon plans for another building at the top of the ridge. After what they’d witnessed, that site felt too exposed.

The experience with the Kincade fire did help the couple understand the resilience of the land. Though the fire consumed dry grass and a few trees, the land rebounded and animals returned. “It is amazing how quickly the property recovered from the fire. The next year, it was almost invisible,” says Hartman.

The couple and their dog, Gryffin, have embraced the rhythms of a life centered around the land. Gryffin loves to follow the deer and hawks, bounding off into the hills to sniff out exciting things. Hartman and O’Brien keep fit with outdoor projects, planting native toyon trees to sustain wildlife and cultivating a patch of valley oak seedlings near the house.

Weedwacking is their new exercise, jokes O’Brien, who once had to go to urgent care to get a foxtail removed from her ear after an afternoon working on the hill. They have a few tomato plants, but they get eggs and most of their vegetables from their closest neighbor just down the hill. “Having really good neighbors is important,” says O’Brien.

Spring is especially beautiful here, when the hills are an intense green that reminds the couple of Ireland, and lupines and other wildflowers are all around. There’s water in the creeks and balmy temperatures—not the intense heat of the summer, but warm breezes that carry a freshness and sense of growth. O’Brien, who also has a degree in divinity, says the intensity of springtime has reminded her of the need to embrace meaning in the everyday. “Like so many things, you know that it’s not going to last forever, so you appreciate it more,” she explains.

“When I grew up in the Midwest, I thought I could never live without winter sports and without snow,” says Hartman. “But this place has such distinct, seasonal changes, though they’re more subtle. With the wildflowers, you see some places that are just spectacular, and other places where you happen to come across tiny flowers—purple tidy tips and blue-eyed grasses—that reveal themselves in the landscape in much more subtle ways. And I think that’s what’s so beautiful about this place. It’s a beautiful subtlety.”

Resources

Architects: Craig Hartman, with Jan O’Brien and Anesta Kothari

Structural Engineer: David Shook, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, San Francisco / som.com

Mechanical Engineer: Paul McGrath, Meyers+, San Francisco / meyersplus.com

Civil Engineer: Cort Munselle, Munselle Civil Engineering, Healdsburg / munsellecivil.com

Landscape Architect: Tom Leader, TLS Landscape Architecture, Berkeley / tlslandarch.com

Builder: Simon Fairweather, Randy Straub, Fairweather & Associates, Santa Rosa / fairweather-assoc.com

Tiny Home in Windsor Listed for $85,000. Take a Look Inside

April 2022

By Karen Kizer

The tiny home movement is one response to soaring real estate and energy prices. Living “tiny” (in a dwelling that is less than 400 square feet) is not for the faint of heart in today’s stuff-happy world, but it can encourage a lifestyle change that includes less consumption and greater simplicity.

If you’d like to give tiny living a try, a one-bed, one-bath, 192 square-foot home in Windsor is currently on the market for $85,000. The small dwelling was previously the home of a family of four; a chef, his wife and their two children.

A loft with windows on either side offers increased ventilation and a sense of openness. There’s room for a sizable mattress, although the space must be accessed via a ladder.

The kitchen has a large fridge, a decent amount of prep area and a hot plate. A washer/dryer hybrid fits into the adjacent utility closet which has a spot above for folding and hanging clothes. There are solid-wood shelves and cabinets throughout the house.

The entry space on one side of the kitchen has a built-in L-shaped bench. The living room on the other side of the kitchen has room for a small pull-out couch.

An A-frame roof and multiple windows let in lots of light in. In fact, light is this home’s secret weapon against its small size. All four sides of the home have windows; there’s even a window in the front door. Views of trees at the all-age mobile park, where the home is currently parked, enhance the feeling of openness.

Interior cedar-wood paneling creates a rustic and homey vibe and gives them home a pleasant scent, points out realtor Marisa Rosas. She adds that plants would contrast nicely with the paneled walls, which don’t require painting (another bonus).

The small lot in this mobile home park allows for barbecuing — the previous owner cooked plenty of smoked meals. There are raised beds for herbs, vegetables and other plants. These amenities shouldn’t discourage taking this tiny home on the road. A wood skirting on the structure conceals the fact that this home is in fact on wheels and can be taken to a new destination.

Click through the above gallery to see photos of this tiny home.

This tiny home at 129 Katherine Place is listed by Marisa Rosas with W Real Estate, 9420 Old Redwood Highway, Suite 114, Windsor. For more information, please call 707-636-3800.

How to Celebrate Earth Day in Sonoma County

April 2022

By Maci Martell

Peri Olsson of Santa Rosa takes her dog Teddy on a walk at Taylor Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve in Santa Rosa. (Alvin Jornada/The Press Democrat)

Founded in 1970 to spread awareness about environmental issues, Earth Day is a great opportunity to learn about nature and local ecosystems and get involved in protecting them.

There are many ways to show your appreciation for the bountiful land in and around Sonoma County, whether it’s hiking in your favorite park, learning about local flora and fauna at a museum or volunteering your time to clean up the waterways. For those looking for learning opportunities or inspiration to get outside this Earth Day, April 22, check out these upcoming events around the county.

Want to simply appreciate the local land on a great hike this Earth Day, or any day of the year? Here are some of our favorite hikes in Sonoma County.

Want a farm-forward, plant-based meal in honor of Earth Day? Visit Healdsburg’s hotly-anticipated new restaurant Little Saint, which will open on Earth Day. Find more plant-based meals here.

Events

Earth Day Street Mural at SRJC, April 22

Santa Rosa Junior College is inviting students and community members to help create an Earth Day street mural near the campus from 9 a.m. to noon on Friday, April 22. The environmental-themed mural will run along Elliot Avenue between Salem Avenue and Albany Drive in Santa Rosa. Painting materials will be provided and there will be free coffee and pizza courtesy of the Student Government Assembly and Student Life. There will also be an open mic and music throughout the day. Learn more here.

1501 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-527-4011, santarosa.edu

Earth Day in the City of Sonoma, April 22

The City of Sonoma is going all out for this year’s Earth Day celebration. The city is sponsoring a nature photography contest and co-sponsoring a Green Business of the Year Award, in addition to having environmental information tables at the Friday Farmers’ Market from 9 a.m. to noon on April 22 in Depot Park. Other events and learning activities from organizations around the city are listed on the City of Sonoma website here.

Sugarloaf Wildflower Walks, April 22

As part of a “wildflower walks” series, Sugarloaf Ridge State Park will hold an event from 10 a.m. to noon on April 22 where docents take guests on a hike through grasslands and redwood forests to identify dozens of native plants. Tickets are $10, plus parking fee. Participants on this day will meet at the White Barn parking lot and hike along the Meadow-Hillside loop. Hikers should wear comfortable shoes and bring sun protection, water and snacks. Learn more and buy tickets here.

2605 Adobe Canyon Road, Kenwood, 707-833-5712, sugarloafpark.org

Earth Day Rally for Transit Justice, April 22

The Sunrise Movement of Sonoma County, North Bay Organizing Project and Sonoma County Climate Mobilization will be hosting a transit justice march from 2-4 p.m. on April 22. The march will start at the Santa Rosa Junior College campus and head to the Board of Supervisors offices to demand investment in the local transit system to support increased bus frequency, service hours and more free fare access.

1501 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-933-6837

Earth Day on South A Street, April 22

Ecology-focused artist Mary Vaughan will coordinate a second annual Earth Day celebration composed of art, poems and music on the evening of April 22 on South A Street in Santa Rosa. The event will begin at Cafe Frida with open mic readings from 5-6 p.m., followed by an Earth Day art stroll through galleries, studios and shops on South A Street from 6-8 p.m. Learn more about the event here.

300 South A St., Santa Rosa, 707-508-9196

Earth Day Vintage Clothing Popup, April 22-23

Healdsburg vintage store One Hundred Chapters Vintage Clothing is teaming up with the eco-friendly h2hotel for a vintage clothing popup in honor of Earth Day from 1-5 p.m. April 22-23. There will be a unique selection of beautiful garments from all eras for guests to browse and purchase. The popup will be held in the h2hotel lobby.

219 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-431-2202, h2hotel.com

Earth Days in Sonoma Valley with the Sonoma Ecology Center, April 22-24

The nonprofit Sonoma Ecology Center will host and sponsor a number of events throughout Earth Day weekend, April 22-24, including plant walks at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, a star party at Robert Ferguson Observatory and volunteer opportunities at Sonoma Garden Park. Find the times and dates of these events here.

Creek Cleanups in Sonoma, April 23

There will be two Sonoma County Regional Parks-sponsored creek cleanups on April 23 for those interested in helping to remove litter and other debris from important watersheds. Creek cleanups will be held at Maxwell Farms Regional Park and Larson Park in Sonoma, both from 9 a.m. to noon. Tools, gloves, materials, snacks and drinks will be provided, though volunteers are encouraged to bring their own water and snacks. It’s also recommended that participants dress in layers and bring a hat and/or sunscreen. Participants will be required to meet in the parking lot of either park for a brief safety talk and to pick up supplies. Registration is required.

Earth Day Creek Clean Up: Maxwell Farms

To volunteer for creek cleanup at Maxwell Farms Regional Park, register here.

100 Verano Ave., Sonoma

Earth Day Creek Clean Up: Larson Park

To volunteer for creek cleanup at Larson Park, register here.

329 DeChene Ave., Sonoma

Earth Day with Laguna Stewards at Colgan Creek, April 23

The Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation will host a community cleanup and restoration event for Earth Day from 9 a.m. to noon on April 23 at Colgan Creek in Santa Rosa. Participants will help weed, water, remove debris and nurture new native plants. The event is free to attend but registration is required. Register on EventBrite.

2920 Dutton Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-527-9277, lagunafoundation.org

Earth Day at Safari West, April 23

An Earth Day adventure awaits at our local Sonoma Serengeti as Safari West prepares fun excursions and a host of special guests from organizations that are working to conserve animal species around the world. Visitors to the Santa Rosa wildlife preserve can meet and learn about the special guests on the Safari West lawn from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 23. Check out the list of participating organizations here.

3115 Porter Creek Road, Santa Rosa, 707-579-2551, safariwest.com

Earth Day in Downtown Santa Rosa, April 23

The city of Santa Rosa will celebrate Earth Day with eco-friendly activities and live performances from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 23, at Old Courthouse Square. Activities will highlight zero waste, green energy, water conservation and other environmentally focused themes. Santa Rosa Recreation & Parks will host games and crafts for kids, Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition will provide free valet bicycle parking and performing arts group ZunZun will provide musical entertainment. Learn more about the Earth Day celebration in Santa Rosa here.

Before the celebration, there will be a creek cleanup from 9-11 a.m. on the Greenway in Santa Rosa. Volunteers will meet at the Olive Park footbridge, near 105 Orange Street, and are encouraged to bring water, snacks and weather-appropriate clothing. Contact Kellen Johnston at 543-3947 or kjohnston@srcity.org to learn more and get involved.

Earth Day at Charles M. Schulz Museum, April 23

The Charles M. Schulz Museum will celebrate Earth Day with recycled arts and crafts from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 23. Participants can create bird feeders, bracelets, pet toys and more from recycled materials, and Native Californian basket weaver Corine Pearce will teach how her work celebrates the earth.

2301 Hardies Lane, Santa Rosa, 707-579-4452, schulzmuseum.org

Earth Day Tasting Flights at Buena Vista Winery, April 23-24

Buena Vista Winery will celebrate Earth Day with special tasting flights from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. April 23-24. Guests can explore the vineyard while learning about the estate’s organic vineyard practices and enjoying sustainably grown wines. Bar tasting is $25, seated tasting is $35 and both tastings are free for club members. Reserve Earth Day tastings on Tock.

18000 Old Winery Road, Sonoma, 800-926-1266, buenavistawinery.com

Earth Day Trash Cleanup in Windsor, April 24

In honor of Earth Day, the Town of Windsor’s Storm Water Program team will host a community trash cleanup event from 1-3 p.m. on April 24. Volunteers will meet at the corner of Hembree and Victory lanes in Windsor to pick up litter along sidewalks, streets and creeks. Safety vests, trash pickers, gloves and bags will be provided, but participants are encouraged to wear comfortable, closed-toed shoes and sun protection. Volunteers will receive refreshments and a free T-shirt. Register for this free event on EventBrite.

Hembree Lane and Victory Lane, Windsor, 707-838-5385

Volunteer

There are a wealth of parks, preserves and environmental organizations to volunteer at in Sonoma County, with work duties ranging from trail restoration to litter and invasive plant species removal. Here’s where you can volunteer your time this upcoming Earth Day, and any other day of the year, across the county.

Daily Acts: Petaluma-based nonprofit with a holistic approach toward environmental health with a mission to inspire transformative action to create climate resilient communities. 707-789-9664, dailyacts.org/volunteer

Forest Unlimited: Forestville organization aiming to protect, enhance and restore the forests and watersheds of Sonoma County. 707-632-6070, forestunlimited.org/take-action/volunteer-for-forest-unlimited

Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation: Santa Rosa nonprofit focused on restoring and conserving the Laguna de Santa Rosa and surrounding wetlands. 707-527-9277, lagunafoundation.org/volunteer.html

LandPaths: Santa Rosa-based organization dedicated to fostering a love of the land in Sonoma County through stewardship and outdoor experiences. 707-544-7284, landpaths.org/participate

Pepperwood Preserve: Santa Rosa biological preserve with a mission to inspire conservation and care of the earth through science. 707-591-9310, pepperwoodpreserve.org/volunteer

Russian Riverkeeper: Healdsburg-based nonprofit dedicated to protecting the Russian River. 707-433-1958, russianriverkeeper.org/volunteer

Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District: Ag + Open Space works to protect the county’s open spaces, agricultural lands and natural resources. 707-565-7360, sonomaopenspace.org/get-involved/volunteer-patrol

Sonoma County Conservation Action: Grassroots political organizing group working to ensure there’s environmental representation in Sonoma County government. 707-571-8566, conservationaction.org/get-involved

Sonoma County Regional Parks: More than 50 parks and beaches across the county offering camping, hiking and biking trails, bird watching, horseback riding, swimming and fishing to the public. 707-565-2041, parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/learn/support/volunteer

Sonoma Land Trust: Santa Rosa-based nonprofit organization working to conserve scenic, natural, agricultural and open landscapes for the future generations of Sonoma County. 707-526-6930, sonomalandtrust.org/outings.

Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods: Nonprofit environmental organization working with California State Parks in the Russian River District to cultivate land stewardship, establish environmental education programs and restore local natural habitats. 707-869-9177, stewardscr.org/volunteer-opportunities

Find more local organizations and nonprofits to volunteer with or donate to on the Sonoma County Conservation Council’s directory of environmental groups.

Places to buy plants, produce and garden supplies

Celebrate Earth Day in your own backyard by planting native plants to feel one with nature and aid pollinators. There’s an abundance of farms and nurseries in Sonoma County where you can get plants and seeds, gardening supplies, boxes of sustainably sourced produce and more.

MIX Garden
1531 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-433-4327, mixgarden.com

Prickett’s Nursery
Locations in Healdsburg and Santa Rosa, prickettsnursery.com

King’s Nursery
1212 13th St., Santa Rosa, 707-542-4782, kingsflowernursery.com

Bennett Valley Gardens
2780 Yulupa Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-569-8624, bennettvalleygardens.com

Swede’s Feeds
9140 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, 707-833-5050, swedesfeeds.com

Flatbed Farm
13450 Sonoma Highway 12, Glen Ellen, flatbedfarm.com

Sonoma Mission Gardens
851 Craig Ave., Sonoma, 707-938-5775, sonomamissiongardens.com

Wine Country Garden Center
21095 Broadway, Sonoma, 707-938-2727, winecountrygardencenter.com

Sonoma Valley Wholesale Nursery
19655 Arnold Dr., Sonoma, 707-732-8019, sonomavalleynursery.com

Petaluma Bounty
1500 Petaluma Blvd. South, Petaluma, 707-775-3663, petalumabounty.org

Petaluma Seed Bank
110 Petaluma Blvd. North, Petaluma, 707-773-1336, rareseeds.com/petaluma-seed-bank

Cottage Gardens of Petaluma
3995 Emerald Drive, Petaluma, 707-781-9365, cottagegardensofpet.com

Harmony Farm Supply & Nursery
Locations in Petaluma and Sebastopol, 707-823-9125, harmonyfarm.com

Check out more specialty nurseries in Sonoma County.

Beyond Sonoma County

For those wishing to explore the bountiful lands beyond Sonoma County this Earth Day, here’s where to celebrate and volunteer in neighboring counties.

Napa County

Earth Day Napa Community Cleanup

The Napa County Resource Conservation District will host a community cleanup across the county from 9-11 a.m. on Sunday, April 24. Participants should wear sturdy shoes, dress in layers and bring a full water bottle. Volunteers are also encouraged to bring their own bucket, gloves and trash grabber, though some tools and materials will be available to share. See the list of cleanup sites and register to volunteer here.

Earth Day Napa 2020 Festival

The Environmental Education Coalition of Napa County will hold its annual Earth Day celebration featuring music, dancing and dozens of environmentally focused exhibitors from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 24, at the Oxbow Commons in Napa. All proceeds benefit the coalition’s Field Trip Bus Grant Program and the Darcy Aston Scholarship. A water bottle refilling station will be provided and the Napa Bike Coalition will host a free bike valet. Learn more here.

Mendocino County

Earth Day Celebration at Mendocino Headlands

The Mendocino Area Parks Association and the Mendocino Mermaids will host a “Park Prescription” Earth Day celebration at the Mendocino Headlands State Park from 1-4 p.m. on April 22. There will be a park clean-up, open-air paint class, dance party, face painting booth, Ayurveda talk and breathing class. Guests will meet at the Ford House Visitor Center and Museum. Learn more here.

707-937-4700, 45035 Main St., Mendocino

Earth Day at BARRA of Mendocino

Barra of Mendocino Organic Wines is celebrating Earth Day with a weekend of giveaways, wine tastings and furry friends. There will be a “Wags and Wines” fundraiser and pet adoption event with the Humane Society for Inland Mendocino County in addition to Earth Day giveaways and treats from Slam Dunk Food Truck from noon to 3 p.m. on April 23 in the tasting room.

7051 North State St., Redwood Valley, 707-485-0322, barraofmendocino.com

A Slice With Soul at Psychic Pie in Sebastopol

April 2022

By Heather Irwin

Squash and BLT slices at Psychic Pie in Sebastopol. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)

Wood-fire Sicilian pizzerias, take note: The Romans have arrived in Sonoma County, and they’re coming for you.

Not that we don’t love a blistered, burnt-edge pie with a soggy middle, but chewy, crispy, double-baked Roman-style pizza has captured our heart.

We’re sorry New York and Detroit — you’ve been great, and we promise to write. It’s just that the marriage of Roman crusts and California toppings captures the imagination (and taste buds) in a way you never have.

Instead, we’re mooning over the rectangular Roman-style slices at Sonoma County’s newest entrant into the pizza game, Psychic Pie. Think seasonal, farm-fresh toppings like chevre with fresh lemon and herbs; potato with chile oil, mozzarella and crème fraîche; or hot coppa with Estero Gold cheese, mozzarella and hot honey. Traditionalists fear not — pepperoni and plain cheese are always on the menu.

The eight ever-evolving options that owners Nicholi Ludlow and his wife, Leith Leiser-Miller, cook up each week make for never-ending choices. There’s always one vegan selection, several vegetarian choices and a couple of meaty slices. They’re sold by weight, rather than requiring a total commitment to a single pie.

Right to left, Psychic Pie owners Leith Leiser-Miller and Nicholi Ludlow, with staff members Analise Lofaro and Angel Vasquez Perea at Psychic Pie in Sebastopol. (Nancy Peach)

Roman pizza is super-OK if you play the field.

“We’re a slice house, and we want people to have fun, just have a little levity. We want them to come eat good food, hang out, chill and maybe have a drink and just be happy,” Ludlow said. “We’re not fine dining, and we’re not looking to make anyone intimidated.”

Wearing a headband and a cheap pizza-print apron and excitedly explaining the relatively new idea of Roman pizza to customers is Ludlow’s jam.

The width of three fingers — think pointer, index and ring finger pushed together — is the smallest slice you can get, just to give you an idea. If you’re sampling, that’s an excellent place to start, but Ludlow and Leiser-Miller will cut to your request, weighing each slice before popping it into the oven for a quick final bake. Our small portions were about $5.50 to $6 each.

Homemade ranch rich with herbs is encouraged as a dip, along with chile oil, chimichurri and hot honey, if you’re so inclined ($1-$2 each). None of those snobby “no-ranch” rules here, because ranch rules.

“We know people have opinions, but we say indulge in as much ranch as you want,” Ludlow said.

My friend Taylor, a self-described “ranch expert,” dubbed it the best ranch ever.

Ludlow and Leiser-Miller launched Psychic Pie as a side hustle while working full-time jobs at San Francisco’s Del Popolo pizzeria. The couple mixed batches of pizza dough in a shared commercial kitchen on Friday nights, making only 30 pizzas each week based on demand springing from word-of-mouth and Instagram posts. They sold out every week. With nothing quite like their chewy, crunchy, locally sourced, naturally fermented pizzas in the North Bay, eaters went wild for the couple’s par-cooked 9-inch-by-9-inch Roman pizzas that could be baked a final time at home for a better-than-delivery experience.

Ludlow and Leiser-Miller committed to working with local farmers and producers for their ingredients and making “seasonal pizza,” which means plenty of tubers and root vegetables in the winter and no big juicy tomatoes. When they opened in February, one of the biggest questions was how to make squash pizza a hot seller.

“When you’re in Italy and eating pizza there, it’s all about Italy,” Ludlow said. “Our vibe is California and Sonoma. It’s what is available here, right now.”

So why the name Psychic Pie? The couple aren’t psychics or mystics. In fact, in college Ludlow had planned to be a podiatrist, and Leiser-Miller has a doctorate degree in biology. Both walked away for a life in food, using all their brainpower to obsess about things like dough and where to get seasonal tomatoes or sustainable meats.

Leiser-Miller wrote in a message that the name somehow felt right.

“We wanted a name that was fun and a little offbeat, because that’s what Psychic Pie is. As we get into our groove of who we choose to work with (our farmers and wine producers), many of our ideals are in line with theirs (i.e., biodynamic, organic, low-intervention). Some of those ideals are a little more … well, spiritual, I guess you’d say, in tune with nature, sustainable, etc., and we feel it’s even more fitting now. It just kinda made sense to us,” she wrote.

Now that they’re firmly installed in their storefront at 980 Gravenstein Highway S. in Sebastopol, getting an of-the-moment slice, bubbling hot from their pizza oven, is better than ever. And while we love all the incredible local pizzaiolos, Psychic Pie currently has a lock on the tastiest pizza in Sonoma County.

“We want to be mom-and-pop and focus on this community,” Ludlow said. “That’s why we’re happy in Sebastopol and Sonoma County. Everyone is warm and fun, and we want to continue to support the people here.”

Best Bets

Slices: I love nontraditional pizza because, when you break it down, it’s just bread and yummy stuff on top. Our advice is to venture in, trying small slices until you find a favorite. I’ve settled on mushroom as my favorite because the mix of earthy mushrooms and tart chevre are just so right, with bright accents of citrus. If you like spice, the coppa with hot honey will light up your face.

Salads, $16: We were huge fans of the previous tenant, Food Mechanic, for their farm-to-bowl salads. Psychic Pie continues with some deep love for greens. The “soft greens” salad made our heads explode, with a mix of herbs, bitter greens, spinach and lettuces. Studded with pistachios, fried lemon and a light balsamic, it far surpassed the salad-bar disappointments of most pizzerias.

Cookies: The miso cookie, laden with sesame, is a savory-sweet-buttery treat that makes for excellent car eating (if you’re taking home some pizza) or a late-afternoon treat.

Beer/wine/misc: Unique, often natural wines and local beers are available along with Big Spoon Co.’s amazing chili crisp.

980 Gravenstein Highway S., Sebastopol, 707-827-6032, psychicpie.com

Peek Inside the Renovated Madrona in Healdsburg

April 2022

By Dana Rebmann

Healdsburg’s historic Madrona Manor is about to step back into the Wine Country spotlight.

Shuttered for more than a year, the 19th century grand dame estate – perhaps best known for its Michelin-star restaurant – will make its debut April 21 as The Madrona, following a nearly $6 million renovation.

The hotel, built as a private home in 1881, was purchased in 2021 by a group of investors led by St. Helena-based designer Jay Jeffers, his brother, Kyle Jeffers, and general partner Cory Schisler.

Following the extensive renovation, the iconic gates to the hotel property remain and welcome guests as they drive up the tree-lined hill, take in the commanding views of the Dry Creek Valley and continue toward the striking mansion.

The property was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987 and its gabled architecture and wrap-around porch have been beautifully restored. (Those familiar with the property will likely notice the new side porch and valet area.)

The hallway view after stepping inside The Madrona in Healdsburg. (Courtesy of Matthew Millman)

Upon entering the mansion’s hallway, previous guests will truly realize the scope of the changes that have taken place throughout the past year. The heavy drapes and dark corners are gone. The walls have been painted in vibrant tones of periwinkle and ochre and are now decorated with eye-catching artwork, much of which was commissioned for the hotel. This is a more approachable space than the previous Madrona Manor entrance.

“To see how people walk into the space and feel welcome immediately … it’s really, really nice,” said Schisler.

Though the design is modern and spirited, it is clear that the new owners take pride in preserving the property’s rich history.

Some 750 pieces of furniture and art came with the estate when it was purchased in 2021. Every item was catalogued and about 250 pieces were kept and mixed into the design scheme. About 30 of those pieces date back to the early 19th century and belonged to the home’s original owners, the Paxton family. Among the many notable pieces in the collection is a piano believed to be nearly 200 years old. It’s been tuned, played and now calls the mansion’s Drawing Room home.

“I think we’re doing it right,” said Schisler. “Why would you not keep the antiques? Why would you not honor the history?”

Stretching across eight acres, The Madrona features 24 accommodations housed in a half-dozen buildings, most of which were part of the original estate.

Guest rooms in the mansion include the living quarters of the Paxton family. Studio suites are located in the mansion’s original carriage house, while The Bungalows are set on the outer edges of the property in standalone buildings, some of which date back to 1861. No two rooms are exactly alike, but all exude a sophisticated yet comfortable ambiance.

Overall, few structural changes were made to the guest rooms and the public spaces. The Madrona’s bones were solid and Jay Jeffers’ goal was to preserve original elements throughout the property. Arguably, the most notable changes to the guest rooms took place in the bathrooms. All were gutted, heated floors were installed and most bathtubs were replaced with beautifully tiled walk-in showers.

A guest bathroom at The Madrona in Healdsburg. (Matthew Millman) — A bathroom in one of the 24 accommodations at The Madrona in Healdsburg. (Courtesy of Matthew Millman)

“When designing the hotel, it was important for me to respect its historic architecture and 19th century roots, while reimagining the property to be more modern and exciting for today’s traveler,” said Jay Jeffers.

For example, what was once a maintenance shed is now a high-tech fitness center with Peloton Bikes, a Tonal Smart Gym, free weights, treadmills and a private outdoor area. A refresh to the pool area includes a pair of fire pits.

When The Madrona officially opens to the public, a number of returning staff members will welcome guests, including Chef Jesse Mallgren, who earned the property’s former restaurant a Michelin star every year for 13 consecutive years. (The restaurant opens April 21; the hotel opens April 22.)

Fans of Mallgren’s onion veloute, fried chicken and steak tartare can breathe a sigh of relief – these signature dishes will remain on the menu. But there will be worthy competition thanks to new offerings, such as Mt. Lassen trout crudo and corned beef tartare. The restaurant’s Madrona Salad will be made exclusively with produce from the estate’s half-acre garden and will change depending on what ingredients are ready to be picked from the kitchen’s backyard.

The mansion’s iconic orange orchard continues to thrive and will no doubt once again be a favorite spot for guests. But the estate has myriad nooks and quiet spaces to explore and naturally lends itself to wandering.

Accommodations start at $750 per night for guest rooms and $1,050 for premium bungalows. There is also a $45 daily resort fee.

The Madrona is managed by Mosaic Hotel Group, a collection of individually branded, modern boutique hotels that includes El Dorado Hotel & Kitchen on the Sonoma Plaza and the North Block Hotel in Yountville.

The Madrona, 1001 Westside Road, Healdsburg, 707-395-6700, themadronahotel.com

Kina’s Kitchen Opens, Plus a New Cinnamon Roll Pop-up in Santa Rosa

April 2022

By Heather Irwin

Cinnamon rolls at Sax’s Joint in Petaluma. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)

When Picazo Kitchen & Bar opened in Sonoma in April 2019, owners Sal and Kina Chavez had high hopes for the space of the former Breakaway Cafe. With community support for their other businesses, Picazo Cafe on Arnold Drive and Picazo Food Truck, it seemed a natural extension. Then came two years of fires, challenging pandemic restrictions and sagging sales, along with confusion over the cafe and the kitchen.

Needing an overhaul and a fresh start, the couple have re-christened Picazo Kitchen & Bar as Kina’s Kitchen & Bar, which reopened on April 1. The restaurant, Kina says, now better reflects her immigrant journey as a Mexican American raised on her mother’s pozole, as well as her passion for modern American cuisine.

Kina says the dark days of the pandemic gave her time to reconsider the future of the restaurant, and she turned her attention to a menu that would include more dishes from her childhood and a fresh cocktail menu featuring tequila and mezcal from Mexico.

Look for tasty menu additions, including fried Brussels sprouts with pepper jam and bacon, beet bruschetta, birria nachos, beef noodle pho and menu favorites like fried chicken with Mexican gravy, lemon cottage cheese pancakes and the Picazo burger.

Open 3 to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday; brunch until 3 p.m. on weekends. Happy hour specials 3 to 5 p.m. daily. 19101 Highway 12, Sonoma; 707-935-3287, kinaskitchenbar.com

Bragging about breakfast

Sax’s Joint, the 1950s-inspired Petaluma diner, has some hot buns. We’ve seen ’em on social media and heard about these plate-sized cinnamon rolls but were duly impressed on a recent visit when the yeasty, doughy, sugary-sweet pastries arrived warm on our table. Oh, hello, you gorgeous piece of patisserie!

Frostings change, but the salted caramel and traditional buttercream are outstanding. Rolls are available for takeout (while they last), and the restaurant occasionally has “pop-up” cinnamon roll pickups in Santa Rosa and Windsor, announced on their Instagram, @saxsjoint_. Open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, 317 Petaluma Blvd. S., Petaluma, 707-559-3021.

Find more Sonoma County dining news from Bite Club here.

Sonoma Hotel Named Among the Best in the World by Travel + Leisure

April 2022

By Dana Rebmann

Travel + Leisure magazine just released its annual “It List,” featuring a lineup of editors’ favorite new hotels and resorts throughout the world.

Among the 100 properties to make the cut in 2022 is The Stavrand Russian River Valley in Guerneville.

The historic property, previously known to locals as The Applewood Inn, was renovated and reopened in 2021 as a luxury boutique hotel by Emily Glick and Santiago Appleton Ripley.

Guest room in the Cazadero House at The Stavrand Russian River Valley in Guerneville. (The Stavrand) — Guest room in the Cazadero House at The Stavrand in Guerneville. (Courtesy of The Stavrand)

“The century-old Belden House, a Mediterranean Revival mansion, makes for a perfect place to curl up by one of the two monumental stone fireplaces during a foggy NoCal morning. The building has been furnished with a tasteful blend of modern furnishings and antiques. On sunny days, take to the great outdoors — either by the pool and adjacent bar or to the river: bicycles, kayaks, paddleboards, and inner tubes are all on hand,” said Travel + Leisure about the property.

Set on nearly six acres, The Stavrand is a registered historic landmark that dates back to the 1920s. The hotel features 21 renovated rooms spread across three buildings.

Breakfast selections at The Stavrand can include overnight oats topped with fresh fruit, dried fruit and fennel pollen. (Dana Rebmann) — Breakfast is included with every stay at The Stavrand. Selections can include overnight oats topped with fresh fruit and fennel pollen. (Courtesy of Dana Rebmann)

One of the highlights at The Stavrand is the restaurant, which, surprisingly, was not mentioned in the Travel + Leisure piece. The restaurant is only open to hotel guests, which ensures a quiet and serene dining experience — something that can be hard to find in Sonoma County or anywhere these days. Led by Chef Jeremy Clemens (previously of Layla at MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa in Sonoma), it has created a buzz with dishes like Jjampong (Korean noodle soup) with prawns clams, mussels, bok choy and alkaline noodles.

The Stavrand is the only Sonoma County property on Travel + Leisure’s “It List.” Neighboring Napa Valley also has one property on the list — the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley.

You can find the Travel + Leisure “It List” of best new and renovated hotels here. The list highlights 100 properties around the world, including four additional hotels in California.

The Stavrand Russian River Valley, 13555 Highway 116, Guerneville, 707-869-9093, thestavrand.com. Rates start at $446, $295 in the off season.

7 Sonoma Restaurants to Try Now

April 2022

By Heather Irwin

Clockwise from top left, Whole Deep Fried Tilapia, Torre de Mariscos,Pina Rellena, Camarones a la Momia, Molecajete Mar y Tierra and Tacos Dorados de Picadillo from Pezcow in Windsor on Friday, April 1, 2022. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

Click through the above gallery to see best bet dishes for each restaurant.

Troubadour, Healdsburg

Back in 1762, it’s unlikely the Earl of Sandwich could have imagined anything like the soon-to-be-legendary Hokkaido milk bread and egg salad sandwich now being served as a daily special at Healdsburg’s new bread and sandwich spot, Troubadour. Made with inchthick slices of pillowy Japanese-style bread, creamy egg salad and whole hard-boiled eggs, it’s a monster of a sandwich, so light you won’t realize you’ve downed the whole thing until you’re holding nothing but crust.

The bread is leavened with croissant trimmings, then mixed with buttermilk and toasted milk powder for a sweet, indulgent sandwich, just asking for bites that are more face-plant than nibble.

This is the kind of magic bakers Melissa Yanc and Sean McGaughey are conjuring up. The Single Thread alums, who opened the buzzy new bakery Quail & Condor last year, spun off their second Healdsburg business at the former Moustache Baked Goods, promising “chef-inspired and locally sourced wizardry” in their ’wiches.

Of course, this is ideal picnic and takeout food, but there’s also indoor dining at long shared tables, with beer and wine by the glass. Top-notch chocolate chip cookies, pie, cake, and sourdough breads, too.

381 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg. 707-756-3972, troubadourhbg.com

BEST BETS

Egg salad sandwich, $12: A creamy classic, above, with hard-boiled eggs, egg salad , and greens on soft, Japanese-style milk bread.

Chicken liver mousse, $12: Top right, beautiful quenelles of house-made mousse and onion jam, with toasted sourdough. A steal of a deal.

Warm pastrami sandwich, $18: Made with Super Seed bread (wheat, chia, quinoa, flax porridge) and piled high with carawayseed kraut, Swiss cheese, and pickled mustard seeds.

Roast chicken sandwich, $16: Served on Yecora Rojo sourdough (a grain native to Southern California) and topped with shaved truffle, mayonnaise, and pan drippings.

Sandwich from Troubadour in Healdsburg. (Emma K Creative)

Pezcow, Windsor

Damian Zuniga has worked in restaurants since he was 15, many of them run by the Diaz family, owners of El Farolito and El Gallo Negro. Now 32, Zuniga is part of a new generation of immigrants who are launching off the shoulders of those who came before them. “I want to be like them,” said Zuniga, who hails from Guanajuato, Mexico, and who also owns the two Lucha Sabina food trucks.

Pezcow, Zuniga’s new restaurant in Windsor, features brilliantly executed dishes that make use of a wood-fired oven and the culinary skills of Zuniga’s brother, Luis Zuniga. The name Pezcow, Luis explained through a translator, means hillside and sea. It plays off the flavors of local seafood and meat from local ranches, but with a Latin bent. The whimsical logo — a mermaid-cow blowing a conch — is a visual cue to what Zuniga calls surf-and-turf, or “fresh catch.”

There is plenty to explore on the menu, from a ruby-red glass of campechana filled with octopus and shrimp ceviche in lime-orange tomato juice to pollo al horno con mole cooked in the wood-fired oven and served with a homemade mole negro I’d put up against any other (including the Diaz brothers’ — sorry, not sorry).

The well-appointed dining room, is comfortable, with long wooden tables, large hammered-bronze light fixtures that cast a warm yellow glow, and an open kitchen with handmade tiles from Oaxaca. Nearby are the grocery Castañeda’s, and, across the parking lot, El Gallo Negro, for great margaritas. The seafood is outstanding here, but don’t ignore the chicken mole and other land-based dishes.

8465 Old Redwood Highway, Windsor. 707-393-8370.

BEST BETS

Queso fundido, $12: This dish is best right out of the wood-fired oven, with bubbling melted quesillo cheese and homemade chorizo. It’s truly a chorizo to die for, made with freshly ground pork and a mix of warm adobo spices known only to Chef Luis.

Molcajete mariscos, $25: First things first — a molcajete (the volcanic stone bowl and the name of the dish inside it) should never, and I mean never, be anything less than sizzling hot. That’s part of the magic of this stew of shrimp, clams, scallops, octopus, and crab legs, served with nopales and fried cheese. Best shared with a friend.

Campechana, $18: A glass chalice fit for royalty holds piles of octopus and shrimp ceviche, swimming in citrus and tomato juices. Chiles add a savory, earthy quality, but little heat. Required.

Pizza al pastor, $18: Spit-grilled al pastor is legit (and frankly, I’d be glad to eat it by itself). Here, it’s tossed over a wood-fired pizza crust and laden with cheese, pineapple, onion, and salsa de aguacate. It’s kind of like a Hawaiian pizza, but so much better.

Molcajete Mar y Terra with seafood and beef from Pezcow in Windsor on Friday, April 1, 2022. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat) — Molcajete Mar y Terra with seafood and beef from Pezcow in Windsor. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

Camarones a la Momia are shrimp wrapped like a mummy in bacon from Pezcow in Windsor on Friday, April 1, 2022. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat) — Camarones a la Momia are shrimp wrapped like a mummy in bacon from Pezcow in Windsor. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

Table Culture Provisions, Petaluma

One of last year’s most celebrated debuts is no longer operating out of a borrowed kitchen.

Chefs Stéphane Saint Louis and Steven Vargas have found a permanent at the former Chili Joe’s, with many of the same favorite menu options, plus plenty of newcomers, including the seasonal tasting menu (highly recommended, $80 per person).

The move to the new location is part of a larger plan to work closely with Asombrosa Farm, a 65-acre farm with a 7,000-square-foot barn and culinary garden.

With a clean and minimalist interior, short but tempting wine list, and crowd-pleasing, hyper-seasonal menu that includes trout en croûte, fried chicken, and beef croquettes, this tiny 10-table restaurant has figured out comfort food with local ingredients and flourishes of French technique. It’s a perfect addition to the Sonoma County dining scene.

312 Petaluma Blvd. S., Petaluma, 707-559-5739, tcprovision.com

Sonoma Burger, Sebastopol

Thin, crispy, panko-crusted, bacon fat-fried onion rings won’t change your life. But if anything could change your life — in a single bite — it would be precisely the onion rings at Sonoma Burger in west Sebastopol. This fast-casual burger spot started as a pop-up at the Gravenstein Grill in the early days of the pandemic, and opened in a permanent location with an expanded menu a few months ago.

The menu now includes those righteous rings, along with smash burgers, “griddle hot dogs,” crispy chicken sandwiches, and a tempeh burger with grilled onions. Almost everything on the Sonoma Burger menu is made in-house, from the herb-ranch dip to the fermented pickles. The chef’s passion for local ingredients shows: He gets his burgers and hot dogs from Sonoma Mountain Beef Co. and uses Moonlight Brewing’s Death & Taxes black lager in the beer-cheese sauce (a required addition to your order). There’s a small outdoor area for seating, and takeout is available. You can order local wines and beer on tap, along with soft drinks, floats and milkshakes.

173 Pleasant Hill Ave. N., Sebastopol. sonomaburger.com

Smash burger from Sonoma Burger in Sebastopol. (Courtesy of Sonoma Burger)

Il Fuoco, Sonoma

Longtime local Rob Larman has transformed his Boyes Hot Springs barbecue spot into a bustling pizzeria that’s still got plenty of smoke and fire. A new Italian Forno Bravo pizza oven is at the heart of the kitchen, turning out wood-fired pizzas, along with roasted shishito peppers, balsamic-glazed Brussels sprouts, artichokes and zesty meatballs.

Thin-crusted pies get a kiss of char and a nice bit of chew, ranging from the simple Margherita to pies with more exotic toppings, like roasted mushrooms with preserved lemon, or fresh clams. The signature WTF Burger is a meat-tastic gut-buster with Painted Hills ground beef, Cheddar, barbecued pork shoulder, brisket, maple bacon, and a fried chipotle pork cake — with Guy Fieri’s stamp of approval. Yeah, that tracks.

18350 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma. 707-522-7778, ilfuocosonoma.com

Mother Clucker’s Wings, Cotati

A new wing and burger spot from the owner of Cotati’s Down to Earth Cafe.

After the pandemic did a number on his businesses, with food prices soaring and a lack of available staff, chef Chris Ball pivoted business concepts to add a delivery-only option. This isn’t your usual soggy fries and wings situation. Ball puts his all into the offerings, which also include a creamy, dreamy mac and cheese with bacon. Based in Cotati, with service to Santa Rosa.

doordash.com to order

Wooden Petal, Santa Rosa

This pop-up pretzel business, which took Santa Rosa by storm after it launched in 2020, has now become a full-fledged bakery.

The menu includes daily bread specials, braided sesame pretzel loaf, and homemade dips that can be ordered online and picked up at the bakery. Orders should be placed the night before, as offerings usually sell out fast. We love the Kids Party Box with sweet, glazed pretzels served “unicorn style” (meaning with sprinkles on top), as well as the Salty & Sweet Box combo, which features cinnamon sugar and sea salt pretzels.

404 Santa Rosa Ave., woodenpetal.com