Paul Haddorff, director of food services for Redwood Gospel Mission, serves coffee to Archie and Chris Cates of Santa Rosa, as they dine at the new Redwood Gospel Baking Company cafe in Santa Rosa, Friday, April 10, 2026. (Darryl Bush/For The Press Democrat)
Faith isn’t a prerequisite to stop in for coffee and pastries at Redwood Gospel Mission Baking Co. — but you might just leave praising the holy trinity of flour, butter and sugar.
The North Bay nonprofit opened its new coffeehouse and bakery Tuesday, April 14, offering housemade croissants, kouign-amann, scones, sandwiches, salads and espresso drinks. The venture also serves as a culinary training program and pathway toward future employment for people in the gospel mission’s residential programs.
Tucked into a quiet medical park that houses the mission’s Family Campus, the cafe is a bright, cozy space with a large redwood community table and plenty of room to sip a morning coffee while checking emails or contemplating a warm chocolate chip cookie.
The new Redwood Gospel Baking Company’s sign is displayed on the front door entering the cafe in Santa Rosa, Friday, April 10, 2026. (Darryl Bush/For The Press Democrat)Customer Abby Fisher, of Santa Rosa, enjoys coffee as she works on her computer in the dining room at the new Redwood Gospel Baking Company cafe in Santa Rosa, Friday, April 10, 2026. (Darryl Bush/For The Press Democrat)
“We want to see transformation in the lives of our students and measurable impact on the community,” said Paul Haddorff, the mission’s director of food services.
A graduate of Santa Rosa Junior College’s culinary program and a former fine-dining chef, Haddorff oversees the kitchen alongside Doug Cavaliere, a longtime bakery owner whose guidance has helped students produce glossy, well-laminated pastries, fresh breads for toast and sandwiches and a rotating selection of galettes.
Clockwise, showing a few of the pastries served are: plain croissants, kouign-amann pastries, and almond croissants, at the new Redwood Gospel Baking Company cafe in Santa Rosa, Friday, April 10, 2026. (Darryl Bush/For The Press Democrat)Avocado toast is served at the Redwood Gospel Baking Company cafe in Santa Rosa, Friday, April 10, 2026. (Darryl Bush/For The Press Democrat)
Only days into its soft launch, the menu is impressively executed. There’s no shortage of butter in the croissants ($4.50 to $5.50), the glazed lemon scone is a favorite ($4.50), and the kouign-amann is caramelized and crisp with a soft center ($6.50). The avocado toast with goat cheese, pickled onion and hot honey ($6) is worth a return. Sandwiches come with greens, roasted potato salad or chips, making the half chicken caprese ($10) a deal.
Food service manager LaDonna Lane completed the Gospel Mission’s program more than 30 years ago and now helps guide participants through the same process.
Paul Haddorff, director of food services for Redwood Gospel Mission, helps student Allison Spears, of Santa Rosa, as she spoons sugar for a muffin mix, at the new Redwood Gospel Baking Company cafe in Santa Rosa, Friday, April 10, 2026. (Darryl Bush/For The Press Democrat)Volunteer Robin Pistorio, of Santa Rosa, makes potato salad in the kitchen at the new Redwood Gospel Baking Company cafe in Santa Rosa, Friday, April 10, 2026. (Darryl Bush/For The Press Democrat)
“These women come through the program and get a job,” she said. “And hopefully they launch and do what they’re really good at.”
The Baking Co. is part of a growing network of social enterprises operated by Redwood Gospel Mission, which also includes a coffee roastery, a catering business and a thrift store. The organization provides shelter, meals, recovery programs, job training and spiritual support for people experiencing homelessness or seeking stability.
The cafe is open 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, with lunch service starting at 10:30 a.m.2447 Summerfield Road, Santa Rosa, rgm.org
Rare albums, magazines and vintage stereo equipment at Revolution Vinyl in Duncans Mills. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
On Saturday, April 18, independent record stores across the country will open early, spin exclusive releases and welcome lines of collectors for Record Store Day, an annual ritual that has become both a celebration of vinyl and a testament to its endurance.
Conceived in 2007 as a way to spotlight the culture of independently owned record stores, the first Record Store Day was held in 2008, when the band Metallica spent hours meeting fans at Rasputin Music in San Francisco. What began as a modest promotional effort has since grown into an international event that champions brick-and-mortar shops and the communities that sustain them.
Its success reflects a broader shift in listening habits. In an era defined by streaming and instant access, a growing number of listeners have returned to analog formats. While music itself has remained constant, the ways people consume it have evolved rapidly over the past two decades, from Walkmans to iPods to smartphones. Now, an older technology — the record player — is drawing renewed interest.
First popularized in the early 20th century by the Victor Talking Machine Company’s Victrola, the device has evolved in both name and form, from phonograph and gramophone to record player and, more recently, turntable. Though late-20th-century formats like compact discs and cassettes once pushed vinyl toward obsolescence, records have staged a steady comeback. In 2022, vinyl albums outsold CDs for the first time since 1987, according to the Recording Industry Association of America.
Vinyl remains a niche within the broader music landscape, but its resurgence has proved durable. Independent record stores continue to cultivate loyal audiences and, increasingly, a new generation of listeners.
Here are some of our favorite places to purchase records in Sonoma County.
The Next Record Store
A mainstay of the local music scene, The Next Record Store has served as a hub for vinyl collectors since its founding in 1983 as The Last Record Store. Renamed after co-owner Hoyt Wilhelm’s retirement in 2021, the shop carries records alongside CDs, turntables, speakers and apparel. It has also hosted hundreds of live performances over the years. For Record Store Day, the store will open at 8 a.m. with DJs, a storewide sale and a selection of exclusive vinyl releases. 1899 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-525-1963, the-next-record-store.square.site
Rob Testorelli browses the selection at The Next Record Store in Santa Rosa on Tuesday, June 8, 2021. (Christopher Chung / The Press Democrat)People attend the Sonoma County Record Show, organized in partnership with RadioThrift and The NorCal Vinyl Society, at Shady Oak Barrel House in Santa Rosa, Sunday, March 19, 2023. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)
RadioThrift
Part thrift shop, part community gathering space, RadioThrift specializes in affordable vinyl and hosts regular swaps and live shows around the county, often at local breweries such as Shady Oak in Santa Rosa. On Record Store Day, the shop will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with records priced between $2 and $5. 1005 Cleveland Ave., Santa Rosa, instagram.com/radiothrift
Rain Dog Records
What began as a small mobile operation has grown into a brick-and-mortar shop since opening in 2021. Rain Dog Records offers a mix of new and used vinyl, CDs, cassettes and merchandise, and regularly hosts all-ages live music events. The store plans to open at 8 a.m. on Record Store Day with free coffee and doughnuts, exclusive releases and discounts on used inventory. 1010 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 707-776-6187, raindogrecords.net
Rain Dog Records Monday, March 23, 2026, in Petaluma. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)Store manager Justice Richie, right, opens boxes of newly delivered records for the upcoming Record Store Day at Paradise Found Records and Music in Petaluma Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)
Paradise Found Records & Music
Opened in 2023, Paradise Found has quickly established itself as a downtown destination for collectors. Its inventory ranges from new releases to classics, including a section devoted to Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 greatest albums. On Record Store Day, the store will open at 7 a.m. with free pastries, promotions at nearby businesses and live DJ sets from 4-7 p.m. with no cover charge. 316 B St., Petaluma, 707-658-6944, paradisefoundrecordsmusic.com
Montagne Russe Winery & Record Lounge
Blending a tasting room with a record shop, Montagne Russe offers wines from the Petaluma Gap alongside thousands of albums. Owner Kevin Bersofsky curates a personal vinyl selection, plays it in-house and often takes requests. The space hosts weekly live music and will hold a free Record Store Day after-party following the Butter & Eggs Day Festival (also on Saturday), featuring a performance by local musician Dan Durkin. 155 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 1-855-467-8773, russewines.com
Owner and winemaker Kevin Bersofsky puts on a record at the Montagne Russe Winery and Record Lounge in Petaluma Thursday, July 31, 2025. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)Rare albums, magazines and vintage stereo equipment at Revolution Vinyl in Duncans Mills. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Revolution Vinyl & Vintage
Set in the small town of Duncans Mills, this vintage shop offers a mix of used records and retro audio equipment. Its selection includes everything from accessible finds to rarer pieces for dedicated collectors. 25191 Main St., Duncans Mills, 707-721-2358, revolutionvinylvintage.com
More places to find vinyl:
Fatty’s Threads: 1290 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa, 707-578-6916
The Thrifty Hippy: 218 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 707-241-6748, thriftyhippythrift.com
Trove: 423 First St. W., Sonoma. 707-231-1210, trovesonoma.com
Spicy Plum Sauce Pork sautéed with vegetables from Osake Japanese restaurant Thursday, April 3, 2026 in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
After 43 years in the restaurant business, chef Gary Chu has only one regret. “I have no hobbies,” he said, sitting inside his longtime restaurant Osake in Santa Rosa on an early Saturday morning.
With a mug of coffee in hand, Chu looked back on decades spent in his family’s Chinese restaurants and later building a local restaurant empire with Gary Chu’s and Osake in Santa Rosa and Sake’O in Healdsburg. Now, as he considers a future without 14-hour days, he can’t help but grin at how deeply the restaurant world still calls to him.
“I love what I do. Whatever happens outside, when I come through these doors, I forget everything,” he said. The smile rarely leaves his face, making it easy to believe.
Gary Chu opened his first restaurant in Santa Rosa when he was 24 years old and his Osake Japanese restaurant in 1998 in Santa Rosa. Photo taken Thursday, April 3, 2026. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)Martini Prawns, crispy prawns in a spicy aioli sauce, from Osake Japanese restaurant Thursday, April 3, 2026 in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
At 68, Chu is woven into the fabric of Sonoma County dining. In the 1980s and ’90s, his namesake Chinese restaurant in downtown Santa Rosa stood out as a rare destination north of San Francisco for elevated, California-influenced Asian cuisine. Szechuan lamb, tea-smoked duck and Champagne scallops shared the menu with crowd-pleasers like lemon chicken and the now-iconic Martini Prawns, a dish that’s been imitated across the region.
Today, Osake is Chu’s last remaining restaurant, a cozy, low-lit spot he opened in 1998 that endures while others have come and gone. The menu leans Japanese, but longtime fans will spot a handful of Chu’s Chinese classics. Through economic ups and downs, shifting tastes and even a pandemic, Osake has held steady, a testament to the staying power of well-crafted, timeless Japanese and Chinese dishes and genuine hospitality.
And his fans have aged with him, something Chu doesn’t take for granted.
“People have been following me for the last 30 to 40 years,” he said. Like many of his patrons, Chu’s once-dark hair is now mostly gray and his children are grown, bringing their own children and grandchildren to the restaurant.
Chef Chris Chu runs the kitchen at Osake Japanese restaurant, while brother Gary entertains guests at the sushi bar and runs the front of the house Thursday, April 3, 2026 in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Still, it takes more than loyal regulars to keep the lights on. Osake, tucked near Montgomery Village, may not draw attention with flashy decor, but the kitchen consistently turns out excellent food. Chu’s brother, Christopher, has been at the stove for decades, while Gary is a fixture behind the sushi bar, entertaining guests and expertly slicing salmon and tuna throughout the day.
Chu is always the first to arrive in the morning and the last to leave at night. Over the years, he’s earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand, a shelf full of ‘best of’ awards, and a reputation as one of Sonoma County’s most dedicated restaurateurs. He says he’s achieved nearly everything he set out to do, though another Michelin mention would be a fitting capstone.
Lately, he’s started to imagine a slower pace: fewer hours at the restaurant, quiet mornings over coffee with his wife, and maybe, finally, time for a hobby.
The inspiration
Chu, who spent much of his youth in South Korea, worked in his parents’ restaurants for many years, including the restaurant they originally owned on Fifth Street in Santa Rosa. His experience working in Japan inspired the menus for Sake’O and Osake. The name Osake (pronounced oh-SAH-kay) is a nod to Japanese rice wine, with the honorific “O” prefix, though most people default to calling it Osaka, like the Japanese city.
The Osake Executive Bento Dinner with tempura and teriyaki chicken, miso soup, salad and rice from Osake Japanese restaurant Thursday, April 3, 2026 in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
The vibe
Step inside and you’ll find a dining room that feels like a time capsule, with dark wood, carpet and soft lighting that harken back to another era. There’s a bit of wear around the edges, but everything is spotless and the welcome is as warm as ever. The sushi bar, where you’ll often find Chu, is the best seat in the house. Spacious tables and banquettes make it easy for groups to gather, while cozy two-tops offer a more intimate setting. Near the entrance, a large fish tank draws curious glances — the residents, it should be noted, are not on the menu.
The food
Most popular dishes: Martini prawns, Szechuan wonton, lemon chicken, Utah roll.
The menu spans Japanese classics — bento boxes, nigiri, wood-grilled yakitori, sukiyaki, and sushi rolls — alongside a takeout selection of Chu’s favorite Chinese comfort foods: kung pao chicken, walnut prawns, Szechuan prawns, and fried rice. Even at lunch, plates arrive artfully arranged, with bold sauce swirls and vibrant, fresh ingredients.
Saikyo Miso Black Cod appetizer with crispy pork wonton with tomato, onion and melted cheese from Osake Japanese restaurant Thursday, April 3, 2026 in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)Matcha Tiramisu from Osake Japanese restaurant Thursday, April 3, 2026 in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Don’t miss the spicy Szechuan wontons, silky black miso cod, tuna carpaccio with soy truffle oil or the well-crafted nigiri and sashimi. For takeout, classics like wor wonton soup, spicy plum pork, kung pao chicken and fried rice are always a hit.
Fun fact
The Martini Prawn is a Gary Chu original, a dish now found on menus all over Sonoma County. One hectic night at his downtown restaurant, Chu improvised a quick appetizer, riffing on walnut prawns with a spicier sauce and serving them in a martini glass — simply because it was handy. A sprinkle of grated carrot finished the sweet, crispy dish, and a signature was born.
Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday, closed Monday. 2446 Patio Court, Santa Rosa. 707-542-8282, osake-sushi.com
A Mother’s Day brunch from Spoonbar at h2hotel in Healdsburg. (Spoonbar)
Moms deserve all the best things in this world — and a Wine Country brunch is a good start. Restaurants and wineries across Sonoma County are pulling out all the stops to make this Mother’s Day special.
All Mother’s Day brunches will take place on Sunday, May 10, unless otherwise noted.
Santa Rosa
Flamingo Resort & Spa: Seatings available from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for Flamingo’s annual Mother’s Day buffet-style brunch. $70 for adults and $35 for children under 12. Reserve on Tock. 2777 Fourth St., 707-545-8530, flamingoresort.com
At John Ash restaurant at Vinarosa Resort & Spa in Santa Rosa. (Sonoma County Tourism)
Iron & Vine: Seatings at 9:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. for the Mother’s Day brunch buffet at the Bennett Valley Golf Course restaurant. $59 per adult, $20 per child ages 3-12 and free for children under 3. Reserve online. Moms golf for free (with another paying golfer) on Mother’s Day. 3330 Yulupa Ave., 707-852-1162, bennettvalleygolf.com/ironandvine
Safari West: Mother’s Day brunch at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on the Sonoma Serengeti. $55 for adults, $35 for children ages 4-12 and free for children 3 and under. Reserve online. 3115 Porter Creek Road, 800-616-2695, safariwest.com
Kenwood
Salt & Stone: Seatings available from 9-11:30 a.m. for Mother’s Day brunch. Reserve on OpenTable. 9900 Sonoma Highway, 707-833-6326, saltstonekenwood.com
Glen Ellen
Songbird Parlour: Short-rib stroganoff dinner from 5-9 p.m. for Mother’s Day. Dinner is $42. Reserve on Toast. 14301 Arnold Drive, Suite 3, 707-343-1308, songbirdparlour.com
Sonoma
Chateau Sonoma: Mother’s Day celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., May 9, at the Chateau Sonoma Farm. Includes Champagne, a hands-on floral design class and farm-fresh brunch prepared by chef Kyle Kuklewski. $350 per ticket, plus fees. Purchase tickets on Eventbrite. 20730 Fifth St. E., 707-309-1993, chateausonoma.com
Santé at Fairmont:Mother’s Day brunch from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa restaurant. $125 per adult, $39 per child ages 6-12 and free for children under 5. Reserve on OpenTable. 100 Boyes Blvd., 707-938-9000, fairmont.com/sonoma
El Dorado Kitchen: Mother’s Day brunch from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the El Dorado Hotel restaurant. Entrees will range from $25 to $50. There will be an a la carte menu for children under 12. Reserve on OpenTable. 405 First St. W., 707-996-3030, eldoradosonoma.com/el-dorado-kitchen
Bagels with lox for brunch at El Dorado Hotel + Kitchen in Sonoma. (El Dorado Hotel + Kitchen)Eggs Benedict from Wit & Wisdom in Sonoma is on the Mother’s Day brunch menu. (Wit & Wisdom)
Wit & Wisdom: Mother’s Day brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a three-course, prix-fixe menu at The Lodge at Sonoma Resort restaurant. $75 per person. Reserve on OpenTable. 1325 Broadway, 707-931-3405, witandwisdomsonoma.com
Roche Winery & Vineyards: Mother’s Day brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. $95 per adult, $80 for wine club members and $20 per child ages 3-13. Reserve on CellarPass. 22097A Bonness Road, 707-935-7115, rochewinery.com
Bartholomew Estate Winery: Mother’s Day picnic brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring wine and flowers to bring home. Catering by Preferred Sonoma Caterers and florals by Cassidy Ranch. $150 per person, $130 for club members and $35 for children ages 3-10. Reserve on Tock. 1000 Vineyard Lane, 707-509-0540, bartholomewestate.com
Bartholomew Estate Vineyards and Winery in Sonoma will host a catered picnic brunch for Mother’s Day. (Steven Krause)Kids at the bocce ball court at Larson Family Winery in Sonoma. (Rebecca Chotkowski)
Larson Family Winery: Catered brunch with live music from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sonoma winery. More details to come. 23355 Millerick Road, 707-938-3031, larsonfamilywinery.com
Honrama Cellars: Brunch and bubbles from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., including a special experience for moms. 22985 A Burndale Road, 707-628-2743, honramacellars.com
Petaluma
McEvoy Ranch: Mother’s Day tea service from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at McEvoy’s historic Victorian. $95 per guest and $65 for children under 12; members get 15% off. Reserve on Tock. 5935 Red Hill Road, 707-769-4138, mcevoyranch.com
Sally Tomatoes: Annual Mother’s Day Champagne brunch starting at 10 a.m. featuring a buffet and bottomless mimosas. $32 for adults and $16 for children. Endless sparkling mimosas are $20. Call 707-665-9472 to RSVP. 1100 Valley House Drive, 707-665-9472, sallytomatoes.com
Brunch from Sally Tomatoes Catering and Events in Rohnert Park. (Sally Tomatoes)A tower of sweet and savory vegan delicacies at Muir’s Tea Room in Sebastopol Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)
Sebastopol
Muir’s Tea Room: Mother’s Day high tea served May 9-10. $82 for adults on Saturday, May 9, and $86 for adults on Sunday, May 10; $42 for children both days. A gluten-free menu is also available. See menu and reserve online. 330 S. Main St., 707-634-6143, muirstearoomandcafe.com
Windsor
Fleur Sauvage: Mother’s Day “Petit & Sweet Tasting” — a European-inspired dessert tasting experience — with seatings available from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Windsor chocolate shop. $40 per person. 370 Windsor River Road, 707-892-2162, fleursauvagechocolates.com
Desserts from artisan chocolatier Fleur Sauvage in Windsor. (Sonoma County Tourism)J Vineyards & Winery’s sparkling Love Wine Brut Cuvée, crafted with a mix of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes from across the Russian River Valley, Monterey County and Mendocino County. (J Vineyards & Winery)
Healdsburg
J Vineyards & Winery: Mother’s Day weekend brunch at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., May 8-9, in the Bubble Room, and at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., May 10, on the Terrace. $125 per person and $110 for wine club members. Reserve on Tock. 11447 Old Redwood Highway, 707-431-5430, jwine.com
Jordan Vineyard & Winery: Mother’s Day afternoon tea from 3:30-5 p.m., May 8-9. $95 per person. Limited availability; reserve online. 1474 Alexander Valley Road, 707-431-5250, jordanwinery.com
Convene by Dan Kosta: Mother’s Day weekend wine tasting from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., May 9-10, at Convene by Dan Kosta at Bacchus Landing. There will be popcorn and Chardonnay, including a complimentary glass for mom. Reserve a free ticket on Tock. 14210 Bacchus Landing Way, Suite 300, 707-861-8199, convenebydankosta.com
Tisza Bistro: Mother’s Day brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; limited seating. Reserve a spot on OpenTable. 165 Healdsburg Ave., 707-291-5193, tiszabistro.com
Folia at Appellation:Mother’s Day brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a three-course menu. $110 per person and $25 for children 6 and under. Reserve on OpenTable. 101 Dovetail Lane, 707-723-2130, foliabarandkitchen.com
Auteur Wines: Mother’s Day brunch starting at 10 a.m. with a five-course menu and a perfumery sensory experience. Brunch includes debut of estate’s sparkling Blanc de Noir Rosé. Florals by Zannah Farms. $103 per person. Reserve on Tock. 10520 Wohler Road, Healdsburg, 707-766-0222, auteurwines.com
At Auteur Wines in Healdsburg. (Eileen Roche / Sonoma Magazine)A bottle of bubbly from Breathless Wines in Healdsburg. (Breathless Wines)
Breathless Sparkling Wines: Mother’s Day brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. featuring live music and sparkling wine. Children welcome. $30 for wine club members and $38 for non-members. Reserve on Tock. 499 Moore Lane, 707-232-5976, breathlesswines.com
Spoonbar:Mother’s Day brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the h2hotel restaurant. $75 for adults and $35 for children 12 and under. Reserve on OpenTable. 219 Healdsburg Ave., 707-433-7222, spoonbar.com
Dry Creek Kitchen:Mother’s Day brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a three-course, prix-fixe menu. $110 per guest and $55 for children 6 and under. Reserve on OpenTable. 317 Healdsburg Ave., 707-431-0330, drycreekkitchen.com
Hazel Hill at Montage:Mother’s Day brunch from noon to 3 p.m. with a prix-fixe menu. $175 per guest ages 13 and over; $75 per guest ages 4-12. Reserve on OpenTable. 100 Montage Way, 707-979-9000, montage.com/healdsburg
Geyserville
Francis Ford Coppola Winery: Mother’s Day celebration starting at 11 a.m. More details to come. 300 Via Archimedes, 707-857-1400, francisfordcoppolawinery.com
Roses and vineyards at Francis Ford Coppola Winery in Geyserville. (Francis Ford Coppola Winery)A pasta dish at Coast Kitchen at Timber Cove Resort in Jenner. (Timber Cove Resort)
West County and Sonoma Coast
Coast Kitchen: Mother’s Day brunch from noon to 3 p.m. at the Timber Cove Resort restaurant. Dishes range from $12 to $38. Reserve on Resy. 21780 Highway 1, Jenner, 707-847-3231, timbercoveresort.com
Drakes Sonoma Coast: Mother’s Day brunch from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Lodge at Bodega Bay restaurant. Brunch is a la carte and the Mother’s Day special, a Dungeness crab Benedict, is $30. Reserve a spot on OpenTable. 103 Coast Highway 1, Bodega Bay, 707-875-3525, drakessonomacoast.com
Nom Nom Cakes: Mother’s Day specials for pickup or delivery. Desserts range from $24 to $95. Order online. 390 Calle del Sol, Bodega Bay, 805-350-0680, nomnombaking.com
Multiple locations
See’s Candies: Mother’s Day treats for pickup or delivery. Spring and holiday-themed boxes of chocolate range from $20 to $53.75. Other springtime confections, such as jelly beans, lollipops and shortbread bites, are also available. Purchase online or visit locations in Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa and Windsor. sees.com
Fresh Homemade Italian Pizza Margherita with buffalo mozzarella and basil
Last week, I wrote about 20 new restaurant openings in Sonoma County. That wasn’t the final count. Here are a few more additions.
Wonderland Pizza: The former Lucy’s in Monte Rio, previously home to several short-lived restaurant concepts, is under new ownership and undergoing a complete renovation. Owners Brian Perloff and Kellee Kessler will open Wonderland Pizza on May 22, offering quality food, local beer and wine, live music and art inspired by the Russian River. 20391 Highway 116, Monte Rio, instagram.com/wonderland_pizzeria
Redwood Gospel Bakery: The Redwood Gospel Mission will open its new bakery at 2447 Summerfield Road in Santa Rosa on April 14. More to come on this. rgm.org
Volunteer Steffan O’Neill hands out pumpkin pies at the Redwood Gospel Mission’s Thanksgiving Banquet at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, Nov. 22, 2023. The Redwood Gospel Mission will open its new bakery in Santa Rosa on April 14. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)Pumpkin pie during the Redwood Gospel Mission’s Great Thanksgiving Banquet, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
Cloverdale Supper Club: The boutique Cloverdale House Inn offers a Sinatra-era atmosphere, with steaks, seafood and classic martinis. Grand opening is April 11. 240 N. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale, 707-669-5072, instagram.com/supperclubcloverdale
Capriciano Osteria: A hand-painted sign now marks the former Tipsy Taco location in downtown Santa Rosa. The spacious venue, previously home to the Acapulco Lounge, has hosted several concepts over the years, including French, Mexican and Brazilian. Details on the menu and opening date are not yet available. 505 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, capriciano.com
Capriciano Osteria will open at the former Tipsy Taco on Mendocino Avenue in Santa Rosa. (Ricardo Ibarra / La Prensa Sonoma, file)
Now open
Kyoto Ramen and Hawaiian BBQ: This new location for the casual California-Pacific Rim chain offers 15 types of ramen, as well as poke bowls, curry, rice bowls, katsu and kalua pork. 1940 Piner Road, Suite 600, Santa Rosa, 707-888-2906
Tuna crudo with yuzu and aioli at Valley Bar and Bottle in Sonoma. (Heather Irwin / Sonoma Magazine)
I’m always on the hunt for great food in Sonoma County, the kind worth a detour, a wait or a group text. Here’s what I ate this week.
Bento box with chicken katsu and tempura in Santa Rosa at Seoul to Tokyo Kitchen. (Heather Irwin / Sonoma Magazine)
Seoul to Tokyo Kitchen: After two visits to this new ramen, okonomiyaki and bulgogi restaurant in north Santa Rosa, I am impressed. The menu features Korean comfort food such as bulgogi, bibimbap, soft tofu soup, tteok-bokki and ox bone soup, as well as Japanese ramen, udon and Vietnamese pho. While the miso is average, the banchan stands out. 3082 Marlow Road, Suite B3, Santa Rosa, 707-919-3014, seoultotokyokitchen.com
Parkside Eats: Although still in its soft opening, the extensive menu is already drawing both foodies and neighbors. Highlights include poke nachos, fresh guacamole and an excellent burger served on a brioche bun. 4323 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-800-7466. Find on Instagram.
Baja fish tacos at Parkside Eats in Santa Rosa. Parkside, from the owners of Sonoma Eats, has taken over the former Lepe’s Taqueria. (Heather Irwin / Sonoma Magazine)A low-abv hibiscus margarita at Parkside Eats in Santa Rosa. (Heather Irwin / Sonoma Magazine)
Abyssinia Ethiopian: Looking at a giant platter of bubbly injera, spiced lentils, beans and greens, my first thought was: Why don’t I eat here more? The tangy, pancake-like bread, warm East African spices and the healthy, flavor-packed vegetarian spread make a strong case for return visits. 913 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-568-6455, my-abyssinia.com
Vegetarian platter at Abyssinia in Santa Rosa. (Heather Irwin / Sonoma Magazine)
Valley Bar and Bottle: While finalizing my “Top 50 Dishes in Sonoma County” for the May/June issue of Sonoma Magazine, I had one last dish to try at this destination-worthy restaurant and natural wine bar. Fried artichokes, yellowfin tuna crudo and charred cabbage with miso stood out, but you’ll have to wait until next month to find out the winner. 487 First St. W., Sonoma, 707-934-8403, valleybarandbottle.com
Tuna crudo with yuzu and aioli at Valley Bar and Bottle in Sonoma. (Heather Irwin / Sonoma Magazine)Pupusas and the sweet corn tamale at Don Julio’s in Rohnert Park. (Heather Irwin / Sonoma Magazine)
Don Julio’s: This tiny, tucked-away taqueria in Rohnert Park is a best-kept secret of locals. The Salvadoran restaurant takes Latin classics and adds a tropical twist — like the birria pupusas, plantain-stuffed burritos and sweet corn tamales, which I could eat for days. 217 Southwest Blvd., Rohnert Park, 707-242-3160, donjulioslatingrill.com
Mercedes Hernandez, founder of SoCo Market in Santa Rosa Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)
From a modest start in September 2020 intended to reconnect the community and support 11 young small-business owners, SoCo Market is entering its seventh year with a full slate of more than 90 vendors. The market runs monthly from April through August in Santa Rosa’s Old Courthouse Square, and its founder, Mercedes Hernandez, is a powerhouse of Sonoma County entrepreneurship and event planning.
Hernandez launched her first retail business in 2014 while a student at Santa Rosa Junior College. Since then, she’s opened (and closed) one more retail shop, created the Fork’n Good Food Festival and the Michelada-Mimosa Festival, and managed The Trade, an open-air marketplace at The Barlow in Sebastopol.
These days, the SoCo Market and its growing family of gatherings get all of her attention. “Highlighting the creative small business and local talent that we have here in Sonoma County, that’s the heart of all of the events that I put on,” Hernandez says.
Mercedes Hernandez, founder of SoCo Market in Santa Rosa, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)
Curating the SoCo Market
It definitely is more of a feel. We highlight unique businesses that are millennial-owned and -run. We’re looking for people who want to do more with their business, versus just a hobby. That’s what we look for, and just the creativity behind it as well. We’re all about diversity at our events; we love supporting BIPOC-owned businesses. And we don’t want to oversaturate each category. So it’s a really strategic process when approving applications.
Blanca Molina, left, helps Anisya Lustig make a purchase with her phone at her Pokidi Lab by Blanca Creative booth during The SoCo Market held at Old Courthouse Square in downtown Santa Rosa on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021. (Erik Castro / for The Press Democrat)Shoppers check out the handmade lighter cases and an assortment of customized footwear by Miguel Martin, 18, owner of Martin Kickzz, during The SoCo Market held in Old Courthouse Square in downtown Santa Rosa on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021. (Erik Castro / for The Press Democrat)Store owner Mercedes Hernandez looks for clothing to display at Bow N Arrow & Friends in Cotati on Friday, Oct. 28, 2022. (Christopher Chung / The Press Democrat)
By Millennials for Millennials
That is our target audience. So we’re making sure that we are picking small businesses that cater to that audience. That’s something we’re always transparent with. And I’ve been on both sides. When I opened my first boutique, I wanted to make it affordable for college students, because I was a student at the time. I offered those prices because I knew who my customer was, and that’s what it all comes down to, knowing who your customer is.
Success Stories
Some of our longtime vendors have expanded into brick and mortars. Many have quit their part-time job to do their small business full time. One example would be Falling for Dainty, a jewelry shop in Healdsburg. Brooke has been with us from the beginning. And then Omar, with Galvan’s Eatery, they just opened their first restaurant. They’ve been with us for a long time as well.
Brothers Ivan, left, and Omar Galvan, owners of the popular Galvan’s Eatery food trucks, have opened Galvan’s Beer Garden, their first brick and mortar location Friday, Feb. 7, 2026 in Cotati. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)Valeria Garcia with her 1-year-old son Malachi Garcia at The SoCo Market held at Old Courthouse Square in downtown Santa Rosa on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021. (Erik Castro / for The Press Democrat)
Future Plans
A new project is a permanent food truck location and a community hub in Santa Rosa. I’ve always been inspired by larger cities, and San Francisco has an amazing food-truck park called Spark Social SF. I love bringing the community together, and having a permanent spot where we can do that and have live entertainment is a dream of mine, and something that I’m working towards.
The next SoCo Market will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 19 at Old Courthouse Square in Santa Rosa. thesocomarket.com
Johnson’s Beach in Guerneville. (Sonoma County Tourism)
With a legendary coastline stretching 840 miles, California has long been the sunny home for beachcombers and surfer dudes. But beaches don’t always lie on the coast, as Travel + Leisure reminds in a recent article listing nine of the best beach towns in California, where Guerneville ranked No. 3.
“The forested hamlet of Guerneville — a longtime haunt for hippies, artists, and the LGBTQ+ community — is located on the Russian River, a slow-moving waterway intermittently lined with beaches,” the Travel + Leisure article stated.
Guerneville’s varied storefronts reflect the layers of the region’s recent history, from timber town to hippie haven to gay-friendly retreat and upscale weekend getaway. Close to the beach and with a downtown full of great places to eat and drink, it is a perfect spot to relax and soak up the sun on hot days.
Where to play
Johnson’s Beach: The popular Russian River spot offers paddleboarding, picnicking, tubing, and swimming. The beach has a snack bar with refreshments and offers camping or vintage cabins. King’s Sport & Tackle (16258 Main St.) can help you get set up with water sports gear and offer advice. 16215 and 16217 First St., johnsonsbeach.com
A sunset view at Johnson’s Beach in Guerneville along the Russian River. (Eileen Roche / Sonoma Magazine)Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve in Guerneville. (Mariah Harkey / Sonoma County Tourism)
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve: Quiet trails lead through 800 acres of old-growth redwoods just a short distance from downtown. 17000 Armstrong Woods Road, 707-869-2015, parks.ca.gov
Where to eat
Piknik Town Market: Though Big Bottom Market was sold and reopened in 2023 as Piknik Town Market, new owner Margaret van der Veen assured fans that the Market’s world-famous biscuits are still baked daily. The spot also offers salads, sandwiches, gourmet groceries and picnic provisions, including to-go picnic boxes. 16228 Main St., 707-604-7295, pikniktownmarket.com
A biscuit from Piknik Town Market, formerly Big Bottom Market, in Guerneville. (Sonoma County Tourism)Polenta lasagna at Boon Eat + Drink in Guerneville. (Boon Eat + Drink)
Boon Eat + Drink: Chef Crista Luedtke of Food Network fame lives in Guerneville and her restaurant anchors the downtown strip. Boon is a classic California farm-to-table bistro, with locally sourced dishes such as beet salad with goat cheese, mac and cheese with Mycopia mushrooms, Niman Ranch burger on brioche and the fan-favorite polenta lasagna on a bed of rainbow chard. 16248 Main St., 707-869-0780, eatatboon.com
Guerneville Taco Truck: It may seem odd to claim that a Safeway parking lot is home to the best Mexican food in Guerneville, but most locals would agree. A mainstay for over three decades, the Guerneville Taco Truck offers the best tacos, tortas and burritos this side of the Russian River. 16405 Highway 116, 707-869-1821, guernevilletacotruck.com
The Guerneville Taco Truck in the Safeway parking lot in Guerneville. (Russian River Visitor Center)
Where to sip
Stumptown Brewery: The main draw here is an expansive deck overlooking the river, with kayakers and tubers floating by. Spend the afternoon there with a beer sampler or the seasonal Donkey Punch, a refreshing hoppy lager. 15045 River Road, 707-869-0705, stumptown.com
Rainbow Cattle Co.: “The Rainbow,” as locals call it, has been a Guerneville fixture since the late 1970s. The LGBTQ+ community gathering spot is one of only a few Sonoma County bars that remain open until early morning hours, closing at 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. 16220 Main St., 707-869-0206, queersteer.com
Parade watchers gather in front of the Rainbow Cattle Company during the Russian River Pride Parade and Festival in Guerneville, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)At Korbel Champagne Cellars in Guerneville. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Korbel Champagne Cellars: As the only Champagne producer in the Bay Area since the late 1800s, Korbel has earned a reputation in the county for its old-world charm and first-class bubbles. The winery’s Champagne even made it to the table at former president Barack Obama’s inaugural luncheon, a Korbel tradition for presidential inaugurations dating back to the 1980s. Korbel offers free walking tours of its historic museum and cellars, which include a complimentary Champagne tasting. 13250 River Road, 707-824-7000, korbel.com
Where to stay
AutoCamp’s luxury tent and patio site near Guerneville along the Russian River in Sonoma County. (Madison Kotack / for Mesa Lane Partners)
AutoCamp Sonoma: Guests stay in custom Airstream trailers or luxury tent cabins at this mid-century modern glamping destination. 14120 Old Cazadero Road, 855-942-0792, autocamp.com/location/sonoma
This renovated farmhouse in Alexander Valley, on the Healdsburg-Geyserville border, is currently listed for $3,650,000. (Jan Pechbrenner / Liftec Media)
A renovated farmhouse on the Healdsburg-Geyserville borderin Alexander Valley is currently listed for $3,650,000. The three-bedroom, three-bathroom dwelling has a saltwater pool and its own Cabernet vineyard, covering a checklist of Wine Country home must-haves.
East Coast transplants Cheryl and Steven Foland purchased the home in 2018 and moved in full time when their San Francisco and Marin-based jobs went remote during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We found ourselves so enamored with more space, a slower pace and an amazing sense of community,” said Cheryl.
The couple built a cedar farm fence for enclosure and curb appeal, as well as to corral their two Rhodesian ridgebacks, who, Cheryl said, “spend their day romping among vines.”
The Folands sell grapes from the property’s 15 rows of Cabernet vines to local wineries. A vineyard manager and a small crew run the harvest, but the couple joins in to help.
In the expansive outdoor space, the homeowners added landscaping and a saltwater pool — offering new ways to experience the vastness of vineyards and the surround of rolling hills.
The wraparound porch is lined by hydrangeas — planted to recall Cheryl’s time living in Westport, Connecticut, where the flower abounds. “Every year, the blooms multiply like mad,” she said of her Geyserville plants.
Self-described “major foodies,” the couple enjoys time cooking and entertaining in the kitchen, which has a Wolf Range and a glass-enclosed wine wall from which to pluck the day’s pairing. An outdoor barbecue area takes the eating adventure right next to the grapes.
The home also offers plenty of opportunities for the hardworking couple to wind down. The wraparound porch is a great place to watch the sun dip behind the vines. An open-concept living room, with a stone-faced electric fireplace, offers sunset gazing via wall-to-wall sliding glass doors. The main bathroom’s soaking tub has a window that creates another prized spot to savor the setting.
Melisa Hall, right, and Sonia Quintero enjoy a glass of wine at Wolves Lovers + Thieves in Glen Ellen on Friday, March 13, 2026. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)
When Lindsey Blanchard and Ryan Kuhlmann met as aspiring lawyers in Minneapolis, they probably never imagined they would end up moving to a small town in California and starting a winery together. Now they have two wineries. Their newest venture in downtown Glen Ellen, Wolves Lovers + Thieves, is a celebration of sparkling wines made from unexpected grape varieties using three different production methods.
The story
Native Midwesterners Blanchard and Kuhlmann met during law school, and they might still be practicing lawyers today if it hadn’t been for a teaching job that brought them out to Sacramento. Living in California, the couple’s shared enthusiasm for wine soon deepened into something more serious.
Recognizing they had a lot to learn, they headed to Sonoma County and connected with winemaker Robert Rex at Deerfield Ranch in Kenwood. Renting space and equipment at the incubator winery, the couple found a mentor in Rex.
Wolves Lovers + Thieves owners Lindsey Blanchard and Ryan Kuhlmann at their tasting room in Glen Ellen on Friday, March 13, 2026. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)
The married duo launched their first winery — the cheekily named Wine Snob* — in 2021. A year later, they made an experimental sparkling wine that led to their second venture: Wolves Lovers + Thieves. Opened in December 2025, the Glen Ellen tasting room showcases bubbles made using three traditional methods: ancestral, méthode champenoise and Charmat.
Blanchard and Kuhlmann make about 600 cases of sparkling wine each year.
The vibe
Wolves Lovers + Thieves sits on Arnold Drive in downtown Glen Ellen, across the street from Poppy and just around the corner from Wine Snob*. Though the brands could have shared a space, the founders wanted their distinctive sparkling wines to have their own venue and identity.
Melisa Hall, right, and Sonia Quintero enjoy a glass of wine at Wolves Lovers + Thieves in Glen Ellen on Friday, March 13, 2026. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)Art by Maria de Los Angeles, used for wine bottle labels, hangs on the wall at Wolves Lovers + Thieves in Glen Ellen on Friday, March 13, 2026. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)
The “Wolves” tasting room has a stylish yet industrial look, with concrete floors, a steel bar and a mix of sofa and bistro table seating. A sliding glass door separates the room from the adjoining Garden Court Café. Vibrant watercolor paintings by Mexican-born local artist Maria de Los Angeles — the same images used for the Wolves Lovers + Thieves labels — adorn the walls.
On the palate
Self-described “type A” personalities, Kuhlmann and Blanchard are hands-on in the vineyard and low-intervention in the cellar. Though they’re not fans of the term “natural wine,” they try to use as little manipulation as possible when making their sparklers. The resulting wines share a bright purity, devoid of flaws or funk.
It’s bubbles only at Wolves Lovers + Thieves, but there’s a lot of variety to explore within that realm. Among the winery’s four sparklers, two are made using the Champagne method, one is a pétillant-natural made with the ancestral method and one represents the Charmat technique. Each production method expresses itself differently in the glass, and learning about the nuances is what makes a visit to this tasting room so interesting and fun.
Bottles of Wolves Lovers + Thieves Masquerade, featuring the art of Maria de Los Angeles, in Glen Ellen on Friday, March 13, 2026. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)
The 2024 Raised by Wolves Sonoma Valley Pinot Noir ($36) is a lively pet-nat that’s rosy in color with a touch of cloudiness from the spent yeast left inside the bottle. It shows fresh berry flavors and an appealing citrus accent. You don’t encounter many sparkling Gewürztraminers in these parts, let alone examples made in the super-dry “brut nature” style, so don’t miss the 2022 Jealousy from Potter Valley ($72). It’s bright and floral with notes of ginger. The 2025 Incognito from Russian River ($54) is a sophisticated, intensely fruity Charmat sparkler made from Pinot Meunier — a grape normally relegated to blending status.
Tastings cost $35 per person.
Beyond the bottle
At Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen. (Jack London State Historic Park)
I love any excuse to wander the beautiful Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen, and there’s a compelling one coming up on April 19. The park is hosting artist Maria de Los Angeles, creator of the Wolves Lovers + Thieves wine labels, for a nature-inspired watercolor painting workshop. The full-day, immersive event ($250) includes refreshments. If birding is more your speed, join the Birds and Words walk at Jack London with guide and author Rebecca Lawton on April 12 ($20).
Wolves Lovers + Thieves, 13647 Arnold Drive, Unit 2, Glen Ellen. Open noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Walk-ins welcome, but reservations are recommended. 707-337-9523, wolvesloversthieves.com
