Super Chicken Nachos from Juanita Juanita in Sonoma. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
The perfect dish for sharing, the ultimate Super Bowl snack, the pub fare you can’t get enough of — nachos are the quintessential cheesy treat.
We have Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya García to thank for this simple yet glorious dish. As the story goes, in 1943 in the city of Piedras Negras, Mexico, a group of U.S. military wives arrived at the restaurant Club Victoria where García worked. With no chefs nearby to feed the hungry crew, García improvised a dish. He grated cheese onto a plate of tostados, broiled it for a few minutes until the cheese was perfectly melted and then topped it with sliced jalapeño. Thus was born Nachos especiales (Nacho’s special) and the world has been indebted to his cheesy genius ever since.
While we can honor García any day by stuffing our face with his namesake snack, it seems all the more fitting to do it on National Nacho Day, Nov. 6. So get in the nacho spirit and check out where to get the best plate of nachos in Sonoma County. Click through the above gallery for a taste and get the details below.
Nachos al pastor available from the EDK Cantina off West Spain Street in Sonoma. Photo taken on Thursday, May 30, 2024. (Robbi Pengelly/Index-Tribune)
Maya Restaurant
The name says it all: Maya Restaurant’s “Really Good Nachos” — topped with savory cheddar and jack cheese, spicy salsa roja, black beans and fresh pico de gallo — are, well, really good. 101 East Napa St., Sonoma, 707-935-3500, mayarestaurant.com
El Dorado Cantina
Also known as EDK Cantina, El Dorado Hotel’s take-out-only cantina offers nachos with black beans, chihuahua cheese, pickled carrots, jalapeños, pico de gallo and crema. Add-ons include chicken, al pastor and short rib birria. 405 First St. W., Sonoma, 707-996-3030, eldoradosonoma.com/edk-cantina
Sonoma Eats
The small nachos is a great appetizer for two to share and the large nachos with generous amounts of gooey cheese and other fixings is excellent for big groups (or have it all to yourself; we won’t judge). 18133 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma, 707-343-1141, sonoma-eats.com
Juanita Juanita
This hidden gem outside the town of Sonoma is a locals favorite. Nachos here come in meaty or meatless variations, with chips, beans, cheese, guacamole, Cotija cheese, jalapeños, salsa and sour cream. 19114 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, 707-935-3981, juanitajuanita.com
Gallina D’Oro
Formerly El Farolito, the local Diaz family restaurateurs continue a long Healdsburg tradition of farm-to-table Mexican cuisine. The nachos still excel, with housemade corn tortillas topped with melted cheese, frijoles fritos, guacamole, salsa and sour cream. 128 Plaza St., Healdsburg, 707-433-2807, gallinadoro.com
Nachos from El Gallo Negro in Windsor. (Courtesy of El Gallo Negro)
El Gallo Negro
Known for its authentic Oaxacan cuisine, El Gallo Negro (also run by the Diaz brothers) serves up masterfully decorated nachos on a bed of toasted housemade corn tortilla chips with all the usual fixings. 8465 Old Redwood Highway, Windsor, 707-838-9511, elgallonegro.net
Los Arcos
A nacho favorite among Yelp reviewers, Los Arcos’ Super Nachos with tender al pastor or carne asada — along with beans, cheese, pico de gallo, guacamole and a dollop of sour cream — come highly recommended. 1791 Marlow Road, Suite 6, Santa Rosa, 707-545-5858, losarcosrestaurantsr.com
Taqueria Molcajetes
The locally and nationally famous (thanks to the excellent food, and Guy Fieri) Taqueria Molcajetes offers a heaping plate of spicy, meaty Super Nachos fit for a king — or a hungry crowd of college kids. 1195 W. College Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-544-8280
Los Molcajetes Bar & Grill
Now with a new third location in Sonoma, Los Molcajetes offers a loaded Birria Nachos dish topped with jack cheese, guacamole, salsa verde, grilled corn, black beans, pico de gallo, chipotle aioli, sour cream and cilantro. 1950 Piner Road, Suite 130, Santa Rosa, 707-843-4716; 6599 Montecito Blvd., Suite 110, Santa Rosa; 19101 Sonoma Hwy., Sonoma, 707-935-3287, losmolcajetesbarandgrill.com
ChoriVegan nachos from the Tacos Tijuana food truck at Shady Oak Barrel House in Santa Rosa on Friday, Oct. 22, 2021. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Tacos Tijuana
In 2021, rival chefs Miguel Canseco and José Rodriguez joined forces to launch Tacos Tijuana, a hybrid food truck and tiny kitchen in Santa Rosa. That’s very good news for fans of Mexican food, including nachos. The ChoriVegan Nachos come with corn chips, black beans, soy chorizo, vegan mozzarella cheese, bell peppers, avocado, vegan sour cream, green onions, tomatoes, cilantro and green salsa swirled with avocado. 3320 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-295-7775, instagram.com/tacostijuana707
El Rancho Taqueria
There’s something for everyone at El Rancho Taqueria, and the Super Nachos are no exception. Whether you’re going for a killer meaty plate or the fresh vegetarian version, these flavor-packed nachos won’t disappoint. 1451 Southwest Blvd., Rohnert Park, 707-795-8537
Don Julio’s Rincon Latin Grill and Pupusas
While Don Julio’s specializes in pupusas, its Locos Nachos are just as mouthwatering. Crispy corn tortilla chips are topped with the works, including refried beans, jack cheese, guacamole and your choice of tender marinated meat. 217 Southwest Blvd., Rohnert Park, 707-242-3160, donjulioslatingrill.com
El Roy’s Mexican Grill
Nacho connoisseurs flock to El Roy’s, where the generously sized Super Nachos are lavishly adorned with melted cheese, tender meat, fresh pico de gallo and guacamole, a light drizzle of sour cream and a healthy sprinkling of spicy jalapeño peppers. 210 Edith St., Petaluma, 707-774-3738, elroys.com
Enter the best shareable dish to pair with an IPA: Lagunitas’ Brewhouse Nachos with IPA beer cheese, black bean puree, pickled jalapeño, tomato, sour cream and green onion. 1280 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma, 707-778-8776, lagunitas.com/taproom/petaluma
Cosmic Nachos at The Wild Poppy Cafe bar along the Bodega Highway west of Sebastopol on Friday, May 3, 2024. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
The Wild Poppy
This Sebastopol cafe and market’s modest brunch menu includes “Cosmic Nachos,” made with corn tortilla chips, black bean puree, “cosmic” queso, cashew crema, coleslaw and scallion pepita chimichurri. 9890 Bodega Highway, Sebastopol, 707-503-6332, thewildpoppycafe.com
Viva Mexicana
Vegans and vegetarians can rest easy knowing Viva Mexicana serves up delicious Mexican food with plenty of options for them. The Vegan Nachos made with Daiya vegan cheese are as scrumptious as any dairy or meat-filled version of the dish. The vegetarian version of the Super Duper Nachos is topped with your choice of a garlic, eggplant and bell pepper sauté; or housemade potato and yam hash browns. 841 Gravenstein Hwy. S., Sebastopol, 707-823-5555, vivamexicana.com
The family-owned local favorite Guerneville Taco Truck offers consistently satisfying Mexican cuisine, and a reliably loaded, saucy plate of Nachos Supreme for your noshing pleasure. 16405 Highway 116, Guerneville, guernevilletacotruck.com
Ginochio’s Kitchen
If you’re craving smoked meat topped with melted cheese and mild chipotle sauce, it’s time to get Alicia’s Crackling Nachos at Ginochio’s Kitchen, with your choice of juicy pulled pork, tri-tip or beef brisket. 1410 Bay Flat Road, Bodega Bay, 707-377-4359, ginochioskitchen.com
Arts activist Spring Maxfield co-founded the Handcar Regatta in Santa rosa and now focuses on the Maker’s Faire and a new business called Sonoma Art Tours. (John Burgess)
Santa Rosa’s Spring Maxfield has been a fixture of the local art scene for over three decades. She holds multiple art degrees, but Maxfield is not an artist — not in the traditional sense, at least.
As executive director of Urban Arts Partnership, her work involves organizing, promoting and supporting the output, and thus the livelihoods, of other artists who call Santa Rosa home.
“I want people to be who they are, and I feel like there’s so many people that aren’t able to fulfill that in the economy that we have in Sonoma County,” says Maxfield, who recently received a Merit Award from the city of Santa Rosa. “If there are ways to create economic opportunities for artists, then I want to help with that.”
Maxfield’s next event is the 20th annual WinterBlast, an interactive art parade and open-studio celebration in Santa Rosa’s South of A (SofA) Arts District on Saturday, Nov. 9 (srurbanarts.org).
Urban jellyfish, lighted strands in see-through umbrellas are prepped for the WinterBlast Sofa District parade, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Santa Rosa. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
Finding Motivation
What motivates me is brilliant people. I encounter so many amazing humans every day who are not getting to sparkle because they’re working jobs they hate to support their art, when really what they should be doing is being creative. I’ve spent the last 30-plus years trying to find ways to turn that into an income for people, so that they can quit their dull jobs and create an economy from what they should be doing with their lives.
Rising Tides
The more art that’s out there, the more people recognize that it’s accessible to them. The more artists that are selling work, the better they are going to be at getting more customers. A rising tide floats all boats. Creating that economy is about educating the public and providing opportunities for artists to sell their work and for people to find art that they love.
Santa Rosa’s Art Scene
There are so many different pockets, and you’ll really see a very distinct flavor to each. You’re going to find what you’re looking for; there’s a little bit for everybody. I do think that there’s a growing appreciation for art in Santa Rosa. It is much more supported by businesses and the city itself than when I first started here.
Heading to Winterblast
It celebrates the coming darkness and winter in general, and is an irreverent, silly commentary on the “SofA” designation that the city gave that area many years ago. Artists started it by just pushing their studio sofas out into the street and having a party, and it’s evolved from there. I think right now, the purpose WinterBlast serves is giving the public an opportunity to immerse themselves in a very family-friendly expression of personal creativity.
Hiking along the Kortum Trail on the Sonoma Coast. (Jerry Dodrill)
Sonoma County has some of the most stunning stretches of coastline in the world. A hike on one of the many trails near the coast is a perfect way to take in the natural beauty and discover the unique landscapes of this region.
Eager to find the crème de la crème of trails on or near the coast, we consulted our friends at AllTrails, an outdoor recreational app with crowdsource reviews. Here are the 10 best hikes on the Sonoma Coast, according to the site.
Island in the Sky and Fern Tree and Badger Hill Vista
Located in Duncans Mills, this 3.8-mile loop trail is a moderately challenging hike that takes a little over two hours to complete. The trail has “stunning mountaintop meadows in full bloom each spring,” according to AllTrails. It’s popular with hikers and runners. Dogs are not allowed on this trail.
Salt Point Trail to Stump Beach
For a relatively easy route with wide open views of the Pacific, try this 3.4-mile out-and-back trail near Stewarts Point. It takes a little over an hour to walk. “Seals are commonly spotted and even whales are sometimes observed! This is a great choice if you enjoy wildlife,” according to AllTrails. A favorite of birders, hikers and those looking to enjoy some solitude. Dogs are not allowed on this trail.
Sea to Sky to Russian Gulch to Raptor Ridge Loop
This 9-mile loop trail in the Jenner Headlands Preserve takes about four and a half hours to walk. Classified as moderately challenging, it is popular with runners and hikers. “Overall, the trail offers great views, a mix of forest and ocean scenery, and gradual uphills….Hikers should be prepared for both sun exposure and shaded areas, as well as varying conditions,” according to AllTrails. Dogs are allowed, but must be on a leash.
Red Hill via Pomo Canyon Trail
Located near Jenner, this 5-mile loop trail takes about two and a half hours to walk. The moderately challenging trail tends to be a popular hiking spot. “Amazing views of the Russian River flowing to the Pacific Ocean. Very scenic hike that takes you through three different types of terrain,” according to AllTrails. Reviews on the site highlight the trail’s mix of coastal views, redwood forests and green hills. Dogs not allowed on this trail.
Bodega Head Trail
For another easy hike with striking views of the ocean, try this 1.6-mile loop trail near Bodega Bay. The route only takes about 40 minutes to complete. If you time your visit just right, you might just witness a natural wonder. “During their spring and fall migrations, grey whales can be spotted from here,” according to AllTrails. The peak months for whale watching are January through May. Dogs not allowed on this trail.
Salt Point and North Trail Loop
For a longer hike with a variety of terrain, this 8-mile loop trail near Cazadero just might pique your interest. It is a moderately challenging route that takes nearly four hours to walk. Redwoods, pine forests, prairies, and beach views are among the natural features you will encounter on the hike. Dogs are not allowed on this trail.
Stillwater Cove Canyon Trail
This relatively short 1.3 mile loop trail near Stewarts Point takes about a half hour to walk, but is considered moderately challenging. The trail tends to be less frequented than some of the other ones on the list and is great for birders, hikers and runners. “The trail features gorgeous scenery with ferns, clover, and redwoods,” according to AllTrails. Dogs are allowed, but must be on a leash.
Salt Point-Stump Beach Trail
Located near Cazadero at Salt Point State Park, this 6.6-mile out-and-back trail takes almost three hours to walk. It is a moderately challenging trail that is popular with birders, hikers and runners. “It can be foggy along the Salt Point portion, but overall still beautiful with wildflowers mostly finished blooming. The Stump Beach portion may not offer any vistas, so hikers can turn back earlier if desired,” according to AllTrails. Dogs not allowed on this trail.
Coastal Bluff Trail to Sea Pine Beach
This trail near Gualala is 6.9-miles out-and-back and takes under two and a half hours to walk. It is classified as easy and is popular with hikers and runners. “At one point you can walk out onto a bluff overlooking Sea Pine Beach before turning back. Sea mammals are often spotted from the trail,” according to AllTrails. Dogs are allowed, but must be on a leash.
Kortum Trail: Shell Beach to Blind Beach
The last trail on the list, but certainly not the least, this 4.4-mile out-and-back trail is located on the coast near Jenner. It is a moderately challenging route that can be walked in just under two hours. A delight for birders, hikers and runners alike. “The trail is known for its beauty and panoramic views, especially in the Spring, Summer, and Fall seasons,” according to AllTrails. Dogs are not allowed on this trail.
Encacahuatado, pork ribs cooked in a peanut mole sauce from El Milagro Healdsburg, a block west of the square Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in downtown Healdsburg. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Neighborhood restaurants are the lifeblood of Sonoma County’s food scene, where servers know your name and order as soon as you walk in. Prices are usually reasonable, kids welcome, drinks stiff and there are plenty of opportunities to run into old friends. Some have been around for decades while others just seem to fit in right when they open.
Recently, I’ve been visiting some favorite old haunts worth discovering (or rediscovering).
Pizzando
Healdsburg in the daytime can be slow as a sloth. But come dusk, restaurant lights flood the streets and the party heads outside to semi-enclosed sidewalk parklets. Strolling past Pizzando, it’s hard not to notice al fresco diners — families, couples, friends — huddled around Neapolitan pizzas and hulking plates of pasta. It’s a delicious advertisement for the 12-year-old restaurant after a significant menu overhaul and interior expansion in 2023, something sorely needed at the longtime Hotel Healdsburg trattoria.
From left, Lori Taylor, Phyllis Sutton and Tracy Garrison grab a pizza for lunch from Pizzando on a day out in Healdsburg, Friday, June 2, 2023. Pizzando now offers an extended menu with hearty entrées, as well as a full bar. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Launched with just a handful of tables, a woodfired oven and little else, the restaurant was an also-ran in the glitzy, over-the-top Healdsburg restaurant scene for years.
That’s changed.
Pizzando now offers an extended menu with hearty entrées (lasagna and osso buco are favorites), excellent pasta, burgers and antipasti, a well-thought-out wine list (both local and Italian) and a full bar.
It’s also one of the few all-day restaurants downtown, offering their full menu from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and a weekday happy hour from 3 to 5 p.m.
Cocktails from Pizzando in downtown Healdsburg. Pizzando has a well-thought-out wine list and full bar as well as a weekday happy hour from 3 to 5 p.m. (Courtesy of Pizzando)
Best Bets
Preserved Lemon Ravioli ($25): stuffed with creamy ricotta, the extra-large ravioli swim in a lemon-butter sauce you’ll be licking from the bowl (we used our extra pizza crust).
Melanzane alla parmigiana ($21): You’ll be eating on this for days, which is just fine, considering the mix of tart tomato sauce, baked (not fried) thinly sliced eggplant and globs of melty, stringy mozzarella happily melding into a tummy-filling treat.
Elderflower Spritz ($14): Aperol is out, and sassy St. Germaine elderflower liqueur is in. More delicate and less bitter, this fizzy spritz is a refreshing foil for all the cheese and carbs you’ll consume.
A charming, tucked-away cucina offering authentic regional Mexican cuisine from the owners of El Milagro in Cloverdale. While Healdsburg isn’t lacking in Mexican restaurants — from higher-end cafés to everyday taquerias — I’ve long been a fan of the bighearted, family-inspired dishes from chef-owners Alan Valverde, Julio Velazquez and Marco Zamora.
Open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Mole Verde Pipian, braised chicken breast in housemade green pumpkin seed mole sauce from El Milagro Healdsburg, Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in downtown Healdsburg. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)Traditional pre-Hispanic Mole Rojo with a mix of spices perfected by co-owner Julio Velazquez’s mom from El Milagro Healdsburg, a block west of the square Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in downtown Healdsburg. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Best Bet
You’re here for the mole, specifically, the Mole Verde Pipian (green pumpkin seed mole, $22) made with chiles, spices and crushed pumpkin seeds with braised chicken.
Even better is pork Mole Rojo ($22), an ancient recipe that predates the Spanish and is “a melody of the owners’ moms’ recipes.” Long stewed pork is infused with the sweet, bitter, intensely flavored sauce made with over a dozen ingredients. My new favorite mole.
Kin restaurant in Windsor Monday, Nov. 17, 2014. (Crista Jeremiason / The Press Democrat)
After 13 years in business on the Windsor Town Green, it’s easy to take this neighborhood restaurant for granted. However, the fact that I end up here so often with friends and family speaks to its broad appeal and well-made comfort food ranging from burgers and frickles to braised short ribs, mac and cheese and warm cobbler.
Hospitality industry veterans Brad Barmore and JC Adams intentionally created a casual restaurant with something on the menu for everyone without feeling like a compromise.
Open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Mac and cheese at Kin restaurant in Windsor. (Heather Irwin/The Press Democrat)
Best Bets
Braised Short Rib ($30): Red wine-braised beef short rib piled on cheesy polenta is cozier than a cashmere sweater.
Kin Mac & Cheese ($18): An entree-sized, shareable portion of cavatappi pasta bathed in white cheddar bechamel sauce, topped with Parmesan bread crumbs. Carbs + cheese + bread crumbs = pure happiness.
The new Overshine Wine. Co in Healdsburg. (Courtesy of Leigh Ann Beverley)
Tasting rooms abound in Healdsburg (27 in downtown, alone). But for wine groupies who also enjoy following the industry’s increasingly changing owners, investors and labels, it’s an interesting time. Some new operations are like macramé, knotting together several proprietors and brands under one roof, and with winemakers taking multiple roles at a single business.
Sip some wine, follow along with these emerging “family trees,” and see how many new names you can — well, name.
Tasting at Overshine Wine Co. in Healdsburg. (Leigh-Ann Beverley)
Overshine Wine Co.
Set on Dry Creek Valley’s former Armida Winery hillside property that was built in 1989, Overshine opened its doors in June. But the retro tasting room and facility stays true to its original groovy style, designed like a giant Quonset hut and with nifty touches like record players to spin vinyl.
The work of Sonoma County winegrower/former Google exec David Drummond, varietals salute the classics, too, focusing on Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel, Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, plus assorted grapes from Overshine’s Il Campo vineyard.
Another notable twist: rising star winemaker and new Overshine general manager Sam Bilbro will be curating grapes from Drummond’s Las Cimas Vineyard in the Russian River Valley for his own Italian-style Idlewild brand that Drummond just acquired, and making Drummond’s new Comunità Italian-style brand, too. Look for those labels on the Overshine tasting list as the boutique operation gains steam.
The Mascarin Family Wines tasting room is located at the under-the-radar 32 Winds property, a gorgeous site with a wood barn, olive trees, towering walnut trees and views of the famous Dry Creek. (Mascarin Family Wines)
Mascarin Family Wines
You might not have heard of the boutique 32 Winds Wine, but the company is owned by third generation vineyard manager Ed Mascarin and his daughter Mia Mascarin-Oven. So this year they debuted a new label, named, of course, Mascarin.
You’ll find an introductory three flavors: a single vineyard Chardonnay from Sebastopol’s secret gem, two-acre Dalya Estate; a single vineyard Pinot Noir from the Sonoma Coast’s Moonshine Vineyard; and a complex Red Field Blend of co-fermented Rhone and Loire varietals from the Mascarin’s own Angelo vineyard near Healdsburg.
You visit at the under-the-radar 32 Winds property, a gorgeous site with a wood barn, olive trees, towering walnut trees and views of the famous Dry Creek.
1010 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, 707-433-1010, 32windswine.com
Picnickers enjoy a glass of wine in Adirondack chairs at Truett Hurst Winery in Healdsburg. (Kim Carroll)
Truett Hurst and VML
This March, Phil Hurst regained control of the lauded Truett Hurst and VML brands he founded in 2008 but sold 10 years later to the large Washington-based Precept Wine Co. He wasn’t able to swing buying the ultra-pricey 24-acre Dry Creek Road estate he had established, but working with new partner Ken Wilson of the expansive Wilson Wines portfolio, he recently moved into a new tasting space next to downtown Healdsburg’s roundabout.
(Truett’s old location at 5610 Dry Creek Road was quickly snatched up and is now the Aesthete winery and tasting room.)
You’ll know you’re in the right spot when you see the giant red chair out front — it’s a salute to Truett’s Adirondack chairs that graced his original property along Dry Creek. Now, staff pours both the Truett Hurst and Hurst’s other VML labels in the same brick and slate lined shop, with signatures like Three Vineyards Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel, a North Coast Burning Man Petite Sirah and a White Sheep Russian River Valley Pinot Noir.
At the new Comstock Wines tasting room at Bacchus Landing in Healdsburg. (Comstock Wines)
Comstock Wines
The Comstock family already has a lavish tasting room at its nine-year-old estate winery at 1290 Dry Creek Road in Healdsburg. But this summer, they opened a second one, 2.9 miles away. The space is set up in Bacchus Landing, a collective of boutique wineries just outside downtown Healdsburg.
The idea is to attract wine lovers wanting more of a casual, hip and perhaps impromptu experience without much of a drive from central Healdsburg, said general manager Kelly Comstock Ferris. Besides tastings, there’s bottle service, bocce ball games, and a collection of classic board games, such as Monopoly, Scrabble and Battleship. Bring your dog, linger and sip.
For something a bit different, remind yourself to try the standout Dry Creek Valley Blanc de Blanc sparkling, the Russian River Valley Viognier and the Sonoma Valley Grenache.
Stressing a vine by withholding water is actually a good thing, as it helps increase concentrated fruit flavors. But founder and vintner Rob Barney wants guests to relax at the tasting room he opened steps from the Healdsburg Plaza in July.
Barney began making wine in 2016, sourcing from a variety of vineyards across Sonoma and Napa counties for his signature Cabernet Sauvignons, Chardonnays and Pinot Noir. Texas wine lovers know him — Barney is from there and has his original tasting room in Richardson.
Chef Casey Thompson of Folktable restaurant in Sonoma, which closed in November of 2024. (Courtesy of Folktable)
It’s been a rough week for Michelin-noted restaurants in Sonoma County as both Healdsburg’s Molti Amici and Sonoma’s Folktable suddenly announced their closures. Both left goodbye posts on social media, prompting questions about the challenges many local restaurants are facing after a slow summer and challenging winter ahead.
Folktable, which closes Sunday, is connected to controversial Sonoma developer Ken Mattson, who is currently under federal investigation and facing several lawsuits for investment fraud.
The restaurant, along with other Sonoma businesses like The Depot restaurant and The General’s Daughter event space, is part of Mattson’s Sonoma’s Best Hospitality Group. It was one of a few businesses that had remained in Mattson’s once substantial portfolio, which has dwindled in the wake of bankruptcies and lawsuits.
Mattson also owns Cornerstone marketplace, where Folktable is located. Since the developer purchased Cornerstone from Darius Anderson (managing partner of Sonoma Media Investments, owner of The Press Democrat) in 2019, the once dynamic retail marketplace, restaurant hub and test garden for Sunset magazine has languished with high vacancies and a decline in foot traffic, according to businesses located there.
Mattson and his attorneys did not respond to a request for comments.
Folktable garnered a Michelin Bib Gourmand, given to notable restaurants with “good food at a moderate price,” in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The closure of the Sonoma restaurant hit consulting executive chef Casey Thompson especially hard.
Chef Casey Thompson of Folktable restaurant in Sonoma. (Erika Cole)
Thompson, who competed on three seasons of “Top Chef,” was hired as the executive chef of Sonoma’s Best Hospitality Group in 2019. She recently appeared on Guy Fieri’s Tournament of Champions culinary showdown with chefs from around the country.
“While this is not the ending I had envisioned, I am filled with gratitude for the support, warmth and love we’ve received from our community and beyond over the years,” she wrote in an email.
“I remain hopeful that this is not a goodbye, but a step toward new beginnings,” she continued. “I would love to continue to cook good food for the community of Sonoma which has been our home for five years … I hope Sonoma will welcome us all with open arms after these tumultuous years.”
Meanwhile, Molti Amici, a Healdsburg restaurant founded by three SingleThread alums, closed unexpectedly Sunday.
The bocce court outside the back patio at Molti Amici in Healdsburg on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. The restaurant announced its closure Nov. 3, 2024. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat file)
The Press Democrat reported that the allegation, outlined in a brief entry in a Healdsburg police log, surfaced when someone claiming to hold ownership in Molti Amici called the police and told a Healdsburg officer that a “co-owner/business partner” had “failed to make deposits into the business account for several months,” from September 2023 to February 2024. The accusation was later recanted but the investigation remains open.
General manager Jonny Barr, who was the public face of the restaurant and listed as an owner on the restaurant’s website, has since moved out of state.
Molti Amici CEO Jason Cutrer told The Press Democrat that “the restaurant was just not in a good financial position to continue. We are all bummed and wish the staff and everyone who visited us, and loved us, the best.”
Chefs Sean McGaughey and Melissa Yanc, who worked together with Barr at SingleThread restaurant and helped him open Molti Amici and create its menu, said they had left the restaurant last summer to focus on their own business ventures, including Quail and Condor bakery, Troubadour Bread & Bistro and its evening alter ego, Le Diner, a multicourse dinner experience.
The pool at Calistoga Spa Hot Springs in Calistoga. (Courtesy Calistoga Spa Hot Springs)
Geography site WorldAtlas recently released a list of the most laid-back small towns in California. Of the 11 locales named, one is in Sonoma County and three in Napa County.
Acknowledging we could all use a vacation from the stress of everyday life, WorldAtlas tracked down the best destinations for relaxing in the “chill state of California.” Local laid-back towns featured include Sonoma, Calistoga, Yountville and St. Helena.
Read on below to discover what makes these towns ideal destinations for low-key leisure.
Sonoma
Avocado toast from Sunflower Caffe in Sonoma. (Sunflower Caffe)Obsidian Base Camp tasting room in downtown Sonoma. (Courtesy of Obsidian Wine Co.)Shaded chairs for a relaxing, laid-back time at Three Sticks Wines in Sonoma. (Courtesy of Three Sticks Wines)
It doesn’t get much more laid-back than sipping wines on a lazy Sunday in the heart of Wine Country. WorldAtlas stated Sonoma “encapsulates what a true small-town California life feels like,” noting its historic downtown plaza surrounded by cafes, theaters and tastings rooms.
Start with a sunny brunch of waffles and mimosas at Sunflower Caffé, seated at the cafe’s dreamy garden patio. Then sip some wines in a Japanese-style garden at Sonoma’s new Obsidian Base Camp tasting room, followed by a show at the historic Sebastiani Theatre.
WorldAtlas also recommends going on a local sip-and-stroll with friends via Gourmet Food and Wine Tours, offering immersive wine and food pairing tours in both Sonoma and Napa. Other laid-back wineries and tasting rooms to check out include the Sigh bubble bar, Three Sticks Wines and the 120-year-old Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery.
Planning to spend a whole weekend in Sonoma? We’ve mapped out the perfect three-day fall getaway to make the most of your time in the charming town.
Calistoga
Experience a Tuscan villa-like retreat in Wine Country at Roman Spa Hot Springs Resort. The Calistoga resort has world-renowned natural geothermal water and mud bath traditions. (Courtesy Roman Spa Hot Springs Resort)House specialty Green Chile Apple Pie and an Adaptogenic mushroom tea from the House of Better at Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort and Mineral Springs in Calistoga on July 6, 2021. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
With an abundance of spas and natural hot springs, Calistoga excels in rejuvenating relaxation. WorldAtlas highlights Calistoga Spa Hot Springs and Roman Spa Hot Springs Resort for massage treatments, volcanic ash mud baths and geothermal mineral pools.
The Napa town is home to popular attractions like the Old Faithful Geyser of California and award-winning Sharpsteen Museum. Both destinations are great opportunities to learn about Calistoga’s geology and history.
Explore more of the area’s laid-back resorts, restaurants, tasting rooms and historic sites with our guide to the best weekend getaway in Calistoga.
Yountville
Pepperoni pizza with basil and drizzled with spicy honey at Ciccio in Yountville, Monday, July 10, 2023. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)Tacos de Pescado with fried fish, chipotle mayo, cilantro, cabbage and lime from La Calenda, a Thomas Keller Restaurant Group project in Yountville. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Regarded as the “Culinary Capital of the Napa Valley,” Yountville is a real foodie’s destination. WorldAtlas noted the town’s three-Michelin-starred restaurant The French Laundry as well as another Thomas Keller standout, Bouchon Bistro.
If French fine dining isn’t your idea of laid-back, try the unpretentious, country western-inspired Ciccio. The Bib Gourmand-awarded restaurant offers Italian fare, like housemade pastas and wood-fired pizzas, in a rustic setting. La Calenda is another Bib Gourmand winner and one of the least formal of Keller’s restaurants. The Mexican restaurant specializes in traditional Oaxacan cuisine. Try the fish tacos made with stone-ground tortillas and enchiladas with a showstopping mole negro.
After getting your fill of world-renowned cuisine, WorldAtlas recommends feasting your eyes on the Wine Country town and surrounding countryside with Napa Valley Aloft Balloon Rides.
St. Helena
Beringer in St. Helena is one of the best Napa wineries for first-time visitors. (Courtesy Beringer Vineyards)A dish at PRESS Restaurant Napa Valley in St. Helena. (John Troxell/Courtesy Suited Hospitality)
This small town’s greatest charm, according to WorldAtlas, “lies in its historic downtown, which is dotted with lovely restaurants, galleries, and shops to leisurely while away your afternoon.”
For dining, try the Michelin-starred Press, which boasts the largest collection of Napa wines in the world. For more relaxed ranch vibes, try the Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch, excelling in farm-to-table fare.
Vintners David Drummond and Sam Bilbro of Overshine Wine Co. in Healdsburg. (Joshua Harding/Courtesy Overshine Wine Co.)
“It was serendipitous,” says Sam Bilbro of the first time he met David Drummond back in 2018. Drummond, the retired chief legal officer of Google and a former football wide receiver at Santa Clara University, had recently realized a lifelong dream by purchasing a 550-acre ranch in Sonoma. But there was a problem.
“It was 2019 and the grape glut had set in,” says Drummond. “I didn’t have any long-term contracts, so it was a very lean year for me.”
Bilbro, who specializes in Italian-style winemaking, convinced Drummond to take a leap into the Italian wines they both loved. They regrafted the entire vineyard over to 46 different types of Italian grapes, many of which are quite rare in California. Six years later, and the vines are thriving. Now, the two partners are diving headlong into a new venture called Overshine Wine Co., showcasing a trio of distinct brands.
In June, Drummond purchased Idlewild from Bilbro, who has stayed on as managing partner and winemaker. Drummond also bought Armida Winery, reimagining it as Overshine, a name inspired by the hip-hop band Onyx, and their newest label, Comunità, recently made its debut.
Vintners David Drummond and Sam Bilbro of Overshine Wine Co. in Healdsburg. (Joshua Harding/Courtesy Overshine Wine Co.)
If wine brands were musical bands
“Overshine might be Sly and the Family Stone, maybe updated with a hip-hop beat,” says Drummond, whose brother Ray Drummond is a well-known jazz drummer. “And Comunità would be more of a blend of what formed me musically, something like Robert Glasper, a jazz guy who leans heavily on soul and hip-hop.”
At the other end of the spectrum, “Idlewild would be the Clash,” says Bilbro.
Everybody under the tent
“The ethos of Overshine as a company is about openness, diversity and welcoming folks,” Drummond says. “Fine wine is sometimes exalted in a way that makes it seem not accessible to lots of people. So, we talk about doing that differently, using cultural signposts, whether it’s music, or the way we talk about wine, or the way we talk about our place, to make it clear that everybody is welcome…We’ll talk about how it feels to drink the wine, how it feels to be out there on the patio on a sunny day, listening to Grover Washington Jr.”
Introducing Overshine
“In reworking the tasting room, and fully remodeling the interior, we want it to be a spot where you want to come and spend your afternoon,” Bilbro says. “You’re not here for a transactional experience, standing at the bar, and then you get out of here. It’s more about: you come sit on the couch and lounge and enjoy your time and listen to some music, and have some great wines, and really enjoy that slice of the good life.”
Beet and Butter Bean Hummus garnished with pickled carrot, toasted pistachios and mint, served with grilled ciabatta from chef Barney McGrath’s Meatless Monday meals at Muir’s Tea Room. (photo by John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Sonoma County is a foodie’s mecca. From farm-to-table fare to international cuisine to comfort classics, you can satisfy pretty much any craving here. But, until recently, you might have struggled to find vegan and vegetarian dishes that reached the level of the area’s carnivorous meals. That, along with our food preferences, is changing.
Meat and dairy alternatives have been steadily popping up on grocery store shelves and restaurant menus across the United States in the last few years following a shift in attitudes toward vegan foods. Local restaurants have taken note, adding more vegetarian and vegan options to their menus while some have gone fully plant-based.
Last year, Santa Rosa got its own meatless soul food and barbecue spot when celebrity-favorite Vegan Mob parked its lime-green food truck on West Third Street. Meanwhile, Santa Rosa’s popular plant-based restaurant Cozy Plum opened a second location in Sebastopol, in the former Slice of Life space. (The original Cozy Plum closed, and there have been no updates yet on a possible new Santa Rosa location.)
And while Sebastopol’s all-vegan Goatlandia Kitchen was short-lived — opening in August only for the restaurant to take a pause earlier this month — the animal-friendly establishment will start offering catering, special events and takeaway dinners.
As more local restaurants update their menus with vegans, vegetarians and the plant-based curious in mind, here are excellent restaurants to try on World Vegan Day (Nov. 1) or any day of the year. Click through the above gallery for a peek at some of our favorite dishes.
Clockwise from left: yebeg key we’t, yebeg tibs, miser we’t, and tikel gomen, from Abyssinia restaurant in Santa Rosa. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)Cacao Avocado Pudding with cacao nibs from Kim Bourdet, creative director of Branch Line in Santa Rosa, on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2022. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Santa Rosa
Abyssinia
This Ethiopian/Eritrean restaurant in Santa Rosa has a wide selection of plant-based offerings. The veggie combo is a generous sampler of all the vegetarian dishes on the menu — Shiro We’t (spiced Ethiopian hummus), Miser We’t (lentils stewed in Berbere sauce), Miser Alecha (lentil stew with garlic, ginger and turmeric), Tikel Gomen (cabbage, carrots and potatoes cooked with ginger), Yabesha Gomen (collard greens cooked in tomato, garlic and rosemary) and Yater Kik Alecha (split peas with garlic, ginger and green pepper), all served on injera (a spongy Ethiopian flat bread). The veggie sambusa is a great starter.
Kim Bourdet, owner of Santa Rosa’s organic cafe and caterer The Pharmacy, opened this plant-based eatery and mercantile in the former Flying Goat Coffee space in Old Railroad Square in early 2022, with meat alternatives, housemade nut milks and vegan cheeses.
Start your day with a seasonal latte, paired with fluffy focaccia, fresh muffins and other pastries. Or go for the bagels with avocado or vegan cream cheese. For lunch on the go, there are salads, sandwiches and grain bowls. Locally made goods to take home include syrups, jams, sauces and dry pasta.
The Thai Tofu Salad from East West Cafe in Santa Rosa. (Charlie Gesell/The Press Democrat)
East West Cafe
A Mediterranean staple for over 30 years, East West Cafe has a dedicated vegetarian section on its menu. The Mediterranean Platter is a fan favorite meatless sampler, with hummus, falafel, tabbouleh and baba ganoush.
The Macro Plate is a filling vegan dish, served with braised tofu or a veggie patty along with steamed vegetables, hummus, brown rice, oil-free black beans and blue corn tortillas. The Thai Tofu Salad is bright and colorful with marinated tofu on a bed of mixed greens and red cabbage, as well as onion, avocado, beets, carrots, toasted almonds, mandarin orange slices and housemade citrus dressing.
Last October, Bay Area-based cult favorite Vegan Mob opened a barbecue and soul food truck on West Third Street in Santa Rosa, at the new Culture Experience Center.
The Mob Meals are a great way to sample the various 100% vegan offerings, such as plant-based fried chicken, brisket, hot links or rib tips with classic Southern-inspired sides like collard greens, candied yams and “Smackaroni,” a creamy baked mac and cheese.
The fully loaded Mob fries are a crowd-pleaser. Crispy crinkle-cut fries are topped with a heap of smoked vegan brisket or barbecued links, all smothered in signature Mob Sauce, nacho cheese, guacamole and sour cream. And the Da’ Renz shrimp po’boy — with “like the real thing” fried vegan shrimp, coleslaw, vegan mayo and Cajun sauce in a French roll — gets the seal of approval from our dining editor.
The Vegan Mob food truck is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday.
An Amy’s cheeseburger and fries at Amy’s Drive Thru on Wednesday, June 29, 2016, in Rohnert Park. (Beth Schlanker/ The Press Democrat)
Amy’s Drive Thru
When Sonoma County’s nationally-renowned, plant-based Amy’s Kitchen opened its first drive-thru in Rohnert Park in 2015, it redefined what fast food could be. Amy’s Drive Thru specializes in guilt-free veggie burgers with its own secret sauce and vegan cheese.
But Amy’s offers more than your typical burger drive-thru. The fully-loaded vegetarian or vegan burritos are popular menu items. The Broccoli Cheddar Mac ’n’ Cheese (which can be made vegan) will please grown-ups and kids alike. And the Margherita pizza has a crunchy crust and is topped with fresh basil, diced tomatoes and dairy or vegan cheese — a delicious pie to share with friends or devour by yourself. Plus, non-dairy shakes and cinnamon rolls!
58 Golf Course Drive West, Rohnert Park, 707-755-3629, amysdrivethru.com
Cotati
Lady Blume Microbakery + Coffee
Opened earlier this past spring, Lady Blume bakery is entirely gluten- and dairy-free. Plant-based pastries include walnut banana bread, chocolate pound cake, cinnamon rolls (weekends only), cornmeal berry muffins and walnut chocolate chip cookies. Keep an eye on the rotating flavors of dairy-free doughnuts.
The humble cafe at Foundry Wharf offers an assortment of vegan-alternative dishes. Start the day with a Veganrito, a breakfast burrito filled with rice, potato, avocado, cilantro, black beans, red peppers and vegan mozzarella. For lunch or dinner, you can’t go wrong with one of the vegan/vegetarian wraps, paninis and sandwiches. The Veggie Friday panini is stacked with roasted asparagus, eggplant, sweet peppers, portobello mushrooms, goat cheese (or vegan alternative) and sundried tomato spread. There’s also a tempeh reuben, garden burgers, vegetarian lasagna and a tempeh teriyaki bowl with rice and veggies.
The Mediterranean-California fusion menu at Luma features creative plant-based dishes, like a mezza board, sweet tahini salad and hand-cut fries with harissa aioli. Larger standout vegan dishes include a quinoa and chickpea veggie burger, a creamy pesto gnocchi, and a Margherita flatbread pizza with an option of cashew cheese.
For dessert, try the olive oil cake with lemon curd or the coconut milk-based rose panna cotta. The drink menu includes local ales and wines, innovative cocktails and low- or no-alcoholic drinks. The vibrant Lumanade is made with lemon, butterfly pea tisane and FloraLuna Apothecary wildflower syrup.
50 E. Washington St., Petaluma, 707-772-5037, lumaeatery.com
Gnocchi with roasted suchlike and mushrooms with a housemade Pickle Plate from Luma Bar and Eatery in Petaluma. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)Some of the many locally-sourced dishes at Lunchette in Petaluma. (Houston Porter / Petaluma Argus-Courier)
Lunchette
Lunchette specializes in nourishing, flavor-packed salads and grain bowls for a satisfying lunch to go, and also offers soup and pizza by the slice. Seasonal specials include a silky, green vegetable soup and an early fall heirloom bean salad.
For a warm vegan meal with heaps of flavor, try the tahini grain bowl. A base of organic brown rice is topped with spinach, cucumber, spiced chickpeas, pickled cauliflower, pickled rainbow carrots, roasted sweet potato, date molasses, zaatar seasoning and a generous drizzle of rich tahini dressing.
Sweet plant-based treats include moist chocolate brownies, tahini miso cookies and a seasonal golden mylk chia pudding, made with coconut milk and yogurt, orange juice, honey, fall spices and topped with poached berries.
This cozy, European-style bistro inside the historic Great Petaluma Mill serves Cal-American cuisine and wood-fired pizzas, with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options on its menu.
The vegan Quinoa Sweet Potato Cakes are a mock-crab cake favorite. They come topped with Brussels sprouts slaw and lemon tahini and served with roasted red pepper and creamy cashew sauces. The Shepherd’s Pie is also vegan, with roasted Italian fennel pollen sausage to accompany the traditional English peas, carrots and mushrooms and the dreamy mashed potato whip.
Pizza fans should opt for The Pearl, topped with vegan mozzarella, basil, pepperoncini, beech mushrooms, caramelized pearl onions and savory fennel pollen sausage.
The Helen Putnam is one of The Local’s most popular sandwiches. (Crissy Pascual/Petaluma Argus-Courier)
The Local
This sandwich shop, in the Active Wellness Center, can be hard to find, but it’s absolutely worth seeking out. Opened to the public in October of 2022, The Local offers a modest assortment of locally sourced, and expertly crafted, sandwiches. The colorful, vegan Helen Putnam includes artichoke hearts, carrots, avocado, pickles, red onion, pickled ginger, roasted beet hummus and mustard greens. The griddled Forestville sandwich is stacked with portobello mushroom, artichoke heart, red pepper, Danish havarti, avocado, house pesto and chili lime aioli.
This Vietnamese restaurant’s vegan menu offers a variety of seasonal plates that even devout meat-eaters can get behind. If you’re seeking a classic vegetarian pho, look no further than the spicy vegan lemongrass noodle soup, with mixed veggies, rice noodles and soft, fried tofu in a spicy lemongrass broth.
The vegan spring rolls are a refreshing starter, made with tofu, lettuce, beansprouts, vermicelli noodles and mint wrapped in rice paper and served with peanut sauce. Curry tofu with mixed veggies is a spicy winner. The simmer-fried eggplant and green beans with Thai basil in vegan oyster sauce brims with garlicky, umami flavor.
140 Second St., Suite 120, Petaluma, 707-762-6888
Healdsburg
Plant-based dishes from Little Saint in Healdsburg. (Emma K Creative/Courtesy Little Saint)
Little Saint
Healdsburg’s upscale, farm-to-table Little Saint offers creative vegan takes on favorite dishes, like the grilled cheese with a miso chili crunch. For brunch, try the lion’s mane quiche or breakfast tacos with scrambled tofu and serrano cashew crema.
Dinners at Little Saint are meant to be shared. Start with an eggplant and caramelized onion flatbread and trio of dips (carrot, beet and cashew). The shepherd’s pie gets a plant-based spin with tofu, truffle and rutabaga. For dessert, go for the chocolate mousse or from-the-farm strawberry cheesecake.
For the best vegetarian breakfast and lunch in north county, Plank Coffee has you covered with plant-based sandwiches and milk alternatives (oat, soy, almond or coconut) for your mochas and seasonal lattes.
Try a breakfast sandwich on a croissant, housemade biscuit or bagel with egg, cheese (dairy or vegan) and smoky tempeh “bacon” or a Beyond Meat “sausage” patty. The mushroom sandwich is an umami bundle of braised greens, melted provolone (or vegan alternative) and cremini mushrooms sautéed in garlic, onion, tamari, thyme and Bragg’s liquid aminos, all on a toasted Village Bakery roll.
Don’t forget to leave with a morning pastry, like the vegan apricot pecan bran muffin or the moist vegan orange cake with a zesty orange glaze.
175 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, 707-395-0572, and 227 N. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale, 707-894-6187, plankcoffee.com
Green tea mochi at Taste of Tea in Healdsburg. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
The Taste of Tea
This family-owned tea room serves Japanese tea and comfort food, including some of the most satisfying vegetarian dishes in Healdsburg. The Miso Ramen, ideal for chilly autumn days, is a signature dish. The vegan version offers depths of flavor and varied textures from the light miso kombu broth, soft tofu, chewy noodles, bamboo shoots, green onions and sprouts.
Not in the mood for noodle soups? Try the shoyu tofu skewers or hijiki don rice bowl — white rice topped with hijiki (a wild seaweed) salad and half a shoyu marinated egg. Matcha ice cream and the dairy-free tapioca pudding are refreshing desserts. Pair your meal with a selection from the over 80 teas served here, excellently prepared by the accommodating tea docents.
From burgers and burritos to loaded nachos and mac and cheese, there’s something for everyone here, including die-hard meat-eaters. Try the Pesto Tenderloin sandwich, with soy/gluten-based “white meat,” housemade pesto and veggies on a soft herb focaccia. The Philly Cheesesteak is a delicious plant-based version of the East Coast classic, made with gluten-based steak strips, bell peppers, onions and a smoky cheddar sauce on fresh baked sourdough.
Don’t miss the plant-based burger, featuring a “chef’s blend protein patty” (soy, pea and rice) with cozy sauce, pickle, tomato, onion and lettuce on a fresh-baked sourdough bun. It is one of the best burgers in Sonoma County.
Vegan Frittata with a Cozy Plum Salad with strawberries and blueberries from Cozy Plum in Sebastopol. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)Beet and Butter Bean Hummus garnished with pickled carrot, toasted pistachios and mint, served with grilled ciabatta from chef Barney McGrath’s Meatless Monday meals at Muir’s Tea Room. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Muir’s Tea Room
This English/Scottish tea house probably has the largest assortment of vegan baked goods in the county, along with fully plant-based plates on its tea service menus.
The seasonal and year-round pies, tarts, cakes, cookies, muffins, scones, brownies and cupcakes are all vegan. Yes, even the mocha chocolate cake and apple spice cupcakes with “cream cheese” frosting. Savory plant-based goods are available, too, such as finger sandwiches, mushroom tarts, “sausage” rolls and seasonal savory pasties.
Casual, rustic dining meets gourmet plant-based/vegetarian cuisine at Sebastopol’s completely meat-free La Bodega Kitchen.
The Saffron & Rose Petal Arancini is a standout appetizer — three fried Carnaroli rice balls made with Miyoko’s mozzarella and Forager Project parmesan, resting in La Bodega marinara. Meat won’t be missed after trying the Lasagna “Bolognese,” made with Beyond Meat spicy Italian sausage, Impossible Foods beef, mushroom ragu, sofrito, house marinara, Vella jack cheese and Bellwether Farms carmody. The vegetable root shepherd’s pie is a fabulous and filling plant-based entree.
Don’t skip the sweet treats here. The dessert menu boasts some “I can’t believe it’s vegan” dishes like lava cake ala mode, cherry clafoutis and quince compote tart.
The Umami Bomb from the Fern Bar includes mushrooms, shiitake cream, broccoli, sticky rice, balsamic and nutritional yeast. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Fern Bar
Sebastopol’s chic Fern Bar has an assortment of vegan and vegetarian dishes on its menu, as well as gluten-free or celiac-safe options. A great dish to share is the falafel plate, a handful of dukkah-seasoned falafel patties served with cucumber and tahina.
The tangled-looking Umami Bomb (vegan and celiac safe) is bursting with flavor. A bed of crispy rice is topped with broccoli, mushrooms, shiitake ‘cream,’ balsamic and nutritional yeast. Finish your meal with the warm, vegetarian-friendly churros, coated in cinnamon sugar and served with apple butter.
6780 Depot St., Suite 120, Sebastopol, 707-861-9603, fernbar.com
Soft Medicine Sanctuary
Opened in September of 2023, Soft Medicine Sanctuary is a combined farm-to-table cafe, tea lounge, yoga studio, art gallery and event space — all wrapped up into one inclusive community hub that focuses on wellness and connection.
The menu has plenty of nourishing, plant-based dishes, including the “always vegan friendly” soup of the day, the Nori Wrap filled with quinoa, veggies, kimchi and vegan spicy mayo, and the Ayurvedic Grain Bowl — a mix of local rice, greens, mung beans, seasonal veggies, kraut, pesto and Ayurvedic spices to aid digestion and metabolism. Desserts include vegan cheesecakes and ice cream. Tea and coffee drinks can be served with oat, coconut or housemade almond milk.
Avocado toast at Sunflower Caffe in Sonoma. (Sunflower Caffe)
Sunflower Caffe
Over half the menu at Sunflower Caffé is vegetarian-friendly, with meat-free brunch classics such as breakfast burritos and avocado toast — one of the best in the county. The avocado toast includes shaved Brussels sprouts, toasted hazelnuts, sunflower spread and black truffle pecorino on multigrain bread.
For a naturally sweet start to the day, try the coconut chia seed pudding topped with granola, raspberries and passionfruit sauce. The roasted squash wrap is packed with squash, quinoa, arugula, kale, goat cheese, candied pecans and spiced-orange vinaigrette. The tofu banh mi has a mushroom pate and sriracha “aioli” for a vegan spin on the classic Vietnamese sandwich.
Formerly known as Valley Bar + Bottle, this Sonoma restaurant offers seasonal California fare, with a healthy selection of plant-based dishes. For weekend brunch, try the bagel platter or fresh melon with mint and pickled chiles. The Valley breakfast includes flatbread, feta, tomatoes, zucchini dip, soft cooked egg and pickled red onion.
Lunch includes a Hippie Salad with tahini vinaigrette, fried green tomato sandwich, and sesame noodles with tofu and tomatoes. For dinner, try the Romano beans with tomato confit or the crispy rice with ginger-scallion sauce.
Flash-fried Brussels sprouts at Boon Eat + Drink in Guerneville. (Courtesy of Boon Eat + Drink)
Boon Eat + Drink
Featured in several local and national publications, chef Crista Luedtke’s Boon Eat + Drink is a Russian River gem. One of the modern bistro’s most popular dishes is the vegetarian and exceptionally flavorful Polenta Lasagna. The creamy polenta is balanced with sautéed vegetables, ricotta and spicy marinara sauce atop a bed of tender rainbow chard. All of the starters and shared plates are vegetarian and simple-but-delicious, including the pillowy clouds of burrata topped with pesto and fresh heirloom tomatoes, and the tri-colored beet salad with goat cheese and a citrus vinaigrette.
16248 Main St., Guerneville, 707-869-0780, eatatboon.com
Green Grill
The Rancho Cordova-based vegetarian restaurant opened a location in Guerneville last year, in the former Subway location on Main Street. Fast favorites include the Mushroom Chana Burger, made with a sprouted chickpea patty and garlic herb sauce, and the Tikka Masala Bowl — veggie meatballs smothered in tikka masala sauce over basmati rice and served with a side salad. Seasoned fries and cauliflower tempura with chipotle sauce are essential appetizers. The raw Raspberry Chocolate Cheesecake is as delicious as it is guilt-free.
Bartender Ashleigh Grace prepares the cocktails at Easy Rider in Petaluma on Tuesday, March 1, 2022. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Yes, we live in Wine Country, but sometimes you just want a cocktail. If you’re not sure where to go when you’re craving something boozy, Petaluma’s got you covered.
Lorraine Barber, co-owner of Barber Lee Spirits, is organizing the first ever Petaluma Craft Cocktail Week, taking place Nov. 8 – 17. Ten local businesses will join in on the fun and mix up their take on a classic cocktail.
“The craft cocktail scene in town has really evolved over the last few years and there are so many great places that are doing cool things,” said Barber. “I really wanted to shine a spotlight on everyone, for both locals and visitors to explore all the great spots we have in town.”
The weeklong event will focus on the Whiskey Sour cocktail. Expect everything from traditional recipes to innovative twists.
Barber Lee Spirits’ take on the Whiskey Sour. Lorraine Barber, co-owner of Barber Lee Spirits, has organized Petaluma’s first Craft Cocktail Week. The event will focus on the Whiskey Sour cocktail, with 10 businesses participating. (Courtesy of Barber Lee Spirits)
“[The Whiskey Sour] has such a rich and luxurious texture and you can really take it in so many directions that it seemed like a great cocktail to start cocktail week off with,” Barber said.
“Petaluma has long been a hidden gem for culinary enthusiasts, and I am excited that we are elevating our town’s reputation with a focus on craft cocktails,” said Jazmine Lalicker, owner of Luma Bar & Eatery and Shuckery.
A Pumpkin Spice Whiskey Sour from Luma Bar & Eatery in Petaluma. (Courtesy Luma Bar & Eatery)
Drink prices will vary from one location to the next. Cocktail enthusiasts committed to being thorough can pick up a stamp card at any of the participating locations. Anyone who makes it to all 10 participating businesses by the end of the week will have a commemorative sticker waiting for them at Barber Lee Spirits.
“I’ve been wanting to do a collaborative project for a while with the other spots in town,” said Barber. “This, I hope, will help introduce people to some places that they weren’t familiar with previously and showcase some of the cool craft cocktail work that everyone is doing that might be under the radar right now.”
The idea is to hold more craft cocktail weeks in the future. Depending on how November shakes out, a Christmas craft cocktail week is a possibility.
“We’re really just at the beginning of this idea, and I know that it will evolve with time,” said Barber.
Since all of the participating businesses are in downtown Petaluma, it’s easy to walk from one location to another. Rideshares, LumaGo (Petaluma’s free, on-demand rideshare service) and designated drivers are all highly encouraged. Check out @petaluma_cocktail_society on Instagram for the latest updates.
