Farmhouse Sonoma owner Pemba Sherpa’s carpenter brother created tables and other touches from barn wood found at his Napa home to create a quaint environment in the old Palms restaurant location Friday, May 9, 2025, in Sonoma. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Amid sweeping immigration raids and deportations across the country, Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, is honoring North Bay immigrants for outstanding contributions to their communities.
On June 30, Thompson presented the Sonoma County American Dream Award to restaurateur Pemba Sherpa, recognizing his entrepreneurial achievements, educational initiatives and public service.
“Mr. Sherpa has embodied the American dream through (the) creation of his restaurants Taste of the Himalayas and Farmhouse Sonoma, and his unwavering commitment to our community,” Thompson said.
Pemba Sherpa with a tray of traditional food and drink. ‘Losar,’ the Nepalese New Year, was colorfully celebrated at the Taste of the Himalayas restaurant on the Plaza Feb. 9, 2016. Since Sonoma is home to a large Sherpa community, Pemba Sherpa, proprietor of the restaurant, decided it was time to recognize this important holiday locally. (Robbi Pengelly/Index-Tribune)
Sherpa was raised in a small Himalayan village and immigrated to the United States in 1997 to pursue higher education and attend culinary school. He worked with the late Michael Chiarello in Napa before opening Taste of the Himalayas in downtown Sonoma in 2003. His latest venture, Farmhouse Sonoma, opened in May.
“Immigrants are our neighbors and colleagues, soldiers and first responders, doctors and lawyers, farmers, entrepreneurs, teachers and so much more,” Thompson continued as he presented the award. “Our nation would not be the powerhouse of the world without their contributions to our country’s history, culture and economy.”
Cinthya Cisneros, owner of La Cheve Bakery and Brews in Napa, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023. Cisneros received the Napa County American Dream Award. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)
Cinthya Cisneros of Napa’s La Cheve Bakery and Brews received the Napa County American Dream Award. Born in Michoacán, Mexico, Cisneros has lived in Napa for most of her life, working as both a teacher and bartender. Her family-owned Mexican bakery, craft beer taproom and restaurant, which opened in 2020, provides scholarships for local college students.
Cisneros is also the founder of the forthcoming Con Amor Botanas y Tequila restaurant in downtown Napa and an advisory board member of the nonprofit scholarship organization 10,000 Degrees.
A plate of tacos includes four types: al pastor, veggie, fish, and shrimp, at El Roy’s Express Mex truck No. 2 on Santa Rosa Avenue in Santa Rosa, on Thursday, July 11, 2024. (Darryl Bush / For The Press Democrat)
Santa Rosa’s late-night munchie game just got a lot tastier with the opening of El Roy’s Express Mex drive-thru. Open daily from 11 a.m. to midnight, the taqueria’s new brick-and-mortar location serves up street tacos, super burritos, sopes, gorditas and its signature bacon-wrapped Mexidogs straight to your car window — no shoes required.
I’m no stranger to drive-thrus — the stains and drips on my car upholstery tell the tales of a thousand car meals. On a daytime visit to El Roy’s new pickup window, I breezed through, with about a five-minute wait for my usual order of three tacos and Jamaica agua fresca. My shirt and seat had been anointed with salsa by the time I pulled out of the parking lot.
Yelpers have reported longer waits during peak hours, but I’m fine kicking back in my mobile with a true crime podcast if it means avoiding the shivering (or sweltering) that comes with standing in line at their nearby food trucks. Not to mention I can do it in my jammies.
El Roy’s Express Mex has opened a brick-and-mortar and drive-thru in Santa Rosa. (Heather Irwin/The Press Democrat)A plate of tacos at El Roy’s Express Mex truck No. 2 on Santa Rosa Avenue in Santa Rosa. (Darryl Bush / For The Press Democrat)
The new location at 602 Elsa Drive also has indoor counter service and seating for those who prefer a less mobile dining experience.
One notable perk at the new site is easy parking. The Edith Street location was notorious for its lack of parking, with customers often resorting to double parking, blocking driveways or using the spots of neighboring businesses while picking up takeout.
El Roy’s Express Mex operates food trucks in Petaluma (401 E. Washington St. and 175 Fairgrounds Drive) and Santa Rosa (1569 Sebastopol Road, 2728 Santa Rosa Ave. and 505 Santa Rosa Ave.). Follow their Instagram (@elroysexpressmex) for more details.
Plums ripen in a tree at Piano Farm in Bloomfield on Wednesday, July 28, 2021. (Christopher Chung/ The Press Democrat)
One of summer’s most exquisite pleasures is the Santa Rosa plum, plucked off its stem just after sunrise, droplets of dew shimmering in the morning light. Take that first bite and feel the fruit’s thin skin snap between your teeth as your mouth fills with luscious juice.
Like Arctic Gem white peaches and Sureness yellow watermelon, the less done to these superb plums, the better.
Once we have eaten our fill neat, we can enjoy them in myriad ways, from simple plum agua fresca and plum-mustard sauce — delicious with sausages cooked on the grill — to galettes, upside-down tarts, grunts and Dutch babies.
One of the simplest ways to use them is in a plum compote. While it can be made with any plum, it is best with our very own Santa Rosa plum. This compote is delicious served alongside a few butter cookies and soars when spooned over ice cream or sorbet. For a real treat, pair it with Oro Blanco sorbet or olive oil ice cream from Screamin’ Mimi’s in Sebastopol.
Plum Lavender Compote
Plums ripen in a tree at Piano Farm in Bloomfield. (Christopher Chung/ The Press Democrat)
Makes about 2 cups
½ cup sugar
½ cup water
1 tbsp. culinary-grade lavender flowers
1 bay leaf
18 ripe Santa Rosa plums
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Put the sugar and water into a small saucepan, add the lavender and bay, and bring to a boil over high heat.
When the sugar is dissolved and the mixture clear, remove from the heat, cover the pan, and let steep for about 30 minutes.
Cut the plums into quarters, discard the pits, and put the plums into a medium saucepan. Strain the sugar syrup into the saucepan and discard the lavender and bay. Set over low heat and cook gently until the plums fall apart, about 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from the heat, stir in the vanilla and let cool.
A circa-1940s cottage on a woodsy half acre along Salmon Creek in Occidental has hit the market. The two-bedroom, two-bathroom home has 1,340 square feet of vintage charm and is listed for $799,000.
Stained glass, open-beam ceilings, built-ins and wainscoting are some of the cherished classic details. Upgrades include Schoolhouse Electric lighting and a Fireclay hearth.
Vintage kitchen with wood trim and exposed beams inside the bohemian Occidental cottage. (Peter Lyons)Living room and Fireclay hearth inside the Occidental cottage. (Peter Lyons)Backyard deck with Adirondack chairs at the Occidental cottage on Bohemian Highway. (Peter Lyons)
The grassy yard enjoys patches of sunlight and shade through redwoods. There’s a deck and a spa from which to enjoy the setting. Toe-dipping in Salmon Creek is just a few steps away. Free wine tastings at Occidental’s Bohème Wines is a mere three-minute drive.
For more information on this property at 2770 Bohemian Highway in Occidental, contact listening agent Emily Beaven, Compass, 415-730-9759, emilybeaven.com
The River Electric, a camp resort and swim club in Guerneville, opened to the public Memorial Day weekend. (Bess Friday)
Just in time for summer, there’s a new way to make a splash in Guerneville.
The River Electric — a camp resort, swim club and event venue — opened to the public Memorial Day weekend. Less than a five-minute walk from downtown Guerneville, it features two pools, a restaurant and 40 furnished tents.
A king tent at The River Electric in Guerneville. Each canvas tent includes a screened door and windows that allow air flow. (Bess Friday)
“We’re trying our hardest to get away from the glamping term. It just feels dated,” said Maggie Wilson, creative director at The River Electric. “We operate as a hotel. This is not DIY camping.”
There are a few different ways to enjoy the camp resort. Guests can lounge by the pools for the day, spend the night in a tent or book a private event, such as a wedding.
Poolside leisure
For those solely interested in swimming, pool day passes start at $35 and include a towel and portable lounge chair to rest on the lawn. The main, 60-foot round pool is arguably the heart of the property. There’s also a smaller, rectangular adults-only pool. Day guests are welcome to splash about from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Housemade potato chips with green goddess dressing at The River Electric in Guerneville. (Bess Friday)
Exclusively for resort guests, the Pool Bar is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. While the menu is relatively small, it’s impressively creative. Snack on housemade potato chips with pimento cheese or green goddess dressing, or splurge for The Tackle Box: a photogenic spread of Kaluga caviar, smoked trout roe, chives, creme fraiche and more housemade potato chips. No outside food is permitted on the property.
More than glamping
The campground at The River Electric in Guerneville. (Bess Friday)
Tucked below redwood trees, tents are equipped with all the necessities for a comfortable night’s rest. Beds are topped with down comforters, area rugs line the floor and there’s electricity for charging all the electronics we can’t seem to travel without these days. Tents are available with one king bed or two double beds. A communal restroom and bathhouse is located between the pool area and the campground.
The vanity area in the bathhouse at The River Electric in Guerneville. (Bess Friday)
Thoughtful design
The nods to mid-century design are strong, as is the homage to sunshine-filled, worry-free days of summer camp. But take a closer look, and perhaps the most important design component reveals itself. Everything on the property — from the use of concrete to electric outlets that can handle being submerged for extended lengths of time — was chosen because of its ability to endure Guerneville’s winters and the site’s floodplain location.
“We’re planning for the worst, and we built for the worst,” said co-owner Kelsey Sheofsky. “Everything comes out, gets stored off-site, and then it can flood.”
While packing up and moving practically everything on the property each fall may seem like an exhausting endeavor to most, it’s second nature to the team behind The River Electric, who also owns and operates event production company Shelter Co. The Guerneville resort essentially creates a permanent home for what the Sonoma County-based group has been doing across the country for more than a decade.
The Pool Bar at The River Electric in Guerneville. (Bess Friday)The main pool at The River Electric in Guerneville. (Bess Friday)
Local perks and prices
Every Tuesday, residents of lower Russian River towns that border the river from Forestville to Jenner can enjoy the pools for just $5. When capacity allows, Sunday through Thursday, residents from throughout Sonoma County are invited to swim from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. for $5. It’s recommended to call ahead to ensure there’s room before making the trip.
Rates for tent accommodations at The River Electric start at $325. A stay includes a continental breakfast, featuring yogurt, granola, fruit and biscuits from nearby Piknik Town Market. Follow @riverelectric on Instagram for the latest on special events, such as pop-up dinners.
Home, terrace and grounds. (Adam Potts Photography)
A modern, farmhouse-style estate on 18 acres in the St. Helena AVA of Napa Valley is up for sale. The five-bedroom, seven-and-a-half bathroom home with a barn and pool house is currently listed for $21 million.
The 7,484-square-foot dwelling constructed by Field Architecture and Grassi & Associates is made up of multiple structures — each with a steeply sloped corrugated roof — situated in a U-shape around the terrace and pool. Reclaimed coral board vertical siding blends with surrounding soil.
Interiors by Shawback Design offer a gentle luxury, letting the quality of the finishes do most of the talking: white oak cabinets, plaster walls, polished concrete floors and hand-blown chandeliers.
Great room. (Adam Potts Photography)Pool house and pool. (Adam Potts Photography)Dining area of the barn. (Adam Potts Photography)
A few spots of vivid color add energy, such as the deep blue on a powder room wall, bathroom tile, laundry room cabinetry and various textiles. The cool hue is a nice counterpoint to the earthy palette, and it continues outside via the shade umbrellas, chairs and tennis court turf.
The pool’s surround of concrete has rectilinear cutouts for patches of lush vegetation. Meticulous landscaping and garden design is the work of Surfacedesign. This geometry is a good match for all those rows of the property’s Cabernet Sauvignon and heritage Zinfandel vines — some of which date back to 1935 and 1979.
For more information on this property at 1540 West Zinfandel Lane in St. Helena, contact listing agent Cyd Greer, 707-322-6825, Coldwell Banker Brokers of the Valley, 1775 Lincoln Ave., Napa, cydgreer.com/listing/modern-farmhouse-napa-valley-2/
7/15/2013: B1:
PC: Sofia Pomares, 4, reaches for a French flag waved by her mother, Fabiola Pomares- Sotomayor, while celebrating Bastille Day at Chateau St. Jean on Sunday, July 14, 2013 in Kenwood, California. (BETH SCHLANKER/ The Press Democrat)
On Monday, July 14, France will celebrate La Fête Nationale (or Bastille Day in English-speaking countries) with fireworks, parades, parties and communal meals. But you don’t have to be French to join the festivities. We’ve rounded up five local Bastille Day events, along with French restaurants, boulangeries and patisseries, to visit on France’s national day. Bonne fête nationale!
All events will be held on Bastille Day, July 14, unless otherwise noted.
Events
Bricoleur Vineyards, Windsor
Bricoleur will host its fifth annual Bastille Day celebration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 12. The event will include live music, estate wine and French-inspired cuisine. $125 per person. Reserve on Tock. 7394 Starr Road, Windsor, 707-857-5700, bricoleurvineyards.com
Goguette Bread, Santa Rosa
Family-owned Santa Rosa bakery Goguette Bread is partnering with the Alliance Française de Santa Rosa to celebrate Bastille Day from 4-8 p.m. July 12. The free family-friendly event will include a raffle, a demo on pétanque (a French boules sport), interactive booths and kids activities. There will be bread, cheese, wine, charcuterie, crepes and ice cream available to purchase on site to create your own picnic. Among the vendors will be Maison Porcella and DeLoach Vineyards. RSVP on Facebook for updates. 59 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa, goguettebread.com
Soraya Salamati, 11, brushes on the olive oil over Pain aux olives before her mother Najine Shariat sprinkles a little salt on the loaves at Goguette Bread in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Jordan Winery, Healdsburg
The Alexander Valley’s Jordan Winery will host a Bastille Day brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, July 13, at the winery château. A curated four-course brunch on the terrace will include soft-scrambled eggs with caviar, smoked salmon, beef tenderloin en croûte and a French-inspired dessert. Each course will be paired with a 2-ounce tasting pour and the brunch will be accompanied by French music. $175 per person. Seating is limited. 1474 Alexander Valley Road, Healdsburg, 707-431-5250, jordanwinery.com
Valley of the Moon Pétanque Club, Sonoma
Sonoma’s Valley of the Moon Pétanque Club will host a festive Bastille Day luncheon from 12:30-2 p.m. July 13 at Depot Park. The buffet lunch will include crab cakes, asparagus-leek vichyssoise, grilled andouille sausages and lemon strawberry shortcake. $25 per person. Sign up for the lunch by July 5 here. Depot Park, 270 First St. W., Sonoma, 707-934-4844, vompc.org
Pascaline French Bistro & Patisserie, Santa Rosa
The Santa Rosa French bistro will celebrate Bastille Day with an al fresco féte from 1-4 p.m., July 13. The four-course Bastille Day menu will include salade nicoise, grilled Pacific salmon, herbed crusted striploin and baba au rhum (a yeast cake soaked in a rum syrup). There will be additional food trucks as well as wine, beer and music. Tickets are $65 per adult and $25 for children 12 and under. Reserve on OpenTable. 1021 Hahman Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-303-7151, pascalinebistro.com
French bakeries and restaurants to visit
If you can’t make it to one of these Bastille Day events, there are plenty of restaurants and patisseries in the North Bay where you can celebrate with French dishes and sweet treats on July 14, or any day of the year. Here’s where to go and what to order.
French onion soup and a croque-monsieur at Pascaline Bakery and Cafe in Santa Rosa. (Heather Irwin/The Press Democrat)
Sonoma County
Pascaline French Bistro & Patisserie
In addition to Pascaline’s Bastille Day event on July 13, it will have pastries available for preorder, such as tarte Tatin, strawberry éclairs and chocolate meringue puffs. Other French treats on the bistro’s regular menu include cannelés de Bordeaux, kouign-amann, pain aux raisins (raisin roll), croque madame, French onion soup, croissants and quiche. 1021 Hahman Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-303-7151, pascalinebistro.com
La Gare
Escargots de Bourgogne, cuisses de grenouille, quiche Lorraine, boeuf wellington, demi canard à l’orange, vis de veau financière, carré d’agneau persillé, crème caramel beau rivage, meringues glacées Chantilly, crème brulée and mousse au chocolate. 208 Wilson St., Santa Rosa, 707-528-4355, lagarerestaurant.com
Mussels & Frites with cider, shallots, and Dijon créme fraîche from Augie’s French Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, on Courthouse Square in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Augie’s French
Croque madame, crèpe de jour, pâté de campagna, coquilles St. Jacques, escargots, poulet frites, gnocchi à la Parisienne, crêpes suzette, crème brûlée and profiteroles au chocolate. 535 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-531-4400, augiesfrench.com
Sarmentine
Baguettes, croissants, canelés, brioche, quiche, pain au raisin, marjolaine, éclairs, dunes blanches, Paris-brest, tartelettes and croquembouche. 52 Mission Circle, Suite 112, Santa Rosa; 840 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma; 6760 McKinley St., Suite 150 Sebastopol, 707-623-9595, sarmentine.com
Macarons from Patisserie Angelica in Sebastopol. (Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat)
Patisserie Angelica
Gâteau Parisien, croissants, chocolate soufflé, gâteau Basque and macarons. 6821 Laguna Park Way, Sebastopol, 707-827-7998, patisserieangelica.com
Costeaux French Bakery & Cafe
Macarons, tarts, brioche, baguettes, croissants, quiche, pain perdu, Monte Cristo and French onion soup. 417 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-433-1913, costeaux.com
Les Pascals Patisserie et Boulangerie
Galette des rois, tropéziennes, macarons, éclairs, quiche, croissants, baguettes, aperitif ficelles, brioche, brownies à la Française, babas, madeleines, palmiers, raspberry feuilletés, financiers, petit fours, cannelés de Bordeaux, raspberry sablés, Breton biscuits, chouquettes, chocolate chaussons and kouign-amann. 13758 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen, 707-934-8378, lespascalspatisserie.com
Basque Boulangerie Café
Vienna loaf, baguettes, braided brioche, croissants, gâteau Basque, French custard and fruit pie, chocolate mousse and éclairs. 460 First St. East, Sonoma, 707-935-7687, basqueboulangerie.com
Brigitte Bistro
Salade lyonnaise, escargots and marrow bone, pâté en croûte au champignions d’hiver, salmon gravlax aux agrumes, onion soup gratinée, coquilles St. Jacques gratinée, duck a l’orange, beef bourguignon, crème brûlée and ile flottante. 841 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 707-981-8381, brigittebistropetaluma.com
French onion soup at Brigitte Bistro in Petaluma. (Heather Irwin/The Press Democrat)
Napa County
Le Paris Artisan and Gourmet Cafe
Croissants, crème brulée brioche, quiche, macarons, éclairs, madeleines and French almond cake. 828 Brown St., Napa, 707-927-3623; 3921 Broadway, American Canyon, 707-731-0948, lepariscafe.com
Angèle Restaurant & Bar
Escargot, smoked salmon mousse, pâté de campagne, beef tartare, croque monsieur, cochon in a blanket (French hot dog in a puff pastry), salade niçoise, lamb printanier, chocolate mousse gâteau, salted caramel pot de crème and vanilla bean crème brûlée. 540 Main St., Napa, 707-252-8115, angelerestaurant.com
Bistro Jeanty
Truite fumée pommes a l’huile, oeufs mimosa truffés, friture d’éperlans, pâté de campagne maison, escargots, parfait de foie blond, quenelles de brochet, coq au vin, cassoulet, steak tartare, tarte aux pommes, profiteroles, crepe suzette and crème brûlée au chocolat. 6510 Washington St., Yountville, 707-944-0103, bistrojeanty.com
Marin County
Le Marais Bakery
Croissants, pain aux raisins, kouign-amann, brioche, quiche, salade niçoise, croque monsieur and madame, pan bagnat, French onion soup and poulet sans tête. 250 East Blithedale, Mill Valley, 415-888-3695, lemaraisbakery.com
Miette Patisserie & Confiserie
Macarons, chocolate sablés, tartlets and other sweets. 2009A Larkspur Landing Circle, Larkspur, 415-464-1000, miette.com
Bordenave’s Bakery
Baguettes, croissants, chaussons aux pommes and other French-style baked goods. 1512 Fourth St., San Rafael, 415-453-2957, bordenavesbakery.com
Le Comptoir
Beef tartare, frogs legs Provençal, lightly fried Camembert, moules marinières, poulet rôti, nonnettes and profiteroles. 1301 Fourth St., San Rafael, 415-454-5454, lecomptoirsr.com
Le Chalet Basque Restaurant
Pâté maison, escargots, frog legs, chicken cordon bleu, poulet chalet Basque, boeuf bourguignon, marquis au chocolat and gâteau Basque. 405 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael, 415-479-1070, chaletbasque.org
Amélie Café and Wine Bar
Escargot, lamb tartare, French onion soup, coq au vin, croque monsieur and madame, quiches, salade niçoise, poulet rôti, steak and tuna tartare, chicken liver mousse and croissants. 71 Broadway Blvd., Fairfax, 628-253-5161, ameliefairfax.com
Le Garage
Panisse, tuna tartare, salade niçoise, pan bagnat, brioche croque monsieur, quiche Lorraine, bouillabaisse, ratatouille, crème brûlée, apple tarte Tatin and chocolat fondant. 85 Liberty Ship Way, Suite 109, Sausalito, 415-332-5625, legaragesausalito.com
Spicy Fried Chicken with mac and cheese and pickles from Lou’s Luncheonette in Sonoma. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
It’s hard to hate fried chicken. Whether you grew up devouring a big bucket of KFC or savoring your grandma’s Southern-style recipe, it’s a memory that sticks. Brined in buttermilk, dredged in flour and given a nice hot oil bath, there’s nothing quite like it. Grab a blanket, head to the park and make it the centerpiece of a perfect picnic afternoon. Here are a few of our favorites.
Editor’s Picks
Shokakko Food Truck
Building the towering “Mother-Clucker” sandwich at Shokakko, an Asian street food truck on their regular Thursday night visit Jan. 23, 2025 at Old Caz Beer in Rohnert Park. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
These twice-fried chicken sandwiches ($16) are five-napkin affairs. Go for the “Mother-Clucker” with piles of slaw, pickled jalapeños and “Bang Bang” dip made with gochujang, chili crunch and fermented chiles on a brioche bun. It’s fiery and filled with umami but not tongue-singeing. You can find Shokakko’s latest schedule of stops at Instagram.com/eat_shokakko.
Belfare Sonoma
The fried chicken sandwich from Belfare in Petaluma. (Kim Carroll)
Belfare’s piled-high classic fried chicken sandwich is filled with dill pickles, Cajun cabbage and spicy sesame mayo, and served on a Parker House bun. 1410 S. McDowell Blvd., Suite D, Petaluma, 707-774-6029, belfaresonoma.com
Twin Oaks Roadhouse
The fried chicken sandwich at Twin Oaks Roadhouse on Old Redwood Highway in Penngrove. (Kent Porter/The Press Democrat)
A thick slab of juicy fried chicken gets the Nashville hot treatment with a brioche bun, bread and butter pickles, lettuce and mayo. 5745 Old Redwood Highway, Penngrove, hopmonk.com
Lou’s Luncheonette
Spicy Fried Chicken with mac and cheese and pickles from Lou’s Luncheonette in Sonoma. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Lou’s Luncheonette is all about classic fried chicken. Try their spicy Nashville fried chicken, chicken and waffles or country fried chicken with cornbread and collards. 2698 Fremont Drive, Sonoma, lousluncheonette.com
Khom Loi
Gai Tod: Lemongrass fried chicken with makrut leaf at Khom Loi in Sebastopol. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
Two-bite fried chicken pieces scented with lemongrass and fried lime leaves make this dish almost impossible to put down — or share. 7385 Healdsburg Ave., Sebastopol, 707-329-6917, khomloisonoma.com
Lo & Behold
Almost Famous Chicken Tenders at Lo & Behold in Healdsburg. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
Chef Sean Kelley’s “Almost Famous” tenders ($14), and they are the juiciest strips of crunchy, salty, fried chicken bits I’ve ever had. Dipped in homemade ranch with a side of pickles, they’re worthy of a standing ovation. 214 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-756-5021, loandbeholdca.com
Songbird Parlour
Hot honey fried chicken from Songbird Parlour in Glen Ellen. (Lumina Studio)
Sunday nights are hot honey fried chicken nights at this cozy Glen Ellen restaurant. What began as a monthly pop-up has become a wildly popular weekly event, available for dine in or takeout. Reservations strongly suggested. 14301 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen, 707-343-1308, songbirdparlour.com/fried-chicken-night
Lunch Box
Fried chicken sandwich from Lunch Box. (Courtesy of Lunch Box)
Lunch Box serves up a variety of great sandwiches in Sebastopol, including a fried chicken. 128 N. Main St., Sebastopol, lunchboxsonomacounty.com
Mendocino Farms
The “Not So Fried Chicken” Sandwich with Mendo’s krispies, herb aioli, mustard pickle slaw, tomatoes and pickled red onions on toasted ciabatta from Mendocino Farms Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in Santa Rosa’s Montgomery Village. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
The “Not-So-Fried” Chicken Sandwich gets its crispy crunch from “Mendo Krispies” — flash-fried polenta bits. It’s a healthier take on the classic that doesn’t get lost in translation. Montgomery Village, 2400 Sonoma Ave., Suite D4, Santa Rosa, mendocinofarms.com
Acorn Cafe
Fried chicken teriyaki sandwich from Acorn Cafe in Healdsburg. (Courtesy of Acorn Cafe)
Dive into this banh-mi riff on fried chicken. Crisp, juicy breast meat is sandwiched between two togarashi-topped buns and topped with housemade teriyaki sauce, pickled daikon and a slather of spicy mayo. Each bite is creamy, crunchy, sweet, pickle-y and delicious, with a restrained crunch that tickles rather than tearing up the inside of your mouth. Required eating. 124 Matheson St., Healdsburg, acornhealdsburg.com
Marla Fried Chicken Frydays
Fried chicken fry-days at Marla SR in Santa Rosa. (Marla SR)
The fried chicken pop-up you’ve come to know and love (or should) returns weekly from 5-8 p.m. each Friday at Marla SR cafe (208 Davis St., Santa Rosa). Now and throughout the summer, they’ll fry milk whey-brined chicken for a crispy bird that crunches back at every bite. Details at Instagram.com/marla_sr.
Underwood Bistro
Hat Yai Fried Chicken with sticky rice, cucumber salad and sweet + sour sauce with a Mucho Micho cocktail from Underwood Bar and Bistro Friday March 21, 2025 in Graton. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
There’s a not-so-secret Thai menu at this classic French bistro you’ll want to explore. Along with pad Thai, the Hat Yai fried chicken is a revelation. 9113 Graton Road, Graton, 707-823-7023, underwoodgraton.com
More Great Fried Chicken
Petaluma
Fried chicken and waffles at Sax’s Joint in Petaluma. (Chris Hardy/for Sonoma Magazine)
Sax’s Joint
Top-notch chicken and waffles. Crispy, crunchy and sweet. 317 Petaluma Blvd. S., Petaluma, 707-559-3021, saxsjoint.com
Fried chicken sandwich with goat cheddar, romaine, garlic mayo, bacon, Della Fattoria bun at Brewsters Beer Garden in Petaluma. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
Brewster’s Beer Garden
Fried chicken sandwich with goat cheddar, romaine, garlic mayo and bacon on a Della Fattoria bun. Yum. 229 Water St., Petaluma, 707-981-8330, brewstersbeergarden.com
Windsor
Southern Fried Chicken with garlic smashed potatoes, slaw, braised greens and a biscuit from Sweet T’s Restaurant + Bar in Windsor. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Sweet T’s Restaurant + Bar
Blue ribbon-worthy Southern fried chicken with garlic smashed potatoes, slaw, braised greens and a biscuit. 9098 Brooks Road S., Windsor, 707-687-5185, sweettssouthern.com
Santa Rosa
Dave’s Hot Chicken in Santa Rosa. (Dave’s Hot Chicken)
Dave’s Hot Chicken
It may be a chain, but that doesn’t mean this mild to Oh My Lord spicy chicken isn’t awesome. Get a mix of sliders and tenders with coleslaw, fries and sauce. You won’t regret it. 2240 Mendocino Ave., Suite C-1, Santa Rosa, 707-582-2200, daveshotchicken.com
Steak & Frites with sauce au Poivre, beef jus and garden salad from Bijou, the new Petaluma restaurant from chef Stéphane Saint Louis Monday, July 1, 2025. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Table Culture Provisions’ recent snub by the 2025 California Michelin Guide isn’t keeping chef Stéphane Saint Louis up at night. But his new Petaluma restaurant, Bijou, is a different story.
Since December, Saint Louis has been laser-focused on what he calls his “dream restaurant” — a more casual cousin to Table Culture Provisions’ fine dining experience. Hiring servers, training new kitchen staff and fine-tuning an ever-evolving California-French menu has kept him deep in the weeds, with 18-hour days leading up to Bijou’s June 13 opening.
“I’m not mad about (the Michelin star), because I’m very busy with Bijou. I don’t mind things happening in due time, step by step,” he said while prepping for a Monday night service at the restaurant.
Still, it’s a disappointment.
Chef Stéphane Saint Louis dream of a French-inspired menu and cocktail program comes to fruition at Bijou Monday, July 1, 2025, in Petaluma. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)The dining room at Bijou restaurant in the former Easy Rider location Monday, July 1, 2025, in Petaluma. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
By all accounts, it seemed likely the four-year-old fine dining restaurant, which Saint Louis co-owns with chef Steven Vargas, would earn a star — potentially making it the first Black-owned Michelin-starred restaurant in California.
But right now, Saint Louis has more than enough on his plate without the pressure and heightened expectations that tend to come with the culinary award.
“If we get a star, I’ll never take it for granted,” he said. “But right now, I have to do what I do best and win people’s hearts with food.”
Building Bijou
“I’ve never had the luxury of building the perfect restaurant,” Saint Louis said.
From its prime downtown location to its constantly evolving menu, Bijou reflects his personal vision. As a young chef working across the street at The Shuckery, Saint Louis often eyed the expansive modern space, imagining that it would one day be his.
“I would look at this building and I’d think, ‘Man, one day, I think I’m going to get this place,'” he recalled.
Chef Stéphane Saint Louis’ dream of a French-inspired menu and cocktail program comes to fruition at Bijou Monday, July 1, 2025, in Petaluma. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)Croquette of salted cod brandade, garlic scapes and shishito lemon aioli from Bijou, the new Petaluma restaurant from chef Stéphane Saint Louis, Monday, July 1, 2025. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
When Easy Rider closed in December 2024, he jumped at the opportunity. The space came with a full bar and a well-equipped, upgraded kitchen.
Bijou, which means “jewel” in French, gives Saint Louis room to play. Its à la carte menu offers a broader canvas for his creativity.
“I wake up with so many ideas. Every day I take an item off the menu and put something new in. I love having so much creative freedom,” he said.
The food
Consider this more of a first look than a formal review. The menu has already changed significantly from my first visit, so much so that Saint Louis expressed concern when I asked about the plating and preparation of some of the dishes I tried.
“What I made last week and what’s going to come out today is going to be so different,” he said.
Bijou pastry chef Sylvain Varsy shows Stefany Rios how to make their new pastry, a Strawberry Tart with strawberry compote, vanilla cream, mint strawberry sorbet and meringue, Monday, July 1, 2025, in Petaluma. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)Strawberry Tart with strawberry compote, vanilla cream, mint strawberry sorbet and meringue from Bijou Monday, July 1, 2025, in Petaluma. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Some staples, however, will remain on the menu — a fish entrée, steak frites, housemade pasta and several starters. While the components may change, the palate remains rooted in Saint Louis’ culinary training.
“I’m a French-trained chef, but this isn’t the usual bistro-type of food. It’s all about the technicality in the kitchen,” he said.
That translates to elegant sauces, meticulously sourced ingredients and refined plating — all at midrange prices. Entrées range from $26 to $42, with snacks and shareables between $18 and $22.
On my visit, the daily catch was white sea bass with charred, crispy skin, served atop melted leeks and finished with a yin-yang of buttery leek sauce and rich steak jus ($32). It was light yet decadent, and perfectly executed.
The daily “Catch” of White Seabass, saffron risotto, asparagus, creamy leeks, capers and jus from Bijou in Petaluma. Photo taken Monday, July 1, 2025. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Bijou’s steak frites ($42) restored my faith in this bistro classic after too many run-ins with gristly, undercooked hanger steaks and gloopy Bordelaise sauces elsewhere. Here, generous slices of tender steak come with a rich peppercorn sauce and fries on the side, to keep them crisp and ready for dipping.
The well-curated menu also includes dishes like duck caramelle pasta (candy-shaped pasta stuffed with duck), diver scallops with tobiko, and TCP’s now-legendary Parker House Rolls ($12). These warm, yeasty rolls are as fluffy as cotton candy and finished with flakes of sea salt — a must-order.
While not every dish hit the mark in the weeks after opening, Saint Louis is constantly refining the menu to meet his exacting standards.
Chocolate Au Lait with chocolate creme, hazelnut praline and milk ice cream from Bijou, the new Petaluma restaurant from chef Stéphane Saint Louis Monday, July 1, 2025. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
“I’m still trying to find myself here,” he said. “Right now, I’m at the stage where I’m getting the machine going with my personal ideas and goals, what I want service to look like and the dishes to be.”
With any luck, Michelin will take notice in 2026.
Bijou, 190 Kentucky St., Petaluma. Reservations are available on OpenTable and are highly recommended. Open 4-9 p.m. Thursday through Tuesday, closed Wednesdays. Note: The restaurant automatically adds a 5% service charge for staff.
Slow Food founder Carlo Petrini addresses an audience at Terra Madre 2024 in Turin, Italy. (Terra Madre)
Sacramento has become the new hot spot for high-profile culinary events. On June 26, top chefs from across California gathered here for the 2025 Michelin Guide awards ceremony, where Sonoma’s Enclos took home not just one, but two stars.
From Sept. 26-28, the state capital will host the American edition of Terra Madre Salone del Gusto — the Slow Food movement’s biennial international festival. This marks the first time a satellite version of the flagship event will take place in the United States in its 20-year history.
The Slow Food festival brings together small-scale farmers, fishers, artisanal producers and food futurists to celebrate sustainable agriculture, innovation, biodiversity and food traditions.
Terra Madre 2024 was held at Parco Dora in Turin, Italy. The reclaimed park space was once a steel mill. This year is the first time the Slow Food movement’s biennial international festival will be held in the United States. (Terra Madre)
Terra Madre Americas will feature educational panels, food and drink tastings, as well as artisan vendors. Chefs Alice Waters, Elizabeth Falkner, Jeremiah Tower and Andrew Zimmern will offer cooking demonstrations.
Additional programming is still being finalized, but the event is free and open to the public. More information is available at terramadreusa.com.
