While the rooftop bar will have a dark, moody vibe it will also be a great spot to catch sunset. (Appellation)
It’s hard to miss when driving north on Highway 101 just past downtown Healdsburg. After years of planning and design, the 32-acre, mixed-use development known as North Village is beginning to look less like a construction site and more like a community. One of the most talked about pieces of the project — celebrity chef Charlie Palmer’s food and wine-focused Appellation Healdsburg hotel — is eyeing a late summer opening.
The Appellation hotel brand is a collaboration between Palmer and Sonoma County resident Christopher Hunsberger, a hospitality veteran formerly with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. In addition to 108 rooms and suites, the hotel will feature a restaurant, rooftop bar, spa and fitness center.
“It’s really coming to life,” said Hunsberger.
A rendering of the restaurant and lobby at the forthcoming Appellation Healdsburg. (Appellation)
Appellation’s food and wine focus will be apparent from the moment guests step into its take on a hotel lobby. Instead of the classic front desk serving as the focal point, it’s the restaurant, kitchen and circular fireplace that will make the first impression on visitors (the reception desk is set off to the side of the entrance). When they pick up their room keys, guestscan expect such offerings as light bites and seasonal cocktails.
The lobby layout also includes dedicated space for the brand’s Crafted at Appellation classes. Forthcoming workshops at locations throughout Sonoma County cover everything from planting terrariums to blending freshly roasted coffee beans.
“It will be very different than any other hotel reception experience, at least that I know exists today,” said Palmer.
Rooms and suites are spread throughout a dozen or so buildings. In addition to a spa with eight treatment rooms, there are two pools (one for adults only), and a fitness center with training equipment and class offerings. No details have been released, but a local membership option is said to be in the works.
The Appellation Healdsburg hotel will have 108 rooms. A model room (pictured) has been constructed in downtown Healdsburg. (Appellation)
Many residents at neighboring Enso Village — described as a Zen-inspired senior living community — appear to have already settled in. Above approximately 12,000 square feet of retail space, the framework for 53 affordable apartments is coming together. There will also be 27 middle-income qualified townhomes as part of the North Village project.
Appellation Healdsburg is still a hard hat construction site, but the number of final stretch touches are growing with each day. Mature olive trees are being planted and tile is being set. It won’t be long before an assorted four dozen fruit trees and 24 raised culinary beds are integrated into the landscape.
It’s been more than two decades since Palmer opened Dry Creek Kitchen in downtown Healdsburg. Every Thursday night, locals are invited to take advantage of the restaurant’s three-course Sonoma Neighbor Menu for $55. Palmer said he looks forward to welcoming locals to Appellation Healdsburg as well.
The forthcoming rooftop bar at Appellation Healdsburg. (Appellation)
“Yes, it’s a hotel and yes, there’s going to be people coming here hopefully from all over the place, but first and foremost, it’s about welcoming locals into another great piece of Healdsburg,” said Palmer. “I want that bar to be full of locals. I want the restaurant and spa to be full of locals.”
Rates at Appellation Healdsburg are expected to start at just above $500 a night, plus a daily resort fee of $45. 165 Foss Creek Circle, Healdsburg, appellationhotels.com
Sonoma County Hotels Show Off Renovations, New Menus and Wellness Options
Just in time for spring, several Sonoma County hotels are giving people more reasons to plan a trip or Wine Country staycation.
Vintners Resort just debuted a new resort pool flanked with daybeds, cabanas and fire pits. Day passes are available for locals looking to lounge poolside, but not stay at the property. The next phase of renovations at the Santa Rosa property includes refreshed rooms and a lobby facelift. 4350 Barnes Road, Santa Rosa, 707-575-7350, vintnersresort.com
The Restaurant at Farmhouse Inn is now serving breakfast and lunch. Dinner service now includes a la carte offerings in addition to the three-course, prix fixe Taste of Farmhouse menu. 7871 River Road, Forestville, 707-887-3300, farmhouseinn.com/restaurant
Calling all spa lovers! Thanks to a new partnership with UK-based celebrity skin designer Fatma Shaheen of Skin Design London and Montage Hotels & Resort, a pair of new facials just launched at the spa at Montage Healdsburg. The new treatments include the SDL Vitamin Skin Glow Facial ($495) and SDL Face Tight Facial ($975). 100 Montage Way, Healdsburg, 707-979-9000, montage.com/healdsburg
Brunch at Wit & Wisdom restaurant in Sonoma. (David Varley/Wit and Wisdom)
Easter is hopping right around the corner — which means it’s time to start planning your Sunday brunches and egg hunts.
From restaurants and bakeries to churches and social clubs, various Sonoma County establishments are celebrating the spring holiday with an assortment of activities and treats. We’ve also included some local Passover treats for good measure (see more Passover options and details here).
All meals and events will take place Easter Sunday, April 20, unless noted otherwise.
Windsor
Windsor Kiwanis Club Easter Egg Hunt
The Kiwanis Club of Windsor will host its free annual Easter egg hunt starting promptly at 10 a.m., April 12, on the Windsor High School baseball field. Children will be divided into age groups and all attendants must bring their own basket or bag. Easter Bunnies will be there for photo ops. Learn more online.
The Windsor Kiwanis Easter egg hunt was a big hit with the under four crowd, Saturday, April 7, 2012. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
Newsong Church Easter Egg Hunt
Newsong Church will host its free egg hunt starting at 11 a.m., April 19. The event will include separate age-group egg hunts, music, doughnuts and a free family gift basket raffle. Learn more and register online.
Grata will be open for brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Easter Sunday. The brunch menu includes French toast, avocado toast, short rib omelet, brunch burger with fried egg and smoked salmon Benedict. Reserve on OpenTable.
The Petaluma Sunrise Rotary club’s annual “Great Petaluma Egg Hunt” will be held from 10 a.m. to noon, April 12, at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds. The free family event will include egg hunts, face painting, Easter Bunny photo ops and other children’s activities, plus snacks and beverages. The egg hunts are for children 12 and under. Call 707-338-0641 for more information.
Kicking off Easter season a week early, Petaluma’s Farm Barn will host a Spring Eggstravaganza from 2-4 p.m., April 13, at the barn on Pepper Road. The event will include an Easter egg hunt, Easter bunny photo ops, an art table, farm animals to interact with, and sweet treats and drinks. Tickets are $20 for children 4 through 12, $15 for children 3 and under, and free for non-walkers. Email farmbarn2910@gmail.com to RSVP.
Shrimp skagen will be on the Easter brunch menu at Stockhome restaurant in Petaluma. (Heather Irwin/The Press Democrat)Matjes herring will be on the Easter brunch menu at Stockhome restaurant in Petaluma. (Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat)
Stockhome Swedish Easter Celebration
Stockhome will host Easter brunch from noon to 3 p.m. featuring a Swedish-inspired menu. Brunch will include Nordic breads, Swedish cheese board with huckleberry jam, matjes herring, skagen (shrimp toast), devilled eggs, cheese pie, smoked salmon, grilled lamb loin and strawberry rhubarb pie. Tickets are $90 for adults, $45 for children aged 2-12 and free for children under 2. See the full menu and purchase tickets online.
Jeremy Kshevatzky with kids Mila, 4, and Callan, 2, look for Easter eggs, Saturday, April 16, 2022, at Karah Estate Vineyard in Cotati. In blue is Erin Kshevatzky. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat) 2022The Dunne family from Santa Rosa, Tom, Kacie and Angie, finish up looking for Easter eggs, Saturday, April 16, 2022 at Karah Estate Vineyard in Cotati. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
Karah Estate Vineyards Easter Egg Hunt
Karah Estate Vineyards will host a free Easter egg hunt from 2-5 p.m., April 19, in the vineyard. The event will include self portraits, children’s toys, wine tasting and dog biscuits.
Catering and events company Sally Tomatoes will host an Easter brunch buffet and egg hunt starting at 10 a.m. at SOMO Village. Brunch, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., will include eggs Benedict, varied salads, French toast, carved ham, tortellini pesto and chicken parmigiana. Brunch is $30 for adults and $16 for children. Space is limited and guests must RSVP by April 16. The egg hunt is free and there is a limit of 10 eggs per child. RSVP online.
1100 Valley House Drive, Rohnert Park, 707-665-9472, sallytomatoes.com
Brunch from Sally Tomatoes Catering and Events. (Courtesy Sally Tomatoes)
Rohnert Park Assembly of God Egg Hunt
Children up to 13 are invited to participate in a free egg hunt after the church’s 10:30 a.m. Easter service on Sunday. Doors open at noon and the egg hunt starts at 12:15 p.m., including a special egg hunt for preschoolers. There will also be a free hay ride and bubble show. Reserve a spot on Eventbrite.
Montage Healdsburg Bunny Craft Corner & Hazel Hill Easter Brunch
Paintbox, Montage Healdsburg’s signature children’s program, will host a Bunny Craft Corner exclusively for resort guests 5-12 years old, featuring activities such as egg dying and creating bunny ears, at 1 p.m., April 18-20. Reserve a spot online.
The resort’s Hazel Hill restaurant will host an Easter brunch buffet, April 20, including eggs Florentine, Belgian waffles, country-fried chicken, chilled fava bean soup, oysters, smoked salmon, cheese tortellini, satsuma-glazed ham and peppercorn-crusted prime rib. A seasonal dessert display will include macarons, carrot cake, Easter cookies, pistachio panna cotta, lemon meringue tart, hazelnut mousse cake and more. Brunch tickets are $145 per adult and $65 per child. Reserve brunch on OpenTable.
Greek yogurt panna cotta from Hazel Hill at Montage Healdsburg. A granola berry parfait will be on Hazel Hill’s Easter brunch menu. (Emma K Creative)
Comstock Wines Easter Egg Hunt
Comstock Wines will host its annual Easter egg hunt in the vineyards from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., April 19. The “Egg Scramble in the Vineyard” starts at 11 a.m. sharp, followed by wood-fired pizzas and wine. Reservations are required as space is limited. Book on Tock.
Dry Creek Kitchen at Hotel Healdsburg will host an Easter Jubilee from 1:30-3:30 p.m., including its second annual Easter egg hunt at 2 p.m., on April 19. The event will include brunch-style bites such as sirloin sliders, eggs mimosa and fresh pastries. Tickets are $75 for non-hotel guests, $60 for hotel guests, and $25 for children 12 and under. Reserve on OpenTable.
Rhubarb strawberry pie bites at Spoonbar restaurant in Healdsburg. (Heather Irwin)
Spoonbar Easter Brunch
Spoonbar will host its Easter brunch buffet from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The menu includes spring salads, eggs Benedict, brioche French toast, stuffed shells, roasted salmon, leg of lamb and bite-sized desserts, plus bottomless Bellinis. $75 per person; $35 for children 12 and under. Reserve on OpenTable.
Dry Creek Kitchen will host Easter brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a three-course, prix fixe menu from chef Shane McAnelly. Menu dishes include prosciutto-wrapped asparagus, kanpachi crudo, early spring quiche, smoked salmon eggs Benedict, seared dayboat scallops and grilled filet mignon. There will also be a selection of seasonal desserts and Easter cocktails. Tickets are $110 per person and $55 for children under 6. Reserve on OpenTable.
The Cloverdale Lions Club will host its annual Easter egg hunt on Saturday, April 19, at Jefferson Elementary School on North Street. The playground opens at 9 a.m. for photo ops with the Crayola Easter Bunny, followed by the main egg hunt event starting promptly at 10 a.m. Over 2,000 eggs will be scattered about three fields for three age groups: preschool, kindergarten and first grade, and second and third grades. Bring your own basket or container. Free. Contact Lions club member Mike Nicholls at 707-548-2529 or mnicholls@vjbcellars.com for more details.
Francis Ford Coppola Winery Spring Egg Hunt and Carnival
The winery’s annual Spring Egg Hunt and Carnival will kick off at 11 a.m., April 19. After the egg hunt through the vineyards, head back to the winery for an all-ages carnival featuring games, live entertainment and photos with the Easter Bunny. Francis Ford Coppola Winery’s Pool Cafe will be open with a special a la carte menu. Guests are encouraged to arrive between 10-10:45 a.m., and advised to bring their own basket for the egg hunt. Tickets are $15 per child 12 and under; no tickets needed for ages 13 and over. Tickets go on sale April 4 and are limited 12 per guest.
The Geyserville Inn restaurant, Geyserville Grille, will host an Easter brunch from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The brunch menu includes crepes, ham and spinach quiche, mango salad with chicken, tuna poke nachos, Mediterranean pasta, salmon BLT and eggs Benedict with wine-infused hollandaise. Dishes come with complimentary coffee and dessert. Call 707-857-4343 (ext. 5) to make a reservation.
Big Chicken Soup (aka matzoh ball soup) at Grossman’s Deli in Santa Rosa. (Loren Hansen)Brisket at Grossman’s Deli in Santa Rosa. (Loren Hansen)
Grossman’s Passover Dinner
Grossman’s Noshery & Bar will offer a Passover dinner for pick up from April 12 through April 20. The Passover menu includes braised brisket, lamb shanks, matzoh ball soup, chicken shawarma kebabs, smoked meats and pickled fish boards, molasses roasted carrots and kosher chocolate orange sesame macaroons. Order online.
Santa Rosa’s Montgomery Village will host an Easter-themed scavenger hunt from 10 a.m. to noon, April 13. Recommended for ages 4-8, the hunt begins at Cupcake Children’s Boutique or Copperfield’s Books to pick up clue cards, which will include puzzles to solve to find items. The nearby Shake Shack will offer samples as well as a prize wheel for guests to spin for a chance to win a delicious treat.
The Bennett Valley Golf Course restaurant Iron & Vine will host two Easter brunches, at 9:30 a.m. and noon, as well as two egg hunts at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., at the restaurant and links. Brunch will include spring salad, a challah French toast station, eggs Benedict, breakfast potatoes, rosemary ham and an assorted dessert bar. Tickets are $52 for adults and $20 for children ages 3-12. Purchase brunch tickets on Eventbrite or reserve online.
The Promise Center will celebrate Easter from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Grace Pavillion at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa. The event includes an Easter service and free egg hunt. There will also be an after party with food trucks. Learn more from sponsor The Promise Center.
Eggs Benedict from chef John Ash Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
John Ash & Co. Easter Brunch
The Vintners Resort restaurant will host an Easter brunch buffet with seatings between 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., plus egg hunts and an appearance from the Easter Bunny for the little ones. The brunch menu includes a mimosa station, fresh baked goods, a raw bar with oysters and ceviche, a breakfast station with classic brunch staples and a kids station. There will also be a hot station and carving station, featuring such dishes as Pacific halibut, grilled chicken breast, lamb tagine and slow-roasted prime rib. A grand finale includes mini eclairs, tiramisu, cheese blintzes, Belgian waffles and mini cheesecakes. Brunch is $125 per person. Two separate egg hunts will be at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Reserve on OpenTable.
With many eggs already collected, this guest continues the hunt for eggs and candy during the Easter egg hunt at Safari West in Santa Rosa on Sunday, April 21, 2019. (Will Bucquoy / for The Press Democrat)Audrey, 4, and Owen Mroczka, 6, get ready to bite into Easter cupcakes at Safari West in Santa Rosa on Sunday, April 21, 2019. (Will Bucquoy / for The Press Democrat)
Safari West Easter Brunch and Hunt for the Hare
Sonoma’s Serengeti will host its annual Easter brunch, hare scavenger hunt and egg hunt, with separate times at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The brunch includes devilled eggs, French toast, glazed ham, wildflower salad, smoked salmon, vegetable medley and a made-to-order omelet bar. The popular scavenger hunt for Mr. Hare involves a “Carrot Clue Quest” in which guests “visit four designated stations, collect stamps and gather hints to uncover Mr. Hare’s secret hiding spot.” Special rewards for finding the mischievous hare include a candy treat and a $5 Kids Bunny Buck to spend at the gift shop. Tickets are $55 for adults, $35 for children 4-12 and free for toddlers 3 and under. Learn more and purchase tickets online.
3115 Porter Creek Road, Santa Rosa, 707-579-2551, safariwest.com
Flamingo Resort & Spa Easter Brunch
Flamingo Resort will host an Easter brunch buffet from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., featuring an omelet station, yogurt parfait bar and prime rib carving station. Other menu items include buttermilk pancakes, sweet potato frittata, salmon curry, mac and cheese, lemon dill chicken and roasted vegetables. Desserts include carrot cake, macarons, chocolate chip cookies and chocolate mousse tart. Brunch is $80 for adults and $35 for children 12 and under. Reserve on Tock.
Larson Family Winery will host a four-day weekend of Easter activities from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., April 17-20. The celebration will include an adult Easter egg hunt featuring eggs filled with exclusive wine and merchandise discounts. The Easter Bunny will make an appearance from noon to 3 p.m., April 20, for photo ops with the kids. Reserve on Tock.
Soroptimist International of Sonoma Valley will sponsor the annual Easter egg hunt from 10-11 a.m., April 19, on the Sonoma Plaza. Over 3,500 eggs will be scattered about four sections of the plaza, taped off for ages 2-10. Bring baskets from home. Peter Rabbit the Easter Bunny will be on the Plaza until 10:45 a.m. for photos.
Sonoma Plaza, 453 First St. E., Sonoma, 707-938-3681, sonomacity.org
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn hosts an Easter brunch buffet from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. as well as egg hunts at 10 a.m. and noon. (Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn)
Santé Easter Brunch and Egg Hunt
Santé restaurant at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa will host an Easter brunch buffet from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., which includes two egg hunts. The brunch menu includes lobster Benedict, lemon ricotta pancakes, brioche French toast, chicken and waffles, and roasted lamb chops. There will be a dessert buffet featuring strawberry cheesecake, carrot cake, passion fruit crème brûlée, lemon curd tartlets, grasshopper chocolate panna cotta and more. The Easter egg hunts will be at 10 a.m. and noon, included in brunch reservations and complimentary for hotel guests. Brunch is $125 per adult, $39 for children 6 to 12 and free for children 5 and under. Reserve on OpenTable.
Brunch at Layla restaurant at MacArthur Place Hotel and Spa in Sonoma. (Emma K Creative)
Layla Easter Brunch and Egg Hunt
Layla at MacArthur Place will host an Easter brunch along with an egg hunt starting at 11 a.m. on the estate’s Burris Lawn. Brunch will include avocado toast, buttermilk pancakes, crispy halibut sandwich, double smashburger, steak and eggs, Dungeness crab cakes and lamb pita. There will also be Wolf Coffee, Uppercase Tea, Happy Moose cold-pressed juice and special cocktails. Reserve a spot on OpenTable.
French toast with strawberry compote and candied pistachio from Wit & Wisdom in Sonoma is on the Easter brunch menu. (Courtesy Wit & Wisdom)Eggs Benedict from Wit & Wisdom in Sonoma is on the Easter brunch menu. (Courtesy Wit & Wisdom)
Wit & Wisdom Easter Brunch
Wit & Wisdom at The Lodge at Sonoma will celebrate Easter with a three-course, prix fixe brunch menu, plus a la carte items, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The menu includes shakshuka, smoked salmon tartine, short rib pop-tart, French toast, eggs Benedict, croque madame and chef Michael Mina’s lobster pot pie. There will also be a la carte seafood towers featuring oysters, shrimp, Maine lobster and red king crab. Dessert will be a self-service pastry buffet. Reserve online.
The annual Kenwood Easter Egg Hunt will start at 9 a.m., April 19, at Kenwood Plaza Park. Sponsored by the Kenwood Firefighters Association. Bring your own basket.
The annual Kenwood egg hunt on Saturday, April 31, 2018. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Salt & Stone Easter Brunch
Kenwood’s Salt & Stone will host Easter brunch with seatings available between 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Brunch entrees will be served with coffee cake, fresh fruit and choice of beverage. Reserve a spot on OpenTable.
Palooza will be open from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for an Easter Sunday brunch. Brunch specials include avocado toast, chilaquiles, hash and eggs, breakfast tacos and brunch cocktails. Reserve on Yelp.
Glen Ellen’s new Songbird Parlour will celebrate Easter with a family-style feast, with select seatings between 4:30-7 p.m. The menu includes whole roasted fish, spring vegetables, warm artisanal bread and lamb. Dinner is $89 per person. Reserve on Toast or email info@songbirdparlour.com.
Middle Eastern stuffed cabbage will be on the Passover menu at La Bodega Kitchen in Sebastopol. (Chad Surmick / The Press Democrat)
Sonoma Wine Shop & La Bodega Kitchen Passover Dinner
Rick Concoff will host a Passover dinner service from 6-9 p.m., April 12, at La Bodega in Sebastopol. The family-style feast will include a traditional Passover plate with matzo, cabbage and pistachio salad, matzo ball soup, “not” Moroccan saffron chicken, stuffed cabbage, Jerusalem artichokes, basmati rice and a Passover dessert platter. The dinner is $59 for adults and $29 for children under 12. A Passover wine tasting for four will be available for $20. Call to reserve.
The Forestville chamber of commerce will host its annual Easter egg hunt starting promptly at 10 a.m., April 13, at Forestville Youth Park. There will be milk and cookies after the hunt.
Four to 6-year-olds search for eggs and candy during the Sebastopol Kiwanis Club’s annual Easter egg hunt at Ives Park in Sebastopol, Saturday, March 30, 2024. (Kent Porter / Press Democrat)
Kiwanis Club of Sebastopol Easter Egg Hunt
The Kiwanis Club of Sebastopol will host its annual Easter egg hunt starting at 10 a.m., April 19, at Ives Park. Children of all ages are welcome to attend the free egg hunt and the Easter Bunny will be present for photo ops.
The Friends of Monte Rio and Monte Rio Union School District will present a spring celebration featuring an egg hunt from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., April 19, at Monte Rio School. There will be games, music from DJ Damien, a special appearance from the Easter Bunny and an egg drop contest involving a homemade contraption to safely cradle a raw egg.
The Russian River Chamber of Commerce will host an Easter-themed market from noon to 4 p.m., April 19, on the Guerneville Plaza. There will be music, food and local merchant booths to shop from. Learn more and register online.
Guerneville Plaza, off River Road and First Street in downtown Guerneville. russianriver.com
St. Elizabeth Church Easter Egg Hunt
St. Elizabeth Catholic Church will host an Easter egg hunt from 2-5 p.m., April 19, at Saint Hubert’s Hall and Field in Guerneville. The annual spring gathering will include food, games, raffle prizes and a coloring contest. Children under 10 are invited to participate in the egg hunt; adult supervision required. The egg hunt will be followed by an Easter vigil at 5 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Church (14095 Woodland Ave.).
The Rio Nido Roadhouse will host a grand “Easter Egg-stravaganza” from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring brunch, egg hunts and fun competitions. Easter brunch will include Mediterranean quiche, honey-baked ham, macaroni salad, roasted carrots and potatoes, and a cherry cheesecake bar. The kids brunch includes scrambled egg and ham, fresh fruit and bunny cakes. Brunch is $23 for adults and $12 for children. The egg hunt for children 6 and under starts at 10:30 a.m. and the hunt for children 7 and over starts at 11 a.m. There will be a diorama art competition on the theme of “PEEPS on vacation” (drop off art before noon). A catapult launch competition and viewing starts a noon — catapults must be homemade with no gas or forced air. There will be youth and adult prizes for competition winners.
Steak bavette will be on the Easter brunch menu at the Restaurant at Farmhouse Inn in Forestville. (Farmhouse Inn)
Farmhouse Inn Easter Brunch
The Restaurant at Farmhouse Inn will host an Easter brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., including a tea station and DIY flower arranging cart at the inn’s upper courtyard wellness lounge. Farmhouse’s three-course prix fixe brunch menu includes vichyssoise, deviled eggs, steak bavette, Dungeness crab cake, eggs Benedict, coffee and chocolate mousse, and lemon poppy seed cake. Brunch is $115.90 per person. Reserve on OpenTable.
Dinucci’s Restaurant & Bar will serve a five-course Easter brunch starting at 11 a.m. as well as lunch and dinner specials until 6:30 p.m. The menu includes minestrone soup, green garden salad, beef and spinach ravioli, honey-glazed Easter ham and Limoncello tiramisu, plus Easter cocktails. Brunch is $42 per person.
Formerly Rocker Oysterfeller’s in Valley Ford, Rocker’s Roadhouse will host a two-course Easter brunch for $38. The brunch menu includes beignets, deviled eggs, spring asparagus soup, crabcake Benedict, fried chicken and cornmeal waffles, pimento cheese smashburger and bananas Foster French toast. Tomales Bay oysters will be available as add-ons.
Tomales Bay oysters will be on the Easter brunch menu at Rocker’s Roadhouse in Valley Ford. (Courtesy of Rocker Oysterfeller’s)Remoulade Crab Louis Salad will be on the Easter brunch menu at Rocker Oysterfeller’s at Lucas Wharf in Bodega Bay. (Erik Castro / For The Press Democrat)
Rocker Oysterfeller’s at the Wharf Easter Brunch
Opened in August of last year, Rocker Oysterfeller’s at Lucas Wharf will host an Easter brunch including assorted pastries, spring harvest salad, a seafood course and choice of entree. Brunch entrees include Gulf shrimp and Carolina grits, local rock cod fish and chips, double smashburger, roasted tomato or crabcake Benedict, iron steak frites and Belgian-style cornmeal waffle. Optional add-ons include an oyster menu, caviar service and dessert cart. Brunch is $66 per adult and $18 for children under 15 (a kids menu will be available).
Drakes Sonoma Coast restaurant at The Lodge at Bodega Bay will host an Easter brunch buffet. The brunch menu includes assorted appetizer and desserts, eggs Benedict, Belgian waffles, steak and eggs, Bodega Bay crab omelet, Cuban sandwich, huevos rancheros and Creekstone Farms cheeseburger. There will also be bottomless mimosas along with a sizable beer and wine list. Brunch is $75 for adults and $49 for youth ages 13-17. An a la carte menu for children 12 and under will also be available.
The Bay View Restaurant & Lounge at The Inn at the Tides will host an Easter brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a three-course menu. Brunch features varied dishes such as bombolone (Italain jelly-filled doughnut), cream of carrot soup, lobster deviled eggs, wild mushroom omelet, chicken adobo, grilled lamb chops, carrot cake and berry panna cotta.
Coast Kitchen at Timber Cove Resort will have a special brunch menu on Easter featuring lemon poppyseed pancakes, panzanella salad, eggs Benedict, biscuits and gravy, short rib hash and more. Reserve a spot on Resy.
The farm-raised beef burger with fries will be on the Easter brunch menu at The Sea Ranch Lodge Restaurant. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
The Sea Ranch Lodge Easter Brunch
The restaurant at The Sea Ranch Lodge will have a special Easter brunch menu including classics such as avocado toast, eggs Benedict, huevos rancheros, vanilla French toast, duck confit hash, farm-raised beef burger and curried chicken salad. Reserve a seat on OpenTable.
Sarmentine is offering festive Easter specials for walk-in or pre-order. Specials include chocolate Easter Bunny log, white chocolate mousse Easter cake, hot cross buns and Easter brioche topped with Valrhona chocolate eggs. Deadline for Easter pre-orders is April 11. Place order online or over the phone for pickup at any three Sarmentine locations.
52 Mission Circle, Suite 112, Santa Rosa; 840 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma; 6760 McKinley Street, Suite 150, Sebastopol. 707-623-9595, sarmentine.com
Marla Bakery
Marla Bakery has a selection of special baked goods for Passover from April 11-13 and for Easter from April 19-20. The Passover and Easter menu includes hand-rolled matzo, spring-inspired macarons, pate de fruits, hot cross buns, flourless chocolate torte and a half dozen chocolate-dipped coconut macaroons. Items range from $12-$50. Order online for pickup.
Easter cookies from Frosty’z Bakery by Jaeden. (Courtesy Frosty’z Bakery by Jaeden)Easter cookies from Frosty’z Bakery by Jaeden. (Courtesy Frosty’z Bakery by Jaeden)
Frosty’z Bakery by Jaeden
The Sonoma County home bakery is selling Easter cookies for pickup between noon to 4 p.m., April 19, in Santa Rosa and Rohnert Park. Cookies include chicks, bunnies, Easter eggs and spring flowers. Prices range from $7.50-$50. Place orders online. Pick-up instructions and address locations will be available in confirmation email after order is placed.
Sonoma County’s Greek food truck Dino’s will be offering tsoureki, a traditional Greek Easter sweet bread similar to challah, but made with fragrant mahlepi spice (ground cherry seeds). Pre-orders open soon. Check Dino’s Facebook for upcoming details.
In time for Easter, Blondie’s Bakery has introduced its newest cupcake flavor: spiced carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. Also in the shop this spring are flower sugar cookies with colorful sprinkles.
Penngrove’s newest bakery Odd Cookie has Easter cupcakes available for preorder and pickup at the bakeshop. Some of the festive cupcakes include the vanilla chocolate chip “Hoppy Easter” topped with an M&M brownie; the coconut “Bunny Butt” topped with a carrot cake and coconut bunny bottom; and the funfetti “You Crack Me Up” topped with a breakable white chocolate egg filled with spring sprinkles.
Easter goodies from The Chocolate Cow in Sonoma. (Courtesy of The Chocolate Cow)Easter goodies from The Chocolate Cow in Sonoma. (Courtesy of The Chocolate Cow)
The Chocolate Cow
The Chocolate Cow has special boxes of Easter treats available for shipping. One box has Belgian chocolate-covered Oreos with a carrot detail on each; and the other box has an assortment of bunny truffles, pecan turtles, peanut butter cups and sea salt caramels. The Easter assortment box can come in all dark or all milk chocolate, or a mix of both. Easter boxes are $25-34 each. The chocolate shop also has giant rocky road Easter eggs, made with Belgian chocolate and stuffed with marshmallows and walnuts, at $18.95 for two. Order online for shipping.
Artisan chocolatier Fleur Sauvage currently has a selection of Easter treats for sale, including bonbons, lollipops, chocolate eggs and chocolate Easter bunnies. Email fleursauvagechocolates@gmail.com to place order for pickup.
A brass bunny filled with chocolate truffles from Fleur Sauvage in Windsor. (Fleur Sauvage)Chocolate Easter Bunny army from Volo Chocolate in Windsor. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
Volo Chocolate
This Windsor chocolate factory is offering an Easter “Egg-Flation” Busting Bunny pack, which includes a solid 62% dark milk chocolate bunny with three solid 73% deep dark chocolate eggs. The Easter pack is $17. Order online for shipping.
Downtown Bakery’s Easter menu includes hot cross buns with candied orange and raisins, brioche dinner rolls, braided brioche loaf, vanilla shortbread Easter cookies, carrot cake, lemon meringue pie and more. Order deadline is 4 p.m., April 14, for pickup from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., April 19, or from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., April 20. Pre-order online.
Costeaux French Bakery has a selection of treats and baked goods available for Easter, such as carrot cake, hot cross buns (available through April 25) and holiday shortbread cookies. Order at Costeaux locations or online for pickup in time for Easter.
Hot cross buns from Costeaux French Bakery in Healdsburg. (Costeaux French Bakery)Easter treats from Costeaux French Bakery in Healdsburg. (Costeaux French Bakery)
Patisserie Angelica
Patisserie Angelica is selling a selection of spring and Easter-themed desserts to order before the holiday. The spring dessert menu includes macarons, decorated Easter cookies, lemon egg-shaped cake, chocolate raspberry eggs, Easter-decorated spiced carrot cake, gateau Parisian and flourless chocolate souffle. Call or walk in to order. Spring hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Closed on Easter Sunday, April 20.
Lemon Lavender egg from Patisserie Angelica in Sebastopol. (Patisserie Angelica)Macaron flavors by Patisserie Angelica in Sebastopol include rose, pistachio, salted caramel, Meyer lemon and blackberry. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)
Nom Nom Cakes
Bodega Bay-based bakery Nom Nom Cakes is offering Easter specials in addition to its usual array of pies, tarts and specialty cakes. The specials include chocolate-dipped cream puffs; spring floral basket cake with buttercream flowers; bunny and spring floral cupcakes; breakable, candy-filled chocolate Easter eggs; and an Easter cookie decorating kit that has everything you need to create a dozen charming Easter-themed sugar cookies. Easter items range from $18-$150. Order online for pickup.
Famous Bay Area chocolatier See’s Candies has a vast selection of Easter candy available for shipping, delivery or pickup. Treats include chocolate bunnies, springtime truffles, jelly beans, sour bunnies gummies, limited-time spring lollipops, chocolate eggs and assorted Easter baskets and chocolate boxes. Order online or visit locations in Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa and Windsor. sees.com
We’ve seen friends nearly come to blows over where to find the best burritos in Sonoma County — everyone has a favorite taco truck or hole-in-the-wall taqueria they’re convinced has the secret sauce for making the world’s best burrito.
To help settle this ones and for all, we’ve come up with the ultimate guide to the best burritos in Sonoma County — from the obvious to the undiscovered, including one that weighs in at 8 pounds. Adding to our own opinions, we’ve previously included direct quotes from Bite Club readers and foodies who responded to our call out for “the best burritos in Sonoma County.”
Click through the above gallery for a peek at some of the best burritos in Sonoma County.
Sonoma
Sonoma Eats: The Wet Super Burrito is enough for a small family or a single teenage boy. It is stuffed with meat (we recommend the house-marinated al pastor), cheese, beans, rice and all the fixings, and comes topped with mole or salsa verde. 18133 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma, 707-343-1141, sonoma-eats.com
Juanita Juanita: We say go nuts with the Garlic Garlic Burrito and never worry about vampires again. “I’m partial to their Carnitas Pastor Tacos,” said Tony. Their Super Burrito is a favorite among locals; the next level up is the Big Ranch and the Super, grilled and topped with melted cheese and ranchero sauce. 19114 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, 707-935-3981, juanitajuanita.com
La Bamba Taco Truck: Locals swear this is the ultimate nighttime spot for tacos and some of the best burritos the town of Sonoma has to offer. Open from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Cash only. 18155 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma, 707-322-1070. Find them on Instagram
Second-generation owner Kate Bruno with the Big Ranch carne asada burrito from Juanita Juanita in Sonoma. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Santa Rosa
Chelino’s: Chelino’s Super Wet Burrito is as flavorful as it is filling. Readers recommend carne asada for this large burrito, which is topped with a spicy verde sauce or a rich mole. 1079 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-571-7478. Find them on Instagram
Cielito Lindo: “We ordered burritos (the super chicken burrito and a carnitas burrito),” said Elisa O. “They were both huge — stuffed with a lot of fresh deliciousness! We will definitely go again!” Come for the burritos and stay for the birria tacos and fresh ceviche. 52 Mission Circle, Suite 110, Santa Rosa, 707-978-2070. Find them on Instagram
Delicias Elenita Taco Truck: Authentic Mexican food served under the stars makes Delicias Elenita a fiesta after dark. “Their super steak burrito is not only mouthwatering delicious, but is also cheap and affordable,” said Paul. 816 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa, 707-575-7021. Find them on Facebook
El Patio: “Burritos and breakfast burritos are probably some of the best in our great city of Santa Rosa,” said Brooks. “My burrito was practically the size of a brick,” said Ricardo, who ordered the Pork Chile Verde Super Burrito. “They did not skimp on anything, including the star of the show, which was the pork.” 425 Stony Point Road, Santa Rosa, elpatio1.com; 901 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-571-2222, elpatio2.com
La Palapa: “By far the best burrito I have ever had anywhere is the wet Terminator with Diabla Sauce at La Palapa. It is enough for two people and then some,” said Bite Club reader PepperHead. 590 Lewis Road, Santa Rosa, 707-569-9210, lapalapamexicanrestaurant.com
Mole burrito at La Fondita in Santa Rosa. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
La Fondita: This downtown cantina brings the fiesta (and some of the best burritos in Sonoma County) to downtown Santa Rosa. The shrimp burrito is awesome, along with the Mole burrito. La Fondita is open until 1 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. 816 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa, 707-526-0881
Los Arcos: Los Arcos receives high praise from Facebook fans as a place to get a satisfying meat-egg-and-potato-stuffed breakfast burrito, with the chorizo breakfast burrito being among the most highly recommended. The McDougall Deluxe Burrito is a great veggie option. 1791 Marlow Road, Suite 6, Santa Rosa, 707-545-5858, losarcosrestaurantsr.com
Lola’s Market (various locations): Latino grocer with family-friendly prices and solid carnitas. “Huge and great prices, too,” said Michelle. 1680 Petaluma Hill Road, Santa Rosa, 707-571-7579; 440 Dutton Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-577-8846; 241 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma, 707-762-2112; 102 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg 707-433-1978; 2750 Old Sonoma Road, Napa, 707-251-1698, lolasmarkets.com
Los Tres Chiles: The “No Manches” burrito is about the size of 10 regular burritos. It weighs in at 8 pounds and is 15 inches long. If you can eat it in 60 minutes, it’s free. Otherwise, it’s $44.95. 2765 Yulupa Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-304-5724, lostreschiles.com
Taqueria El Favorito: If you’re looking for Mission-style burritos, head to El Favorito on Sebastopol Road. “Get the super burrito al pastor,” said Crystal, “I would show you a pic, but I ate it with the voracity of a honey badger eating a cobra. Sorry.” 565 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa, 707-526-7444, elfarolitosf.com
Taqueria Las Palmas: This unassuming taqueria off Santa Rosa Avenue is a sleeper, but is popular among authentic Mexican street food fans and off-duty chefs. Carne asada and al pastor burritos are a go-to. “It is HUGE and packed with perfectly tender and flavorful asada, refried beans, rice, avocado, sour cream and salsa with just a hint of fresh lime juice,” said Walt about the Super Burrito with carne asada. 415 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-546-3091
Zoftig Eatery: Zoftig’s Korean BBQ Burrito is a food truck mashup stuffed with Stemple Creek Ranch grass-fed ground beef, kimchi, daikon and short-grain brown rice inside a tortilla. It’s rib-sticking and hearty — not for dainty eaters. Our never-quite-full-enough digital editor gives it a thumbs up. 57 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-521-9554, zoftigeatery.com
Korean Burrito with ground beef, Korean barbecue sauce, avocado, jalapeno, pickled daikon and carrot, organic brown rice and kimchi at Zoftig in Santa Rosa. (Chris Hardy/For Sonoma Magazine)
Rohnert Park
Don Julios: This secret little gem is well-known for its pupusas, but readers really love the burritos as well. “You MUST try their al pastor. I’ve eaten at a lot of burrito spots and drive further for this place. Please. Try it,” said Brent. The Camarones Tropical Burrito with sautéed prawns, homemade Spanish rice and fresh tropical mango salsa is pretty delish, too. 217 Southwest Blvd., Rohnert Park, 707-242-3160, donjulioslatingrill.com
Petaluma
Mi Pueblo: The Macho, with meat, rice, cheese, sour cream, onion, cilantro, salsa, tomatoes, refried beans and guacamole, gets the wet treatment with a splash of “burrito sauce.” The Padre doubles the amount in the Macho; the Gordo triples it. 7384 Commerce Blvd., Cotati, mipueblocotati.com; 800 Petaluma Blvd. North, Petaluma, eatmipueblopetaluma.com
El Roy’s (various locations): “Finally a burrito spot that lives up to the hype,” said Damien. “I’m only mad about the fact that I didn’t eat here sooner. It’s practically perfect, I can’t think of a bad thing to say.” Shrimp Super Burrito and Carne Asada Super Burrito are popular picks. 401 E. Washington St. and 175 Fairgrounds Drive, Petaluma; 1569 Sebastopol Road, 2728 Santa Rosa Ave. and 505 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa, elroysxpressmex.com
Healdsburg
Coastal Burrito from Agave Healdsburg with whole wheat tortilla, grilled fish and seasonal vegetables, black beans, cheese, avocado, and covered with salsa fresca. (Agave Healdsburg)
Agave: This restaurant from brothers Octavio and Pedro Diaz serves up a Diego’s Burrito that is a favorite among our Facebook followers. It features al pastor, grilled onions, peppers, mushrooms, organic potatoes, sour cream, guacamole and melted Monterey jack cheese. Regular and super burritos are available, too. 1063 Vine St., Healdsburg, 707-433-2411, agavehealdsburg.com
Casa del Mole: The Super Burrito Al Pastor is a favorite at this market and taqueria from the Diaz brothers. But you’re really here for the mole, which is prepared the old-fashioned way with dozens of ingredients, including Mexican chocolate. 434 Center St., Healdsburg, 707-433-4138, casadelmoletogo.com
Gallina D’Oro: The owners of Healdsburg’s El Farolito have renamed (and revamped the menu) of the longtime restaurant to Gallina D’Oro. The Barbacoa Burrito, with slow-cooked shredded beef and all the fixings, deserves a spot on our list of best burritos. 128 Plaza St., Healdsburg, 707-433-2807, gallinadoro.com
Taqueria Guadalajara: “Try the Burrito Manadero! It has the best mole sauce!” said Sue. “It rivals a Mission (San Francisco) burrito — the gold standard,” said Christopher. “Chili Verde Burrito, best avo-green salsa,” said Tina. 125 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-433-1052, ordertaqueriaguadalajara.com
Guerneville
Guerneville Taco Truck: No one really remembers what this popular food truck is actually called (it seems almost too easy that it’s simply the “Guerneville Taco Truck”). What they do remember is that they have the best burritos around. Usually parked in front of Safeway. 16405 Highway 116, Guerneville, guernevilletacotruck.com
Maci Martell and Owen Ruderman contributed to this article.
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)
Hidden deep within rural west county is a restaurant you’ve visited a hundred times or have never heard of.
Locally, it’s legendary, a longtime favorite of wine industry folk who stop in for a beer after a long day among the vines and barrels of Green Valley. No one bats an eye when someone wearing dusty boots and Carhartt pants walks through the door.
Underwood Bistro is part of the fabric of Graton, having weathered nearly 25 years in the volatile restaurant industry. Built on the bones of a former roadhouse and watering hole, it’s retained its familiar come-as-you-are charm. Once inside, however, diners are transported to a Parisian-style bistro with long banquettes, bentwood chairs, a nickel-topped bar and soft yellow lighting that gives it an all-day sunset glow.
Opened in 2001 by San Francisco transplant and former chef Matthew Greenbaum, the menu has always featured brasserie classics like French onion soup, steak frites, cauliflower gratin and duck leg confit. But the kitchen is equally adept at tapas-style Mediterranean dishes and maybe a surprise Thai dish or two in the last few years.
It’s never been easy to pinpoint Underwood’s exact focus — “global tapas” doesn’t do it justice — but more importantly, there are always familiar favorites to revisit. Open for dinner until 9:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, it’s also a rare late-night spot.
Flat Iron Steak Frites with mushroom-shallot butter, arugula, chipotle steak sauce and frites from Underwood Bar and Bistro Friday, March 21, 2025, in Graton. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Chef Mark Miller has helmed the kitchen for 20 years, creating food that pairs perfectly with the region’s cool-climate Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays and adding his touches to the menu — most notably authentic Thai dishes.
On his first trip to Southeast Asia in the early 1990s, he fell in love with the hallmark sweet, sour and salty flavors of Thai cuisine — so much so that he began cooking in a Thai kitchen, learning how to make authentic curries, sauces and wok-fired dishes.
“I started going back every year — sometimes twice a year. Working in a Thai kitchen just changed me,” Miller said.
And while a few Thai dishes began appearing on the Underwood menu over the years, it wasn’t until COVID-19 that Thai cuisine became a secret specialty for in-the-know locals.
Hat Yai Fried Chicken with sticky rice, cucumber salad and sweet and sour sauce with a Mucho Micho cocktail from Underwood Bar and Bistro Friday, March 21, 2025, in Graton. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)Chef Mark Miller’s Lord of the Rice competition winner: Nam Khao Tod, Lao-Thai Crispy Rice Salad with the popular Pineapple Express cocktail with a sprig of Thai basil Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, from Underwood Bar and Bistro in Graton. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
As restaurants shifted to takeout-only during the early months of the pandemic, Underwood moved to an all-Thai menu to simplify takeout. Cheeseburgers just don’t travel as well as pad Thai, said Miller. Locals not only loved it, they lined up for it.
“It just took off,” he said. With few choices for any type of Asian cuisine in west county, flavorful dishes like pad thai, crispy rice salad, Thai lettuce cups and Thai-style fried chicken gained a following.
In the years since, the Underwood menu has returned to its lineup of European tapas-style dishes — though Thai fan favorites have remained.
This year, he hopes to do a Thai pop-up featuring some of his favorite recipes, happy to have an excuse to fire up the wok and cook what he loves.
Pad Thai from Underwood Bar and Bistro Friday, March 21, 2025, in Graton. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Fun Fact: Pad thai is the number one seller among Thai dishes. “I’m not sure why, but we serve hundreds of them each week,” Miller said.
The Vibe: The bar is the heart of the restaurant and a great place to hang out if you’re going solo. The dining room is cozy, with tables for two and four — but it can get loud at night. The secluded outdoor patio is excellent for a lunch rendezvous or brunch with your dog.
A couple celebrate their anniversary in one of the two patio dining areas available for pets at Underwood Bar and Bistro Friday, March 21, 2025, in Graton. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
The Food: Chou-fleur, a cauliflower gratin, is a must-try — even if you hate cauliflower. No one can hate that much butter and cheese on anything. Salads are a specialty, and they’re all worth trying. The French frisse aux lardons salad has bitter greens, a poached egg and pancetta. You can’t go wrong with entrées, but the pad grapao moo is excellent. This unique Thai dish has spicy ground pork, a fried egg, pungent fish sauce with lime juice and jasmine rice. Hat Yai fried chicken is a revelation.
Pad Grapao Moo with spicy stir fried ground pork, long beans, Thai-style fried egg, prik nam pla and jasmine rice from Underwood Bar and Bistro Friday, March 21, 2025, in Graton. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)The view into the bar from the main dining room at Underwood Bar and Bistro Friday, March 21, 2025, in Graton. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
The Perks: An excellent classic cocktail list.
The Tab: Appetizers are $12-$15, and with a cocktail are a nice light choice. Salads are $13 to $24, and entrées from $24 to $36 (steak is $55). The range of prices makes it affordable for most, but you can certainly splurge.
The Service: Overall excellent, with props to the bar staff. Wait times are reasonable, even on busy nights.
The Bohème Wines tasting room in Occidental. (Jerry Dodrill / Bohème Wines)
Named for the Bohemian Highway that twists and turns its way through Sonoma’s majestic Northern Coast Range of redwoods, Bohème Wines is an unexpected find in laid-back downtown Occidental. The winery specializes in fresh and focused Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, inspired by cool-climate Sonoma Coast vineyard sites.
The story
Kurt Beitler founded Bohème Wines in 2004, but his winemaking origin story begins decades earlier. As the grandson of Caymus Vineyards founder Charlie Wagner and the nephew of co-founder Chuck Wagner, Beitler spent his early years among the vines in Napa. Although his family moved to Oregon when Beitler was still a child, the vines — and his uncle Chuck — would eventually call him back to the North Coast.
Kurt Beitler, founder of Bohème Wines, in a foggy coastal vineyard. (Jerry Dodrill / Bohème Wines)
Beitler spent summers as a preteen working on the Caymus bottling line and in 1999, Wagner encouraged his nephew to pursue a career in winemaking. Beitler started in the vineyards, learning the intricacies of winegrowing, and found that he loved working outdoors and tending the vines. Still, he wasn’t a big wine drinker in those early days; it took a few special wines from the Sonoma Coast — including William Selyem’s Summa Vineyard Pinot Noir and Littorai wines from the late ’90s — to light the spark of inspiration.
In 2004, Beitler founded his own winery focused on cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from four Sonoma Coast vineyards, including English Hill, Stuller, Taylor Ridge and Occidental Hills. He makes just 2,500 cases per year.
At English Hill Vineyard by the Sonoma Coast. (Jerry Dodrill / Bohème Wines)The Bohème Wines tasting room in Occidental. (Jerry Dodrill / Bohème Wines)
The vibe
Bohème’s tasting room is set in a small storefront on Occidental’s Main Street, outfitted with a few tables and a leather sofa, plus a casual stand-up tasting bar. Stunning large-scale photos of Bohème’s fog-shrouded vineyards adorn the walls, hinting at hidden landscapes just up the road from the tasting room. When he’s not out in the vineyards, the affable Beitler can often be found pouring wines for guests.
On the palate
Though Beitler enjoyed bolder wines in his younger days — he grew up on Caymus, after all — he makes his own Pinot and Chardonnay in a more delicate and reserved style. Alcohol levels are kept on the modest side and the wines are fermented until no residual sugar remains.
A bottle of 2021 Bohème Wines English Hill Vineyard Chardonnay. (Bohème Wines)A bottle of 2021 Bohème Wines Stuller Vineyard Pinot Noir. (Bohème Wines)
A standout for me is the 2021 English Hill West Sonoma Coast Chardonnay ($49), with its ocean-inspired minerality and floral notes. The 2021 Taylor Ridge Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir ($63) is another beauty, with a delicate profile that taps you on the shoulder and whispers of juicy pomegranates. The 2021 Stuller Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir ($63) is Bohème’s darkest Pinot, combining black fruits, earthy notes and complex tannins.
It’s common these days for Sonoma and Napa wineries to charge $50 or more for tastings, but Bohème doesn’t charge a thing. Beitler said he appreciates that people want to come in and sample his wines, and he wouldn’t feel right asking them to pay for it. Besides, he said, “Occidental is just not that kind of place.”
Kurt Beitler, founder of Bohème Winesin Occidental. (Jerry Dodrill / Bohème Wines)The Grove of Old Trees, an old-growth redwood grove with walking trails, near Occidental. (Alvin Jornada/The Press Democrat)
Beyond the bottle
Get a taste of the redwoods near Bohème with a hike at the Grove of Old Trees. This lovely old-growth Coast Redwood forest was set to be cut down in the 1990s before the LandPaths conservancy saved it from the saw. Now visitors can explore an easily accessible network of paths and trails in this privately owned grove.
3625 Main St., Occidental, 707-887-2287. Open from noon to 6 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. bohemewines.com
Tina Caputo is a wine, food and travel journalist who contributes to Sonoma magazine, SevenFifty Daily, Visit California, Northern California Public Media, KQED and more. Follow her on Bluesky at @winebroad.bsky.social, view her website at tinacaputo.com, and email her story ideas at tina@caputocontent.com.
Prince Edward Island Steamed Mussels with chorizo, in a sofrito sauce at the Fig Cafe in Glen Ellen. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
The former Fig Cafe in Glen Ellen will bloom into a new restaurant this spring, appropriately called Poppy.
“The Fig Cafe had a wonderful run,” said John Toulze, managing partner of The Girl and The Fig and the forthcoming Poppy. After 20 years in the community, Toulze said it was time for a new concept.
The restaurant won’t veer wildly off course from the café, which was known for its mix of California-Mediterranean cuisine. Instead, Poppy will celebrate the classic French dishes Toulze and Fig founder Sondra Bernstein loved about their trips to the south of France over the last 25 years — with plenty of California touches.
“It’s a return to where we started. Simple, ingredient-driven food with that original passion that was France,” he said.
Chicken Paillard with blue lake beans, mashed potatoes and lemon caper sauce from the Fig Cafe in Glen Ellen. The new Poppy in the former Fig Cafe space will celebrate classic French dishes. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)The girl & the fig founder Sondra Bernstein with President/COO John Toulze. The business partners will open a new restaurant in April called Poppy in the former Fig Cafe in Glen Ellen. (Erik Castro / for The Press Democrat)
While the menu is still in final development, dishes like duck liver terrine, Coquilles Saint Jacques, roasted rabbit, and chicken with wild mushrooms will likely appear. Poppy will also offer family-style prix fixe dinners Wednesday through Friday with four courses. Each night, a single entrée, such as roasted lamb, cassoulet or flounder Meuniere, will be offered. Wine will be included in the price.
“We want to focus on value, with everything included,” Toulze said.
The Fig Cafe quietly closed in December 2024, and renovations quickly began on the historic Glen Ellen location.
“We are completely reimagining the space; the colors, the textures, the experience,” he said.
Poppy is slated to open in late April. 13690 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen, 707-938-2130, poppyglenellen.com
A greenhouse where Novavine, a plant nursery in Sonoma County, grows produce for the Redwood Empire Food Bank. (Redwood Empire Food Bank)
Grapevine nursery owner Jay Jensen had a problem.
Grapevines are a seasonal product, and his 120,000 square feet of greenhouses in Sonoma Valley were unused from late June through January. The team that worked in those greenhouses were not as busy for half the year, too. That is, until Jensen happened to sit next to a board member of the Redwood Empire Food Bank at a local event. The two business leaders started chatting, and Jensen realized those empty square feet — and the expertise of his professional horticulturists — could be put to good use in the off-season, growing food.
Jensen and his team at Novavine started their pilot program in late June 2024, using about 5,000 square feet of empty greenhouse space for vegetables and herbs to donate to the food bank. The nursery’s horticulturists set up arrays of 5-gallon containers and trained the vegetables vertically up trellises strung from the top of the greenhouse.
A greenhouse where Novavine, a plant nursery in Sonoma County, grows produce for the Redwood Empire Food Bank. (Redwood Empire Food Bank)
“When you walked in, it was a jungle of all these plants growing up the strings, reaching for the light,” says Jensen. “It was a great thing to see, especially when they were loaded up with all these beautiful peppers and tomatoes.”
The team farmed several thousand pounds of tomatillos, peppers, cilantro, tomatoes and green onions to donate — and Jensen was able to keep his workforce employed through the season.
“It felt like it was meant to be,” says Alison Smith, chief operations officer of the Redwood Empire Food Bank. “It was a complete alignment, tapping into the community in this way. For Jay, he wanted to keep his team engaged and do good — it was about family, his workforce, his community.”
Smith explains that the food bank targets fresh produce for 50% of what they distribute to local families. A lot of healthy produce is available in summer, but there’s less around in late fall and at the holidays — right when the greenhouse crop, planted in June, was at peak production. Another bonus: the Novavine produce could be distributed just a few miles from where it was grown. And the quality and variety was top-notch, including several veggies and herbs not often available to food bank clients.
Peppers, grown at Novavine plant nursery, to be donated to the Redwood Empire Food Bank. (Redwood Empire Food Bank)Produce to be donated to the Redwood Empire Food Bank, grown by the horticulturists at Novavine. (Redwood Empire Food Bank)
“We get a lot of potatoes and onions. Tomatoes, sometimes. Tomatillos, rarely. Cilantro, never,” says Smith. “So our clients were really happy.”
This season, the Novavine team plans to double or triple the amount of growing space, yielding tens of thousands of pounds of vegetables to distribute. They are applying for grants to defray a few of the costs. And Redwood Empire Food Bank is touting the program’s synergies to other regional food banks, to see if there are plant nurseries in other communities with unused greenhouse space in the off-season.
By the end of June, when grapevine season is over, there will be another round of veggies starting up the trellises inside the Novavine greenhouses.
“I’ve had a business in this community for 27 years,” says Jensen. “And even in this community, hunger is more of a problem than any one of us would like to admit. This is a program that everybody feels good about.”
Novavine, 6735 Sonoma Highway, Santa Rosa, 707-539-5678, novavine.com
A dinner spread at SingleThread in Healdsburg. (John Troxell / Sonoma County Tourism)
Wine Country is known for its world-class cuisine. Now, two of the region’s Michelin-starred restaurants also are getting recognized for the amounts of cash diners shell out to experience their food.
An elegantly presented dish at the three-Michelin-starred SingleThread in Healdsburg. (John Troxell/Sonoma County Tourism)An open kitchen design allows the guest to watch the creation of their meal at SingleThread restaurant in Healdsburg. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
SingleThread, a three-Michelin-starred restaurant and inn in downtown Healdsburg, offers a 10-course Kaiseki-style tasting menu that ranges from $425 to $500 per person, depending on the day of the week.
Opened by Kyle and Katina Connaughton nearly a decade ago, the restaurant quickly rose to prominence — earning two Michelin stars in 2018 and achieving the coveted third star the following year. In 2024, it was recognized on the prestigious World’s 50 Best Restaurants list for the fourth time in a row.
Nearby, the Connaughtons operate a 24-acre working farm that supplies the restaurant with seasonal ingredients central to its Japanese-influenced, hyper-local approach. Above the restaurant, a five-room inn offers guests an immersive experience, recently earning Three Keys from the Michelin Guide in recognition of its elevated hospitality.
Accommodations at SingleThread Inn in Healdsburg. (Sonoma County Tourism)
Restaurant reservations are released at 9 a.m. on the first of each month via OpenTable, for the following month’s availability. A prepayment in full is required to confirm a booking, and cancellations or rescheduling are not permitted. Guests can also pre-select beverage pairings through OpenTable or order them tableside during their visit.
Just across the county line in Napa Valley, The French Laundry in Yountville offers a lavish multi-course tasting menu — one of the most iconic dining experiences in the country.
Laura Cunningham, left, and the chef Thomas Keller, partners in the French Laundry and Per Se, in the kitchen of the French Laundry in Yountville, Calif., Nov. 20, 2024. (Aya Brackett/The New York Times)Seared skate wing with an ethereal saffron-vanilla emulsion served at the French Laundry in Yountville, Calif., Nov. 20, 2024. (Aya Brackett/The New York Times)
Opened in 1994 by acclaimed chef Thomas Keller, The French Laundry is housed in a historic stone building that once served as a 1920s French steam laundry. The 1,600-square-foot space dates back to 1900, when it was constructed as a saloon. Keller discovered the property in the early 1990s while searching for a space to realize his dream of bringing refined French cuisine to Napa Valley.
The French Laundry’s menu changes daily but remains steadfastly committed to classical French techniques and seasonal ingredients of the highest quality. It has held Michelin’s highest honor — three stars — since 2007, helping to make Keller the only American-born chef to simultaneously operate two restaurants with that distinction: The French Laundry in California and Per Se in New York.
“Salade rouge” with beets, olive oil panna cotta and pomegranate seeds served at the French Laundry in Yountville, Nov. 20, 2024. (Aya Brackett/The New York Times)
In 2023, English food review and recipe website Lovefood named it California’s “most famous” restaurant, and recommended it as one of the 50 places in the country that diners should experience at least once in their lives.
Guests can choose from several dining options, all requiring prepaid reservations. GoBankingRates stated The French Laundry’s tasting menu starts at $390 per person; however, the restaurant’s Tock page has reservations starting at $425 per person. Private dining spaces are also available for $600 per person. For an even more exclusive experience, The French Laundry offers occasional special events, such as its Black Truffle & Caviar Dinner, priced at $1,200 per person.
The French Laundry, 6640 Washington St., Yountville, 707-944-2380, thomaskeller.com/tfl
The Floathouse on the Petaluma River was moved across the basin to accommodate dock construction. Photographed on Monday, June 17, 2024. (Crissy Pascual / Petaluma Argus-Courier)
Chock full of charming, historic buildings filled with shops and a lively food and beverage scene, downtown Petaluma is the definition of hip these days. You likely know it’s famous for butter and eggs and has served as a backdrop for locally filmed movies. But do you know anything about the Petaluma River?
It’s next to impossible to miss when you come into town; you’ve probably paused to watch someone frolic along the river, maybe even snapped a photo. With summer in our sights, now’s the time to make a splash of your own — and The Floathouse makes it easy.
“We call it Petaluma’s longest park. We’re so lucky that we’re a farm town with a river,” said Maggie Hohle, who juggles social media and a bit of programming along with guiding a new kayaking tour for The Floathouse, a boating community center of sorts created by the nonprofit Petaluma Small Craft Center.
A stop along The Floathouse’s “Paddle the Petaluma: Turn to the River” tour. Guide Maggie Hohle is holding a photo of the “Golden Eagle” tugboat towing a barge underneath the Washington Street Bridge. The photo was taken around 1938. (Dana Rebmann)
Located on floating docks in downtown Petaluma, steps from the John Balshaw River Walk Bridge (otherwise known as the Footbridge), The Floathouse rents a multitude of human-powered watercraft. From kayaks and rowboats to canoes, paddleboards and water bikes, there’s more than a dozen beginner-friendly watercraft ready to propel a fun-filled day on the water.
But there’s more to The Floathouse than just equipment rentals. A dedicated group of volunteers organizes everything from beginning paddleboarding (SUP) classes and summer camps to full moon paddles and river races. In partnership with Sonoma County Tourism’s new collection of offerings called Signature Experiences, The Floathouse recently launched a guided kayak tour called “Paddle the Petaluma: Turn to the River.”
Floating along with an assortment of laminated, black-and-white historical photographs, Hohle demonstrates how our relationship with the Petaluma River has evolved throughout the years. Whether it’s listening to a Coast Miwok elder’s compelling reading of wildlife observations made a century ago; learning that the Petaluma River was crucial to exporting wheat to England long before eggs floated down the waterway; or simply spotting a green heron pondering lunch — floating atop a kayak offers a unique opportunity to soak in the river’s past while appreciating its booming recreational revival.
The Floathouse in its temporary location near the John Balshaw River Walk Bridge in Petaluma. (Dana Rebmann)
Paddlers also glean some gee-whiz facts. Did you know Petaluma was home to the world’s first and only chicken pharmacy? Perhaps a more important detail — the Petaluma River isn’t actually a river. It’s a tidal slough.
You’ll spend about 90 minutes on the water, but don’t let that fool you into thinking this is a strenuous endeavour. It’s a gentle paddle on water that’s well-known as a safe and tranquil spot for first-timers to learn skills. All told, you’ll cover about two miles. The hardest part of the tour is getting into the kayak at the dock, but The Floathouse staff are pros at keeping guests dry and smiling. The “Paddle the Petaluma: Turn to the River” is being offered once or twice a month through September.
The Petaluma River stretches roughly 13 miles south from downtown Petaluma to the top of San Pablo Bay. On the tour, you never lose sight of downtown, but the experience just might inspire another day on the water.
“It’s your river. Come out and play,” said Hohle. “We will find something that makes you feel comfortable.”
Aluxa Lalicker of Clavey Paddlesports participates in a yoga paddleboard demonstration during the annual Day on the River event in downtown Petaluma. (Ramin Rahimian)
As an added perk, guests on the “Paddle the Petaluma: Turn to the River” tour receive an assortment of discounts, good at local businesses including The Yoga Post, Grand Central Café and TAPS on the River beer garden and restaurant.
The Floathouse is currently open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with days expanding as we head into summer. However, events are also offered on weekdays and evenings, and group outings are available by appointment. Follow @thefloathousepetaluma on Instagram for the latest updates.
Sonoma County Signature Experiences
Wine may be what put Sonoma County on the map, but the Signature Experiences recently unveiled by Sonoma County Tourism are meant to showcase the diversity of our backyard. There are nine in total, and while they’re aimed at visitors, locals shouldn’t rule them out.
Along with paddling the Petaluma River, you can go foraging along the Sonoma Coast, sign up for hands-on experience in cheese making, or go behind the scenes to learn about animal care at Safari West private wildlife preserve.
Kelsey Russell, left, and Marie Bran of The Tulip Girls at Sequoia Floral in Santa Rosa, February 4, 2024. (Chad Surmick / The Press Democrat)
Marie Bran and Kelsey Russell of The Tulip Girls have a meet-cute story that’s hard to top for a couple in their profession: they got to know each other while working at Sequoia Floral, the Santa Rosa wholesale floral supplier, and their first date was making flower crowns together.
The pair, who teach occasional pop-up classes at Sequoia Floral and enjoy working on events and weddings with other queer couples, say Sonoma’s tight-knit floral community has been a boon to their young business.
“We chose the name The Tulip Girls because we both love tulips — and because we really wanted to highlight that we are women-owned,” explains Bran.
Springtime has some of their favorite blooms in season, like hellebores and flowering branches, says Russell. March and April are also a bit of a pause, coming between the two busy floral holidays of Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day, which allows the couple time to get out and explore the county. thetulipgirls.com
Kelsey Russell, left, and Marie Bran of The Tulip Girls at Sequoia Floral in Santa Rosa, Feb. 4, 2024. (Chad Surmick / The Press Democrat)The lobby at Flamingo Resort & Spa in Santa Rosa. (Flamingo Resort)
On the second Saturday of each month, they head to The Flamingo Resortfor Lush, a queer dance party with DJ Dyops. “It’s super-welcoming — like the most chaotic and fun and safe dance party ever,” says Russell. The Flamingo Resort & Spa, 2777 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. 707-545-8530, flamingoresort.com
One of the highlights of their season is the Petaluma Spring Antique Faire, this year on Sunday, April 27. Held across downtown, the event “is loaded with amazing booths,” says Russell, who grew up in Petaluma. Floral frogs and tools, old records, and botanical prints are some of her favorite finds. petalumadowntown.com/antique-show
The couple rarely misses Tuesday night trivia at Penngrove’s Twin Oaks Roadhouse. Tacos and veggie bowls are on order, plus delicious blackberry margaritas with housemade cocktail syrup. “You feel like you’re part of a really small town when you’re there — like Gilmore Girls,” says Bran. 5745 Old Redwood Hwy., Penngrove. 707-795-5118, hopmonk.com/twin-oaks
At Twin Oaks Roadhouse in Penngrove. (Sonoma County Tourism)Interior of Sebastopol’s Fern Bar, a vibe-y lounge and restaurant with astounding craft cocktails and super shareable plates for the table. (Sonoma County Tourism)
“Fern Barin Sebastopol is so pretty, with the drinks and all the plants as decor,” says Bran. “And they have the best burgers. Like, if you’d never had a burger before in your life, this would be the burger you’d want to have.” At The Barlow, 6780 Depot St., Sebastopol. 707-861-9603, fernbar.com
Russell and Bran appreciate working with local blooms. “The more you can shorten the distance from field to vase, the better,” says Russell, who studied plant science and horticulture at Cal Poly. Favorite sources include Austin Ranch Flowersin Santa Rosa (austinranchflowers.com) and Gratitude Gardens in Sebastopol (gratitudegardensfarm.com).
