Guitar maker Maegen Wells, 32, in her home-based workshop in Forestville. Wells says that it’s always hard parting with her guitars once they’re finished and ready for the client. (Erik Castro/for Sonoma Magazine)
This article was originally published in Sonoma Magazine in 2021.
To understand Maegen Wells’ devotion to building guitars, it helps to know three things: One, she named her dog Lulu, short for lutherie, the art of making guitars. Two, she has a tattoo on her left arm of a blueprint for an archtop guitar. And three, her retirement plan comes in the form of rare wood, specially cut in sections that will allow her to make a one-of-a-kind custom guitar every five years until she hangs up her chisel.
“This is my calling,” she says. “It wasn’t a choice at all.”
Wells picked up her first guitar at the age of 7 and began writing songs at 9, dreaming of becoming the next Lisa Loeb. But it was an epiphany at 17, when she first held a Taylor guitar, that led the 32-year-old Michigan native to head straight out of high school to the Galloup School of Lutherie.
After apprenticeships with Reverend Guitars in the Midwest and veteran luthier Tom Ribbecke in Healdsburg, she moved to Forestville, where she now lives in a grove of redwoods near the Russian River.
Meet Maegen Wells and fellow Sonoma County luthier Bruce Sexauer in this video, produced by Joshua Dylan Mellars for NorCal Public Media.
Sheltering at home during the Covid-19 pandemic allowed Wells a rare chance to skip her annual tour of guitar conventions and focus solely on creating in her workshop, a lower-level sanctuary in her house that was once a speakeasy during Prohibition (and still has the bar footrest to prove it).
Wells also crafts mandolins, but her passion lies in the archtop guitar— the wide, hollow-body six-string with an arched top instead of a flat one, known for its super-rich clarity from note to note. It’s what you might picture when you hear a Wes Montgomery or George Benson jazz guitar solo. But they’re also prevalent in rock, rockabilly, and country.
Guitar maker Maegen Wells, 32, adjusting the bridge of one of her small body archtop acoustic guitars in her home-based workshop in Forestville. (Erik Castro/for Sonoma Magazine)
Wells’ guitars emerge from a range of woods: mahogany, ebony, maple, walnut, sapele, and koa, and sell for around $9,000 each. When Wells picks up a piece of wood, the first thing she does is scratch it. “That’s when the conversation begins,” she says. “The entire time, me and the wood and the tools are talking. The tools are kind of the translator between me and the materials.”
While working with a hand plane to carve the top, she can hear and feel the pitch change with each carve. It will be at least “another 400 steps” until she strings and strums the guitar for the first time.
With over a decade dedicated to her craft, it now takes about 250 hours to make a guitar, and “a lot of Buckethead,” she says, name-dropping the eccentric guitar virtuoso she often listens to while working in the shop.
A few years ago, Wells scored six sets of wood from an East Coast dealer who stumbled on a rare Honduran mahogany tree in Southern Mexico that bore a flamed “fiddleback” pattern. The pattern was so distinct and unusual, it became known simply as “the Fiddleback Tree” and all the wood sold out quickly. Wells made her first guitar from the tree in 2018 and sold it for $13,000. Her plan is to make a guitar from the tree every five years until she retires, waiting 10 years to make the final installment.
“By the time I’m 60 and I finish that last guitar, it will be bittersweet,” she says. “But it will represent my life and how I evolved as the wood evolved.
Fried chicken and French fries from Bonchon Korean Fried Chicken. (Bonchon)
Bonchon: A Korean fried chicken chain (launched in Korea in 2002), is the latest entrant into the local fast-casual game.
Sonoma County is an island when it comes to fast-casual franchises.
Certainly, we’ve welcomed many of them in recent years, from Five Guys to Chipotle and the recently opened Shake Shack, but fortunately, locally owned restaurants still have the upper hand. And that’s a good thing.
But a straightforward burger can be a relief after a steady diet of tweezer food and overly earnest menus. You don’t have to ponder it; you just eat it. And while I admit to a mixed history of breathlessly overhyping spots like Sonic (drinks rock, burgers not so much) and under-appreciating a solid entrant like Habit Burger (I don’t get it), I’ve picked a winner.
Bonchon: A Korean fried chicken chain (launched in Korea in 2002), is the latest entrant into the local fast-casual game.
As I write this, I am being powered by leftover pickled daikon and pork buns.
At Bonchon Korean Fried Chicken. (Bonchon Korean Fried Chicken)
I first tried their ultra-crispy wings, drumsticks and nuggets a few years ago in the South Bay. If you’re a fan of the sweet, sticky, garlicky-glazed Korean fried chicken genre, you’ll understand the hype. Paired with sauces including creamy cucumber wasabi, spicy Korean sauce, Japanese mayo and good old Ranch, you’re talking about some seriously crave-worthy poultry.
But that’s not where the menu ends.
The bulgogi, a marinated beef and onion dish, is a contender on its own, but as a topping for French fries (add melted cheese, a spicy mayo drizzled and green onions) it’s even better.
At Bonchon Korean Fried Chicken. (Bonchon Korean Fried Chicken)
Don’t miss the pork steamed buns. These little pillows of bao have a crisp slice of pork belly, coleslaw, spicy mayo and katsu sauce.
Another favorite was the Korean doughnuts, two big twists of fried dough slathered with cinnamon sugar, served with a “sweet cream” dipping sauce that tastes remarkably similar to condensed milk.
Bonchon staff are still getting the hang of frying up chicken to order, and service can be slow, but put on your patient hat, and you’ll be pleasantly rewarded.
Nechi Sake poured into a vessel which overflows into a cup from Taste of Tea in Healdsburg. (photo by John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Here are two food events to look forward to in March:
Healdsburg Crawl: You don’t have to know the difference between Junmai and Daiginjo sake to appreciate the Healdsburg Sake Crawl on Sunday, March 10. Whether you’re a master of ancient Japanese rice wine or just sake-curious, everyone’s welcome. The five walkable stops include sake and small bites at Sushi By Scratch, Asahi Sushi, Taste of Tea, Lo and Behold and Maison Healdsburg. The event, which costs $50 per person, is hosted by Fifth Taste, a San Francisco-based sake importer. Tickets and details at pdne.ws/3uQnyQo.
At Maison Healdsburg wine bar, one of the participants in the Healdsburg Sake Crawl. (Sarah Davis)
La Festa della Donna: The Spinster Sisters will host a four-course dinner celebrating International Women’s Day on Friday, March 8. The four-course dinner includes a choice of Risotto Verde with blue shrimp and fava leaves, grilled pork tenderloin with kumquat sauce or roasted cauliflower steak with spiced chickpea ragu. The dinner showcases women wine producers and the woman-led Spinsters Sisters kitchen. Tickets are $85 per person, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Verity SR, Sonoma County’s rape, trauma and healing center. Details at thespinstersisters.com.
The first Shake Shack in Sonoma County held a practice lunch service with good old burgers, fries, shakes and more in Santa Santa Rosa’s Montgomery Village Wednesday, February 28, 2024. (Photo by John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
The breathless anticipation over Shake Shack’s first Sonoma County restaurant is finally over, and though it feels like we’re 20 years late for the cultish fandom party, it’s still nice to be invited.
Wednesday, the New York-based fast-casual burger and shake chain opened for a friends and family preview at Santa Rosa’s Montgomery Village. It will open to the public Thursday.
Celebrity chef and restaurateur Danny Meyer opened the first Shake Shack in New York City’s Madison Square Park in 2004 to mass hysteria. In the ensuing years, the brand has continued to gain followers, with more than 400 global locations and an annual revenue of more than $1 billion.
Nationwide openings of the cultish burger bar have caused burger-frenzied fans to line up for hours. More than one couple met in a Shake Shack line, later serving their burgers at their wedding reception. More than 400 people lined up for a special edition David Chang “Shrimpstack” burger in 2015.
I can report that those lined up for the preview were well-behaved and eager to get their hands on some of the much-hyped burgers, cheese fries and hot chocolate cocoa milkshakes, though I was prepared to throw a sharp elbow at anyone in my way, should things get pushy. Fortunately, Sonoma County residents aren’t big on waiting in line for things — especially restaurants — and no one was injured or side-eyed rudely during the opening event.
As a novice to the temple of Shake Shack, my expectations were high. People seriously go nuts for their elementary cafeteria-style crinkle fries, custard milkshakes and potato bun burgers. So, I ordered pretty much everything on the menu, and here’s what’s marvelous and what’s meh at the 14th Bay Area location for the uninitiated.
The California Double Shackburger with fries and a shake from Shake Shack in Montgomery Village Wednesday, February 28, 2024. (Photo by John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
The Rivalry
First and foremost, Shake Shack isn’t going to be a threat to our beloved In-N-Out anytime soon. Yes, they both have burgers and shakes, they both have a huge fan base, and they are both frequented by self-righteous people who claim they never eat fast food.
Shake Shack’s menu is a short novel compared to In-N-Out’s index card menu. There are roughly 22 items on the Shake Shack menu, plus additional limited-time items like the frozen Hot Cocoa Shake or Korean-style fried chicken sandwich. In-N-Out has four — maybe a few more if you count the secret menu. Shake Shack is a restaurant; In-N-Out is a lifestyle choice. Celebrities don’t go to Shake Shack to celebrate after the Oscars.
The Vibe
Unlike most fast food spots where takeout is the only sane option, you want to hang out here for a while. With plenty of natural light, Kelly green accents, plants and clean wooden table tops, it feels more like a cafe than a burger joint.
The Burgers
Thick Angus beef patties that rival higher-end eateries. The signature Shack Burger is your go-to, with cheese, ShackSauce, lettuce, tomato and a soft potato bun (with just a hint of sweetness). It’s a winner.
The ‘Shroom Burger is a close second. This fat portobello is (surprise!) stuffed with melted Muenster and Cheddar. Immediate yes.
Golden State Double: Only available in the Bay Area; it’s a two-patty, two-cheese, garlic aioli pileup. Too much of a good thing sometimes isn’t, but if you’re a double meat, double cheese kind of person, you’ll love it.
The Alternatives: The menu includes vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. I don’t recommend the gluten-free bun, described by my friend as “grainy.”
The Shakes: Everyone else can pack up their belongings and leave the island when it comes to these frozen custard wonders of ingenuity. Usual suspect flavors, but additional limited edition shakes include coffee and donuts, maple Snickerdoodle and frozen hot cocoa. Or, just skip the shakes and have a big scoop of the frozen custard. The level of creaminess is, well, next level.
The Drinks: Soft drinks are available, but the house made lemonade is worth the sugary rush. Try the Yuzu Honey lemonade. There’s also a very brief list of wines.
The Dogs: I’m a hot dog hater, but this split-top, griddled wiener slathered with melted cheese was impressive. Recommended.
The Fries: If you’re a dipper, you’ll love the extra grip these crinkle cuts give ketchup, mayo, honey mustard and BBQ sauce. Cheese fries with bacon are required, but the tiny wooden pitchfork utensil is useless for serious eaters.
Shake Shack is at 2424 Magowan Drive, Suite 1, Santa Rosa, shakeshack.com.
The Meatball Sub on a toasted ciabatta roll with provolone and asiago cheese, marinara and french fried onions from Canevari’s Delicatessen & Catering in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Click through the above gallery to explore some of our favorite hidden gems in Santa Rosa.
Sonoma County boasts an abundance of acclaimed destinations that draw visitors from around the world. From bucolic vineyards to breathtaking coastal landscapes, from Michelin-starred restaurants to five-star luxury resorts, the county and its many attractions are clearly on the tourist map.
But there is still so much more to discover in this region. Santa Rosa is a city replete with many of those charming local gems that are almost hiding in plain sight, from Mexican pastry shops to vintage clothing stores to Italian-American delis to cozy used bookstores. Here is a list of some of our favorite hidden gems in Santa Rosa.
Goguette
If you find yourself yearning to take a quick jaunt to Paris, a visit to French bakery Goguette might be the perfect excursion (no passport or transatlantic flight necessary). Entering the bakery, you are likely to be greeted with a “Bonjour” from the amiable staff as you peruse the cornucopia of freshly baked goods and French custard style ice creams and sorbets. Traditional baguettes and rounds are available Wednesday through Saturday and the bakery rotates its daily specials so that there is always something new to discover. Whether you are hankering for a hearty Miche, a Pain de Mie, Challah, Sablés cookies or a sweet Coup de Coeur, you just might find yourself humming the Marseillaise after a trip to Goguette.
Order online and pick up freshly baked breads 1:30 – 6 p.m. Wed – Sat. 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)A variety of ice cream, or glacée, from Goguette Bread in Santa Rosa. (Goguette Bread)
Bees N Blooms
Located just below Santa Rosa’s Taylor Mountain on Petaluma Hill Road, Bees N Blooms offers a graceful garden sanctuary and convenient retreat from the city center. Lose yourself in the natural tranquility of its lavender labyrinth made of 900 plants arranged in seven concentric circles. The farm is open to the public for everything from art courses to plant sales to tours. The lavender is in full bloom from mid-May to mid-July and that is when the farm’s “Lavender Daze” begin. Starting May 18 and running through July 14, the farm grounds are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. most Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Reservation and admission required for Lavender Daze.
3883 Petaluma Hill Road, Santa Rosa, 707-293-8293, beesnblooms.com.
Canevari’s
Established in 1929, Canevari’s Deli and ravioli factory has been ushering in a delicious Renaissance while staying connected to its century-old roots in the region. The Italian-American deli, which was recently remodeled, continues to serve the mouthwatering classics that keep hungry diners coming back for more. Among some of those tried and true favorites are the BBQ Tri Tip sandwich, the Spicy Pulled Pork sandwich, Meatball Sub, the Italian Sub, and the House Special Lasagna. The famous ravioli meal kits for pick up give you everything you need to quickly prepare an easy and delicious meal at home with your family. Canevari’s also sells speciality items such as tins of Amaretti, jars of olives, and dry pasta.
The Sausage and Peppers Sandwich with a Spicy Deviled Egg from Canevari?s Delicatessen & Catering in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Jeremiah’s Photo Corner
A veritable photographer’s paradise, Jeremiah’s Photo Corner aims to be a one-stop shop for all of your camera dreams. Carrying a variety of film cameras, film, and photography and printing paraphernalia, the shop also has a camera repair and film processing drop off and pick up service. If you’d like to sit for a vintage portrait, you can book an appointment with Jeremiah Flynn Tintype Photography, which is located on the premises.
It’s not a crime to enjoy delicious baked goods, but if it were, Criminal Baking might turn us all into outlaws. In addition to its tasty cookies, cakes, pastries, cupcakes, handpies and other baked goods, the Bakery Cafe serves an assortment of savory menu items such as its Sinful Sandos—The Bacon Bandit, the Al Capig, the Garden Thief—all served on locally made English muffins. But if you don’t want to get caught with your hand in the cookie jar, you can also order from their online bakery.
Though certainly not a secret for discerning local bibliophiles, this classic used book store is a literary and cultural oasis in our digital age. Treehorn Books was founded by two Sonoma State graduates in 1979 and features a seemingly infinite collection of literature and nonfiction books, including rare antiquarian books and works that are out-of-print or signed by the author. If you like to read good books, you’ll feel at home in this book lover’s haven.
625 Fourth St, Santa Rosa. 707-596-3845, treehorn.com
Morning light bathes cloth bound books at Treehorn Books in downtown Santa Rosa. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
Tía María
There is nothing quite like the joy of enjoying a delicious pastry with your coffee. Mexican panaderia y pasteleria Tía María, owned by Costeaux Bakery, serves a delectable array of pastries, cakes and breads that are sure to fill you with true alegría. Located in the Roseland neighborhood, just a couple of minutes drive from Railroad Square, Tía María is known for its tasty conchas, a Mexican sweet bread, and it also serves Bella Rosa Coffee, bolillos, sandwiches, churros and much more.
44 Sebastopol Ave., Santa Rosa. 707-540-9864, tiamaria.world
Concha Breakfast Sandwich from Tía María Panaderia y Pasteleria in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Brew Coffee and Beer House
If you are a coffee aficionado or a beer enthusiast, Brew is just the spot for you. Whether you choose an espresso or one of the establishment’s many other coffee drinks, a stop at Brew is bound to get your day off on the right note. And when you are ready to unwind later on, Brew serves twelve rotating taps of craft beer and cider as well as wine on tap. An appetizing array of food to accompany your beverage of choice is also available for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as pastries and baked goods from Village Bakery and Grateful Bagel. This welcoming space also hosts regular open mic and trivia nights, as well as drag bingo and “brew-vie” nights with film screenings and movie snacks.
Vintage fashion is all the rage. And with its copious and well-curated inventory of vintage clothing, Hot Couture is definitely in style. Located near Railroad Square, the store specializes in costume rentals and vintage garments that are sure to make you the belle of the ball. In business for nearly half a century, owner Marta Koehne and her staff are friendly, knowledgeable and know how to help customers find just the right apparel for any occasion.
In the heart of Santa Rosa’s artsy SOFA district, Café Frida Gallery offers a menu inspired by French and Mexican culinary traditions. Founders Mamadou Diouf and Mario Uribe wanted the restaurant to be an “artist hangout” and Café Frida Gallery features the work of Sonoma County artists in its welcoming space. On weekends, there is live music and dancing to the beat of diverse musical genres, from salsa to jazz to R&B.
This local Mexican restaurant serves authentic food with roots in the culinary traditions of Guadalajara and Michoacan. It’s a gem that is not so hidden anymore, after being featured on Guy Fieri’s television show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. This local taqueria is known for its namesake, the restaurant’s sizzling molcajetes.
1195 W. College Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-544-8280.
Cast Away Yarn Shop in Santa Rosa’s Railroad Square has walls of colorful yarn for sale, craft supplies and gifts. (Chad Surmick / The Press Democrat)
Cast Away Yarn
It might be easy to get lost amid the wide selection of materials and supplies housed in Cast Away Yarn Shop. That is if the store weren’t so artfully laid out with everything you might need for weaving, felting and knitting to your heart’s content. For those who are already masters of the craft, the store is sure to feel like a paradise. For those who are still beginners, Cast Away Yarn Shop might just give you the inspiration to tackle that crafting project of your wildest dreams.
100 Fourth Street (entrance on Wilson), Santa Rosa, 707-546-9276, castawayyarnshop.com
At Cast Away Yarn in Santa Rosa. (Cast Away Yarn)
Did we miss one of your favorite “secret” Santa Rosa spots? Send us an email with all the details.
At dawn, the wetlands of the Laguna reflect the surrounding oaks like a mirror. (Phil Van Soelen / Courtesy of Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation)
Click through the above gallery to explore the Laguna de Santa Rosa.
When rain falls anywhere in Santa Rosa, Windsor, Rohnert Park, Cotati, or Sebastopol, the water will make its way to the Laguna de Santa Rosa. Sitting at the bottom of the greater Santa Rosa plain, the Laguna is the largest freshwater wetlands complex on the northern California coast. In 2011, it was designated a Wetland of International Importance. Yet how many locals could find it on a map?
To be fair, parts of the Laguna have been altered and obscured by decades of development. Sebastopol dumped its sewage there until 1978. Restoration work has been underway since the 1990s, and December 2023 saw the release of the first-ever comprehensive restoration plan for the entire Laguna, designed to guide its continued recovery.
The Laguna system is also naturally heterogeneous and ephemeral, “a collective mix of different wetland habitat types that blend and merge or shrink depending on the season,” says Anne Morkill, executive director of the Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation, a nonprofit that works to protect and improve what’s left of the Laguna. “It’s a whole ecosystem.”
This includes oak savannas, low-lying vineyards and pastures, seasonal and year-round ponds, and various creeks, including Mark West, Santa Rosa, and Copeland, all of which feed into the Laguna’s main waterway– somewhat confusingly also named Laguna de Santa Rosa– which spills into the Russian River near Forestville, its single largest tributary.
When full, the entire complex can transform into a long, slender lake. The Laguna’s ability to slow and retain so much water in turn reduces flooding on the Russian River. “Within a couple of days of those heavier atmospheric river storms, we can see the floodplain taking shape,” Morkill says. “The water levels come up under the bridges, and out in the open fields.”
Such complexity translates to rich habitat for native species. Endangered California tiger salamanders breed in vernal pools each spring; bald eagles and osprey hunt salmon, steelhead, and other fish on the flooded Laguna; and migratory waterfowl traveling the Pacific Flyway announce their arrival in January and February, in sync with the rain. All who depend on the Laguna, including humans, await its transformation every winter.
Winter walks along the Laguna
Southern Laguna Discovery Trail: Trailhead located west of the intersection of Rohnert Park Expressway and Stony Point Road in Rohnert Park. Sonoma County Water Agency, sonomawater.org
Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail: Trailheads located off Occidental Road and Highway 12 in Santa Rosa. Sonoma County Regional Parks, parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov
Laguna Wetlands Preserve: Trailheads off Morris Street in Sebastopol. City of Sebastopol, cityofsebastopol.gov
Laguna Uplands Preserve: Located at the end of Palm Avenue in Sebastopol. Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation, lagunafoundation.org
Francis Ford Coppola is widely hailed as one of the world’s greatest filmmakers. So it may come as no surprise that Rustic, the restaurant at the famous Geyserville winery that bears his name, has been ranked among the best celebrity-owned and celebrity-invested dining locales in the United States.
Rustic came in at No. 9 in the rankings, according to a recent study by Q.R. Code Generator based on data compiled from Google Reviews.
Located on the Francis Ford Coppola Winery grounds, Rustic offers diners sweeping views of the Alexander Valley from the restaurant’s outdoor terrace, or cozy indoor seating in the dining room. (Meals can also be ordered to go).
Rustic’s menu items are a veritable director’s cut of the Academy Award winner’s most treasured dishes. Specializing in traditional Italian dishes and international cuisine, the restaurant offers everything from Neapolitan-style pizza to tasty cuts of South American wood-grilled meats from its Parrilla grill.
Among “Francis’s Favorites” on the Rustic menu are Rack of Lamb Madame Bali; Classic Fiorentina Steak (for two); Whole Fish in Salt; and Uncle Mikey’s Sausage Sandwich (from a recipe created by the filmmaker’s Uncle Mikey and his father, Carmine).
Other menu items include Coppola family meatballs with San Marzano tomato and Parmigiano Reggiano; New York Steak with Burbank potato, broccolini and salsa verde; Duck Sugo Spaghetti with braised duck leg, tomato and rosemary; and Crispy Polenta and Mushrooms with clamshell mushrooms, balsamic vinegar, and basil.
The winery produces Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Petite Sirah and Zinfandel among its vintages. And recommended wine pairings can be found on the Rustic menu to accompany some of the restaurant’s most iconic dishes.
Francis Ford Coppola Winery aims to create a family-friendly environment, offering everything from tours of Francis Ford Coppola and Sofia Coppola’s personal archives of filmmaking memorabilia, to wine tasting experiences that include time on the winery’s bocce ball courts, to private cabines for hire next to the winery’s two swimming pools.
Delicato Family Wines acquired the Francis Ford Coppola wine portfolio in 2021, including the Francis Ford Coppola winery in Geyserville. As part of the deal, Coppola received an equity stake in Delicato and a seat on the company’s board.
Rustic, Francis’s Favorites at Francis Ford Coppola Winery, 300 Via Archimedes, Geyserville, 707-857-1471, francisfordcoppolawinery.com
The Forbes Travel Guide has honored SingleThread Farms and Restaurant in Healdsburg with its top five-star luxury rating in 2025. (Garrett Rowland/Sonoma County Tourism)
Does your mind go instantly blank when tasked with finding a restaurant to celebrate a birthday, engagement, anniversary or promotion? It’s normal! The gut-wrenching pressure of pleasing others with “just the right spot” can be exhausting. This list of special occasion restaurants in Sonoma County takes some of the heat off, serving up time-tested picks that always hit the mark.
Click through the above gallery for a peek at the venues and some of our favorite dishes at each restaurant.
Engagement Party
Stark’s Steak and Seafood: The clubby private dining room is an intimate space where you can really get to know Uncle Jack, which may or may not be a good thing. Luckily, you’ll be able to dig into the buttery garlic rolls, truffle mac and cheese, creamed spinach and ribeye while nodding politely. Plus, you can sneak out to the bar area for a quick toast with your honey-to-be. 521 Adams St., Santa Rosa, starkrestaurants.com.
Stark’s Stark’s Steak & Seafood in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)Sushi Grade Ahi Tuna with avocado, kewpie and served with chips from served with Twice Removed Rosé from Bloom Carneros. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Mother’s Day
Bloom Carneros: This mom-approved roadhouse offers plenty of outdoor space and family-sized tables (to include the maximum number of kids and presents). It is also dog-friendly and has an everyone-friendly menu from chef Jennifer McMurry that ranges from vegan sweet potato tacos to glazed pork belly, burger and the tastiest-ever Cubano. Super fun wines from Kivelstadt Cellars, and foodies will appreciate the seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. 22910 Broadway, Sonoma, bloomcarneros.com.
Father’s Day
Augie’s French: Classic French cuisine, just like your parents had on their honeymoon to Paris. Dad-friendly cocktails and hearty entrees, plus my own pop-approved Croque Madame on the Happy Hour menu. 535 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, augiesfrench.com.
Geyserville Gun Club: It just sounds cool. But once you get there, dad will dig the classic bar vibe, Prime Rib Thursdays, and a great burger, ramen, oysters or fried chicken wings. 21025 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville, geyservillegunclub.com.
Cocktails at Geyserville Gun Club in Geyserville. (Emma K Creative)Ramen, tacos, and a hand roll with cocktails at the Geyserville Gun Club. (Emma K Creative)
Cool Friend in Town
Khom Loi: Elevated Thai cuisine that strives for authentic flavors. Whole crispy fried rockfish, Thai-style sausage and seafood and seafood soup are top picks. 7385 Healdsburg Ave., Sebastopol, khomloisonoma.com.
Barndiva: Statement-glasses crowd, gallery vibes, the best damn Manhattan and Juicy Lucy burgers for the win. 237 Center St., Healdsburg, barndiva.com.
Outdoor dining at Barndiva in Healdsburg. (Barndiva)
In-Laws in Town
Grata: Italian cuisine that’s approachable but well-crafted; casual-chic; a respectable but not ostentatious price point with excellent cocktails. 186 Windsor River Road, Windsor, gratawindsor.com.
Dry Creek Kitchen: Classy digs with a classy menu, tip-top service and a great wine list inspired by chef Charlie Palmer’s passion for regional American ingredients. 317 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, drycreekkitchen.com.
The renovated dining room at Dry Creek Kitchen in Healdsburg. (Photo Paige Green)Liberty Farms Duck Breast with leg en croute, koginut squash, roasted chestnuts, rapini and a l’orange jus from the Dry Creek Kitchen Thursday, November 2, 2023 in Healdsburg. (Photo John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Feeling Lucky
630 Park Steakhouse: On a winning streak? Graton Casino’s upscale steakhouse has blingy chandeliers, romantic booths, a glowing bar top, fancy steaks, seafood towers and a silk shirt crowd. 288 Gold Course Drive W., Rohnert Park, gratonresortcasino.com.
Date Night
Table Culture Provisions: While the seven-course tasting menu is absolutely ridiculously good, you can book an early table on Wednesday or Thursday for Social Hour (4 to 6 p.m.) with approachable prices for chef-driven entrees like Moules Mariniere ($24) or Crispy Chicken with creamed mushroom sauce ($29) that includes mashed potatoes and a green salad. 312 Petaluma Blvd. South, Petaluma, tcprovision.com
Street Social: A husband-and-wife team operates this hidden gem, offering wildly creative riffs on comfort food. The menu switches up weekly, so you’re always bound to find something new. 29F Petaluma Blvd. North, Petaluma, streetsocial.social
Harvest is the simple name of this petite casserole with butternut squash and Crecenza Espuma cheese at Table Culture Provisions in Petaluma. (Table Culture Provisions)Dessert featuring choux glacé, dulce de lèche and chocolate at Table Culture Provisions in Petaluma. (Table Culture Provisions)
Birthday Dinner
Rocker Oysterfeller’s: We can’t think of a more down-to-earth spot for a fun-filled birthday dinner with friends. The portions are hearty, the vibe is Louisiana-meets-Bodega (so equally great fried chicken and oysters), and the bar is welcoming. 4415 Valley Ford Drive, Valley Ford, rockeroysterfellers.com.
Anniversary Dinner
SingleThread: Every detail of your multicourse dinner has been perfectly planned, from a fairy-table tableau of welcome bites to wine pairings and sequential dishes that lean into chef Kyle Connaughton’s love of Japanese cuisine. The open kitchen is nearly silent, and you can watch as a small army of chefs plate each artful dish. 131 North St., Healdsburg, singlethreadfarms.com.
Cyrus: This multicourse culinary journey leads you through different parts of the expansive restaurant — the Bubbles Lounge, Kitchen Table, Dining Room and Chocolate Room. A mix of eastern and western flavors with a menu focused around the mix of flavor expressions — sweet, sour, salty, bitter and umami. 275 CA-128, Geyserville, cyrusrestaurant.com.
Rhubarb and green tea with almond cream from Single Thread in Healdsburg. (Single Thread)
The Big Promotion
The Matheson: There’s no shame in a little flex after getting that sought-after raise. Impressive steaks and shareable plates, or go for the luxe prix fixe tasting menu for $125 per person. Try the Land Rover-on-a-Honda-budget three-course tasting menu for $55 per person. 106 Matheson St., Healdsburg, thematheson.com.
Gal’s Night
Molti Amici: Former SingleThread staffers have created a menu of Italian-inspired dishes that punch far above their weight class. We love sitting outside on the patio with gal pals and a bottle of sparkling, stuffing slice after slice of wood-fired pizzas into our faces. 330 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, moltiamici.com.
At Molti Amici in Healdsburg. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
Graduation
Sweet T’s: You’ll need to plan ahead for a group, but this Southern barbecue-inspired restaurant has a lengthy list of sharable appetizers, barbecue by the pound, cheesecake, pies and cocktails. 9098 Brooks Road South, Windsor, sweettssouthern.com.
Book Club
Willow Wood: Gather over Bronte with baked eggs or egg salad with Edgar Allan Poe at this cozy west county cafe. Eggs are a breakfast best bet, but we always have Great Expectations about their polenta with butter and syrup. 9020 Graton Road, Graton, willowwoodgraton.com.
Santa Rosa-based street artist, The Velvet Bandit, a single mother of two children, displays a “Tax the Rich” painting, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021. The font and the style of the wording resembles Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) dress at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala on Sept. 13. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat) 2021
No matter how social you are as an artist, the act of painting (or sculpting or drawing) is usually a solitary pursuit.
“If you’re an artist really trying to make it happen, you spend a lot of time alone,” says painter and teacher Mary Vaughan. “And that’s really hard when you’re young.”
Like an open mic for singer-songwriters or a pop-up dinner for nomadic chefs, up-and-coming artists often need a gallery show to break out of the studio and build confidence, finally bringing the work into the light for everyone to see.
“That’s why we created the Newcomers Art Project,” says Nick Mancillas, artist and longtime high school art teacher, who is co-curating the show with Vaughan. “It’s a way for the artists to build relationships with each other and with people who appreciate art, and also a way to shine a light on this community.”
Seven emerging artists
This Friday, seven emerging artists between the ages of 22 and 37 will debut new works at Backstreet Studios and Gallery in Santa Rosa’s SOFA art district. The youngest, Annabelle Anderson, explores everyday recycled objects. One of her pieces will hang from a clothesline. A veteran of the Art Start youth public art program where Vaughan once taught, Katey Marin is experimenting with the motif of vintage 1960s album covers. A former student of Mancillas, Amelia Ketzer-Dean’s paintings often blend water imagery to explore feminine identity in a clean, graphic style.
This Friday, seven emerging artists between the ages of 22 and 37 will debut new works at Backstreet Studios and Gallery in Santa Rosa’s SOFA art district. (Alvin Jornada / The Press Democrat)
Keviette Minor will unveil her “Beloved” series based on faith in a higher power, and the idea of treasuring people for who they are. A children’s theater artist, Charlie Bird created 30 miniature 4-by-6-inch compositions based on animals. Jaclyn Finkle is diverging from abstract painting for the first time to create portraits of young women. And Alina Nuebel is a former ecology major who paints mesmerizing nature scenes, filled with mushrooms, bees and bird nests.
“You can’t do it in a vacuum,” says Nuebel, who was also enrolled in Art Start and shares studio space with Mancillas. “What I’m learning is that it’s not just about the personal exposure you get from the show, but what’s come out of it that’s really valuable to me is getting to connect with other artists.”
Just the other night, Nuebel invited the other artists over to their studio for a feedback session where each artist presented their work and traded ideas.
Artist Jaclyn Finkle is diverging from abstract painting for the first time to create portraits of young women. (Courtesy of Jaclyn Finkle)“Blessed Treasure” by Keviette Minor. Minor will unveil her “Beloved” series based on faith in a higher power, and the idea of treasuring people for who they are. (Courtesy of Keviette Minor)
Building confidence
A longtime teacher, mentor and mother figure to many emerging in the art scene, Vaughan has met with each artist over the past two months for a series of critiques, helping hone their craft, while also giving tips on the hanging process, the business side of art, and even offering advice on how to price their work.
“I tell them, don’t do this unless it’s a calling,” says Vaughan. “You’re not doing it for money or to make a beautiful painting to match the couch. And I think they all get that.”
“Confidence” is a word that comes up again and again as the seven artists talk about new works and their anticipation leading up to the show.
“There are so many aspects that can be discouraging for an artist these days,” says Ketzer-Dean. “You’re not just creating art – you have to be your own marketing team and your own accounts manager, your own CRM (customer relations manager). It can be so much to take on, and having people who are already established and have all this knowledge they’re willing to share with you, is a huge help and confidence booster.”
Sonoma County street artist the Velvet Bandit will join The Newcomers art show in Santa Rosa’s SOFA art district. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
A secret guest
There’s also an added element of surprise to the show. Enter the Velvet Bandit. A lunch lady turned popular street artist, who pastes vibrant, ponderous art on walls and utility poles all over Sonoma County, she inspired the show’s theme.
“We told each artist they had to create a vignette with words that includes an unknown comic book hero or superhero,” Vaughan says. “Each one is doing it in their own special way.”
Vaughan was inspired by several pieces the Velvet Bandit pasted in the Art Alley next to Backstreet Gallery – one was a Band-Aid that reads “Art Heals,” and another piece riffs on the all-too-predictable “Thoughts and Prayers” response to mass shootings.
Honored to be a part of the show, the Velvet Bandit says, “I hope it gives them confidence to get out there and show more work. It’s all about sharing your work with others and getting that feedback and getting pumped up to do more and hopefully selling some stuff, too.”
She’ll show up opening night in her usual disguise – a pink wig and dark sunglasses, a tongue-in-cheek ensemble that acknowledges street art is technically illegal, however ridiculous that may seem. By now it’s become a part of her mystique, not unlike a comic book character or superhero.
Wheat-pasting street art in small towns and big cities, from Willits to Los Angeles, she jokes, “I was supposed to be the surprise guest artist, but I guess now the cat’s out of the bag.”
The Art Alley street sign is illuminated by a shaft of sunlight in the SOFA arts district of Santa Rosa. (Alvin Jornada / The Press Democrat)A few weeks after opening night, the Newcomers comic book vignettes will bust out of the gallery and find new life as outdoor art on the walls of the adjacent Art Alley in Santa Rosa’s SOFA district. (Alvin Jornada / The Press Democrat)
Bringing life to Art Alley
A few weeks after opening night, the Newcomers comic book vignettes will bust out of the gallery and find new life as outdoor art on the walls of the adjacent Art Alley, a once popular street art installation given its name two decades ago by revered SOFA artist Mario Uribe.
“Unfortunately, there’s no art in the alley anymore,” Vaughan says. “So we wanted to bring it to life again.”
At 63, she looks forward to the day when this latest generation will fully find their own unique styles and maybe pass on what they’ve learned, and maybe even become caretakers of Art Alley. If there’s one thing she hopes they all pass on, it’s this:
“It’s not about sales or how much money you make or even if you’re known. What I really wish I could have known back when I was their age, is how much people want meaning and how beautiful it is to form relationships through the message of your art.”
Ana Prado tells a customer about a plant at her Blooming Coast booth at the Santa Rosa Original Certified Farmers Market in Santa Rosa, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023. (Christopher Chung / The Press Democrat)
Sonoma County native Ana Prado of Blooming Coast inherited her beloved grandmother’s extensive collection of orchids and other indoor plants in early 2020, just before pandemic lockdowns.
“The plants were my connection to her, a living piece of her, and I just thought, well, I’d better learn to take care of them,” says Prado.
Turning that new love into a business wasn’t initially top of mind. Prado, who joined the Marine Corps after high school, started her Instagram account simply to share plant tips and photos. Soon, though, it evolved into a business, becoming a fixture at farmers markets and eventually expanding to craft fairs throughout the Bay Area.
“People will come into my booth and joke that they’ve got a black thumb,” she says. “But I believe anyone can keep plants alive and get the benefit of becoming closer to nature.”
Here are some of Prado’s favorite spots in Sonoma County.
Prado scans the racks for national park and nature-themed T-shirts atHolee Vintagein downtown Santa Rosa. Just a few doors away isOoh La Luxe, where the vibe is that of a fun girls’ getaway and the salespeople are always ready to “hype you up.” Holee Vintage, 529 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. 707-919-0995, holeevintage.com. Ooh La Luxe, 517 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. 707-521-9090, oohlaluxe.com.
Pink flowers bloom on a rhododendron at Hidden Forest Nursery near Sebastopol. (Christopher Chung / The Press Democrat)
Wandering the shady, tree-lined paths at Sebastopol’s Hidden Forest Nurseryis a magical experience, says Prado. She also recommends its classes on mushrooming and how to harvest and roast bay nuts. 3970 Azalea Lane, Sebastopol. 707-823-6832, hiddenforestnursery.com
The mole enchiladas at Quiote are some of the best Prado has ever had. “Like, did my mom make this? Is she hiding in the back?” she jokes. 121 Kentucky St., Petaluma. 707-7746130, quiotemx.com
Jalisco-style Chicken Enchiladas with Mole from Quiote in downtown Petaluma. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Prado loves the work by muralist MJ Lindo-Lawyer near Mitote Food Park in Santa Rosa’s Roseland neighborhood. “I’m a Latina and a veteran, and to see that young girl stand up and show her power speaks to me. There’s strength in knowing who you are and where you come from.” Near the corner of West Ave. and Sebastopol Rd., Santa Rosa. mjlindoart.com
Find Blooming Coast at the weekly Wednesday farmers market and some of the Saturday markets at the Luther Burbank Center in Santa Rosa. For updates, check facebook.com/BloomingCoast or Instagram @blooming_coast.
