After publishing her first book, The Dead are Gods, earlier this year, author and model Eirinie Carson was ready to take a breath. An elegiac memoir of her life with her best friend, Larissa, who tragically passed away five years ago, the book was praised by Oprah and People magazine. The format of the book flips between Carson directly addressing the reader and her lost friend—a structure she says, “kind of signifies that madness of grief, where you’re still talking to someone who just isn’t there to listen to you in the same way.”
Eirinie Carson. (Kirby Stenger)Eirinie Carson’s book “The Dead Are Gods.” (Karen Kizer)
This spring, Carson became a purveyor of grief stories with her new “Eirinie Asks” column in the Petaluma Argus-Courier, interviewing locals to draw out their experiences with loss. “When someone dies, there’s this conversation that suddenly stops, and no one’s answering anymore, but that doesn’t mean that you don’t still have the questions or that you don’t still want to talk to them.”
Carson, who was born in London, embraces that liminal space, surrounded by her Petaluma community, where she and her musician husband are raising two young children. “There’s something nice about grief not existing in this very sacred, untouched, pristine tomb,” she insists, at ease with a shift in conversation from mourning to restaurants to local hikes. Here are some of her family’s favorite spots.
In the 1990s, Carson’s husband’s band, AFI, used to play Petaluma’s Phoenix Theater, and the band has a single called “Days of the Phoenix.” 201 Washington St., Petaluma. 707-762-3566, thephoenixtheater.com
Carson gives rave reviews to the brunch and bottle shop at Valley Bar + Bottleas well as the friendly staff who “don’t make you feel like a dummy if you don’t know what wine to order.” 487 First St. W., Sonoma. 707-934-8403, valleybarandbottle.com
Khom Loi restaurant in Sebastopol. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
In Sebastopol, Carson likes to visit Bib Gourmand winner Khom Loi for Thai-inspired fare, and Muir’s Tea Room for their plant-based menu: “As a British person, I don’t know how they pulled off this wizardry.” Khom Loi, 7385 Healsdburg Ave., Sebastopol. 707-329-6917, khomloisonoma.com; Muir’s Tea Room, 330 S. Main St., Sebastopol. 707-634-6143, muirstearoomandcafe.com
Carson, an avid runner and hiker, likes to take her children on the Pinnacle Gulch Trailin Bodega Bay. The beach at the end of the trail has lovely tidepools to explore. 20600 Mockingbird Dr., Bodega Bay. parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov
At Copperfield’s Books, Carson’s young daughters wander the children’s section, while Carson heads straight to the photography books. “I’ve been in the (modeling) industry too long, and I appreciate a good photo.” Her own book is on display here, too. 140 Kentucky St., Petaluma. 707-762-0563, copperfieldsbooks.com
Breakfast sandwich from Lightwave Coffee and Kitchen in Monte Rio. (Lightwave Coffee and Kitchen)
If breakfast is the most important meal of the day, then the breakfast sandwich is arguably the most important sandwich of all.
Paired with a cup of coffee and packed with protein, fiber and carbs, it gives us a much-needed morning boost and is downright delicious: The combination of hot eggs, melted cheese, meat and fresh veggies is one of the greatest union of ingredients between sliced bread.
To get your hands on one of the best breakfast sandwiches in Sonoma County, make your way to one of these 20 restaurants and cafes. Click through the gallery above for a few top picks.
Baker and Cook
For a hearty breakfast sandwich in a casual cafe, head to Baker and Cook in Boyes Hot Springs and order the filling Breakfast Sando with smoked ham, two fried eggs, swiss cheese and béchamel on a baguette.
Nothing hits the spot quite like a hot, chewy bagel stuffed with fluffy eggs. And this is what Homegrown Bagels specializes in. Breakfast egg sandwiches come with a two-egg omelette on a buttered, housemade bagel with your choice of meat, cheese and veggies.
This downtown Sonoma cafe serves up wholesome breakfast dishes with sustainable, farm-fresh ingredients. Its Buttermilk Biscuit Sandwich is a top pick. Served on a large, fluffy biscuit, it overflows with soft-scrambled, pasture-raised eggs with chives, cheddar, gochujang aioli, dressed greens and a shallot and leek conserva.
Co-owner Gal Ginzburg will take your breakfast sandwich order among the antique radios at Lightwave Coffee and Kitchen at Creekside Park in Monte Rio. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Eggspresso
As the name implies, eggs are the stars on the menu of this Petaluma cafe. It serves up six egg-celent breakfast sandwiches. The Sausage, Egg & Cheese sandwich on an English muffin is a popular choice, with housemade honey mustard aioli to complement the spice of the sausage patty. The Petaluma sandwich on a warm brioche bun is another favorite, packed with pillowy scrambled eggs along with chives, cheddar cheese, caramelized onions and housemade sriracha mayo.
Starting with your choice of one of The Bagel Mill’s fresh, organic bagels, you can’t go wrong with any of the breakfast sandwich options available all day. For a local twist on a classic, try the California Egg & Cheese with Petaluma Creamery cheddar, Hobbs bacon, organic egg, avocado and tomato on the fan-favorite marble rye bagel.
Marvin’s of Cotati serves up traditional American breakfasts in a homey diner atmosphere — locals keep coming back for the quality food and friendly service. Their simple yet filling Breakfast Sandwich is layered with eggs, tomato, avocado, cheese and bacon or ham on grilled sourdough.
Popular for its colorful avocado toasts and freshly brewed coffee, Brew can also whip up a satisfying breakfast sandwich. A best bet is the Sausage Sando with pork sausage, cage-free eggs, jack cheese, pesto and fig jam on an English muffin.
In addition to a selection of freshly-baked pastries and desserts that changes daily, Criminal Baking in Santa Rosa offers loaded egg breakfast sandwiches on locally-made English muffins with a bright spread of pesto and lemon curd. Local favorites are The Bacon Bandit with bacon and white cheddar and The Fun Guy with mushrooms, bacon and chevre. Want more plants with your breakfast sando? Go for the Garden Thief, with pepper Jack, zucchini, mushrooms, eggplant and red peppers.
A breakfast mainstay in Santa Rosa since 2006, Dierk’s Parkside serves up a long list of morning favorites, including a couple of tasty and filling breakfast sandwiches. Gompa’s Sandwich is stacked with bacon, turkey, cheddar, tomatoes, lettuce and fried egg with pesto mayonnaise on Full Circle Bakery bread. Varina’s Parkside Sandwich is a healthy mix of avocado, jack cheese, pesto, tomato and scrambled eggs on whole wheat.
Breakfast sandwich from Estero Cafe in Valley Ford. (Estero Cafe)
Grossman’s Noshery & Bar
Located inside the Hotel La Rose in Santa Rosa’s historic Railroad Square, Grossman’s Noshery & Bar serves up classic Jewish cuisine with a Stark twist (the restaurant is owned by Mark and Terri Stark, who own and operate eight successful Sonoma County restaurants with a signature style). For a hearty breakfast, try Bubbie’s Breakfast Sandwich with a fried egg, griddled pastrami and avocado schmear on toasted ciabatta with everything spice.
Ana’s Cafe is a well-known local stop for a quick, satisfying breakfast with friendly service. Breakfast sandwiches consist of egg, cheese and your choice of meat (chorizo, ham, bacon or sausage) on a bagel or croissant, with homemade roasted salsa.
10333 Old Redwood Highway, Windsor, 707-837-0680
Costeaux French Bakery
This longtime French bakery staple incorporates its flakey, fluffy butter croissants in its breakfast sandwich. The Croissant Breakfast comes with egg, bacon, cheddar cheese and house aioli.
This Louisiana-inspired cafe serves up authentic po’ boys for breakfast. The Original Breakfast Po-Boy includes eggs over medium, black forest ham, melted provolone cheese, fresh spinach and tomato. It is served on French bread with a side of potatoes.
Breakfast sandwiches from Plank Coffee. Locations in Cloverdale and Healdsburg. (Courtesy Plank Coffee)Breakfast sandwich from Lightwave Coffee and Kitchen in Monte Rio. (Lightwave Coffee and Kitchen)
Plank Coffee
With a variety of vegan and vegetarian options, there’s a breakfast sandwich for everyone at Plank Coffee. The popular Bagel Breakfast Sandwich comes with an organic frittata, garlic oil, melted sharp cheddar and Bernier Farms mixed greens on a toasted sesame bagel. For a vegetarian twist on a classic, try the Biscuit, Egg, Cheese & Tempeh Bacon Sandwich on a house-made buttermilk biscuit with two organic eggs, melted sharp cheddar (vegan cheese available) and smoky tempeh bacon.
175 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, 707-395-0572; 227 N. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale, 707-894-6187,plankcoffee.com
Tiny Town Cafe
Charming and unpretentious, Tiny Town Cafe is the place to get a quick, affordable breakfast that doesn’t skimp on all the good stuff. There are a variety of breakfast sandwich combinations to choose from, such as a sausage, egg and cheese on a toasted everything bagel, or avocado, salsa, egg and cheese on a croissant.
6544 Front St., Forestville, 707-887-1400
Baked on the River
Surrounded by a lush garden and redwoods, Baked on the River is an idyllic place to order an egg sandwich. For a simple, tasty breakfast, try the Early Bird ham, egg and cheese sandwich on a fresh buttered roll. Or go for the hearty Brunch Bird with egg, bacon, chicken sausage, cheddar and lettuce on a buttered roll.
Lightwave Coffee and Kitchen is equal parts quaint and cool. The restaurant is located amid the redwoods, next to a skatepark, and the bohemian interior is cozy and charming. The menu is short but features just the right amount of wholesome dishes, including a handful of artisanal breakfast sandwiches. Don’t miss the French O, with ham, brie, soft egg and onion jam on a hot, flakey croissant.
This cafe is a favorite spot for fueling up before a day on the coast. The Breakfast Sandwich has two eggs over hard, Estero Gold cheese, spinach, sweet red onion and mayo between slices of toasted Red Bird Bakery pullman. Sister restaurant Americana in Santa Rosa (205 5th St., suite A) also serves a Breakfast Sandwich with the same ingredients but on Village Bakery sourdough.
14450 Highway 1, Valley Ford, 707-876-3333,esterocafe.com.
Left, a cheese plate can include Point Reyes toma and aged gouda, salami and pimento cheese, Point Reyes Bay Blue and Original Blue cheeses.Below, side dishes by Jennifer Luttrell, executive chef of the Fork cooking school at Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese, highlight seasonal ingredients such as mushroom bread pudding with Point Reyes Bay Blue, left, roasted brussels sprouts with cranberry brown butter, center, and caramelized onion, chard and potato gratin with Point Reyes Young Gouda and sage.
A gift basket from Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co. has landed on Oprah’s “Favorite Things” list for 2023.
The Marin-based company, owned by sisters Jill Giacomini Basch, Lynn Giacomini Stray and Diana Giacomini Hagan, creates award-winning cheeses, including their Point Reyes Blue (still produced at the family dairy), Toma, Gouda and soft-ripened Quinta. The production facility for pasteurized cheeses is in Petaluma.
The company’s Cheese Celebration Collection ($110) was crafted just for Oprah and includes the Italian-inspired Toma table cheese (best for grilled cheese sandwiches); TomaProvence with basil, rosemary and thyme; TomaRashi, infused with Japanese togarashi spices and chile; and TomaTruffle, studded with Italian black truffles. The collection also features Quinta, a Brie-like soft cheese, and Bay Blue, a mellow blue cheese, along with cheese-board accompaniments — a cheese knife, pecan biscuits and raspberry jalapeño jam. All of the additional items are from women-owned companies.
“It’s true that you could bring all the handcrafted, award-winning cheeses from this women-owned family farm to a holiday event. But trust me when I say you might want to save the TomaTruffle for a grilled cheese,” says the Favorite Things website, which lists more than 100 wellness, beauty, food, kitchen and lifestyle gifts chosen by Oprah and her staff each year.
At Sonoma Magazine and The Press Democrat, we’re torn between the earthy, mushroomy TomaTruffle (you can find it locally at many supermarkets) that’s oh-so-perfect in a thin omelet, and the TomaRashi that’s great for grating into gourmet tacos or creating a perfect grilled cheese on Japanese milk bread.
This isn’t the first North Bay food business to get a boost from Oprah’s list. In 2016, Oprah put Guerneville’s Big Bottom Market on the map for their now famous biscuit mix which even spawned a Big Bottom Biscuit cookbook. Big Bottom Market was sold earlier this year and became Piknik Town Market, but the biscuit lives on with the new owner Margaret van der Veen.
The much-anticipated “Favorite Things” list has been released in November for the last 27 years. Before the Oprah Winfrey Show ended in 2011, it was a fun occasion for those lucky audience members who happened to attend the taping of the show on the day the list was released — they got a lot of goodies to bring home.
Landing on the list can be a blessing — it often launches small-scale, artisan producers onto the national stage. But it also can be a curse, as thousands of Oprah fans eagerly purchasing her recommendations for holiday gifts can overwhelm a fledgling business.
The list is curated by a small team of staff members using Oprah’s suggestions and insights from her best friend, Gayle King. This year, the list included a pick from Meghan (“yes, that Meghan,” according to the website) Markle, Duchess of Sussex and a fan of Clevr lattes.
Find the complete list at oprahdaily.com and the Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co. gift basket at pointreyescheese.com.
Press Democrat Staff Writer Jennifer Graue contributed to this article.
Chef Charlie Palmer will create a unique menu for the forthcoming Appellation Healdsburg. (Appellation)
While grapevines are preparing for a well-deserved winter rest, hotels in Sonoma County seem busier than ever. From new pools and guest rooms to winery pop-ups and cooking classes with a celebrity chef, here’s what’s happening on the hotel scene right now. Click through the above gallery for all the details and a peek at the properties.
Dungeness Crab Sandwich at The Marshall Store. (Christopher Chung / The Press Democrat)
The Marshall Store has been named among the “35 Best Seafood Shacks in America” by 24/7 Wall St., a financial news and opinion outlet. The list features restaurants across the country, from New York to Louisiana to Illinois.
“Located North of San Francisco, Marshall is home to beautiful coastal scenery and an abundance of Pacific oysters. The Marshall Store carries a variety of them from their family oyster farm in nearby Tomales Bay,” wrote 24/7 Wall St., who reviewed lists, ratings and reviews from websites such as The Daily Meal, Gayot, Food Network, Eater and Yelp, as well as regional and local sites, to come up with their top picks.
The small, unassuming seafood shack overlooking Tomales Bay used to be a locals-only kind of place, overlooked by tourists on their way to the more popular Hog Island Oyster Co., just north of the town of Marshall. But in 2021, The New York Times named it among the “Top 50 Restaurants in America.” Since then, other national publications have taken note, including, most recently, 24/7 Wall St. Thankfully, The Marshall Store has remained unpretentious.
We’ve known for a long time, of course, that The Marshall Store is a local gem. It’s one of our dining editor Heather Irwin’s top picks on the coast and a favorite seafood spot.
“What The Marshall Store lacks in polish, it makes up in just-harvested oysters that are served either raw on the half shell or barbecued with garlic butter, Worcestershire sauce, bacon and parsley,” said Irwin in a 2021 article.
While the oysters are stellar, “don’t miss the hearty, New England-style clam chowder or vibrant fish tacos with grilled mahi mahi,” she advised.
Click through the above gallery for a peek at some of the delicious dishes served at The Marshall Store.
The Marshall Store, 19225 Highway 1, Marshall, 415-663-1339, themarshallstore.com
Burger from Boon Eat + Drink in Guerneville. (Boon Eat + Drink)
Guerneville has long been a diverse, friendly hamlet that welcomes everyone, including the LGBTQ+ community that has been so influential in this part of Sonoma. But for much of its history, the town has been a sleepy river hideaway, attracting mostly arts and nature types looking to escape busy city life.
Around 2012, Guerneville began morphing into a hip destination, with fresh new restaurants, shops and places to stay. And yet despite this evolution, the unincorporated community has remained small-town quaint – its population is just 4,747.
These days, for those in the know, Guerneville is one of the best retreats for absolutely everyone. It brims with bold-name chef-driven restaurants, chic boutiques and fashionable resorts celebrating the spectacular natural wonders that span the 5,683-acre Austin Creek State Recreation area.
Now, elegant second homes among the redwoods are being snatched up, while the LGBTQ+ culture still thrives. Get a taste of what all the fuss is about with this quick-glimpse getaway that will have you wanting to come back to explore more.
Fun fact: Guerneville used to be known as “Big Bottom,” referring to the alluvial flood plain that the area rests upon. Later, it was called Stumptown in honor of its redwood logging industry.
Day 1
Start with a late morning stroll downtown, along the Main Street. The stretch is just a half-mile long, but chock-a-block with an eclectic mix of dive-y yet convivial bars, a few so-tacky-they’re-fun souvenir shops, kicky restaurants, and wine tasting rooms.
Be sure to browse at Sonoma Nesting Company. Dax Berg founded this funky, joyful vintage shop and art garden to showcase covetable clutter like candy-striped furniture, tasseled bedazzled lamps, and exquisite offbeat art. There’s so much to love in the eclectic, ever-changing mix of unique items, ranging from whimsical ephemera to lovingly restored antiques. Many of the treasures celebrate animals; Berg is involved in local rescue.
Try the famous, Oprah-approved, warm and fluffy Big Bottom Biscuits at Piknik Town Market in Guerneville. (Chris Hardy/for Sonoma Magazine)
Drop in for lunch at the new PikNik Town Market (formerly Big Bottom Market). The artsy café delivers a delicious mix of gourmet grocery, an upscale deli complete with curated local wines, and custom-made, mouthwatering layer cakes finished with European buttercream.
New owner Mags van der Veen still serves the famous, Oprah-approved, warm and fluffy Big Bottom Biscuits, stuffed with delights like fresh blueberries and Bavarian cream, or smothered in mushroom gravy. Hearty sandwiches are superb, such as the creamy chicken salad dotted with currants, cashews, apple, aioli and crisp greens on daily-baked whole grain bread, or the lovely combo of beetroot hummus, pickled cucumber and cashew kale pesto on vegan sourdough.
Be sure to treat yourself to a cute little paper sleeve full of puffy, slightly sweet mini Dutch pancakes dusted with powdered sugar alongside a dollop of butter.
Sip on a cocktail or a glass of Sonoma wine from the Honor Bar at Boon Hotel + Spa in Guerneville. (Boon Hotel + Spa)
Check into boon hotel + spa. Entrepreneur Crista Luedtke helped put Guerneville on the map with this intimate enclave of 14 rooms in historic miner’s cabins tucked amid stately redwoods. Digs have been renovated into sexy, eco-friendly cottages clustered around a Mad Men-glitzy swimming pool, and more recently, Luedtke added safari-style glamping tents plus an adorable, 80-square-foot “Boonito” Airstream trailer.
Grab a complimentary-loan Boon bike and make your way a mile-or-so to Armstrong Redwoods State National Reserve. The 805-acre forest is a west county crown jewel, the groves of 500 to 2,000 year-old trees towering to 350 feet (taller than a football field is long). Breathe deep and savor the velvety quiet and solitude; the massive trees are often shrouded in mystical fog.
Breathe deep and savor the velvety quiet and solitude at Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve in Guerneville. (Mariah Harkey/Sonoma County Tourism)
Get a light-ish dinner at Smart Pizza, enjoyed on the colorfully painted deck. Dough is made in house, hand stretched, topped in homemade sauces and specialties like handcrafted meatballs, then baked in a brick oven. Owner Suzy Kuhr rocks it with yummy choices like a North Coast pie of chicken, feta, artichoke hearts, pesto sauce and sun-dried tomatoes.
Sip a nightcap at boon hotel. The “mini bar” here is a full-spirits wet bar next to the hot tub, and a refrigerator stocked with an amazing array of local wines, artisanal canned cocktails, beers, and fresh squeezed juices for make-your-own hard quaffs. Just sign a sheet on the bar; you’re on the honor system.
Day 2
Sleep in, and at your appointed time, boon staff leaves a darling breakfast nosh on your doorstep of fresh squeezed juice, coffee, sliced fruit, a hardboiled egg, and a fresh-baked pastry.
Ramble along Armstrong Woods Road, stopping in at Russian River Books & Letters to browse – gasp — real live books (not digital!). Owner Michael Rex loves books, and will recommend his finds – perhaps “August Wilson: A Life,” a biography of a playwright celebrating African American life in the 20th century (some made into films, including “Fences,” starring Denzel Washington and Viola Davis).
Misty, mystical fog over the Russian River makes a stay even more magical. It also makes you want to cozy up inside with a good book. (Dawn Ranch)Get your next great read at Russian River Books and Letters in Guerneville. (Meg Cooper Photography/Russian River Books and Letters)
Take a few-minutes-drive over the Russian River bridge to Porter Bass Winery. Cooled by ocean breezes, the biodynamic vineyard in a saddle between two ridge tops produces top-notch Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Zinfandel, lovingly handcrafted by Winemaker Luke Bass. By-appointment tastings are held at a wood plank set-up under a shady walnut tree, in the company of veggie plots, orchards, dogs and cows.
Head back down the hill to the historic (but recently renovated) Dawn Ranch. Meander the sprawling 22 acres right on the banks of the Russian River, and admire the vintage apple trees, ancient redwoods, expansive flower gardens, and recently redesigned lodge, chalets, cottages and cabins.
Chef Fernando Trocca can prepare you a storybook picnic to savor amid the trees, stocked with goodies like local cheeses, salumi, sea salt crusted hearth bread, fruit, chocolate and optional wine (yes, get the wine). Or go all out, and he’ll pack you a feast of any Dawn Ranch restaurant dishes you like.
Skip on over to Nimble & Finn’s inside The Guerneville Bank Club (a collective of artisan shops and galleries) for a scoop of handmade artisanal ice cream. (Nimble & Finn’s)Sisters and owners Jazmin Hooijer and Leandra Serena Beaver dream up magical concoctions like lavender honeycomb, Meyer lemon olive oil chocolate chunk, and whiskey butterscotch. (Nimble & Finn’s)
Skip on over to Nimble & Finn’s inside The Guerneville Bank Club (a collective of artisan shops and galleries) for a scoop of handmade artisanal ice cream made with organic dairy from Straus Creamery, seasonal produce, and housemade jams. Sisters and owners Jazmin Hooijer and Leandra Serena Beaver dream up magical concoctions like lavender honeycomb, Meyer lemon olive oil chocolate chunk, and whiskey butterscotch.
Back at boon hotel, indulge in a spa treatment, done in a Guerneville twist with CBD cooling balms for a beautiful, pain-releasing massage. Add in the healing tea service afterwards, for a detoxifying bliss blend of licorice root, peppermint extract, dandelion root, cinnamon and ginger.
Delight in dinner at boon eat + drink. Another Crista Luedtke project, this always-bustling café wows with Sonoma County-spirited dishes like some of the best mac-n-cheese you’ll ever have, dotted with Sebastopol’s mycopia mushrooms and truffle breadcrumbs, or spicy, chile braised Niman pork shoulder atop creamy polenta with fiesta slaw, ricotta salata and crunchy pepitas.
Don’t forget about the real, namesake Boon himself. You’ll see this now dear-departed rescue dog prancing as a mural on the wall, living on in our memories as the wiggly-waggly, frisbee-toting gentleman that Luedtke loved so much.
Chile braised Niman pork shoulder atop creamy polenta with fiesta slaw, ricotta salata and crunchy pepitas at Boon Eat + Drink in Guerneville. (Boon Eat + Drink)
Recommendations
Sonoma Nesting Company, 16151 Main St., 707-869-3434; sonomanesting.com.
PikNik Town Market, 16228 Main St., Guerneville, 707-604-7295, pikniktownmarket.com.
boon hotel + spa, 14711 Armstrong Woods Road, 707-869-2721, boonhotels.com.
Armstrong Redwoods State National Reserve, 17000 Armstrong Woods Road, 707-869-2015, parks.ca.gov.
Marla bakery in Santa Rosa. (Heather Irwin/The Press Democrat)
Last Sunday morning — just one day after their official Oct. 28 opening — Marla SR bakery chef/owner Amy Brown stood with her back to the cozy dining room she’s spent the last six months waiting to share with the neighborhood. From where she stood, she couldn’t see customers’ wide-eyed ogling of the pastry case stuffed with giant croissants, sugar-topped Crebbles and meringue-peaked tarts. Nor could she see how customers gaped at the changes to the former Miracle Plum space in Santa Rosa’s Railroad Square.
Brown is one of the hardest-working bakers in the business, and Oct. 29 was no different. Toasting freshly made bagels and slathering them with farmer’s cheese and house-smoked trout as customers waited patiently took her full attention that morning.
A variety of freshly baked bagels from Marla bakery. (Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat)
“I’m operating on seven hours of sleep,” she said, finally turning around to face the room with a tired smile. Seven hours was luxurious compared to the average two hours she got before she opened the new spot. Brown and her husband, Joe Wolf, already operate a production bakery in Windsor that’s running at full capacity.
The warm and welcoming Railroad Square bakery is the first retail outlet for the couple since they moved to Sonoma County in 2020. They operated out of their Windsor bakery through the roughest days of the pandemic, feeding many locked-down pastry lovers with weekly walk-up sales of bagels, coffee and other breakfast treats along with holiday baked goods. The couple are common fixtures at farmers markets, too.
Crebble, a croissant-like muffin covered with cinnamon and sugar, from Marla Bakery. (Marla Bakery)
The Santa Rosa space has been gently renovated to add seating, a pastry case and espresso maker. It has a sunny glow with gold accents, hanging plants and warm-colored wooden bistro tables. You just want to plop down and nibble for hours on ham-and-cheese croissants, sesame bagels, their signature Crebble (knotted croissant dough baked with maple sugar and sea salt), hearty scones and dark-chocolate brownies. Baguettes and hearth-baked breads, including sourdough batard and walnut boule dusted with flour, sit on nearby shelves waiting for their crisp crust to be cracked open and moist, airy crumb revealed.
The bakery also sells coffee beans from Cute Coffee, teas (including chai), natural wines and beer, cookies and baguette sandwiches.
Open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday to Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 208 Davis St., Santa Rosa, marlabakery.com
Chanterelle mushroom bow-tie pasta with pumpkin butter at the Glen Ellen Star. (Kent Porter/The Press Democrat)
Chef Ari Weiswasser of the critically acclaimed Glen Ellen Star will open Stella restaurant at the former Cafe Citti location in Kenwood
The Glen Ellen chef has leased the recently overhauled 9049 Sonoma Highway building that served as a community hub and casual favorite of nearby winemakers for decades.
“Right now, Kenwood is very underserved in this corridor, and Sonoma Valley is ready for a new concept that will be accessible to Oakmont and Santa Rosa,” Weiswasser said.
After the departure of Cafe Citti in 2020 (now relocated to 2792 Fourth St. in Santa Rosa), the iconic building underwent a down-to-the-studs renovation.
“When you step into a location that the community loved, it’s important to honor that. But we’re also excited to explore our own evolution,” he said.
The forthcoming restaurant will have an open kitchen and wood-fired grill, much like Glen Ellen Star, but will be “leaning into its pasta game” with part of the menu dedicated to housemade pastas, according to Weiswasser. He added that Glen Ellen Star Chef de Cuisine Bryant Minuche will help create the new menu.
“I see a lot of activity happening in Napa and Healdsburg, and I think it’s nice to have some new concepts and energy in Sonoma,” Weiswasser said.
The restaurant will join Golden Bear Station, a new restaurant slated to open in late 2023 from the owners of the critically acclaimed Animo, in a slowly evolving revitalization of the small Sonoma Valley town.
French toast at Farmstand at Farmhouse Inn in Forestville. (Aubrie Pick)
Forestville’s unofficial motto is “The Good Life,” and it’s not hard to see why. A summer destination for bohemians and artists since the early 1900s, the rural town has majestic redwoods and river access, great restaurants, and laid-back, small-town style. Click through the above gallery for a few of our favorite things to do in Forestville.
Josephine Clements, Sofia Englund and Claire Weber contributed to this article.
A four-bedroom, four-bathroom Wine Country home with all the signature elements of a Mediterranean villa, including arched doorways and a covered loggia for alfresco dining, is currently listed for $4,875,000. A 26-foot octagon tower serves as a central point of the home and highlights its elegant architectural details.
The 4,310-square-foot home at 740 Shiloh Terrace in Santa Rosa sits on 8 acres and has been extensively remodeled.
A neutral palette contrasts with strong accents such as iron work detailing in the staircases. Stained wood beams and trims throughout the home warm up the color scheme, most notably in the library, which enjoys richly designed built-in shelves and a door that opens toward one of the terraces. Multiple terraces allow for several spots to take in spectacular views. A great room connects to an expansive deck.
Other amenities include a lap pool, an office and a spa deck. Click through the above gallery for a peek inside the home.
For more information on 740 Shiloh Terrace, contact listing agent Ryan Anderton, Luxury Estates & Vineyards, Sonoma Realty Group,PO Box 1810, Healdsburg, 707-244-7181, sonomarealtygroup.com
