Petaluma’s Best Dinner Spots for Date Night
Fine wine, a mouthwatering meal and gazing into that special someone’s eyes—these are the ingredients for a romantic evening out. Petaluma brims with special restaurants to fit that bill, but here are five extra-intimate destinations to get those hearts going pitter-patter.
Cucina Paradiso: Pale lemon walls glow against chocolate wood trim at this elegant, white tablecloth trattoria where owners Dennis and Malena Hernandez send out some of the best Italian food anywhere in the North Bay. Chef Dennis makes everything from scratch, including warm, pillowy focaccia, and pastas for signatures such as silky ravioli stuffed with roast duck in sundried tomato, pine nut and basil sauce. If you’re craving a particularly rich, ravishing dish, go for the exquisite pork tenderloin sautéed with porcini mushrooms, prosciutto, brandy and mustard. 114 Petaluma Blvd. North, cucinaparadisopetaluma.com. (Courtesy photo)
Cannoli at Cucina Paradiso in Petaluma. (Courtesy photo)
Twisted 2: The 360-square-foot restaurant feels like your own private hideaway, and chef-owner Julie Warner and wine master-owner Dick Warner give you such personal attention that it might as well be. Every detail of the five-course, prix fixe menu is meticulously considered, from the surprisingly excellent Couture Farms pistachio nuts amuse bouche served with crisp Roederer Estate Brut Rosé NV, to Julie’s handmade pottery plates. (Conner Jay)
Twisted 2: Each course offers three choices, teasing you to decide between tea smoked Petaluma Liberty Duck breast with hibiscus glaze and jasmine brown rice, perhaps, or prosciutto-wrapped, seared ono with Meyer lemon aioli, olive tapenade and couscous sprinkled in Himalayan pink salt potato chips. 29 F Petaluma Blvd. North, twisted2.net. (Conner Jay)
Risibisi: Lauded by the “Michelin Guide” since 2008, this cozy gem welcomes with brick walls hung with antique art, glittery wine bottle displays behind the bar, and low lighting that makes everyone look even more gorgeous. Owner Marco Palmieri hails from Trieste, Italy, and his kitchen pours love into authentic dishes such as housemade tagliatelle smothered in succulent braised pork shoulder, roasted sweet peppers, spinach and a fiery jolt of fresh grated horseradish root. 154 Petaluma Blvd. North, risibisirestaurant.com
Eggplant parmigiana at Risibisi Restaurant in Petaluma. (Beth Schlanker)
Homemade gnocchi with a wild boar ragu at Risibisi Restaurant in Petaluma. (Beth Schlanker)
Della Fattoria: Since expanding from a bakery and casual breakfast and lunch café to a full dinner restaurant last year, this gorgeous, art-filled space lures couples in for tête-à-têtes in the shimmer of crystal chandeliers and tree branches strung with tiny white light bulbs. The chefs like bright, sparkly flavors, letting the premium seasonal ingredients sing. Their care is evident in such star plates as tender braised short ribs over farro, butternut squash, sweet walnuts, Truffle Tremor goat cheese, kale, cipollini onions and Brussels sprouts, beautifully presented on a pond of beef jus. 143 Petaluma Blvd. North, dellafattoria.com. (Alvin Jornada)
Della Fattoria restaurant in Petaluma. (Alvin Jornada)
Burrata inside an heirloom tomato with crostini at Della Fattoria in Petaluma. (Alvin Jornada)
Ricotta-short rib raviolo in vegetable ragout at Della Fattoria in Petaluma. (Alvin Jornada)
Steak frites at Della Fattoria in Petaluma. (Alvin Jornada)
Paris Brest at Della Fattoria in Petaluma. (Alvin Jornada)
Alfredo's: Seek out the hidden-away Italian trattoria on Petaluma’s East Side for classic, well-priced, perfectly prepared dishes like homemade pappardelle tossed with prawns, sundried tomatoes, broccoli and the crowning touch, a delicate roasted shrimp bisque sauce. With just a dozen tables, the intimate space is casual yet classy, and owner David Nolazco makes you feel like a VIP as he personally serves each guest. 1426 E. Washington St., alfredositalianpetaluma.com (John Burgess)
The lunch special includes Penne with chicken and an arugula salad and a scoop of gelato from Alfredo's Italian Restaurant in Petaluma. (John Burgess)
