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BEST PICNIC PROVISIONERS IN SONOMA COUNTY: Read the introduction by Dining Editor Heather Irwin below, and click through the gallery for photos and more information.
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Pascaline Patisserie and Cafe: Two French chefs run this tiny bakery and catering shop offering fresh croissants, tarts, and gourmet lunches to go including a Croque Monsieur, mushroom and spinach tartine, quiche, frittata, soup, grilled vegetable sandwich, along with beautiful salads. Open Wed-Sunday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.,4550 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol, 823-3122, pascalinefinecatering.com. (Photo by Heather Irwin)
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Twist Eatery: This tiny deli serves up chef-driven daily specials from spicy fried chicken to Cajun meatloaf and a spectacular pulled pork sandwich with sharp cheddar cheese on a rosemary focaccia roll. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 11a.m.to 4 pm, 6536 Front St., Forestville, 820-8443, twisteatery.com. (Photo by John Burgess)
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Marin French Cheese Company: You’ll see plenty of happy cows along the way to the oldest continually operating cheese factory in America. A small store at the Hicks Valley Ranch offers a variety of unique cheeses, sandwiches, and wines. 7510 Pt. Reyes-Petaluma Road, Petaluma, marinfrenchcheese.com. Open daily from 8:30a.m.to 5p.m. (Photo by John Burgess)
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Big Bottom Market: You’re here for the biscuits, although we won’t tell if you grab a few other things while you’re waiting. Named one of “Oprah’s Favorite Things,” the homemade biscuits at Big Bottom come with everything from mascarpone and honey or gravy and bacon to ham and cheddar or smoked salmon and creme fraiche. 16228 Main St., Guerneville, 604-7295, bigbottommarket.com. Closed Tuesday. (Photo by Chris Hardy)
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Freestone Artisan Cheese: If you’re looking for some of the most local, small-batch, impossible-to-find cheeses, you’re in the right place. This funky little shop is tucked away, but well worth a visit for a fresh crepe, a few wedges of seasonal cheeses and charcuterie. 380 Bohemian Hwy., Freestone, 874-1030, freestoneartisan.com. (Photo by Alvin Jornada)
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Duncans Mills General Store: A quaint, old-fashioned gem with homemade smoked meats (the jerky is delish), sandwiches and other picnic goods in one of the most charming little towns ever. Grab a coffee at Gold Coast Coffee and Bakery, or head up the road to Raymond's Bakery for a huge treat from this award-winning baker. 25200 CA-116, Duncans Mills, 865-9564. (Photo by John Burgess)
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Andy’s Produce Market: Though this roadside market doesn’t look like much from the exterior, inside is a wonderland of local foods, including produce grown within a few miles, hard-to-find cheeses, small-batch ciders, and a seasonal snapshot of the best the county has to offer. You won’t leave empty-handed. 1691 Gravenstein Hwy. North, Sebastopol, 823-8661. PD File.
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Korbel Delicatessen and Market: If you haven’t toured this historic home of California bubbly, we can attest that it’s good fun even if you’re not a sparkling wine fan. And if you’re just needing a bit of grub on the way to the redwoods, the winery’s deli features sandwiches, plenty of pre-made salads, cheeses, charcuterie and other local goodies. 13250 River Road, Guerneville, 824-7313. (Photo by Alvin Jornada)
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Jimtown Store: This picture-perfect little market tucked away in the Alexander Valley is another popular spot that’s gained international acclaim for its rustic charm and Wine Country cuisine. Packed with antiques and Americana, the 100-plus year-old general store is a must-stop for “chain gang” chili, sandwiches and owner Carrie Brown’s spicy pepper jam and pulled pork. 6706 Hwy., 128, Healdsburg, 433-1212, jimtown.com. Courtesy photo.
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Dahlia & Sage Community Market: A brand-new market in this emerging culinary destination in far northern Sonoma County. A showcase for local farmers, the natural foods market includes both paleo and gluten free options, along with sushi from the much-missed Cafe Japan. 115 E. Second St., Cloveradale, 669-2320, dahliasagemarket.com. Photo: Kyle S/Yelp
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Dahlia & Sage Community Market: A brand-new market in this emerging culinary destination in far northern Sonoma County. A showcase for local farmers, the natural foods market includes both paleo and gluten free options, along with sushi from the much-missed Cafe Japan. 115 E. Second St., Cloveradale, 669-2320, dahliasagemarket.com. (Photo courtesy of Dahlia & Sage)
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Casa del Mole: You’ll find a broad mix of folks in this combination mercado, carnicera and taqueria. A local family owns this funky spot as well as several Mexican restaurants in the area, best known for their homemade mole. Grab some tacos, mole and a torta to go. 434 Center Street, Healdsburg, 433-4138, casadelmole.com. (Photo of owners Pedro and Octavio Diaz by Beth Schlanker
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Big John’s Market: A stunning display of cheese greets you at this upscale supermarket. Followed by freshly baked cakes, a massive meat case, local wines and produce from both near and far. It’s a foodie’s dream of what a grocery store could be. You’ll also find plenty of grab-and-go salads, sandwiches and just about every local producer’s products — from chocolate to pickles — in the aisles. 1345 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 433-7151, bigjohnsmarket.com. (Photo by Christopher Chung)
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SHED Healdsburg: Home to one of Wine Country’s best chefs, Perry Hoffman, this combination of coffee shop, shrub bar, sit-down restaurant, take-out deli and market is a foodie paradise. There is a limited selection of fresh produce, cheeses, meats and other deli items, but here, it’s best to call ahead if you want one of their luxe picnic baskets filled with sandwiches, fruit and macarons. Or just grab a few pastries and some homemade ice cream for the car. 25 North St., Healdsburg, 431-7433, healdsburgshed.com.
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The Pharmacy: A focus on healthy, whole foods that actually taste delicious is the mission of this tiny grab-and-go eatery tucked into a doctor’s office park. That should be your first clue. Don’t miss daily specials like a ricotta and fava open-faced sandwich on hearty Revolution bread, or their famous roast beef. 990 Sonoma Ave,. Santa Rosa, 978-2801, thepharmacysonomacounty.com. (Photo by Erica Olsson Photography)
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The Pharmacy: A focus on healthy, whole foods that actually taste delicious is the mission of this tiny grab-and-go eatery tucked into a doctor’s office park. That should be your first clue. Don’t miss daily specials like a ricotta and fava open-faced sandwich on hearty Revolution bread, or their famous roast beef. 990 Sonoma Ave,. Santa Rosa, 978-2801, thepharmacysonomacounty.com. (Photo Heather Irwin)
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Lazzini’s Market: This Italian-style deli is all about the sandwiches. If you can handle it, the Italian Stallion has a pile of cold cuts, mozzarella and provolone, pickles, onions, pepperoncini and Italian dressing on a sour French roll. Also try the Godfather, with their own bbq tri-tip, cheddar, bbq sauce, and mayo. Lazzini’s also has a nice selection of wine and European foods. 3449 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa, 575-3888, lazzinismarket.com. (Photo by Yelp, "the Godfather BBQ Tri Tip sandwich")
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Chloe’s French Cafe: Call ahead for box lunches, or just stop in for authentic French pastries and the best chicken curry sandwich known to man. Okay, at least to us. 3883 Airway Dr., Santa Rosa, 528-3095, chloesco.com. (Photo by Christopher Chung)
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Ulia’s Delicatessen: Straight up sandos and panini, along with Middle Eastern specialties like pita gyros with homemade tzatzki sauce and falafel. 130 Stony Point, Santa Rosa, 525-8542. Also in Petaluma at 1000 Clegg Ct. Fourth Street Deli (300 Mendocino, 707-573-9832) in downtown also makes fresh hummus and Middle Eastern salads, along with fresh soups and sandwiches. (Photo by Yelp)
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VJB Cellars: Authentic Italian panini made with prosciutto, mortadella, meatballs, porchetta and bresaola available to eat at the “piazza” or for takeout. We’re inamorato with the little village shops including a pizzeria, Gelateria, and fresh pasta shop—with a little something for everyone. 60 Shaw Ave., Kenwood, 833-2300, vjbcellars.com. (Photo by John Burgess)
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Sonoma Cheese Factory: Fresh bbq, giant sandwiches, a large cheese and meat selection and even picnic baskets for purchase. Right on the plaza, this one-stop deli and cheese mecca has online ordering so you can pick-up on the go. Plus they’re open daily. 2 Spain St., Sonoma, 996-1931, sonomacheesefactory.com. (Photo by John Burgess)
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El Brinquito: A small Hispanic market that’s best known for its barbecue chicken, along with top notch carnitas, gorditas and burritos. Closed Sunday. 17380 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma, 996-4912. (Photo by John Burgess)
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MaK's DeliMaK’s Deli: Worth a special trip to the tiny hamlet of Cotati, this European/American deli serves up schnitzel and spaetzel daily, if you want something really hearty. Sandwiches run the gamut, but some of their specialty ‘wiches include the “Swede”, made with seafood salad, sliced cucumber and tomatoes and “Croatian” with crispy chicken and carrot pickle mayo. 101 East Cotati Blvd., 992-0161, maksdeli.com.
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Petaluma Creamery: Barbecue tri-tip sandwiches, an abundance of local cheeses and Petaluma Gold ice cream. 621 Western Ave., Petaluma. 707-762-3446, petalumacreamerycheeseshop.com. (Photo courtesy of Petaluma Creamery)
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Ray’s Delicatessen and Tavern: Part bar and live music venue, part deli, this historic eatery is pure Petaluma. The “Miranda Special” has aioli, Brie, and greens on a warm French roll, while bigger appetites might go for the Roast Beef and Blue Cheese with rare roast beef, creamy blue cheese, dijon and arugula. Upscale salads, wines, and other bites. 900 Western Ave., Petaluma, 707-762-9492, rays-deli.com. (Photo by Yelp)
