Celebrate the delicious good fortune of living in Wine Country February 21-27 as local chefs to put their best plates forward during Sonoma County Restaurant Week.
Now in its second year, it’s a week long eat-fest with nearly 100 county restaurants participating. Three-course prix fixe menus are set at $19, $29 or $39, with each restaurant choosing it’s own price point.
The dining kicks off on Monday, and there are no tickets or passes required. Just head out for whatever sounds good. There are some tasty deals to be found, along with some ambitious menus from chefs who want to see you come back. Reservations are recommended, especially on busy weekend nights.
For more details and menus check out the Sonoma County Restaurant Week website at sonomacountyrestaurantweek.org. (Note, the site has been timing out and painfully slow most of the day, ugh!)
Here are some spots to check out…I’ll be updating this page throughout the next 10 days or so, adding thoughts, menus, etc.
New at the Table
What’s new? These restaurants have either made a recent Sonoma County debut or have something new to offer (like a new chef in the kitchen). Consider giving them a first look.
Geyserville
Rustic, $39: A bit of a haul from Santa Rosa, Francis Ford Coppola’s winery restaurant was well worth the wait. The menu is inspired by family recipes and his travels around the world, and the views are breathtakingly spectacular. On the RW menu, french fried zucchini, the popular chicken mattone, New York strip steak, pizza Sofia and the dreamy chocolate mousse al “Francis Francis’. 300 Via Archimedes, Geyserville, (707) 857-1485
Catelli’s, $19, $29: This longtime Italian restaurant recently took up residence in Geyserville in the former Santi space. The $19 menu features a 10-layer lasagna and sourdough bread pudding; the $29 menu a white-wine, garlic and rosemary chick or grilled tri-tip. 21047 Geyserville Ave, Geyserville, 857-3471.
Santa Rosa
Blue Label at the Belvedere, $29: There’s plenty of buzz around this funky comfort food eatery from the former Humble Pie crew. The far-from-stodgy vibe includes a toasty fireplace, record player and buffalo-head mascot. To eat: Meyer lemon & basil salad; soda pop lamb (slow braised shoulder with cheesy grits) or vegetarian-friendly buckwheat crepes and veggies; candied kumquats and vanilla ice cream. 727 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, 542-8705.
Santi, $29: The departure of longtime chef Liza Hinman has put longtime sous Doug Richey in the driver’s seat. The RW lineup includes antipasti, sugo Calabrese with spaghettini, lemon tart. 2097 Stagecoach Rd., Santa Rosa, 528-1549.
Fresh By Lisa Hemenway, $19, $29: Part marketplace, part cafe, local food personality Lisa Hemenway never disappoints. $19 menu: Organic greens; meatloaf and mashed potatoes or pot pie; $29 menu includes baked brie with garlic jalapeno pepper jelly, grilled salmon or skirt steak, lemon pie. 5755 Mountain Hawk Dr., Santa Rosa.
Healdsburg
SpoonBar, $29: Ultra-mod dining at the h2hotel, Chef Rudy Mihal’s brick chicken with lemon and couscous rarely fails to impress. Don’t miss a cocktail from drink-whiz Scottie Beattie as long as you’re there. Kobe beef shortribs, pork terrine, California sea bass, brick chicken, gnocchi with duck ragout, flourless chocolate torte. 219 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 433-7222.
Baci Cafe & Wine Bar, $29: Pizzas and straightforward Italian faves quickly made this a local hangout. Arugula salad, veal saltimbocco and tiramisu. 336 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 433-8111.
Sebastopol
French Garden, $39: A new exec chef seems to finally have this Sebastopol sleeper on track. Sunchoke bisque, grilled Creekstone sirloine with roasemary roasted potatoes, riccota gnocchi with black truffle butter, hazelnut cake with chocolate mousse, passion fruit coulis. 8050 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol, 824-2030.
Peter Lowell’s, $19: This sustainable restaurant has a new chef in the kitchen and a more inclusive menu to please veggie and meat lovers alike. Citrus salad with yogurt mint vinaigrette, thin crust Neopolitan pizza, shepherd’s pie with local ground beef, carrots, onions and mashed potatoes, chocolate budino. 7385 Healdsburg Ave, Sebastopol, 829-1077.
Under the Radar
These aren’t your usual suspects. Neighborhood or off-the-beaten path restaurants worth checking out.
Glen Ellen Inn, $19: Artichoke and Stilton ravioli, chocolate mousse; $29 grilled romaine salad, mussels with garlic fries, housemade vanilla sundae. 13670 Arnold Dr., Glen Ellen, 996-6409.
Bruno’s On Fourth, $29: Harry’s clam chowder, wedge salad with applewood smoked bacon; Dungeness crab fettucine, Niman ranch chicken parmesan, meatloaf with mashed potatoes. 1226 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 569-8222.
Charlie’s at the Windsor Golf Course, $29: Mostly a clubby, business-lunch sort of spot, there’s clearly some major ambition in the kitchen. Green chile and roasted corn polenta; roasted garlic flatbread with fig jam; honey and lemon brined buttermilk fried chicken, pork chops, gnocchi with Andoille sausage; fried cheesecake, crepes with Grand Marnier strawberry compote. 1320 19th Hole Dr, WIndsor, 838-8802.
Affronti, $19: Tucked off the plaza, this cozy little wine bar is going all out with a three course menu with creative dishes including steamed clams and chorizo; heirloom squash soup; polpettone (kind of like meatloaf) sliders; three cheese lasagna; saffron panna cotta or a sundae with cabernet chocolate sauce. 235 Healdsburg Ave., Suite 105, Healdsburg, 431-1113.
Kenwood Restaurant & Bar, $29: French onion soup; duck spring rolls; cranberry glazed pork tenderloin; beef bourguigon with mashed potatoes; flourless Swiss chocolate cake with raspberry coulis. 9900 Sonoma Hwy, Kenwood, 833-6326.
Village Inn & Restaurant, $19: Tasty choices for a great price include roasted sweet potato bisque; garlic tiger prawns on polenta cake; pinot noir braised beef short ribs. 20822 River Rd, Monte Rio, 865-2304.
And a Few Just Plain Mouthwatering Menus:
John Ash & Co, $39: Roasted heirloom beets, fried tuna sashimi, zinfandel braised short ribs with mac and cheese gratin, pan seared black cod, dark chocolate cake with salted caramel buttercream.
Rendez Vous Bistro, $29: Balsamic braised pork belly with seared foie gras, red pepper bisque with Dungeness crabmeat, pan seared escolar, beef Bearnaise, homemade artichoke ravioli, chocolate pot de creme, petit crepe Suzette.
Chinois, $29: Panko prawns with wasabi honey mayo, pork shu mai, lemongrass prawns, five spice short ribs, coconut mango panna cotta.
Bistro 29, $29: Local oyster on the half shell, tart Flamiche with leeks, lobster bisque, beef daube with marble potatoes, local snapper with artichokes, creme caramel with strawberry compote.
+++++
All Restaurants Participating in Restaurant Week, February 21-28, 2011
Bodega Bay
Bay View Restaurant & Lounge, $29
The Duck Club, $39
Cloverdale
Cafe Nitro, $29
Mary’s Pizza Shack, $19
Forestville
Corks at Russian River Vineyards, $29
Geyserville
Rustic Francis’s Fravorites, $39
Center Stage Bar & Grill at River Rock, $19, $29, $39
Catellis Restaurant, $19, $29
Glen Ellen
fig cafe and winebar, $29
Glen Ellen Inn, $19, $29
Guerneville
Applewood Inn, $39
Healdsburg
Bear Republic Brewpub, $19
Barndiva, $39
Baci Cafe & Wine Bar, $29
Bistro Ralph, $39
Zin, $29
A Divine Affair, $29
SpoonBar, $29
Affronti Wine Bar & Restaurant, $19
Dry Creek Kitchen, $39
Kenwood
Cafe Citti, $19
Kenwood Restaurant and Bar, $29
Monte Rio
Village Inn & Restaurant, $19
Occidental
Bistro Des Copains, $29
Petaluma
Graffiti, $39
Mary’s Pizza Shack, $19
Le Bistro, $29
Tres Hombres, $19
Tolay at Sheraton Hotel, $39
Cattlemens, $29
Pazzo, $29
Dempsey’s Restaurant & Brewery, $19
Rohnert Park
Mary’s Pizza Shack, $19
Hana Japanese, $29
Bacchus Restaurant & Wine Bar, $29
Santa Rosa
Fresh By LIsa Hemenway, $19, $29
Union Hotel, $19
El Coqui Puerto Rican, $19
La Vera Pizza, $19
Cafe Europe, $19
Cafe Portofino, $29
Bruno’s on Fourth, $29
Jackson’s Bar & Oven, $29
Sea Thai Bistro, $29
Sam’s for Play, $19
Santi, $29
Blue Label at the Belvedere, $29
Legends at the Bennett Valley Golfcourse, $19
Equus, $29
Viola Pastry Boutique and Cafe, $19
Brasserie Restaurant & Lounge, $29
Mary’s Pizza Shack, $19
Nonni’s Ristorante Italiano, $29
Monti’s Rotisserie and Bar, $29
La Gare, $29
Jack and Tony’s Restaurant & Whisky Bar, $29
Checkers Bistro & Wine Bar, $29
Ca Bianca, $29
Cattlemens, $29
Rendez Vous Bistro, $29
Johnny Garlic’s, $29
The Villa, $19
Bistro 29, $29
Nectar Restaurant, $29
John Ash & Co, $39
Zazu Restaurant & Farm, $39
Stark’s Steakhouse, $39
Syrah Bistro, $39
SIzzling Tandoor, $19
Riviera, $29
Sebastopol
Mary’s Pizza Shack, $19
Hopmonk Tavern, $29
Henweigh Cafe, $19
Starlight Wine Bar & Restaurant, $29
Peter Lowell’s, $19
GTO Seafood, $29
French Garden, $39
Pizzavino 707, $19
Sonoma
Della Santina Trattoria, $29
Hopmonk Tavern, $29
Saddles Steakhouse, $19
Mamma Tanino’s Ristorante, $29
LoKal, $39
Epicurean Connection, $19
Mary’s Pizza Shack, $19
Big Three, $119
Sante at the Fairmont, $39
Meritage Martini and Oyster Bar & Grille, $29
Harvest Moon Cafe, $29
Cafe La Haye, $29
Estate, $29
Carneros Bistro and Wine Bar, $39
Girl and the Fig, $29
Valley Ford
Rocker Oysterfeller’s, $29
Windsor
Bistro M, $29
Chinois Asian Bistro, $29
Ume Japanese Bistro, $29
Mary’s Pizza Shack, $19
Charlie’s at Windsor Golf Course, $29
Johnny Garlic’s, $29