Several Sonoma Restaurants, Food Producers Awarded Slow Food’s ‘Snail of Approval’

One of the most coveted recognitions in the Sonoma County food world isn't a Michelin star or rave critical review — it's the Snail of Approval.


One of the most coveted recognitions in the Sonoma County food world isn’t a Michelin star or rave critical review — it’s the Snail of Approval. Awarded by two local chapters of the Slow Food organization — Russian River and Sonoma County North — it is handed out annually to restaurants, food producers and farms that honor the practice of making good, clean and fair food for all people.

The criteria for receiving the award are many, requiring multiple visits from Slow Food officials who assess aspects of the business like its sustainability, ethical sourcing, environmental impacts, cultural connections and community involvement.

There already are a number of local restaurants and food producers who, in addition to the 2024 winners, have received the Snail of Approval, including Psychic Pie in Sebastopol, Americana in Santa Rosa, Tilted Shed Ciderworks in Windsor and COOKIE…take a bite! in Santa Rosa. (See the full list at slowfoodsonomacountynorth.org)

Snail of Approval awards
Leith Leiser-Miller and Nicholi Ludlow, right, serving up their Psychic Pie pizza to attendees during the Snail of Approval awards ceremony held at Grange Hall in Sebastopol, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024. (Erik Castro / For The Press Democrat)
Altamont is Slow Food Snail of Approval awardee
The Boho Bowl includes stewed French lentils, rice, pickled beets, Brussel sprouts, curried cauliflower, arugula, roasted root vegetables, sauerkraut, pumpkin seeds, chimichurri sauce, and creme fraiche at The Altamont General Store. Photo taken in Occidental on Thursday, May 13, 2021. (Beth Schlanker/Sonoma Magazine)

Here are the 2024 Snail of Approval winners:

Nightingale Breads: 6665 Front St., Forestville, 707-887-8887, nightingalebreads.com

Altamont General Store: 3703 Main St., Occidental, 707-874-6053, altamontgeneralstore.com

Goodness Gracious Catering: 14301 Arnold Drive, Suite 3, Glen Ellen, 707-343-1308, goodnessgraciouseats.com

PizzaLeah: 9240 Old Redwood Highway, Suite 116, Windsor, 707-620-0551, pizzaleah.com

Snail of Approval winner Troubadour
Sandwich from Troubadour in Healdsburg. Troubadour is a 2024 Snail of Approval awardee. (Emma K Creative)

Troubadour Bread and Bistro: 381 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-756-3972, troubadourhbg.com

Sarmentine French Bakery: 52 Mission Circle, Suite 112, Santa Rosa; 840 Petaluma Blvd. North, Petaluma; 6760 McKinley St., Suite 150, Sebastopol; 707-623-9595; sarmentine.com

Maison Porcella: 8499 Old Redwood Highway, Suite 114, Windsor, 707-955-5611, maisonporcella.com

Belfare: 1410 S. McDowell Blvd., Suite D, Petaluma, 707-774-6029, belfaresonoma.com

Green Grocer: Ten weekly farmers market locations. Details at Instagram.com/greengrocerpopup

Golden State Pickle Works: Available at Oliver’s, the Friday Sonoma Valley Farmers Market and the Saturday Napa Farmers Market. 510-717-7484, goldenstatepickleworks.com

Croque-Monsieur from Maison Porcella in Windsor, April 13, 2023. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Croque-Monsieur from Maison Porcella in Windsor, April 13, 2023. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
A selection of products from Leslie Goodrich, owner of LaLa's Jam Bar and Urban Farmstand in Petaluma. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
A selection of products from Leslie Goodrich, owner of LaLa’s Jam Bar and Urban Farmstand in Petaluma. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

Lala’s Jam Bar: 720 E. Washington St., Petaluma, 707-773-1083, lalasjams.com

Woodlands Charcuterie: Multiple farmers markets locations weekly. Details at woodlandscharcuterie.com

Planetary Potato Chips: Available at local markets like Jupiter Foods and Fishetarian. 707-837-8113, planetarychips.com

Showa Farm: 1126 Highland Ranch Road, Cloverdale, 301-675-7741, showa-farm.com

Kibo Farm in conjunction with Belden Barns: 5561 Sonoma Mountain Road, Santa Rosa, 415-577-8552, kibosonoma.com and beldenbarns.com

Marin Coast Ranch: 900 Cerini Road, Tomales, marincoastranch.com

An awards ceremony for the 2024 winners will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Feb. 19, at the Sebastopol Grange.

You can reach Dining Editor Heather Irwin at heather.irwin@pressdemocrat.com. Follow Heather on Instagram @biteclubeats.