No travels to Europe? No problem. Get a taste of la dolce vita at these local restaurants, wineries and hotels.
Negri's Italian Dinners and Joe's Bar in Occidental has been serving customers since 1943. Many menu favorites are made from scratch using recipes passed down for generations. Open for takeout and outside dining, Friday through Sunday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., 3700 Bohemian Hwy, Occidental, 707-874-0301. (John Burgess)
Negri's Italian Dinners and Joe's Bar in Occidental is currently serving a slightly abbreviated menu. On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, menus are posted on the restaurant's Facebook and Instagram pages. (Courtesy photo)
Nonni's Ravioli from Negri's Italian Dinners and Joe's Bar in Occidental features house made pasta, beef, pork, Swiss chard, herbs and parmesan cheese. (John Burgess)
Negri's Italian Dinners and Joe's Bar in Occidental is also offering cocktails to go. The Bitter Hound (pictured) features gin, fresh grapefruit, Aperol, grapefruit bitters and rosemary sugar. (John Burgess)
Enjoy a taste of Italy at LoCoco's Cucina Rustica at Railroad Square in Santa Rosa. Born in Livorno, owner Joe LoCoco likes to use local ingredients whenever possible. The decor is old-school Italian with red checkered table cloths and candles in wine bottles. Open for outside dining; closed Mondays. 117 4th Street, Santa Rosa, 707-523-2227. (Alvin Jornada)
LoCoco's homemade cannoli are filled with ricotta, pistachio and orange zest. (Courtesy photo)
Italian immigrants Santi and Virginia Catelli opened Catelli’s in Geyserville around 1936. Today, third generation siblings, Domenica and Nicholas Catelli keep diners well-fed. Enjoy a long leisurely lunch, just like in southern Europe, on one of Catelli's two patios. Also open for curbside pick-up; closed Mondays and Tuesdays. 21047 Geyserville Avenue, Geyserville, 707-857-3471. (Alvin Jornada)
Richard's meat sauce over ten layer lasagna at Catelli's in Geyserville. (Jeff Kan Lee)
Chef/owner Domenica Catelli announces the opening of two outdoor dining patios at Catelli’s restaurant in Geyserville. (John Burgess)
Social-distanced al fresco dining at Catelli's in Geyserville. (Courtesy photo)
There's plenty of outdoor dining space at Catelli's in Geyserville. (Courtesy photo)
A couple of doors down from Catelli's, you'll find another Italian gem in Wine Country: Dino Bugica's Diavola Diavola Pizzeria & Salumeria. Share the house cured salami and cheese board, and then some pizza with rosé. You can even get a Negroni, the popular Italian cocktail, to go. Open for patio dining and carryout. 21021 Geyserville Ave, Geyserville, 707-814-0111. (Christopher Chung)
House cured salami and cheese at Diavola Pizzeria & Salumeria in Geyserville. (Christopher Chung)
The Salsiccia Pizza, with house sausage, red onions, and pecorino, at Diavola Pizzeria & Salumeria in Geyserville. (Christopher Chung)
Sonoma’s Salumeria Ovello is owned by Michelin-starred chef Andrea Marino. He grew up in Italy and, like most great Italian chefs, he learned how to cook from his grandmother before attending culinary school. Salumeria Ovello is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. (Courtesy photo)
Along with artisan salumi, you’ll find focaccia, salads, and Italian desserts at Salumeria Ovello in Sonoma. (Courtesy photo)
No trip to Italy, real or imaginary, is complete without rustic bread soaked in fine olive oil. The Olive Press in Sonoma has many varietals to choose from. You can taste them Thursday - Monday, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., by making a reservation. 24724 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, 800-965-4839. (Chris Hardy)
Sebastopol looks a lot like Italy when you’re sipping bubbles and soaking in the view from the tasting bar at Iron Horse Vineyards. Tastings are by appointment. 9786 Ross Station Road, Sebastopol, 707-887-1507. (Courtesy photo)
You can enjoy your bubbles with a picnic of Italian dry salami, prosciutto, biscuits, and more at Iron Horse Vineyards. Order in advance and Big Bottom Market will have your lunch waiting for you at the winery. (Courtesy of Iron Horse Vineyards)
Seghesio Family Vineyards in Healdsburg dates back to 1895 when Italian immigrant and winemaker Edoardo Seghesio planted Zinfandel in Sonoma County’s Alexander Valley. Seghesio’s Classic Tasting includes Zinfandels and Italian heritage wines. Seated tastings in the Outdoor Grove are available with a reservation, Thursday through Sunday. 700 Grove Street, Healdsburg, 707-433-3579. (Courtesy of Seghesio Family Vineyards)
Viansa Sonoma, with views of Sonoma Valley to the south and the Mayacamas Mountains to the east, lulls guests into a Tuscan state of mind. By reservation only, outdoor tastings include four wines and last 90 minutes. Wood-fired pizzas are available for purchase on Saturdays and Sundays. 25200 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, 800-995-4740. (Beth Schlanker)
The views at Viansa Sonoma transport you to Tuscany. (Courtesy photo)
An outdoor tasting at Viansa Sonoma against a backdrop of rolling hills and Italian cypresses. (Courtesy photo)
If your goal is to wake up feeling like you’re in Italy, make your way to the Kenwood Inn & Spa. From rooms with custom Italian furnishings to courtyards studded with trees, flowers and fountains, it’s hard not to live la dolce vita during a stay here. 10400 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, 707-358-6639. (Courtesy of Kenwood Inn & Spa)
The pool at Kenwood Inn & Spa is great for lazy swims and as a stand-in for Fontana di Trevi, without the Bernini-style sculptures, of course. (Courtesy of Kenwood Inn & Spa)
No travels to Europe? No problem. You can get a taste of the good life in other parts of the world right here in Sonoma County. Dreaming of a trip to Italy? We’ve rounded up a few local ideas in the above gallery. Remember to social distance and to wear that mask!
Where do you go for a taste of Italy in Sonoma County? Let us know in the comments.
They’re finally ripe! Get ready for BLTs and other delicious tomato dishes.
Riviera is a comfortable, excellent Italian restaurant that doesn’t seem to pop up in these reviews, but offers truly great Italian food without all the embellishments found at some establishments. Even though it may not make the “lists” it is usually full-full of diners and full of wonderfully flavorful food.
How could you miss including DaVero Farms & Winery in Healdsburg?? They specialize in Italian variety wines AND brought over the first olive plants to the US since the 1800s. Their wines, olive oils and culinary items are nothing short of amazing!!
The tasting complex at VJB Winery is truly Tuscan in character from the tiled roofs to the rock walls. The courtyard patio separates the main building from the hall that is used for special wine events, with the pizza ovens located on the SE side. I’m a VJB wine club member for several reasons. The first is that they offer a large selection of Italian wines and I like the majority! of them, unlike most wineries where I’m lucky to be impressed by two. They have maps in the tasting room where you can see where the grapes of the wines your are drinking are traditionally grown in Italy. This and the wealth of info about the local vineyards from the pourers (even the youngins) makes for a richer experience of the tasting. Between the wine makers, the setting, the first class Italian deli, the pizza, and the staff, you can easily imagine that you are in Pienza, or Montepulciano, or Montalcino or the outskirts of Siena. (You probably can’t tell that I’m tearing up now, remembering our honeymoon in Tuscany.) Then, after your visit to Italy at VJB, just drive a few miles east to the Sonoma Springs area if you also want a trip to Mexico.
As we own a farmhouse in Tuscany to which we can’t return yet, we get our Italian fix at VJB Cafe in Kenwood. Beautiful patio, great wines, yummy gelato and authentic nibbles.