Of the hundreds of amazing restaurants in Sonoma County, around 20 stand out as the best-of-the-best destinations for newcomers. Some are fancy, some are decidedly not, but they all share a focus on local ingredients, friendly service and sense-of-place dining that define what it is to eat in this mecca of taste.

Dry Creek General Store

Smack dab in the heart of the Dry Creek Valley, this historic general store surrounded by vineyards is pure Sonoma County. Head in for upscale picnic provisions, ridiculously good sandwiches, fresh-from-the-garden fruit and take-home treats. 3495 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, 707-433-4171, drycreekgeneralstore1881.com

Roof 106/The Matheson

This multi-concept eatery from stellar chef Dustin Valette is Healdsburg in a nutshell. Downstairs, head to the wine wall, where you can serve yourself some of the best juice in Wine Country. The upscale Matheson features creative California cuisine, while the casual Roof 106 offers a terrific indoor-outdoor patio, views of the downtown plaza and excellent pizza. 106 Matheson St., Healdsburg, 707-723-1106, thematheson.com

Catelli’s

This Italian trattoria has served up swoon-worthy lasagna, ravioli and spaghetti for generations. Chef Domenica Catelli has kicked up the classic recipes with fresh flavors, farm-to-table ingredients and a whole lot of love. The outdoor patio is stunning, and you won’t go home hungry. 21047 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville, 707-857-3471, mycatellis.com

Geyserville Gun Club

A favorite among off-duty chefs and in-the-know locals, this former gun club is actually a full service bar with ridiculously good food. It is a sister to the critically-acclaimed Diavola Pizzeria and Salumeria (also in Geyserville). The menu is snacky and delicious and the drinks are no joke. Don’t miss the pink bathroom. 21025 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville, 707-814-0036, geyservillegunclub.com

El Molino Central

Homemade tortillas — not just from prepared masa, but from their own soaked and milled corn — showcase the passion for authenticity at this Sonoma-adjacent taqueria. Best bets include beer-battered fish tacos and take-home salsas. 11 Central Ave., Sonoma, 707-939-1010, elmolinocentral.com

Girl and the Fig

This Sonoma Plaza bistro has been a required stop for travelers for more than 30 years. French with a California twist, it’s never stuffy and always a treat. We’re fans of the signature fig and arugula salad, steak frites and steamed mussels. A full bar includes “sorbet sippers” like the In Ernest with lemon-lime and orange sorbet, rum, Luxardo and brandied cherries. Plus a stunning wine list. 110 West Spain St., Sonoma, 707-938-3634, thegirlandthefig.com

Glen Ellen Star

A wood-fired oven is the beating heart of this Sonoma Valley restaurant that’s a favorite among locals and savvy visitors, who make their way to the tiny hamlet. Whole roasted fish, wood roasted seasonal vegetables, pizzas and brick chicken are classics. 13648 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen, 707-343-1384, glenellenstar.com

Americana

Farm-to-table breakfasts from the owners of Valley Ford’s Estero Cafe (which you should also check out). Favorites include fried chicken with country gravy, omelets, a lovely breakfast sandwich with Estero Gold cheese on a fresh ciabatta, yogurt parfait and pancakes with tasty fresh strawberry mimosas. 205 Fifth St., Santa Rosa, 707-755-1548, americanasr.com

Mitote Food Park

This food park in the heart of Roseland showcases best-in-class taco trucks along with churros and a full bar. Celebrating Latino heritage and culture, it’s a delicious way to experience an oft-overlooked but vibrant part of Sonoma County. 100 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa, mitotefoodpark.com

Willi’s Wine Bar

Perhaps the most Wine Country restaurant of them all, this international small-plates wine bar is a required pilgrimage. One of seven Sonoma County restaurants owned by Chef Mark Stark and his wife, Terri, you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, but the curried crab tacos are a favorite. 1415 Town and Country Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-526-3096, williswinebar.net

The Shuckery

The Lalicker sisters, aka the Oyster Girls, are the brains (and brawn) behind this Petaluma seafood restaurant. You’re here for the oysters (raw, Rockefeller, barbecue, Bingo or chef’s special) or tender clams with grilled Della Fattoria bread to sop up the sauce. 100 Washington St., Petaluma, 707-981-7891, theshuckeryca.com

Stockhome

This couple-owned cafe focuses on Swedish comfort foods like pickled herring and meatballs with gravy an lingonberry jam, along with kebab plates, a popular late night snack in Sweden, and small meze plates (fried Halloumi cheese is amazing). 220 Western Ave., Petaluma, 707-981-8511, stockhomepetaluma.com

The Barlow

This outdoor marketplace is a hub for Sonoma County makers, wineries, restaurants, craft brewers and taste innovators. From pizza, tacos and grilled cheese to upscale Southern dining and a distillery, it’s an eater’s paradise. Region wine bar offers more than 50 small-production wines from self-serve vending machines and you can order food from nearby restaurants to eat on their patio. 6770 McKinley St., 707-824-5600, thebarlow.net

Handline

Pairing sustainably sourced seafood with locally grown produce (much of it from the restaurant’s own backyard), Handline is a locals’ favorite. The large patio is perfect for chowing down on rockfish tacos, best-of-class burgers, and soft serve ice cream. Make sure to try any of their vegetarian plates because they’re always unbelievably good. 935 Gravenstein Highway S., Sebastopol, 707-827-3744, handline.com

Ramen Gaijin

This casual izakaya, from chefs Matthew Williams and Moishe Hahn-Schuman, grew from a tiny pop-up restaurant to one of the most celebrated ramen shops in Sonoma County. Handmade noodles are top notch. 6948 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol, 707-827-3609, ramengaijin.com

Boon Eat + Drink

West Sonoma County isn’t always on the itinerary. But the drive through vineyards, redwood groves and along the Russian River offers a whole other side of Wine Country. Downtown Guerneville has plenty to offer, too, but Chef Crista Luedke’s casual bistro gets directly to the heart of Sonoma County’s farm-to-table ethos. 16248 Main St., Guerneville, 707-869-0780, eatatboon.com

Rocker’s Roadhouse

Southern comfort food meets California coastal cuisine means next-level, Cajun-seasoned Dungeness crab cakes with a remoulade sauce, beer-battered rock cod fish tacos and barbecued Tomales Bay oysters (get the Louisiana hot oysters for a tantalizing taste of southern heat). Also look for Rocker Oysterfeller’s location in Bodega Bay (595 Highway 1), which has taken over the former Fisherman’s Wharf restaurant space. 14415 Highway 1, Valley Ford, 707-876-1983, rockeroysterfellers.com 

Spud Point Crab Company

You may have to wait in line, but it’s worth it for the piled-high crab sandwich with their signature sauce and the garlicky clam chowder is second-to-none. Throw in an order of crab cakes with roasted red pepper sauce before they sell out (only available on weekends). 1910 Westshore Road, Bodega Bay, 707-875-9472, spudpointcrabco.com

Fisherman’s Cove

When a seafood shack doubles as a bait and tackle shop, you know the restaurant means business with its locally sourced seafood dishes. Go for the grilled oysters with garlic butter and wasabi cocktail sauce and crab sandwich with loads of fresh Dungeness crab on toasted ciabatta bread. 1850 Bay Flat Road, Bodega Bay, 707-377-4238, fishermanscovebodegabay.com

The post 19 Best Restaurants for Newcomers to Sonoma County appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

In a time of change and uncertainty, extolling the virtues of a perfect ball of burrata or a 10-course tasting menu may seem out of touch. But when you look at the bigger picture, it’s food that brings us all to the table. This year, we’ve chosen 25 Sonoma County restaurants that each bring a strong reason to be in our community and in our lives, whether a stunning plate of pasta, a sublime slice of lemon cream pie, or a singular point of view on the restaurant industry, it’s all important. Food is connection, food is love — and Sonoma County’s singular connection to land and sea creates a common ground we can all appreciate.

Enclos

Because it’s time for a Michelin star in the town of Sonoma.

Not every restaurant has that singular ambition of worldwide recognition woven into its DNA. But Enclos is a rising star destination that’s about to change all that. In March, Michelin inspectors dangled a tasty carrot by including it as one of 15 “recommended” California restaurants that could be on the shortlist for 2025 stars. It happened just three months after the opening, a rare feat for a fledgling.

Chef Brian Limoges, who was on the opening teams of San Francisco’s Quince and Birdsong, has the experience, drive and financial backing to reach for those stars. In January, he hit the ground running with an 11-course tasting menu that pays homage to the flora and fauna of Sonoma Valley, his new home. Instagram collectively swooned at tiny bites of venison and tree lichen perched on a found deer antler and Lilliputian ice cream sandwiches atop a honeycomb frame. Dining at this level is as much about over-the-top artful presentation as it is about pristine sourcing and complicated technique.

With a $325 price tag and just 30 seats spread over two elegantly appointed rooms, this is a bespoke luxury experience for a niche audience. But Limoges is raising the fine dining bar to a new level in Sonoma County, giving us a renewed pride of place and another chance at stardom. 139 E Napa St., Sonoma. 707-387-1724, enclos-sonoma.com

Acorn Cafe

Because French toast should always come piled this high.

There’s something gleeful about a breakfast standard gussied up with brioche and tall whipped mascarpone, cacao nibs, and a hearty scoop of coffee ice cream. No doubt this is an adult version of French toast, but it’s one that speaks to the kid in all of us.

Acorn is the breakfast and brunch spot that Healdsburg needs, with sunny lemon ricotta pancakes with lemon curd, whipped ricotta, and lavender ice cream and a riff on Dr. Seuss’s green eggs and ham, made with herby yogurt, poached eggs, and grilled ham seasoned with dukkah spices.

Everything about the place radiates joy, with orange pops of color throughout the interior, a bright and open floor plan that floods the space with light, and owner Beryl Adler’s obvious enthusiasm for adding a little wonder to your brunch. 124 Matheson St., Healdsburg. 707-955-7001, acornhealdsburg.com

Diavola Pizzeria & Salumeria

Because deep roots matter.

When Chefs Franco Dunn and Thom as Oden opened Santi restaurant in 2000, Geyserville was a tiny community. Their Italian restaurant honored what Press Democrat food writer Diane Peterson described as cucina povera, the soulful and frugal genius of Italian peasants with dishes like trippa alla Fiorentina and spaghettini Calabrese. Dunn and Oden’s passion ignited a generation of Sonoma County chefs eager to learn Old World ways of making pasta, salumi and bread from scratch.

Among the young recruits were three important chefs who later opened their own restaurants — Ari Rosen of Scopa and Campo Fina, Liza Hinman of Spinster Sisters, and Dino Bugica, who founded Diavola in Geyserville in 2008.

There’s a clear line that carries through from Dunn and Oden’s ideals to Bugica’s Geyserville restaurant today. Ingredients are local, the pizzas and pasta pay homage to Italian home cooking, and the delicious charcuterie is made in-house. The brick oven inside the restaurant glows — and trippa alla Fiorentina is still on the menu. 21021 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville. 707-814-0111, diavolapizzeria.com

The Goose & Fern

Because mate is just another word for friend.

If a British pub could be transported lock, stock and barrel to Santa Rosa, this would be it. Darts, pints and football — the kind with a soccer ball — are on tap, along with stellar pub food, including top-notch fish and chips, Guinness pie, and the world’s best sticky toffee pudding.

Clyde Hartwell, who speaks with a brogue as thick as his salt-and-pepper beard, runs the come-as-you-are establishment with his wife, Brittany, a trained pastry chef. He’s the guy behind the bar who’ll shout for you to grab yourself a table and refers to just about everyone as “mate,” because in his pub, you are. 116 Fifth St., Santa Rosa. 707-843-4235, thegooseandfern.com

Buck’s Place

Because these walls hold 119 years of stories.

A couple miles off Sonoma’s downtown Plaza, Buck’s Place has served as watering hole, polka hall, music venue and family-style restaurant since 1906. These days, its roadhouse charm shines brighter than ever thanks to owners Erika and Chad Harris, founders of Sonoma Valley’s popular Lou’s Luncheonette and Jack’s Filling Station, spots that, like Buck’s, feel heavy with the trappings of another era.

At Buck’s Place, the couple take a turn towards Italy, offering up red-tablecloth classics like chicken Parmesan, hoagies with all the gabagool, and crunchy-gooey mozzarella sticks. Pizza is the main event — Chicago deep-dish sometimes, or grandma-style Sicilian, crunch-edged Detroit, and the basic New York 16-inch round.

While the patio is dog- and family-friendly, we also like to head for the bar, a grown-up spot where you can grab a beer or one of their excellent daiquiris and chat with the locals. 401 Grove St., Sonoma. 707-231-1245, bucks-place.com

Marla Bakery & Cafe

Because summer suppers make us happy.

Marla is, of course, a bakery at heart, a year-round sanctuary of carbohydrates and sugar. Piles of impossibly large croissants, housemade bagels and breads, dark chocolate brownies, and slices of French apple pie peek from their glass case, along with the cult-favorite, croissant-muffin chimera, called the Crebble.

But Marla has a summer secret. From June to October, owners Amy Brown and Joe Wolf host a series of monthly dinners with similarly sustainability-minded local farmers, cheesemakers and winemakers. Tickets are announced by email and social media, so you need to be a follower to grab a seat.

Once you’ve experienced Amy Brown’s talents outside the pastry realm, it’s easy to see why the intimate dinners frequently sell out. Yes, she knows her way around a boule, but the former Nopa chef also knows how to tease the of-the-moment flavors from heirloom tomatoes, fresh goat cheese and sweet corn. This summer, the team is planning monthly pair-ups with Mt. Eitan Cheese, Lani Chan and Nathan Bender of Occidental’s Big Spoon Sauce Co., and a whole hog roast with Eric Sussman of Eye Cyder and County Line Vineyards. 208 Davis St., Santa Rosa. 707-852-4091, marlabakery.com

Quiote

Because blue tortillas just taste better.

Maybe it’s all in our mind, but the heirloom blue corn masa that this Petaluma restaurant uses for its tortillas just tastes, well, corn-ier. Or maybe it’s just because they use the buzzy Masienda masa that chefs line up for, sourced from small, traditional farmers across Mexico. (Food writers tend to get excited about that kind of thing.)

After hitting the comal, the tortillas turn nearly black, framing the brilliant colors of pink pickled onions, green avocado and citrusy cochinita pibil. This isn’t your usual taqueria fare, but family history following a line from Jalisco, Mexico to Sonoma County. The chile-marinated barbacoa (short rib), al pastor with ayocate beans, and fish tacos always make our best-of lists. Don’t miss the enchiladas smothered with mole and stuffed with chicken and braised Rancho Gordo pinto beans in broth. 121 Kentucky St., Petaluma. 707-774-6130, quiotemx.com

Bazaar Sonoma

Because compromise isn’t a word in their vocabulary.

Sean Quan and Jenny Phan of Bazaar Sonoma take a rigorous approach to classic regional Chinese dishes and refuse to Americanize their food to appeal to a broader audience. There’s no General Tso chicken, sweet and sour pork, or fortune cookies — instead, the seasonal menu leans into comforting, family-style dishes like whole sizzling fish, Hainan chicken, clay pot rice, and Hong Kong-style noodle soup.

Bazaar Sonoma is like going to a friend’s house, if that friend cooked like a Chinese mother who had also happened to work at a three-Michelin-starred restaurant (which Quan did). But the young couple are also hoping you’ll find a sense of community in their shared dishes and linger over a cup of tea.

BaSo is a natural extension of the couple’s outsider pop-ups — Second Staff’s spicy fried chicken, the high-low FNCY + PNTS, and the late night Matriarch that targeted off-duty hospitality workers and curious foodies. Quan and Phan are certainly ones to watch as they continue to evolve, one dumpling at a time — and on their own terms. 6566 Front St., Forestville. 707-614-8056, bazaar-sonoma.com

Augie’s French

Because we could live on warm baguettes.

“Are the baguettes still warm?” is a silly question to ask at Augie’s because, of course, they are still warm. These long batons of crackly crust and airy crumb are a signature of Mark and Terri Stark’s downtown Santa Rosa ode to French bistro culture, along with boeuf bourguignon and escargots floating in Pernod and garlic butter — two things that happen to go nicely with baguettes.

The French 75, a cocktail made with Cognac, gin and sparkling wine, also pairs nicely with baguettes, especially while relaxing on the streetside patio. Any further questions? 535 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. 707-531-4400, augiesfrench.com

Psychic Pie

Because pizza comes in all shapes and sizes.

At Psychic Pie, it’s hip to be square. Or sometimes round. Either way, it’s definitely Roman. Cut by the square or by the slice, owners Nicholi Ludlow and Leith Leiser-Miller are enthusiastic proponents of pizza al taglio or “by the cut,” as it’s done in Rome. Portions are measured by one, two or three fingers, as big or small as you’d like, and topped with rotating seasonal ingredients such as mushroom and chèvre, roasted leek cream and veggies, or pork ‘nduja sauce with pepperoncini, roasted peppers and aged Estero Gold cheese.

Occasionally, this pint-size pizzeria surprises with 16-inch tonda pizzas, the thin and crispy circular cousin of the al taglio , and they’ve even been known to serve up a hoagie or two. Ludlow and Leiser are natural collaborators, floating all boats with their rising tide of popularity, introducing us to pizza-friendly local products like Big Spoon Sauce Company’s chili crisp, Mad Marvlus’ fizzy natural wines and chef Preeti Mistry’s limited edition Hawt Sauce. 980 Gravenstein Hwy. S., Sebastopol. 707-827-6032, psychicpie.com

Cyrus

Because Douglas Keane has a lot to say.

Beneath the caviar carts, rare wine collections and shaved truffles, fine dining restaurants are in trouble. Inequity is widespread, with cooks often earning less than half of what a server makes. Health insurance is a rare benefit, vacations often nonexistent, flexible schedules unworkable and burnout rampant.

Chef Douglas Keane has a solution, and he’s just written a book about it. “Culinary Leverage: A Journey Through the Heat” recounts his years-long journey from clueless line cook to executive chef of a Michelin-starred restaurant. It’s got plenty of dirty secrets, juicy tidbits, and names named, but most importantly, it gets to the heart of how the restaurant industry can fix itself. The answer: Less staff, more training, and higher salaries.

It took a 10-year hiatus, a pandemic, a divorce, and some serious soul-searching to get there, but Keane’s “everyone does everything” mindset at Cyrus is living proof that the idea works.

His luxurious multi-course menu has guests sipping Champagne and wandering through the restaurant’s manicured vineyard — but his egalitarian ethos strikes a chord for restaurant workers struggling to pay rent and the restaurateurs struggling to stay afloat. 275 Highway 128, Geyserville. 707-723-5999, cyrusrestaurant.com

A&M BBQ

Because Texas brisket is what’s up.

Fellow Californians keep trying to convince me that tri-tip makes for great barbecue. It does not. The lean cut can make for a lovely fajita, but it is fundamentally unsuited for low and slow cooking — the very definition of barbecue.

Brisket, of course, is the king of ’que, and veteran pitmaster Kris Austin knows his way around this well-marbled piece of meat. A well-cooked brisket is the most primal of foods, smoky and charred, with soft bits of melted fat and yielding meat. With slaw and beans and thick slices of bread to sop up the juices, it’s a meal worth an amen any day.

Mississippi-born Austin has barbecue in his soul. He learned the craft from his mother, aunts and uncles, finally taking the tongs after years of apprenticeship. And like so many things in life, barbecue is a skill that’s never truly mastered. You just keep working at it. 495 S. Main St., Sebastopol. 707-8881315, ambbqllc.com

The Beet

Because Friday nights are for turning up the beat.

Cloverdale is usually a pretty sleepy town after dark, but on Friday nights from 9 p.m. to midnight, everyone’s dancing to the beat (beet?). Though this spot remains a mild-mannered restaurant and wine lounge by day, the owners realized there was a serious lack of hip-swaying and busting sweet moves in the north Sonoma County ’burg. As night falls, the weekly jump and jive comes to life. Just remember your dancing shoes. 116 E. First St., Cloverdale. 707669-5080, cloverdalebeet.com

Lightwave Coffee & Kitchen

Because where else does a skate park come with such delicious treats?

The Russian River town of Monte Rio is known for three things: its proximity to the secretive gatherings at Bohemian Grove, the Pink Elephant Bar, and Lightwave Coffee & Kitchen. Only one of those places right now is open to the public — and it has cake.

Follow the signs for the Monte Rio skatepark to Lightwave, a curious indoor-outdoor cafe bedazzled by a garage-sale decor, rooted in vibey California skateboard culture, and entirely west county wonderful. A short distance from the river, you’ll join both locals and in-the-know beachgoers at this secret garden of delights. The scraping sound of skateboards (and the occasional wipeout) are the soundtrack to your meal, along with spicy Monte Rio gossip and the occasional whimper of a dog begging its owner for a snack.

The menu ranges from simple bagels and smoothies to North African shakshuka with red peppers and eggs, Middle Eastern flatbread with eggplant and tahini, and fat slices of lox and beets on challah bread on the weekends.

But before all of that, order dessert. Co-owner Gal Ginzberg’s Instagram is a billion-calorie ode to adventurous cheesecakes and pies flavored with halva, lemon cream, pistachio, and strawberry. They can sell out quickly, so be sure to get there early. 9725 Main St., Monte Rio. 707-865-5169, lightwavecafe.square.site

The Redwood

Because you don’t have to love pet-nat to join the party.

The vibe at The Redwood, a wine bar, bottle shop, and cafe from chef/wine geeks Geneva Melby and Ryan Miller is decidedly New School, with a staff that’s obsessively well versed in anything skin-contacted, unfiltered or wild-yeasted.

You’ll find eager advocates of low-intervention wines on both sides of the bar here. But even if you’re not entirely convinced, it’s worth spending time with the wine list for two reasons: One, this is the next generation of wine, a sector of the industry that continues to be on the upswing. And two, tasting notes like “spring air” and “garrigue” (the forest floor of scrubland) are wonderfully weird and entertaining.

Yes, there is a whole section of the menu devoted to tinned fish, because every cool wine bar has tinned fish for some reason. But move past the sardines to Melby’s more intriguing bites, including Liberty Duck mousse with grilled bread, yellowtail crudo with pickled rose petals, and the trip-worthy Route 1 pita-and-dip array with homemade hummus, smoky baba ghanoush and labneh with dates.

Melby has a knack for Mediterranean and North African cuisine, with savory braised lamb shank with couscous, sole tagine, or roasted squash with Calabrian chile on the dinner menu. On Sunday, don’t miss the outstanding Turkish-style breakfast with jammy eggs, feta, tahina, pickled vegetables and grilled bread. 234 S. Main St., Sebastopol. 707-861-9730, theredwoodwine.com

Casino Bar & Grill

Because Saint Evelyn’s spirit lives on.

Evelyn Casini was the heart and soul of the Casino. Even at 97, she was the ever- present, no-nonsense matriarch who could stare down a man twice her size and then grab a beer with him. When she passed away last year, Bodega locals mourned and wondered what would become of the 100-year-old bar, with its creaky wood floors, herd of stuffed deer heads and ancient jukebox — a place that has served as a gathering space and watering hole for generations.

Fortunately, Evelyn’s granddaughter-in-law, Brandi Mack, has recently taken over, ushering the Casino into a new era. Recent renovations to the bar have expanded the kitchen and fancied-up the cozy dining room, though there’s still plenty of character — and characters — to be found inside.

Mack is also carrying on Evelyn’s support of up-and-coming guest chefs, who take over the tiny kitchen at the end of the bar a few nights a week and spread their wings. This spring, chef Amelia Telc of Half Hitch, whose resume includes buzzy restaurants you’ve definitely heard of in New York and San Francisco, pops up for dinner Friday through Sunday, with globally inspired dishes like pot au feu and Cantonese fish with ginger. Her weekly lineup is driven by trips to farmers markets and what’s just come in at the dock, meaning you never quite know what you’ll get. And that’s the fun of it.

On Tuesday and Wednesday nights, Alyssum Revallo of Alyssum’s Kitchen makes her mark with comforting soups, salads, and flatbread along with smokey kalua pork and flourless chocolate cake. For updates on guest chef pop-ups, check Instagram @casinobarandgrill. 17000 Bodega Hwy., Bodega. 707-876-3185

Valette

Because Dustin isn’t the only Valette who is a Healdsburg icon.

When chef Dustin Valette opened his namesake plaza restaurant 10 years ago, his dad took up residency in the dining room — and we are all better for it. Bob Valette, now 84 years old, spent 45 years with Cal Fire flying specialized tanker planes on critical operations that ranged from the Mexican border up to Oregon. Only a handful of pilots can fly these converted military planes, known for dropping thousands of gallons of all-too-familiar reddish-pink fire retardant. Bob Valette’s dangerous job often meant leaving Dustin and his siblings in the care of family members at a moment’s notice, with little idea of when (or if) he’d return.

For most of that time, the family’s hometown was a quiet, dusty, Alexander Valley hamlet with only a handful of restaurants frequented by winemakers and ranchers. Now, Healdsburg has blossomed into an international dining destination with a growing constellation of stars and nods and regular celebrity sightings.

“Pops,” as the senior Valette is best known, spends his evenings at his son’s fine dining restaurants as unofficial greeter and full-time storyteller. He’s easily picked out amidst a sea of well-heeled visitors and Healdsburg regulars, in his jeans and black T-shirt with the Valette logo. With a glass of wine in hand, he constantly circulates, proudly letting everyone know he’s Dustin’s dad. 344 Center St., Healdsburg. 707-473-0946, valettehealdsburg.com

Valley

Because food connects neighbors.

In January, Valley chefs Emma Lipp and Stephanie Reagor hosted a trip to Oaxaca, Mexico for a deep dive into culinary history. They brought back not just recipes, but an ongoing connection to farmers and producers, resulting in a special Oaxacan menu at the restaurant. It’s just another way the Valley team, which also includes Lauren Feldman and Tanner Walle, has always made a point to marry food and culture in a way that feels intentional.

Over the past year, that’s included a series of dinners dedicated to the legacy of Chinese culture in Sonoma, a dinner celebrating the Jewish and Hungarian cuisine of Jeremy Salamon of Agi’s Counter in New York City, and an event to honor local critic Elaine Chukan Brown’s groundbreaking new book on the history of California wine, which recognizes the oft-ignored contributions of Indigenous peoples and Mexican immigrants within the industry. At Valley, you’ll always find good food — and food for thought. 487 First St. W., Sonoma. 707-934-8403, valleybarandbottle.com

Rocker Oysterfeller’s at the Wharf

Because of heaping mounds of fried seafood.

Dining at the coast is a coin toss. Sometimes the fish is fresh and local, but other times, you’re probably eating frozen Alaskan cod and soggy French fries. Sonoma’s seafood fans demand better, which is why the Captain’s Platter at Brandon Guenther and Shona Campbell’s new restaurant is the catch we’ve been waiting for.

This is classic wharf-side dining with some Southern twists — not surprising, since the original Rocker Oysterfeller’s in Valley Ford highlights shrimp and grits and fried chicken. Here, however, the focus is on the “surf,” with blackened rockfish, clam chowder and Dungeness crab. The best bet, however, is the Captain’s Platter, the holy grail for those on a pilgrimage for fried seafood.

It’s a ridiculous amount of saltine-fried shrimp, beer-battered rock cod, salt and pepper calamari, a Dungeness crab cake and Kennebec fries, served with tartar, rémoulade and cocktail sauce for your dipping pleasure. I’ve looked for something as impressive as this on the coast for decades and never before found it. A tip of the captain’s hat to the kitchen. 595 Highway 1, Bodega Bay. 707-772-5670, rockeroysterfellers.com

Table Culture Provisions

Because everyone loves an underdog.

If you had to bet on the success of two guys who opened a fried chicken takeout restaurant during the pandemic, the odds would be long. But betting those same two guys would be in the running for a 2025 Michelin star? We’re talking multi-million-dollar lottery-level odds.

The long odds weren’t for lack of talent or tenacity — it’s just that chefs Stéphane Saint Louis and Steven Vargas didn’t have loads of wealthy backers or long culinary pedigrees before opening Table Culture Provisions. They had $1,000 and a vision of putting Petaluma back on the Michelin map.

In March, their passion and commitment led to TCP being tapped as a “recommended” restaurant (along with Enclos in the town of Sonoma) by Michelin inspectors. If the restaurant receives a star, Saint Louis will be the first black chef in California to be recognized. And that’s something all of Sonoma County is rooting for. 312 Petaluma Blvd. S., Petaluma. 707-559-5739, tcprovision.com

Underwood Bar & Bistro

Because a secret Thai menu at a French restaurant screams Sonoma County.

French onion soup, steak frites, cauliflower gratin, and pad grapao moo. Though one of these things is not like the others, at Underwood it all makes sense.

Chef Mark Miller’s Graton menu has always been focused on comforting bistro classics like croque madame, frisée salads with lardons, and duck leg confit with green French lentils. His real passion, though, is Thai food. After years of traveling to southeast Asia, he fell in love with the vibrant sweet, sour, salty, spicy flavors of Thailand and learned how to make curries, sauces, and complex dishes from a Thai cooking mentor. “Working in a Thai kitchen — it was amazing. It just changed me,” says Miller.

During the pandemic, Underwood shifted to an all-Thai menu to simplify takeout. Cheeseburgers just don’t travel as well as pad Thai does. And locals loved it. While the Underwood menu has mostly returned to fan favorites, Miller keeps a handful of his favorite dishes — hat yai fried chicken, Thai lettuce cups and spicy pork pad grapao moo — in the mix. Pad Thai, however, remains the top seller. “I’m not sure why, but we serve hundreds of them each week,” he says.

This year, Miller hopes to do a Thai pop-up featuring some of his favorite recipes, happy to have an excuse to fire up the wok and cook what he loves. 9113 Graton Road, Graton. 707-823-7023, underwoodgraton.com

Shokakko

Because Spam fries are what chefs really want on their days off.

Tired of fine dining foams and tweezers, a merry band of three fine-dining chefs drew inspiration from late-night Japanese yatai food stalls selling ramen, fish cakes and skewers of grilled chicken. The trio have used their highbrow culinary skills to create skyscraper-sized fried chicken sandwiches, Spam fries, husky crab and cheese-filled croquettes, and cult-favorite cream-filled fruit sandwiches.

“It’s the things we liked eating on our days off. The stuff we couldn’t find in Sonoma County,” says chef Elijah Trujillo of the food trailer he co-founded with his partner Kayla Hendrix and friend Kazuya “Kaz” Makishima in August 2024. You’ll find their kitchen trailer at various breweries and events around Sonoma County, and the weekly lineup of their stops is posted on Instagram @eat_shokakko.

Stella

Because pasta is the new kale.

I can’t quite remember when pasta became a bad word, but it’s time to welcome back a good plate of tagliatelle and step away from the lacinato and spaghetti squash. Like forever.

Stella takes a deep dive into the bottomless well of time-tested pasta – Roman tonnarelli (spaghetti’s chunkier cousin), lumache (snail-shaped) and creste di gallo (rooster’s crest) made daily. The dried stuff in your pantry has nothing on these silky ribbons and toothy tubes meant to grip every last drop of sauce. You will be ruined for anything else after eating a plate of Stella’s housemade rigatoncini with Bolognese.

The Kenwood restaurant is a much-anticipated new venture from Glen Ellen Star founder Ari Weiswasser, his wife Erin, and managing partners Spencer and Ashley Waite. Glen Ellen Star’s chef de cuisine, Bryant Minuche, leads the kitchen.

The wood-fired oven plays a leading role at Stella, but it isn’t used for pizzas. Here the oven is for roasting vegetables, meats, and even cheese, all to bring a kiss of smoke. You’ll also want to peruse the seasonal mozzarella selections — aka the mozzarella bar — including burrata with brown butter walnuts and 12-year aged balsamic vinegar and buffalo mozzarella with anchovy and a farm-fresh egg yolk. Save room for the Baked Gelaska, a riff on Baked Alaska with sponge cake, raspberry sorbet, and vanilla gelato topped with a swirl of torched marshmallow fluff. You can always go back to kale tomorrow. 9049 Sonoma Hwy., Kenwood. 707-801-8043, stellakenwood.com

Wild Poppy

Because the patio is everything, and so is the queso.

Warm days call for lazy mornings with mimosas and “cosmic queso” nachos on the rambling outdoor patio of this perfectly imperfect restaurant. It’s always been a magical place, full of nooks, crannies, and hidden spaces for adults and kids to explore. The remote location a few miles outside Sebastopol has been both blessing and curse, but the historic roadhouse finally seems to have hit its stride with an inclusive plant-forward menu that doesn’t exclude meat eaters.

This is west county, after all, and cosmic nachos with plant-based cheese sauce and cashew crema are not only normal, they’re expected. What’s unexpected is that the creamy cashew queso dip with a swirl of pepita chimichurri and a side of slaw is delightful, even if plant-based cheese isn’t your jam.

Sit by the babbling stream hidden by steep slopes covered in ivy and shaded by eucalyptus trees. The world slows for a moment or two while you enjoy heirloom beans and greens with polenta, fish tacos, or a fat grilled mushroom sandwich on focaccia. 9890 Bodega Hwy., Sebastopol. 707-503-6332, thewildpoppycafe.com

Troubadour

Because it’s been shouted from the rooftops.

Fine dining chefs-turned-entrepreneurs Melissa Yanc and Sean McGaughey are media darlings for a reason. Recognized by The New York Times, the James Beard Foundation and the Michelin Guide, the couple have created quite the following around their quirky food businesses around Healdsburg, which launched with beloved bakery Quail & Condor.

And when you have bread, you have sandwiches — the foundation of Troubadour, the second act in the ambitious couple’s culinary story. By day, Troubadour pairs freshly baked bread with a revolving lineup of fillings, including ham and brie with honey, fresh ricotta and roasted carrots, and creamy egg salad. Sounds simple, but these sandwiches are anything but.

Come nightfall, McGaughey and his small team shift gears for Le Diner, with seasonal French dishes like escargot, bouillabaisse, and duck breast stuffed with mushrooms and dates, either à la carte or as part of a seven-course tasting menu, and served on mix-and-match Limoges china. Troubadour’s kitchen lacks a proper hood or stove (it used to be a cupcake decorating room), so much of the cooking is done in simmer baths and low-temperature ovens, an even more incredulous feat. 381 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg. 707-756-3972, troubadourhbg.com

The post 25 Best Restaurants in Sonoma County in 2025 appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Yelp recently released its list of “Top 100 Places to Eat in the Bay Area, according to Yelp Elites.” Among the best bay eats are a Forestville pizzeria, a French-inspired bistro in Sonoma and a New York-style deli in Santa Rosa, as well as five Napa restaurants.

Forestville’s Sonoma Pizza Co. and Sonoma’s The Girl & The Fig both placed in the top 50 on the list, at No. 41 and No. 45, respectively. Grossman’s Noshery & Bar in Santa Rosa ranked at No. 73.

According to Yelp, it determined the best of Bay Area restaurants based on “the total volume and ratings of reviews given by Yelp Elite Squad members between August 2023 and August 2024.” All featured businesses were also marked open and had a passing health score as of Aug. 29, 2024.

Sonoma Pizza Co., No. 41

Sonoma Pizza Co. opened in June of 2022, quickly gaining popularity for its excellent wood-fired, Neapolitan-style pizza. The modern, family-friendly pizzeria offers traditional pies, like the simple yet divine Margherita, as well as some not-s0-traditional signature pizzas made with long-fermented dough. The Tati, for example, features Fra’Mani mortadella, frisée and pistachios, while the Fennel Sausage pie includes sweet and spicy peppadew peppers and Meyer lemon gremolata.

Chris Smith and Eda Atasoy, the husband-and-wife owners of Sonoma Pizza Co., stated in a press release that they were honored to be named in the Yelp list of Bay Area’s best restaurants. “This recognition reflects the hard work of our team and our passion for the craft of artisan pizza.”

In addition to pizza, find bright salads, shareable tapas, meat and veggie lasagnas, housemade dips and decadent desserts. Vegan and gluten-free options are available for all pizzas at no extra charge.

6615 Front St., Forestville, 707-820-1031, sonomapizzaco.com

The Girl & The Fig, No. 45

Sonoma’s The Girl & The Fig — which OpenTable named in its 2023 list of best American restaurants for outdoor dining — was founded in the late 1990s in Glen Ellen before moving to the Sonoma Plaza in 2000.

Since then, the French-inspired eatery has built up quite the reputation. Lady Gaga reportedly had lunch at the restaurant during a 2012 visit to the county. And the bistro’s Fig Salad is a dish readers can’t live without.

Other praise-worthy meals, according to Yelp elites, include the duck confit, wild flounder meunière and flat iron steak with frites. Also recommended are the sea salt chocolate chunk cookies, available for shipping.

110 W. Spain St., Sonoma, 707-938-3634, thegirlandthefig.com

Grossman’s Noshery & Bar, No. 73

Opened in the summer of 2020 during the height of the pandemic, Grossman’s Noshery & Bar defied the odds of persistent restaurant closings with its homey Jewish deli offerings.

Everything on the menu is a winner, from the towering Reuben on housemade rye to the potato leek latkes served with applesauce and sour cream. There are also Old World deli staples like knish, chopped liver and onions, chicken kreplach and smoked whitefish salad. Desserts and other bakery items here are delightful and habit-forming, especially the rugelach, babka, and chocolate crinkle and black & white cookies.

308 1/2 Wilson St., Santa Rosa, 707-595-7707, grossmanssr.com

Napa restaurants

Among the Napa County restaurants featured on Yelp’s top 100 list are Farmstead At Long Meadow Ranch in St. Helena (No. 47), The French Laundry in Yountville (No. 58), Winston’s Cafe & Bakery in Napa (No. 67), Rutherford Grill in Rutherford (No. 72) and La Cheve Bakery and Brews in Napa (No. 87).

St. Helena’s Farmstead features seasonal dishes with ingredients sourced from the estate’s farm and ranch. Chef Thomas Keller’s three-Michelin star French Laundry focuses on fine French cuisine and also has its own exclusive wine label, Modicum.

Winston’s Cafe & Bakery, named after the owners’ dog, is a farm-to-table breakfast and lunch eatery with Filipino influences. Rutherford Grill, nestled near historic sites like Beaulieu Vineyard and Elizabeth Spencer Winery, offers seasonal American comfort food and a robust wine list. La Cheve Bakery and Brews is a Mexican brunch spot featuring dishes like concha French toast, molletes and traditional pan dulces, plus fun cocktails.

The post Three Sonoma County Restaurants Named Among Best Places To Eat in the Bay Area by Yelp appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

“Where do you want to go eat?”

“I don’t know. Where do you want to go?”

Choosing a restaurant is one of modern city-dwellers’ greatest conundrums. Sure, it sounds simple, but have you ever tried to get four people to agree on one restaurant?

I thought not.

This is a list (inspired by Texas Monthly’s “The Good Place” article) we hope will answer that question and possibly end a few family arguments. Maybe it will take some pressure off entertaining visitors from out of town. And maybe I’m making it as much for myself as I am for you, because the obvious choices never seem to be at the tip of my tongue.

The rubric is simple: These are restaurants that are dependably good, have experienced staff and are rooted in the community. They’re the kind of places everyone has been to, or wants to go to, or has heard good things about. They’re places I personally frequent with friends and family.

The restaurants I’ve chosen are all about consistency and comfort, not “it” factors or multicourse meals. They aren’t newcomers.

Are they all “best in class” restaurants? Nope — that’s far too subjective. I learned long ago that world-class chefs and outrageously creative menus don’t often generate consensus among a wide swath of eaters.

Another important factor is the menu: All of these can cater to varying diets and food preferences, making them crowd-pleasers.

Inevitably, I’ll leave out a favorite neighborhood haunt or obvious choice from this list, but that’s what makes it fun. Let me know your favorite spots at heather.irwin@pressdemocrat.com and we’ll update this list from time to time.

Click through the above gallery for a peek at some top dishes at each restaurant.

Santa Rosa

Ausiello’s Fifth Street Bar & Grill: Eating at most bars means rolling the dice, but this family-owned pub has great burgers to go with your beer, wine or tonic of choice. Cozy, friendly and a super spot for sports-watching. 609 Fifth St., Santa Rosa, 707-579-9408, ausiellos5thstreetgrill.com

Dierk’s Parkside: Breakfast classics done with a chef’s touch. Corned beef hash, biscuits and sausage gravy, fried chicken with biscuits and an only-in-Sonoma County Country Benedict with scrambled eggs, bacon, mushrooms, spinach and oven-dried tomatoes on a crispy baguette. It’s a Hollandaise hug on chilly mornings. 404 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-573-5955, dierksparkside.com

El Fogon: For Californians, tacos and burritos rank equal to pizza for Taco Tuesdays or really, any day. El Fogon does it right, with top-notch birria, impressive machete (a foot-long quesadilla filled with meat, cheese, sour cream and tomato) and straight-up street tacos. 623 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-575-0574; 6576 Oakmont Drive., Suite A, Santa Rosa, 408-872-9953, elfogontacoshopca.com

Riviera: Locals have been flocking to this Italian kitchen for more than 25 years. Family-owned and downright neighborly, it has familiar pasta dishes (I’m all about the Gnocchi Riviera), classic Caesar salad and tiramisu that are best bets. 75 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-579-2682, rivieraristorante.net

Willi’s Wine Bar: Before I was a food writer in Sonoma County, this was the spot I went to for a “fancy” date — once upon a time, chef Mark Stark’s foie gras poppers were one of my favorite dishes. After 20 years, the restaurant continues to impress me even though I’ve eaten at far fancier digs since. The full bar makes it a great happy-hour stop, and their wine list is highly approachable. The menu stays consistent (the Tunisian carrots are still around), and the focus on small plates keeps things interesting. One of my favorite “off-duty” hangouts. 1415 Town and Country Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-526-3096, williswinebar.net

Cloverdale

El Milagro: The choices in north Sonoma County can be limited, especially for a group. But this family-owned Mexican kitchen is always a great choice. The menu goes far beyond taqueria standards, with regional Mexican cuisine like pumpkin-seed mole sauce with chicken, pork ribs with nopales in tomatillo sauce and a la carte street tacos. The extensive menu also has familiar favorites like carnitas, fish tacos and wet burritos. Bonus: El Milagro now has a Healdsburg location as well (14 Matheson St.). 485 South Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale, elmilagrocloverdale.com

Petaluma

Acme Burger: The burgers are big and juicy (and you can still get a simple single for $6.95), but the addition of fried chicken and fried rock cod has elevated the menu far beyond fast food. Their iconic lunch deal is $10.99 for a burger, fries and a small drink, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Daily soups are especially good, and the kid’s menu is a bargain. Seasonal milkshakes are delicious, too. Walk-up ordering keeps things moving, and you can get in and out almost as fast as at In-N-Out. 550 E. Cotati Ave., Cotati; 1007 W. College Ave., Suite D, Santa Rosa; 330 Western Ave. and 701 Sonoma Mountain Parkway, Suite D1, Petaluma, acmeburgerco.com

Brewsters: Casual outdoor seating at picnic tables makes this a good choice for a crowd, especially with a play area for kids and a dog-friendly policy. A great beer and cocktail selection keeps everyone content. The wide-ranging menu is casual, with some lovely upscale touches like duck-fat fries with garlic aioli; buttermilk fried chicken sandwich with bacon and goat cheddar; and ahi tuna poke with fried wontons. And there’s excellent house-smoked barbecue to boot. 229 Water St., Petaluma, 707-981-8330, brewstersbeergarden.com

Cucina Paradiso: With upscale Italian food that isn’t stuffy and always hits the mark, this is a good choice for a third date, a dinner with parents or a work dinner (there are several larger tables to accommodate groups). The authentic menu gets high marks for its portion sizes and consistency. Prices aren’t cheap, but you won’t leave disappointed over a poorly executed dish. 114 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 707-782-1130, cucinaparadisopetaluma.com

Lunchette: Not only are the grab-and-go salads and grain bowls excellent, but owners Naomi Crawford and Joel Baecker are conscious owners who source locally, aim for zero waste, are active in the community and are just darn good people. The trout salad with roasted beets, carrots, pickled raisins and preserved lemon dressing is my go-to, along with their tart Meyer lemon pot de creme. You’ll also love the Tahini Bowl with organic brown rice, chickpeas, pickled cauliflower and spiced sweet potatoes. 25 Fourth St., Petaluma, 707-241-7443, lunchettepetaluma.com

Sax’s Joint: Breakfast paradise with a ’50s vibe and gigantic portions. They’re famous for their plate-size cinnamon rolls. Friendly waitstaff make everyone feel welcome. Expect to wait if you’re rolling up at peak weekend breakfast times, but it’s so worth it. 317 Petaluma Blvd. S., Petaluma, 707-559-3021, saxsjoint.com

Sebastopol

Fern Bar: Though the menu may not be for everyone, I often end up here with friends when we’re trying to decide where to grab a drink. Fernbar’s craft cocktails are their calling card, but I’m always intrigued by their ever-evolving starters and shared plates. A current favorite is the okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake), but I’m dying to try the aged beef dumplings and savory Vietnamese crepe (bahn xeo). Chicken-liver toast with plum rosemary jam is always on my order, and the stuffed roti with butter chicken can’t be beat. 6780 Depot St., Suite 120, Sebastopol, 707-861-9603, fernbar.com

Sonoma

El Dorado Kitchen: This hotel restaurant always delivers, with a wide variety of dishes from fancy dinner selections (caviar, Wagyu beef carpaccio, filet mignon) to a “I just went wine tasting all day and want something simpler” dishes like a vegan rice bowl with mushrooms and seaweed and beet salad with orange yogurt. Every meal (breakfast through dinner) has inclusive vegan plates that are every bit as good — if not better — than other selections. Burgers and shrimp tacos and great lunch choices. The restful garden patio is a nice meetup spot, and the bar is a nice single-person dining experience. 405 First St. W., Sonoma, 707-996-3030, eldoradosonoma.com

Girl and the Fig: Legendary bistro-style French cuisine at this destination restaurant. Relax on the patio, sit at the polished wood bar or meet friends in the friendly lemon-yellow bistro. Steamed mussels and frites, duck liver mousse or duck confit are great picks. Fig and arugula salad is a required order. 110 W. Spain St., Sonoma, 707-938-3634, thegirlandthefig.com

Windsor

Grata: The Gnudi Alla Vodka is a comfort go-to, along with the Cacio e Pepe with tons of zingy pepper and Parmesan that speaks to your inner child. Dishes like goat cheese and ricotta ravioli with local wild mushrooms and pea shoots are a more Cal-Ital twist. Make sure to try whatever seasonal risotto is on the menu. Happy hour is a steal of a deal. The outdoor patio is our favorite spot to eat. 186 Windsor River Road, Windsor, 707-620-0508, gratawindsor.com

Kin: Kid-friendly and adult-endorsed is a rare combination in a restaurant, but Kin has it down. Burgers and dips are excellent, Kin macaroni and cheese is decadent (also in a pizza version) and tempura-battered and fried pickles are crowd-pleasers. More grown-up entrees like lasagna Bolognese are excellent. Reasonable prices for a family dinner. 740 McClelland Drive, Windsor, 707-837-7546, kinwindsor.com

Sweet T’s: Anyone who can’t find a tasty dish on this menu is clearly a grouch. Memphis barbecue nachos with smoked brisket (vegetarian options available) is the place to start. Fried chicken with biscuits and Southern sides (creamed corn and braised greens are excellent), barbecue plates, Key lime pie and a Texas margarita are what we’re all about. 9098 Brooks Road S., Windsor, 707-687-5185, sweettssouthern.com

On the coast

Spud Point: Though I have favorites for chowder, fresh crab and barbecued oysters elsewhere, this always-packed spot is unrivaled for its Dungeness crab sandwich (and I do love their garlicky chowder). Crab cakes (only available on the weekend) are also excellent. What makes this an undisputed “good place” is its consistently excellent quality. 1910 Westshore Road, Bodega Bay, 707-875-9472, spudpointcrabco.com

The post 19 Sonoma County Restaurants We Return to Again and Again appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

As Valentine’s Day nears and love is in the air, it might be time to plan ahead to take your sweetie out for a date. From a romantic spaghetti dinner to a hidden gem wine bar, there are plenty of romantic spots in Sonoma County for your night on the town. Click through the gallery above to see our top picks.

The post The Most Romantic Restaurants in Sonoma County appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Sure, the North Bay has plenty of lovely patios, but how about an amazing view and great food to boot? Not quite as easy. We’ve culled through our favorites and created a carefully curated list of spots where you can dole out some serious cheddar (that’s seriously worth it) or just bundle up with a plate of tacos by the bay. In Wine Country, you don’t necessarily have to spend a mint for a million dollar view. Click through the gallery for all the details.

The post 20 Best Restaurants with a View in Sonoma, Napa and Marin appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Counter Culture: Grab a stool at one of these spots and you’ll feel right at home.

Hunkering down over a meal at the counter of a mom-and-pop joint has long been the stuff of movies. Who hasn’t watched that small-town scene, where the stranger arrives and walks into a diner, and the heads of the patrons — regulars, all — swivel to check out the new guy?

Soon enough, the new guy is enjoying a cuppa at the counter too, welcomed by the friendly crowd of Mayberry, USA.

These days, counters tend to be more like bars, diners more like gastropubs, and mom and pop more likely celebrity chefs basking in the aura of their suddenly chic farm-to-table lifestyle. As for strangers? In our Wine Country cities bustling with tourists, we’ve got a constant flow of new faces.

Yet this region still boasts a charming small-town mentality. We’re all villagers together, ready to offer a seat (artisanal latte optional) to a newcomer. Perhaps it’s this embracing culture, but many Sonoma County restaurants center around counters, bars and, in a more modern twist, order-at-the-counter service where food is shared at communal tables.

Since farm-to-table thrives in these parts, even at lower-key places like burger joints, you can also count on the grub being really good. Read on for some of our favorites — places where you’ll feel like a regular after just one visit, and where a seat at the counter lets you connect directly with the good folks making your food.

LOCAL GEMS

Ricardo’s Bar & Grill – Santa Rosa

Longtimers will remember this space in the Annadel Shopping Center as John Barleycorn’s. In 2011, current owner Rick Miron took over and made great improvements.

You’d never know it from the outside, but enter and you’ll discover a warm, embracing time machine — a dark-lit lounge where you can cozy up to the bar and swap stories with fellow fans of classic cocktails, cold beers and comfort food favorites like prime rib French dip piled high on a Basque Boulangerie roll with a side of crispy French fries ($15.50).

You’ll immediately feel “inner circle,” sitting back in a tall nailhead chair as you gaze at the elaborately carved wood bar back. The handful of red, tufted leather booths keep the long, narrow space intimate, and nobody minds if you lean over them a bit to study the dark wood walls lined to the ceiling with historic photos of the Santa Rosa area.

To eat, there’s fried chicken — bringing a half-bird with fries and housemade gravy for a bargain $17.50 — fish and chips ($16.50) and an overstuffed club sandwich ($14).
Daily specials strike a nostalgic chord, like Monday’s meatloaf with three-cheese mac and veggies ($16.50), and Tuesday’s beef stroganoff ($16.50), all served with coffee or tea.

To drink, sip cocktails made with locally crafted Prohibition Spirits, quaff Sonoma County wines, or savor a loaded Bloody Mary complete with bacon, olives, pickles, pearl onion, bay leaf and pepperoncini.

2700 Yulupa Avenue, Santa Rosa, 707-545-7696, ricardosbarandgrill.com

Redwood Cafe – Cotati

There’s belly dancing the first Monday of the month, trivia night every third Thursday, and live music most nights. What better recipe for crowd bonding could there be? You order at the counter, then grab one of the closely set tables, and a server brings the food.

Breakfast and brunch are served all day, like homemade corned beef hash ($10.95), or seven kinds of eggs Benedict, including a Bodega version plump with crab cakes ($13.25).

In a contemporary touch, the “Triad Body Building Menu” offers items like a Tsunami omelet built from four egg whites, four ounces of turkey, mushrooms, spinach and almond cheese ($11.95) and a Chocobutter Muscle Bomb protein shake ($6.50). Lunch and dinner classics feature linguine and clams ($14.75), a mango snapper wrap kicked up with spicy ginger slaw and jasmine rice ($13.25), and the bomb: a meatloaf burger ($10.95).

8240 Old Redwood Highway, Cotati, 707-795-7868, redwoodcafe.com

Mel’s Fish & Chips – Santa Rosa

Since 1989, this tiny family-run spot has packed folks in for perfectly fried fish draped in crisp, light batter. Most guests take their meals to go, since the space truly is miniature, with a bright blue, fish-mural-painted order counter and just a few barstools facing out toward the parking lot.

Still, it’s more fun to snag a seat and watch the world go by as you dig into hefty combos like the #2: batter-fried Alaskan cod fillet with four fried calamari rings, two fried prawns, fluffy-crisp steak fries, coleslaw and homemade cocktail and tartar sauces ($9.99).

Locals know to come on Fridays for the clam chowder special
($3.99), or wait for winter, when there’s a “special” every day of the week.

1016 Hopper Avenue, Santa Rosa,  707-578-1954, visit on Facebook.

CLASSIC DINERS 

Adel’s – Santa Rosa

The owners, the Atallah family, definitely know their customers at this diner just a half-mile from Santa Rosa Junior College. With service from 6 a.m. to midnight daily, plus all-day breakfast, it’s all about big portions of comfort food at reasonable prices, no matter when you wake up.

Growling bellies fill up on staples like chicken fried steak smothered in gravy ($11.25), a flame broiled sourdough burger with fries and all the fixings ($12.25), and a hot corned beef sandwich ($11.25). Chicken Marsala is a downright feast, meanwhile, bringing a double breast sautéed with fresh mushrooms, garlic butter and Marsala wine, served with vegetables, choice of potato, garlic bread, green salad or a bowl of the soup of the day ($17.25).

Set in a former Sambo’s, the classic spot invites you to dine at the counter overlooking the open kitchen, with a spiffierthan- expected interior that’s minimalist chic with lots of wood trim, cocoa fabric furniture and — well, OK — hanging ferns for that throwback feel.

456 College Avenue, Santa Rosa, 707-578-1003, visit on Facebook.

Pearl’s Diner – Sonoma

The look is all-American ’50s, with the royal blue counter framed in red and white tile and set with fire engine red and chrome bar stools.

Food leans to the greasier side of life, but meats come from Niman Ranch, produce is local, and a bonus: Breakfast is served all day. Isaac’s 2×2 sums up the adventure nicely, as a signature meal of two eggs, two pancakes, two French toast slices, two strips of bacon, two sausage links and two Alka-Seltzers ($13.95).

There’s a third-pound patty melt drowned in Swiss cheese and Russian dressing ($10.95), messy chili fries piled in cheese and onions ($5.45), and what’s not love about a big slice of freshbaked apple pie ($5.25)?

561 5th Street West, Sonoma, 707-996-1783, visit on Facebook.

Sax’s Joint – Petaluma

The name “joint” is the first clue that this is the real deal. That, and the old-timers usually congregating at the counter over chicken ’n’ waffles ($12), a half-pound burger ($10) or a fried bologna or Spam sandwich on white bread ($10).

In true diner style, there’s kitsch, like a “Beware Pickpockets and Loose Women” sign next to the kitchen passthrough, and black-and-white checkered floors. It’s about community, here, too. This past fall, the ceilings fluttered with bras hung from a clothesline as a breast cancer fundraiser.

317 Petaluma Boulevard South, Petaluma, 707-559-3021, saxsjoint.com.

QUIRKY SCENES

Dick Blomster’s – Guerneville

This has to be one of the most unusual eateries anywhere. By day, the place operates as Pat’s, a traditional American spot that’s been family owned and operated since 1945.

By night, another owner, David Blomster, moves in with a permanent pop-up slinging Korean-American food. Whatever you call it, the result is crazy-popular, beloved for signatures like Korean Fried Crack, which is crispy battered chicken dressed with soy, chiles and ginger alongside vanilla slaw and buttered white bread ($15).

The best seats are at the counter overlooking the display of individual-serving cereal boxes and ketchup bottles, and the constantly changing menu always tempts with intriguing bites like braised chrysanthemum leaves dressed with hot chiles, maitake mushrooms and black bean sauce ($10), or a PB& J fried in pancake batter with vanilla ice cream and Pop Rocks ($5). It’s a diner, so there’s a burger, though it’s a grass-fed cheeseburger with fried pickles, seaweed and Seoul fries (sprinkled with garlic, Korean chile, green onions, sesame seeds and seaweed) for dunking in kimchee aioli ($5).

16236 Main Street, Guerneville, 707-869-9904, dickblomsters.com

THE NEWBIES

Ginochio’s Kitchen – Bodega Bay

Making its debut last August, this little waterfront cafe is the work of the Ginochio family, better known for their Bodega Bay barbecue catering business. You place your order at a small counter cut into a bright red wall, then wait at your polished tree-trunk table for classic tastes like the Toad in Hole of two fried eggs centered in toasted buttery bread slices ($8) — tear the bread, dip it in the egg yolk, and … heaven.

Later in the day, the spot gets busy with folks coming in for Grandma Ginochio’s lasagna ($10), a grass-fed Tomales Bay Stemple Creek cheeseburger ($10), and pulled pork sandwiches topped in coleslaw and homemade barbecue sauce on a brioche bun ($10).

1410 Bay Flat Road, Bodega Bay, 707-377-4359, ginochioskitchen.com

Handline Coastal California – Sebastopol

This stylish new spot, set in a former Foster’s Freeze space, is the creation of Lowell Sheldon and Natalie Goble, of Peter Lowell’s restaurant just a mile away. Like Peter Lowell’s, the emphasis is on “hyper local” ingredients primarily from the west county, including Goble’s family farm, Two Belly Acres in Sebastopol.

Seafood is the star, ordered at the counter and delivered to your long wood table, and it’s some of the best anywhere. Some dishes are casual, like fish tacos overstuffed with fluffy batter-fried rockfish, lime slaw, avocado, radish and chipotle aioli ($13), while some dishes are fancy, like Fisherman’s Stew brimming with daily catch, cove mussels, clams and Monterey calamari ($17), scooped up with warm corn tortillas handmade from scratch daily.

The crew kept the original Foster’s Freeze soft serve machine, so a meal isn’t complete without a crisp cone towering in chocolate, vanilla or mixed-swirl Straus organic ice cream ($4.50).

935 Gravenstein Highway South, Sebastopol, 707-827-3744, handline.com

ARTSY

Criminal Baking Co. & The Undercover Noshery – Santa Rosa

This quaint hole-in-the-wall is cute as all get-out, with curtains hanging in the kitchen window that overlooks shelves of fresh baked mu_ns, scones and cupcakes. Walls are decorated with antique breadboards, while the ceiling glitters with a spaceship daisy petal sort of chandelier.

The breakfast and lunch menu changes frequently, based on the whims of owner Dawn Zaft, but you can be sure of one thing as you step up to order at the counter. You’re in for yummy eats like open-faced sandwiches on housemade focaccia, crepes, frittatas and fluy quiche. The signature dish is the “recovery home fries”: red potatoes baked with two free-range eggs and pepper Jack, all mounded in tomato, avocado, sour cream and bacon ($12).

Just be sure to save room for pastries and desserts like blackberry-apple mini pies and mini cakes in a rainbow of flavors.

463 Sebastopol Avenue, Santa Rosa, 707-888-3546, criminalbaking.com

Gypsy Cafe – Sebastopol 

This 54-seat retreat is often packed, with people lining up for a precious table or the catbird seats at the polished wood bar set with fresh flowers. It’s so cozy in here, amid brick walls hung with antique mirrors, eclectic art, vintage signs and a colorful umbrella hung from the ceiling. (Why? Just because.)

Chef German Bacho gives us reason to come back often, too, with a changing array of seasonal breakfast and lunch items plus a weekly Friday night supper with live music.

A “Sebastobowl” is a healthy heap of two eggs atop garlicky wilted chard and roasted tomatoes, with a scattering of toasted hemp ($11). Braised pork shoulder is very likely not healthy at all, but it’s too delicious for us to care, mantled in soft, steamy garlic greens, Rancho Gordo yellow eye beans and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese ($13).

162 North Main Street, Sebastopol, 707-861-3825, gypsy-cafe.com

Wishbone – Petaluma

In late fall, bistro owners Miriam Donaldson and Josh Norwitt expanded service in this 36-seat space, now offering daily brunch. And a great cheer went up in the community for this hardworking couple and their very long slogan: “We work our butts of indoors and out to raise our own beef, bake our own bread, make our own jam, cozy up to local farmers and ranchers, and generally do all the things we can to put great food on your plate.”

Set in a long-ago cottage, the mood is pure groovy, with mismatched drapes in the windows, a tiny dining counter for six, schoolhouse-style chairs at the wood tables, and vinyl records playing.

But all eyes are on the food. Delectable recipes include the Hot Mess — polenta dotted with house-madeˆpickles,ˆroasted mushrooms, wilted kale, fermented hot sauce and a fried egg — ($12), or homemade duck eggs fettuccine tossed with sautéed mushrooms, ricotta, tomato, zucchini, peas,ˆgarlic, Parmesan, herbs and breadcrumbs ($15).

841 Petaluma Boulevard North, Petaluma, 707-763-2663, wishbonepetaluma.com

HIP HANGOUTS

Ramen Gaijin – Sebastopol

Seats at the counter are so coveted at this izakaya that there are two — count ’em, two — areas to claim. At the front counter, you can dig into yakitori and killer craft cocktails, while the back of the building offers ramen, donburi and pristine fish dishes.

Either way, this is fantastic fare, from chef-owners Matthew Williams and Moishe Hahn-Schuman. You can watch the team in action if you camp at the back counter, and savor the perfume of shoyu ramen broth rich with notes of kombu, garlic and ginger amid the silky emulsified fats from whole chicken, pork neck and smoked hocks.

But better than sni€ng is eating the soup, generous with slippery homemade noodles laced around soft curls of wakame (seaweed), meaty wood ear mushroom, shaved leek, tender menma bits (fermented bamboo shoots), a halved six-minute egg cooked to perfect runny custard yolk, and a crown of pork belly chashu.

6948 Sebastopol Avenue, Sebastopol, 707-827-3609, ramengaijin.com

Bravas Bar de Tapas – Healdsburg

The seats at the tin-capped bar fill up quickly, and multiple small plates mean things get crowded pretty fast. But it’s worth some jostling for superb crispy patates bravas (potato chunks) dipped in spicy tomato sauce and aioli ($8), and a fried duck egg sprinkled in spicy chorizo cracklings and mopped up with crostini ($7).

Owners Terri and Mark Stark run a virtual empire of North Bay restaurants, but this is certainly the most interesting, boasting its tapas theme including a ham and cheese bar, plus a lounge serving specialty Spanish Sherries. So expand your horizons, and dig into delicious curiosities like crispy pig ears dipped in anchovy vinaigrette ($10) — the cartilage tastes like pork-flavored fruit chews.

420 Center Street, Healdsburg, 707-433-7700, barbravas.com

QUINTESSENTIAL SONOMA

Sunflower Caffé – Sonoma

This family-owned cafe, with its espresso and wine bar, charms with a lush garden anchored by an outdoor counter made out of wine barrels — just the spot to escape to after you place your order at the bustling counter inside.

There’s a fun story to the space, too, since it is California Historic Landmark No. 501, as military Captain Salvador Vallejo’s old home built in 1836 on the Sonoma Plaza.

The staff is proud to say that the milk here comes from Sonoma County pasture cows, and eggs from a farm less than 5 miles away — but you’ll be able to tell the fresh difference anyway, from your first bite of shiitake omelet with roasted Brussels sprouts, Swiss cheese and local olive oil ($16). There is a ravishing Reuben as well, the corned beef layered with Sonoma Brinery sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, Russian dressing and housemade pickles on pumpernickel rye ($14).

421 1st Street West, Sonoma, 707-996-6645, sonomasunflower.com

Cafe Citti Italian Trattoria – Kenwood

From the outside, it looks like a cottage, and from the inside, it’s … a cottage, set with a fireplace and white tablecloth-draped tables, even though you order at the counter. Locals like to keep it their own secret, but in fact share the wealth with increasing numbers of tourists swarming on their way to nearby wineries.

That’s because Luca and Linda Citti, the Italian owners, keep recipes as delicious and true as at a much fancier restaurant.

Lunches bring overstuffed sandwiches such as prosciutto di Parma and housemade mozzarella on focaccia ($12.25) served with sides like cheese tortellini pasta salad (even better with drizzles of local olive oil from the cruets on the tables). Dinner dresses things up even more, with savory statements like housemade ravioli stuffed with pork, Swiss chard and fresh herbs in silky tomato basil cream sauce ($15.50), or crisp-skin rotisserie chicken fragrant with garlic, rosemary and sage served alongside Caesar salad ($11.75).

9049 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, (707) 833-2690, cafecitti.com

The post The Best Counter Dining Restaurants in Sonoma County appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

You may be trying to shed a pound or two of winter padding, but get ready to blow your New Year’s resolution at some of our favorite new (and old) restaurant and bar picks. We promise not to tattle.

WISHBONE
Whether sourcing from their own cattle ranch or the farms of friends and neighbors, Wishbone is an ode to Sonoma County’s bounty. Brunch is the perfect storm of some of their best dishes, including the Wishburger, made with their own Scottish Highland beef, or the “Hot Mess” (polenta with house-made pickles, mushrooms, kale, hot sauce and a fried egg). Whatever your choice, consider washing it down with an El Toro Rojo spicy Mexican mocha or classic mimosa.

841 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 707-763-2663, wishbonepetaluma.com

SONOMA CIDER TAPROOM AND RESTAURANT
From sarsaparilla-vanilla and habanerolime to limited-run breakfast-cereal-inspired flavors, this Healdsburg taproom is an ode to all things cider. Father-and-son team David and Robert Cordtz have 23 taps featuring their oft-changing lineup of small-batch, signature ciders as well as guest beers, wines and nitro-coffee from Taylor Maid. More than just libations, the expansive space also includes cider-infused French onion soup, crab mac and cheese, banh mi sandwiches, salads and smoked ribs. The menu changes up frequently, so reservations are highly recommended. And a dog-friendly patio means Fido can join in the fun.

44 Mill St., Healdsburg (behind Mill Street Antiques and the Parish Cafe), 707-723-7018, sonomacider.com

NEW HAVEN APIZZA SHOP
Mexican bakery by day, New Haven, Connecticut–style pizzeria by night. Fernando Garcia, whose family owns Garcia’s Bakery, learned about this East Coast style of pizza after working in a New Haven restaurant for 15 years. Locals say the crispy crust and traditional clam, garlic and white sauce pizza is as real as it gets — at least on the West Coast. Pies run from $14 (small) to $31 for a large. Don’t miss the homemade espresso tiramisu ($6) made daily. Beginning at 3 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

555 5th St. W., Sonoma, 707-931-4694, newhavenapizzashop.com

GOURMET AU BAY
Owners Bob and Sissy Blanchard recently moved and expanded their longtime winetasting shop from Bodega Highway to the last available waterfront property in Bodega Bay. Tucked away in a tiny cove in Bodega Harbor, the revamped Gourmet Au Bay is more than twice the size of the original, and now has a wood-fire oven and full menu Thursday through Monday. (The kitchen is closed Tuesday and Wednesday, though tasting takes place daily). While the Blanchards serve up flights of wine on their signature wine glass surfboards, Chef Sam Badolato is at the 900-plus-degree wood oven creating roasted mussels, wood-fire prawns, crab cakes and creative flatbreads, in addition to their signature clam chowder. Though the food and wine are trip-worthy, it’s the stunning views that will keep you coming back, even on blustery days.

1412 Bay Flat Road, Bodega Bay, 707-875-9875, gourmetaubay.com

HANDLINE COASTAL CALIFORNIA
Made-to-order corn tortillas with local rockfish cod and chipotle aioli have folks lined up at this Sebastopol newcomer from longtime west county restaurateur Lowell Sheldon and his partner, farmer Natalie Goble. Stick with the seafood theme and grab a Henhouse Oyster Stout, or try their organic rice horchata.

935 Gravenstein Highway S., Sebastopol, 707-827-3744, handline.com

STARLING
This new craft cocktail bar in the former Blue Moon is everything a neighborhood joint should be — but with really good cocktails. Their Black Walnut Manhattan is made with their own nocino (a walnut liqueur), along with bourbon, vermouth and a brandied cherry. We also like the Bacon Bourbon Sour with a mix of bacon-infused bourbon, Madeira, maple syrup, fresh citrus juice, cherry, lime and sriracha bacon.

19380 Highway 12, Sonoma, 707-938-7442, starlingsonoma.com

SPRENGER’S TAP ROOM
Half the fun of this epic taproom is the after-work crowd piling in for a basket of sweet potato fries and a brew. We like to buck the trend and go for lunch. Order a French Dip (order off menu with onion rings and cheese inside for an extra $1) and Pinot Grigio Hard Apple Cider.

446 B St., Santa Rosa, 544-8277, sprengerstaproom.net

BREAKAWAY CAFE
This cafe is one of the most underrated spots in the Sonoma Valley, and we’re half-hoping it stays that way. Plenty of the usual suspects are on offer (scrambles, huevos rancheros, hash), but we love the extra-delicious buttermilk pancakes and banana walnut waffles.

19101 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma, 707-996-5949, breakawaycafe.com

DUKE’S SPIRITED COCKTAILS
Although food isn’t the star here, the cocktails are crafted with the same care and ingredients as at many top-rated nearby restaurants. Farm-to-glass drinks at the former John and Zeke’s bar in Healdsburg include herbs, fruit vinegars, fruit purees and top-shelf artisan spirits, sometimes accompanied by a little molecular gastronomy magic. The Darling Nicki ($11) includes Mezan Panama rum, chai tea, Hamilton 151 rum, Leopold Bros. Tart Cherry Liqueur and local Spirit Works Sloe Gin. The Rangpur More ($11) melds Opihr gin with Rangpur lime shrub, pink peppercorn, saffron bitters and house tonic. The Barely Legal ($12) has Charbay Meyer lemon vodka, Giffard lychee syrup, and yuzu, lemon and grapefruit juice. Wine, beer and ciders are also on the menu, as well as nonalcoholic, house-made sodas (burdock root beer, grapefruit) and tea. Small bites include pickled vegetables, mixed nuts, chips and salsa, and Noble Folk ice cream sandwiches. Open late, must be 21 or over.

111 Plaza St., Healdsburg, 707-431-1060, drinkatdukes.com

The post 9 Restaurants to Try Right Now in Sonoma County appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Three restaurants in the North Bay have made it into this year’s OpenTable’s 100 Best Restaurants in America: St. Francis Winery & Vineyards in Santa Rosa, Terra in St. Helena, and Auberge du Soleil in Rutherford.

The complete list includes long-running and new eateries in 30 states and the District of Columbia. New York has 13 winning restaurants, followed by California with 12 and Virginia with seven.

San Francisco-based OpenTable is a provider of online restaurant reservations, and according to the company, the awards reflect the combined opinions of more than 10 million restaurant reviews submitted by OpenTable diners at more than 24,000 restaurants.

Similar to last year’s list, established restaurants account for the majority of winners and fine dining and casual elegant dining establishments make up the majority of the list. Most eateries in the top 100 embrace sustainability, seasonality, and house-made ingredients, including cheese and charcuterie. While American and French cuisines are the most popular, global flavors are present on many of the menus, from regional Italian dishes to Middle Eastern specialties.

“The common thread running through this list of winning restaurants is excellence in hospitality,” stated Caroline Potter, OpenTable chief dining officer. “Whether creating one-of-a-kind fine-dining experiences or serving up incredible fare in a more casual setting, this year’s honorees are consistently earning rave reviews from diners.”

The list of the 100 Best Restaurants in America, released Dec. 1, is generated from reviews collected between November 2015 and October 2016. All restaurants with a minimum overall score and number of qualifying reviews were included for consideration. Qualifying restaurants were sorted according to a score calculated from each restaurant’s average rating in the overall category along with that restaurant’s rating relative to others in the same metropolitan area. See a complete List of Winners

The post Napa, Sonoma Restaurants Named ‘Best in America’ appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

With friends and family gathering during the holiday season, it’s an ideal time to try new and reinvented restaurants. These local spots serve up temptations that run the gamut from haute cuisine to hearty burgers.

THE SHUCKERY

A project of the Oyster Girls (sisters Aluxa and Jazmine Lalicker), oysters obviously get top billing at this new Petaluma restaurant, each bivalve hand-shucked behind the bar. Ranging from Humboldt Gold Kumamotos and New Brunswick St. Simons to British Columbia’s Fanny Bay and nearby Tomales Bay Miyagis ($3 each), the menu also includes an amazing ceviche of cod, orange, lemon, lime, cilantro and piquillo pepper coulis ($12). A signature is the relleno ($25), made with a pounded calamari steak, Dungeness crab stuffing and creamed corn. Baja-style fish tacos ($14) are top-notch, and it’s worth saving a little room for the “dueling budinos” ($9), which include dark chocolate and salted caramel going head to head with peanut butter, bacon and banana. Meat-free dishes include tempura avocado tacos and cauliflower “hot wings” ($14). Reservations are strongly recommended, since the space inside the Hotel Petaluma is cozy.

100 Washington St., Petaluma, 707-981-7891, theshuckeryca.com

BRIGHT BEAR BAKERY

The buzz about this incredible little bakery began immediately after it opened, when news of its cream-filled cronuts (a cross between a croissant and a donut that’s too decadent not to eat), morning buns and fresh breads made the rounds. It’s not easy to find, but a pilgrimage is worth the effort, as long as you get there early. The vegan chickpea scramble with sweet potatoes and harissa is great no matter what your dietary requirements, and a breakfast focaccia with ham, egg and cheese is perfect when paired with a chocolate croissant, luxe cream-cheese Danish or a cranberry scone. You’ll go overboard, but when exactly have your co-workers turned up their noses at leftover fresh muffins and coffee?

2620 Lakeville Highway, Suite 350, Petaluma, 707-291-1018, visit on Facebook

STEELE & HOPS PUBLIC HOUSE

This family-friendly Santa Rosa brewpub is off to a good start, with an ever-evolving list of beers and solid pub grub. Best bets include brisket “cigars” (think egg roll with melted cheese and smoked brisket, $7); chicken-fried onion rings with mushroom gravy ($6), and an excellent Caesar salad with boquerones (anchovies) ($9.50). The S& H Signature burger ($13.50) with onion jam, and the fried-chicken sandwich ($11.50) are also excellent. Less wowing: the brick-oven pizzas (even a teenager turned her nose up at the burnt crust) and the hangar steak ($17.50). We’ll be back, though, for the fish and chips ($14) and incredible strawberry shortcake.

1901 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-523-2201, steeleandhops.com

DEPOT HOTEL RESTAURANT

Although rooms haven’t been available since 1922, “hotel” remains in the restaurant’s name. Constructed in 1870, the building’s offthe- plaza location makes it a bit of a sleeper, but it’s worth a visit for the Ghilarducci family’s classic Italian and Wine Country cuisine. Michael Ghilarducci and his wife, Gia, founded a cooking school here in 1987, and now their son, Antonio, is the executive chef of the restaurant. The Depot Hotel is perfect for dining with guests during the holidays, and it sells full trays of lasagna, garlic bread, penne and salads for takeout.

241 First St. W., Sonoma, 707-938-2980, depotsonoma.com

DRY CREEK KITCHEN

Charlie Palmer is looking back to move forward at Healdsburg’s Dry Creek Kitchen. After a couple of chef shuffles following the departure of Dustin Valette last year, Palmer Group veteran Scott Romano was tapped as executive chef. In addition to working at five Palmer restaurants, including Aureole in New York City, Romano’s friendship with Palmer spans two decades, giving him an ease with the multi-Michelin-star chef that’s reassuring to continued relevance of the restaurant at Hotel Healdsburg. The two are working to reimagine some of the restaurant’s signature dishes, such as the Oz Family Farm rabbit tortellini, Dry Creek Peach and heirloom tomato salad with Bellwether ricotta, and sauteed sea bass with sweet corn puree. “We’re looking back at iconic dishes from all the restaurants,” said Palmer, who owns 17 locations, with at least one more on the way at the Archer Hotel in Napa (opening 2017). “And we’re adapting them to California.”

317 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-431-0330, drycreekkitchen.com

SUPERBURGER

For decades, Superburger has been a fixture on Fourth Street in Santa Rosa, eventually expanding to Cotati. A new Superburger has opened next to the Oliver’s Markets store in Windsor, making its beef/lamb/chicken burgers available to northern Sonoma folks. There are fancy burgers as well, including the Montecito Avenue (with Monterey Jack cheese, applewood-smoked bacon and guacamole) and the McDonald Avenue, with blue cheese, garlic mushrooms and “gartichoke” sauce. Dogs, fries, onion rings and shakes, too. Classic.

9238 Old Redwood Highway, Windsor, 707-620-0745, santarosasuperburger.com

REVIVAL

Update November 18: Revival has unexpectadly, and unfortunately, closed – but might be revived as a series of pop-ups, learn more here.

One of the best reopenings of 2016 is Applewood Inn’s revered restaurant. The newly minted Revival by Applewood is guided by Guerneville hospitality maven Crista Luedtke (Big Bottom Market, boon eat+drink, boon hotel+spa, El Barrio) and chef Ben Spiegel (New York City’s Skal, and The Willows Inn on Lummi Island, Washington). And what a difference a year makes. Since the purchase of the inn by hotelier Ric Pielstick, the gardens have been reclaimed from the weeds, the interior was given a warm, contemporary redesign, and Spiegel has a clear vision for the cuisine. Having spent several years in Scandinavia, he’s a devotee of foraging, hunting and sustainable seafood, passions he brought to Sonoma. Preservation, smoking and pickling are keys to his menus, which change daily based on what’s available. Early dishes include Liberty Duck liver mousse ($11), grilled romano beans with Japanese cucumber and goat’s milk cheese cream ($10), and ricotta dumplings with shiitake and lobster mushrooms and arrowhead spinach ($23).

13555 Highway 116, Guerneville, 707-869-9093, eatatrevival.com

The post 7 Restaurants to Try Right Now in Sonoma County appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.