Home to the historic town of Sonoma, along with charming Glen Ellen and Kenwood, Sonoma Valley has relaxed, family-friendly appeal combined with rolling vineyard landscapes and walkable downtowns. Along with Sonoma Valley’s signature Cabernet Sauvignon, the region is known for Carneros Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Taste

Hamel Family Wines

Dramatic views are always on the menu at this 124-acre estate at the base of the Mayacamas Mountains, set among century-old olive trees. Book the Estate Experience for a tour of the expansive winery and underground wine caves followed by a seated tasting in the sleek Estate House, or splurge for the Chef’s Experience, featuring gourmet bites from the resident chef. Hamel’s signature wines — including Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, and Sauvignon Blanc — are shaped by volcanic soils. Reservations required. 15401 Sonoma Hwy., Sonoma. hamelfamilywines.com

Hanzell Vineyards

Set on a steep hillside, Hanzell is home to the historic Ambassador’s 1953 vineyard — Sonoma County’s oldest continuously producing Chardonnay site. The winery is known for its “firsts” — this was the first winery in the world to use stainless steel tanks and the first in California to use all French oak barrels — as well as its incredible, subtly oaked Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The winery’s newly updated tasting experience includes a tour of the caves and the original 1950s Hanzell winery, which now serves as a museum. Reservations required. 18596 Lomita Ave., Sonoma. hanzell.com

More wineries worth seeking out

Sample co-fermented blends made with Rhône varieties at Abbot’s Passage. The “Shuffleboard Social” experience includes game time on the vineyard court. Reservations encouraged. 777 Madrone Road, Glen Ellen. abbotspassage.com

Obsidian Base Camp’s Japanese garden oasis pours complex reds from an obsidian-laced vineyard in Lake County. Try the fun, experimental Rabbit Hole wines. Weekend reservations recommended. 441 First St. W., Sonoma. obsidianwineco.com

At Winery Sixteen 600 — tucked in an old farmhouse off the Sonoma Plaza — taste the Coturri family’s organically farmed wines in antique theater seats as vinyl records spin. Reservations required. 589 First St. W., Sonoma. winerysixteen600.com

Dine

Sonoma Eats Mexican Food & Café

Relish soulful Oaxacan fare in Boyes Hot Springs, where canned foods are banned and locally grown produce is everything. Founded by a former vineyard worker, Efrain Balmes, the restaurant team whips up chilaquiles and trés leches French toast in the morning, then moves on to must-have mole enchiladas and tacos for lunch. 18133 Sonoma Hwy., Sonoma. 707-3431141, sonoma-eats.com

Enclos

A mere seven months after opening, this splurgy tasting menu destination landed not one, but two, coveted Michelin stars — as well as a Michelin Green Star for sustainable practices. On the plate, that translates to gorgeously presented dishes made with Sonoma-grown ingredients — from heirloom produce to responsibly raised meats. 139 E. Napa St., Sonoma. 707-387-1724, enclos-sonoma.com

Songbird Parlour

Dine in a plush and stylish Victorian-inspired salon at Jack London Village, where the menu reads like a love letter to Sonoma County farms and food purveyors. On Sunday nights, Songbird offers succulent, sweet-hot fried chicken at a bargain price. 14301 Arnold Drive, Suite 3, Glen Ellen. 707-343-1308, songbirdparlour.com

Spread Kitchen

This casual, indoor-outdoor café from French-trained chef Cristina Topham whips up Lebanese-inspired dishes with a decidedly California spin. The dips are divine — try the hummus spiced with Aleppo pepper — as are lavash wraps ranging from classic lamb kofta to fried cauliflower drizzled with green tahini. 18375 Hwy. 12, Sonoma. 707-721-1256, spreadkitchensonoma.com

Explore

The sculptureWALK exhibition showcases 30 outdoor statues and kinetic sculptures — crafted from metal, wood, stone, glass, and concrete — throughout Jack London Village. 14301 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen. sculpturesite.com

Hitch a ride in a vintage VW bus with West Wine Tours and enjoy a relaxed day of wine tasting while drinking in Sonoma Valley’s vineyard views. Each charming Volkswagen in their fleet holds six to eight passengers, and there’s even an option to choose a color to set just the right vibe for a Wine Country cruise. 707-787-8141, westwinetours.com

Insider Tip

Stomp grapes at the Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival. Now in its 200th year, the weekend event is set for Sept. 25-27. valleyofthemoonvintagefestival.org

Give in to temptation at Pomme Cider Shop & Taproom. This apple-centric venue off the Sonoma Plaza is a haven for fans of natural ciders from near and far. 531 Broadway, Sonoma. pommecidershop.com

The post Spend A Perfect Wine Weekend in Sonoma Valley appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

There was a time when kids and Wine Country was not a great pairing. But that is changing. A new breed of family-friendly wineries are welcoming wine-loving parents and their (well-behaved) offspring for some fun in the vineyard — children sipping grape juice while parents relax, wine in hand.

Here are some of the most kid-friendly wineries in Sonoma and Napa counties.

Sonoma County

Francis Ford Coppola Winery

One of Sonoma County’s most famous family-friendly destinations, Francis Ford Coppola Winery has an expansive pool for an afternoon of fun in the sun. Wine and food is delivered to parents poolside, while kids can play bocce and board games. A museum inside the winery features props from Coppola films like The Godfather and Dracula. Reservations required for pool access. 300 Via Archimedes, Geyserville, 707-857-1400, francisfordcoppolawinery.com

Preston Farm & Winery

This cat-friendly winery (leave your dog at home) has gardens, bocce and sheep, in addition to the cats that live on the property. If you’re lucky, your little one can help bottle-feed a lamb. Bring a picnic, pick up one of the winery’s famed Rhône wines, and enjoy the rustic, old-world charm of this west county spot. Don’t miss the farm shop, which sells fresh farm-grown produce. 9282 W. Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, 707-433-3372, prestonfarmandwinery.com

Larson Family Winery

The Larson family has been farming land in the Carneros region for over 120 years. After they started making wine in the 1970s, they turned their farmhouse into a family- and pet-friendly destination. Bring a picnic and enjoy an afternoon of wine tasting in the sun. Larson Family Winery offers bocce, cornhole and other kid-friendly games and has an expansive lawn that makes for a great location for a game of tag. 23355 Millerick Road, Sonoma, 707-938-3031, larsonfamilywinery.com

Landmark Vineyards

Founded by the great-great-granddaughter of John Deere, Landmark Vineyards has created a family-friendly environment at its Kenwood and Hop Kiln estates. After rounds of bocce ball at either property, parents can relax with a picnic and wine tasting while the kids play in the grass. 101 Adobe Canyon Road, Kenwood; 6050 Westside Road, Healdsburg, 707-833-0053, landmarkwine.com

Benziger Family Winery

It’s not just in the name. Benziger Family Winery is truly a family operation; generations of Benzigers have been raised on the property, known for its organic and biodynamic wines. The winery tour is a must for any first-time visitor to Wine Country. Kids and adults love riding the tram through the property while learning about agriculture, as well as biodynamic and organic winemaking practices. Sheep and cows make appearances along the route and the tram even travels into the wine caves. 1883 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen, 707-935-3000, benziger.com

Cline Family Cellars

Founded in 1982, Cline Cellars is a family-run winery that offers unpretentious tasting experiences in an updated farmhouse, outdoor cabanas and by a pond. Kids will love the property, and parents the wine. Take a guided tour through the estate to the barrel room, where guests can learn about the history of the winery. Or, pack a picnic to enjoy pondside after a self-guided walking tour of the historic ranch, where the family can meet the winery’s resident donkeys and other farm animals. 24737 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, 707-940-4044, clinecellars.com

Buena Vista Winery

Founded in 1857, Buena Vista Winery is the oldest commercial winery in California. The historic property offers wine tastings for adults and an educational and interactive experience for kids. Schedule a tour guided by period actors, who will guide your family through the winery, including the old wine caves and the historic Wine Tool Museum, which features a colorful multimedia presentation that feels like a blend between Wine Country and Disneyland. Don’t miss the hedge maze and the giant crocodile. 18000 Old Winery Road, Sonoma, 800-926-1266, buenavistawinery.com

Napa County

Castello di Amorosa

The closest thing to Disneyland in Napa Valley, Castello di Amorosa is a 121,000-square-foot replica of an Italian castle from the Middle Ages. It took 15 years to build and even a bored 15-year-old will be impressed. Book a guided tour, which features everything from gargoyles and knights in shining armor to a dungeon and an opportunity to meet the winery cats. There are also peacocks, sheep, chickens and other farm animals. Kids can sip grape juice (included in their $25 general admission ticket) and color their hearts out in their own play area while parents enjoy vino. Please note: Strollers are not allowed inside the winery. 4045 St. Helena Highway, Calistoga, 707-967-6272, castellodiamorosa.com

Sterling Vineyards

Sterling Vineyards offers yet another family-friendly experience in northern Napa Valley. The winery is only accessible via an aerial tram, which takes visitors 300 feet from the ground to the mountaintop estate. Upon arrival, kids will receive age-appropriate backpacks filled with a drink, snack and game. After a self-guided tour of the winery, parents can enjoy wine tasting overlooking Napa Valley. Please note: Children are welcome at the “Sterling Stroll” and “Tour and Terrace” experiences, but the tasting experiences in the Hilltop areas are strictly 21 and over. 1111 Dunaweal Lane, Calistoga, 800-726-6136, sterlingvineyards.com

The River Club

Founded by two local family-owned wineries, Belong Wine Co. and Paper Planes Wine Co., the newly opened River Club welcomes children and pets (be sure to meet estate dog Peaches on your visit) to its cheery, laid-back tasting room space, nestled on the edge of the Napa River. Parents can sip Pinot Noir and Mourvèdre while taking in expansive river views, as the children play games, read books and color with provided art supplies in the kids’ corner. A kids’ snack pack is also available for purchase. Tastings are just $25 per person, and the next-door River Studio offers equally affordable riverside grub. 101 S. Coombs St., Napa, 707-234-5814, exploretock.com/riverclubnapa

Grace Yarrow and Maci Martell contributed to this article. 

The post 10 Kid-Friendly Wineries in Sonoma and Napa appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Every town needs a gathering spot, and Palooza is Kenwood’s community hub.

This casual gastropub and brewery has a solid handle on beer-friendly food — burgers, wood-fired pizza, crispy chicken sandwiches, wings and baby back ribs — but also features upscale salads and entrées that are great for date night. Seasonal cocktails and weekly specials are always a good choice, and we love sitting on the covered patio with 180-degree views of Sugarloaf Ridge.

After 11 years in business, a rarity in the restaurant world, owners Jeff and Suzette Tyler have found a sweet spot in the growing Kenwood dining scene.

The vibe

Come as you are, whether that’s a post-soccer game lunch with the kids, after-work cocktails or a girlfriend brunch. Corrugated metal and dark wood walls keep the inside cozy-comfy year round, but it can get a bit noisy when the restaurant is crowded. If the weather is nice, opt for outdoor seating.

The food

Barbacoa tacos ($20) filled with seasoned braised beef, chimichurri sauce and avocado crema are a best bet. We also like the messy-but-tasty ahi poke nachos ($22) with crispy wonton chips, fresh ahi tuna and sriracha aioli. Half pound-burgers ($22) are made with a mixture of chuck and brisket with the Palooza logo iron-branded into the brioche bun. Finish the meal with a warm chocolate chip cookie drizzled with chocolate ganache, vanilla ice cream and sea salt ($13). The falafel plate ($22), with lemony tzatziki sauce and grilled pita bread, is very shareable and vegetarian-friendly. Beet salad with whipped goat cheese and a petite arugula salad is a great light-lunch option.

The perks: Dog-friendly patio, full bar, good beer selection, family-friendly.

The tab: Most dishes range from $15 to $26. Larger entrées like pan-seared salmon risotto and ribs are $31-$38.

The deals: Happy hour from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and all day Sunday at the bar, with doorbuster pricing on wine, beer and well cocktails.

The service: Highly experienced servers who know the menu and put guests at ease. Wait times were minimal.

Fun fact: Owner Jeff Tyler used to own a popular downtown Santa Rosa hot dog cart.

The spot: 8910 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, 707-833-4000, paloozafresh.com

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

The post Palooza Gastropub Is a Hidden Gem in Kenwood appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

After 15 months of anticipation, the Glen Ellen Star team has announced that their second restaurant, Stella, will open March 1.

The Cal-meets-Ital restaurant will lean heavily on housemade pasta and wood-fired meats at the former Cafe Citti (9049 Sonoma Highway) location. Unlike Glen Ellen Star, there will be no pizza — but there will be a mozzarella bar.

The restaurant is the newest venture for chef Ari Weiswasser, his wife Erin and managing partners Spencer and Ashley Waite. Glen Ellen Star’s chef de cuisine, Bryant Minuche, will lead the Stella kitchen.

The opening menu lists seven types of fresh pasta ($24-$31), including bucatini cacio e pepe, lobster ravioli, lumache with aji amarillo pesto (a vegan cashew version is also available) along with tagliatelle with prosciutto and spicy mafaldine (a ribbon-shaped pasta). Entrées include a Duroc pork chop with lemon caper butter sauce ($42), Snake River Farms bavette steak ($45) and whole grilled Daurado fish.

Italian mozzarella and burrata dishes — aka the mozzarella bar — include burrata with brown butter walnuts and 12-year aged balsamic vinegar, buffalo mozzarella with anchovy and a farm egg yolk, and mozzarella with artichoke and lemon vinaigrette all served with fettunta (fancy garlic bread).

Cozy Italian desserts like tiramisu, ricotta zeppole (doughnut holes) and chocolate olive oil cake will also be on the menu, but it’s the Baked “Gelaska” with vanilla gelato, raspberry sorbet, sponge cake and torched marshmallow fluff that has us extra excited.

Wines by the glass or bottle are mainly from Sonoma and Napa, and a handful of low-proof cocktails, including a white Negroni and Stella Spritz, are offered.

The restaurant will include a dining room with a fireplace, chef’s counter seating and a covered outdoor patio. Stella will be open for dinner from 4:30 p.m. daily. Reservations are available at stellakenwood.com.

9049 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, 707-801-8043

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Kenwood may be best known in summer for its annual Fourth of July races, but the small town has a mix of fine dining and classic tasting rooms — Landmark, Kenwood Vineyards — plus launching-off points for great hikes.

Scroll on below to read what to do and where to eat, sip and shop in Kenwood.

What to Do

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park

The short, shady waterfall trail is a great bet on a summer afternoon; more exposed ridgetop hikes are stunning but best in the early morning or late in the day. 2605 Adobe Canyon Road, 707-833-5712, sugarloafpark.org

Trione-Annadel State Park

Kenwood has two lesser-traveled park access points, popular with trail runners and mountain bikers — one on Schultz Road and one with a parking lot on Lawndale Road. Trails lead uphill toward the Ledson Marsh. 707-539-3911, parks.ca.gov

Where to Eat

VJB Cellars

Hit the sunny courtyard for a casual panini or woodfired pizza and a glass of Nebbiolo, then shop the Italian marketplace or pick up handcrafted chocolates from the Wine Truffle Boutique. 60 Shaw Ave., 707-833-2300, vjbcellars.com 

Golden Bear Station

Joshua Smookler and Heidy He closed Sonoma’s highly regarded Animo to open this spot, which has elevated woodfired pizzas and housemade pastas plus Asian-accented entrées, such as a tonkatsu-style pork chop with dashi broth. 8445 Sonoma Hwy., 707-282-9148, goldenbearstation.com 

Salt & Stone

A broad menu of salads, seafood and steaks, and a lovely outdoor vineyard setting with shade umbrellas and a bubbling fishpond and fountain. The indoor bar scene is one of the best around, too. 9900 Sonoma Hwy., 707-833-6326, saltstonekenwood.com

Where to Taste

Amapola Creek Winery

The newest tasting room in town, Amapola Creek was founded by industry icon Richard Arrowood and is now headed up by Brion Wise of B. Wise Vineyards. Guests taste from a lineup of serious high-end Rhone blends and Cabs from Moon Mountain. The tasting room shares a building with Muscardini Cellars, which offers a terrific weekend afternoon live-music series. 9380 Sonoma Hwy., 707-938-3783, amapolacreek.com

Vaughn Duffy Wines

Winemaker Matt Duffy and his wife Sara Vaughn started this small label 15 years ago, and last year, in true David vs. Goliath style, their 2021 Pinot Noir was named best in show at The Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge. Though the couple source fruit from around the county, their super friendly tasting room is in Kenwood. 8910 Sonoma Hwy., 707-282-9156, vaughnduffywines.com 

Chateau St. Jean

This is the grand, classic Sonoma Valley tasting experience, with a hundred-year-old French-inspired estate home, formal rose gardens and excellent wines, including the signature Cinq Cépages Bordeaux-style blend, which put the winery on the map 30 years ago. 8555 Sonoma Hwy., 707-257-5784, chateaustjean.com

Where to Shop

Mayacamas Home

Interior designer Shawn Hall worked on wineries and hotels for decades, but now she’s turned her vision to this new boutique in a small shopping center along Highway 12, with a worldly selection of ceramics, tableware and upcycled household goods. 9255 Sonoma Hwy., shawnehalldesigns.com

Swede’s Feeds

Treats for your pups and chickens, plus plants, garden tools and colorful recycled tin garden decor at this longtime locals spot. Beloved for the giant dinosaur sculpture that lurks along the highway. 9140 Sonoma Hwy., 707-833-5050, swedesfeeds.com

The post Where To Dine, Play and Shop for a Perfect Day in Kenwood appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Venture outside the winery cellars and tasting rooms and sip away in the sun. Click through the gallery for details.

The post The Best Winery Patios in Sonoma and Napa appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

It’s a typical weekday morning at Les Pascals patisserie on Arnold Drive in the heart of Glen Ellen. The smell of fresh bread wafts in the air. Pastries and other confections glisten tantalizingly—like jewels in glass cases. Locals laugh amid a din of small talk competing convivially with small talk.

In this moment, at this newly opened French bakery, it is hard to imagine that barely one year ago a monumental and historic group of fires terrorized most of the Sonoma Valley, including Glen Ellen and nearby Kenwood. Dozens of homes and businesses burned to the ground. Hundreds more were threatened. Thousands of people had to evacuate. Many stayed away for weeks.

Remarkably, these small Sonoma Valley towns have now begun to come back from the fires. Major residential rebuilds are underway. Damaged hotels, wineries, and commercial agriculture operations have started or completed repairs; many have reopened to the public. Both Glen Ellen and Kenwood have even added new businesses.

During and after the fires, the community rallied. At Tips Roadside in Kenwood, owners Andrew and Susie Pryfogle did their very best to help. When it became clear that the restaurant’s food trucks would survive the conflagration, the Pryfogles encouraged Chef Thaddeaus Palmese to start cooking and dispatched the trolley-style kitchens to the front lines to feed victims and first responders.

According to general manager Thomas Rowley, the crew served more than 5,000 meals.

“We didn’t even have a physical location at that point—we were still under construction when the fires came through,” Rowley remembers. “We had no idea whether the fires were going to come our way or how the incident was going to impact the community. Our goal was just to keep going.”

Locals, no doubt recalling the selflessness of the restaurant crew during the time of crisis, have continued to pack Tips Roadside after the brick-and-mortar restaurant (finally) opened this summer.

“This community might be small, but we’re resilient and we look out for each other,” says Chris Benziger, who has spent most of his life in Glen Ellen and currently runs the eponymous winery his family founded more than 30 years ago.

Benziger, who, like many others, lost his family home in the fires, felt lucky to oversee a successful harvest last year—with the help of a few friends.

After the fire, Benziger recalls mentioning in passing to the bartender at the Jack London Saloon that he needed basic kitchen items—measuring cups, mixing spoons and the like. A few days later, when returning to the local watering hole, he was greeted with a box of supplies, overflowing with household donations from locals, with his name on it.

“It was serious neighbors-taking-care-of-neighbors stuff,” he says. “The fire challenged this community to its core and we came out with a renewed sense of unity and purpose. Instead of running away and fending for themselves, everyone stayed and fought for what we always knew we had—together.”

Scarlett Graham, general manager, at the Kenwood Inn & Spa, agrees wholeheartedly that out of the fire has come a rebirth of community spirit.

While the inn was lucky not to lose any structures to the fire, it was forced to shut down for months to remediate smoke damage by re-plastering all the walls.

The inn operators then used the opportunity to invest in cosmetic changes, renovating the front desk and lobby area and embarking on a complete modernization of the spa. When most of the property reopened in February, locals reacted as if an old friend had come back after an extended tour at sea.

“There was a sense of relief because everything looked the same,” Graham said of people’s reactions. “They stopped by. They got out of their cars. A lot of locals just came in to make sure the inn was OK.”

Many other local businesses report that they are experiencing this sense of a rebirth in the Sonoma Valley community.

Salt & Stone, the eatery that opened in the former site of the Kenwood Restaurant after the fires last fall, has established itself as a gathering place for locals and visitors.

Gaige House + Ryokan and the Olea Hotel, two different lodging options that were impacted by the fire, have renovated, reopened, and enjoyed busy tourist seasons this year. The Gaige House even added a new meditation room.

McCormick’s Mercantile of Glen Ellen, a general store that debuted in July, has seen a steady stream of customers and support.

“We’ve seen the spirit of the people of this community first- hand,” says owner Sheryee McCormick. “Even if people can’t buy anything, even if they still don’t have a home to put stuff, they come in, they engage us, and they give us words of encouragement. That means a lot.”

Looking forward, there is more good news from Glen Ellen: Jack London State Historic Park officials have announced that the House of Happy Walls, a museum devoted to the life and times of the park’s namesake author, will re-open in November after a nearly two-year, $1.5-million renovation. The revitalized museum will feature 22 new exhibits designed to commemorate and celebrate the lives of Jack London and his wife, Charmian.

Considering everything Glen Ellen and the surrounding communities have endured since last October, the museum represents one more step toward a Sonoma Valley recovery.

The post ‘This Community Might Be Small, But We Look Out for Each Other:’ Glen Ellen and Kenwood Bounce Back After Fires appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

It’s barely 5:30 p.m., and Chef Thaddeus Palmese has a line of orders almost 3 feet long coming into his kitchen. Five line cooks listen over the din of clanking pans and the chatter of the dining room, answering his every order with, “Yes, chef!”

Sitting at the counter, watching the complicated dance happening just feet away, is both fascinating and slightly stressful. Flames leap into the air, knives are chopping, sizzling pans come within inches of arms. Inevitably someone gets burned, a dish doesn’t pass muster with Palmese and another gets sent back to be re-plated.

Welcome to Tips Roadside, where one of Sonoma County’s favorite chefs is finally getting a chance to come out from behind the food trucks — The Tri TipTrolley — that he’s been inside for the past five years, quietly honing his menus while serving the simple tri-tip-centric bowls of owner Andrew and Susie Pryfogle’s popular red trolley mobile kitchens.

“The ad said they wanted a kick-ass chef,” said Palmese, as to why someone with classic chef training and the former chef of Starlight Diner in Sebastopol would work on a food truck. But its been a fun ride for Palmese, who’s now ready to reintroduce his version of Southern dining, with everything from creamy grits and Hoppin’ John Salad to fried chicken and beignets.

Located in the former Vineyards Inn in Kenwood, the restaurant has been gutted, overhauled and reborn as a clean, bright and modern roadhouse with two large dining rooms, a full bar and eventually, an outdoor patio. It’s been a long revamp for the team, who started reconstruction before the 2017 fires. In the first days of the fires, the Tri Tip Trolley team drove their trucks into fire zones to help feed first responders. Much of the art on the restaurant walls pays homage to the harrowing weeks during and after the fires, which affected many parts of the Sonoma Valley.

Now that they’re up and running, however, the restaurant has been flooded with guests — from early diners from Oakmont and nearby wine tasters to later waves of locals and tourists. There’s every indication that, like nearby Salt and Stone and Palooza, the newcomers are already becoming part of the fabric of Highway 12.

With an extra dose of Southern flavor, we’re confident they’ll be serving up Wine Country comfort food for a long time to come.

Best bets

Tri-Tip Bites, $14: Harkening back to their food truck start, these straight-up nuggets of flavorful beef were relatively unknown outside California until a few years ago. Inexpensive, but delicious, they’re even better with chipotle, horseradish and garlic aioli dipping sauces.

Grilled Steelhead Salad, $15: Palmese calls this his “Nicoise, Sort Of” Salad. Like the French salad of tuna, eggs, green beans, frisee and olives, it’s a kitchen-sink sort of dish, but becomes more intentional with the use of steelhead salmon, smoked tomatoes and Meyer lemon vinaigrette. The tempura-fried lemon slice is an added component that’s as tasty as it is pretty.

Slab of House Bacon with Hoppin John Salad, $13: It’s hard to get more traditional than this Southern comfort dish of bacon, rice and black-eyed peas. Palmese deconstructs it, placing a thick slab of homestyle bacon and beans dressed with a mustard vinaigrette, pickled squash and red peppers. Puffed rice adds a bit of crunch.

True Grits, $15: This is the do-not-miss dish, whether or not you think you like grits. Because you haven’t had grits until you give yourself over to these fluffy, cheesy, buttery ground corn kernels that would make any Southerner homesick. Unlike polenta, grits are made with white corn, and have a softer, less coarse texture — which in less adept hands is a lot like Cream of Wheat. Infused with flavor, the addition of smoked mushrooms are a revelation, topped by bright spring peas, pea tendrils and Gouda cheese.

Night Market Fried Chicken, $17: A gluten-free crust takes this version out of the realm of Old School cast-iron fried chicken, but with a softer, lighter crust that doesn’t overshadow the actual chicken. The meat stays moist, with plenty of flavor, but the sides of Red Eye Gravy, smashed Yukon potatoes and fresh peas and carrots make this dish seem right out of Maw Maw’s kitchen.

Beignets, $8: Plan ahead, so you’ve got both the time and appetite to appreciate Palmese’s version of the classic beignet. Unlike others, that have more of a donut dough, these start with a pate a choux dough — a bit eggier and lighter, puffing into little balls of air and crust. A mouth-puckering Meyer lemon sauce is perfect spooned into the center. You’ll be tempted to snarf them in a single bite, which you will do exactly once, realizing that the insanely hot steam inside has burnt your tongue into next week.

Crafted cocktails have local monikers like “Sugarloaf Mountain” and Highway 12, using mostly local spirits from the restaurant’s full bar. We loved the Thicker Than Smoke with Sonoma Brothers Bourbon, St. George Raspberry, blackberry syrup and bitters ($12), though all the cocktails we tried leaned toward the sweet. Like sweet-sweet. A full page of local wines, spirits and beers make this a hotspot for tasting your way through Sonoma’s favorite tipples. Plus, free corkage on all Kenwood wines.

Needs Work: The menu, with dishes like smoked short ribs, fisherman’s stew and tomato soup, seems wintery for an opening summer menu, though the use of seasonal produce and local ingredients lighten the flavors somewhat. The restaurant can be very warm on hot days, so dress accordingly.

Overall: Palmese gets a chance to spread his wings, showcasing his passion for the food of his Southern roots to Wine Country in a perfect roadside spot in the Valley.

Tips Roadside, 8445 Highway 12, Kenwood, 707-509-0078, tipsroadside.com. Now open for brunch and dinner Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

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Bastille Day, the French national day which commemorates the 1789 storming of the fortress Bastille Saint-Antoine as a turning point in the French revolution, is this Saturday, July 14. In Paris, French folks and tourists alike will line river, rues and boulevards. They’ll picnic to the sound of symphonic music on the Champs de Mars, see firework displays from the Eiffel Tower, and then dance the night away with firemen at the Bals des Pompiers. This year, on the following day, they’ll also watch the World Cup final between Croatia and France.

In Sonoma County, there may not be an Eiffel Tower or a fireman’s ball (or a lot of soccer, for that matter) but that won’t stop Francophiles from celebrating La Fête Nationale. After all, we share a passion for fine food and wines – so the more reason to say a resounding Vive la France! If you’d like to celebrate all things French, click through the above gallery for local Bastille Day events.

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New businesses are popping up around Sonoma County like flowers in spring. As we speak, 27 new businesses are either open or getting ready to open their doors. From wineries and breweries to French bakeries and luxury hotels – and more Mexican food than you can shake a stick at – we can’t wait to check out these new additions to the Sonoma County scene. Check out the slideshow above for all the details.

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