Perhaps it has to do with the seemingly constant uproar in the world, but nostalgic foods are coming back strong. Everywhere we look, restaurants are serving up comfy retro delights like corn dogs, deviled eggs, and your grandparents’ beloved shrimp cocktail cradled in ketchup-horseradish sauce.

“Every time there’s an economic downturn — a recession, a pandemic, a war — people go back to the foods that comfort us,” says Clark Wolf, a Guerneville-based food, restaurant, and hospitality expert who consults for businesses across the country. “From the sourdough bread we baked while we were in Covid isolation, to mac and cheese and barbecue at eateries when we started to get back together, we know what we want.”

Wolf, a 2009 “Who’s Who of Food & Beverage in America” James Beard Foundation inductee, author, and host of television and radio shows, adds that the trend isn’t surprising.

“In big cities, and now almost everywhere, in a predictable cycle, casual French bistros resurface,” he says, referencing newer hot spots like Brigitte Bistro in Petaluma and Santa Rosa’s Augie’s French for soul-warming onion soup gratinée and beef bourguignon. “It’s true in New York City, San Francisco, and now, all over Sonoma County, (and) happening everywhere from a limited-service counter spot to a fancy restaurant.”

Foods that remind us of childhood and simpler times when life moved at a slower pace have a similar appeal. Remember when weekend mornings meant French toast in front of Saturday morning cartoons, followed by a neighborhood baseball game while snacking on steamed, grilled hot dogs?

While we may be peckish for the past, many of us have more evolved palates than when we thought Jell-O Pudding Pops were the pinnacle of good taste. We’re no longer picky, we’re choosy. And whether we’re at a diner or a Michelin-starred restaurant, we like our comfort food with a side of sophistication. That French toast might be crafted with ube (vibrant purple yam), topped with fresh local berries and homemade ube-taro whipped cream, as found at the Kelly family’s Two Niner Diner at the Petaluma Municipal Airport. And those franks might be spiffy corn dogs, enjoyed at Sebastopol’s Fern Bar with a contemporary twist of crisp-skin hot links dunked in curried ketchup.

Even the classic grilled cheese is recontextualized with high quality ingredients and some degree of novelty, such as the golden, griddled Texas toast stuffed with melty cheese and juicy birria, plump shrimp, al pastor, grilled chicken, or tender asada at Galvan’s Eatery & Beer Garden in Cotati.

“We want some adventure, but not too much,” Wolf says. “We crave a burrito, but maybe now with a Korean taste,” such as the version at Santa Rosa’s Zoftig gussied up with Stemple Creek Ranch grass-fed beef and housemade kimchi.

Call it “NewStalgia.”

As Sonoma County chefs pull out the stops for treasured treats to soothe our souls, there’s plenty of room for fun.

At the posh Valette in Healdsburg, the “Snickers Bar” has long been a favorite dessert, looking like the famous candy: a slim rectangle of sea salt caramel, peanut powder, and locally made Volo dark chocolate. More recently, chef-owner Dustin Valette revamped the confection into “It’sNotA ‘Snickers Bar’ Deux” as an even fancier work of art, a tall cake layered with dark chocolate sea salt ganache, peanut butter custard, and espresso caramel, then sprinkled in peanut crumble and pierced with shards of cocoa tuile.

“We’ve run our original take on the Snickers Bar forever,” says Valette, who is celebrating the 11th anniversary of his eponymous destination. “Everyone absolutely loves it — it evokes childhood memories, but now it’s with an even more elegant chef touch.”

Some chefs turn to our childhood bookshelves for inspiration — specifically, Dr. Seuss’s “Green Eggs and Ham.” Healdsburg’s Acorn Café offers a version with herbed yogurt, dukkah, and a sprinkling of fresh herbs providing the “green” to poached eggs and ham, while Charlie Palmer, the celebrity chef-owner of the new Folia Bar & Kitchen in Healdsburg, gives a whimsical salute with his Green Eggs and Ham Benedict; the brown butter hollandaise is capped with an herb shakshuka.

Palmer’s son, chef Reed Palmer, Folia’s chef de cuisine, recently unveiled his twist on the tried-and-true tuna salad sandwich. This one features premium oil-packed Italian tuna spiked with pickled peppers and onion, topped with lightly dressed organic iceberg lettuce, and piled atop griddled, fresh-baked challah.

“It’s an homage to an East Coast luncheonette-style tuna fish sandwich,” he says. “The main inspiration is the Palace (Diner) in Maine — the best diner in the world. And if you want, we’re happy to make it a tuna melt with lots of beautiful cheese.”

While homestyle is trending, chefs are walking a tightrope to keep quality high but prices low.

“Value is the story this year,” says Andrew Freeman, founder of San Francisco’s af&co., a lifestyle and hospitality marketing and public relations firm that represents several Sonoma County restaurants. “Even in fine dining, guests want to walk away feeling like it was worth it. So whether it’s a great lunch deal, a prix-fixe only concept, or a high-end ‘happy meal,’ operators are finding creative ways to offer value at every level.”

Sax’s Joint in Petaluma — typically a breakfast and lunch spot — leans into its 1950s-style diner vibe with modern-day blue-plate specials at monthly pop-up dinners. Locals crowd in for prime rib, stuffed pork tenderloin, and the chicken Diane, a mid-20th century throwback recipe from owner “Mee Maw,” featuring pan-seared poultry blanketed in rich, creamy sauce made with mushrooms, brandy, and Dijon mustard. Included in the $35 tab is a choice of salad or soup; baked potato, mashed potato, rice, or French fries; plus a side of veggies and garlic bread.

Even the Michelin-starred Cyrus in Geyserville is taking note. While the restaurant’s multicourse Cal-Japanese tasting menu commands a $325 price tag, savvy diners have discovered the luxe destination’s Sunday Family Meal. Chef Douglas Keane’s menu offers an upscale take on deeply satisfying comfort dishes with an East-meets-West approach: fried chicken glazed in spicy-sweet Korean gochujang and pillowy Parker House rolls slathered in savory-sweet miso butter along with creamy mashed potatoes, housemade pickles, and kimchi. For $95 per guest plus a 20% service charge already figured in, it makes end-of-meal math easy.

The set menu idea ends up being a win-win. “In an era where guests are seeking value at every level, these concepts balance approachability with a sense of occasion,” Freeman says. “Guests know what they’ll spend; operators gain consistency, cost control, and efficiency.”

Desserts, too, hearken back to a bygone era. Suddenly, several Sonoma County restaurants are parading out twists on the iconic baked Alaska — once the height of sweet sophistication on big nights out. There’s the baked “gelaska” at Stella in Kenwood, made with gelato rather than the typical ice cream, and served “up” in a fancy brass coupe. The casual, hip Lazeaway Club at the Flamingo Resort in Santa Rosa has its own inventive take: baked Japan with sesame chiffon cake and matcha ice cream surrounded by fluffy toasted meringue. Tucking into that in the Rat Pack-era resort makes this finish to a meal even more fun.

It all equates to a tasty stroll down memory lane filled with beloved foods that hold timeless allure.

“The bottom line is that we’re coming to really appreciate the foods we may have long taken for granted,” Wolf, the restaurant consultant, says. “Those natural, wholesome, homegrown foods many of us grew up with are harder to get and much more expensive to buy, yes, so we’re learning to value them more. And I think that’s always a great thing.”

The post Sonoma County Restaurants Serving Cozy Retro Dishes appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Sitting outside her tree-ringed home pottery studio in Santa Rosa, Hannah Allen recalls the exact moment the life she’s now made for herself began to take shape. The Sonoma County native and owner of Olivet Ceramics was tending bar at State Bird Provisions in San Francisco when a customer off-handedly mentioned Heath Ceramics, the esteemed tableware maker founded in Sausalito nearly 80 years ago.

“She was like, ‘I’m the plateware representative. I fly around and talk to chefs about their plateware needs.’ I was like, ‘That’s a job? Oh my God,’” says Allen, who is clad in the clay-stained Carhartt overalls she typically wears on days spent at her pottery wheel. “So that was the first seed.”

Allen and Healdsburg’s Jee Park both craft ceramic pieces for some of the finest restaurants in Sonoma County and beyond, yet these two artists followed wildly different paths toward taking their place at those acclaimed tables.

A longtime restaurant veteran, Allen began crafting her own pieces when she was laid off during Covid, and she started taking classes at Clayfolk, a studio an old friend had opened in Occidental.

“I was wrestling clay off the wheel. It was falling off, it was messy, it was ugly, I had a mask on—it was terrible,” she says, laughing. “I just decided that this was going to be my meditation, because I needed a break from real life. In Occidental, I didn’t get any [cell] service, and I was like, ‘This is good for me to have this quiet time.’ And all of a sudden, that’s where I was spending all of my time. I could not get away.”

In 2021, she took a job at SingleThread, where she still works as rooftop captain, leading the service team on the roof deck. Looking at and handling the three-Michelin-starred restaurant’s plateware on a daily basis proved inspirational, and she often brought her own pieces in to give to co-workers.

“At SingleThread, there’s the principle of kaizen—one good change every day to make improvements,” she says. “Being surrounded by that principle while creating art, I was like, if I can just kaizen every day and kaizen each piece, I can keep doing this.”

Keep on she did, firing and glazing clay mugs, plates, vases, and more in a variety of earth tones, each piece with a tactile, slightly imperfect, wabi-sabi feel. When SingleThread’s owners briefly partnered in the opening of Little Saint in 2022, co-owner Katina Connaughton asked Allen to make vases for the flower program. Around the same time, Melissa McGaughey, who co-owns Quail & Condor and Troubadour Bread & Bistro and uses Allen’s plateware at the restaurants, offered to sell her pieces at Quail & Condor. “She gave me two shelves, and it was gone, just like that,” Allen says.

“Hannah has a unique style,” McGaughey explains. “There’s a feminine feel to it—a softness to the bold colors and weight to the shape. Hannah’s ceramics [at the restaurants] are from a color palette based on a Turkish rug, to showcase our influence from my Turkish heritage. The food has a more complete story when paired with plateware that reflects the founders.”

McGaughey also notes the simplicity of those pieces for everyday use. Functionality is a key consideration for Allen, an approach gleaned from her years of restaurant work.

“As a service industry professional,” Allen says, “I’m like, ‘Are you ready for the high volume that’s going to be put on these plates? Here’s what I think we should do if you’re going to be passing them to people. Here’s what’s going to be easiest to clear.’ I’m always advocating for the ease of it.”

Jee Park also emphasizes practicality when making ceramics, although her style is distinct from Allen’s, and her career path even more circuitous. The proprietor of Healdsburg’s Seoul Sister Studio immigrated to the U.S. at age 4, growing up in the Chicago area in what she calls “a pretty stereotypical kind of Korean family, where academics were really important.”

Park obliged, earning a degree in mechanical engineering from MIT. She confesses she didn’t much like engineering, so she became a high school math teacher, first in New Jersey and then San Francisco. Later, she went to graduate school at Stanford, which led to her becoming an interaction designer at Yahoo in the early 2000s. Her love for ceramics bloomed in part due to a phenomenon many Bay Area residents can relate to—rush-hour traffic.

“I was living in the Haight, driving down to Sunnyvale, which is a bear,” recalls Park, sitting on a couch with her dog in her expansive warehouse studio in downtown Healdsburg. “In order to break up the commute on the way home—and, I think, in response to me making digital things that weren’t physical—I stopped at the Palo Alto Art Center to take classes. That’s how I started ceramics, and I just completely fell in love with it.”

While Park enjoyed the tactile aspect of the art form, she also found a synergy between ceramics and the user interface work she did in the software world.

“I love to solve problems,” she says. “You think about restaurants—especially in San Francisco—their kitchens are fairly small, and you’ve got to think about the footprint of the piece, and about whether they’re going to be handwashed or if they’re going to be dishwasher-safe. I don’t just think, ‘Oh, it’s beautiful’; it’s got to actually work, too.”

Park’s work may be functional, but it’s not simple. She is inspired by architecture, citing the free-flowing structures of Gaudí and Gehry, an influence that can be seen in pedestals she designed for Dry Creek Kitchen. Many of her pieces feature intricate hand-carved lines, including a set of textured bowls she created for Petaluma’s Table Culture Provisions that can be flipped over to be used as platforms.

“I really like to make my pieces multifunctional,” she says. “So you get more bang for your buck.”

Years before she moved to Healdsburg in 2021, Park and her sister brought their mother to Wine Country for her 70th birthday, where they dined at Dry Creek Kitchen and Cyrus, both of which are now clients. “They are just so important,” she says, “because they’re part of my origin story.”

“I feel like it elevates what we’re doing, and it’s a conversation starter,” Shane McAnelly, executive chef of Dry Creek Kitchen, says of Park’s work. “We have little cards one of our managers made that talk about Jee’s background, so when people ask about it—which happens with relative frequency—we can bring those out and plug her.”

While her local ties have proved fruitful, a farther-flung place also lingers in Park’s consciousness. She named her studio Seoul Sister in part to recognize her Korean heritage, and she cites “Irworobongdo,” a screen painted with a landscape of mountains, sky, and water traditionally placed behind the royal throne in Korea, as a touchstone.

“The Korean people are supposed to be like the water in that painting, where you overcome the obstacles,” she says. “Nothing stops water, right? And it may not [take] a direct path, which my life has definitely not been a direct path.”

Water flowing over and around rocks, rarely taking a straight line, but always winding to its inevitable destination—it’s a description that fits not only Park’s journey, but also Allen’s, and perhaps the entire discipline of ceramics.

“When I got started,” Allen remembers, “and pieces weren’t coming out the way I wanted, I often would tell myself, ‘Well, the clay’s going to tell me what it wants to be today.’ And that was it.”

The post Local Ceramics Artists Create Tableware for Some of Sonoma County’s Best Restaurants appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Elaine’s Big Salad from “Seinfeld” pretty much nails the main-character energy we’re after when we say, “Let’s have a salad.” No wimpy greens, no bottled dressing, no dainty plates. Just a big bowl, a fork and a stack of napkins — because a real salad should be a meal, not a supporting player.

Taco salad

Don Julio’s

The best burrito of your life, in salad form. Sweet al pastor pork or Salvadoran orange-marinated chicken are the go-to proteins at this tucked-away cafe. Crack into the edible tortilla bowl to reveal refried beans, guac, sour cream and rainbow greens ready for their close-up. 217 Southwest Blvd., Rohnert Park. 707-242-3160, donjulioslatingrill.com

Maccabi Salad

Zoftig

Everything you love about a mezze platter in a power bowl. Dollops of housemade hummus, baba ghanoush, beet and walnut dips meet mixed greens, tabouleh, and crispy falafel with a handful of whole-wheat pita chips for the win. Virtuous without even trying. 57 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa. 707-521-9554, zoftigeatery.com

Wedge Salad

Stark’s Steak & Seafood

This steakhouse classic almost dares you to call it a salad. A thick wedge of iceberg lettuce is a vehicle for blue cheese dressing and bacon, as it should be. Tiny tomatoes and a slice of red onion help keep up appearances that you’re actually eating vegetables. 521 Adams St., Santa Rosa. 707-546-5100, starkssteakhouse.com

Monterey Trout Salad

Handline

Though seafood stars at this neighborhood cafe, locally sourced, seasonal veggies always steal the show. Piles of butter lettuce support flecks of house-smoked trout, Meyer lemon crème fraîche dressing, candied walnuts and roasted beets. Perfection. 935 Gravenstein Highway S., Sebastopol. 707-827-3744, handline.com

Pea Shoot Salad

Lo & Behold

Chef Sean Kelley’s ode to Berkeley in the ’90s is a tangle of crunchy pea shoots, shaved carrot, radish and toasted sunflower seeds with a lemon-sesame yogurt dressing. It’s never leaving the menu because it’s just that good. 214 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg. 707-756-5021, loandbeholdca.com

Farro Chicken

Lunchette

Chef Naomi Crawford is an outspoken advocate for honest ingredients and walks the walk. Glowing greens from nearby farms form the base for her nourishing farro salad with apples, herbs, shallots, goat cheese, pickled onions, and candied almonds topped with harissa-baked chicken. 25 Fourth St., Petaluma. 707-241-7443, lunchettepetaluma.com

Seasonal Salad

Sonoma Pizza Co.

Whatever time of year you visit, there’s an artful salad of the moment. Maybe it’s melon and burrata with nasturtium leaves, or summer greens with mimosa vinaigrette. No matter what you find, it’s good. Make sure to check the daily tapas menu for additional picks. 6615 Front St., Forestville. 707-820-1031, sonomapizzaco.com

Stoned Salad

Spread Kitchen

A Levantine-inspired salad of tender greens, summer stone fruit and slivers of watermelon radish is dusted with sumac and drizzled with tart pomegranate vinaigrette. Crisp, colorful and bright, it’s summer on a fork. 18375 Highway 12, Sonoma, 707-721-1256, spreadkitchensonoma.com

The post Where To Find the Best Big Summer Salads in Sonoma County appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

You don’t have to wait until Cinco de Mayo to enjoy the sweet, sour, salty, boozy taste of a well-made margarita.

Often hailed as the quintessential Mexican cocktail, the origins of the margarita remain debated. Some claim it was invented in Tijuana in the 1930s, while others say a Dallas socialite concocted the first margarita at her Acapulco vacation home in 1948.

No matter where it came from or how you like yours — frozen or on the rocks, with or without salt, flavor-infused or classic — Sonoma County serves up some marvelous margaritas. Here are our top picks.

Santa Rosa

La Rosa Tequileria & Grille: La Rosa’s La Diabla is a favorite margarita made with lime, strawberry (or other fruits of your choice) and muddled serrano chiles, served on the rocks. A little spicy, a little naughty. If heat isn’t your thing, try one of their many other margaritas, or keep it simple with a shot of tequila from the expansive bar, which features over 180 artisan tequilas and mezcals. 500 Fourth St., 707-523-3663, larosasantarosa.com

Lazeaway Club at the Flamingo Resort: Grab a poolside table and a fresh margarita and enjoy the “ode to idleness” vibe at the resort restaurant. 2777 Fourth St., 707-510-4533, lazeawayclub.com

Kenwood

Salt & Stone: The fan-favorite Hibiscus Margarita is made with Campo Bravo Tequila and triple sec, with a lava salt rim for added mystique. Pair it with happy hour oysters, available 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. 9900 Sonoma Highway, 707-833-6326, saltstonekenwood.com

Windsor

Sweet T’s: The secret to the Texas Margarita? Pineapple and a kick of cayenne pepper. But oh, how sweet it is. 9098 Brooks Road S., 707-687-5185, sweettssouthern.com

El Gallo Negro: This Windsor restaurant and mezcaleria serves up Oaxacan-influenced dishes and a margarita for everyone with over a dozen festive options, including their tropical house margarita and the Mucho Caliente made with jalapeño-infused Herradura tequila. 8465 Old Redwood Highway, 707-838-9511, elgallonegro.net

Healdsburg

Agave: Agave offers one of the largest tequila selections in the county and hosts regular tastings. Order a house margarita to enjoy al fresco with a traditional Oaxacan mole. 1063 Vine St., 707-433-2411, agavehealdsburg.com

Roof 106: The Modern Margarita is a wonder of modern alchemy. This classic cocktail is crystal clear, making for a sneaky drink that’s every bit as good as the original. Maybe better. 106 Matheson St., 707-723-1106, thematheson.com

Juju’s: Nestled in Healdsburg’s Acorn Cafe for evening service Thursday through Sunday, this Moroccan-inspired pop-up offers a drink list bigger than its dinner menu. Among the cocktails is a Harissa Margarita made with lime, chile, agave wine, orange liqueur and harissa-honey. 124 Matheson St., acornhealdsburg.com/popups

Geyserville

Catelli’s: For the heat seekers out there, this Italian hot spot in rural Geyserville offers a Garden Jalapeño Margarita with pepper-infused tequila and a chili powder-salted rim. 21047 Geyserville Ave., 707-857-3471, mycatellis.com

Sonoma

La Casa Restaurant: One of the oldest restaurants in Sonoma knows how to throw down margaritas — they offer six types — many use recipes that date back to the restaurant’s 1967 opening. Try the Coat Rack, which uses reposado tequila, Cointreau and fresh-squeezed lime; or order a house margarita during happy hour. 121 E. Spain St., 707-996-3406, lacasarestaurants.com

Taqueria La Hacienda: Sonoma locals flock to La Hacienda, not just for the best homemade molé in town, but also for their gigantic margaritas. Skip the house margarita and go top shelf with a blend of their famous margarita mix and El Jimador Tequila Blanco Triple Sec, topped with floats of Grand Marnier and Cointreau. 17960 Sonoma Highway, 707-939-8226, lahaciendasonomabarandgrill.com

Oso Sonoma: Oso’s food is great and so are the cocktails. Pair Oso’s shrimp tacos with a blood orange margarita, made with tequila, blood orange puree, lime, agave and salt. 9 E. Napa St., 707-931-6926, ososonoma.com

Petaluma

Mi Pueblo: Mi Pueblo hosts a popular happy hour with specialty margaritas, such as the jalapeño margarita. Local fans describe Mi Pueblo’s margaritas as “the size of a mixing bowl” and therefore shareable for two — but would you really want to share your margarita? 108 Kentucky St., 707-769-9066, eatmipuebloelcentro.com; 800 Petaluma Blvd. N., 707-762-8192, eatmipueblonovato.com/petaluma

Plaza Tequila: Popular with happy hour enthusiasts, Plaza Tequila offers margarita lovers plenty of options to pair with their expansive menu. Treat yourself to a top-shelf margarita, topped off with a float of Cointreau, and sit back and relax on the shaded patio. 600 E. Washington St., 707-776-4949, plazatequila.com

Cotati

Mi Ranchito: Mi Ranchito loves tequila so much that they have their own tequila club. Their specialty margaritas run the gamut in color, taste and size. Try the top-shelf margarita or a fruity marg, like the strawberry or watermelon. 7600 Commerce Blvd., 707-795-7600, miranchitocotati.com

West County

El Barrio: One of the hottest spots in Guerneville, El Barrio pairs tequila and mezcal craft cocktails with small Mexican plates. USA Today once called their La Adelita margarita — made with blanco tequila, triple sec, housemade jamaica and lime — “sultry.” They also offer mezcal margaritas, like the simple El Barrio and the prickly pear-laced El Nopal. 16230 Main St., Guerneville, 707-604-7601, elbarriobar.com

Underwood Bar and Grill: A popular hangout for locals, including winemakers and artists, Underwood offers a top-notch craft cocktail program, which, of course, includes a margarita. Their Mercury Margarita uses Herradura Blanco tequila, Grand Marnier, Cointreau, housemade sweet and sour, and fresh orange juice. It’s a perfect match with their signature grilled hamburger. 9113 Graton Road, Graton, 707-823-7023, underwoodgraton.com

Fern Bar: This favorite Sebastopol happy hour spot offers a generous list of creatively crafted cocktails, including a refreshing cilantro and lime margarita that pairs beautifully with the fried chicken sandwich. 6780 Depot St., Suite 120, Sebastopol, 707-861-9603, fernbar.com

El Coronel Mexican Restaurant: This family-friendly establishment, with an outdoor patio, makes for a great spot to enjoy one of nine specialty margaritas — especially if you love a more fruity twist. Their Pink Cadillac margarita stars Chambord, giving it a distinct raspberry flavor, and the signature El Coronel Elegante features Don Julio Añejo and Cointreau. 1015 Gravenstein Highway S., Sebastopol, 707-829-7010, elcoronelrestaurant.com

Rocker’s Roadhouse: This Valley Ford saloon offers contemporary twists on classics, including the house margarita, which comprises fresh lime, tequila-infused soju and simple syrup. Make it spicy with added serrano and jalapeño peppers. Enjoy with the beer-battered fish tacos, served with apple-fennel slaw and a spicy remoulade sauce. Too many margaritas? Sleep it off at their onsite hotel. 14415 Highway 1, Valley Ford, 707-876-1983, rockeroysterfellers.com

Heather Irwin, Maci Martell and Sarah Stierch contributed to this article.

Did we miss your favorite marg? Let us know at maci.martell@pressdemocrat.com. 

The post Where to Get the Best Margaritas in Sonoma County appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Last week, I wrote about 20 new restaurant openings in Sonoma County. That wasn’t the final count. Here are a few more additions.

Wonderland Pizza: The former Lucy’s in Monte Rio, previously home to several short-lived restaurant concepts, is under new ownership and undergoing a complete renovation. Owners Brian Perloff and Kellee Kessler will open Wonderland Pizza on May 22, offering quality food, local beer and wine, live music and art inspired by the Russian River. 20391 Highway 116, Monte Rio, instagram.com/wonderland_pizzeria

Redwood Gospel Bakery: The Redwood Gospel Mission will open its new bakery at 2447 Summerfield Road in Santa Rosa on April 14. More to come on this. rgm.org

Cloverdale Supper Club: The boutique Cloverdale House Inn offers a Sinatra-era atmosphere, with steaks, seafood and classic martinis. Grand opening is April 11. 240 N. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale, 707-669-5072, instagram.com/supperclubcloverdale

Capriciano Osteria: A hand-painted sign now marks the former Tipsy Taco location in downtown Santa Rosa. The spacious venue, previously home to the Acapulco Lounge, has hosted several concepts over the years, including French, Mexican and Brazilian. Details on the menu and opening date are not yet available. 505 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, capriciano.com

Now open

Kyoto Ramen and Hawaiian BBQ: This new location for the casual California-Pacific Rim chain offers 15 types of ramen, as well as poke bowls, curry, rice bowls, katsu and kalua pork. 1940 Piner Road, Suite 600, Santa Rosa, 707-888-2906

The post Even More Restaurant Openings in Sonoma County appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

I’m always on the hunt for great food in Sonoma County, the kind worth a detour, a wait or a group text. Here’s what I ate this week.

Seoul to Tokyo Kitchen: After two visits to this new ramen, okonomiyaki and bulgogi restaurant in north Santa Rosa, I am impressed. The menu features Korean comfort food such as bulgogi, bibimbap, soft tofu soup, tteok-bokki and ox bone soup, as well as Japanese ramen, udon and Vietnamese pho. While the miso is average, the banchan stands out. 3082 Marlow Road, Suite B3, Santa Rosa, 707-919-3014, seoultotokyokitchen.com

Parkside Eats: Although still in its soft opening, the extensive menu is already drawing both foodies and neighbors. Highlights include poke nachos, fresh guacamole and an excellent burger served on a brioche bun. 4323 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-800-7466. Find on Instagram.

Abyssinia Ethiopian: Looking at a giant platter of bubbly injera, spiced lentils, beans and greens, my first thought was: Why don’t I eat here more? The tangy, pancake-like bread, warm East African spices and the healthy, flavor-packed vegetarian spread make a strong case for return visits. 913 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-568-6455, my-abyssinia.com

Valley Bar and Bottle: While finalizing my “Top 50 Dishes in Sonoma County” for the May/June issue of Sonoma Magazine, I had one last dish to try at this destination-worthy restaurant and natural wine bar. Fried artichokes, yellowfin tuna crudo and charred cabbage with miso stood out, but you’ll have to wait until next month to find out the winner. 487 First St. W., Sonoma, 707-934-8403, valleybarandbottle.com

Don Julio’s: This tiny, tucked-away taqueria in Rohnert Park is a best-kept secret of locals. The Salvadoran restaurant takes Latin classics and adds a tropical twist — like the birria pupusas, plantain-stuffed burritos and sweet corn tamales, which I could eat for days. 217 Southwest Blvd., Rohnert Park, 707-242-3160, donjulioslatingrill.com

The post What Our Dining Editor Ate This Week in Sonoma County appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Putting cheese on bread is no novel concept — people have been uniting the two ingredients as far back as ancient Rome. The method of combining them, however, is another story. One of our favorite ways is the grilled cheese sandwich. 

One of the first iterations of a grilled cheese came from, you guessed it, France. The French croque monsieur, a griddled ham and cheese sandwich, came about in the early 1900s. It wasn’t until a few decades later that the grilled cheese sandwich made a proper appearance in the United States. 

Otto Frederick Rohwedder invented the first automatic bread-slicing machine in Iowa in 1928, making the distribution of bread easier and more affordable. During the Great Depression and World War II, Americans in search of cheap, filling meals looked to sliced bread and processed cheese from J.L. Kraft & Bros. Company (later known as Kraft Foods), which had opened its first U.S. plant in 1914. The cheese dream, an open-faced version of the grilled cheese sandwich, became popular during this time. 

By 1949, Kraft Foods introduced its individually wrapped Kraft Singles, which American supermarkets began stocking in 1965. It was around this time that people began making closed, toasted cheese sandwiches and the term “grilled cheese” finally made its print debut.

A simple yet tasty grilled cheese sandwich is the ultimate kid-friendly meal, but adults shouldn’t have to miss out on all the gooey, cheesy deliciousness. Sonoma County restaurateurs are serving elevated versions of the tried-and-true classic. Here are a few to try on National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day (April 12) or any day of the year. 

Galvan’s Eatery & Beer Garden, Birria Grilled Cheese: Griddled Texas toast piled with melted cheese and stuffed with tender birria. Find the new brick-and-mortar restaurant in Cotati, plus the food truck continues to pop up around Sonoma County. 500 E. Cotati Ave., Cotati, 707-664-5987, instagram.com/galvanseatery

KC’s American Kitchen, Ultimate Grilled Cheese: Cheddar and jack cheeses spill over between Parmesan sourdough bread. Add tomato for $1, avocado for $2.50 and bacon or ham for $4.25. For when you’re feeling hungry and nostalgic. 9501 Duvander Lane, Windsor, 707-838-7800, kcsamericankitchen.com

Nimble & Finn’s, Pear and Cambozola Grilled Cheese: Cambozola, kalamata olive and caper tapenade, caramelized onion and pear jam on sourdough, served with housemade pickles. Who knew an ice cream shop could offer such gourmet grilled cheeses? (At the Santa Rosa location only.) 123 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-666-9590, nimbleandfinns.com

Betty’s Fish & Chips, Grilled Crab & Jack Cheese: Dungeness crab and Jack cheese on sourdough bread, served with a choice of chips or coleslaw. Order with a side of New England Clam Chowder for a truly comforting East Coast lunch. 4046 Sonoma Highway, Santa Rosa, 707-539-0899, bettysfishandchips.com

Cozy Plum Bistro, Grilled Gouda: Vegan Gouda, tomato and choice of pesto or caramelized onions on herb focaccia. Served with a side house salad. Add avocado or substitute gluten-free bread for $3. The premier grilled cheese for vegans. 6970 McKinley St., Sebastopol, 707-823-3333, cozyplum.com

Wild Goat Bistro, Adult Grilled Cheese: Comté and Gruyere cheeses, bacon, caramelized shallots and Victor’s secret spread on rustic country bread. Served with side salad or soup. Substitute Mama Mel’s gluten-free bread for $2 and vegan cheese for $3. What’s more adult than fancy cheeses mixed with caramelized onions enjoyed on the riverfront? 6 Petaluma Blvd. N., Suite A5, Petaluma, 707-658-1156, wildgoatbistro.com

Sax’s Joint, The Joint Grill: Generous amounts of cheddar, cream cheese and bacon on sourdough. Served with choice of fries, coleslaw, potato salad, mac salad or mac and cheese. Of the handful of grilled cheeses on the menu, this one receives the most praise, thanks to the cream cheese, which adds a special tangy creaminess to the sandwich. 317 Petaluma Blvd. S., Petaluma, 707-559-3021, saxsjoint.com

The Girl & The Fig, Grilled Cheese Sandwich: Vella Cheese Company cheddar with tomato confit on sourdough. Served with house chips. Simple but oh so satisfying. 110 W. Spain St., Sonoma, 707-938-3634, thegirlandthefig.com

Sunflower Caffe, Sunflower Grilled Cheese: Fontina, aged cheddar and Vella dry jack butter on sourdough. Served with salad dressed in a French vinaigrette. Enjoy alongside the cream of tomato soup. 421 First St. W., Sonoma, 707-996-6645, sonomasunflower.com

Sonoma’s Best, Bacon Grilled Cheese: Havarti, Gruyere, arugula, smoked bacon and apple spread on a choice of bread. Best enjoyed with a local wine out back in the garden. 1190 E. Napa St., Sonoma, 707-996-7600, sonomas-best.com

HopMonk Tavern, Grilled Cheese: A heaping helping of cheddar, provolone, Gruyere, Parmesan, smoked Gouda and garlic on French bread. Add ham for $3. (Only at Sonoma location.) HopMonk Sonoma, 691 Broadway, Sonoma, 707-935-9100, hopmonk.com

Lunch Box, Kimchi Grilled Cheese: A three-cheese blend with aioli and housemade kimchi on Red Bird sourdough pullman. Sub gluten-free bread for $2. All sandwiches are served with kettle chips. 128 N. Main St., Sebastopol, lunchboxsonomacounty.com

Society Bakery And Cafe, Grilled Cheese: Three types of cheese (chef’s choice) with herbs on Goguette French bread. Make it a soup and grilled cheese combo with the soup of the day. 2661 Gravenstein Highway S., Sebastopol, 707-861-9665, societybakerycafe.com

Valley Ford Cheese and Creamery, V.F. Grilled Cheese: Housemade “Hwy 1” fontina, rosemary ham and kimchi on multigrain sourdough. A creative sandwich with award-winning cheese in a charming, countryside atmosphere. Plus, the daily specials always include regularly changing sandwich creations, like the Cubano or pizza grilled cheese. 14390 Valley Ford Road, Valley Ford, 707-875-7073, valleyfordcheese.com

Estero Cafe, Grilled Cheese: Organic cheddar and Estero Gold cheese on freshly baked sourdough makes for a delicious, locally sourced grilled cheese sando. Add avocado, bacon or chicken sausage. 14450 Highway 1, Valley Ford, 707-876-3333, americanasonomacounty.com/estero-cafe

Fishetarian Fish Market, Adult Grilled Cheese: Valley Ford Estero Gold, Hwy 1 and jack cheeses with grilled onions and fig jam on sourdough. The seafood here is top notch, but the grilled cheese shouldn’t be missed. 599 Highway 1, Bodega Bay, 707-875-9092, fishetarianfishmarket.com

Here are your best bets for no-frills grilled cheese sandwiches (just melty cheese and toasty bread).

Downtown Bakery & Creamery, Grilled Cheese: Cheddar cheese on housemade wheat, sourdough or French bread. The ham grilled cheese with housemade aioli and Dijon is also spectacular. At $7, it’s undoubtedly the most affordable and satisfying sandwich lunch in town. 308 Center St., Healdsburg, 707-431-2719, downtownbakeryhealdsburg.com

Boudin, The Great Grilled Cheese: Havarti and sharp cheddar on Parmesan-crusted sourdough. 2345 Midway Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-303-4100, boudinbakery.com

The Twins Restaurant, Grilled Cheese: Swiss, cheddar, provolone and Parmigiano-Reggiano on sourdough. 572 E. Cotati Ave., Cotati, 707-242-3075, thetwinsrestaurant.com

Hole in the Wall, Grilled Cheese: Cheddar cheese on toasted sourdough. 972 Gravenstein Highway S., Sebastopol, 707-827-6040, holeinthewallrestaurantsebastopol.com

The post Where To Find the Best Grilled Cheese Sandwich in Sonoma County appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

We’ve seen friends nearly come to blows over where to find the best burritos in Sonoma County — everyone has a favorite taco truck or hole-in-the-wall taqueria they’re convinced has the secret sauce for making the world’s best burrito.

To settle this once and for all, we’ve created the ultimate guide to the best burritos in Sonoma County — from the obvious to the undiscovered, including one that weighs 8 pounds. Along with our opinions, we’ve included direct quotes from Bite Club readers and foodies who responded to our callout for “the best burritos in Sonoma County.”

Sonoma

Juanita Juanita: Go for the Garlic Garlic Burrito and never worry about vampires again. “I’m partial to their Carnitas Pastor Tacos,” said Tony. Their Super Burrito is a favorite among locals; the next level up is the Big Ranch and the Super, grilled and topped with melted cheese and ranchero sauce. 19114 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, 707-935-3981, juanitajuanita.com

La Bamba Taco Truck: Locals swear this is the ultimate nighttime spot for tacos and some of the best burritos the town of Sonoma has to offer. Open from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Cash only. 18155 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma, 707-322-1070. Find them on Instagram.

Santa Rosa

Chelino’s: Chelino’s Super Wet Burrito is as flavorful as it is filling. Readers recommend carne asada for this large burrito, which is topped with a spicy verde sauce or a rich mole. 1079 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-571-7478, chelinosrestaurant.com

Cielito Lindo: “We ordered burritos (the super chicken burrito and a carnitas burrito),” said Elisa O. “They were both huge — stuffed with a lot of fresh deliciousness! We will definitely go again!” Come for the burritos and stay for the birria tacos and fresh ceviche. 52 Mission Circle, Suite 110, Santa Rosa, 707-978-2070. Find them on Instagram.

Delicias Elenita Taco Truck: Authentic Mexican food served under the stars makes Delicias Elenita a fiesta after dark. “Their super steak burrito is not only mouthwateringly delicious, but is also cheap and affordable,” said Paul. 816 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa, 707-575-7021. Find them on Facebook.

El Patio: “Burritos and breakfast burritos are probably some of the best in our great city of Santa Rosa,” said Brooks. “My burrito was practically the size of a brick,” said Ricardo, who ordered the Pork Chile Verde Super Burrito. “They did not skimp on anything, including the star of the show, which was the pork.” 425 Stony Point Road, Santa Rosa, elpatio1.com; 901 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-571-2222, elpatio2.com

La Palapa: “By far the best burrito I have ever had anywhere is the wet Terminator with Diabla Sauce at La Palapa. It is enough for two people and then some,” said Bite Club reader PepperHead. 590 Lewis Road, Santa Rosa, 707-569-9210, lapalapamexicanrestaurant.com

La Fondita: This downtown cantina brings the fiesta (and some of the best burritos in Sonoma County) to downtown Santa Rosa. The shrimp burrito is awesome, along with the Mole burrito. La Fondita is open until 1 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. 816 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa, 707-526-0881

Los Arcos: Los Arcos receives high praise from Facebook fans for its satisfying meat, egg and potato-stuffed breakfast burritos, with the chorizo breakfast burrito among the most highly recommended. The McDougall Deluxe Burrito is a great veggie option. 1791 Marlow Road, Suite 6, Santa Rosa, 707-545-5858, losarcosrestaurantsr.com

Los Tres Chiles: The grande burrito is like the super wet burrito, but bigger. Made with a 14-inch tortilla and stuffed with, well, everything, this burrito can easily last for two filling meals. 2765 Yulupa Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-304-5724, lostreschiles.com

Taqueria El Favorito: If you’re looking for Mission-style burritos, head to El Favorito on Sebastopol Road. “Get the super burrito al pastor,” said Crystal. “I would show you a pic, but I ate it with the voracity of a honey badger eating a cobra. Sorry.” 565 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa, 707-526-7444

Taqueria Las Palmas: This unassuming taqueria off Santa Rosa Avenue is a sleeper but popular among authentic Mexican street-food fans and off-duty chefs. Carne asada and al pastor burritos are go-to choices. “It is HUGE and packed with perfectly tender and flavorful asada, refried beans, rice, avocado, sour cream and salsa with a hint of fresh lime juice,” said Walt about the Super Burrito with carne asada. 415 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-546-3091

Zoftig Eatery: Zoftig’s Korean BBQ Burrito is a food truck mashup stuffed with Stemple Creek Ranch grass-fed ground beef, kimchi, daikon, avocado and short-grain brown rice wrapped in a tortilla. It’s rib-sticking and hearty — not for dainty eaters. Our never-quite-full-enough digital editor gives it a thumbs up. 57 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-521-9554, zoftigeatery.com

Rohnert Park

Don Julios: This secret little gem is well-known for its pupusas, but readers really love the burritos as well. “You MUST try their al pastor. I’ve eaten at a lot of burrito spots and drive further for this place. Please. Try it,” said Brent. The Camarones Tropical Burrito with sautéed prawns, homemade Spanish rice and fresh tropical mango salsa is pretty delish, too. 217 Southwest Blvd., Rohnert Park, 707-242-3160, donjulioslatingrill.com

Cotati

Galvan’s Beer Garden: Opened earlier this year in time for the Super Bowl, the game-day hangout by local food-truck favorite Galvan’s Eatery offers a variety of burritos alongside its popular quesabirria and carne asada fries. Also, find the pop-up food truck at local breweries such as Parliament, Old Caz Beer, Cooperage Brewing, Lagunitas and Petaluma’s HenHouse. 500 E. Cotati Ave., Cotati. instagram.com/galvanseatery

Petaluma

Mi Pueblo: The Macho, with meat, rice, cheese, sour cream, onion, cilantro, salsa, tomatoes, refried beans and guacamole, gets the wet treatment with a splash of “burrito sauce.” The Padre doubles the amount in the Macho; the Gordo triples it. Also found in Cotati (at 7384 Commerce Blvd.). 800 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, eatmipueblopetaluma.com; 108 Kentucky St., Petaluma, 707-769-9066, eatmipuebloelcentro.com

Chunky’s Taqueria & Grill: Nestled in the Leghorn Marketplace, near the Santa Rosa Junior College’s Petaluma campus, Chunky’s is a Mexican-food mainstay in east Petaluma. The wet super burritos with pollo rojo or carne asada are a local favorite. 701 Sonoma Mountain Parkway, Petaluma, 707-775-3325

Healdsburg

Agave: This restaurant from brothers Octavio and Pedro Diaz serves up a Diego’s Burrito, a favorite among our Facebook followers. It features al pastor, grilled onions, peppers, mushrooms, organic potatoes, sour cream, guacamole and melted Monterey jack cheese. Regular and super burritos are available, too. 1063 Vine St., Healdsburg, 707-433-2411, agavehealdsburg.com

Casa del Mole: The Super Burrito Al Pastor is a favorite at this market and taqueria from the Diaz brothers. But you’re really here for the mole, which is prepared the old-fashioned way with dozens of ingredients, including Mexican chocolate. 434 Center St., Healdsburg, 707-433-4138, casadelmoletogo.com

Gallina D’Oro: The owners of Healdsburg’s El Farolito have renamed (and revamped the menu) of the longtime restaurant to Gallina D’Oro. The Barbacoa Burrito, with slow-cooked shredded beef and all the fixings, deserves a spot on our list of best burritos. 128 Plaza St., Healdsburg, 707-433-2807, gallinadoro.com

Taqueria Guadalajara: “Try the Burrito Manadero! It has the best mole sauce!” said Sue. “It rivals a Mission (San Francisco) burrito — the gold standard,” said Christopher. “Chili Verde Burrito, best avo-green salsa,” said Tina. 125 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-433-1052, ordertaqueriaguadalajara.com

Sebastopol

Viva Mēxicana: While this Sebastopol eatery is known for its pop-up Persian nights, it’s also regarded for its breakfast and vegan burritos, among other hearty Mexican classics. 841 Gravenstein Highway S., Sebastopol. 707-823-5555, vivamexicana.com

Guerneville

Guerneville Taco Truck: No one really remembers what this popular food truck is actually called (it seems almost too easy that it’s simply the “Guerneville Taco Truck”). What they do remember is that they have the best burritos around. Usually parked in front of Safeway. 16405 Highway 116, Guerneville, guernevilletacotruck.com

Multiple locations

El Roy’s: “Finally, a burrito spot that lives up to the hype,” said Damien. “I’m only mad about the fact that I didn’t eat here sooner. It’s practically perfect; I can’t think of a bad thing to say.” Shrimp Super Burrito and Carne Asada Super Burrito are popular picks. Find food trucks at 401 E. Washington St. and 175 Fairgrounds Drive, Petaluma; 1569 Sebastopol Road, 2728 Santa Rosa Ave. and 505 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa. Brick-and-mortar restaurant at 602 Elsa Drive, Santa Rosa. elroysxpressmex.com

Lola’s Market: Latino grocer with family-friendly prices and solid carnitas. “Huge and great prices, too,” said Michelle. Locations in Petaluma, Santa Rosa and Healdsburg. lolasmarkets.com

Maci Martell and Owen Ruderman contributed to this article. 

The post Where to Get the Best Burritos in Sonoma County appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

In one of the busiest opening seasons in recent years, more than 20 restaurants have opened or are slated to debut in 2026. Despite a challenging economic outlook, some restaurateurs point to a softening real estate market — and easing rents — as one reason behind the surge. For many of the newcomers, though, the explanation is simpler: optimism, a quality the restaurant world has rarely lacked.

Mediterranean & Levantine

Coming Soon

Olives and Agave: Tapas and Mediterranean plates inspired by Spain and the Middle East will replace Montgomery Village’s Cascabel, which quietly closed last May. 909 Village Court, Santa Rosa, olivesandagave.com

Alesta: A brick-and-mortar from a popular Santa Rosa food truck is set to open in the former Piala space. 7233 Healdsburg Ave., Sebastopol, instagram.com/alestamediterranean

Now Open

Mazza Kitchen: Levantine grab-and-go from longtime caterer Kristina Daya, with specialties like spiced chicken, shawarma, manoushe and chocolate-covered dates. 1000 Clegg Court, Petaluma, instagram.com/kitchen_mazza

Juju’s: A Moroccan- and French-inspired pop-up from former Hazel Hill (Montage Healdsburg) chef Jason Pringle, offering elegant takes on lamb tagine, roasted chicken, mezze and fresh, piping-hot pita. The mezze is a standout. 124 Matheson St., Healdsburg, acornhealdsburg.com/popups

Bring the family

Coming Soon

Parkside Eats: Slated to open in early April in the former Lepe’s space, this new cafe blends Mexican-influenced favorites — tacos, quesabirria and fresh guacamole — with California-style burgers, salads, soups and juices. Owners Hayley Cutri and Efrain Balmes recently closed their Sonoma Eats restaurant in Agua Caliente after the building was put up for sale. 4323 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa

Acre Pizza: A Healdsburg outpost of the popular local chain known for New York- and Detroit-style pies. Just off the downtown square, it offers easy parking and a next-door bonus: Quail & Condor’s new bakery cafe. 44 Mill St., Suite C, Healdsburg, acrepizza.com

SMASH: From the Stella and Glen Ellen Star team, this fast-casual spot near the Sonoma Plaza will serve smashburgers, fried chicken sandwiches, fries, shakes and cocktails, including a few boozy ones. It marks a shift from the group’s higher-end menus, but a peek at their social media shows plenty of test flipping already in progress. 497 First St. W., Sonoma, smashsonoma.com

The Junction: Expected to open in May, the former Villa returns as a modern, family-friendly hangout for craft beer, upscale pizza and cocktails, with sweeping hilltop views. We can almost feel the sun on our shoulders and craft brew in our hands. 3901 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa

Sam’s General Store: The Calistoga-based coffee shop and cafe is headed to Sonoma County, though details on location and timing remain limited. samsgeneral.store

Locally inspired

Coming Soon

Spur Saloon: The team behind Grata Italian Eatery is planning a casual, saloon-style pub in the long-vacant Windsor Brewery, blending country-western flair with what chef-owner Eric Foster describes as an “upscale Yellowstone lodge” feel. Yeehaw. 9000 Windsor Road, Windsor

Wild Poppy: The west county cafe known for its plant-forward breakfast and brunch is expanding to a second location at The Barlow, taking over the former Woodfour Brewing space, with an early summer target. Plans also include a tofu factory in the former brewery room. 6780 Depot St., Suite 160, Sebastopol

Bonnie Bagels & Co.: East Coast-style bagels with a West Coast twist. 280 S. Main St., Sebastopol, bonniebagels.com

Coming in 2026

Hazel (reopening): The owners of the longtime comfort food spot, which left its cozy Occidental home, plan to reopen in the long-shuttered Barley & Hops space. 3688 Bohemian Highway, Occidental

Dead Letter: The Girl & The Fig team is keeping details close, but owner John Toulze has hinted at a live-fire kitchen at the former Maya Restaurant space. 101 E. Napa St., Sonoma, instagram.com/deadlettersonoma

Upscale Californian

Coming Soon

Aya: A major addition to Graton Resort & Casino, this 28,000-square-foot restaurant and bar will include two terraces overlooking Sonoma Mountain, a walk-through wine tunnel and a $1 million cellar. Las Vegas chefs Roy Ellamar and Jennifer Murphy-Ellamar are leading the project, expected to open in early May. 288 Golf Course Drive W., Rohnert Park

Bohemian Bistro: The former Hazel space in Occidental is set to reopen this spring as a white-tablecloth destination under chef James Millar, formerly of Violetto in Napa Valley and backed by the owners of the Acme Burger chain. 3782 Bohemian Highway, Occidental

Pacific Rim

Now Open

Seoul to Tokyo: Korean, Japanese and Pacific Rim dishes, with standouts including bulgogi, ramen, tteok-bokki and katsu. 3082 Marlow Road, Suite B3, Santa Rosa, seoultotokyokitchen.com

Coming in 2026

Hapa’s on the Mainland: From the Sweet T’s team, along with pit master George Ah Chin, this Hawaiian restaurant will open at the rebuilt Cricklewood site, with indoor dining and expansive outdoor patios. Expect casual island fare and tiki-style cocktails. 4618 Old Redwood Highway, Santa Rosa, hapasmainland.com

Sake: An all-you-can-eat sushi spot. 1000 W. Steele Lane, Santa Rosa

Flambé all day

Coming in 2026

Mansoor: The former Gravenstein Grill location has changed hands and will focus on dishes finished over live fire. 8050 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol

The post 20 New Sonoma County Restaurants Opening This Spring and Summer appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

In temperate Sonoma County, it’s rare to find a dining spot without a lovely patio or sidewalk seating. Still, a few standouts truly shine at offering stellar outdoor spaces alongside great food.

Here are my picks for shaded patios, prime sidewalk people-watching and sun-dappled gardens worth seeking out. As someone prone to severe sunburn, I’ve included a “shade score” to indicate how much coverage you can expect from umbrellas and other shade sources.

Santa Rosa

Mitote Food Park

Set in the heart of the predominantly Latino community of Roseland, this happy gathering of food trucks features the flavors of Oaxaca, Jalisco, Michoacan, Yucatán, and Mexico City. There’s also a vibrant al fresco bar and live music with fully tented sun coverage. Shade score: 9/10. 100 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa, mitotefoodpark.com

Spinster Sisters

This outdoor garden is all about wide-open spaces in an urban setting. Enjoy supper and wine beneath colorful sails and twinkling lights. Charming bistro tables and retro picnic benches covered by floral oilcloth match the creative vibe of the SOFA (South of A Street) neighborhood. Shade score: 6/10. 401 South A St., Santa Rosa, 707-528-7100, thespinstersisters.com

Windsor

Grata

This Windsor restaurant serves up neighborhood Italian fare on a semi-enclosed patio with plenty of shady spots and cool breezes. The tiny tables aren’t ideal, but the risotto more than makes up for it. Shade score: 8/10. 186 Windsor River Road, Windsor, 707-620-0508, gratawindsor.com

Sonoma Valley

Sunflower Caffe

This longtime breakfast, brunch and lunch café has a secret — its shaded back patio features a sunny oasis decorated in cheery yellow hues. Surrounded by old oaks and topped with a weather-resistant pergola, it’s ready for almost any season. Best bites include the breakfast biscuit, regularly changing waffles and kale chicken Caesar salad, along with wellness shots and mimosas. Shade score 9/10. 421 First St. W., Sonoma, 707-996-6645, sonomasunflower.com

Salt & Stone

Outdoor tables (with umbrellas) surround a tranquil lily pond and at night, twinkle lights give off a soft glow, making this a favorite romantic rendezvous in Kenwood. Solid American classic cuisine with a full bar. Shade score 4/10. 9900 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, 707-833-6326, saltstonekenwood.com

Valley Swim Club

This seafood-centric restaurant has no indoor seating, so the year-round outdoor space is well-covered with retro-chic furniture and comfy bench seats. Oversize striped umbrellas create a shaded oasis for yard seating. Shade Score: 9/10. 18709 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, 707-243-3032, valleyswim.club

El Dorado Kitchen

A private courtyard and pool transport you from the busy downtown square to a restful retreat. Excellent Cal-Italian food and craft cocktails complement the intimate space. Shade Score: 7/10. 405 First St. W., Sonoma, 707-996-3030, eldoradosonoma.com

The Girl & the Fig

Large umbrellas and sunshades cover the enclosed patio space that’s a world away from the daily grind. Casual French cuisine with a full cocktail bar and friendly service. Shade Score: 7/10. 110 W. Spain St., Sonoma, 707-938-3634, thegirlandthefig.com

Sebastopol

Handline

Shoji screen-style windows open wide to let cool breezes flow through the restaurant, but the tented patio remains a favorite for families and pets. A children’s area nearby helps keep little ones entertained. Creamy soft serve is a nostalgic nod to the restaurant’s past as a Fosters Freeze. Shade score: 9/10. 935 Gravenstein Highway S., Sebastopol, 707-827-3744, handline.com

Khom Loi

It’s the best of both worlds — indoor while feeling like you’re outdoor — at this popular Thai restaurant. Enclosed on three sides with a soaring atrium, the space lets in the breeze while keeping you out of direct sunlight. Ramen Gaijin’s culinary team brings their love of Thailand’s sweet, salty, sour and fragrant cuisine to Sebastopol with style. Shade score: 10/10. 7385 Healdsburg Ave., Sebastopol, 707-329-6917, khomloisonoma.com

Wild Poppy

The rambling outdoor patio of this offbeat Sebastopol roadhouse has always been a magical place, full of nooks, crannies and hidden spaces to explore. Despite plenty of umbrellas, it can be hard to find complete shade on extra hot days, but a quiet ledge overlooking the creek offers leafy coverage. Don’t miss the Cosmic Queso! Shade score: 7/10. 9890 Bodega Highway, Sebastopol, 707-503-6332, thewildpoppycafe.com

Petaluma

Brewsters Beer Garden

Everyone’s welcome (including your pup) at this indoor-outdoor destination. Excellent barbecue and burgers, mostly California-made beers on tap and cocktails. Live music can get a little loud if you’re trying to converse, but after a few beers, who cares? Shade Score: 7/10. 229 N. Water St., Petaluma, 707-981-8330, brewstersbeergarden.com

Healdsburg

Acorn Cafe

The former Oakville Grocery has plenty of patio seating, complete with a cozy fireplace for chilly mornings. It’s great for well-behaved dogs and kids, or even not-so-well-behaved adults. I love their over-the-top takes on breakfast, brunch and lunch. The lineup includes tiramisu French toast, a brown butter hollandaise Benedict and quite possibly the world’s most inspired fried chicken sandwich. A tasty low- and no-alcohol cocktail menu and an inspired wine list create a Sunday brunch vibe even on weekday mornings. Shade score: 7/10. 124 Matheson St., Healdsburg, acornhealdsburg.com

The Rooftop at Harmon Guest House

Take in views of Fitch Mountain, the Mayacamas range and downtown Healdsburg while you nosh on small bites and casual dishes. Full bar, plus some excellent wines. Shade score: 6/10. 227 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-922-5442, harmonguesthouse.com

Olive Terrace at Montage Resort

Perched high above the Alexander Valley, the Olive Terrace at Montage’s Hazel Hill restaurant overlooks vineyards and hundreds of acres of open landscape. It also comes with cozy rocking chairs and fire pits. The menus offer both small bites and hearty dishes. Order craft cocktails at the adjacent Scout Field Bar. Shade score: 6/10. 100 Montage Way, Healdsburg, montagehotels.com/healdsburg

Roof 106

Chef Dustin Valette’s ambitious venture is a multistory building with The Matheson restaurant on the ground level, a mezzanine overlooking the restaurant for private events and a rooftop lounge, Roof 106. The rooftop lounge has a more casual indoor-outdoor setting with craft cocktails, small plates and seasonal flatbreads from a custom 3,800-pound wood-fired Mugnaini oven. Shade Score: 8/10. 106 Matheson St., Healdsburg, 707-723-1106, thematheson.com

Bravas Bar de Tapas

“Jamon In” reads the neon arrow pointing to the patio that Healdsburgers flock to every summer. Sangria, paella, Spanish tapas and plenty of gossip are what you’ll find at this popular watering hole and restaurant. Shade score: 7/10. 420 Center St., Healdsburg, 707-433-7700, starkrestaurants.com

Healdsburg Bar & Grill

Known to locals as HBG, this buzzing American eatery serves up comfort classics like macaroni and cheese, grilled fish tacos, fried chicken and the classic HBG burger. The fenced patio offers space for kids to roam. Don’t miss the Japanese tater tots! Shade score: 7/10. 245 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-433-3333, healdsburgbarandgrill.com

Occidental

Altamont General Store

The outdoor space is the perfect addition to this eclectic café and market. Umbrella-covered tables plus a grassy knoll for cartwheels on cool summer evenings. Shade score: 5/10. 3703 Main St., Occidental, 707-874-6053, altamontgeneralstore.com

Geyserville

Catelli’s

Lasagna with paper-thin layers of pasta and a tried-and-true meat sauce is a signature dish worth the trip north to this Italian cornerstone. Chef Domenica Catelli is one of Sonoma County’s bright lights, committed to using the best local ingredients. The expansive outdoor area with black and white tiles is iconic — and one of the best event spaces in Sonoma County. Shade score: 6/10. 21047 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville, 707-857-3471, mycatellis.com

Diavola

You’ll swear you’re in Italy at this temple of charcuterie, wood-fired pizza and unmatched pasta entrées. The cheeky hanging laundry that lines the walkway to the back patio completes the experience. Shade score: 9/10. 21021 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville, 707-814-0111, diavolapizzeria.com

Sonoma Coast

Fishetarian

This is as about as close as it gets to eating on the water. Though it’s less than fancy and you’ll get a snoot full of low tide from time to time, the casual picnic tables and chill vibe make it a fave. Shade score 3/10. 599 Highway 1 S. at Lucas Wharf, Bodega Bay, 707-875-9092, fishetarianfishmarket.com

Fisherman’s Cove

This no-nonsense family-owned seafood shack and fishing-marine supply store specializes in fresh local oysters harvested from Tomales Bay. The crab sandwich rivals nearby Spud Point. Shade score: 4/10. 1850 Bay Flat Road, Bodega Bay, 707-377-4238, fishermanscovebodegabay.com

Rocker’s Roadhouse

There’s often live music and dancing on the large back patio of this funky eatery and saloon in the historic Valley Ford Hotel. A mix of local oysters and Southern-influenced comfort foods using local ingredients make this a top stop. Shade score: 8/10. 14415 Highway 1, Valley Ford, 707-876-1983, rockeroysterfellers.com

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

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