Scraping the last re-microwaved, DoorDashed mac and cheese from my plate on a blustery winter morning, comfort food is top of mind. The nights are long, the world is complicated and my chances of a mistletoe smooch are looking slim.
Whatever your woes, there’s no shortage of reasons to power-nosh on mashed potatoes and gravy, steaming soups, or piles of nachos washed down with an espresso martini or three. Fortunately, there are plenty of delightful dishes in Sonoma County to boost your morale. So gather with friends and family around the table for all the carbs and butter you want. Swimsuit season is months away. And that’s something to smile about.
Here are some favorite indulgences of mine.
Soup, Chad’s Soup Shack
The lineup from chef Chad Holmes constantly evolves, but a recent farm market menu included roasted corn and shrimp chowder, split pea and ham, chicken green chili stew, vegetarian mushroom bisque and lemon chicken bone broth — not to mention a brisket grilled cheese sandwich. Think of it as your reward for those cold market mornings. Find him at Santa Rosa Community and Petaluma Eastside Farmer’s Markets. chadssoupshack.com
Loaded Baked Potato, Stark’s Steak & Seafood
Before viral Frappuccinos or frozen yogurt, the baked potato (and offspring, potato skins) ruled supreme in almost every mall food court in America. I vote to bring back the humble spud, covered with sour cream, cheese, bacon, chives and extra butter. Stark’s goes one step further, classing the whole thing up with roasted broccolini, crème fraîche and smoked cheddar fondue. 521 Adams St., Santa Rosa, 707-546-5100, starkrestaurants.com
Currywurst, Tisza Bistro
Housemade bratwurst, sliced into pieces and laid over beer-battered fries and caramelized onions with a curry-spiked ketchup. It’s a mess but in the very best way. 165 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-291-5193, tiszabistro.com
Mac and cheese, SoCo MacHaus
An alter-ego of Franchettis’ Gasthaus, this pickup and delivery-only mac and cheese menu features heaping helpings of mac and cheese gussied up with fried chicken, a medley of mushrooms, bacon or hot dogs. Righteous. Delivery to Santa Rosa area only. Find it on doordash.com or socomachaus.com
Quesabirria, Mi Ranchito
Taking the win for its lacy bits of caramelized cheese, butter-soft meat and grill-kissed quesabirria that arrive with a steaming cup of consommé is humble Mi Ranchito. The real clincher? Cozy indoor seating. Taco trucks are great and all, but sitting on a curb with a Styrofoam plate is less than ideal in winter. 90 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa, 707-978-2295, miranchitomexicancuisine.com
Ramen, The Taste of Tea
Japanese comfort food is the name of the game here. One of chef Nez Tokugawa’s signatures is Miso Ramen ($14), made with vegan kombu broth — a traditional ramen base. Topped with barbecue pork, a shoyu-marinated egg, bamboo shoots and nori, it’s a bowl of warmth and deeply satisfying flavor. 109 North St., Healdsburg, 707-431-1995, thetasteoftea.com
Giant cinnamon roll, Wild Flour Bread
I watched a first-timer order this legendary cinnamon roll with a knowing smile. The size of a small hubcap, these gooey, sticky morning buns will hit your gut like a freight train to Pastry Town. I usually eat half in the car and half — with unsalted butter — when I get home. Plus, it’s a lovely ride, and their gardens, even in winter, are worth a walk-through. 140 Bohemian Highway, Freestone, 707-874-2938, wildflourbread.com
Mediterranean Platter, East West Cafe
I could eat beet hummus for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Sweet, earthy and a perfect pairing with piping hot, crispy falafel bites. The platter also includes regular hummus, baba ganoush, stuffed grape leaves, tabbouleh and pita. 557 Summerfield Road, Santa Rosa, 707-546-6142, eastwestcafesantarosa.com
French fries, Jackson’s Bar and Oven
These fries are the gold standard. Not only are they imbued with truffle oil, but they come with a sprinkle of Pecorino Romano cheese and a side of tart lemon aioli. Plan to order extra aioli if you’re sharing (though we recommend keeping them all to yourself). 135 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-545-6900, jacksonsbarandoven.com
Nachos, La Rosa Tequileria
Maybe it is the tequila talking, but a pile of warm tortilla chips smothered in melted cheese with all the toppings (guacamole, crema, refried beans, salsa fresca and jalapeños) reaches heavenly heights with a crown of carnitas. 500 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-523-3663, larosasantarosa.com
Empanadas, Vinoma
By now, most folks know that this gas station spot in west Rohnert Park is worth a trip for its California-meets-Argentina empanadas. Like doughnuts, one is never enough, so try a few, including the traditional beef with Spanish olives, steak and cheese, al pastor and vegetarian corn in creamy nutmeg sauce. 5085 Redwood Drive, Rohnert Park, 707-536-9215, vinoma.net
Swedish Meatballs, Stockhome
A neighborhood hub for unfussy, family-friendly Turkish and Mediterranean street food found in Sweden’s larger cities, plus homey classics like Swedish meatballs, pickled herring and Swedish pancakes on the menu — all of it with a few nods to California as well. The meatballs, swimming in gravy and nestled against a pile of mashed potatoes with lingonberry jam on the side, are the grown-up version of the Ikea classic. 220 Western Ave., Petaluma, 707-981-8511, stockhomerestaurant.com
Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup, Red Grape
The stuff your mom made on sick days, but without being burnt on one side and with clumps in the canned soup. Here, the tomato basil soup is smooth as silk, and the sandwich has a Parmesan crust with sharp white cheddar melted in the middle. 529 First St., Sonoma, 707-996-4103, theredgrape.com
Tuna Sandwich, D’s Diner
Always a top choice when I’m feeling the tug of a toasted tuna sandwich. It’s not fancy, but the tuna is fresh, the cheese is perfectly melted and the plain old white bread is toasted. 7260 Healdsburg Ave., Sebastopol, 707-829-8080; 750 Stony Point Road, Suite A-190, Santa Rosa, 707-843-3041
Croque Monsieur, Maison Porcella
Chef Marc-Henri Jean-Baptiste’s luxurious pâté, sausages and Parisian-style ham are the draw of this cozy café and wine bar, but if you’re willing to wait a minute, you can get a piping hot croque that makes all other croques seem pitiful. This grand ham and cheese sandwich includes creamy béchamel, Gruyere cheese, housemade milk bread and thin slices of Jean-Baptiste’s award-winning ham. 8499 Old Redwood Highway, Suite 114, Windsor, 707-955-5611, maisonporcella.com
European Drinking Chocolate, Sonoma Chocolatiers & Tea House
Not even in the same universe as Swiss Miss. Made with chocolate shavings and hot milk (plus chili and almond extract optional), it’s a liquid candy bar made for sipping slowly and paging through Proust on a rainy day. 6988 McKinley St., Sebastopol, 707-829-1181, sonomachocolatiers.com
You can reach Dining Editor Heather Irwin at heather.irwin@pressdemocrat.com. Follow Heather on Instagram @biteclubeats.