15 Sonoma Restaurants Worth the Splurge

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Layla: The bright, airy dining room and comfortable patio set the stage for comforting Mediterranean fare like porchetta, crispy Spanish octopus and roasted mushrooms. Looking for a quiet, romantic rendezvous? Sneak away to the Bar at MacArthur Place for top-notch creative cocktails and more casual fare. 29 E. MacArthur St., Sonoma, 707-938-2929, macarthurplace.com. (MacArthur Place and Spa)

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Basque cheesecake with vanilla macerated berries and served with an Irish coffee at Layla restaurant at MacArthur Place Hotel and Spa in Sonoma. (Erik Castro/for The Press Democrat)

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Burrata and grilled asparagus with crispy prosciutto, peas and black truffle vinaigrette, served with The Apiary cocktail made with gin, Yerba Mate tea, raw honey and lemon at Layla restaurant at MacArthur Place Hotel and Spa in Sonoma. (Erik Castro/for The Press Democrat)

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La Salette: Since 1998, Chef Manuel Azevedo has elevated rustic Portuguese cooking into a farm-to-coast cuisine unlike anything else in the region. Delicate wood-oven roasted octopus, briny salt cod cakes with Moroccan black olive coulis and whole roasted Branzino with a parsley saffron vinaigrette are staples. 452 1st St. East, Suite H, Sonoma, 707-938-1927, lasaletterestaurant.com. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

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Chocolate Fetish served at LaSalette Restaurant in Sonoma. (Crista Jeremiason/The Press Democrat)

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Sante: Destination dining at Sonoma's Fairmont Mission Inn. Expect luxury dishes like squid in tagliatelle, roast lamb, dry aged duck and caviar with potato chips. 100 Boyes Blvd., Sonoma, 707-939-2407, fairmont.com/sonoma. (Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn)

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Animo: This couple-run restaurant is a labor of love with hearth-grilled Spanish turbot, Iberico pork and the best boccarones ever. 18976 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma. Instagram: @animo_restaurant. No phone. Reservations are highly recommended through OpenTable. (Darryl Bush/for The Press Democrat)

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Boquerones Toast includes white anchovies, roasted cherry tomatoes, and basil, at Animo, a restaurant in Sonoma. (Darryl Bush / For The Press Democrat)

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John Ash & Co.: White tablecloth dining with breathtaking views of the nearby vineyards. A large outdoor dining area is a favorite for sunny afternoons and warm evenings. The upscale menu is inspired by the father of Wine Country cuisine, Chef John Ash. 4330 Barnes Road, Santa Rosa, 707-527-7687, vintnersresort.com. (Vintners Resort)

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Roasted Diver Scallops with dried tomatoes, garden kale, roasted garlic, lemon, parsley and herb oil from John Ash & Co. in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

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Ca'Bianca: This quiet neighborhood Italian restaurant has always been a pleasant surprise, offering great white tablecloth service, excellent pasta and hearty mains. Don't miss the housemade cannoli. 835 Second St., Santa Rosa, 707-542-5800, cabianca.com. (Crista Jeremiason/The Press Democrat)

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Ca'Bianca's Rigatoni served with Italian sausage, peas, mushrooms, tomato and cream sauce. (Crista Jeremiason/The Press Democrat)

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Hana Japanese: Chef Ken Tominaga brings Tokyo to Sonoma County with his masterfully executed menu that includes both sushi bar specialties (fish is flown in from Japan), upscale ramen, traditional Japanese entrees and artful Bento boxes. The sake collection is unparalleled. 101 Golf Course Drive, Rohnert Park, 707-586-0270, hanajapanese.com. (Erik Castro/for The Press Democrat)

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Jidori Teriyaki chicken with Japanese style potato salad and fried Brussels sprouts served with a side of miso soup and rice at Hana Japanese Restaurant in Rohnert Park. (Erik Castro/for The Press Democrat)

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Hazel Hill at Montage: Driving up to this luxury resort, you'll feel schmancy, but it isn't until you sit on the Olive Terrace overlooking acres of trees that things get extra special. The open kitchen serves up French-inspired dishes with aplomb, and cocktails are extra awesome. 100 Montage Way, Healdsburg, 707-979-9000, montagehotels.com. (Christian Horan Photography)

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Wild King Salmon crusted in brioche with sorrel and vidalia onion from Hazel Hill at Montage Healdsburg. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

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Liberty Farm Duck Breast with rhubarb, turnip and pistachio from Hazel Hill at Montage Healdsburg. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

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Valette: Chef Dustin Valette's family has a long history in the Alexander Valley, and it shows in the closeness to the land (and sea) that Valette expresses on his menu. 344 Center St., Healdsburg, 707-473-0946, valettehealdsburg.com. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

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Valette restaurant in Healdsburg. (Chris Hardy/for Sonoma Magazine)

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The Matheson: The newest project from Chef Dustin Valette has a casual upstairs patio, but the luxe dining is downstairs. A literal wine wall lets diners get everything from sips to full glasses of their choosing. The Chef's Tasting Menu is always the way to go. 106 Matheson St., Healdsburg, 707-723-1106, thematheson.com. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

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A selection of Nigiri Sushi from The Matheson in Healdsburg. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

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Murals at The Matheson in Healdsburg. (Michael Woolsey)

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The Madrona (opens April 21): After a two-year hiatus, this former one Michelin star restaurant is part of a multi-million dollar remodel and refresh to the historic inn, Madrona Manor. Chef Jesse Mallgren is back in the kitchen with a menu showcasing local ingredients and his signature flair. 1001 Westside Road, Healdsburg, 707-395-6700, themadronahotel.com. (Matthew Millman)

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The dining room at The Madrona in Healdsburg. (Matthew Millman)

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The Palm Terrace at The Madrona in Healdsburg. (Matthew Millman)

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Chicken Paillard at The Madrona in Healdsburg. (Nicole Parisi)

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The dining lounge at The Madrona in Healdsburg. (Matthew Millman)

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Dry Creek Kitchen: When Charlie Palmer opened DCK in 2001, Healdsburg was barely a blip on the culinary map. The restaurant has held up well as more luxury restaurants have popped up around it with excellent American cuisine. The $115 tasting menu still seems a deal in the ever-more-expensive town. 317 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-431-0330, drycreekkitchen.com. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

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Cauliflower sformato with chanterelle mushrooms, pepita-cauliflower crumb, treviso and smoked California balsamic from Dry Creek Kitchen in Healdsburg. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

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Dry Creek Olive Oil Cake with citrus curd, blackberries, mint from Dry Creek Kitchen in Healdsburg. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

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Single Thread Farm & Restaurant (reopens May 1): Truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience at one of the world's best restaurants. Sonoma County's only three Michelin-starred restaurant features doting service, perfectly-plated courses, micro-seasonal ingredients (from their own farm) and an award-winning wine list. 131 North St., Healdsburg, 707-723-4646, singlethreadfarms.com. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

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Midsummer in Sonoma floral presentation with small bites from Single Thread restaurant. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)

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An open kitchen design allows the guest to watch the creation of their meal at Single Thread Farms Restaurant in Healdsburg. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

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Barndiva: "Eat the view" is the slogan of this farm-forward restaurant that recently received its first Michelin star. Expect to find dishes almost too pretty to eat, excellent service, farm-to-table cocktails and a beautiful patio. 231 Center St, Healdsburg, 707-431-0100, barndiva.com. (Chris Hardy/for Sonoma Magazine)

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Barndiva in Healdsburg won a 2021 Michelin star, making it one of only two Michelin-starred restaurants in Sonoma County. (Jil Hales)

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Kumquat dessert at Barndiva in Healdsburg. (Jil Hales)

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River's End: Perched on a hilltop overlooking the Russian River's terminus into the Pacific, the restaurant has long been considered one of the most romantic around (the website URL says it all). Local oysters and seafood are best bets. 11048 CA-1, Jenner, 707-865-2484, ilovesunsets.com. (Courtesy of River's End)