THIS CONTEST IS OVER. CONGRATS TO CAROL. Your local food knowledge rivals mine.
Want to eat and drink your way through the Appellations of Sonoma County? We thought so.
BiteClub is giving away two tickets to Taste of Sonoma, part of the 2015 Wine Country Weekend extravaganza.
One winner will get the golden tickets to hobnob with the food and wine elite, sample small bites from dozens of our best restaurants, sip from hundreds of bottles of primo local wine (along with beer and cider), watch food demonstrations, wander around MacMurray Ranch and smile in wonderment at this place we call home.
Here’s what you have to do to enter: I want to know the absolute must try dishes of Wine Country. That can be anything from the Fig Salad at The Girl and the Fig, or chicken livers at Ralph’s, to oysters on the coast and fresh peaches from Dry Creek Peach.
Add your suggestion to the comments below. I’ll choose my favorite suggestion, which will be featured in an upcoming article on Wine Country eats, and you’ll get two tickets for Saturday’s event. Entries submitted by email or on my Facebook page will not be considered. You have to submit a comment.
Want to know how to survive the event? Click here for more details on Taste of Sonoma.
The Fine Print:
1. YOU MUST BE 21 TO ENTER. This is a 21+ event, so your guest must be of age as well.
2. I’ll need a viable email address to let you know if you’ve won.
3. Winner will be chosen at 5pm, Thursday, Sept. 3 and notified. Winners must respond by 1pm on Friday, or forfeit their tickets.
4. See full rules here.
Ok mental note, instead of working really hard to select one item from a long list I write out, next time just post the whole list and ignore the part of the rules that asks for a single creative suggestion.
The Mac N Cheese appetizer at Bear Republic is definitely nacho mama’s mac n cheese. It is great.
Sorry for all teh typos, I was in a hurry 😉
I dream about the Liberty Farms Duck Liver Mousse with Truffle Honey & Fleur De Sel from Monti’s in MOntgomery Village. You have to let it come to room tempature, but the wait is worh every bite of this dellicious liver mousse deizzled with truffled honey and sprinkled with fleur de sel, it just melts in your mouth.
burrata at Campo Fina
salsiccia Pizza at Diavola
Meatballs or Ravioli at Scopa
fungi pizza from Belly
chicken croquettes at Bravas
super carne asada burrito from Guadalajara
ceviche from Agave
Bratwurst from Third Street Ale works
cristo sandwich from WIllie Birds.
croque monsieur from Spinster sisters
cheeseburgers from Ravenous or The Girl and The Fig
sliders from DCK or Valette
carnitas tacos from Delicias Elenita Taco Truck
Soup Of The Day(hot or cold) from Speakeasy
Any BBQ sandwich from Lombardi’s
Pliny bites from Russian River Brewing
as already mentioned, butternut ravioli from Flavor
quesadilla Farolito from El Farolito
oysters at Underwood
4505 Cheddar Bratwurst or bistro burger from Taps
I’m sure i’m missing a ton of things. Thanks, Heather!
The best dish in Sonoma County is the BBQ royal trumpet mushrooms, brioche, kale, pickled Fresno chili and garlic aioli at Spoon Bar in Healdsburg. The flavors blend beautiful and the mushrooms are always cooked to perfection! This is the perfect dish to start off any meal. Get there before your reservation, snag a seat at the bar and enjoy a, “Jalapeno Business” A delicious cocktail involving raspberry puree, mint and a touch of jalapeno. The drink is out of this world and will have your mouth begging for more! Plus, if anyone bothers you can make a snarky joke, “Why are you all up in my business? I’m not jalapeno business!” (Bad joke I know.) Not to mention the scenery is amazing!
The burrata at Jackson’s is really good. I had never heard of it before, and it tastes different than you’d expect even after seeing it.
My absolute favorite dish in Sonoma County is the Flash Fried Fresh Calamari with Orange Chili Gremolata at Willi’s Seafood & Raw Bar in Healdsburg. Everyone has got to try it! If you think you know calamari, you are wrong until you try this dish! The orange chili sauce is like crack! It brings the dish to a whole different level! It’s a tapas restaurant, so you usually share the dishes, but my fiance and I will always order ourselves a dish each! It’s so good we just can’t share!
In my opinion, my best dish of the wine country is the Bruschetta at SeaThai Bistro in Montgomery Village. They use locally baked bread and top it was home pesto, avocado, perfectly cooked shrimp and a drizzle of peanut sauce. It is the perfect combination of sweet and spicy, and is absolutely delicious.
Freshly made Bah-Boom! goat cheese from Bohemian Creamery paired with a mini-baguette from Village Bakery, consumed outside in the sun at DeLoach Winery with a chilled bottle of 2014 Estate Pinot Noir Rosé. Sunglasses & excellent company required for maximum enjoyment.
I would like to share my list:
Baan Thai appetizer called miang kam (spinach leaf salad wrap)
CaBianca braised lamb shank
Café Citti ravioli, homemade biscotti
Chloe’s Roasted vegetable breakfast croissant, pumpkin soup (seasonal), dessert Napoleon cakes
Colibri Grill Corned beef breakfast plate
Dierk’s Midtown Café Smoked salmon hash
Rustic (Coppola) Branzino Whole fish in salt, pettole bread
Fruta- Dulce de leche paletas, bionico
Hole in the Wall Biscuit and gravy breakfast
Homemade Tortilla Huaraches with al pastor or carne asada
Jack and Tony’s Homemade butterscotch pudding
Mai Vietnamese Ban xeo
Mary’s Pizza ‘new on the menu’ BBQ chicken with fried onion topping
Mombo’s Pizza The Florentine
NZBakery meat and veggie pies, salami baguette sandwiches and their dessert lamington cakes
Raymond’s Bakery brownies and tarts
Red Bird Bakery Garlic flatbread
Rosso’s Piadine, Fungi di Limoni, Motto Guzzi
Royal China Lettuce wraps
Sea Noodle Bar Sautéed pork rice bowl, Free Range chicken wings, Spicy lemongrass noodle soup with wild prawn,
Spud Point Crab Co. Clam chowder
Superburger – McDonald Avenue burger
Thai Taste dessert- Thai tea crème brulee
Thipp Thai Mee yok gati noodles (spinach noodles with coconut gravy), their peanut sauce is the best in the world, always order as a dipping sauce for pad thai, rolls, etc.
Tov Tofu seafood tofu soup, green onion pancake
Walter Hansel Bistro Beet salad, Fresh Herb Coated California Rack of Lamb with Asian pear chutney (order extra of this chutney!!!) Bon Appetit!
I would love to see a profile of Wild Flour Bakery and their sticky bun! There is nothing better than a foggy early autumn day with a visit to Freestone for a relaxing massage at Osmosis followed by a Sticky bun and savory scone at Wild Flour.
Coconut Curry at Himalayan Tandoori and Curry House in Sebastopol with Butter Naan.
Roasted Bone Marrow with Toasted Brioche, & Red Onion Marmalade @ Willie’s Wine Bar is amazing. The Red Onion Marmalade is to die for.
A must try is the St Jeorge cheese from Joe Matos Cheese Factory on Llano Rd. They are a small family owned operation and use the milk from the cows on their dairy. The cheese is so good!
After you’ve dined at one of the many amazing restaurants in Healdsburg, stop by Noble Folk and try a slice of pie and their affogato (any scoop of ice cream with a shot of espresso – they can even make it decaf)! It’s the perfect nightcap after dining out. I think they’re open until 9 pm every day 🙂
The best place to go for fresh oysters is Santa Rosa Seafood on Mendocino Ave. Bluepoint, Kumamoto and Kushi are my favorites. Just grab a dozen head home and make a mignonette, and eat them raw! Of course a local glass of sparkling wine to pair makes it even better.
The no filler Crab Cakes at Willies Seafood & Raw bar.
My most recent favorite meal was at Riviera Ristorante
Organic Radicchio Salad $ 9
With Fresh Pears, Gorgonzola, Fennel, Balsamic Vinaigrette
followed by the
Orecchiette Salsiccia $15
Italian sausage, wild broccoli and garlic olive oil
Served with a glass of Prosecco
Whether on a bicycle ride down Bohemian Hwy, on the way to Bodega Bay or just finishing up an amazing enzyme bath and massage at Osmosis a wonderful pairing of must try’s in little Freestone is first a visit to Wildflower Brick Oven Bakery for some samples and to purchase a loaf of Scrumptious Fougasse or one of their amazing Scones & then head over to Freestone Artisan Cheese for more taste tests of their large selection of great mouth watering cheeses decide on one and purchase to go with the bread then head down the road to the Joseph Phelps Tasting Room to top off your indulgences with some incredible wine tasting. Enjoy!
Please try the Bacon, Roasted Pear, Carmelized Onion and Goat Cheese pizza at La Dolce Vita in Petaluma. And leave the wine pairing to them. You will love it!
The Pork belly Hash at Backyard in Forestville is delicious and full flavored. Pork belly with warm apples, citrus and fresh herbs swim in pork belly goodness. The dish is rich and succulent, while zesty and bright-really a delectable blend of flavors. Two sunny side up eggs, house potatoes and sourdough toast from Nightingale Bakery for cleaning the plate are provided. Please enjoy your brunch on the patio, under the oak, with a nice glass of Rose or Cali Sparkling.
The Seafood Risotto at the Riviera Ristorante in Santa Rosa is simply amazing. The seafood is fresh and the risotto is prepared to perfection. Bellisima.
When in windsor rome to Rumba, an excellent lunch Cuban Kitchen great for dinner too. Light hearted & Simply good. ALso eat at the Windsor Johnny Garlics, has the best burger in Windsor Town. http://www.johnnygarlics.com/. For more Sonoma County Food Highlights see tomorrow’s PIcks.
VG
The Crab Sandwiches at Spud Point Bodega Bay. Second place is their Clam Chowder.
The Beehive cake from Basque Boulangerie Cafe. It is divine. A light, airy cake filled with custard and honey-almond praline. And not too sweet!
I already made my entry and I stand by it, but somebody should be talking about some of our great cheese makers here in Sonoma County.
Just had a the best-ever brunch at Rosso’s Roticceria on Stony Point: Lox Benedict: Flakes of delicious lox on a bed of roasted romano beans, fingerling potatos and herbs with toasted ciabatta bread. Topped with two eggs, hollandaise, avocado, and fresh tomatos. Seriously thought about going back on Sunday for a second helping.
My list is long, but there are so many great choices in Sonoma County! My must try dishes are, in no particular order:
• Bone marrow at Willi’s
• Octopus at Bravas
• Carnitas at Taqueria Santa Rosa
• Motto Guzzi (with an egg!) at Rosso Santa Rosa
• Lasagna at Catelli’s
• Curried chicken salad at Chloe’s
• Fried chicken at Sweet T’s
• Goat cheese croquettes at Barndiva
• Korean Fried Crack at Dick Blomster’s
• Chocolate caramel budino at Spinster Sisters
• Ceviche tostada at the Guerneville Taco Truck
• Martini Prawns at Gary Chu’s
• Bread, Butter and Jam at Valette
• Corn ice cream at Frozen Art
I love the Chili relano at lolas market on Petaluma hill rd. They cook old school Mexican food that is always fresh and delicious. It’s like eating food from grandma’s house. All very well seasoned without to much heat. I have never had a bad meal there.
So much incredible food and wine, so little time…Sunday brunch at Worth Our Weight (a great way to have wonderful food and support the efforts of future chefs in Sonoma County), fresh seasonal pizza from Rosso (any location!), hot out of the oven epi from Nightengale Breads in Forestville, seasonal ice cream from Noble Folk in Healdsburg, picnic fare from the Farmer’s Market with Bocce and wine at serenely pleasant Graton Ridge Winery, fresh tortillas from El Molino Central and tomatoes, tomatoes, tomatoes – with or without wonderful fresh made burrata!
Bacon wrapped scallops with cilantro pepita sauce at Willi’s Seafood & Raw Bar in H’burg with a delicious glass of local Chardonnay.
The beef jerky from Angelo’s out on Adobe Road is a great bite. You can go and meet Angelo as he breaks down the very meat that may become the beef jerky you purchase. What’s not to love?! It would be very interesting to see profiles on some old school producers and institutions such as Angelo’s.
At Bravas Bar de Tapas, the Sea Scallops with Romesco and .Leeks from the fire pit. With a glass of white Sangria. All served on the patio, of course.
An absolute Sonoma County “must try” is Barbara Gonnella’s famous family recipe for Carrot Cake, only available at the historic Union Hotel in Occidental. This cake is the very best of guilty pleasures topped with a thick layer of real Cream Cheese frosting. Eat it at the restaurant or take a piece home with you for after your meal! You have not had great Carrot Cake until you have tried a slice of heaven from the Union Hotel!
Seriously the best thing I’ve ever put in my mouth is the Breadcrumb Fried Duck Egg
black rice, Calabrian chili, green garlic aioli at Spinster Sisters.
Also the wagyu nigiri at Hana in Rohnert Park.
Both of these make everything else taste like dirt.
I say any visit to Sonoma county needs to try the mole at Agave in Healdsburg. These folks do it right. It should be the chicken. You will lick the plate. You can taste the layers of flavor and the time involved to make it
The smoked duck sandwich at the Sunflower Cafe has my vote. It’s not like anything else. Of course, you have to sit out on the patio next to the fountain for the total experience.
Lococo’s in Railroad Square has a dish called Costoletta di Vitello Valdostana. It is a
Breaded Veal Chop with Fontina and Prosciutto which cannot be beat. Someone in our party orders it every time and is not disappointed! Ciao!
Some very good suggestion so far. I’m thinking anything with bacon from zazu, and I’m thinking the funghi pizza at Rosso, and the standard burger at Starks, and the roasted bone marrow at Willis, and the agedashi tofu at Hana, and the brussels sprouts with brown sugar bacon marmalade at Glen Ellen Star, and the whole fish with garlic sauce at motel thai, and the lasagna at Catellis, but most of all I”m thinking that the one thing you must try in Sonoma County is the sandwich on a soft roll that is designated on the menu as just “crab” at Spud Point Crab company.
My Must Try Dish of Sonoma County Wine Country is the duck taco plate prepared by the Green Grocer at the Santa Rosa Original Certified Farmers Market. Filled with succulent duck and topped with seasonal ‘salsa’ like cherries in the spring and peaches in the summer. Chef Joe Rueter elevates farm to fork to a fine dining experience right at the Farmers Market, serving farm fresh food on real plates. The Green Grocer has a well-deserved cultish following.
Must Try: Best Calamari in town is at Monti’s (has fennel and lemon slices that add a nice touch).
Dessert Must Have: The most amazing Sweet Potato Bread Pudding at Sweat T’s. Everyone who tries it- loves it!
American Kobe New York Steak at Valette in Healdsburg. AMAZING! The chefs “trust me” menu is fantastic as well.
Yellow Chicken Curry at Sea Thai Bistro – its the best !!!!!
I have taken many international friends and guests there and they all have loved it.
I’ve enjoyed everything I have tried at Flavor Bistro in Santa Rosa, but in particular, the Butternut Ravioli (with toasted sage butter!) is to die for. Can’t recommend it enough.
I sincerely hope you’re not looking for just one. If you are, the absolute “must try” is the sirloin sliders at Willi’s Wine Bar.
Other “must try” items include:
* Gnocchi from Ca Bianca
* Grain of Paradise Liberty Farm Duck Breast from Walter Hansel Bistro
* “Melted Cheese” with Chorizo, Cilantro Pesto & Not House Made Fritos from Willi’s seafood & raw bar.
1. The food and wine pairing at St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, while not a specific dish, is an absolute must try meal in Sonoma County!
2. For a single must try dish in Sonoma County, a deep dish pizza from Old Chicago has been my favorite taste sensation since childhood!
Bahn mi sando & slaw at Luma, in Petaluma #biteclub #tasteofSonoma #needtix #lulaluvsluma
The carbonara at Tratorria Cattaneo in Bennett Valley is some of the best pasta I have ever had!
The tuscan style grilled rib-eye steak for two a scopa hands down is one of the best things I’ve put in my mout ! 24oz’s sliced thin with a pile of rosemary roasted potatoes, & arugula salad, balsamic and shaved parmesan! Yummy……
Try the Barata from Jackson’s. It’s finished with honey and pistachios.
Nonna’s Tomato Braised Chicken at Campo Fina in Healdsburg is my favorite!!!