If you’ve noticed a rising tide of steak frites, Coquilles Saint-Jacques, beurre blanc and people pronouncing “cassoulet” with alarming accuracy, it’s not by accident — Sonoma County is having a French moment.

Like tasty forest mushrooms, restaurants and bakeries à la française are popping up everywhere, embracing the zest for good food, good wine and good butter that defines Gallic cuisine.

French techniques and a flair for local ingredients have always been at the heart of Wine Country’s unique style of cooking, but classic white-tablecloth French restaurants have been few and far between in these parts since the 1980s.

Now, a new generation of Francophiles are adopting the time-honored flavors of the birthplace of modern cuisine, along with a wave of French newcomers bringing recipes and traditions from their homeland.

Bon appétit, mes amis.

The newcomers

Bistro Lagniappe

When chef Jacob Harth first captured local attention last September with a pop-up preview of Winnie’s, a restaurant centered around responsibly sourced West Coast seafood, I took note. Anyone who can make gooseneck barnacles appetizing (they resemble turtle toes) is a kitchen wizard.

While Winnie’s is still in development, Harth’s new Healdsburg bistro is a stunning debut. He describes the menu as California countryside cooking inspired by French rural routiers (roadside restaurants) and bistros, using the best ingredients Sonoma County has to offer.

The concise menu belies the awe-inspiring dishes. I nearly skipped the “Plate of Summer Vegetables,” which sounded like a ho-hum plate of crudités. But when it arrived, we gasped at the rainbow of colors, textures and preparations — raw, roasted and pickled — on the plate.

A large wood-fired oven, which can reach temperatures of 1,200 degrees, has its own section on the menu, featuring roasted oysters with smoked garlic butter and comforting cassoulet with duck confit. Sweet, caramelized onions and Comté cheese with a Parmesan foam is one of the best dishes I’ve ever eaten.

Perfectly cooked trout, a roasted chicken with morels and a crisp mille-feuille with passion fruit round out the meal.

I can’t wait to see what’s next. 330 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-473-8181, lagniappehealdsburg.com

Poppy

This Glen Ellen restaurant has the soul of France with the heart of Sonoma County. The newest branch on The Girl & The Fig’s family tree, it’s the culmination of founders Sondra Bernstein and John Toulze’s 25 years of travels through rural France.

A handful of dishes already define it as a restaurant to watch — a perfect summer salad, a crave-worthy roast chicken and a standout bread service. Don’t miss the Choux au Craquelin ($10), a baseball-sized puff pastry filled nearly to bursting with velvety espresso mousse. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, three-course family-style dinners are $65, with wine included. 13690 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen, 707-938-2130, poppyglenellen.com

Bijou

Petaluma’s Bijou — a more casual cousin to Table Culture Provisions’ fine dining experience — is the latest from acclaimed chef Stéphane Saint Louis. From its prime downtown location to its constantly evolving menu, the restaurant reflects his personal vision. As a young chef working across the street at The Shuckery, Saint Louis often eyed the expansive modern space, imagining that it would one day be his.

Ever-changing dishes reflect Saint Louis’ creativity and changing seasons, making it worth repeated visits. Some staples, however, will remain on the menu — a fish entrée, steak frites, housemade pasta and several starters. Reservations are available on OpenTable and are highly recommended. 190 Kentucky St., Petaluma

New wave, old school

Augie’s French

Paying homage to Auguste Escoffier, the father of modern French cuisine, restaurateurs Mark and Terri Stark’s classic French bistro serves classic-yet-approachable fare, including dishes like steak frites, mussels, escargots, Salade Lyonnaise and steak tartare. Chef Quincey Sanders, formerly of Portland’s Le Pigeon, heads the kitchen, and the tender, homey beef cheek bourguignon could make a grown man cry. Open daily. 535 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-531-4400, augiesfrench.com

Brigitte Bistro

Chef/owner Nick Ronan’s bistro-style cooking is the real deal. Raised between Paris and the south of France, he has created a menu that is a reflection of the food he loves best — beef bourguignon, duck confit, cheese souffle, onion soup gratinée, tableside beef tartare and the requisite steak frites (desserts are also stunning).

But it’s Ronan’s warm, bear-hug style approach to welcoming guests like family, encouraging evening sing-alongs at the dining room’s baby grand piano, that really defines his restaurant. For Ronan, Brigitte Bistro isn’t a quest for Michelin stars; it’s a neighborhood gathering spot for a meal in the French tradition — feeding family and friends with love and passion. 841 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 707-981-8381, brigittebistropetaluma.com

Le Diner

This daytime boulangerie and gourmet sandwich shop magically transforms into Sonoma County’s tip-topiest French café Wednesday through Sunday evenings. Limited seating offers an intimate six-course dining experience from chef Sean McGaughery, who MacGyvers the tiny kitchen into a Michelin-noted force of nature. The menu features seasonal, locally sourced dishes like duck a l’orange, Wagyu steak tartare and petite escargot served in a Limoges tea cup. Requires a prepaid reservation, so plan ahead.

381 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-756-3972, troubadourhbg.com

The classics

Walter Hansel Bistro

When’s the last time you had Chicken Cordon Bleu? The chicken breast stuffed with Prosciutto and molten Gruyere disappeared with mall bangs and mixtapes, but it’s back at this rural bistro, along with French staples like steak frites, escargot and duck confit. 3535 Guerneville Road, Santa Rosa, 707- 546-6462, walterhanselbistro.com

La Gare

A longtime locals’ favorite (45 years and counting) for Old World French cuisine, La Gare offers well-established white-tablecloth standards, including coq au vin, Chateaubriand, frog legs and garlicky escargots. The Railroad Square staple was featured on KQED’s “Check, Please! Bay Area” last year. Open 5-9 p.m. daily for dinner. 208 Wilson St., Santa Rosa, 707-528-4355, lagarerestaurant.com 

Boulangeries and patisseries

Goguette Bread

Long-fermented loaves are the bread and butter of this family-run French boulangerie, sold still warm if you time your pickup right (preorders are recommended). The expanded footprint of the bakery means even more to love, including creamy French custard ice cream (try their espresso and ice cream affogato), sandwiches and buttery cookies. Open 1:30-9 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. 59 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa, goguettebread.com

Pascaline Bistro and Patisserie

Doing double duty as a bakery and café, this French-owned carb-loading destination is the place to go for flaky croissants, kouign-amann and sweet pastries for breakfast (or lunch), along with hearty sandwiches, quiche and salads after 10:30 a.m. Pascaline also serves bistro-style dinners from 5:30-9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, with offerings like boeuf bourguignon, veal viennoise and mushroom farrotto, plus a wine list with selections from France to Wine Country. 1021 Hahman Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-303-7151, pascalinebistro.com

Sarmentine

French expat Alexandra Zandvliet turned a pandemic pop-up into a multi-location patisserie phenomenon. The original, popular shop in Santa Rosa expanded to The Barlow in Sebastopol in 2023, taking over the former Red Bird Bakery location. Just last year, Sarmentine opened its third location in Petaluma. Don’t miss the baguettes, chocolate tarts, cream-filled mille-feuille and seasonal cakes like bûche de Noël. Plus, lunch sandwiches, cheeses, terrines and other French goodies. 52 Mission Circle, Suite 112, Santa Rosa; 6760 McKinley St., Suite 150, Sebastopol; 840 Petaluma Blvd. North, Petaluma, 707-623-9595, sarmentine.com 

Costeaux Bakery

This Healdsburg bakery has been a favorite for sourdough baguettes, croissants and addictive French onion soup since 1973 (the original bakery was built in 1923, right next to the current location). Their deep dish quiche, with ham, bacon, mushrooms, cheese and a few veggies just for good measure, never fails to impress. A go-to for great cakes, as well. 417 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-433-1913, costeaux.com

Les Pascals

This bright butter-yellow café is impossible to miss and a cyclist favorite for its pastries and coffee. Classic croissants, brioche and breads, the hard-to-find Paris-Brest (a doughnut-shaped éclair), sandwiches, quiche and the required French onion soup are on the menu. Open every day except Wednesday. 13758 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen, 707-934-8378, lespascalspatisserie.com 

The post The Best French Restaurants, Cafes and Bakeries in Sonoma County appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

On Monday, July 14, France will celebrate La Fête Nationale (or Bastille Day in English-speaking countries) with fireworks, parades, parties and communal meals. But you don’t have to be French to join the festivities. We’ve rounded up five local Bastille Day events, along with French restaurants, boulangeries and patisseries, to visit on France’s national day. Bonne fête nationale! 

All events will be held on Bastille Day, July 14, unless otherwise noted. 

Events

Bricoleur Vineyards, Windsor

Bricoleur will host its fifth annual Bastille Day celebration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 12. The event will include live music, estate wine and French-inspired cuisine. $125 per person. Reserve on Tock. 7394 Starr Road, Windsor, 707-857-5700, bricoleurvineyards.com

Goguette Bread, Santa Rosa

Family-owned Santa Rosa bakery Goguette Bread is partnering with the Alliance Française de Santa Rosa to celebrate Bastille Day from 4-8 p.m. July 12. The free family-friendly event will include a raffle, a demo on pétanque (a French boules sport), interactive booths and kids activities. There will be bread, cheese, wine, charcuterie, crepes and ice cream available to purchase on site to create your own picnic. Among the vendors will be Maison Porcella and DeLoach Vineyards. RSVP on Facebook for updates. 59 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa, goguettebread.com

Jordan Winery, Healdsburg

The Alexander Valley’s Jordan Winery will host a Bastille Day brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, July 13, at the winery château. A curated four-course brunch on the terrace will include soft-scrambled eggs with caviar, smoked salmon, beef tenderloin en croûte and a French-inspired dessert. Each course will be paired with a 2-ounce tasting pour and the brunch will be accompanied by French music. $175 per person. Seating is limited. 1474 Alexander Valley Road, Healdsburg, 707-431-5250, jordanwinery.com

Valley of the Moon Pétanque Club, Sonoma

Sonoma’s Valley of the Moon Pétanque Club will host a festive Bastille Day luncheon from 12:30-2 p.m. July 13 at Depot Park. The buffet lunch will include crab cakes, asparagus-leek vichyssoise, grilled andouille sausages and lemon strawberry shortcake. $25 per person. Sign up for the lunch by July 5 here. Depot Park, 270 First St. W., Sonoma, 707-934-4844, vompc.org

Pascaline French Bistro & Patisserie, Santa Rosa

The Santa Rosa French bistro will celebrate Bastille Day with an al fresco féte from 1-4 p.m., July 13. The four-course Bastille Day menu will include salade nicoise, grilled Pacific salmon, herbed crusted striploin and baba au rhum (a yeast cake soaked in a rum syrup). There will be additional food trucks as well as wine, beer and music. Tickets are $65 per adult and $25 for children 12 and under. Reserve on OpenTable. 1021 Hahman Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-303-7151, pascalinebistro.com

French bakeries and restaurants to visit 

If you can’t make it to one of these Bastille Day events, there are plenty of restaurants and patisseries in the North Bay where you can celebrate with French dishes and sweet treats on July 14, or any day of the year. Here’s where to go and what to order. 

Sonoma County

Pascaline French Bistro & Patisserie

In addition to Pascaline’s Bastille Day event on July 13, it will have pastries available for preorder, such as tarte Tatin, strawberry éclairs and chocolate meringue puffs. Other French treats on the bistro’s regular menu include cannelés de Bordeaux, kouign-amann, pain aux raisins (raisin roll), croque madame, French onion soup, croissants and quiche. 1021 Hahman Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-303-7151, pascalinebistro.com

La Gare

Escargots de Bourgogne, cuisses de grenouille, quiche Lorraine, boeuf wellington, demi canard à l’orange, vis de veau financière, carré d’agneau persillé, crème caramel beau rivage, meringues glacées Chantilly, crème brulée and mousse au chocolate. 208 Wilson St., Santa Rosa, 707-528-4355, lagarerestaurant.com

Augie’s French

Croque madame, crèpe de jour, pâté de campagna, coquilles St. Jacques, escargots, poulet frites, gnocchi à la Parisienne, crêpes suzette, crème brûlée and profiteroles au chocolate. 535 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-531-4400, augiesfrench.com

Sarmentine

Baguettes, croissants, canelés, brioche, quiche, pain au raisin, marjolaine, éclairs, dunes blanches, Paris-brest, tartelettes and croquembouche. 52 Mission Circle, Suite 112, Santa Rosa; 840 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma; 6760 McKinley St., Suite 150 Sebastopol, 707-623-9595, sarmentine.com

Patisserie Angelica

Gâteau Parisien, croissants, chocolate soufflé, gâteau Basque and macarons. 6821 Laguna Park Way, Sebastopol, 707-827-7998, patisserieangelica.com

Costeaux French Bakery & Cafe

Macarons, tarts, brioche, baguettes, croissants, quiche, pain perdu, Monte Cristo and French onion soup. 417 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-433-1913, costeaux.com

Les Pascals Patisserie et Boulangerie

Galette des rois, tropéziennes, macarons, éclairs, quiche, croissants, baguettes, aperitif ficelles, brioche, brownies à la Française, babas, madeleines, palmiers, raspberry feuilletés, financiers, petit fours, cannelés de Bordeaux, raspberry sablés, Breton biscuits, chouquettes, chocolate chaussons and kouign-amann. 13758 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen, 707-934-8378, lespascalspatisserie.com

Basque Boulangerie Café

Vienna loaf, baguettes, braided brioche, croissants, gâteau Basque, French custard and fruit pie, chocolate mousse and éclairs. 460 First St. East, Sonoma, 707-935-7687, basqueboulangerie.com

Brigitte Bistro

Salade lyonnaise, escargots and marrow bone, pâté en croûte au champignions d’hiver, salmon gravlax aux agrumes, onion soup gratinée, coquilles St. Jacques gratinée, duck a l’orange, beef bourguignon, crème brûlée and ile flottante. 841 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 707-981-8381, brigittebistropetaluma.com

Napa County

Le Paris Artisan and Gourmet Cafe

Croissants, crème brulée brioche, quiche, macarons, éclairs, madeleines and French almond cake. 828 Brown St., Napa, 707-927-3623; 3921 Broadway, American Canyon, 707-731-0948, lepariscafe.com

Angèle Restaurant & Bar

Escargot, smoked salmon mousse, pâté de campagne, beef tartare, croque monsieur, cochon in a blanket (French hot dog in a puff pastry), salade niçoise, lamb printanier, chocolate mousse gâteau, salted caramel pot de crème and vanilla bean crème brûlée. 540 Main St., Napa, 707-252-8115, angelerestaurant.com

Bistro Jeanty

Truite fumée pommes a l’huile, oeufs mimosa truffés, friture d’éperlans, pâté de campagne maison, escargots, parfait de foie blond, quenelles de brochet, coq au vin, cassoulet, steak tartare, tarte aux pommes, profiteroles, crepe suzette and crème brûlée au chocolat. 6510 Washington St., Yountville, 707-944-0103, bistrojeanty.com

Marin County

Le Marais Bakery

Croissants, pain aux raisins, kouign-amann, brioche, quiche, salade niçoise, croque monsieur and madame, pan bagnat, French onion soup and poulet sans tête. 250 East Blithedale, Mill Valley, 415-888-3695, lemaraisbakery.com

Miette Patisserie & Confiserie

Macarons, chocolate sablés, tartlets and other sweets. 2009A Larkspur Landing Circle, Larkspur, 415-464-1000, miette.com

Bordenave’s Bakery

Baguettes, croissants, chaussons aux pommes and other French-style baked goods. 1512 Fourth St., San Rafael, 415-453-2957, bordenavesbakery.com

Le Comptoir

Beef tartare, frogs legs Provençal, lightly fried Camembert, moules marinières, poulet rôti, nonnettes and profiteroles. 1301 Fourth St., San Rafael, 415-​​454-5454, lecomptoirsr.com

Le Chalet Basque Restaurant

Pâté maison, escargots, frog legs, chicken cordon bleu, poulet chalet Basque, boeuf bourguignon, marquis au chocolat and gâteau Basque. 405 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael, 415-479-1070, chaletbasque.org

Amélie Café and Wine Bar

Escargot, lamb tartare, French onion soup, coq au vin, croque monsieur and madame, quiches, salade niçoise, poulet rôti, steak and tuna tartare, chicken liver mousse and croissants. 71 Broadway Blvd., Fairfax, 628-253-5161, ameliefairfax.com

Le Garage

Panisse, tuna tartare, salade niçoise, pan bagnat, brioche croque monsieur, quiche Lorraine, bouillabaisse, ratatouille, crème brûlée, apple tarte Tatin and chocolat fondant. 85 Liberty Ship Way, Suite 109, Sausalito, 415-332-5625, legaragesausalito.com

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