The famed Michelin Guide has long been affirming what locals have known for years — the Bay Area is a food mecca. Residents and national publications alike rave about the area’s acclaimed chefs and their award-winning restaurants.

Sonoma County alone has an abundance of excellent restaurants, from fine dining bistros to casual community hubs. Some of our favorites earned stars in the recent 2025 Michelin Guide awards ceremony, including two stars for the new Enclos in Sonoma. It’s the first and only Michelin-starred restaurant in the city.

Below are all the Michelin-starred restaurants in Sonoma and Napa counties, as well as the rest of the Bay Area.

Sonoma County

New Two Stars

Enclos, Sonoma

Enclos has been eyeing a Michelin star since it opened late last year. Last week, the Michelin Guide awarded it two stars for its “opulent tasting menu,” featuring locally sourced contemporary cuisine. Enclos also received a green star, Michelin’s sustainability award. 139 E. Napa St, Sonoma, 707-387-1724, enclos-sonoma.com

Three Stars

SingleThread, Healdsburg

Repeatedly named among the world’s best restaurants, SingleThread retained its three Michelin stars for “exceptional cuisine.” It’s the only restaurant in Sonoma County with three stars. The farm-to-table restaurant also has a green star. Additionally, SingleThread’s five-room inn has three Michelin keys representing an extraordinary stay. 131 North St., Healdsburg, 707-723-4646, singlethreadfarms.com

One Star

Cyrus, Geyserville

Chef and author Douglas Keane reopened his Cyrus restaurant (formerly of Healdsburg) in Geyserville in 2022, and it promptly earned a Michelin star. 275 Highway 128, Geyserville, 707-723-5999, cyrusrestaurant.com

Napa County

Three Stars

The French Laundry, Yountville

Despite recent lukewarm reviews, The French Laundry’s three Michelin stars, as well as its green star, were safe from the chopping block. It remains the only restaurant in Napa County with three stars. 6640 Washington St., Yountville, 707-944-2380, thomaskeller.com/tfl

One Star

Auberge du Soleil, Rutherford

Credited as Napa Valley’s first fine dining establishment, Auberge du Soleil has maintained its one Michelin star for 18 consecutive years, since the coveted guide was established in 2007. The restaurant’s hotel of the same name, part of the Auberge Resorts Collection, holds three Michelin keys. 180 Rutherford Hill Road, Rutherford, 800-348-5406, aubergeresorts.com/aubergedusoleil

Auro, Calistoga

Auro earned its one Michelin star in 2023, just eight months after opening. It’s located in Napa Valley’s Four Seasons Resort, which also has one Michelin key. 400 Silverado Trail N., Calistoga, 707-709-2160, auronapavalley.com

Kenzo, Napa

Kenzo and Natsuko Tsujimoto’s serene Japanese restaurant in Napa Valley holds one star for its traditional, high-quality cuisine. 1339 Pearl St., Napa, 707-294-2049, kenzonapa.com

Press, St. Helena

Napa Valley’s Press restaurant earned its Michelin star in 2022 for its contemporary, Californian dishes. 587 St. Helena Highway, St. Helena, 707-967-0550, pressnapavalley.com

Greater Bay Area

Three Stars

Atelier Crenn, three stars. 3127 Fillmore St., San Francisco, 415-440-0460, ateliercrenn.com

Benu, three stars. 22 Hawthorne St., San Francisco, 415-685-4860, benusf.com

Quince, three stars. 470 Pacific Ave., San Francisco, 415-775-8500, quincerestaurant.com

Two Stars

Acquerello, two stars. 1722 Sacramento St., San Francisco, 415-567-5432, acquerellosf.com

Birdsong, two stars. 1085 Mission St., San Francisco, 415-369-9161, birdsongsf.com

Californios, two stars. 355 11th St., San Francisco, 415-757-0994, californiossf.com

Commis, two stars. 3859 Piedmont Ave., Oakland, 510-653-3902, commisrestaurant.com

Kiln, two new stars. 149 Fell St., San Francisco, 415-982-9722, kilnsf.com

Lazy Bear, two stars. 3416 19th St., San Francisco, 415-874-9921, lazybearsf.com

Saison, two stars. 178 Townsend St., San Francisco, 415-828-7990, saisonsf.com

Sons & Daughters, two stars. 708 Bush St., San Francisco, 415-391-8311, sonsanddaughterssf.com

One Star

7 Adams, one star. 1963 Sutter St., San Francisco, 415-655-9154, 7adamsrestaurant.com

Angler SF, one star. 132 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, 415-872-9442, anglerrestaurants.com

Hilda and Jesse, one star. 701 Union St., San Francisco, 415-872-7023, hildaandjessesf.com

Kin Khao, one star. 55 Cyril Magnin St., San Francisco, 415-362-7456, kinkhao.com

Le Comptoir at Bar Crenn, one star. 3131 Fillmore St., San Francisco, 415-440-0460, barcrenn.com

Mister Jiu’s, one star. 28 Waverly Place, San Francisco, 415-857-9688, misterjius.com

Nari, one star. 1625 Post St., San Francisco, 415-868-6274, narisf.com

Niku Steakhouse, one star. 61 Division St., San Francisco, 415-829-7817, nikusteakhouse.com

Nisei, one star. 2316 Polk St., San Francisco, 415-827-6898, restaurantnisei.com

O’ by Claude Le Tohic, one star. 165 O’Farrell St., San Francisco, 415-814-8888, one65sf.com

Protégé, one star. 250 California Ave., Palo Alto, 707-312-0931, protegepaloalto.com

San Ho Won, one star. 2170 Bryant St., San Francisco, 415-868-4479, sanhowon.com

Sorrel, one star. 3228 Sacramento St., San Francisco, 415-525-3765, sorrelrestaurant.com

Ssal, one star. 2226 Polk St., San Francisco, 415-814-2704, ssalsf.com

State Bird Provisions, one star. 1529 Fillmore St., San Francisco, 415-795-1272, statebirdsf.com

Sun Moon Studio, one new star. 1940 Union St., Suite 21, Oakland. sunmoonstudio.com

The Progress, one star. 1525 Fillmore St., San Francisco, 415-673-1294, theprogress-sf.com

The Shota, one star. 115 Sansome St., San Francisco, 628-224-2074, theshotasf.com *Temporarily closed

The post Michelin-Starred Restaurants in the Bay Area appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

“Where do you want to go eat?”

“I don’t know. Where do you want to go?”

Choosing a restaurant is one of modern city-dwellers’ greatest conundrums. Sure, it sounds simple, but have you ever tried to get four people to agree on one restaurant?

I thought not.

This is a list (inspired by Texas Monthly’s “The Good Place” article) we hope will answer that question and possibly end a few family arguments. Maybe it will take some pressure off entertaining visitors from out of town. And maybe I’m making it as much for myself as I am for you, because the obvious choices never seem to be at the tip of my tongue.

The rubric is simple: These are restaurants that are dependably good, have experienced staff and are rooted in the community. They’re the kind of places everyone has been to, or wants to go to, or has heard good things about. They’re places I personally frequent with friends and family.

The restaurants I’ve chosen are all about consistency and comfort, not “it” factors or multicourse meals. They aren’t newcomers.

Are they all “best in class” restaurants? Nope — that’s far too subjective. I learned long ago that world-class chefs and outrageously creative menus don’t often generate consensus among a wide swath of eaters.

Another important factor is the menu: All of these can cater to varying diets and food preferences, making them crowd-pleasers.

Inevitably, I’ll leave out a favorite neighborhood haunt or obvious choice from this list, but that’s what makes it fun. Let me know your favorite spots at heather.irwin@pressdemocrat.com and we’ll update this list from time to time.

Click through the above gallery for a peek at some top dishes at each restaurant.

Santa Rosa

Ausiello’s Fifth Street Bar & Grill: Eating at most bars means rolling the dice, but this family-owned pub has great burgers to go with your beer, wine or tonic of choice. Cozy, friendly and a super spot for sports-watching. 609 Fifth St., Santa Rosa, 707-579-9408, ausiellos5thstreetgrill.com

Dierk’s Parkside: Breakfast classics done with a chef’s touch. Corned beef hash, biscuits and sausage gravy, fried chicken with biscuits and an only-in-Sonoma County Country Benedict with scrambled eggs, bacon, mushrooms, spinach and oven-dried tomatoes on a crispy baguette. It’s a Hollandaise hug on chilly mornings. 404 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-573-5955, dierksparkside.com

El Fogon: For Californians, tacos and burritos rank equal to pizza for Taco Tuesdays or really, any day. El Fogon does it right, with top-notch birria, impressive machete (a foot-long quesadilla filled with meat, cheese, sour cream and tomato) and straight-up street tacos. 623 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-575-0574; 6576 Oakmont Drive., Suite A, Santa Rosa, 408-872-9953, elfogontacoshopca.com

Riviera: Locals have been flocking to this Italian kitchen for more than 25 years. Family-owned and downright neighborly, it has familiar pasta dishes (I’m all about the Gnocchi Riviera), classic Caesar salad and tiramisu that are best bets. 75 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-579-2682, rivieraristorante.net

Willi’s Wine Bar: Before I was a food writer in Sonoma County, this was the spot I went to for a “fancy” date — once upon a time, chef Mark Stark’s foie gras poppers were one of my favorite dishes. After 20 years, the restaurant continues to impress me even though I’ve eaten at far fancier digs since. The full bar makes it a great happy-hour stop, and their wine list is highly approachable. The menu stays consistent (the Tunisian carrots are still around), and the focus on small plates keeps things interesting. One of my favorite “off-duty” hangouts. 1415 Town and Country Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-526-3096, williswinebar.net

Cloverdale

El Milagro: The choices in north Sonoma County can be limited, especially for a group. But this family-owned Mexican kitchen is always a great choice. The menu goes far beyond taqueria standards, with regional Mexican cuisine like pumpkin-seed mole sauce with chicken, pork ribs with nopales in tomatillo sauce and a la carte street tacos. The extensive menu also has familiar favorites like carnitas, fish tacos and wet burritos. Bonus: El Milagro now has a Healdsburg location as well (14 Matheson St.). 485 South Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale, elmilagrocloverdale.com

Petaluma

Acme Burger: The burgers are big and juicy (and you can still get a simple single for $6.95), but the addition of fried chicken and fried rock cod has elevated the menu far beyond fast food. Their iconic lunch deal is $10.99 for a burger, fries and a small drink, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Daily soups are especially good, and the kid’s menu is a bargain. Seasonal milkshakes are delicious, too. Walk-up ordering keeps things moving, and you can get in and out almost as fast as at In-N-Out. 550 E. Cotati Ave., Cotati; 1007 W. College Ave., Suite D, Santa Rosa; 330 Western Ave. and 701 Sonoma Mountain Parkway, Suite D1, Petaluma, acmeburgerco.com

Brewsters: Casual outdoor seating at picnic tables makes this a good choice for a crowd, especially with a play area for kids and a dog-friendly policy. A great beer and cocktail selection keeps everyone content. The wide-ranging menu is casual, with some lovely upscale touches like duck-fat fries with garlic aioli; buttermilk fried chicken sandwich with bacon and goat cheddar; and ahi tuna poke with fried wontons. And there’s excellent house-smoked barbecue to boot. 229 Water St., Petaluma, 707-981-8330, brewstersbeergarden.com

Cucina Paradiso: With upscale Italian food that isn’t stuffy and always hits the mark, this is a good choice for a third date, a dinner with parents or a work dinner (there are several larger tables to accommodate groups). The authentic menu gets high marks for its portion sizes and consistency. Prices aren’t cheap, but you won’t leave disappointed over a poorly executed dish. 114 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 707-782-1130, cucinaparadisopetaluma.com

Lunchette: Not only are the grab-and-go salads and grain bowls excellent, but owners Naomi Crawford and Joel Baecker are conscious owners who source locally, aim for zero waste, are active in the community and are just darn good people. The trout salad with roasted beets, carrots, pickled raisins and preserved lemon dressing is my go-to, along with their tart Meyer lemon pot de creme. You’ll also love the Tahini Bowl with organic brown rice, chickpeas, pickled cauliflower and spiced sweet potatoes. 25 Fourth St., Petaluma, 707-241-7443, lunchettepetaluma.com

Sax’s Joint: Breakfast paradise with a ’50s vibe and gigantic portions. They’re famous for their plate-size cinnamon rolls. Friendly waitstaff make everyone feel welcome. Expect to wait if you’re rolling up at peak weekend breakfast times, but it’s so worth it. 317 Petaluma Blvd. S., Petaluma, 707-559-3021, saxsjoint.com

Sebastopol

Fern Bar: Though the menu may not be for everyone, I often end up here with friends when we’re trying to decide where to grab a drink. Fernbar’s craft cocktails are their calling card, but I’m always intrigued by their ever-evolving starters and shared plates. A current favorite is the okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake), but I’m dying to try the aged beef dumplings and savory Vietnamese crepe (bahn xeo). Chicken-liver toast with plum rosemary jam is always on my order, and the stuffed roti with butter chicken can’t be beat. 6780 Depot St., Suite 120, Sebastopol, 707-861-9603, fernbar.com

Sonoma

El Dorado Kitchen: This hotel restaurant always delivers, with a wide variety of dishes from fancy dinner selections (caviar, Wagyu beef carpaccio, filet mignon) to a “I just went wine tasting all day and want something simpler” dishes like a vegan rice bowl with mushrooms and seaweed and beet salad with orange yogurt. Every meal (breakfast through dinner) has inclusive vegan plates that are every bit as good — if not better — than other selections. Burgers and shrimp tacos and great lunch choices. The restful garden patio is a nice meetup spot, and the bar is a nice single-person dining experience. 405 First St. W., Sonoma, 707-996-3030, eldoradosonoma.com

Girl and the Fig: Legendary bistro-style French cuisine at this destination restaurant. Relax on the patio, sit at the polished wood bar or meet friends in the friendly lemon-yellow bistro. Steamed mussels and frites, duck liver mousse or duck confit are great picks. Fig and arugula salad is a required order. 110 W. Spain St., Sonoma, 707-938-3634, thegirlandthefig.com

Windsor

Grata: The Gnudi Alla Vodka is a comfort go-to, along with the Cacio e Pepe with tons of zingy pepper and Parmesan that speaks to your inner child. Dishes like goat cheese and ricotta ravioli with local wild mushrooms and pea shoots are a more Cal-Ital twist. Make sure to try whatever seasonal risotto is on the menu. Happy hour is a steal of a deal. The outdoor patio is our favorite spot to eat. 186 Windsor River Road, Windsor, 707-620-0508, gratawindsor.com

Kin: Kid-friendly and adult-endorsed is a rare combination in a restaurant, but Kin has it down. Burgers and dips are excellent, Kin macaroni and cheese is decadent (also in a pizza version) and tempura-battered and fried pickles are crowd-pleasers. More grown-up entrees like lasagna Bolognese are excellent. Reasonable prices for a family dinner. 740 McClelland Drive, Windsor, 707-837-7546, kinwindsor.com

Sweet T’s: Anyone who can’t find a tasty dish on this menu is clearly a grouch. Memphis barbecue nachos with smoked brisket (vegetarian options available) is the place to start. Fried chicken with biscuits and Southern sides (creamed corn and braised greens are excellent), barbecue plates, Key lime pie and a Texas margarita are what we’re all about. 9098 Brooks Road S., Windsor, 707-687-5185, sweettssouthern.com

On the coast

Spud Point: Though I have favorites for chowder, fresh crab and barbecued oysters elsewhere, this always-packed spot is unrivaled for its Dungeness crab sandwich (and I do love their garlicky chowder). Crab cakes (only available on the weekend) are also excellent. What makes this an undisputed “good place” is its consistently excellent quality. 1910 Westshore Road, Bodega Bay, 707-875-9472, spudpointcrabco.com

The post 19 Sonoma County Restaurants We Return to Again and Again appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Fine dining goes fast-casual at Sonoma County’s best order-at-the-counter joints. Click through the above gallery for the (drool-inducing) details. 

You’ve been dreaming of your sophisticated supper all day. And now, it’s before you, in all its locally sourced, handcrafted glory. First is a platter laden with Sonoma Rosso Old World-style dry salame flecked with red wine, pepper, and fennel; black and white truffle salame; and heritage breed pork sausage laced with creamy ribbons of Sonoma County cheeses. The polished wood board is finished with assorted homemade pickles, boutique cheeses, and a just-picked rosemary sprig from the eatery’s own bushes.

Next up is a wood-fired, bubbly crust pizza smothered in roasted leeks, handcrafted honey-chile bacon, and farm egg. That’s followed by a juicy steak presented on a fancy wood plate with peppery arugula, Parmigano-Reggiano, grilled bread, and oven-roasted organic vegetables plucked from the garden that morning. The estate Angus beef, the menu explains, was open-pasture-raised on a Sonoma County family farm.

Wow, wonderful, you tell the cashier. Then you hand over your credit card and take your food to a low-slung, stone and metal table — because you’re dining at Journeyman Meat Company, a tiny meat shop, cafe, and wine tasting bar in downtown Healdsburg.

It may seem surprising, but increasingly in Wine Country, fine dining is no longer restricted to white-tablecloth, posh-service restaurants. Instead, we’re flocking to order-at-the-counter destinations like Journeyman where every ingredient is meticulously sourced and the decor is chic — with rich wood walls, white marble counters, and just a handful of tables in the charcoal-paint and animal-print-accented lounge.

And why not? Most of us know the difference between artisanal and mass-produced foods, and we expect the best whenever we eat out. Yet time-pressed, especially during the holiday season, we’re not able — or willing — to spend three hours on a meal. For that, we’ve become happy giving up luxuries like table service.

The trend first sprouted in 2010, when Karen Taylor Waikiki opened her El Molino Central in Boyes Hot Springs near downtown Sonoma. We immediately converged on the teal-tin-and-red-tile-trimmed taqueria, for top chef-caliber signatures like tortillas made from hand-ground organic heirloom corn masa, local halibut ceviche, and Mary’s chicken enchiladas with homemade Oaxacan red mole and Rancho Gordo heritage beans. We happily marched our plates through the kitchen to the parking lot picnic tables, grabbing beer or wine from the fridge on the way.

The same year welcomed the French-themed and still enormously popular fine-casual Water Street Bistro in Petaluma, followed the next year by Healdsburg’s The Wurst artisanal sausage bar. The Italian-themed counter-service Pizzando debuted in Hotel Healdsburg in 2012, and then we welcomed the Cal-Med-themed Franchetti’s in Santa Rosa in 2016, from classically European trained chefs John and Gesine Franchetti.

The list has boomed over the past year or so, as talented chefs look for greater simplicity in their operations. The common thread among all the successes are top-notch ingredients, chef-driven menus with seasonal salutes, food-savvy staff behind the counter, striking decor, and, in most cases, boutique wine and beer offerings.

Affordable prices make the equation even more attractive. So let’s dig in.

The post Counter Culture: Great Sonoma Restaurants With a Casual Vibe appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Hungry for something new? Here are spoon-size portions of hot restaurant picks from our food critic. Bon Appétit!

Alioto’s Healdsburger: A locals’ favorite at a former A&W, it’s pricey, but the burgers and hot dogs are top-quality stuff. Sixteen regular-menu burgers and several specials are available, including the hangover burger with fried egg, bacon, cheese, Sriracha sauce and mayo, paired with fries and a drink. 48 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-473-9604, healdsburger.com.

Boathouse Asian Eatery: The former M.Y. China has been reborn as a swanky restaurant featuring Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese cuisine. Flavors are fresh, portions are big and signatures impress, such as duck soup, classic sushi and pork belly kimchee lime fried rice. 630 Park Court, Rohnert Park, 707-588-9440, gratonresortcasino.com/dining.

Calistoga Kitchen: A local’s secret, this classic cottage bistro deserves to be on everyone’s radar. Chef-owner Rick Warkel is a Culinary Institute of America graduate, and his training shows in his meticulously crafted panroasted Grimaud Muscovy duck breast in sour cherry jus and skillful rabbit gumbo. 1107 Cedar St., Calistoga, 707-942-6500, calistogakitchen.com.

Coast Kitchen: Since 1963, the redwood and stone Timber Cove resort has been a fun, if somewhat funky, retreat. A lavish renovation in 2016 turned it into a truly deluxe destination, with a luxury Cal-cuisine restaurant to match. Inventive bites shine, like fried quail drizzled in sweet chile vinaigrette, and King salmon over lentils and tangy sorrel salad. 21780 Highway 1, Jenner, 707-847-3231, coastkitchensonoma.com.

Click through the gallery above for the full list. 

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Three restaurants in the North Bay have made it into this year’s OpenTable’s 100 Best Restaurants in America: St. Francis Winery & Vineyards in Santa Rosa, Terra in St. Helena, and Auberge du Soleil in Rutherford.

The complete list includes long-running and new eateries in 30 states and the District of Columbia. New York has 13 winning restaurants, followed by California with 12 and Virginia with seven.

San Francisco-based OpenTable is a provider of online restaurant reservations, and according to the company, the awards reflect the combined opinions of more than 10 million restaurant reviews submitted by OpenTable diners at more than 24,000 restaurants.

Similar to last year’s list, established restaurants account for the majority of winners and fine dining and casual elegant dining establishments make up the majority of the list. Most eateries in the top 100 embrace sustainability, seasonality, and house-made ingredients, including cheese and charcuterie. While American and French cuisines are the most popular, global flavors are present on many of the menus, from regional Italian dishes to Middle Eastern specialties.

“The common thread running through this list of winning restaurants is excellence in hospitality,” stated Caroline Potter, OpenTable chief dining officer. “Whether creating one-of-a-kind fine-dining experiences or serving up incredible fare in a more casual setting, this year’s honorees are consistently earning rave reviews from diners.”

The list of the 100 Best Restaurants in America, released Dec. 1, is generated from reviews collected between November 2015 and October 2016. All restaurants with a minimum overall score and number of qualifying reviews were included for consideration. Qualifying restaurants were sorted according to a score calculated from each restaurant’s average rating in the overall category along with that restaurant’s rating relative to others in the same metropolitan area. See a complete List of Winners

The post Napa, Sonoma Restaurants Named ‘Best in America’ appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

With friends and family gathering during the holiday season, it’s an ideal time to try new and reinvented restaurants. These local spots serve up temptations that run the gamut from haute cuisine to hearty burgers.

THE SHUCKERY

A project of the Oyster Girls (sisters Aluxa and Jazmine Lalicker), oysters obviously get top billing at this new Petaluma restaurant, each bivalve hand-shucked behind the bar. Ranging from Humboldt Gold Kumamotos and New Brunswick St. Simons to British Columbia’s Fanny Bay and nearby Tomales Bay Miyagis ($3 each), the menu also includes an amazing ceviche of cod, orange, lemon, lime, cilantro and piquillo pepper coulis ($12). A signature is the relleno ($25), made with a pounded calamari steak, Dungeness crab stuffing and creamed corn. Baja-style fish tacos ($14) are top-notch, and it’s worth saving a little room for the “dueling budinos” ($9), which include dark chocolate and salted caramel going head to head with peanut butter, bacon and banana. Meat-free dishes include tempura avocado tacos and cauliflower “hot wings” ($14). Reservations are strongly recommended, since the space inside the Hotel Petaluma is cozy.

100 Washington St., Petaluma, 707-981-7891, theshuckeryca.com

BRIGHT BEAR BAKERY

The buzz about this incredible little bakery began immediately after it opened, when news of its cream-filled cronuts (a cross between a croissant and a donut that’s too decadent not to eat), morning buns and fresh breads made the rounds. It’s not easy to find, but a pilgrimage is worth the effort, as long as you get there early. The vegan chickpea scramble with sweet potatoes and harissa is great no matter what your dietary requirements, and a breakfast focaccia with ham, egg and cheese is perfect when paired with a chocolate croissant, luxe cream-cheese Danish or a cranberry scone. You’ll go overboard, but when exactly have your co-workers turned up their noses at leftover fresh muffins and coffee?

2620 Lakeville Highway, Suite 350, Petaluma, 707-291-1018, visit on Facebook

STEELE & HOPS PUBLIC HOUSE

This family-friendly Santa Rosa brewpub is off to a good start, with an ever-evolving list of beers and solid pub grub. Best bets include brisket “cigars” (think egg roll with melted cheese and smoked brisket, $7); chicken-fried onion rings with mushroom gravy ($6), and an excellent Caesar salad with boquerones (anchovies) ($9.50). The S& H Signature burger ($13.50) with onion jam, and the fried-chicken sandwich ($11.50) are also excellent. Less wowing: the brick-oven pizzas (even a teenager turned her nose up at the burnt crust) and the hangar steak ($17.50). We’ll be back, though, for the fish and chips ($14) and incredible strawberry shortcake.

1901 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-523-2201, steeleandhops.com

DEPOT HOTEL RESTAURANT

Although rooms haven’t been available since 1922, “hotel” remains in the restaurant’s name. Constructed in 1870, the building’s offthe- plaza location makes it a bit of a sleeper, but it’s worth a visit for the Ghilarducci family’s classic Italian and Wine Country cuisine. Michael Ghilarducci and his wife, Gia, founded a cooking school here in 1987, and now their son, Antonio, is the executive chef of the restaurant. The Depot Hotel is perfect for dining with guests during the holidays, and it sells full trays of lasagna, garlic bread, penne and salads for takeout.

241 First St. W., Sonoma, 707-938-2980, depotsonoma.com

DRY CREEK KITCHEN

Charlie Palmer is looking back to move forward at Healdsburg’s Dry Creek Kitchen. After a couple of chef shuffles following the departure of Dustin Valette last year, Palmer Group veteran Scott Romano was tapped as executive chef. In addition to working at five Palmer restaurants, including Aureole in New York City, Romano’s friendship with Palmer spans two decades, giving him an ease with the multi-Michelin-star chef that’s reassuring to continued relevance of the restaurant at Hotel Healdsburg. The two are working to reimagine some of the restaurant’s signature dishes, such as the Oz Family Farm rabbit tortellini, Dry Creek Peach and heirloom tomato salad with Bellwether ricotta, and sauteed sea bass with sweet corn puree. “We’re looking back at iconic dishes from all the restaurants,” said Palmer, who owns 17 locations, with at least one more on the way at the Archer Hotel in Napa (opening 2017). “And we’re adapting them to California.”

317 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-431-0330, drycreekkitchen.com

SUPERBURGER

For decades, Superburger has been a fixture on Fourth Street in Santa Rosa, eventually expanding to Cotati. A new Superburger has opened next to the Oliver’s Markets store in Windsor, making its beef/lamb/chicken burgers available to northern Sonoma folks. There are fancy burgers as well, including the Montecito Avenue (with Monterey Jack cheese, applewood-smoked bacon and guacamole) and the McDonald Avenue, with blue cheese, garlic mushrooms and “gartichoke” sauce. Dogs, fries, onion rings and shakes, too. Classic.

9238 Old Redwood Highway, Windsor, 707-620-0745, santarosasuperburger.com

REVIVAL

Update November 18: Revival has unexpectadly, and unfortunately, closed – but might be revived as a series of pop-ups, learn more here.

One of the best reopenings of 2016 is Applewood Inn’s revered restaurant. The newly minted Revival by Applewood is guided by Guerneville hospitality maven Crista Luedtke (Big Bottom Market, boon eat+drink, boon hotel+spa, El Barrio) and chef Ben Spiegel (New York City’s Skal, and The Willows Inn on Lummi Island, Washington). And what a difference a year makes. Since the purchase of the inn by hotelier Ric Pielstick, the gardens have been reclaimed from the weeds, the interior was given a warm, contemporary redesign, and Spiegel has a clear vision for the cuisine. Having spent several years in Scandinavia, he’s a devotee of foraging, hunting and sustainable seafood, passions he brought to Sonoma. Preservation, smoking and pickling are keys to his menus, which change daily based on what’s available. Early dishes include Liberty Duck liver mousse ($11), grilled romano beans with Japanese cucumber and goat’s milk cheese cream ($10), and ricotta dumplings with shiitake and lobster mushrooms and arrowhead spinach ($23).

13555 Highway 116, Guerneville, 707-869-9093, eatatrevival.com

The post 7 Restaurants to Try Right Now in Sonoma County appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.