In search of a bit of culinary deliciousness and variety? Look no further than these nearby restaurants which made the top 18 list of the food critics at Sonoma Magazine. From Japanese to Italian, comfort food to farm-to-table, these wine country restaurants are a “must add” to your 2018 dining bucket list.
Single Thread Farm-Restaurant-Inn, Healdsburg: Plan on four hours and serious wallet damage for supper at this luxury kaiseki destination that’s the Japanese answer to The French Laundry. The menu changes nearly daily, combining Asian ingredients with precious produce from the restaurant’s own farm. 131 North St., Healdsburg, 707-7234646.
Pinoli Cucina Rustica, Guerneville: Chef Christian Darcoli owns a similar restaurant in Puerto Rico, but he is on-site for this Mediterranean eatery where he makes his own pastas and forages his own garden. As expected, seasonal pastas are the focus, like ravioli stuffed with sheep ricotta, borage, zucca flower and braised herbs, and then bathed with butter, Parmesan and sage. 13555 Highway 116, Guerneville, 707-604-7609. [SCHEDULED TO REOPEN IN MARCH 2018]
Negri’s Italian Dinners & Joe’s Bar, Occidental: The Negri family has had a winning formula since 1943, and it’s stood the test of time with delicious classics like chicken parmigiana, lasagna and garlic shrimp pasta, all served with family-style starters including minestrone soup, mixed green salad, antipasto veggies, salami, French bread and butter, and for some entrées, ravioli, too. 3700 Bohemian Highway, Occidental, 707-874-0301.
Gypsy Café, Sebastopol: Comfort food is elevated with top-notch ingredients, such as “pork and beans” boasting Rancho Gordo yellow-eye heirloom beans and savory greens, or wine-braised pot roast anchored by golden-seared Parmesan polenta. The chic-antique decor makes a meal extra-special as well. 162 N. Main St., Sebastopol, 707-861-3825.
Gravenstein Grill, Sebastopol: The chef shops Sonoma County for excellent ingredients, then crafts them into mouthwatering Cal cuisine like crispy local duck leg partnered with braised red cabbage mixed with organic local heirloom apples, smoked bacon, herbed spaetzle and organic local plum gastrique. Killer local wine list, too. 8050 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol, 707-634-6142.
Fork Roadhouse, Sebastopol: Tucked in a quiet Sebastopol valley, this charming roadhouse is a locals’ favorite for its top-notch California food at fair prices. Chef and owner Sarah Piccolo impresses with signature dishes such as her Tuscan bean breakfast of Meyer lemon broth with kale and two fried eggs, and a pistachio-pepita-encrusted wild salmon with grapefruit lime sauce over a panzanella salad. 9890 Bodega Highway, Sebastopol, 707-6347575.
Want to explore some more? See the complete list of all 18 restaurants on the Sonoma Magazine website. Happy dining.
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