Cucumber Chef
Laila: The bright and airy dining room and cozy patio set the stage for hearty Mediterranean dishes like porchetta, crispy Spanish octopus and roasted mushrooms. Fancy a quiet and romantic date? Sneak into 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)
Basque cheesecake with vanilla macerated berries served with Irish coffee at Layla’s restaurant at the MacArthur Place Hotel and Spa in Sonoma. (Erik Castro/for The Press Democrat)
Burrata and grilled asparagus with crispy prosciutto, peas and black truffle dressing served with a drink called The Apiary 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)
La Salette: Since 1998, Chef Manuel Azevedo has elevated rustic Portuguese cuisine to farm-to-coast cuisine like nowhere else in the region. Delicate octopus roasted in a wood-fired oven, brined cod pancakes with a Moroccan black olive coulis and whole roasted Branzino with parsley and saffron vinaigrette are the must-haves. 452 1st St. East, Suite H, Sonoma, 707-938-1927, lasalletterestaurant.com. (John Burgess / The Democrat of the Press)
Chocolate Fetish served at LaSalette restaurant in Sonoma. (Crista Jeremiason/The Press Democrat)
Health : Dinner at destination at the Fairmont Mission Inn in Sonoma. Expect luxury dishes like squid in tagliatelle, roast lamb, dry-aged duck and caviar with crisps. 100 Boyes Blvd., Sonoma, 707-939-2407, fairmont.com/sonoma. (Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn)
Anime: This couple-run restaurant is a labor of love with fire-grilled Spanish turbot, Iberian pork and the best boccarones ever. 18976 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma. Instagram: @animo_restaurant. No phone. Reservations are strongly recommended through OpenTable. (Darryl Bush/for The Press Democrat)
Boquerones Toast features white anchovies, roasted cherry tomatoes and basil, at Animo, a Sonoma restaurant. (Darryl Bush/For the Democratic Press)
John Ash & Co.: White dining tablecloth with stunning views of 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. (Winegrowers station)
Roasted dive scallops with sun-dried tomatoes, kale, roasted garlic, lemon, parsley and herb oil from John Ash & Co. in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess / The Democrat of the Press)
Ca’Bianca: This quiet neighborhood Italian restaurant has always been a pleasant surprise, offering excellent white tablecloth service, excellent pasta and hearty dishes. Don’t miss the homemade cannoli. 835 Second St., Santa Rosa, 707-542-5800, cabianca.com. (Crista Jeremiason/The Press Democrat)
Rigatoni from Ca’Bianca served with Italian sausage, peas, mushrooms, tomato and cream sauce. (Crista Jeremiason/The Press Democrat)
Japanese Hanna: Chef Ken Tominaga brings Tokyo to Sonoma County with his masterfully executed menu that includes both sushi bar specialties (fish is imported from Japan), upscale ramen, traditional Japanese fare, and lunch boxes. clever bentos. The sake collection is unparalleled. 101 Golf Course Drive, Rohnert Park, 707-586-0270, hanajapanese.com. (Erik Castro/for The Press Democrat)
Chicken Jidori Teriyaki with Japanese potato salad and fried Brussels sprouts served with miso soup and rice at Japanese restaurant Hana in Rohnert Park. (Erik Castro/for The Press Democrat)
Hazel Hill to Montage: Driving to this luxury resort will make you feel schmancy, but it’s not until you sit on the Olive Terrace overlooking acres of trees that things get even more special. The open kitchen serves French-inspired dishes with aplomb, and the cocktails are even more awesome. 100 Montage Way, Healdsburg, 707-979-9000, montagehotels.com. (Christian Horan Photography)
Brioche-crusted wild king salmon with sorrel and vidalia onion from Hazel Hill in Montage Healdsburg. (John Burgess / The Democrat of the Press)
Liberty Farm duck breast with rhubarb, turnip and pistachio from Hazel Hill in Montage Healdsburg. (John Burgess / The Democrat of the Press)
Valletta: Chef Dustin Valette’s family has a long history in the Alexander Valley, and it shows in the closeness to land (and sea) that Valette expresses on its map. 344 Center St., Healdsburg, 707-473-0946, valettehealdsburg.com. (John Burgess / The Democrat of the Press)
Restaurant Valletta in Healdsburg. (Chris Hardy/for Sonoma Magazine)
The Matheson: Chef Dustin Valette’s newest project has a casual patio upstairs, but the luxe dining room is downstairs. A literal wall of wine allows diners to get everything from sips to full glasses of their choice. The chef’s tasting menu is always the way to go. 106 Matheson St., Healdsburg, 707-723-1106, thematheson.com. (John Burgess / The Democrat of the Press)
A selection of Nigiri Sushi from The Matheson in Healdsburg. (John Burgess / The Democrat of the Press)
Murals at the Matheson in Healdsburg. (Michael Woolsey)
La Madrona (opens April 21): After a two-year hiatus, this former Michelin-starred restaurant is part of a multi-million dollar renovation and refresh of 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. (Courtesy of The Madrona)
Dry Creek Kitchen: When Charlie Palmer opened DCK in 2001, Healdsburg was barely a dot on the culinary map. The restaurant has held up well as more luxury restaurants have sprung up around it with excellent American cuisine. The $115 tasting menu still seems like a bargain in the ever more expensive city. 317 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-431-0330, drycreekkitchen.com. (John Burgess / The Democrat of the Press)
Sformato of cauliflower with chanterelle mushrooms, cauliflower nugget crumbs, radicchio and smoked California balsamic from Dry Creek Kitchen in Healdsburg. (John Burgess / The Democrat of the Press)
Dry Creek Olive Oil Cake with Citrus Curd, Blackberries and Mint from Dry Creek Kitchen in Healdsburg. (John Burgess / The Democrat of the Press)
Single Thread Farm & Restaurant (reopens May 1): Truly a unique experience in one of the best restaurants in the world. Sonoma County’s only three-star Michelin restaurant offers attentive service, perfectly prepared dishes, micro-seasonal ingredients (sourced from their own farm), and an award-winning wine list. 131 North St., Healdsburg, 707-723-4646, singlethreadfarms.com. (John Burgess / The Democrat of the Press)
Midsummer in Sonoma floral display with small bites from Single Thread restaurant. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
An open kitchen design allows customers to watch their meal being created at Single Thread Farms Restaurant in Healdsburg. (John Burgess / The Democrat of the Press)
Barniva: “Eat the view” is the slogan of this farmhouse restaurant which recently received its first Michelin star. Expect to find dishes that are almost too good to eat, great service, farm-to-table cocktails, and a gorgeous patio. 231 Center St, Healdsburg, 707-431-0100, barndiva.com. (Chris Hardy/for Sonoma Magazine)
Barndiva in Healdsburg earned a 2021 Michelin star, making it one of only two Michelin-starred restaurants in Sonoma County. (Jil Hales)
Serves Kumquat at Barndiva in Healdsburg. (Jil Hales)
End of the river: Perched on a hill overlooking the terminus of the Russian River in the Pacific, the restaurant has long been considered one of the most romantic (the website URL says it all). Local oysters and seafood are the best bets. 11048 CA-1, Jenner, 707-865-2484, ilovesunsets.com. (Courtesy of River’s End)
