Looking for restaurant recs in the Napa/ Sonoma region. My sister is spending Dec.

C

cynupstateny

Well-known member
out there and I said I would ask the all knowing group!

She is aware of the "famous" places like Bouchon but maybe you folks could suggest somewhere less well known.

 
places I've visited and enjoyed

Kokkari at 200 Jackson St., S.F - get the lamb chops and zucchini cakes

Scoma Fishermans’ Wharf Pier 47

Slanted Door Ferry Building

Redd Yountville - if they are not busy ask if the chef will do a tasting menu; one of the best restaurant meals I've ever had

Willie's Wine Bar Santa Rosa

Tadich Grill - get the cioppino

State BIrd Provisions - start now to get a reservation, may be too late

Hog Island Oyster Farm 20215 Highway 1 Marshall, CA 94940

the Healdsburg Shed is really fun. In fact, the entire town is really fun.
http://healdsburgshed.com
Healdsburg Shed 25 North St Healdsburg, CA 95448 707-431-7433

http://www.longmeadowranch.com - get the caramelized beets (and the recipe if they will share!)

 
here's my list

Redd Yountville ( I had lunch there with Kevin from Top Chef, loved the lobster club)
Rutherford Grill in Rutherford. If you like smoked salmon, get the appetizer. Even if it's not on the menu that day usually if you ask for it, they will get it for you, they do it inhouse. Any any dish that comes with the wild rice side.
Greystone at the CIA, they have other places to eat there, but this is the only one I've been to.
Oxbow Market, lots of small foodie shops and places to eat. I love Hog Island Oyster Co. We get oysters and their grilled cheese sandwich is fabulous.
Willie's Wine Bar, two locations, Healdsburg and Santa Rosa
Brix Napa (had lunch there with Kirk Douglas)
The Pearl downtown Napa. Small and funky, but fun.
Mustards St. Helena
John Ash Santa Rosa

 
assuming strictly limited to Sonoma/Napa and not SF/Bay Area here are some lesser known

in no particular order as they occurred to me:

1) Geyserville Grill. This was recently redone and I know the chef. Sort of off the beaten path and relatively inexpensive. Pretty simple and understated but Great food.

2) Gott's Roadside St Helena. This is right on the main drag across Napa valley (29). Used to be called Taylor's Refresher. Still the best burgers around IMHO. Inexpensive

3) Almost hate to say it but some of the best food in Sonoma County is at the Graton Casino in Rohnert Park. Not your "wine country" experience but great food in both the food court options and in the sit down restaurants. This is now the largest casino in California and it is in a multi year plan for expansion with a full resort in the works.

4) It has been a while since I had a meal at a winery but have had some great meals. Some of them have full time restaurant/meal service and others only for special events. Personally I prefer Sonoma County as it is less commercialized wrt wineries. But in Healdsburg it is pretty much Napa county Light if you like the designer label type stuff and want to find it in Sonoma county.

5) Sea Thai Bistro in Santa Rosa. Always good food.

6) El Coqui. Santa Rosa. Puerto Rican food on the west coast... Good food, relatively small restaurant usually busy says it all.

7) Osake. Santa Rosa. The owner/chef is Gary Chu who has a few restaurants in the area but this is the one where I see him every time I'm there. I used to be a regular at his downtown Chinese restaurant "Gary Chu's" but I think he's had someone else running it the past few years and it just hasn't been the same. Osake (Japanese) however is always good. One of my favorite items is the "Martini Prawns" I believe they serve these at both restaurants.
http://osake.garychus.com/chef.asp

smileys/bigeyes.gif Lee's Noodle House. Now this one will definitely surprise you. It is in the far corner of a tiny strip mall which itself is way off the beaten path. It is (essentially) Viet Namese food and fantastic. It is also very inexpensive. All of which are why it has a regular following of locals that keep it in business despite it being strangely situated.
http://leesnoodlehouse.com/

9) my house. (arguably) The best food in Sonoma County with the occasional visiting chef... smileys/wink.gif kidding

 
yes, the one and only

I just wish he had been at our table............
And yes, Redd is that good. Bloody Mary's with a big slice of bacon!

 
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