Napa & Sonoma
California’s Napa and Sonoma is a destination for gourmands, oenophiles, and sun seekers from all over the world. Though it happens to be situated just over an hour drive away from San Francisco, it’s a place that felt foreign to me until recently. Tobi and I recently carved out a weekend to soak in some 80 degree weather, sip some wine, and eat at some places that have been on my bucket list.
Yountville
Thomas Keller’s famous bakery, right next to his bistro and just a short walk away from the French Laundry, is the best of French baking. Come here for the baguettes, macaroons, sandwiches, and other delectable delights. We arrived at 11:20 on a Saturday and had to wait over an hour in line to make it to the counter. It was absolutely worth it, but this is definitely a food destination and not a place to go when you are in a rush. We got the almond croissant (perfection!), the Brie-L.T., and the Tuna Niçoise with olive tapenade sandwich. I wish I could have tried everything on the menu.
We didn’t add The French Laundry to our budget: eating there would have set us back the cost of our entire trip. But I had to include this three Michelin star restaurant on this list because if you have the extra food funds, its revered for being one of the best restaurants in the world. The setting is stunning and worth a visit itself if you are in the area.
Sonoma
This gets written up as the best restaurant in Sonoma, and it’s obvious why as soon as you enter the garden patio. With impeccable service, delicious French-American style food, and the best flounder I have ever had in my life, this is a place I would absolutely visit again if I came back to Sonoma.
Some say El Molino Central doesn’t just have the best Mexican food in Sonoma, but some of the best in all of the Bay Area. Though El Molino is a causal eatery, the food here has a beautiful presentation and feels very special. The halibut ceviche tostadas transported me to Mexico. We also shared the potato, chard, and cheese tamales, and the Swiss chard enchiladas. If I had to do it all over again I wouldn’t change it!
Sweet Scoops Homemade Ice Cream
We squeezed in a trip to this ice cream shop right before closing, so it was too dark to capture a photo, but I can report that it is delicious. They have great dairy and vegan options to satisfy any taste bud.
Napa
Hog Island is known for some of the best oysters in the Bay. Tasting like the ocean but not overly salty, these oysters are great raw with their house-made mignonette. I hear the cooked oysters are also fabulous. We also also tried the rustic seafood stew in a tomato broth. This is a pricey stop, but so worth it for unparalleled freshness and deliciousness.
Petaluma
I will literally drive out of my way every time I come to wine country to eat at Stockhome Restaurant. The husband-wife duo of San Francisco’s PLÄJ Restaurant has created this casual eatery in Petaluma that serves Scandinavian and Mediterranean food. The food is affordable (a wrap only sets you back $11), fresh, fast, and oh-so-delicious. The halloumi wrap is out of this world delicious with fried halloumi, tzatziki, pickled onions, veggies, and a herbaceous relish. I could see myself eating here every week if it were closer to me.
