Dine-11

There’s no excuse for eating badly in Wine Country. With the verdant farms, dairies and artisan food producers of Sonoma and Napa laid at your feet, the choices can be daunting. To help steer your fork in the right direction, we’ve handpicked some of our favorite restaurants for the occasion – a delicious, if devilishly difficult task.

Worth spending the inheritance on
There’s no shortage of Wine Country restaurants where you can easily drop five Benjamins on a single meal. French Laundry’s (6640 Washington St., Yountville, 707.944.2380) three Michelin stars give it top billing, but without a reservation, you’re out of luck. Nipping at Thomas Keller’s heels, Cyrus’ (29 North St, Healdsburg, 707.433.3311) fawning staff, cheese and caviar service, artful cuisine and a stellar wine list are equally destination-worthy for a bit less cash. The Restaurant at Meadowood’s (900 Meadowood Lane, St. Helena, 707.963.3646) young chef is a rising star, as is Richard Reddington of Redd (6480 Washington St., Yountville, 707.944.2222). All have exceptional wine lists.

Seafood
Serious seafood-centric eating is best left to the coast, but Willi's Seafood (403 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707.433.9191) and Go Fish (641 St. Helena Ave., St. Helena, (707.963.0700) are rare inland exceptions with a bevy of half-shells and sea fauna. Other oyster extravaganzas: Glen Ellen Inn (13670 Arnold Dr, Glen Ellen, 707.996.6409), Bouchon (13670 Arnold Dr., Glen Ellen, 707.996.6409) and Hog Island Oysters (610 First Street, Napa at Oxbow Market). Sushi lovers flock to Hana (101 Golf Course Dr., Rohnert Park, 707.586.0270), Ume (8710 Old Redwood Hwy.,Windsor, 707.838.6700) or Sake’O (505 Healdsburg Avenue. Healdsburg, 707.433.2669). Crabby? Local Dungeness crab season starts in November and lasts through the winter, but the best eats are before the New Year.

Italian
Santi Chef Dino Bugica’s Northern Italian taverna cooking and passion for pigs are worth the trip to tiny Geyserville (21047 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville, 707.857.1790). House made charcuterie; braised meats and fresh pasta are specialties. In a rush: Try nearby Diavola (21021 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville, 707.814.0111) for wood-fired pizzas and antipasti. Chef-owned Scopa (109A Plaza St, Healdsburg, 707.433.5282) is as tiny as it is delish. Other top picks: Rosso (Creekside Center, 53 Montgomery Dr., Santa Rosa, 707.544.3221), Bovolo(106 Matheson St., Plaza Farms, Healdsburg, 707.431.2962.) and Bistro Don Giovanni (4110 Howard Lane, Napa, 707.224.1090.).

Romantic
With more Victoriana than a Bronte novel, Madrona Manor (1001 Westside Rd. Healdsburg, 800.258.4003) is a lace and tassel wonderland for lovers. The in-house restaurant keeps the vibe going with doting service, California-French cuisine and lots of romantic flair. Recently relocated La Toque (at the Westin Verasa, 1141 First St., Napa, 800.509.8090) also promises to be a romantic classic.

Burgers
By-the-glass wines, rare ahi tuna burgers and seasoned sweet potato fries kick up the fancy-factor of retro walk-up burger eatery, Taylor’s Refresher (933 Main St, St. Helena, 707 963 3486). Lower-brow faves: Original Superburger (1501 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 546-4016), Fitch Mountain Eddie’s (1301 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707.433.7414.) and Red Rock Café (1010 Lincoln Ave., Napa, 707-252-9250). White table-worthy burgers reign at Martini House (1245 Spring St., St. Helena, 707.963-2233), Healdsburg Bar and Grill (245 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg, 707.433-3333.) and Boon Fly Café (4048 Sonoma Hwy., Napa: 707.299.4872).

Mexican/Latin
Finding the best taco truck is a matter of pride for locals who make pilgrimages for carne asada tacos, burritos and tortas throughout the region. Less daunting is Rutherford’s La Luna Market (1153 Rutherford Rd, Rutherford, (707.967.3497), a favorite of off-duty chefs. Upscale Maya (101 E Napa St, Sonoma, (707.935.3500) layers traditional Mexican with Wine Country flavors (demi glace, wine reductions). Don’t miss the temple of tequila. Pica Pica’s (610 First St., Napa, 707.251.3757) gourmet grilled corn cakes filled cheese and meat are crave-worthy Venezuelan treats.

French
You’ll find whiffs of classical French techniques at many of the temples of gastronomy – a foundation for California cuisine. But eateries Bistro Jeanty (6510 Washington Street, Yountville, 707.944.0103), Mirepoix (275 Windsor River Road, Windsor, 707.838.0162), K&L (119 S. Main St., Sebastopol, 707.823.6614) and Bistro des Copains (3782 Bohemian Hwy, Occidental, 707.874.2436) revel in their raw Gallic-ness. Menus change up, but steak frites, Sole Meunier and onion soup are standards.

Farm to table
Many claim it, but Zin’s Jeff Mall (344 Center Street, Healdsburg, 707.473.0946 )is a rare breed of chef-farmers producing fruits, veggies and eggs from his own Zin Gardens. Roadhouse fave, Zazu (3535 Guerneville Road, Santa Rosa, 707.523.4814.), and Restaurant Eloise (2295 Gravenstein Hwy S., Sebastopol) also feature robust chef gardens. Syrah’s (205 5th St., Santa Rosa, 707-568-4002 ) Josh Silvers’ local connections (don’t miss the Liberty Farms duck or Dungeness crab cakes) make for seriously good eating.

Outdoor seating
Lunch tables in the secluded patio of Girl and the Fig (110 West Spain Street, Sonoma, 707.938.3634) are highly coveted, along with the casual umbrella-covered tables of Café Citti (9049 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, 707.833.2690) and villa-esque views from Tra Vigne (1016 Main St., St. Helena, 707-967-9999) Valley views from Auberge du Soleil’s (180 Rutherford Hill Rd, Rutherford, 707.963.1211) patio are legendary. Angele’s(540 Main Street, Napa, (707) 252-8115) expanded patio is a top spot for people watching.

Breakfast
A solid breakfast is the key to avoiding tasting room humiliation. Trust us on this. Lay the foundation with coffee and pastries from Bouchon Bakery (6528 Washington St Yountville, 707.944-2253, Model Bakery (1357 Main St., St Helena, 707.963-8192) or the all-but-hidden Chloe’s French Café (3883 Airway Dr., Suite 145, Santa Rosa, 707.528.3095). Bigger appetite: Crab cake Benedict and blueberry pancakes from Hank’s Creekside (2800 Fourth Street, Santa Rosa, 707.575.8839).

Brunch
Skip the steam tables and dive into a bowl of Satan’s Breakfast (Lucky Charms and half and half) or suckling pig hash at Café Saint Rose (9890 Bodega Hwy., Sebastopol, 707.829.5898.). While this funky roadhouse is much more than just a brunch spot (Chef Mark Malicki’s ever-changing menu of seasonal eats is among the best in the county), Sunday morning on the sunny creek side patio is as good as it gets.

Vegetarian
Though the concept sounds a bit hokey, luxe vegetarian eatery and yoga studio Ubuntu (1140 Main St, Napa, 707.251-5656) has silenced snickers by redefining what it means to be meat-free. Chef Jeremy Fox uses French techniques to infuse elegance and rich flavors into stunning meatless cuisine even carnivores crave.