In between sips of wine, here are seven new eateries to check out in Wine Country.
Evangeline (Calistoga)
New to the downtown Calistoga scene, care of chef Brandon Sharp and the Solage Resort Group, this casual French bistro has a New Orleans/Creole flair. Take note of the charming cottage, posh courtyard, and cozy lounge.
What to eat: savory oxtail-barley soup, croquet Marin dressed with millionaire’s bacon (seasoned with brown sugar, cayenne, and black pepper), or crispy braised pork shoulder over Swiss chard and lentils.
Bistro 100 (Petaluma)
The first restaurant from Sonoma County caterer-chef Garrett Adair, all ingredients, including beer and wine, are sourced from within 100 miles of the eatery.
What to eat: Fort Bragg black cod over braised leek and turnip, celery root puree, and Meyer lemon coriander gastrique; or silky crepes baked in cast iron with chard, mushrooms, dry jack, béchamel, fines herbs, onion and paprika.
Atlas Social (Napa)
From the owner of Azzurro Pizzeria & Enoteca and Norman Rose Tavern, Nick Ritchie shows off his impressive culinary talent with small plates from around the world.
What to eat: rabbit pot pie served in a tiny cast iron crock, or dangerously addictive citrus braised pork belly tacos with avocado and salsa roja bundled in thick homemade tortillas.
Cook Tavern (St. Helena)
Nestled in downtown St. Helena (next to Cook) this sequel is a casual, modern Italian gastro pub concept anchored around a big zinc bar.
What to eat: messy beef cheek poutine, meaty branzino fish 'n' chips, or a slow-roasted pork Cubano.
Ramen Gaijin (Sebastopol)
Matthew Williams and Moishe Hahn-Schuman are now serving sumptuous noodles at their new shop inside Forchetta Bastoni in Sebastopol. Add an appetizer of Dungeness crab and matsutake mushroom okonomiyaki or albacore tataki with hedgehog mushrooms, and it’s a major feast.
What to eat: a steaming bowl of homemade, toasted rye ramen with shoyu, pork belly chashu, Tokyo negi onion, and wakame and woodear mushrooms.
3 Alarm Grill (Guerneville)
The menu here covers all the favorites, including a classic Chicago dog topped in yellow mustard, onions, green relish, sport peppers, tomato wedges, dill pickle, and celery salt on a steamed poppy seed bun.
What to eat: four-hour slow roasted Italian Beef Sandwich served dry, wet, or messy with sweet and spicy peppers, or a Philly Cheese Sandwich with beef or chicken and oceans of melted orange cheese.
Wild Flowers Saloon (Healdsburg)
This new gem serves steaks, dry-rubbed barbecue ribs, and chicken fried steak in the former Frank & Ernie’s space in downtown Healdsburg. Grab a beer at the bar, or bring the kids for a family-friendly meal.
What to eat: grilled rib-eye topped with housemade red wine rosemary compound butter and served with soup or salad plus potato and veggies.
