belin

So I'm starting to nail in our trip to Sonoma wine country in late September, but I have one dinner evading me. Our Sonoma trip is a side diversion (we're based out of San Francisco for a family wedding) and we're away exploring Sonoma county Tues-Thurs. I've made reservations at the girl & the fig for Wednesday eve but we're staying at the Grape Leaf Inn and I'd like to figure in a dinner in Healdsburg proper. Ravenous is closed on Tuesdays; Zin didn't seem magical to me. What does anyone know about Dry Creek Kitchen vs. Manzanita vs. Madrona Manor vs. something entirely different?? It's tricky because Tuesday seems to be the "off" night for restaurants in the region and its our first night there! I'm sure I could get away without a reservation and play it by ear...but I'd like to have an idea (or a few!) upfront. Suggestions?

love7220

I stayed at the Grape Leaf Inn last month and it was fantastic, we had the Chardonnay room. Breakfast was wonderful. SEVERAL people we talked to suggested Ravenous but we missed eating there on two different occasions. We actually ended up eating at Willies (?) and had the most incredible calamari and oysters and lobster sourdough. It's a little pricey and they really dont serve dinner but have several choices for light fare and the martinis were suberb. The innkeeper will provide many selections for you to make your final decision. Good luck!

Shar

Try Ralphs Bistro in Healdsburg. Nice restaurant around the plaza in Healdsburg. You will enjoy The girl and The Fig in Sonoma.

razzledazzle

This Sonoma local can also rave about
Willi's (small plate concept) and Manzanita. Both wonderful!
Madrona Manor is more of an old world continental cuisine, very good BTW.
That's a pretty long drive over and back to the girl and the fig-what about lunch there? Dry Creek kitchen is not well liked by the locals-(it was not paticularly friendly and I'll say "snubbed" them-the food gets
mixed reviews from others on this board.
There are quite a few places that you are missing which are in the Santa Rosa
area-Zazu and Popina are two. In Graton
there's the Underwood Bistro. Petaluma has 3 that come to mind-It's sad that these marvelous restaurants go
under-hyped. But then, I just live here...
R5
R5

love7220

Razzle, could you help me with a place to eat lunch in or around Calistoga in November on a Sunday? Having mud bath early then plan on a visiting a couple of unique wineries before returning to SF around 16:00. Will take all the local info you can offer....

Grasshopper

Razzle, As a local, what you do you think of Ralph's Bistro? I really did not care for it at all.

MsGhost

Here's a vote for Bistro Ralph! At lunch, the chicken paillard is incredible, and in the evenings anything to do with lamb (along with pretty much everything else they do) is fab! Also the fennel rolls they bring with lunch or dinner!
In Calistoga, go to the Wappo (I think) Bar & Bistro.....I know it's Wappo something-or-other! Have been to both places I recommended numerous times and have never been disappointed. Sorry I can't say the same for Manzanita--we went there once, didn't much care for it and haven't been back. Guess we should give it another try!
Also, you might go to www.chowhound.com and do a search on either Healdsburg or specific restaurants.
Agree that the drive from Sonoma to Healdsburg would be much more enjoyable in the daytime!

coolcamden

Bistro Ralph is great. Another vote for it. I had the Osso Bucco there the last time, with an outstanding bottle of Duckhorn Merlot. Truly sublime.

belin

Thanks for helpful suggestions: perhaps we'll rearrange and hit the girl & the fig midday. I figured it was about a 45 minute drive back to Grape Leaf; am I underestimating? Think we'll check out Manzanita, and maybe try for Ravenous on Wed eve...

razzledazzle

Yes,GHop, I have to agree with you
about Ralph's-yet it seems others have found it good. With all the places to eat in Healdsburg, it would not be on my list.

love-darn it, you want lunch !!
There is a great new dining venue in the Mt. View hotel (previously Catahoula) called Stomp (think grape stomp).
tish! it's dinner only right now.
I guess then Wappo. We like the Calistoga Inn when it's chilly and rainy, though.
If you could drive to St. Helena (10 mins.+-)then all those would go out the window for Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen.
Hope that helps, happy to offer any other info. as well!
R5

kimamom

I really enjoyed Dry Creek Kitchen. The restaurant is very upscale and gorgeous inside. We had the tasting menu that was includedin our room price at the Hotel Healdsburg.

The service was excellent and the food very good. In Calistoga, have lunch at the Wappo Bar & Bistro. We like to dine outside under the wisteria vines and love their cucumber-flavored water, very refreshing. ***kim***

kimamom

www.wappobar.com is the website and www.hotelhealdsburg.com for Dry Creek Kitchen! BTW, girl and the fig is an excellent choice!

If you have time the next day, go to Geyserville for lunch at the Alexander Valley Grille at the Chateau Souverain. Very nice and a comp tasting with lunch, so save that for after your meal! ***kim***

PamSF

Do try for Ravenous. I pitch them so much I could be their PR person but the food is always very good and never "precious". I trust R5's recommendation for Willi's and hope to make it there soon. You might also check out Santi in Geyserville. You will drive out the Alexander Valley Road which will take 20 minutes or so or hop on the freeway in Healdsburg and take 10 minutes of so. They have a website. We are either in love with the place or think our affections are elsewhere but our wine group just ate there a week ago (without us) and RAVED! The Kobe beef steak is supposedly to die for. This favorable report includes one by one of the best cooks I've ever known who has eaten at the likes of Taillevent . If you go to Santi do yourselves a favor and order a bottle of Merry Edwards 2002 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir.

PamSF

BTW~the Mexican restaurant across the street from Oakville Grocery is a great place for lunch. It's brightly lit and filled with local folks from Mexico. If you are a fan of Mexican Coca Cola you can get it there. Personally speaking, the chili rellenos are heaven sent

PamSF

nothing fancy again..but how about Taylor's Refresher in St Helena (think Drive In..but upscale.)

xxxx

Had to laugh about the suggestion for the little Mexican place-El Sombrero, I think. We were there a few weeks ago with ravenous appetites. $21 worth of food was more than we could finish!!