This article is one in a series of articles about our recent tour of California Wine Country. You can read about Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, the Summary, the Winery Dogs and the Restaurants as well.
One of the most pleasurable epiphanies of our trip to Healdsburg was that the restaurants there are world class. We took advantage of this, as well as restaurants along the way throughout the trip.
First up was a trek to Tex Wasabi’s in Santa Rosa. Guy Fieri is, in my opinion, one of the freshest and most innovative of the latest batch of Food Network stars, and this is where he began to make his name and his reputation. Tex Wasabi’s is all about thinking outside the box and mixing and matching well-established dishes into a unique blend. On this trip we tried the traditional Brisket sandwich with BBQ Beans, and the very untraditional Brisket Sushi. It was strange, but very, very good.
Once in Healdsburg we had a plethora of choices for dining, and yet the locals recommended the same restaurants time and time again. You can’t go wrong with locally-suggested places, and we loved all of the restaurants that we tried. First up, Willi’s Seafood and Wine Bar.
We’ve been to Willi’s before. On our last trip we were just looking for a nice place to stop and have a bite to eat before we headed back to our hotel. So we knew that Willi’s was the place to go for casual small plates in a relaxing outdoor environment. We say outdoors because that is where you should sit when you go to Willi’s. The patio is casual and the locals are prevelant. And they bring their dogs, which makes dining there entertaining. The thing to do at Willi’s is just order a plate or two and a time to share, and keep ordering until you get full.
Cena Luna is a deceptively formal restaurant. The tables, decor and service is upscale, and yet we got the impression that we could have arrived in very casual clothing and still have been welcome. The Italian cuisine was also upscale, and very satisfying.
As a self-avowed foodie, I do not completely fall in love with a meal. But I can honestly say that I had the best dish I have ever tasted at Scopa, in Healdsburg. This small restaurant did everything right, but the minute I put a bite of Nonna’s Chicken into my mouth, I was in love. Nonna’s Chicken is baked in a cast iron covered pot, with polenta, tomato and chicken blending together for the most pefect blend of flavors and textures. Bursting with flavor and yet sceaming comfort, I doubt I will ever experience love at first bite like that again.
A unique place to dine for breakfast, Bovolo is hard to find. Hidden behind a bookstore, this casual place shouldn’t be overlooked. You order at the counter and they bring your food to the back where the tables are. The menu is unique, and I am not going to complain about that. How often can you order a Pasta Carbonara for breakfast? (and it was GREAT!).
You are reading California Wine Country 2009 Read more from this series of articles.
- California Wine Country 2009 - Dry Creek - Day One
- Pedroncelli Winery
- Sbragia Family Vineyard
- Dutcher Crossing Winery
- David Coffaro Vineyard and Winery
- Bella Vineyards
- Preston Vineyards
- Zichichi Family Vineyard
- Papapietro Perry Winery
- Kokomo Winery
- F. Teldeschi Winery
- California Wine Country 2009 - Dry Creek - Day Two
- Alderbrook Winery
- Mill Creek Winery
- Lambert Bridge
- Quivira Vineyards
- Passalacqua Winery
- Dry Creek Vineyards
- J Rickards Winery
- Ridge Vineyards at Lytton Springs
- California Wine Country 2009 – Dry Creek – Day Three
- Rosenblum Cellars
- California Wine Country 2009 – Dry Creek – Day Four
- Seghesio Family Vineyards
- California Wine Country 2009 - Dry Creek - In Summary
- California Wine Country 2009 - The Restaurants
- California Wine Country 2009 - The Winery Dogs
