Morning!
Happy Sonoma County Restaurant Week! How about a special giveaway for my local readers to get everyone excited?! You see, I have here a $50 gift certificate to Dry Creek Kitchen (I ate here on Valentine’s Day, remember?) and I’d love to give it to one of you so you can enjoy a truly special meal in Healdsburg! Dry Creek Kitchen is AMAZING…you won’t be disappointed! To enter to win the gift certificate just leave me a comment here telling me your favorite local restaurant. (Sorry, this is only open to California readers…or anyone willing to travel to Healdsburg to eat!)
This morning I had some overnight oats:
I used 1/3 cup oats, 1 T chia, 1/2 cup soymilk, 1 T almond butter, 1/2 cup yogurt, banana, cinnamon and maple syrup. + teavana cranberry black tea. One of my favorites!
I’m about to head to a yoga class then am working at the studio for a few hours this morning. I think it’s going to be a GORGEOUS day! 🙂
Freya @ foodfitnessandfreya.wordpress.com
February 22, 2010 at 7:43 amYou’re so lucky you’re getting good weather…I’ve got torrential rain and flood warnings!!
Enjoy it you lucky thing 😛
Steph
February 22, 2010 at 7:49 amFun giveaway for us locals! I live in the SF Bay Area (east bay), so I think my hubby and I could make a special trip over to Healdsburg! Hmm my favorite local restaurant is probably Campanella’s in Newark, CA. It’s basically one of the few places near us that’s not a chain! It’s elegant italian food made with minimal salt and many local ingredients.
Lindsey
February 22, 2010 at 7:51 amMy favorite place to eat around Healdsburg has to be the Oakville Grocery…it reminded me a lot of Dean and Deluca. I have only been there once, but I can’t wait to be back soon.I will be in SanFran/Napa in three weeks, so I would LOVE the gift certificate so I could treat my mom:)
kathleen
February 22, 2010 at 7:56 ami would looooove the gift certificate for my trip to sonoma next month! i have never been to healdsburg but based on what i have read, i’m going to say that zin would probably be my favorite 🙂 and dry creek of course!
Anamaria
February 22, 2010 at 7:57 ammy favorite restaurant is called MAMA’S. It is in San Francisco on Stockton in North Beach. It is a wonderful place for breakfast or lunch. The restaurant is a family owned business and as soon as you go inside you feel warm inside. They make their own bread and the best jam which is to dye for. I love their bread and French toast. Actually, I loved all their food 🙂
The place is always packed and they are only 15 tables so be ready to wait but I’m telling you it is worth it. I went there yesterday and ended up waiting in the rain fir an hour and a half but so so worth it 🙂
Tracey Pollack
February 22, 2010 at 8:03 amMy favorite local restaurant actually is Dry Creek Kitchen! I fell in love with Healdsburg and that special restaurant when I visited my boyfriend’s best friend who lives nearby and he treated us to an extraordinary dinner there. I would love to win the gift certificate and give it to him and his wife to return the favor! He would be so excited because he’s a foodie like us and I would love to give him such a treat. Thank you for such a sensational giveaway!
Evan Thomas
February 22, 2010 at 8:05 amI won’t enter, but that sounds like a fantastic prize! Good luck to whoever wins!
Joanna
February 22, 2010 at 8:06 amMy fiance and I are headed your way for our honeymoon…it’s not until May, but that would be awesome to dine there while we’re there! 🙂
Love your blog!
Jenn
February 22, 2010 at 8:07 amHello! My favorite spot near home is Tasuki, our local sushi restauant. (We live in Suisun City). We haven’t explored the Healdsburg area very much, but Brix is one of our favorite’s in Napa.
Chelsea (Chelsea's Chew and Run Fun)
February 22, 2010 at 8:14 amCranberry black tea sounds so good. That sounds like the perfect morning substitute for coffee.
Alas, this local giveaway is a few months too soon. I’m not moving back to CA until this summer! Boo!
Janna
February 22, 2010 at 8:15 amWhat a fun prize! I recently went to Bottega on “girls day” trip! It was just lovely, but pretty much any Of the resturants in that area are! :0)
BethT
February 22, 2010 at 8:17 amYou know my favorite SF restaurant…Brenda’s French Soul Food! I’m dying to try Dry Creek Kitchen!
Clare
February 22, 2010 at 8:20 amI just moved to the South Bay and would definitely make the drive to eat at Dry Creek Kitchen – your v-day dinner looked SO delicious! My favorite restaurant in the area (thus far, anyways!) is Cascal in Mountain View. It’s a totally yummy tapas/spanish place, and their paella is to die for!
emily
February 22, 2010 at 8:21 amSadly, I live in NYC – but if I won I would give to my sister and her fiance – they just got engaged 2 weeks ago and I would love to do something special for them from afar since I can give them congratulatory hugs in person!
Becky
February 22, 2010 at 8:22 amAwesome giveaway! I wish I still lived in California!
Sharon
February 22, 2010 at 8:22 amWhat a generous giveaway!
Some of my favorite places to eat in the area are The Girl and the Fig in Sonoma, The Fig Cafe in Glen Ellen (sensing a trend? lol..) Monti’s in Santa Rosa, Sea Thai Bistro also in Santa Rosa. For Sushi I love Yao Kiku in Santa Rosa. I’ve only been to the Dry Creek Kitchen once and it was pretty amazing. There’s so many more i could mention, but that’s enough to start, right?
Salah@myhealthiestlifestyle
February 22, 2010 at 8:22 amI wish I lived in California still so I could enter this!
Salah@myhealthiestlifestyle
February 22, 2010 at 8:23 amI wish I lived in California still so I could enter this!
Me-Linh
February 22, 2010 at 8:27 amGood thing I grew up in the bay area and go to school at Cal to enter this :). Alright favoritest of favorite restaurant back home in San Jose is the Vegetarian House. Everything there is delicious. However, my all time favorite restaurant here is La Note. It’s a great French brunch place (even the waiters have French accents) and so good! You should check it out, Jenna!
Heather (Heather's Dish)
February 22, 2010 at 8:32 ami wish i could be there, at least for restaurant week! sounds like a wonderful contest for all of you lucky local readers 🙂
Jamie
February 22, 2010 at 8:34 amI live in Southern California but have been dreaming of taking a weekend and exploring (and I’m sure falling in love with) Northern California. The local restaurant in my part of SoCal that I swear by, would have to be “Citrus City Grille.” They are located in the historic block of downtown Orange, CA and have the most mouth watering salmon and for dessert…their bread pudding is sent from heaven. Would LOVE to check out Dry Creek Kitchen! 🙂
Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run]
February 22, 2010 at 8:34 amThanks for the giveaway. One of my favorite local restaurants is Flavor (in Santa Rosa).
Lauren
February 22, 2010 at 8:39 amMy favorite restaurant was Trevese in Los Gatos but they recently closed 🙁 Another favorite, Fork in San Anselmo closed as well. I’m on the search for a new favorite!
Ruthie797
February 22, 2010 at 8:41 amI think my favorite restaurant in the Bay Area is Blowfish Sushi in SF. It’s amazing–bet you’d love it:)
Terri from Sunnyvale, CA
February 22, 2010 at 8:46 amMy husband and I have a trip planned to Sonoma in May. We would love to have dinner at Dry Creek Kitchen. Our favorite local restaurant in Sunnyvale is Il Postale.
Ashley
February 22, 2010 at 8:47 amMy favorite restaurant in California is Perbacco! My fiance and I had our engagement dinner there – and I can’t stop thinking about the fresh mozzarella!
Krista@CommitmentisLiberating
February 22, 2010 at 8:49 amI would love to win this giveaway – we live in NYC but travel to wine country every year. In fact, we got married in Napa in October 2008 at our favorite restuarant, Auberge du Soleil!
Shana Ray
February 22, 2010 at 8:52 amThank you so much for posting about Sonoma County Restaurant Week Jenna! I am actually eating at Dry Creek Kitchen tomorrow for the event… Hope to see you out soon!
Cheers!
Julia
February 22, 2010 at 8:54 amI live in Sacramento and would love an excuse to go over to Healdsburg!
Sacramento has a lot of great restaurants. One of my favorites is L Wine Bar.
Thanks for the great giveaway!
Kat [ http://katsadventuresinhealthylivingandotherfunstuff.wordpress.com/ ]
February 22, 2010 at 8:55 amI have wanted a reason to go to Healdsburg! My favorite restaurant is here in the east bay called Skates on the Bay in Berkeley! Their Tiger Prawns are AMAZING!!
Katy ( The Balanced Foodie)
February 22, 2010 at 9:04 amAwesome giveaway, I’m not in Cali but my aunt lives there and this would be an awesome gift for her since things are a little rough right now! My favorite restaurant that we got to eat there would be Bouchon! That was our big night out. BUT I LOVE the burgers at Taylor’s Automatic Refresher! You must go eat there Jenna, it’s delicious! 🙂
lindsay
February 22, 2010 at 9:04 amI live in Marin County and my favorite Marin restaurant is probably The Tavern at Lark Creek (formerly the Lark Creek Inn). Jenna, since you live somewhat close, you need to make it over to the Martini House in St. Helena. I would love the chance to try Dry Creek Kitchen!
Chelsea
February 22, 2010 at 9:05 amDo you consider SF local? 🙂 My favorite place to eat here in the city is Tartine! I try to go at least once a week!
Obre
February 22, 2010 at 9:06 amHi! I’ve been a longtime reader, but never commented before. However, this giveaway is just too good to pass up. I’m from Sebastopol, and have to say that I love Sushi Tozai (their rainbow roll with brown rice is THE BEST) and Peter Lowell’s (both in Sebastopol), as well as Monti’s in Santa Rosa. Yum! Love your blog Jenna!
Kat
February 22, 2010 at 9:09 amHi Jenna!
I enjoy reading your blog daily! One of my favorite restaurants is very near where you live. Ad Hoc in Yountville has amazing food that is served family style. The menu is creative and delicious! My girlfriends and I (who are all obsessed with food) just had a dinner party in which all of the recipes were made from the Ad Hoc at Home cookbook. I hope you take the opportunity to check out the restaurant.
Megan
February 22, 2010 at 9:12 amI live in Emeryville (North of Oakland, South of Berkeley) and just discovered a little local place called Cafe Aquarius. They serve the most amazing breakfasts and lunches I’ve had in a long time. I dream about their lemon ricotta pancakes…yum! I love they are local and dedicated to local fresh eats. If you are ever in the City, you should come over to East Bay and try it out.
I adore your blog, thank you for sharing, and keep up the great work on your book! I just moved up from LA around the time you came out West. My old roommate and I have been reading your blog for the past couple years and can’t believe you moved to Healdsburg. It’s a lovely little town! When I need an escape from city life – that’s where I go! Take care – Megan
Lisa
February 22, 2010 at 9:14 amI’m down in SoCal but we make it up to northern CA a few times a year… so I hope it’s OK that I enter! 🙂
My favorite restaurant in Pasadena right now is probably Green Street Restaurant… their desserts are AMAZING!!! 🙂
smiles,
~Lisa
Tay
February 22, 2010 at 9:17 amOh man there are so many great local restaurants around here. I’d have to say that Big Sky is great – has amazing sweet potato fries!
Renee
February 22, 2010 at 9:20 amOne of my favorite restaurants in the Bay Area is Burma Superstar.
Katie
February 22, 2010 at 9:24 amI am down in the South Bay and I haven’t found a favorite local restaurant here yet. But, I am excited to try Burma Superstar (mentioned by previous commenter) -which I might be trying today. 🙂
LC @ Let Them Eat Lentils
February 22, 2010 at 9:26 amI could definitely make a trip out to Sonoma for this! 🙂 So far, my favorite restaurant in San Fran is probably still The Plant Cafe Organic that I visited with Kath. I dream about the veggie burgers …
Julie
February 22, 2010 at 9:27 amI have a few favorites. I love Millie’s Kitchen in the east bay. It is definitely the best breakfast place I have ever been to. In SF, I love Cafe Triste for espresso and North Beach Pizza used to be my favorite pizza place until they remodeled. The pizza is still good, but they lost the charm that I loved so much in the old location. There’s an AMAZING moroccan place in the east bay called El Morocco that has great food and really cool atmosphere. And I love pretty much every chinese place that offers dim sum.
Tara
February 22, 2010 at 9:28 amI wish I was local!
Allie
February 22, 2010 at 9:29 amI’m going to San Francisco/ Wine Country in two weeks for the first time– I can’t wait to try the famed Tartine and the Cha Cha Cha pizza, which I’ve been lusting after for months on your blog! I am going on a special trip with my mom and would LOVE to bring her to Dry Creek Kitchen for a lovely and unforgettable mother-daughter meal!
Mariya
February 22, 2010 at 9:35 amOmg! I had the fried chicken blue plate special at zin when my mom and I went to healdsburg…amaazing. I live in sf buy would definitely make the trip for yummy wine country food.
Cara
February 22, 2010 at 9:36 amWell my favorite go to restaurant is probably Burma Super Star (a MUST to check out next time you are in SF) but my all time best eating experience ever would have to be at Chez Pannisse (why of course!).
Nicole
February 22, 2010 at 9:41 amI just had the best meal at Millenium in SF. I’m not a vegetarian, but this upscale veggie restaurant is AMAZING. I also agree with Cara about Burma and Chez Panisse. Yum!
Lauren
February 22, 2010 at 9:43 amActually, while it is not really a dinner recommendation, I love Zazie’s in Cole Valley for breakfast/brunch and the combo of going to Rosemunde’s for sausages in the Haight and eating them next door at Toronado.
Sarah
February 22, 2010 at 9:43 amOoo yummy giveaway, thank you!!
Gosh picking a favorite restaurant is SO hard. I do know, however, my favorite restaurant in Napa/Sonoma. That would be Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen in St. Helena. We’ve been there on a few visits for both lunch and dinner. Everything there is excellent but the most memorable is a dessert called Campfire Pie. Oh gosh yum, it’s like a s’more in pie form with homemade almond brittle. Wowie!
Liz Pell
February 22, 2010 at 9:44 amThanks for the shout-out!!! I love your website and have sent it to numerous friends and relatives. I am amazed by your dedication. Truly inspirational! If you ever had extra time (which I’m sure I’m pushing it….) I would love to see what your weekly grocery store list looks like.
Warmest Regards,
Liz Pell
PS. Working with your Dad has been great! He’s the man!!!
Lauren
February 22, 2010 at 9:44 amActually, while it is not really a dinner recommendation, I love Zazie’s in Cole Valley for breakfast/brunch and the combo of going to Rosemunde’s for sausages in the Haight and eating them next door at Toronado.
Mollie
February 22, 2010 at 9:45 amLove the giveaway! I may currently live in DC, but I’m from Petaluma, and would LOVE to take my parents to Healdsburg next time I’m home!
My favorite Sonoma County restaurant is Hiro’s Sushi in Petaluma. It’s FANTASTIC!!!
Maura
February 22, 2010 at 9:47 amMy favorite local restaurant is Father’s Office in Santa Monica. I am going to a wedding in Healdsburg this summer…excited for the eats!
Amanda (modernation)
February 22, 2010 at 9:48 amAbsolutely love this giveaway! And love Della Santina’s in Sonoma. My family is friend’s with the owners, so when we go they just start bringing out the delicious, homemade Italian food until we burst. That is my favorite way to eat because you get to eat when the chef loves to make and you always get things that aren’t on the menu!
Lora
February 22, 2010 at 9:53 amIt’s been a long time since I’ve been there and I hope it hasn’t changed but my favorite restaurant in the valley was Kenwood Restaurant…one of the best meals I’ve ever had. A friend used to grow grapes for Kenwood so this place has a special spot in my heart.
Beth @ DiningAndDishing
February 22, 2010 at 9:53 amThat is an amaaazing giveaway! And so nice of you to pass it along to a reader!! Wish I was anywhere near Cali 🙂
Lili Koponen
February 22, 2010 at 9:59 amooo… that sounds so yummy.
My fave local restaurant here in Sacramento is Bella Bru. So delicious.
Amelia
February 22, 2010 at 10:04 amMy favorite restaurant is Ad Hoc (in the “other” valley). You NEED to go on one of the alternating Mondays for fried chicken. I’ve just started exploring the Sonoma area and would love to try Dry Creek.
Krista
February 22, 2010 at 10:07 amI’m on the Peninsula, so hard to pick a favorite, I’ll go w/Crepevine & Trapeze!
Sharilyn
February 22, 2010 at 10:10 amMy favorite local restaurant is in Santa Rosa, Flavor! I love the fancy atmosphere with the reasonable prices. The food is amazing–especially their butternut squash ravioli!
Brie (The Fit Bride)
February 22, 2010 at 10:13 amI’m not local, but my bachelorette party is in Napa in April and I would LOVE to use this to treat my awesome bridesmaids to a girly fun night! Yum!
MyThy as in "Mighty"
February 22, 2010 at 10:17 amI’m usually not a big pasta eater, but when I do, and crave good ol’ Italian…It’s Lococo’s in Santa Rosa. Their free olive tapanade + bread is almost as good of reason to dine there. But then there’s Calamari that’s lightly fried, tiramisu, homemade canoli’s…OMG! They have so much other dishes that are non-pasta that are just to DIE FOR! 😉
Nicole
February 22, 2010 at 10:18 amSouth Beach in Ocean Beach San Diego. BEST FISH TACOS. So good, not a fancy place by any means but a great happy hours deals on oysters and an ocean view!
Allison K
February 22, 2010 at 10:19 amWish I was local!
Jen
February 22, 2010 at 10:27 amI would love the gift card to give to my aunt who recently moved out there – shes been missing the east coast and I think it would help boost her new west coast spirits (so I don’t have a local CA restaurant to give you)
Katie
February 22, 2010 at 10:28 amSo many to choose from in SF but for Italian- Antica Trattoria on Polk St., Mexican- La Taqueria on Mission, and Sushi-Okoze on Union St. Also, Zarzuela is a great little Spanish Tapas place too! I would love to try Dry Creek Kitchen, Napa and Sonoma have so many great restaurants too!
Liz
February 22, 2010 at 10:30 amYay! Thanks for doing a giveaway for us CA peeps! My favorite local restaurant is Villa Creek in Paso Robles, CA (central coast wine country). Soooooo good. I go there for any and every special occasion I can!
elaine
February 22, 2010 at 10:37 amthanks for holding this SWEET giveaway! my favorite local restaurant in Los Angeles has got to be Sushi Gen. SOOOO GOOOOD!! you have go to try their sashimi lunch deluxe. just the freshest sashimi cuts at an amazing price!
serena
February 22, 2010 at 10:37 amBistro 29 in Santa Rosa on Fifth Street is beyond amazing. Chef Brian Anderson trained in France and his specialty is crepes. His short ribs will make you weep. The pommes frites are to die for. Great wines, good staff, consistantly a winner and they are part of restaurant week too!! I would love to have dinner with my husband at Dry Creek Kitchen…we are so very due for a date night. 🙂
theemptynutjar
February 22, 2010 at 10:40 amI don’ t live even close to there 🙁
Great breakfast….I am going to try overnight oats soon….the way u do it looks fantastic!
Jil
February 22, 2010 at 10:42 amNot entering…but your oats look delish, and what an awesome giveaway!!
Maya
February 22, 2010 at 10:44 amMy boyfriend and I find ourselves going back to Ace Wasabi (in San Francisco’s Marina) fairly often. It might not offer much in terms of ambiance and decor, but the sushi is OUT OF THIS WORLD! Plus my boyfriend has been going there for years and is well acquainted with the wait staff, so we always get spectacular service. It’s our go to dinner spot when we need to entertain out of town guests. 6 months later, they’re STILL raving about how great the food was!
Kristin
February 22, 2010 at 10:45 amMy favorite local SF restaurant is A16. Loving the wood fired oven pizzas! I love visiting Sonoma County and usually eat at The Girl & the Fig when I’m up there. Such a cozy atmosphere! I would love to try Dry Creek Kitchen and find a new favorite SoCo restaurant 🙂
Diana
February 22, 2010 at 10:46 amI live in Palo Alto, CA, and my favorite local places are an indian restaurant called Darbar’s and a sushi restaurant called Jinsho! Thanks for the giveaway, I’d love to have the chance to try Dry Creek Kitchen!
Barbaera(Blood, Sweat and Heels)
February 22, 2010 at 10:52 amMy favorite local resturant is Chez Zee..I’ll be in Napa come May. I’m hoping that allows me to enter:)
Thanks
Barbara
Caitlin
February 22, 2010 at 10:54 amI live in the South Bay, San Jose, but when my husband and I visit SF we ALWAYS go to House of Nan King. It is a little hole in the wall off Kearney but it is sooooo delicious! There is usually a line outside of the restaurant! Tell them it’s your first time and they will just bring you out an amazing array of food! Yum!
If you are ever in the South Bay our favorite sushi place is in Los Gatos. It is called Yokohama. Sit at the bar and the chef will treat you to great sashimi and other treats!
Janna
February 22, 2010 at 10:56 amSo many choices, but I would have to say for me it is The Slanted Door in the Ferry Market Building, The food is out of this world, the view is amazing, and the drinks are fabulous!
legalstyle
February 22, 2010 at 10:57 amMy favorite restaurant in wine country is French Laundry. Obviously! I live in San Francisco and am in law school, but just received a job offer in Napa for the summer (with the Napa Superior Court.) I’d love to win – I’d have plenty of opportunities to use it!
Lindsay
Jennifer
February 22, 2010 at 10:58 amI live on the peninsula but am getting married in Napa this July! We have been making quite a few wedding planing trips up there lately so trying a new restaurant would be awesome. My favorite restaurant in the area though is Mustards, hands down!
Jen A
February 22, 2010 at 11:00 amI just moved to Marin County and so far my favorite restaurant is the Pine Cone Diner in Point Reyes…but I haven’t tried many yet!
katyrenee
February 22, 2010 at 11:10 amMy favorite local restaurant is Town. Yum indeed.
Felicia
February 22, 2010 at 11:20 amI would love to win this! I recently moved up north to Point Richmond (East Bay) from LA, home of all my favourite places to eat, one of them being The CoffeeTable! I’d love to discoer a new spot to dine up here! 🙂
Teri
February 22, 2010 at 11:23 amMy favorite local resturant in Sonoma County is La Coco’s in Railroad Sqaure, Santa Rosa! Great rustic Itailan food and the guys are adorable!
rebecca
February 22, 2010 at 11:24 amLike you, i’m a new-to-the-area transplant and haven’t had much opportunity to try many restaurants (they are all new to me). I really like Willlowood in Graton though.
Kathi
February 22, 2010 at 11:40 amThe Bay Area has so many wonderful restaurants it is hard to name just one favorite. I think I will have to go with NOPA on Divisadero in SF.
Thanks!
Steph
February 22, 2010 at 11:41 amThe Girl and the Fig! Definitely!!!
Christa
February 22, 2010 at 11:42 amJena! I am living in Nebraska right now and I drrooool over all of the awesome food you are having in CA! My lovely boyfriend is traveling to CA and will be in the area next March. He, like me, loves good food and I know he would love Dry Creek Kitchen. Last week, I went through your blog and wrote down all of the awesome restaurants you go to so that he could try them. I can’t make it to CA and I’m so jealous!! My favorite in Lincoln, NE is “Bread & Cup”– it’s a MUST if your ever in my neck of the woods!
Cheers!
Christa Binstock- loyal reader and lover of fooooood
Laura
February 22, 2010 at 11:59 amHi Jenna,
Two restaurants. One is Ad Hoc in Yountville. It’s so much fun to go there- a 4 course, set meal that is unique every night. They pick many of the ingredients from the French Laundry garden daily. I had a great meal there last year.
Another is Aziza in San Francisco (where I live). It’s local, organic, sustainable ingredients in Moroccan cuisine. The cocktails are fabulous and for the quality of food, it’s incredibly well priced. You should try next time you are in SF…you will not be sorry.
Mary
February 22, 2010 at 12:00 pmI live in Marin and one of my favorites is the Left Bank in Larkspur.
Kelly
February 22, 2010 at 12:01 pmPizzeria Delfina and Delfina–both are delicious and in SF. Try them!!!
Jill
February 22, 2010 at 12:09 pmI love The Slanted Door! Food is GOOD! 🙂
Kara
February 22, 2010 at 12:10 pmHey Jenna,
I’m getting married this summer and we’re headed to Wine Country for our honeymoon! We’re hoping to stop by Healdsburg, and would love to try out Dry Creek Kitchen if we have a chance. Even better if we have a $50 gift certificate! We live near Baltimore, MD and one of our favorite local restaurants is Tio Pepe’s (Spanish). The Sangria there is dangerous…!
Philip Wyers
February 22, 2010 at 12:11 pmJackson’s Bar & Oven – Great cocktails, beer and bacon wrapped hotdogs!
Aileen
February 22, 2010 at 12:13 pmI would love this for my upcoming Bay Area trip! My favorite local restaurant is Myers + Chang (in Boston). But my favorite wine country place is Oakville Grocery — love it!
madiella
February 22, 2010 at 12:18 pmMy favorite in wine country would definately have to be The Girl and the Fig — just amazing and so much fun! In San Francisco it is probably Gary Danko’s (for a splurge) or Zazie (a super cute little local french bistro).
Arwen
February 22, 2010 at 12:30 pmI live in the East Bay and a trip to Healdsburg sounds absolutely lovely since I have never been there before. We tried Chez Panisse recently and loved the food!!
Anna
February 22, 2010 at 12:32 pmThe photos from your Valentine’s day dinner looked awesome and would love to try it out!
Amritika
February 22, 2010 at 12:36 pmI love Chez TJ in the peninsula. We live in the bay area and would love to drive up to Sonoma/Napa to try out Dry Creek!
Ed Thralls
February 22, 2010 at 12:49 pmWell, I’ll be in Sonoma in 2 weeks, so I am going to enter with this comment even though I live in Atlanta. : P
Right now I am really digging Tacqueria Verde in Brookhaven. Not the same as Taco del Sol, but some great taco creations, dog-friendly (they can hang out on the patio and they provide water bowls) and great people.
Jessica
February 22, 2010 at 1:00 pmI’d love to enter because my family and I will be taking a road trip this summer through wine valley and would love to take them somewhere you recommend since a lot of the trip’s funds will be spent on gas and hotels–taking them to a nice restaurant would be such a blessing. Thanks for having this giveaway!
Theresa
February 22, 2010 at 1:01 pmI would love to make a trip up to Healdsburg! I guess my favorite local place has to be Picante in Berkeley. If you are in the Truckee area when you go up to Tahoe check out Dragonfly. I would drive the 3+ hours from the east bay just to eat there.
Megan
February 22, 2010 at 1:01 pmDude! Can I enter for when I come to Sonoma this summer??? I’m already plannign the trip compulsively1! 😉
Nicki
February 22, 2010 at 1:05 pmI love Gialina Restaurant in SF.
Thanks!
Kelley
February 22, 2010 at 1:08 pmCool! We go up to Wine Country a few times a year! There are so many great restaurants in San Francisco, how can you choose just one? I love any local mom and pop place where you can get a good salad with a soup and some bread. heaven!
Mark Buckley
February 22, 2010 at 1:09 pmFume Bistro in Napa. $5 Niman ranch burgers and fries on brioche bun on Monday nights to Locals and alike at the Bar or bistro tables adjacent. They aren’t pretentious and you can share the toils of the day with the friendliest of Staff. Never a bad meal or dull Conversation. @spiritandwine
ida
February 22, 2010 at 1:10 pmI love Chez Panisse! I’m new to the area and haven’t had a chance to check out too many places though. After your rave review really want to try Dry Creek Kitchen.
Pamela
February 22, 2010 at 1:10 pmI absolutely LOVE Dry Creek Kitchen, but I have to say that my favorite local restaurant is Syrah!! I love how they focus on fresh, organic and local food! We are pretty lucky that we live so close to so many yummy places! Thanks for the opportunity, Jenna!
Paige (Running Around Normal)
February 22, 2010 at 1:22 pmWhat a fun giveaway! I only wish I was a local! haha
Those overnight oats sound great!
Becky S.
February 22, 2010 at 1:25 pmMy favorite Sonoma County restaurant is the Union Hotel in Occidental, it’s amazing you should try it some time!
lala
February 22, 2010 at 1:26 pmmy favorite local restaurant is cafe gratitude! raw tiramisu mmmmm
Jessica
February 22, 2010 at 1:39 pmEverything at Tartine Bakery is amazing. I would love to experience Dry Creek Kitchen!
sflunchreview
February 22, 2010 at 1:42 pmI absolutely love the Los Altos Grill in Los Altos. It is always the perfect place for friday night dinner!
Erin
February 22, 2010 at 1:42 pmJenna,
I live in San Fran. You HAVE to try both Murray Circle (in Sausolito) and Redd (Napa). Both my favs. I’d love to try Dry Creek! 🙂
Erin
Kaye
February 22, 2010 at 1:45 pmMy favorite local restaurant is a family owned and operated Middle Eastern restaurant called Rosine’s. They have amazing homemade hummus, the roast chicken is so ridiculously good and the falafel ain’t bad either! The owners children are waiters and waitresses and they always remember repeat customers!
Sara
February 22, 2010 at 1:47 pmOooooh that’s a hard question! Maybe Flea St. Cafe in Menlo Park– yum!
megan
February 22, 2010 at 1:51 pmMy favorite local restaurant is Cesar’s in SF. It’s a Family-Owned Italian restaurant..I have been going there since I was a little girl. Delish!
Liz Shafer
February 22, 2010 at 1:52 pmMy husband and I live in Chandler, AZ but will be making a trip your way this summer! My favorite local restaurant here though, is Pita Jungle. It’s a local chain that serves healthy, organic, vegetarian and meat dishes based on a Greek/Mediterranean style cuisine. Reasonably priced and delicious!!!
Lindsay
February 22, 2010 at 1:53 pmHi Jenna! Dry Creek Kitchen looks amazing. It would be a great reason to come up and visit Healdsburg again. In terms of local (as in, San Francisco) restaurants I love, it’s so hard to pick just one. So I will list favorites: Gamine, Town Hall, Nopa, Isa, and Spruce.
Elizabeth
February 22, 2010 at 1:59 pmWhat a great giveaway! I live in the North Bay and my favorite restaurant is Cafe Gratitude. I’m a always up for a drive to Healdsburg!
Chloe
February 22, 2010 at 2:18 pmDefinitely Ubuntu in Napa. Best vegetarian restaurant ever, hands down!
karen
February 22, 2010 at 2:20 pmWe live in san diego and I’d love to come up for a visit!! Our fave place is in Temecula…Banzai Japanese. Yum. It’s a teppan place so it is perfect for a fun date night.
Chloe
February 22, 2010 at 2:26 pmubuntu in napa. best vegetarian cuisine ever!
Kristin
February 22, 2010 at 2:27 pmI grew up in Healdsburg and have never had the pleasure of eating at Dry Creek Kitchen!
The locals tend to go for cheaper eats…my favorite place to eat growing up was Taco Grande (it’s by the Raven Film Center…get the veggie burrito!) and every time I come home, I have to stop by.
Fitch Mountain Eddie’s is another local favorite…I crave their Cleopatra salad and have concocted a version I make at home at least once a week.
As nicer restaurants go, I like Bistro Ralph on the plaza. It looks like you haven’t been yet and you should go! Their ice cream sundae is to DIE for, and they apparently have great chicken livers (never brave enough to try them, though!). If you ever want to go, my sister has worked there for years so I could probably get you a deal. 🙂
stephanie
February 22, 2010 at 2:36 pmI live in west LA, and my favorite restaurant is Palaminos by far! They have the most amazing half price happy hour menu all day, and yummy cranberry mojitos and pomegranite margs for only 4 bucks!!
Rasa
February 22, 2010 at 2:39 pmI’m local! I’m local! My favorite is Rosso Pizzeria in Santa Rosa. Just yum. And I’d love to get a chance to judge Dry Creek Kitchen for myself — My MIL (who lives in HBG) had a bad lunch experience there years ago and is convinced it’s horrible.
xandra
February 22, 2010 at 2:53 pmBoathouse Sushi in Rohnert Park….fresh ingredients, delicious rolls (many to choose from) & yummy cocktails!
woman&warrior
February 22, 2010 at 2:56 pmHappy and hungry east bay reader here! What a cool giveaway. My favorite restaurant is A Cote! You gotta try this place girl. My favorite on the cheaps place to eat is Arizmendi–divine sourdough crust pizza.
Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat)
February 22, 2010 at 3:03 pmThat looks delish! Making me regret the daily Clif bars I’ve been slamming for breakfast recently — a girl’s gotta budget while traveling! 😉
Linda
February 22, 2010 at 3:04 pmMy favorite restaurant is La Garage in Sausalito, right on one of the docks. The food and service is fantastic.
Katie
February 22, 2010 at 3:06 pmI live in the east bay and after reading about Pican on Beth’s blog pretty by the bay I knew I had to try it. I ate dinner there last night and it was A-maz-ing. Fabulous food and fantastic service. A phenomenal all around experience. We were seated right next to the kitchen and got to see everything as it came out. I can’t wait to go back so I can try more of their menu!
I’d love to try Dry Creek Kitchen on my next trip up to Healdsburg. Gotta go soon since we joined the Michel Schlumberger wine club and need to pickup out shipments!
Christa
February 22, 2010 at 3:31 pmAd Hoc! We went there in December and it was absolutely fantastic. Would love to come back north (I live in LA) to try another great restaurant!
Becca
February 22, 2010 at 3:36 pmRutherford Grill in Napa. They used to have the most amazing Riesling but sadly it has vanished from the menu. I still go back all the time for the incredible food and to relax on the gorgeous outside patio after a day of wine tasting!
Anna @ OatsnBoats
February 22, 2010 at 3:49 pmWell, it’s not dinner, but my favorite place in the area is the Wildflower Bread (http://www.wildflourbread.com/) in Freestone – perfect Saturday morning is going and getting a fresh scone, some hot chocolate, and wandering through their garden. In my own town I adore Tucos (http://tucos.org/).
Ilene
February 22, 2010 at 3:50 pmHaha In N Out on occasion and Souplantation!
jb
February 22, 2010 at 4:08 pmi have so many favorite restaurants in norcal i don’t even know where to start. but right now i’m craving ethiopian food from club waziema in sf. it’s a divey restaurant/bar on divisidero and their vegetarian combo plate is incredible!
lizzy
February 22, 2010 at 4:17 pmHi I’m a NorCal reader!! I would love to win this gift certificate! Have you been to Sake O’?? It’s in Healdsburg! They serve delicious sushi!!
Colleen
February 22, 2010 at 4:33 pmOoh, fun giveaway! I live in Oakland, and my favorite spot is Spettro on Lakeshore. Awesome fresh food – yet affordable! 🙂
Sara
February 22, 2010 at 4:33 pmAd Hoc or Bottega in Yountville. Girl and the Fig in Sonoma. YUM!!! All amazing food, wine and service. Love all Napa/Sonoma Resaurants!
Sara
February 22, 2010 at 4:34 pmAd Hoc or Bottega in Yountville. Girl and the Fig in Sonoma. YUM!!! All amazing food, wine and service. Love all Napa/Sonoma Resaurants!
Melissa
February 22, 2010 at 4:42 pmHey, silly question…what’s “chia”? I love how you add some almond milk to the overnight oats. Love those overnights oats! Too bad I’m not local, the giveaway looks good. 🙂
Nicole
February 22, 2010 at 5:03 pmSo I’m not that close to you but I would be willing to make the drive. My new favorite place is in berkeley/oakland and its called A’cote. Everything is just wonderful, fresh and paired with yummy wines!
Lipika
February 22, 2010 at 5:07 pmI just moved down to LA for grad school but your blog makes me miss the Bay Area sooo much!
My favorite restaurant is Three Seasons in Palo Alto. They have amazing vietnamese food, and a location up in SF as well.
alyssa
February 22, 2010 at 5:27 pmI’ll be in california in less than a month, so I’m going to enter! 🙂
My favorite restaurant that is California-local would have to be a childhood favorite. It was a burger joint in Santa Barbara called “The Spot”. Delicious burgers. Amazing memories with my family. THE BEST FRIES.
Amanda
February 22, 2010 at 5:53 pmThose look so delicious! I haven’t tried adding cinnamon to mine yet-but I will definitely have to try it because it looks amazing!! =]
Jules @ eatdrinklivelearn
February 22, 2010 at 5:54 pmNot local, so not entering…but I wish I lived nearby so I could try all the delicious recommendations above! To whoever wins, enjoy!! 🙂
Courtney Craig
February 22, 2010 at 6:12 pmMy favorite local eats?!? Gosh…there are so many. It’s a toss-up between food quality & ambience. My husband and I don’t like to spend too much when eating, so we don’t often get to enjoy dinners like you often have 😉 but sunny San Diego does offer some delicious options, for sure! Right now my tops are 1) Lefty’s Chicago Pizzeria for it’s the best option we’ve found for traditional Chicago deep dish pizza (mouth water now) west of the Mississippi; and 2) Old Venice for ambience. This Italian restaurants boasts an amazing menu plus an outdoor magical garden that feels like you’re in a friend’s living room with twinkle lights galore (www.oldvenicerestaurant.com)! If you’re ever down here, Jenna, it’s a MUST!
Jade
February 22, 2010 at 6:20 pmWe live in Florida but are going to Healdsburg in May for our anniversary and I would love to make Dry Creek Kitchen my new favorite restaurant!
Annie
February 22, 2010 at 6:22 pmCool prize! I’d say right now my favorite is Park Chow in San Francisco! I haven’t explored Sonoma restaurants yet, but I’d love to! 🙂
CaitlinRose
February 22, 2010 at 6:29 pmI guess it’s gotta be Gary Danko in SF, the Dining Room at the Ritz, or A Cote in Oakland. these are all super-special occasion only restaurants though!
Ashlei
February 22, 2010 at 6:35 pmI love Teavana <3
Michelle
February 22, 2010 at 6:58 pmgreens! in san francisco, at fort mason. have you been there yet? it’s amazing! it’s a somewhat fancy restaurant that has an all vegetarian menu based on local, organic produce. check it out – http://www.greensrestaurant.com/
seems like it would be right up your alley!
Katherine
February 22, 2010 at 7:05 pmI would love to try Dry Creek Kitchen– I just moved to the Bay Area last year and haven’t gotten to explore many restaurants outside of San Francisco! My favorite restaurant in SF is La Mar, a Peruvian cebicheria at the Embarcadero!
marie
February 22, 2010 at 7:22 pmomg omg omg omg
it is going to take me 15 minutes to think of my favorite bay area restaurant. hold on. i really love the prado in san diego… or maybe marin joe’s in marin… idk this is a really loaded question for me…
Caitlin
February 22, 2010 at 7:28 pmHi I would love to try Dry Creek Kitchen! I grew up in Sebastopol (still live in CA but a bit farther away) and my favorite restaurant is the Himalayan Tandoori & Curry House in Sebastopol, you have to try it! Try Peter Lowells in Sebastopol too!
Lisa
February 22, 2010 at 7:28 pmI live in Rohnert Park and my husband and I would LOVE to try Dry Creek Kitchen. The recession has hit our family hard, so we don’t eat out as often as we used to, but one of our traditions is to meet our friends at our local El Torito’s on Tuesday night for “Taco Tuesday”. They make fresh corn tortillas as you order them and then fill them with chicken or steak or carnitas and let you add the fixins. They’re small, but for 99 cents each they’re a bargain! Add a margarita and you’ve got dinner for under 10 bucks 🙂 I know it’s not posh, but it’s good food and when you add good friends you can’t beat it.
Michelle
February 22, 2010 at 7:31 pmMy favorite local restaurant is Mas in Roseville, CA, could eat there everyday!
Megan
February 22, 2010 at 7:36 pmI am a huge breakfast eater. It is my favorite meal of the day and where I live there is this great restaurant called Peg’s Glorified Ham and Eggs. They have the best omelets ever! They are huge and so tasty. My second favorite place to go is called The Squeeze In. No joke, they have about 50 omelets to choose from and they let you write on their walls. How cool is that? It has the great hippie vibe to it as well. I go there when I want to get in touch with my tree-hugger side.
Peggy
February 22, 2010 at 7:59 pmTwo people have already said it, but the Slanted Door in the Ferry Market Building in SF is UN.BE.LIEVABLE. I had one of the two best meals of my life there (haha yeah, I do keep track…) this fall, from appetizers and cocktails through entrees and dessert. I seriously thought I might pass out every time the server came back, haha. Dry Creek Kitchen looks amazing, and would be a fun excuse to take my boyfriend out to wine country!
Laurel
February 22, 2010 at 8:28 pmThe Cliff House restaurant at Land’s End in San Francisco…mmm, mmm good. 🙂
amber's notebook
February 22, 2010 at 8:32 pmMy favorite Local restaurant is Nibblers Wine and Small plate Eatery. They are local and everything they have is from local farms. They have fabulous wine pairings and yummy flights. The menu has a new focus every month and I LOVE the small plates. Perfect to get a few bites of so many yummy things.
Jessie
February 22, 2010 at 8:35 pmSooo many amazing restaurants in NorCal! I will forever and ever love Sabieng, my fave Thai restaurant in Santa Cruz. SC is such a great food city!
Staci
February 22, 2010 at 8:35 pmMy favorite is Taylor’s Refresher in Napa (and SF), their egg buns and sweet potato fries are to die for. Obsessed!
Holly
February 22, 2010 at 8:45 pmMine is East West Cafe on Summerfield Rd in Santa Rosa. Mmmmm falafel wrap!
emily
February 22, 2010 at 9:31 pmi love pauline’s here in the city for pizza, papalote for burritos, and humphry slocombe for ice cream, and scopa in healdsburg!
Kim
February 22, 2010 at 9:56 pmI live in the bay area… my fav restaurant is La Mediterranee in Berkeley. They have the best food and fun atmosphere. I would love to try Dry Creek Kitchen, sounds fabulous!
ally
February 22, 2010 at 10:36 pmI just moved to Santa Rosa recently and my best friend sent me your blog when she read that you recently moved to the area too! I love reading about all the local spots you go to (I am obsessed with yogurt time!!) I would absolutely love to try out Dry Creek Kitchen, I have heard so many great things about it. As for my favorite restaurant in the area I would have to say El Coqui Puerto Rican Restaurant downtown. I never thought I would like Puerto Rican food but the guacamole and plantane’s are to die for!! You should definitely give them a try.
Melanie
February 23, 2010 at 6:06 amHopefully I’m not too late!! I love Rosso Pizzeria on Montgomery Drive. The crust is amazing, chewy, crispy, and light. And the calamari is delicious, too!
carolyn
February 23, 2010 at 7:55 amSol Food in San Rafael….best Puerto Rican food outside San Juan and Pesce in the City…best roasted garlic crab EVER!~!
Christina
February 23, 2010 at 9:02 amI love Fresca in SF (there are a few of them in the city)
Suzanne
February 23, 2010 at 9:09 amI love Scott’s Seafood. Their lobster tail rocks.
Kimberly
February 23, 2010 at 3:43 pmMy favorite local restaurant is actually more of a bakery than a restaurant. It’s Della Fattoria in Petaluma. The smell alone when you walk in is to die for!
Staceyhttp://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/
February 23, 2010 at 6:14 pmThe pbj larabar by far is my favorite and the best one.
Joe
April 27, 2010 at 10:35 amThe pbj larabar by far is my favorite and the best one.