FROM THE KITCHEN

Southwest Sonoma County Dining Adventures

BY ROBERT CURRY | WINE SPECTATOR GREYSTONE RESTAURANT

Ranging from the newest take on California cuisine, to exceptional creations of organic seasonal ingredients or casual historic roadhouse fare, Southwest County offers much more diverse and special cuisine than it gets credit for…these choices deserve your consideration any time you are in the area.

The buzz is on about an exciting dining experience in Rohnert Park called LATITUDE. This refreshing new bar and dining complex fills the formerly dark and staid Wine & Visitors Center with uncommon spirit and quality, adjacent to the Doubletree Hotel at the north end of town. Unpretentious yet special, sophisticated but comprehensible, the staples of new California cuisine are surrounded by inventive appetizers, luscious desserts and all the trimmings in a great setting. A family-friendly nature doesn’t sacrifice distinctive personality and spirit, which your adult parties will enjoy as well. Enjoy wine or a cocktail outdoors on the picturesque lake with a view, the awesome Sunday Buffet Brunch has also quickly become a popular feature of this new landmark.

The arrangement of high ceilings, wood ovens and pensive art at LUCY'S CAFÉ might suggest that you are in the big city, but the uncommon food elements coming together in this great atmosphere at the edge of Sebastopol Town Square make this a favorite Sebastopolian dining spot. The adventure begins with stellar organic bread baked on-premise, and continues across the dense menu built from special seasonal treats…and don’t forget the pizza! After a change of hours, Lucy’s is open only for dinner, from 5-10pm (Fri/Sat until 11), but you should take note that they also serve delicious focaccia and other baked goods on Sundays at the Sebastopol Farmers Market in the adjacent Town Square. If you are celebrating a wine purchase or a special occasion, the reasonable corkage and cake fees of just $10 each will close the deal here.

Not far from the freeway just north of Petaluma, the WASHOE HOUSE has been fueling and re-fueling travelers on Stony Point Road for 145 years. Pull your 21st Century stagecoach into the lot and step up to the bar of the oldest roadhouse in the State of California. Tread creaky wooden floorboards, uneven and worn by thousands of bandits, prostitutes, cowboys and other diverse travelers like you. Consistent family ownership across more than 30 years has paid off here, where they offer the kind of authentic treat that nowadays one doesn’t find often enough, at this old stagecoach stop in business since 1859. A Washoe House favorite is the Buffalo Burger, so this is a great spot for an informal kind of healthy appetite…the kind of place where you are a fool if you don’t save room for pie.

LATITUDE | (707) 588-1800
5000 Roberts Lake Road

LUCY'S CAFÉ | (707) 829-9713
6948 Sebastopol Avenue

WASHOE HOUSE | (707) 795-4544
Corner of Stony Point Road & Roblar Road