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Howard and Bob Simontachi’s wood oven at Brick and Bottle turns out plenty of palatable pies to carve. Offering comfortable food with friendly tableside service, this eatery is a mighty brick house. 55 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera. 415.924.3366. . . At Franco’s Ristorante, anyone who walks through the door is instantly related. Franco’s is the place to come home to, especially when the late night munchies hit. Open Friday and Saturday nights from 11:30pm to 3am for pizza by the slice. 505 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa. 707.523.4800. . . . From the house to the garage, to L’Appart Resto, made in full by Olivier Souvestre and Bruno Denis, the very same duo who graced Sausalito with Le Garage. Featuring fine French dishes, L’Appart brings the simplicity and subtlety of French food to Marin. 636 San Anselmo Ave., San Anselmo. 415.256.9884. . . . Subtlety is not the name of the game for Whipper Snapper in San Rafael, where spunky Caribbean and Spanish sabor pairs with dramatic dÊcor. 1613 Fourth St., San Rafael. 415.256.1818. . . . Meanwhile, Bistro M indulges the ironic eye that appreciates the fashion faux pas of wine country cyclists. The outdoor patio affords magnificent views of these tight, neon wonders, the perfect contrast to simple, elegant fare. 610 McClelland Drive, Windsor. 707.838.3118. . . . What’s the lovechild of to-go lunches and aesthetically pleasing edibles? Bento boxes at Sushi 69, where an obsession with fresh satisfies the appetite for surf. The restaurant also offers an extensive beer and sake selection to rival any wine list. 69 Center Blvd., San Anselmo. 415.459.6969. . . . NewZ is riding on a lot of waves, combining simple and elegant California cuisine with traditional French and Italian classics. Edgy wines and lighter brunch fare make it a place for both the new and old. 282 Bon Air Center, Greenbrae. 415.925.4370. . . . Sure, the wines at NewZ are edgy, but they’re nothing like the gleam on Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto’s santoku knife. Brimming with celebrity lore, Morimoto promises to roll out the red carpet. 610 Main St., Napa. 707.252.1600. . . . Stroll down the street and go from finely sliced fish at Morimoto’s to some finely sliced cured meats at Oenotri. Authentic Neopolitan pizzas and a dizzying variety of salumi paired with wines from Southern Italy make this simple but elegant eatery a favorite. 1425 First St., Napa. 707.252.1022. . . . Sure, the North Bay boasts a lot of great international cuisines. But American cuisine can’t be beat, especially since it’s really got it all. For culinary diversity, head to Grace’s Table, where tuna Niçoise is served next to tamales and hanger steak frites plays neighbor to Creole mussels. 1400 Second St., Napa. 707.226.6200. . . .
NEW & NOTABLE Sharpen your skills and whet your appetite by eating somewhere new
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Box OfďŹ ce 707 523 4185, ext 1 52 West 6th Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95401
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he wine country’s not the first place that comes to mind for finger-licking Southern comfort like fried chicken and pulled-pork sandwiches. But the Fremont Diner’s got the first word on hearty diner food when respite from the elevated etiquette of vineyard-side dining is in order. 2698 Fremont Drive, Sonoma. 707.938.7370. . . . Sonoma’s got everyone’s soul food fix, the sort one might find hikers using to refuel in the German Alps. Lokal proudly boasts hearty Bavarian heart-warmers like spätzle and schnitzel with a heart-stopping selection of brews to fit every taste. 522 Broadway St., Sonoma. 707.938.7373. . . . If what warms the heart brings the family to mind, Mill Valley’s fledgling Dish is the place to kick back for some neighborhood chatter. Beautiful outdoor seating allows locals to catch glimpses of Mt. Tamalpais as they gather ’round the dinner table. 507 Miller Ave., Mill Valley. 415.388.3474. . . . For those who’d rather conquer purple mountain majesties than gaze
THE BOHEMIAN
at them, Boon might be the “it� feeding ground. The complement to the boon hotel + spa brings a simple, fresh menu of artisan sandwiches and tasty, local main dishes to the more intrepid interlopers of the wine country. 16248 Main St., Guerneville. 707.869.0780. . . . Just upstream from Boon is Healdsburg’s Spoonbar, nestled neatly inside the brandnew H2H, the town’s eco-sensible tourist destination. Featuring artisan cocktails prepared by mixologist Scott Beattie, one can sip and nibble near the plinking water wall of spoons created by sculptor Ned Kahn. Chef Rudy Mihal’s lineup of Mediterranean-inspired skewers and flat breads offer sustenance to those who have traveled far and wide to enjoy the bar’s generous natural lighting and nature-made ambiance. 219 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg. 707.433.7222. . . . Who needs spoons when you can wield a pizza cutter? Scott
—Anna Schuessler