country casual. $$. Wine shop and bistro with maverick moxie for the wine cowboy. Premium bottles for sale, also. Lunch and dinner, Tues-Sun; open late, Thurs-Sat. 975 First St, Napa. 707.255.0622.
Brannan’s Grill California cuisine. $$-$$$. Creative cuisine in handsome Craftsman setting. Lunch and dinner daily. 1347 Lincoln Ave, Calistoga. 707.942.2233.
Brassica Mediterranean. $$-$$$. Cindy Pawlcyn’s newsest venture features creative tapas, Middle Eastinspired dishes and extensive by-the-glass wine list. Lunch and dinner daily. 641 Main St, St Helena. 707.963.0700.
Celadon Global comfort food. $$. Relaxed sophistication in intimate neighborhood bistro setting by the creek. Superior wine list. Lunch, Mon-Fri; dinner daily. 500 Main St, Ste G, Napa. 707.254.9690.
Checkers California. $$. Perfect casual spot for dinner before the movie. Try the panéed chicken and butternut squash ravioli. Lunch and dinner daily. 1414 Lincoln Ave, Calistoga. 707.942.9300.
Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen Eclectic. $$-$$$. As comfortable as it sounds, with a rich and varied melting pot of a menu. Lunch and dinner daily. 1327 Railroad Ave, St Helena. 707.963.1200.
Gilwoods Cafe Diner.
Marisco La Jaiba The last time I dined at Mariscos F. Magiy, a bulldog wandered out of the back room and growled at me while I was eating. “It’s OK,” the waiter assured me, yelling angrily in Spanish at the dog to get back in the kitchen. As soon as the guy left, the dog came right back, at my table, growling at me louder than before. Last year, F. Magiy changed owners, but it was a turnkey sale—the unassuming blue-and-white building looks exactly the same. Still leery, it took me eight months to give it another try. I’m pleased to report that under the new name, La Jaiba, it’s changed for the better. At La Jaiba, flower vases on each table are filled with sprigs of cilantro, for diners to nip off as a condiment. Service is quick and friendly. And the fillette à la diabla ($13) is a dish to be reckoned with, comprised of two whole fish, filleted, fried and smothered in a rich, heavy sauce. Though not as punishing as other diablo sauces in town (I’m looking at you, Las Palmas), it packs a unique punch and arrives with cucumber slices to calm the fire. Beans, rice, lettuce and avocado fill the plate, while six heated corn tortillas are more than plentiful. The rest of the menu skews cheaper, with tacos, burritos, seafood cocktail and soup in the $2–$10 range; seafood is the specialty. While I ate, a nearby party finished dinner and unpacked their accordion, bass and guitar, and started spontaneously rehearsing songs in the corner of the restaurant. It goes without saying, but I’ll take that kind of ambiance over a growling bulldog any day. La Jaiba, 1099 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa. 707.595.1462.—Gabe Meline
Gott’s Roadside Tray Gourmet Diner. $. Formerly Taylor’ Automatic Refresher. Lunch and dinner daily. 933 Main St, St Helena. 707.963.3486. Also at Oxbow Public Market, 644 First St, Napa. 707.224,6900.
some of the best in the North Bay. Lunch, Mon-Fri; dinner daily. 1260 Main St (at Clinton), Napa. 707.255.5552.
Pizza Azzurro Italian. $.
Red Rock Cafe & Backdoor BBQ American.
Run by a former Tra Vigne and Lark Creek Inn alum, the pizza is simple and thin, and ranks as
$-$$. Cafe specializing in barbecue and classic diner fare. Messy, delicious. Lunch and
Brewmaster Dinner Series
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dinner daily. 1010 Lincoln Ave, Napa. 707.226.2633.
Ubuntu Vegetarian. $$$$. Some of the most remarkable vegetables and fruits available on a restaurant plate. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. 1140 Main St, Napa. 707.251.5656.
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BEAR REPUBLIC BREWING CO. Special Guest: Ricardo Norgrove, Proprietor
St. Patrick’s Day Saturday, March 17th
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Reception: 6:30 Dinner:7:00 $ 69 plus tax & gratuity
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Hors d’Oeuvre Reception Featuring: XP Pale Ale MENU House-Made Gravad Lox orange segments, arugula, caramel citrus dressing
Red Rocket Ale Pear & Gorgonzola Ravioli walnut cream sauce
Racer X Coffee-Rubbed Filet Mignon green peppercorn sauce, basil-mashed potatoes, green beans
Hop Rod Rye Chocolate Decadence hazelnut sauce, coffee ice cream
Big Bear Black Stout
• FURNITURE • FRUIT LABELS • GARDEN ANTIQUES • Friends don’t let friends miss our
Anniversary
SALE! This fri, sat & sun
20% off
storewide!
Antique Society On Sebastopol’s Antique Row 2661 Gravenstein Hwy So. (Hwy 116) antiquesociety.com 707.829.1733
100 Dealers, Our 23rd Year!
TOYS & DOLLS • ARTS & CRAFTS • POST MODERN
$-$$. Classic hometown diner, specializes in the homemade. Breakfast and lunch daily. 1320 Napa Town Center, Napa. 707.253.0409. 1313 Main St, St Helena. 707.963.1788.
2nd Annual
LIGHTING • KITCHEN TOOLS • ARCHITECTURAL • GLASS
Bounty Hunter Wine
SMALL BITES
reservations: 707.875.3652 or email: reservations@innatthetides.com
The Tides Wharf 835 Hwy 1, Bodega Bay www.InnattheTides.com
15 NO RTH BAY BO H E M I AN | MAR C H 14– 20, 201 2 | BOH E MI A N.COM
and high-end ingredients. Gorgeous chipotle-braised short ribs and pulled pork. Lunch and dinner daily. 3900-D Bel Aire Plaza, Napa. 707.224.6600.