.Food & Drink

Writer's Picks

03.23.11

Best Beans for Peace of Mind

Fair trade. Single origin. Green-certified. Organic. Artisan-roasted. These are just a few of the reasons why you voted Yo el Rey Roasting as Napa County’s best coffeehouse.

J. Kirk Feiereisen opened the roastery and cafe in 2008, after learning about fair trade while at a protest. “I had to find out what it was,” Feiereisen says. His research exposed him to a new world of coffee sourcing—in particular, how fair trade helps out the farmer. “He’s growing it from the soil and putting his sweat, blood and tears into it. The coffee itself is a little more expensive and the extra money goes to the farmer,” he explains. “It helps support the infrastructure of the villages and gives them a place to stand as businessmen and women, to better their lives.”

Feiereisen likens the complexities of flavors and dependence on terroir of his medium-roasted coffee beans to wine, an apt comparison considering the cafe’s location in the heart of wine country. “Most of the people here are tourists that come for wine,” he says. “I connected the coffee to wine, used that analogy and they perked up and said, ‘Oh, I know exactly what you mean.'”—L.C.

Best Farmers Market

Marin

Marin Civic Center Farmers Market

10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. 415.421.8497.

Napa

First Place Tie

Calistoga Farmers Market

1546 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga. 707.942.8892.

St. Helena Farmers Market

Crane Park, St. Helena. 707.486.2662.

Sonoma

Santa Rosa Farmers Market

Veterans Building, Santa Rosa. 707.522.8629.

Honorable Mention

Sebastopol Farmers Market

Downtown Plaza, Sebastopol. 707.522.9305.

Best Organic Farm

Marin

Marin Sun Farms

10905 Hwy 1, Pt. Reyes Station. 415.663.8997.

Napa

Forni Brown Gardens

1214 Pine St., Calistoga. 707.942.6123.

Sonoma

Tara Firma Farms

3796 I St., Petaluma. 707.765.1202.

Honorable Mention

Laguna Farm

1764 Cooper Road, Sebastopol. 707.823.0823.

Best Bagel

Marin

Barton’s Bagels

645 San Anselmo Ave., San Anselmo. 415.458.8818.

Napa

Golden Bagel

3240 Jefferson St., Napa. 707.258.1413.

Sonoma

Grateful Bagel

300 S. Main St., Sebastopol. 707.829.5220.

Honorable Mention

Sonoma Valley Bagel

2194 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa. 707.579.5484.

Best Bakery

Marin

Emporio Rulli

464 Magnolia Ave., Larkspur. 415.924.7478.

Napa

Model Bakery

644 First St. #B, Napa. 707.259.1128.

Sonoma

Village Bakery

7225 Healdsburg Ave., Sebastopol. 707.829.8101.

1445 Town and Country Drive, Santa Rosa. 707.527.7654.

Honorable Mention

Wild Flour Bread

140 Bohemian Hwy., Freestone. 707.874.2938.

Best Barbecue

Marin

Roadside BBQ

5000 Northgate Mall #135, San Rafael. 415.479.7200.

Napa

Buster’s BBQ

1207 Foothill Blvd., Calistoga. 707.942.5605.

Sonoma

Lombardi’s BBQ & Catering

3413 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma. 707.773.1271.

Honorable Mention

BBQ Smokehouse Restaurant

6811 Laguna Park Way, Sebastopol. 707.575.3277.

Best Burger

Marin

Phyllis’ Giant Burgers

2202 Fourth St., San Rafael. 415.456.0866.

Napa

Gott’s Roadside

933 Main St., St. Helena. 707.963.3486.

644 First St., Napa. 707.224.6900.

Sonoma

Mike’s at the Crossroads

7665 Old Redwood Hwy., Cotati. 707.665.9999.

Honorable Mention

The Original Superburger

1501 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. 707.546.4016.

Best Pizza

Marin

Lo Coco’s

638 San Anselmo Ave., San Anselmo. 415.453.1238.

Napa

Azzurro Pizzeria

1260 Main St., Napa. 707.255.5552.

Sonoma

Mombo’s Pizza

1886 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa. 707.528.3278.

Honorable Mention

Old Chicago Pizza

41 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma. 707.763.3897.

Best Ice Cream

Marin

Fairfax Scoop

63 Broadway Blvd., Fairfax. 415.453.3130.

Napa

Three Twins Ice Cream

610 First St., Napa. 707.257.8946.

Sonoma

Screamin’ Mimi’s

6902 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol. 707.823.5902.

Honorable Mention

Lala’s Creamery

134 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma. 707.763.5252.

Best Frozen Yogurt

Marin

Berry Bliss Yogurt

2247 Larkspur Landing Circle, Larkspur. 415.925.1955.

Napa

Yo’Belle

3900 Bel Aire Plaza, Napa. 707.226.1899.

Sonoma

Berry Chill Frozen Yogurt

708 E. Washington St., Petaluma. 707.778.8878.

Honorable Mention

Honey Moon Frozen Yogurt

7108 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol. 707.829.9866.

Best Candy – Chocolate Shop

Marin

Gandolf’s Fine Chocolate, Marin Farmers Market

10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. 707.861.0489.

Napa

Anette’s Chocolate Factory

1321 First St., Napa. 707.252.4228.

Sonoma

Viva Cocolat

110 Petaluma Blvd., Petaluma. 707.778.9888.

Honorable Mention

Sonoma Chocolatiers

6899 McKinley St., Sebastopol. 707.829.1181.

Best Chocolatier

Napa

Woodhouse Chocolate

1367 Main St., St. Helena.

707.963.8413.

Sonoma

Sonoma Chocolatiers

6899 McKinley St., Sebastopol. 707.829.1181.

Honorable Mention

Viva Cocolat

110 Petaluma Blvd., Petaluma. 707.778.9888.

Best Juice Bar

Marin

Jamba Juice

266 Northgate One, San Rafael. 415.491.7700.

Bon Air Shopping Center, Ross Valley. 415.925.8470.

45 Camino Alto #111, Mill Valley. 415.380.0773.

5720 Nave Drive, Novato. 415.881.9256.

Sonoma

Juice Shack

2154 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa. 707.522.6289.

1810 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa. 707.528.6131.

901 Village Court, Santa Rosa. 707.522.6822.

1708 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. 707.664.1787.

Honorable Mention

Fruit in Motion

3 Fourth St., Petaluma. 707.776.4559.

Best Cafe – Coffeehouse

Marin

Marin Coffee Roasters

546 San Anselmo Ave., San Anselmo. 415.258.9549.

1551 S. Novato Blvd., Novato. 415.892.8373.

Napa

First Place Tie

Yo el Rey Roasting

1217 Washington St., Calistoga. 707.942.1180.

Napa Valley Roasting Company

948 Main St., Napa. 707.224.2233.

Sonoma

Flying Goat Coffee

324 Center St., Healdsburg. 707.433.3599.

419 Center St., Healdsburg. 707.433.8003.

10 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. 707.575.1202.

Honorable Mention

A’Roma Roasters Coffee & Tea

95 Fifth St., Santa Rosa. 707.576.7765.

Best Breakfast

Marin

First Place Tie

Crepevine

908 Fourth St., San Rafael. 415.257.8822.

Half Day Cafe

848 College Ave., Kentfield. 415.459.0291.

Napa

Gilwoods Cafe

1320 Town Center, Napa. 707.253.0409.

Sonoma

Howard’s Station Cafe

3611 Bohemian Hwy., Occidental. 707.874.2838.

Honorable Mention

Dierk’s Parkside Cafe

404 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa. 707.573.5955.

Best Brunch

Marin

Buckeye Roadhouse

15 Shoreline Hwy., Mill Valley. 415.331.2600.

Napa Market

1347 Main St., St. Helena. 707.963.3799.

Sonoma

Willow Wood Market & Cafe

9020 Graton Road, Graton. 707.823.0233.

Honorable Mention

Flamingo Resort Hotel

2777 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. 707.545.8530.

Best Diner

Marin

Bubba’s Fine Diner

566 San Anselmo Ave., San Anselmo. 415.459.6862.

Napa

Soscol Cafe

632 Soscol Ave., Napa. 707.252.0651.

Sonoma

D’s Diner

7260 Healdsburg Ave., Sebastopol. 707.829.8080.

Honorable Mention

Hallie’s Diner

125 Keller St., Petaluma. 707.773.1143.

Best Deli

Marin

Michael’s Sourdough

3095 Kerner Blvd., Ste. L, San Rafael. 415.485.0964.

Napa

Genova Deli

1550 Trancas St., Napa. 707.253.8686.

Sonoma

Traverso’s Gourmet Foods

2097 Stagecoach Road, Santa Rosa. 707.542.2530.

Honorable Mention

Mac’s Deli

640 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. 707.545.3785.

Best Outdoor Dining

Marin

Sam’s Anchor Cafe

27 Main St., Tiburon. 415.435.4527.

Napa

Solbar at Solage Calistoga

755 Silverado Trail, Calistoga. 866.942.7442.

Sonoma

Corks at Russian River Vineyards

5700 Gravenstein Hwy. N., Forestville. 707.887.3344.

Honorable Mention

Rendez Vous Bistro

614 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. 707.526.7700.

Best Dining After 10pm

Marin

Marin Joe’s

1585 Casa Buena Drive, Corte Madera. 415.924.2081.

Napa

Norman Rose Tavern

1401 First St., Napa. 707.258.1516.

Sonoma

Underwood Bar & Bistro

9113 Graton Road, Graton. 707.823.7023.

Honorable Mention

Rendez Vous Bistro

614 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. 707.526.7700.

Best Spot to Dine Solo

Marin

Sol Food

901 Lincoln Ave., San Rafael. 415.451.5765.

Napa

Carpe Diem Wine Bar

1001 Second St., Napa. 707.224.0800.

Sonoma

Willow Wood Market & Cafe

9020 Graton Road, Graton. 707.823.0233.

Honorable Mention

Peter Lowell’s

7385 Healdsburg Ave., Sebastopol. 707.829.1077.

Best Caterer

Marin

Insalata’s

120 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., San Anselmo. 415.457.7700.

Napa

Elaine Bell Catering

776 Technology Way, Napa. 707.603.1400.

Sonoma

A La Heart Catering

600 Wilson St., Santa Rosa. 707.527.7555.

Honorable Mention

Aioli Deli

6536 Front St., Forestville. 707.887.2476.

Best Chef

Marin

Adam Mali, Nick’s Cove

23240 Hwy. 1, Marshall. 415.663.1033.

Napa

First Place Tie

Ken Frank, La Toque Restaurant

1314 McKinstry St., Napa. 707.257.5157.

Matt Spector, JoLe

1457 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga. 707.942.5938.

Sonoma

Tony Najiola, Central Market

42 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma. 707.778.9900.

Honorable Mention Tie

Josh Silvers, Jackson’s Bar & Oven

135 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. 707.545.6900.

Brian Anderson, Bistro 29

620 Fifth St., Santa Rosa. 707.546.2929.

Best Restaurant

Marin

Le Garage Bistro

85 Liberty Ship Way, Sausalito. 415.332.5625.

Napa

JoLe

1457 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga. 707.942.5938.

Sonoma

ZaZu Restaurant & Farm

3535 Guerneville Road, Santa Rosa. 707.523.4814.

Honorable Mention

El Coqui

400 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa. 707.542.8868.

Best New Restaurant

Marin

Osteria Stellina

11285 Hwy. 1, Pt. Reyes Station.

415.663.9988.

Napa

Norman Rose Tavern

1401 First St., Napa. 707.258.1516.

Sonoma

Rustic, Francis’s Favorites

300 Via Archimedes, Geyserville. 707.857.1485.

Honorable Mention

Sarah’s Forestville Kitchen

6566 Front St., Forestville. 707.887.1055.

Best Chinese

Marin

Jennie Low’s

38 Miller Ave., Mill Creek Plaza, Mill Valley. 415.388.8868.

Vintage Oaks Mall, Novato. 415.892.8838.

Napa

Soo Yuan

1354 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga. 707.942.9404.

Sonoma

Gary Chu’s

611 Fifth St., Santa Rosa. 707.526.5840.

Honorable Mention

China Room

500 Mission Blvd., Santa Rosa. 707.539.5570.

Best French

Marin

Le Garage Bistro

85 Liberty Ship Way, Sausalito. 415.332.5625.

Napa

Angele

540 Main St., Napa. 707.252.8115.

Sonoma

La Gare

208 Wilson St., Santa Rosa. 707.528.4355.

Honorable Mention

Bistro 29

620 Fifth St., Santa Rosa. 707.546.2929.

Best Indian

Marin

Avatars Punjabi Burritos

15 Madrona St., Mill Valley. 415.381.8293.

131 Kentucky St., Petaluma. 707.765.9775.

Napa

Neela’s

975 Clinton St., Napa. 707.226.9988.

Sonoma

Sizzling Tandoor

409 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa. 707.579.5999.

Honorable Mention Tie

Himalayan Kabob & Curry House

220 Western Ave., Petaluma. 707.775.4453.

Pamposh Fine Indian Cuisine

52 Mission Circle, Santa Rosa. 707.538.3367.

Best Italian

Marin

Fradelizio’s Ristorante

35 Broadway, Fairfax. 415.459.1618.

Napa

Ristorante Allegria

1026 First St., Napa. 707.254.8397.

Sonoma

Cucina Paradiso

114 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma. 707.782.1130.

Honorable Mention

LoCoco’s

117 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. 707.523.2227.

Best Japanese – Sushi

Marin

First Place Tie

Sushi Ran

107 Caledonia St., Sausalito. 415.332.3620.

Kamikaze Sushi Bar

223 Third St., San Rafael. 415.457.6776.

Napa

Sushi Mambo

1202 First St., Napa. 707.257.6604.

Sonoma

Sushi Tozai

7531 Healdsburg Ave., Sebastopol. 707.824.9886.

Honorable Mention

Hana Japanese Restaurant

101 Golf Course Drive, Rohnert Park. 707.586.0270.

Best Mediterranean

Marin

Hanna’s Italian Mediterranean Restaurant

1700 Fourth St., San Rafael. 415.457.6252.

Napa

Small World Restaurant

928 Coombs St., Napa. 707.224.7743.

Sonoma

Afendi’s Turkish Grill

299 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma. 707.763.1998.

Honorable Mention

East West Cafe

557 Summerfield Road, Santa Rosa. 707.546.6142.

Best Mexican

Marin

Puentez Taqueria

243 Third St., San Rafael. 415.721.7992.

Napa

First Place Tie

Compadres

505 Lincoln Ave., Napa. 707.253.1111.

Taqueria Rosita

1214 Main St., Napa. 707.253.9208.

Sonoma

Mi Pueblo Taqueria

800 Petaluma Blvd. N, Petaluma. 707.762.8192.

Honorable Mention

Martha’s Old Mexico

305 N. Main St., Sebastopol. 707.823.4458.

Best Seafood

Marin

Seafood Peddler

100 Yacht Club Drive, San Rafael. 415.460.6669.

Napa

Go Fish

641 Main St., St. Helena. 707.963.0700.

Sonoma

Willi’s Seafood & Raw Bar

403 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg. 707.433.9191.

Honorable Mention

The Tides Wharf

800 Hwy. 1, Bodega Bay. 707.875.3652.

Best Thai

Marin

Royal Thai Restaurant

610 Third St., San Rafael. 415.485.1074.

Napa

Mini Mango Thai Bistro

1408 Clay St., Napa. 707.226.8884.

Sonoma

Sea Thai Bistro

2323 Sonoma Ave., Santa Rosa. 707.528.8333.

Honorable Mention

Jhanthong Banbua

2400 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa. 707.528.8048.

Best Vietnamese

Marin

La Maison de la Reine

346 Corte Madera Town Center, Corte Madera. 415.927.0288.

Napa

Bui Bistro

976 Pearl St., Napa. 707.255.5417.

Sonoma

Simply Vietnam

966 N. Dutton Ave., Santa Rosa. 707.566.8910.

Honorable Mention

Pho Vietnam

711 Stony Point Road, Santa Rosa. 707.571.7687.

Best Vegetarian

Marin

Cafe Gratitude

2200 Fourth St., San Rafael. 415.824.4652.

Napa

Ubuntu Restaurant

1140 Main St., Napa. 707.251.5656.

Sonoma

Gaia’s Garden

1899 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa. 707.544.2491.

Honorable Mention

Cafe Gratitude

206 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg. 707.723.4461.

Best Bartender

Marin

Lila Mullins, George’s Nightclub

842 Fourth St., San Rafael. 415.226.0262.

Napa

First Place Tie

Danny Bazzoli, Calistoga Inn Restaurant & Brewery

1250 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga. 707.942.4101.

John Shaver, Calistoga Inn Restaurant & Brewery

1250 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga. 707.942.4101.

Sonoma

Frank Dice, Underwood Bar & Bistro

9113 Graton Road, Graton. 707.823.7023.

Honorable Mention Tie

Sean Dal Colletto, Santi

2097 Stagecoach Road, Santa Rosa. 707.528.1549.

Scott Beattie, Spoonbar

219 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg. 707.433.7222.

Best Brewpub

Marin

Broken Drum Brewery

1132 Fourth St., San Rafael. 415.456.4677.

Napa

First Place Tie

Calistoga Inn Restaurant & Brewery

1250 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga. 707.942.4101.

Downtown Joe’s Brewery & Restaurant

902 Main St., Napa. 707.258.2337.

Sonoma

Russian River Brewing Co.

725 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. 707.545.2337.

Honorable Mention

Dempsey’s Restaurant & Brewery

50 E. Washington St., Petaluma. 707.765.9694.

Best Microbrew

Marin

Moylan’s Brewery

15 Rowland Way, Novato. 415.898.4677.

Napa

Napa Smith Brewery

1 Executive Way, Napa. 707.255.2912.

Sonoma

Russian River Brewing Co.

725 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. 707.545.2337.

Honorable Mention

Lagunitas Brewing Co.

1280 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma. 707.769.4495.

Best Cocktails

Marin

Buckeye Roadhouse

15 Shoreline Hwy., Mill Valley. 415.331.2600.

Napa

Cole’s Chop House

1122 Main St., Napa. 707.224.6328.

Sonoma

Underwood Bar & Bistro

9113 Graton Road, Graton. 707.823.7023.

Honorable Mention

Stark’s Steakhouse

521 Adams St., Santa Rosa. 707.546.5100.

Best Sports Bar

Marin

Flatiron Sports Bar & Late Night Grill

724 B St., San Rafael. 415.453.4318.

Napa

First Place Tie

Character’s Bar & Grill

3425 Solano Ave., Napa. 707.254.3343.

Hydro Bar & Grill

1403 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga. 707.942.9777.

Sonoma

Beyond the Glory

1371 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma. 707.775.3775.

Honorable Mention

Ausiello’s Fifth Street Grill

609 Fifth St., Santa Rosa. 707.579.9408.

Best Dive Bar

Marin

2AM Club

380 Miller Ave., Mill Valley. 415.388.6036.

Napa

Pancha’s

6764 Washington St., Yountville. 707.944.2125.

Sonoma

Round Robin

616 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa. 707.575.1354.

Honorable Mention

Belvedere

727 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa. 707.542.1890.

Best Wine List

Marin

Rick’s Wine Cellar

207 Corte Madera Ave., Corte Madera. 415.927.9466.

Napa

Bottega Napa Valley

6525 Washington St., Yountville. 707.945.1050.

Sonoma

Willi’s Seafood & Raw Bar

403 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg. 707.433.9191.

Honorable Mention

Cyrus

29 North St., Healdsburg. 707.433.3311.

Best Winetasting Room

Marin

Rick’s Wine Cellar

207 Corte Madera Ave., Corte Madera. 415.927.9466.

Napa

First Place Tie

Opus One

7900 St. Helena Hwy., Oakville. 707.944.9442.

Mumm Napa Valley

8445 Silverado Trail, Rutherford. 707.967.7700.

Sonoma

Medlock Ames

3487 Alexander Valley Road, Healdsburg. 707.431.8845.

Honorable Mention

Bella Vineyards & Wine Caves

9711 W. Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg. 707.473.9171.

Best Sauvignon Blanc

Napa

Charles Krug

2800 Main St., St. Helena. 707.967.2200.

Sonoma

Medlock Ames

3487 Alexander Valley Road, Healdsburg. 707.431.8845.

Honorable Mention

Kenwood Vineyards

9592 Sonoma Hwy., Kenwood. 707.833.5891.

Best Chardonnay

Napa

Rombauer Vineyards

3522 Silverado Trail, St. Helena. 707.963.5170.

Sonoma

La Crema Winery

3690 Laughlin Road, Windsor. 707.571.1504.

Honorable Mention Tie

Lynmar Estate

3909 Frei Road, Sebastopol. 707.829.3374.

Ferrari-Carano

8761 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg. 707.433.6700.

Best Sparkling Wine

Marin

Point Reyes Vineyards

12700 Hwy. 1, Pt. Reyes Station. 415.663.1011.

Napa

Schramsberg Vineyards

1400 Schramsberg Road, Calistoga. 707.942.4558.

Sonoma.

J Vineyards & Winery

11447 Old Redwood Hwy., Healdsburg. 707.431.3646.

Honorable Mention

Ironhorse Vineyard

9786 Ross Station Road, Sebastopol. 707.887.1507.

Best Cabernet

Marin

Point Reyes Vineyards

12700 Hwy. 1, Pt. Reyes Station. 415.663.1011.

Napa

Darioush

4240 Silverado Trail, Napa. 707.257.7056.

Sonoma

B.R. Cohn Olive Hill Cabernet

15000 Sonoma Hwy., Glen Ellen. 800.330.4064.

Honorable Mention

Medlock Ames

3487 Alexander Valley Road, Healdsburg. 707.431.8845.

Best Syrah

Marin

Pey Marin Syrah

www.marinwines.com

Napa

T-Vine Cellars

3130 Old Lawley Toll Road, Calistoga. 707.942.8685.

Sonoma

Longboard Vineyards

5 Fitch St., Healdsburg. 707.433.3473.

Honorable Mention

Balletto Vineyards

5700 Occidental Road, Sebastopol. 707.568.2455.

Best Pinot Noir

Marin

Pey Marin Pinot Noir

www.marinwines.com

Napa

Zacherle Wines

1501 Cedar St., Calistoga. 707.337.9072.

Sonoma

First Place Tie

Woodenhead Winery

5700 River Road, Forestville. 707.887.2703.

Balletto Vineyards

5700 Occidental Road, Sebastopol. 707.568.2455.

Honorable Mention Tie

La Crema Winery

3690 Laughlin Road, Windsor. 707.571.1504.

Kosta Browne

3044 Midway Drive, Santa Rosa. 707.823.7430.

Best Zinfandel

Napa

The Terraces at Quarry Vineyards

1450 Silverado Trail S., St. Helena. 707.963.1707.

Sonoma

Seghesio Vineyards & Winery

14730 Grove St., Healdsburg. 707.433.7764.

Honorable Mention

Woodenhead Winery

5700 River Road, Forestville. 707.887.2703.


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