From the moment we arrived, Valette had us. The restaurant is stunning -- a beautifully designed…read moreinterior that flows seamlessly into a gorgeous outdoor dining area. We knew immediately this was going to be a special night. We went all in with the chef's prix fixe menu, and it delivered from the very first bite. Warm, homemade dinner rolls -- fragrant with thyme, garlic, and chili flakes, served alongside pillowy whipped butter -- set the tone perfectly. We loved them so much we asked for a second basket without a moment's hesitation. The Sonoma County Organic Salad that followed was nothing short of a revelation: crisp Little Gem lettuce, Pioneer Micro Herbs and edible flowers, beautifully shaved vegetables, whipped fromage blanc, and a Green Goddess dressing that tied it all together with effortless elegance. Perfection is the only word for it. For our entrées, the Petrale Sole Meunière was a masterclass in refined, soulful cooking -- the Costeaux sourdough croutons, potato fondant, haricot verts, and caper beurre noisette working in perfect harmony. And the pork porchetta with nduja? Cooked flawlessly, bold, deeply satisfying, and utterly memorable. We paired the meal with the Valette Rosé of Pinot Noir, which has instantly earned a place among the finest rosés we've ever tasted -- vibrant, nuanced, and a dream with every course. Dessert brought the ItsNotA 'Snickers Bar' and the Almond Frangipane, both executed brilliantly and the ideal sweet finale to an extraordinary meal. Valette isn't just a great restaurant -- it's our new favorite dining destination, full stop. We'll be back, again and again.

Valette was the meal we were most looking forward to on our 3-day Healdsburg visit, mostly because…read moreof the favorable reviews. It's a great room with good energy and although I was expecting more of a white tablecloth experience, it was casual, which was fine. Unfortunately, my entire entree (sole meunière with green beans and fondant potatoes) was uniformly bland...no trace of salt or seasoning whatsoever. The entire dish was blah. I can't remember the last time I complained about inadequate seasoning, but when it's nowhere to be found, it's hard to ignore. The beans were pretty much raw. I enjoy bright green beans served al dente beans, but raw? No. The fondant potatoes were anemic (zero golden color, zero confit). All three pieces seemed steamed, steamed unevenly, and served cold. One of the three fondants was very firm and barely cooked. I needed to cut it with a knife. The other two were fork tender but alas, cold and flavorless. Honestly, it was kinda weird that all three components of this dish were just so darned boring and lacking temperature. I had only started my meal when I told the server about my impression of the dish. He took my feedback cheerily and said he'd let the chef know for future reference, but no "How can we fix this?" It was a bummer. When eating a classically delicious dish feels like punishment, something's not right. On the bright side, the server had a very nice manner. The room was lovely and had good energy. The menu was priced lower than we expected. And the chilled english pea soup was absolutely delicious. So Valette is capable of getting some things right. I'm not sure whether to chalk it up to "off night" or poor quality control in the kitchen. I guess both, maybe.

Tucked away in the quiet town of Healdsburg, SingleThread delivers the kind of experience that…read moreimmediately reminds you why it stands among California's three Michelin star destinations. From the very beginning of the meal, there was a clear sense of precision, elegance, and intention. The opening presentation was stunning, filled with an assortment of beautifully composed small bites featuring oyster, mushroom, sea bream, and a variety of other seasonal ingredients. Each bite felt delicate yet purposeful, showcasing both technical refinement and remarkable balance. One of the most memorable dishes of the evening was the bluefin tuna moriawase paired with strawberries. Normally, fruit in savory dishes tends to feel distracting or overly sweet to me, but the execution here was exceptional. The chefs managed to create a harmony between sweetness, tartness, acidity, and umami that elevated the tuna rather than overshadowing it. It was a dish that felt thoughtful, restrained, and incredibly well composed. The consistency throughout the progression of the menu was equally impressive. Course after course arrived with meticulous presentation and a strong sense of identity. Every dish felt polished and intentional, balancing visual artistry with flavors that were equally compelling. There was never a moment where the meal lost momentum, and the pacing allowed each course to feel distinct while still contributing to a cohesive experience. That said, there was one course that completely missed the mark for our group. The milk and honey dessert, which resembled a sponge cake topped with a whipped goat cheese foam, was overwhelmingly pungent and difficult to approach as a dessert course. The intensity of the goat cheese dominated every other component, to the point where it felt less like a composed dessert and more like being punched by a goat farm. Looking around the dining room, it seemed we were not alone in our reaction. Interestingly, when we mentioned that this was the only dish we did not enjoy, we were told, "if at least 1 out of 10 guests enjoy it, we consider it a win." It was certainly an unexpected response, especially given how polished and thoughtful the rest of the experience had been. Even with that misstep, the overall meal was exceptional. SingleThread succeeds in delivering a dining experience that feels elegant, immersive, and deeply personal. Between the artistry of the presentations, the balance of flavors, and the technical execution across the menu, it remains one of the most impressive three Michelin star experiences in California.

Food Service Wine…read more Beer Experience Tonight was my first night here and I don't know how I missed it since it has been open nine years. It was so good that it blows my mind. Since I was just in Paris for 15 days, I booked this upon my return so that I could experience the American version of perfection. It is mind blowing how good it is here. Every course and every moment ... feels special and delicious. Americans have definitely enhanced the lifestyle experience. I know I like it in France... and I love it here at home! Maybe a bit more! I'm so proud that this is in our neighborhood. Feeling so blessed in this moment. Grateful for Chef who really makes a difference and really makes something special to remember forever. Seriously ... my favorite mashed potatoes ever! And A-5 Wagyu magic!

Oh wow... i love this spot! I was in town for a couple…read moredays...daughter visiting with friends in Sonoma...she left me within 20 min of checking into hotel. I wanted to go out for a Happy Hour and looked into my list of places I want to try on here (based on recommendations for local friends). this looked perfect and i've never really experienced Healdsburg... The bar was packed and they do allow standing room but that's not what i wanted. Standing is fine and dandy if I was in a group but i was alone.... She offered either a table or at the counter overlooking the kitchen..I opted for counter. I had a perfect view of all the food being prepped. I was tempted to do the "founders" menu which is 3 courses for $50 ...option to add wine pairing for $30. BUT...i wasn't that hungry. I opted for the HH menu...i picked the Pepperoni flatbread + Baby lettuce & grapefruit salad. Happy Hour Rose wine... That salad was so damn good! the "croutons' were a goat cheese meringue. wow! dressing was perfectly done. the pizza was also amazing!! i had half of each to take back to hotel. they do have a wall of wine (by the ounce pours)...as impressive as it was ...i wasn't interested in walking over there to pour and sample. super fun atmosphere... phenomenal service spectacular food. 100% want to come back again!

Very disappointed in my experience today. We have been here before for dinner and had a great time…read more I thought the brunch would be similar. Here are some highlights: -We had to ask for water and took 3 people to ask us what type before it was brought over -The server did not know the menu well and forgot our a drink order and had to come back to ask for us to point to it -Eggs Benedict was way over cooked. My egg was fully cooked and did not have any runny-ness to it at all -The waffles were soft like they have been sitting for a while with no crisp Overall for what we paid it was not worth it and sadly not coming back again

The quality and flavor of the food are very good. The goat cheese croquette is a standout. The…read morerestaurant's appeal is truly California: simple, clean, and appealing. Service was courteous and friendly. The steak was a bit small for the price, but heck, no big deal. The bummer was the 19% tip that's added; it felt weird, but we paid it. Management needs to reconsider; you are working against yourself. Upscale restaurants should not penny-pinch their customers; most people who dine in these establishments will pay the upcharge. If it's relevant, this charge isn't. We will be back.

We dined here a few times this summer....outside in the back under the wisteria, and inside in…read moretheir gallery-like space. Both are pretty options. Highly recommend sharing the Goat Cheese Croquettes - bite sized balls of cheese goodness, drizzled with honey and lavender. Perfection! We always get at least one seasonal Garden Salad - light and fresh! And I tried a few different main courses over our visits - all inspired and delicious: +Bucatini Pasta with broccolini, sun-dried tomatoes, chanterelles, and pine nuts +Burger (it used to be a thick and rich burger with a bordelaise sauce, but over the summer it was more of a double smash burger with cheese...very Americana, and a little "lighter" than the previous option) +Roasted Mt Lassen Trout - light and clean +Tikka Masala - I ordered this comforting dish with tofu but friends ordered it with chicken. It's flavorful, and a beautiful, bountiful presentation. Barndiva is known for their cocktails. We like our go-to classic and mezcal margaritas, but have worked our way through some of their signature cocktails, always adorned with dried fruit and/or edible flowers! If you haven't visited recently, I do recommend giving them another try. If you can't get a reservation online, call - that's worked for us! Cheers.

Catelli's is thirty minute drive from the house, so it's not a spot we frequent, but it sure is…read morewell worth it when we do. Our server this evening was a very pleasant woman named Tiffany, and it's more than obvious why she's been here for fourteen years. She had me at "hello." She knows the menu and she had recommendations. This kind of attentive service "everything." Then came the food. Garlic bread, beet salad, chicken parmesan, and steak medallions. All done as they should have been. We'll see ya again soon. Thank you for the experience.

We were recommended this spot from the place we were staying at in the area. When we arrived it was…read morebusy because there was a lot of Prom Students out for dinner, the hostess was very kind and apologetic that as walk ins we were unable to be be seated but she did let us know that it was first come first serve at the bar. My party sat down at the bar and it did appear the majority of the people at the bar were also eating. The Bartender and At this point our server also was incredibly. She was so busy every single one of the bar seats was taken, and she did a fantastic job balancing all of it. Overall the food was an exceptional experience. For starters we got the truffle fries, and A Minestrone soup. The truffle fries were delicious, and had a bit if a kick to them so if you dont like spicy keep that in mind. The Soup was delicious and a great size for the small soup portion. I ordered the Lasagna with meat sauce and its light delicate layers were delicious, and perfectly balanced with the cheese. The server was helpful and informative and told my friend about the Mushroom cream sauce for her ravioli that if you love mushrooms you'll love it but if you don't then steer away. And we LOVE mushrooms and the ravioli paired perfectly with the heavy mushroom cream sauce. We also got the Steak and ordered it medium rare, when it came to us and it was closer to blue/rare the server/bartender didn't hesitate to apologize and in a flash take it back. The cooks remade it and it was perfectly medium rare with that nice browning on the outside and a small bit it pink in the center. We were very satisfied and it was such a lovely touch the manager did come out before the end of our meal to ensure we were satisfied and apologized for the discrepancy in the meal. The fact it was busy every single table full and the bar also being full and the manager still coming to ensure our satisfaction was what true hospitality is all about!! 100000% recommendations for this place and will be coming back!

I was visiting Healdsburg and wanted to try Dry Creek Kitchen, which had been recommended. I didn't…read morewant the prix fixe menu, so I sat at the bar and was taken care of by the wonderful Jess (she's the only reason I gave them four stars). It's also a very pretty place to sit. The smoked salmon gougeres sounded tempting, but turned out to be a bit of a disappointment. Gougeres are usually served warm, but this one was cold and tasted like a salmon-flavored cream puff. I had the gem lettuce salad next and I liked the addition of strawberries. However, the salad was so drenched in miso vinaigrette that was all you could taste. Overdressed like wearing a tuxedo to a hoedown. I then had "Mary's" version of cordon bleu rolled with chicken and ham on a bed of polenta with spinach and oyster mushrooms with a Dijon jus. It sounded wonderful on the menu, but it was a letdown, oddly flavorless. As I was eating it a local regular next to me said I should have ordered something else - it was not his favorite. How I wish he'd sat down before I ordered!

Dry Creek Kitchen delivered such a memorable dinner for our group. The space is elegant while still…read moreinviting, and the menu setup makes it easy to tailor the night -- three prix fixe options (an $83 three‑course, a six‑course pasta tasting, and a six‑course chef's tasting). Only the bar offers à la carte. We chose the three‑course menu, and it was absolutely worth it, especially given the generous portions. Even with a reservation, we did have to wait a bit, but the team immediately rectified the situation and brought our party of six welcome cocktails, setting the tone for the excellent service all evening. DCK also offers a $30 per bottle corkage fee (max two), which I highly recommend taking advantage of (you are in wine country after all). Once we were seated, the service was excellent and genuinely attentive. Every staff member we interacted with was friendly, knowledgeable, and on top of the details without hovering. The food was exceptional across the board -- beautifully prepared, balanced, and exactly what you hoped for. Dry Creek Kitchen is the kind of place that feels special but still approachable. We'd absolutely come back.

Solid bbq in the heart of Healdsburg!…read more The pork belly was really tender and the cobb salad was a nice lunch medium to host that pork belly. They've got a 6 pack of bbq sauces on the table too. The Carolina gold and the Kin original were my favorite. They've got a solid menu of beers and wine too. They've got a fun bbq / bar vibe inside with plenty of seating and a bar to hang at too. The staff was really nice and quick to help! Will certainly come back to try some more bbq!

Every time I visit KINsmoke, it is such a great experience! From the staff, to the ambiance, to the…read morefood. Seating is usually easily available, however, I always make a reservation just incase as I tend to visit during peak dinner time with 5-6 people. I typically eat vegetarian, but recently introduced fish into my diet, so I'm glad I can order the salmon dish. I do wish though they had some creative with tofu/BBQ flavors. I know an unrealistic ask since this is a BBQ joint, but wishful thinking! Lol The food always comes very fresh and tasty. The salmon I believe on menu it's grilled to medium rare, but I love it crispy and well done! It melts into your mouth, with the potato's. I like that I comes with a side of salad as it balances it all out, and isn't too heavy. Always a favorite and must visit if you're in the area!

While on a fun girl's trip, we stopped off at the Gallery Bar and Bistro for a nightcap. The bar is…read morehighly decorated and has a warm and cozy feel to it. The drinks were outstanding and there was a cool chill vibe about the place. Service was good especially for a late night stop.

I really wanted to like this place, but the experience ended up falling short, especially compared…read moreto the many great options in Healdsburg. The food felt a bit overpriced for what it was, and the service was extremely slow. One guy seemed to be hosting, seating, and waiting on every table, which made the whole evening feel disorganized and dragged out. The drinks and cocktails were honestly the highlight, they were well‑made and probably the only part of the meal that stood out. I ordered the steak frites, and the steak was extremely chewy with not much flavor going on. The goat cheese croquettes and the tikka masala chicken were decent, but nothing memorable. Overall, it was a pretty mediocre experience, especially given the quality of other restaurants nearby. Not somewhere I'd rush back to with so many better choices in town.

Hazel Hill is stunning, truly! The service, ambiance and vibe is wonderful…read more I think the menu is all honesty is a bit eclectic. It's nice to offer a pasta dish if the dish is unbelievably outstanding.... Otherwise perhaps the pasta really shouldn't be on the menu. Farm fresh organic California living is where I'd like to see the menu lean into more. Hot veg and grain bowls with the option to add fish meat or poultry A signature montage crudité, extravagant charcuterie... these are just some things I personally missed and feel would shine in this gorgeous location

OMG! We came here for a restaurant week dinner. This place is amazing. I understand the reviews…read morecomplaining about the price and the small portions. But small portions are fine with me. I don't dine out to get over stuffed in my belly. I come to taste the interpretation of the dishes by the kitchen and the chef. And the food was absolutely executed perfectly. The Hazel Hill salad was so simple and dressed so perfectly with farm fresh baby green leaves. We had the burrata salad served with Gougette sourdough bread. We had the Wagyu fillet and the king salmon. Both prepared perfectly. Seasoned beautifully. I was a chef for 25 years and I could find no fault with any part of this dinner. The Basque cheesecake was over the top simple and delicious and decadent. We had a couple of glasses of wine by the glass which were pricey but very well chosen. Loved it! The service was outstanding. And the decor and setting is other worldly.

Quaint spot with little to no wait and great prices for the quality. The food was…read moredelicious--highly recommend the Brussels sprouts and pork shoulder!"

The service from the maître d' (Kelly) was exceptional! Watching her juggle multiple tasks while…read moremanaging hords of guests both outside and inside of the restaurant was nothing short of incredible. Her customer service, warmth, and enthusiasm flowed throughout the evening and was a large contributor to our positive experience. We ordered the Beet Salad, Mac n Cheese, Bistro Steak, Black Cod, and for dessert had the Bread Pudding. Pretty much everything was absolutely delicious. The Mac n Cheese deserves a special mention as it was perfectly creamy and flavorful. The one thing I could not get over was the amount of broth in the cod dish. It was simply too much and overtook the dish. The cod itself however was buttery and cooked to perfection. All in all, boone eat + drink was a great experience and I would definitely return and recommend.