03.23.11 home | north bay bohemian index | news | north bay | Best of the North Bay 2011 ## Food & Drink Reader's Picks ### 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. Send a letter to the editor about this story.