The Resy Guide to Wine Country, Summer 2022

The Madrona has finally reopened in its singular setting, but with new owners, new branding, and an all-around updated look. But chef Jesse Mallgren remains at the helm of the restaurant, and he’s said goodbye to the prix fixe of yore in favor of an a la carte menu full of standouts like corned beet tartare, salmon belly crudo, and a dry-aged Liberty duck, served with rice porridge and roasted and pickled vegetables.

Raw vegetables from the farm with fermented soy dip. Aged beef chuck tartare. Smoked beef shortribs. A very excellent cheeseburger. And one of the best outdoor dining situations in all of Napa Valley. All of this and more can be had at Christopher Kostow’s Charter Oak, which recently hired a new chef in Eddie Lee.

At Kaelin Ulrich Trilling’s La Calenda, which is the Thomas Keller Restaurant Group’s foray into Mexican cuisine, you have one of Yountville’s liveliest outdoor settings, where you can chow down on tacos filled with al pastor, fried fish, carnitas, and more.

Can’t get into the French Laundry? Head down the street to Thomas Keller’s caviar lounge, which he quietly opened in summer 2021. Here, you’ll find a full menu of caviar and bubbles, obviously, but also plenty of snacks, like Wagyu tartare and truffle grilled cheese sandwiches.

Enjoy a menu of wood-fired pizzas, handmade pastas, and other Italian specialties at family-owned Ciccio, a Napa Valley favorite that highlights produce from the family’s farm.

Glen Ellen’s anchor is open on a nightly basis for dining service, offering both indoor and outdoor service. The cooking from chef Ari Weiswasser is pristine, whether in a salad or on a pie, but don’t miss the housemade ice cream.

Up the road in Kenwood, Salt + Stone has a great outdoor space for gathering and drinking, including with your four-legged friends.

Did you know downtown Sonoma has a stellar cocktail bar? The Beacon is a speakeasy-style bar hiding upstairs at the Outpost, putting out well-made cocktails and a menu of fun bar snacks.

Campo Fina remains one of the most popular spots for locals in downtown Healdsburg, offering up its well-loved menu of Italian comfort food. Note that, even though it’s not currently offering online reservations, the patio is open and takeout is still stellar.

Even though the restaurant thinks of itself as a great neighborhood spot and wine bar, offering up a constantly changing menu centered around local produce, the Spinster Sisters has become one of the area’s best restaurants, period.