3 New Weekend Hot Spots in Sonoma County

Folktable Sonoma

After an extended ramping up and limited takeout service, Folktable — a project from Top Chef finalist and restaurateur Casey Thompson and executive sous chef Melanie Wilkerson — has finally spread its wings this spring at Cornerstone Sonoma with a new and expanded menu, some dine-in seating and, most importantly, expansive patio service amid the magnificent gardens, shops and former outdoor Sunset test kitchen.

colorful salad with grated cheese in wooden bowlWith flowers blooming, warm sun and a bustling brunch set packing the place, it’s safe to say this spot is about to become the biggest buzz in Wine Country.

The casual-yet-intriguing Folktable menu showcases lush local ingredients in stunning garden surroundings, elevating the long-struggling Cornerstone Sonoma. Folktable is the right restaurant for the space, with good food, a beautiful location and solid service.

Sitting under a sprawling olive tree with a full bag full of takeout dishes, we couldn’t imagine a lovelier meal: fried chicken, tater tots smothered in Kewpie mayo and bonito, and buttermilk carrot cake, each thing better than the last.

Best Bets

Fried Chicken Goujons, $18: This is just a fancy name for chicken fingers, but these are big and juicy breast meat pieces covered in sticky chile-honey sauce. Sweet milk-washed Hawaiian rolls and jalapeño ranch dip make it a picnic-like favorite.

Farm Harvest Salad, $14: Fresh greens with sliced apples and dried fruit with a tart vinaigrette was another highlight. It’s not a thriller, but it is a great light dish for hot days.

Turkish Eggs, $13: This dish may not be for everyone, but it’s a beauty. Poached eggs top warm Greek yogurt punctuated by Aleppo chile butter and crunchy shallots. Dip in crusty slices of sourdough for a satisfying breakfast or brunch dish.

Okonomiyaki Tots, $13: Here’s a riff on the savory Japanese pancake, topped with creamy mayo, sweet barbecue sauce, bonito flakes and scallions. It’s simply tots instead of a pancake, and makes a big shareable serving you’ll fight over.

There’s a lot more on the menu to love, including a dog menu (of course), coffee and pastries from their outdoor kiosk, and the Best Buttermilk Carrot Cake, $8, which lives up to its name.

Folktable falls under the growing brand umbrella of Sonoma’s Best Hospitality Group, owned by developers Ken and Stacy Mattson. The couple have spent more than $80 million on dozens of high-profile local properties in Sonoma. Thompson took the reins as executive chef for the group last year, working with Sonoma icons Ramekins Culinary School and the popular Mercantile shop on East Napa Street. The Mattsons’ portfolio also includes Dirty Girl Donuts and Sojourn Cellars, with plans to launch Motha Clucka (a breakfast spot in Boyes Hot Springs) and Thompson’s Georgette restaurant next year.

Folktable is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, 23570 Arnold Drive, Sonoma.

Other weekend treats

Here are two other cheery weekend spots we’re loving right now.

Nimble and Finn’s

Guerneville’s legendary ice creamery has quietly opened a Santa Rosa outpost in Railroad Square. Seasonal flavors like Front Porch Mint Chip (the mint is from a plant outside one owner’s front porch), Meyer Lemon, Lavender Honeycomb and Whiskey Butterscotch are incredible, but add booze and you’ve got a cheeky little float.

different flavors of ice cream in rows of cupsWith lower-octane alcohol like Champagne, wine, beer or hard cider, they’re a lazy afternoon sipper. We love the Permanent Holiday with creamy Meyer lemon ice cream, Lo Fi sweet vermouth and Goat Rock rosé cider, or the summery Strawberry Letter with strawberry sorbet, vermouth, elderflower and Champagne. Pair with one of their gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches.

exterior of building with window looking inside and table and chairs outside123 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. Open noon to 6 p.m. Thursday and Sunday, noon to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Society Bakery Cafe

That cute little bakery at the Sebastopol Antique Society you’ve zoomed past a dozen times? Yep, it’s a thing.

This sweet gem has solid breakfast pastries and excellent sandwiches, and we’re in love with their not-too-sugary ginger-molasses cookies and their open-face egg salad sandwich on Gougette bread. As a bonus, there are lots of gluten-free options, plus special-order cakes and cookies available for preorder.

2661 Gravenstein Highway S., Sebastopol, 707-861-9665. Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.


By: Heather Irwin

You Might Also Like

Fresh Fruits at the Santa Rosa Farmers Market
Food & Wine

When summer arrives in Sonoma County, it’s not just that the hillsides are kissed by golden sunlight, the air is…

a person enjoying a cup of coffee on a bench at a park in downtown petaluma
Restaurants

Set along the banks of the Petaluma River, the exciting town of Petaluma blends small-town warmth with a vibrant atmosphere…

pouring beer at out a tap at russian river brewery
Food & Wine

Nestled in the heart of Sonoma County, Santa Rosa is a hub that offers the perfect blend of urban and…

Group of women and one man on a trolley riding through the vineyards at St. Francis.
Food & Wine

In a world of go, go, go, more and more travelers are seeking a “slowcation” – time to slow down,…

Paradise Ridge Winery Santa Rosa Fire Foundation
Wineries

A toast to Sonoma County’s veterans and first responders!   In Sonoma County, support of our service members takes many forms….

Fall colors of Wilson Winery in Dry Creek Valley AVA
Food & Wine

Autumn is a magical time in Sonoma Wine Country – the culmination of the year-long growing process. The vineyards turn from…

Comstock Wines, Healdsburg
Wineries

As you plan your upcoming Sonoma County excursion, you imagine that your Wine Country ramble will unfold in a certain…

Hamel Family Wines, wine tasting and non-alcoholic tasting
Wineries

With a massive flood of zero-proof beverages recently hitting the market, it’s become fairly easy to find nonalcoholic alternatives on…

Girls Getaway in Sonoma County
Food & Wine

Winter might be considered the off-season for many of the world’s hottest travel destinations, but a Wine Country visit between…

Farmhouse Inn, Forestville exterior
Food & Wine

From Ben Affleck and Gwyneth Paltrow to Justin and Hailey Bieber, you may bump into a few celebrities at Sonoma…

THIS IS WINE COUNTRY.

Share your experience using #SonomaCounty or #LifeOpensUp