Sonoma County's best dog-friendly restaurant patios
It's a sure sign that spring has arrived in food-centric Wine Country: restaurant patios reopen after the rainy winter, and instantly, throngs of diners converge at their sun-soaked tables.
But look beside the chairs at many eateries, too, and under the shade of those tables. You'll discover another kind of sun-loving guest - the four-legged, furry kind.
We love taking our dogs on outings, and certainly they drool at the thought of sharing a burger with us, as well. So put on your pooch's fanciest collar and leash, and parade them at these canine-friendly cafés.
Nick's Cove Restaurant, Oyster Bar & Cottages, Marshall - The waterfront retreat is so dedicated to dogs and their companions that it hosts an annual Pet Appreciation Month, to herald its official “dog season” opening in May. That's when staff rolls out outdoor couches, tables, and canine water bowls for its porch-patio and wooden plank walkway Waterfront Lounge. On Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. through summer, a shucker/bartender presents Tomales Bay oysters, soups, salads and cocktails. Guests can also order more food and drink inside, seven days a week, and bring it outside. New chef Joshua Seibert, on board since September, tempts with more oysters like the hot, bacon braised model drenched in sherry and shallots, plus plates such as lobster risotto, deviled duck eggs capped in salmon and avocado, and any pampered pup's first choice, wood fired Wagyu Manhattan steak with wild mushrooms. After dining, let Fido romp on the adjoining dog-friendly beach, where, at night, bonfires glow while guests make s'mores.
23240 Highway One, Marshall, 415-663-1033, nickscove.com.
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Willi's Seafood & Raw Bar, Healdsburg - The popular small plates eatery has just wrapped up an extensive interior renovation, unveiling a more modern, much brighter look in teal, silver and wood. But it's the patio that draws the pups, luring with prime people watching along Healdsburg Avenue and shareable snacks like crispy pork belly rolls, grilled fish tacos, and the addictive crispy French fries dunked in Laura Chenel goat cheese ranch dressing.
403 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-433-9191, starkrestaurants.com.
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Underwood Bar & Bistro, Graton - Head around the side of the building, to the tucked-away gate entry past the covered patio and onto the bocce courtyard. A handful of tables await in the usually quiet space, like a private hideaway for you and your puppy. You'll have to go inside to order, but then servers will deliver your top-notch food and drink to your table. Some standouts include flat iron steak frites in mushroom-shallot butter, crisp-skin rosemary-lemon brined roast chicken with lardons and crimini mushrooms, or rich mac-n-cheese laced with prosciutto.
9113 Graton Road, Graton, 707-823-7023, underwoodgraton.com.
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Zosia Café and Kitchen, Graton - The new Polish eatery impresses with its expansive entry courtyard, sporting shaded tables arranged around an artistic garden decorated with red maples, planter boxes and lots of flowers. The eclectic menu ranges from eastern European delights like sumptuous Siberian pelmeni beef-pork dumplings bobbing in chicken broth with herbs and sour cream, to a classic American steak sandwich mantled with caramelized onions and Swiss on ciabatta.
9010 Graton Road, Graton, 707-861-9241, zosiacafe.com.
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Fork, Sebastopol - Surrounded by apple orchards, goat pastures and weathered ranch homes, this charming cottage boasts a gorgeous patio spanning to a grassy area overlooking a creek. Often there's live music, and there is always wonderful seasonal food, such as Tuscan bean breakfast in a soupy Meyer lemon broth stew of white beans, kale and two fried eggs under a shower of Parmesan with thick griddled toast for sopping; pork belly fried egg tacos; or slow roasted and grilled baby back ribs slathered in Korean barbecue sauce with fennel cabbage slaw and tangy crème fraiche mashed potatoes.
9890 Bodega Highway, Sebastopol, 707-634-7575, forkcatering.com.
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HopMonk Tavern, Sebastopol - Dogs dig the beer garden at this boisterous brewpub, and have been known to howl along with the live music. Everyone enjoys the casual but nicely executed menu, for savories like fried local sausage bites, hefty pulled pork sandwiches, and entirely satisfying steak frites.
230 Petaluma Avenue, Sebastopol, 707-829-7300. Also HopMonk Sonoma Beer Garden, 691 Broadway, Sonoma, 707-935-9100, hopmonk.com.
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Garden Court Café & Bakery, Glen Ellen - Check out the “Bleu's Corner” menu just for Fido. Mouthwatering options scamper between eggs scrambled with ground beef, garlic and zucchini, or a babaloo pizza of biscuit crust smothered in jack cheese, catsup and fresh herbs. People are happy, too, with choices like seven different eggs Benedicts (the Valley of the Moon is the bomb, loaded with ham, Gruyere and Portobellos), biscuits and Granny's Texas sausage gravy, and The Sonoman sammie of roasted turkey, grilled onions and peppers and Vella Toma cheese on grilled whole wheat with spicy homemade jalapeño jelly on the side.
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