Healdsburg
We are getting married in Healdsburg, a delightful small town in the heart of the wine country north of San Francisco. Healdsburg is in Sonoma County, a short drive from many wineries, with a lovely, walkable downtown filled with boutiques and restaurants. Weather at that time of year will be dry and warm (around 85F/30C during the day.)
VILLA CHANTICLEER
Villa Chanticleer was built around 1910, originally as part of a holiday resort for San Francisco's French community, with a restaurant, bar, ballroom, and vacation cabins. By the 1920s, it was reputed to have the largest dining room between San Francisco and Eureka. It continued to operate until the late 1940s, with various rumors swirling around its later uses as a gangland-supported gambling den. It was purchased by the City of Healdsburg in 1955, although the renovations that have happened since have sought to preserve the character of the original buildings.
Recommendations
Here are a few of our favorite places in and around Healdsburg.
Scopa: Fabulous Italian food crammed into a small space. On our last visit, the lamb ragu pasta reminded Paul distinctly of Italy, which he had left just a few days before. Don't miss the Nonna's chicken, as long as you've brought your appetite.
Barndiva: Marvelous new American food along with a great and ever-changing cocktail program.
Spoonbar: This is the place to come for amazing craft cocktails. They'll make anything you can imagine, and quite a few things you can't. (There's a full restaurant here, but we've not eaten there... yet.)
Bergamot Alley: In the heart of the Californian wine country, what do you need but a wine bar that serves up only Old World wines? A lovely spot; get there before the locals burn it to the ground.
Flying Goat Coffee: Long lines but excellent coffee, which you'll be needing after all the food, wine, and cocktails above.
Preston Farm and Winery: This is one of our favorite wineries in the Dry Creek region, about 20 minutes drive from downtown Healdsburg. There's a working farm here too, complete with pigs out front, and a farm store with whatever is in season. We're drinking wines from Preson with dinner, but there are more great selections out here. They don't take parties of more than eight, though, so no convoys (or pretend to be surprised to see each other).
Unti: Unti produces both French and Italian inspired wines (including montepuliano!) and offers tasting out of their tiny but modern on-site shack.
Truett-Hurst. Good zinfandels, and a lovely spot for picnics down by the river. Last time we were there, a local bluegrass band was playing in the corner.
Ridge. Ridge is famous for their zinfandels, especially those from Lytton Springs, but there are lots of other fine wines to sample here.
Here are some other links to Healdsburg attractions: