Dining out

Healdsburg is full of great restaurants. Over the years, we have had fabulous experiences at places like Scopa, Barndiva, Dry Creek Kitchen, Willi’s Wine Bar, Bistro Ralph, and more. Healdsburg is a little like heaven.

With all  of the restaurants available, it becomes difficult to choose. Always one to want to try new things while also wanting to return to old favorites, I end up spending a lot of time trying to figure out where to eat. In the end, it’s best to ask a local.

On our first night in Healdsburg, we had dinner with Two Shepherds winemaker William at Campo Fina. It was so fabulous I forgot to take photos. Or I was jetlagged and on lots of Cartograph Rosé. Actually, it was a little bit of both.

Campo Fina was so great, and we would definitely go back. When we asked for suggestions for our dinner the next night, Spoonbar came highly recommended. After a day in Napa Valley, we headed back to the wine hour at the Healdsburg Inn and then wandered Healdsburg for a bit before heading to dinner. We may have stopped at Cartograph and joined their wine club too. It was a great day.

Wine tasting pretty much always makes me want a cocktail or a beer. I love wine and wine tasting and talking about wine, but at the end of the day, mixing it up a little is nice, and Spoonbar was the perfect venue for cocktails. I ordered this pretty jalapeno number called Jalapeno Business: Charbay Raspberry Vodka, Clear Creek Loganberry, Lemon, Ginger, Raspberry-Jalapeno Foam. In addition to being pretty in pink, it packed a spicy punch with nice berry accents, perfect for sipping slowly. There was a definite burn.

We weren’t super hungry, thanks to the wine hour snacks, so we decided to order a few appetizers to share as we often do.

There was a grapefruit and avocado salad with brioche croutons that was fresh, tangy, delicious.

And a smoked trout mousse with homemade potato chips and Spoonbar’s Old Old Fashioned.

  The best and most interesting dishes were also from the snack menu. Baked cheese gougeres were suspended in a pool of melted fontina. Each bite was light, fluffy, and cheesy, so decadent.

The rock shrimp and seeded granola was also really memorable for the combination of flavors and textures; sweet and salty, soft and crunchy. I would never think to combine shrimp and granola, but this just worked so well.

Spoonbar is a vast open space with windows out on to the sidewalk and a very cool vibe. We were on East Coast time and thus early diners, but I am sure once acclimated to Healdsburg time, we would be late night regulars. The restaurant was a perfect recommendation and a fantastic way to end a day of wine tasting.

The real end to the night came at another new favorite we visited twice on this trip, the lounge at the Hotel Healdsburg. Live music, great wines by the glass, and a super sweet staff made this relaxing spot the place we enjoyed nightcaps two nights in a row. Just a block from our home base on this trip, the Healdsburg Inn on the Plaza, the Hotel Healdsburg is a must-visit for anyone staying in town. It also happens to be home to Dry Creek Kitchen; come for dinner, stay for music. . . and be prepared to never want to leave!

What’s your favorite vacation dining memory?