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07.22.09

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Phaedra

New'n & Notable

Places to eat of which your tongue may be unaware

By Gretchen Giles and Daniel Hirsch


Anoka Cuisine of India A family-owned establishment that uses local ingredients to prepare home-style Indian cuisine, Anoka specializes in sizzling Tandoori dishes with a wide variety of vegetarian options. 811 Grant Ave., Novato. 415.892.3440.

Cibo Open for breakfast and lunch, this new spot in the chic style of Italian piazza cafe offers espresso drinks, fresh-baked pastries, paninis and signature salads. 1201 Bridgeway, Sausalito. 415.331.2426.

Corks at Russian River Winery Set in the historic 1890s farmhouse of the Russian River Winery vineyards, Corks' main menu draws from former executive chef Greg Hallihan's international slate paired with the winery's own offerings, but on Monday night it's all-you-can-eat pasta with Art "the Pasta King" Ibleto; Wednesday and Sunday finds the joint playing host to JB's Barbeque. 5700 Gravenstein Hwy. N., Forestville. 707.887.3344.

El Coqui Like the diverse culture it derives from, this traditional Puerto Rican cuisine includes a hearty mix of flavors and textures with Creole, Caribbean and African currents and plenty of plantains. 400 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa. 707.542.8868.

Emmy's Spaghetti Shack Affordable and funky, the San Francisco–based Shack opens a second location in Sonoma with hearty portions of home-style spaghetti, plus a full bar, outdoor seating and live music. 691 Broadway, Sonoma. 707.933.3823.

Fabrizio's Restaurant Authentic cuisine from the Italian island of Sardinia, Fabrizio's cooks up a wide range of regional seafood. 806 Fourth St., Napa. 707.226.1900.

Gaspare's Pizza Ristorante & Bar Beloved SF carb-outlet lands in San Rafael, replete with pizza, primi, secondi and everything else that makes the thighs swell with pride. 200 Merrydale Road, San Rafael. 415.472.7101.

Henweigh Cafe This family-run business is named after a family joke that starts, "How much does a hen weigh?" and specializes in classic contemporary Americana, including Sunday brunch. 4550 Hwy. 116 N., Sebastopol. 707.829.750.

Himalayan Kabob & Curry House Petaluma's newest Indian restaurant features flavors from Northern Indian, Nepal and California with a mix of curries, Tandoori, Tibetan dumplings and organic salads. 220 Western Ave., Petaluma. 707.775.4717.

Jeffery's Hillside Cafe Starting mid-August, former John Ash & Co. chef Jeff Madura will be fixing some traditional breakfast and lunch fare with a Northern California twist. Inside the Hillside Inn, 2901 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. 707.546.6317.

Neela's Contemporary Indian Cooking Neela Paniz's hotly anticipated restaurant is now in full swing. Elegant and excellent are the bywords. 975 Clinton St., Napa. 707.226.9988.

Nonni's Ristorante Italiano Solid, respectable, well-priced food drawn from the Pollastrini and Forte families' recipes (plus the occasional French fry). The wine list is amazingly inexpensive, making corkage seem imprudent, and there's an upstairs bar for those who partake of futbol. 420 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa. 707.527.0222.

Pesto Bar & Cafe Pesto mixes up the traditional basil sauce with novel ingredients like pumpkin seed, serving lunch and dinner California cuisine with fresh ingredients. 101 S. Main St., Sebastopol. 707.829.3212.

Pizza Vino 707 Nationally known restaurateur Stephen Singer reinvigorates his former West County Grill space by bringing in talent from SF's Foreign Cinema and turning the focus back on the spot's wood-fired ovens, promising hand-crafted Neapolitan style pies with a full bar, happy hour specials and takeout. Opened last week. 6948 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol. 707.829.9500.

Sonoma Latina Grill Cafeteria-style south-of-the-border food with an emphasis on organic ingredients and home-made tortillas. Real Mexican Coca-Cola sweetened with cane sugar rather than corn syrup is among the treats. 5800 Nave Drive, Novato. 415.883.2662.

Tavern at Lark Creek The venerable Lark Creek Inn, scene of countless proposals and life-marking celebrations, has been revamped as a more casual and certainly less expensive room known simply as the Tavern, where chef Randy Lewis showcases casual continental cuisine with farm-to-table sensibilities. 234 Magnolia Ave., Larkspur. 415.924.7766.

Tortilleria Jalisco A "shack" serving fresh tortillas stuffed with so many good things that a reader swears that they must be "sprinkled with a little bit of crack and whole lotta, love cuz you can't stop eating them!" We're there. 897 W. Napa St., Sonoma. 707.935.7356.


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