Best Californian Restaurants in Kenwood

Salt and Stone: A Consistent Culinary Gem Salt and Stone has become one of our go-to dining destinations, and for good reason. Over the years, they’ve maintained a level of excellence that never disappoints. Jose, who has served us several times, deserves special mention. His service is consistently prompt, professional, and filled with thoughtful suggestions that enhance the dining experience. During our most recent visit, we enjoyed the French Onion Soup, Steak Tartare, and a Pasta with Prawns. Each dish was outstanding. The hot dishes arrived at the perfect temperature—a detail we greatly appreciate. The Steak Tartare, complete with a raw egg yolk on top, was a standout. While not for everyone, the yolk added a luxurious touch that I particularly enjoyed. The bar is equally impressive. We treated ourselves to a perfectly executed Martini and a Manhattan on the rocks. Living in Wine Country, we cherish the occasional cocktail, and Salt and Stone delivers on that front as well. As spring approaches, the outdoor seating area becomes one of the most inviting spots in Sonoma County, combining great food with a beautiful setting. Salt and Stone continues to impress, and we highly recommend it to anyone seeking an exceptional dining experience.

Lovely time … food delicious and perfectly paired, staff friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommend whether you are a novice or a wine connoisseur!!

A Perfect Lunch Spot in Glen Ellen My wife, Barbie, and I had a wonderful afternoon exploring Glen Ellen, and we decided to stop for lunch at The Mill after finding its stellar Yelp reviews. The Mill’s location is enchanting—nestled beside a fast-moving creek. Parking was convenient in a nearby lot near the bridge leading to a charming complex of restaurants and shops. Upon arrival, we were warmly greeted by the owner (Sanjeev), who escorted us to a cozy table for two right at the creek’s edge. The lunch menu was thoughtfully curated, offering a variety of dishes and beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. On the owner’s recommendation, we started with their special bread, a favorite among many Yelpers. It was fresh, perfectly seasoned with olive oil, garlic, and parsley—absolutely delicious! For our main courses, we had the clam chowder and the spicy chicken salad. Both dishes were flavorful, satisfying, and generously portioned. Whether you’re on a wine-tasting weekend or simply a local out for a scenic drive, we wholeheartedly recommend The Mill at Glen Ellen. It’s the kind of place that combines excellent food, picturesque views, and genuine hospitality to create a memorable dining experience.

Absolutely incredible meal! Everything about it from start to finish was near perfection! Firstly, the hospitality is on point. A server is always right there when you need them to be and they made the amazing suggestion to get half an order of each of the pancakes rather than a full order of one. The servers that come around with the trays of food also know what they’re doing. When I ordered a single oyster for myself and my partner made a comment about not liking oysters, the servers gave us an extra one for free just so my partner could try it. This was an absolutely amazing opportunity to show not just above-and-beyond hospitality, but also that the restaurant truly believes in the quality of its food. And you know what? My partner did say it was the best oyster he ever had! They’re known for their quail however, I just think it’s not meaty enough of a bird for how it was prepared (Most parts were more breading than quail). As for everything else I tried, I just can’t think of any criticisms at all. I guess I could complain about my glass of rosé but that’s entirely my fault. I went with sparkling when I should have gone with still. The hit of the night were the blue corn-pepita pancakes with braised bacon and coffee butter. I wasn’t even going to order it until the server made the suggestion and I’m glad they did! The pecorino and ricotta pancakes are good too just not as good. The wedge salad is all the right balance of flavors with a nice crunch of lettuce to feel extra bright and fresh. The fried brussel sprouts are paired with an incredibly deep cashew satay sauce. The umami richness is impeccable. The almond financiers with duck liver mousse are another example of perfect balance in flavor. The financiers are light and fluffy and the mousse is smooth and delicate. I thought the burrata and bread dish came a too late into the night for us to fully enjoy however the peanut milk was the perfect cap to our evening.

Walked around the cozy, picturesque town of Healdsburg prior to our reservation. When we walked in the front door, they greeted up by name, took our coats and offered a delicious warm tea from the kitchen window. We next walked into the dining room and felt like we’d stepped into a beautiful restaurant in Japan. The table was already decorated and prepared with the first bites, arranged on miniature rock garden. Each dish, each course was fantastic. From the immaculate presentation, to the ingredients, the taste. It was amazing. Would recommend to anyone. And only when we were leaving, did I find out that it’s also a hotel, where you can stay in Healdsburg, not only for their dinner rezzies but also for breakfast delivered to your room. I’d totally forgotten about that part. It was all amazing.