My monthly look at restaurants in the Bay Area and beyond includes Chef Carlos Altamirano’s Peruvian-American hot spot and Chef Ryan McIlwraith’s new Italian winner, both in the SoMa neighborhood of San Francisco, the must-try drink and side dish at BOA Steakhouse Napa, and the restaurant I went to twice in Sonoma (it’s all about vibes).

SAN FRANCISCO

Of course I had to try the bourbon and allspice dram-infused Tennesee Jaguar cocktail at Casa Sofia, the newest Peruvian-American SoMa hot spot from Chef Carlos Altamirano. The wide bar features TVs big enough to watch the game from any seat and art to gaze upon when the home team disappoints. The big room burbles with conversations; the menu invites sharing. Start with a Peruvian-style crudo such as halibut tossed with chile rocoto leche de tigre, the dish’s bite tempered by its crisp sweet potato cradle. American-style Baby BBQ Pork Ribs are as sweet as September sunshine. A sweet finish of Chocolate Decadence cake gussied up with gold flake and candied walnuts made my day in the best way.

A glass of Ribola Gialla was the perfect accompaniment to a delicious plate of Italian Burrata, the accompanying roasted beets, strawberry, and rhubarb beautifully brought together with cocoa nibs at SoMa’s Italian-forward Bosco. Helmed by co-executive chef-partners Ryan McIlwraith and Kaili Hill, the restaurant leans into hyperseasonality: a dish of perfectly in-season Heirloom Melons is stacked with toasted pistachio and house made ricotta; Ricotta Gnocchi is lifted with fava leaf pesto and tiny flowers. I was less thrilled with Cauliflower Steak, the flavors not quite cohering, but the Wild Boar Paccheri flew me straight back to Tuscany at first bite.

Comfort food favorites – Tuna Tataki, Chicken Wings, M&M Smashburger, Mom’s Meatloaf – reimagined by Chef Daniel Bermudez are at the heart of Inner Sunset’s Maggie & Mac’s. A long bar with proper backs on the stools invites lingering and getting to know a neighbor over a Kick Back, a non-alcoholic coconut water cocktail or a Neighborhood Negroni.  There’s tableside service at the green-backed booths where families order Pig & Fig pizzas or a French Dip sandwich. Don’t miss the Fish Tacos – dusted with spices and served with serrano-cilantro slaw, they are irresistible.

North Bay/Wine Country

Perhaps you saw my post on Instagram that my overnight at Forestville’s Farmhouse Inn was the best night’s sleep I had in a while. Each room was a sanctuary with quiet appliances, thick walls and a bed that allowed me to sleep through the night. I could have stayed in that room for a week.

The onsite, candlelit restaurant is 100% cozy, wine country charm.  I was expecting a punch in the face from the smoked tea and Drambuie but a Brass Tack NA was delicate and savory, a nice pairing with my Burrata Salad (without the burrata) and Ora King Salmon. I went back for breakfast the next morning, just to be in that room again.

Napa’s BOA Steakhouse (West Downtown neighborhood) is one of the places you can try a Salt Air Margarita. Wow, that foam and hint of lime zest is so good! The dark and moody vibes match the clientele who arrive buffed, lifted, and wine country fabulous – families celebrating birthdays, ladies out on the town, and a busy bar where the lookie-loo’s be lookin’!

Of course, I had to try the always gluten-free Jumbo Lump Crab Cake – delicious on its own but the crispy capers are next level. I didn’t love my salad and my Japanese F-1 Filet was cooked to an ideal medium-rare but whoa, that BOA “Boujee” Baked Potato stole the show! Topped with crème fraîche, chives and caviar, it was a potato worth yapping about. Yum.

I had never stepped foot onto the wide green expanses or into the colonnaded buildings that comprise Silverado Resort in Napa. Alongside the golf course and tennis club, the recently refurbished restaurant, Matchplay Kitchen & Bar, is part clubhouse, part community meeting house. I leaned into the Short Rib Burger which arrived looking like a hunky thriller. I don’t know how the team got the shape of the burger to be so balanced but I marveled at its expanse over the entirety of the gluten-free bun. And stacked, too, with the classic tomato-lettuce-pickles set-up.

My Cassis Sparkler and very green side of slaw were balanced and flavorful. The winner of the meal, though, was a VG, DF, GF Coconut Crème Brûlée with the cutest, on-brand topper. (See above.) I’d like to come back for the Ahi Tuna Niçoise and the Duck Confit Fritters with Humboldt Fog mousse and hot honey. I feel like Napa, generally, needs more casual places with spirited food like this.

It was a warm summer afternoon when Niki and I sat down at Sunday Supper Club on the patio at Auberge du Soleil. Here, the vibes are more relaxed than at the in-house one-Michelin restaurant. (Well, a little more relaxed!) The long white linen-draped table was set with stunning flower arrangements, each place adorned with tiers of china and glassware. A first course of Crispy Fingerling Potatoes with herb tahini and baby greens soon gave way to Rack of Local Lamb with Moroccan spices and Provençal Tomatoes, all served on family-style platters. To finish, Chocolate Cremeux with ice cream. After a meal which kept my youngest son enwrapped in food and flowing conversation, Niki asked: “Mom, do you get to go to events like this all the time?” His eyes were glowing with happiness.

Interested in more restaurant coverage? Here’s the restaurants I covered in June.