Sonoma with Three Michelin-Starred Chef Kyle Connaughton of SingleThread
Discover the best of the Northern California Wine Region
The Relisher is the place where the world’s top chefs reveal their favorite spots in their home cities. This week, we spoke with Chef Kyle Connaughton, the owner and chef behind the three Michelin-starred restaurant,
SingleThread, in Sonoma, California, which he founded with his wife, Katina Connaughton, Head Farmer at SingleThread.
The award-winning restaurant expertly blends Californian farm-to-table with Japanese kaiseki (traditional, multi-course Japanese cuisine), creating a truly unique dining experience. Kyle, having refined his skills alongside culinary leaders such as Heston Blumenthal, has recently earned the prestigious ranking of number 12 on Robb Report's list of the '50 Most Powerful People in American Fine Dining.'
Below, you'll discover the best of this Californian wine country as Chef Kyle reveals his favorite places in Sonoma — whether it be restaurants, wineries, or even an art gallery.
“What makes Sonoma special is its proximity to high-quality ingredients. The region is surrounded by incredible winemaking, artisans, farms, ranches, dairy, and cheese makers — all right in our backyard. Everything is seasonal in Sonoma, so you'll find that menus at many restaurants are constantly changing.”
*At the end of the interview there is a summary with links and price ranges for all the places mentioned.
Dinner Delights: French & Italian Eateries with a California Flair
“There aren't that many Michelin restaurants in Sonoma, as it's more of a ‘casual’ place. Below are my two favorite spots for dinner:
Troubadour Bread & Bistro: In the daytime, it's a relaxed bakery serving sandwiches. Come nighttime, the restaurant transforms into a fine dining experience with a tasting menu, adding a fresh twist to traditional French cuisine with a modern California touch.
The head chef, an incredible professional who came from SingleThread, aimed to create something more casual and fun. I recommend making reservations in advance, as Troubadour is quite small, and you must order the desserts. The pastry chef's desserts are truly the best in all of Northern California.
Molti Amici: This new restaurant, which opened just a few months ago, offers incredible ‘California Italian cuisine’ (Italian classics crafted with California produce). The menu features excellent fish, hand-made pasta, and pizzas. They use high-quality ingredients and seasonal, local products— they share the same fish supplier as SingleThread. When we visit, we order all of the pasta dishes on the menu. Also, their Italian desserts are a dessert section you don’t want to miss.”
Casual Restaurants: World-Class Mexican, Pizza and Even German Cuisine
“El Molino Central is an amazing, high-quality traditional Mexican restaurant that offers regional cooking techniques, particularly from Oaxaca. They specialize in handmade tortillas and use local, seasonal ingredients, especially in their seafood dishes.
“The one dish that you have to order is the fish tacos — they're the best in all of Northern California, and it's the one item that's always on the menu and not seasonal. We’re about a 30-minute drive away from El Molino Central, and it's so good that we'll make the drive just to go eat there.
“Brot is located in Guerville town and serves 'German meets local, seasonal Sonoma cuisine.' It's a really fun place with a party-like vibe that offers brots (translates to sausages in German), excellent bread, salads, and light food. Their rye spaetzle (German pasta boiled in water), with flavors always changing, is a must-order.
“If you're looking for a quick bite, Windsor Pizza Leah, my favorite local pizza place, is a great choice. Leah uses local produce in her delicious, creative pizzas with ingredients like squash, squash blossoms, and whatever else that’s in season.”
Eclectic Mix of Wineries
“Selecting my favorite wineries in Sonoma is a challenging question to answer because there are so many incredible options, and Sonoma is a very large region. Below are my favorites that have tasting rooms:
Three Sticks Wines is located in Sonoma City, featuring a historic and fun tasting room where the California flag was first waved. It offers a unique experience, combining a journey through California's history with incredible wines. My personal favorite is Pinot Blanc. Make sure to book in advance.
Marine Layer Wines are my favorite producers of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir located in my town of Healdsburg.
Lioco is a single vineyard (meaning they don’t blend from different vineyards), and is located a few doors down from Marine Layer Wines. They serve mostly Chardonnay and Pinots, plus a few more special wines. When visiting, make sure to try their Title Break Chardonnay; it’s excellent.
Reeve Wines is a winery near our farm that has the best Riesling in Sonoma. The tastings are really fun as they take place in a beautiful outdoor area, which has an outdoor pizza oven serving delicious seasonal pizzas.
Pax Wines is located in Sebastopol and is by far the top Syrah producer in Sonoma. This winery is an ideal choice for those who enjoy wines from the Rhône region in France, renowned for its Syrah. It’s located on an avenue with a collection of restaurants and wine resellers — it's a fun place to spend an afternoon, with the tasting room being the highlight.”
The Best Coffee Shops in Sonoma
“My favorite bakery is Quail & Condor (named after the state birds of California). I love their coffee and pastries, especially the croissants. Whenever I have friends visiting or a chef in town, this is the place I always like to take them in the morning.
“If you're looking for a stand-alone coffee shop, then visit Black Oak. They offer incredibly high-quality beans that are roasted daily. Their coffee is so excellent that we serve it at SingleThread.”
The Art Gallery Not to Miss
“Aerena Gallery, with two locations, is an incredible art gallery where pieces are available for purchase. It showcases amazing sculptures, paintings, and a large variety of art. What stands out to me is that there is always something new and ever-changing in this gallery.
“Regardless of your preference for contemporary, historical, or any other form of art — you will find something here that you love. I personally find inspiration in wandering through the space. All of the art in the rooms of our Inn Hotel is sourced from Arena Gallery.”
Important Tips Before Planning Your Trip
“Many visitors often divide their time between Napa and Sonoma over three to four days. I suggest making a choice between Napa or Sonoma and spending a few days in one region.
“Another important thing to keep in mind is that Sonoma is huge. To make the most of your visit, I recommend staying for three to four days in one particular area in Sonoma. This way, you can make the most of your trip and fully enjoy the wineries, foods, and outdoor activities without wasting time on driving within Sonoma.”
Favorite Restaurants in The World
“My three favorite restaurants in the world are all in Kyoto, Japan, and they all specialize in kaiseki. They are:
Thanks for reading — Gabrielle
P.S. Feel free to reply to this email if there's anyone specific or a city you'd like me to feature :)
SUMMARY
RESTAURANTS (FOR DINNER)
CASUAL RESTAURANTS
WINERIES
COFFEE & BAKERIES
ART GALLERY
Aerena Gallery $$$
FAVORITE RESTAURANTS IN THE WORLD