Gualala Seafood Shack: A small, no-frills shack by the ocean with a modest, straight-to-the-point menu of basic seafood favorites is simply easy methods to win over a sea-lover’s coronary heart. After a day of whale watching, steelhead trout fishing or mountain climbing coastal bluffs, settle in for a meal of crisp native rockfish and chips with a aspect of house-made tartar sauce. For a chew of one thing contemporary, zesty and colourful, go for the stuffed fish tacos with purple cabbage, pico de gallo and chipotle cream in a heat corn tortilla. 38820 S. Freeway 1, Unit 104, Gualala, 707-884-9511, gualalaseafoodshack.com (Nate Ok./Yelp)
Rocker Oysterfeller’s: Located within the historic Valley Ford Lodge, Rocker Oysterfeller’s serves up southern consolation delicacies with domestically sourced elements from close by farms and fisheries. This interprets to next-level, Cajun-seasoned Dungeness crab desserts with a remoulade sauce, beer battered rock cod fish tacos and barbecued Tomales Bay oysters (get the Louisiana sizzling oysters for a tantalizing style of southern warmth). 14415 Freeway 1, Valley Ford, 707-876-1983, rockeroysterfellers.com (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Coast Kitchen: The dreamy, seaside Timber Cove Resort includes a full-service restaurant with cozy seating choices — a wood-laden indoor space with a grand stone hearth and an outside patio with beautiful ocean views. Past seems to be and luxury, Coast Kitchen affords seasonal fare, an extended wine listing and thoroughly introduced dishes. Strive the creamy smoked trout chowder, grilled salmon wings and corvina in a refreshing coconut citrus broth. 21780 Freeway 1, Jenner, 707-847-3231, coastkitchensonoma.com (C.A./Yelp)
Fishetarian Fish Market: This informal sea shack on the Bodega Harbor boasts fresh-caught fish day by day, wholesome twists on conventional seafood favorites and picnic desk seating proper on the shore. You possibly can’t go incorrect with the classics right here: Boston-style clam chowder (plus bread bowls from Franco-American Bakery and Mariposa Baking Firm) and beer battered, Panko-crusted rock cod fish and chips. The youngsters meals with sides of goldfish crackers and a fish-shaped cinnamon cookie provides to the market’s family-friendly vibe. 599 Freeway 1, Bodega Bay, 707-875-9092, fishetarianfishmarket.com (Courtesy of Fishetarian)
Drakes Sonoma Coast: The Lodge at Bodega Bay has a full service restaurant that boasts an enthralling eating room with a big stone hearth and a hearth lounge space overlooking the Pacific. The one factor higher than the scenic views and comfy environment at Drakes Sonoma Coast is the seasonal, sustainable seafood it affords all day. The Bodega Bay Dungeness crab Benedict is a breakfast must-have. For a romantic dinner, attempt the day by day fish crudo or steamed Tomales Bay clams in a Sonoma chardonnay herb butter sauce whereas sitting by the out of doors fireplace pit. 103 Coast Freeway 1, Bodega Bay, 707-377-5010, drakesbodegabay.com (Courtesy of Drakes Sonoma Coast)
Gourmand Au Bay: Add a wood-fired oven and a totally stocked wine bar to a waterfront seafood venue, and also you get the nice and cozy, inviting Gourmand Au Bay. Let the harissa shrimp on polenta and the contemporary, oven-roasted mussels in an herbed wine sauce reel you in, then go for the generously topped smoked clam flatbread pizza with bacon, garlic and parmesan. 1412 Bay Flat Highway, Bodega Bay, 707-875-9875, gourmetaubay.com (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Journal)
Gourmand Au Bay in Bodega Bay is the Sonoma Coast’s solely waterside wine bar. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Fisherman’s Cove: When a seafood shack doubles as a bait and sort out store, you already know the restaurant means enterprise with its domestically sourced seafood dishes. The nautical Fisherman’s Cove makes a speciality of contemporary oysters plucked proper from Tomales Bay, and the grilled oysters with garlic butter and wasabi cocktail sauce are the break-out stars from the bunch. The crab sandwich, a great deal of contemporary Dungeness crab on toasted ciabatta bread with a alternative of cocktail sauce or dill aioli, additionally comes extremely advisable. 1850 Bay Flat Highway, Bodega Bay, 707-377-4238, fishermanscovebodegabay.com (Courtesy of Fisherman’s Cove)
Spud Level Crab Firm: Spud Level takes its crabbing very significantly, as one can inform by the to-the-second timer on its web site counting all the way down to the beginning of crab season. The piled-high crab sandwich with housemade sauce constantly will get rave critiques, and its praise-worthy New England model clam chowder rivals chowders discovered on the East Coast. You’ll additionally need to throw in an order of crab desserts with roasted pink pepper sauce earlier than they promote out (solely obtainable on weekends). 1910 Westshore Highway, Bodega Bay, 707-875-9472, spudpointcrabco.com (Courtesy of Spud Level Crab Firm)
Anello Household Crab & Seafood: This family-run crab and seafood shack is barely open on the weekends, making its well-known Dungeness crab sandwiches all of the extra a particular deal with. When noshing on the crab, grilled prawns in garlic butter, Lagunitas IPA battered fish and chips, and Grandma Mimi’s clam chowder, you may relaxation assured understanding the Anello household is offering contemporary, high quality seafood from their boats to you. 1820 Westshore Highway, Bodega Bay, 707-232-8002, anellofamilyseafood.com (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Journal)
Handline: Pairing sustainably sourced seafood with domestically grown produce (a lot of it from the restaurant’s personal yard), Handline excels in fashionable Californian delicacies with an eye fixed towards the Pacific. The fish tacos, or “El Coronado Tacos,” are the breakout stars, made with beer battered rockfish, contemporary shaved cabbage, chipotle aioli, avocado and lime. Different fan favorites embody the Monterey trout salad with a heavenly inexperienced goddess dressing and the “La Sirena Tostada” with poached calamari, contemporary veggies, citronette and pickled chile aioli. 935 Gravenstein Freeway S., Sebastopol, 707-827-3744, handline.com (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
The Shuckery: The Lalicker sisters, affectionately often called the Oyster Ladies, behind Petaluma’s The Shuckery certain know their method round shellfish, a lot to the good thing about locals and guests. Regulate the day by day choice of uncooked oysters, or go for the baked oysters (Rockefeller, BBQ, bingo or chef’s particular) if that’s extra your model. The mussels and clams are tender, delicate and savory, accompanied with grilled Della Fattoria bread to sop up the flavorful wine sauce. 100 Washington St., Petaluma, 707-981-7891, theshuckeryca.com (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Anna’s Seafood: Skip the frozen aisle on the grocery retailer and head to Anna’s Seafood subsequent time you need contemporary, sustainable seafood. You possibly can’t go incorrect with the alternatives of contemporary fish right here, such because the wealthy, sashimi grade Pacific king salmon or meaty ahi tuna steaks. Should you’re in search of ready-to-eat meals, attempt the numerous pokes, crab cioppino and smoked salmon. 901 Lakeville St., Petaluma, 707-664-5074, shopannasseafood.com (Courtesy of Anna’s Seafood)
Quinua Restaurant: Peruvian delicacies is stuffed with brilliant seafood dishes, and Quinua serves them up with model and originality. It’s crucial to begin with a ceviche, a standard Peruvian dish, and the Ceviche Mixto is a pleasant assortment of marinated seafood with kicks of citrus and spice. Followers of fried seafood will discover consolation within the Jalea de Mariscos, accompanied by golden yuca, creamy rocoto pepper sauce and topped with salsa criolla. The Paella Peruana is an excellent, colourful mess of blended seafood, rice and veggies seasoned with aji panca and amarillo (spicy Peruvian chile peppers). 500 Petaluma Blvd. S., Petaluma, 707-776-7789, quinuacocinaperuana.com (Courtesy of Quinua Restaurant)
Simmer Claw Bar: Vietnamese-Cajun fusion is the form of delicacies most of us didn’t know we would have liked till greeted with the daring, spicy-garlicky-lemony flavors mingling in each finger-licking good dish. The crispy, crave-worthy coconut shrimp are a profitable deal with each time, and the tender fried frog legs are a enjoyable shock. The true Simmer Claw Bar expertise could be incomplete, nevertheless, with no seafood boil: a pound of your alternative of seafood (attempt the crawfish for an actual Louisiana really feel) along with your alternative of taste (Cajun, lemon pepper, garlic butter or the key Simmer Sauce) and desired spice stage. Throw in add-ons like potatoes, sausage and corn on the cob to spherical out the meal. 595 Rohnert Park Expressway, Rohnert Park, 707-806-2080, simmerclawbar.com (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Journal)
Casa del Mar: Transfer over, al pastor and carnitas. Pescado and camarones are right here to change up your common Mexican meals order. Santa Rosa’s Casa del Mar serves up scrumptious Mexican seafood dishes past the standard fish tacos (although these are nice right here, too). The Fiesta del Mar is a spicy concoction of marinated scallops, shrimp, octopus and pink onions with cucumber and orange garnishes, all steeped in salsa negra. Different dishes to attempt embody the Empanadas de Camaron (empanadas full of sauteed shrimp, cheese, greens and spices) and Mojarra Frita (complete deep fried tilapia served with rice and home salad). 3660 Stony Level Highway, Santa Rosa, 707-541-6140, casadelmarsantarosa.com (Courtesy of Casa del Mar)
Santa Rosa Seafood: This seafood market on Santa Rosa Avenue has been offering a big choice of contemporary native and unique fish to the North Bay for over 40 years, and there’s no signal of it slowing down anytime quickly. Contemporary-caught crab is obtainable day by day till offered out, and people in-the-know wouldn’t dare depart with no pound of the smoked salmon. Another seafood you need may be discovered right here — from bay scallops and calamari steaks to yellowtail and complete black cod. 946 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-579-2085, santarosaseafood.com (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Journal)
Tony’s Galley Seafood & Bar: Chef Tony Ounpamornchai, the native chef behind different seafood-centric eating places resembling SEA Thai Bistro and SEA Thai Noodle Bar, set his sights on international seafood delicacies when he opened up Tony’s Galley in Montgomery Village final 12 months. You possibly can see influences of the East Coast and East Asia in dishes just like the Maine-style lobster roll with a dollop of tobiko and the fish and chips with a Japanese tartar sauce. Regulate a few of Tony’s favorites, such because the steamed mussels in a gentle Panang curry broth and the spicy seafood pasta with prawns, Hokkaido scallops, calamari, contemporary veggies and spices. 722 Village Court docket, Santa Rosa, 707-303-7007, tonysgalley.com (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Journal)
Willi’s Seafood & Uncooked Bar: The Stark’s premier seafood restaurant in Healdsburg has a tapas-style menu of eclectic twists on classics. Standouts — past the ever-popular heat Maine lobster roll — are the pan roasted shrimp with chiles, charred octopus tacos with aji amarillo and pickled hearts of palm, and the melt-in-your-mouth caramelized butterfish with miso French dressing and unique mushrooms. And the buffalo-style crispy fried oysters served on the half shell are a superb, spicy, crunchy starter for the desk. 403 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-433-9191, starkrestaurants.com (Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat)
Reel & Model: A surf and turf restaurant in a country venue with an off-the-cuff vibe, Reel & Model is the form of place you may deliver a bunch of buddies for a beer and good eats whereas having fun with day by day reside music. The tempura jumbo prawns served with a candy and spicy dipping sauce is an ideal dish to share. For a easy however at all times satisfying meal, go for the big, tender and crispy beer battered fish and chips, served with house-made tartar sauce. For a extra well-rounded meal, go for the pan seared salmon in a pink wine discount with sea salt mashed potato and cauliflower. 401 Grove St., Sonoma, 707-938-7204, reelandbrand.net (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
LaSalette Restaurant: Contemporary seafood is on the coronary heart of Portuguese delicacies, which LaSalette does exceptionally nicely. You could possibly get misplaced within the culinary delight of the starters alone, such because the salt cod desserts, chouriço crusted Day Boat scallops and olive oil sauteed Monterey squid. However the entrees that completely can’t be missed are the Bacalhau no Forno, a standard Portuguese dish of salt cod in a baked casserole, and the Caldeirada (or Portuguese fisherman’s stew) with sea bass, scallops, clams, mussels, shrimp, linguiça and fingerling potatoes. 452 First St. E., Suite H, Sonoma, 707-938-1927, lasaletterestaurant.com (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
