One of the most joyful stories I get to write each year is my annual Best Dishes list. These are the plates of pure perfection that make Sonoma County jealous of my job. But trust me: for every one of these dishes, there are easily 100 that don’t measure up. It’s rare to create something so memorable that it lingers in my mind for months — sometimes years — for its combination of flavors, top-notch ingredients, thought and care.
Admittedly, the list is entirely subjective, shaped by where I’ve dined (a lot of French restaurants this year), what I personally love and, occasionally, whether a chef was having a great day or a rough one. There’s no rubric here. My “methodology” is simply a long sift through my notes and an even longer scroll through my camera roll.
2025 has been a thrilling year of big openings, buzzy pop-ups and ambitious young chefs pushing boundaries. As ever, I remain convinced that Sonoma County is the most delicious place on earth, and this list, which I hope you’re not reading on an empty stomach, tells that story…