When it comes to family-owned restaurants, you’ll find them in all kinds of colors and stripes—small mom ‘n pop bistros, upscale A-list establishments, back-alley gems, and so many more. And these typically long-standing places span the culinary gamut as well. One of these historic family-owned restaurants in Northern California is Dinucci’s Restaurant, and it is among the most delicious places you’ll ever eat.
A Historic Restaurant With Deep Roots in Northern California
Dinucci’s Restaurant is located in the town of Valley Ford, approximately 8 miles southwest of Bodega Bay. Opened in 1968, it is not only one of the oldest family-owned restaurants in Northern California, but it serves up some of the best, authentic Italian recipes you’ll find anywhere. It is run by Jeanne and Ricky, a co-owner husband and wife team dedicated to carrying on the gastronomic legacy of her father, Gene Dinucci.
What It Feels Like To Visit Today
The setting for the family-style meals served here is warm and inviting. It is peppered with oodles of photographs and other memorabilia the family has collected over the years. They are the perfect backdrop to the dining experience here, which is heavily focused on creating classic Italian dishes using locally sourced meat, poultry, produce, and other products wherever possible.
What To Order At This Family-Owned Restaurant
No matter what you order at this historic restaurant in NorCal, you can’t go wrong. Consider starting out with one of the appetizers on the menu like a refreshing antipasti plate featuring salami, fresh vegetables, giardiniera (a special Italian relish made with pickled vegetables basking in a bold vinegar or savory oil), and a bean salad. Or you might opt for the delicious beer-battered deep-fried prawns served with the restaurant’s homemade tartar sauce.
The pasta dishes at Dinucci’s Restaurant are outstanding. After selecting your pasta of choice—fettuccini, spaghetti, tortellini, and even gluten-free penne, the hardest part may be deciding whether to have a pesto, Bolognese, alfredo, or marinara sauce slathered all around it! The baked lasagna here is another amazing pasta option.
Folks come from all around to enjoy their delicious carved prime rib. As you might expect, this hearty cut of meat is slow-roasted to perfection. Make note, however, that it is only available on Fridays and Saturdays from 4:00 pm until it’s gone, so plan your visit accordingly.
You’ll also find a wide array of chicken dishes on the menu like the chicken marsala, chicken parmigiana, and fried chicken. Of course, there’s also an assortment of other meat and seafood options including calamari steak and pan-fried oysters. Yum! Non-meat eaters have a variety of options as well, including their outstanding eggplant parmigiana, accompanied by your choice of rice pilaf, French fries, sauteed vegetables, or a baked potato.
Creative craft cocktails served up by their talented bartenders are another big draw here. You’ll get a kick out of the exclusive wines, local beers, and spirits that pepper this cocktail menu. If you plan your visit just right, you can visit on Thirsty Thursday, where you can’t enjoy some of Dinucci’s Restaurant’s Thirsty Thursday cocktails as well as a cheeseburger for only $12.95.
Why This Restaurant Has Stood The Test Of Time
A long-standing family history, classic authentic Italian fare, a warm and inviting dining room setting, and awesome customer service—there’s not much more you can ask for at Dinucci’s Restaurant, one of the best authentic Italian family-owned restaurants in Northern California…