Sonoma County Restaurant Week Offers Fine Dining at Affordable Prices

Even with Valentine's Day in the middle of the month, February is typically slow for the Sonoma County restaurant industry. At least it was until two years ago.

That's when an intern at the Sonoma County Economic Development Board came up with the idea of Sonoma County Restaurant Week. The year it launched, the event grossed a total of $723,000 for participating restaurants and helped local companies supplying ingredients and services earn an additional $100,000.

This year, Sonoma County Restaurant Week kicks off Feb. 27 and continues through March 4. More than 70 restaurants are participating, so those looking for an affordable three-course meal, won't have to drive far to find one.

In Petaluma, five restaurants will be offering deals, including Tres Hombres, Tolay at the Sheraton, Dempsey's, Riverside Bistro and Cattlemens. 

Tres Hombres will feature a Cajun shrimp appetizer or roasted beet and watercress tostada, followed by seafood chile relleno, duck confit and goat cheese enchiladas, or filet mignon street tacos and Mexican chocolate dot de creme for dessert. The damage? Just $19, plus tax and tip.

At Riverside Bistro, owner Sammi Nazzal will be offering a choice of New York Steak with mashed potatoes and fresh veggies, baked fillet of Salmon with Basmatti rice and veggies or Chicken Marsala with Mushrooms, rice and veggies. That comes with a homemade soup or salad, with J.M. Rosen cheesecake for dessert, all for the very affordable price of $19.

To see what other local restaurants are serving up, check out the Sonoma County Restaurant Week site.