396006 Fri Apr 27 09:08:53 -0700 2007 3 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 2520558 Some friends and I are heading up to Sonoma and Medocino for a wine country jaunt. One member of the group is a pastry chef eager to check out great in the area. What's recommended in the way or bakeries, boulangeries, patisseries, and restaurant dessert menus in the area? A variety of price ranges and vibes welcome. Fri Apr 27 09:08:53 -0700 2007 20572 wasabi 1 2520602 Basque Boulangerie is the local fave in Sonoma Plaza.. always packed though, the tourists finally caught on. Model Bakery is another classic, in St. Helena. Stay away from the savoury stuff though. If you like Indian you must try Taste of the Himilayas in Sonoma Plaza as well. Not for dessert, just for excellent Indian food. Fri Apr 27 09:22:22 -0700 2007 2520558 24575 lebelage 1 2520739 If "on the way up" qualifies, then stop at Flour Chylde Baking Company in Old Town in Novato. It's one of the very best pastry bakeries I've ever been to. http://flourchyld.com/background.html Flour Chylde Baking Company 850 Grant Avenue Novato 415-328-5522 Closed Monday Fri Apr 27 09:54:42 -0700 2007 2520558 10724 Mick Ruthven 1 2521218 Artisan Bakers has some nice pastries at their shop / cafe. You can find their breads all over the Bay Area but the sweet items I've seen only there. http://www.artisanbakers.com If you're passing near Petaluma, Della Fattoria is worth a detour. http://www.dellafattoria.com/cafe.html Mendocino is discussed on the California board: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/89523#1823898 Fri Apr 27 12:11:25 -0700 2007 2520558 11369 Robert Lauriston