Guerneville’s Booming Boon

There’s something big happening in Guerneville. I might even call it a rebirth of sorts (and for the record, I wouldn’t be the first to do so).

I’ve referenced this trend before in relation to the debut of chic new local hotspots in Guerneville like Whitetail Wine Bar, but perhaps no place represents the changing face of Sonoma’s County’s gayest hub better than Boon Eat + Drink, Chef Crista Luedtke’s modern California bistro which has been earning raves since it opened its doors.

Using fresh seasonal ingredients (some from the garden at the restaurant’s sister hotel just about a half mile away) and hormone-free, antibiotic-free, and sustainably-raised meats, Luedtke has crafted a menu where the ingredients themselves actually take center stage without any unnecessary flourishes or trills. And that shows a real deftness.

Herb-roasted chicken is served over toasted farro with grilled raddichio and a citrus vinaigrette. It is a plate that is at once deliciously simple and earthy and yet perfectly balanced in its intricate layering of flavors and textures.

Likewise, flat iron steak is classically paired with truffle fries and served on a bed of wild arugula with a sherry-shallot vinaigrette (I had a bite of my friend’s and it was heaven).

Meanwhile artisan cheeses and salumi make excellent starters, just as Chef Luedtke’s celebrated brussel sprouts make an excellent side whenever they are available. And, of course, there is a selection of Russian River wines and beers from Sonoma County to round out any meal at Boon.

Like the food, the dining room at Boon is intimate, inviting and unfussy and there always seems to be a hum about the place.

Not surprisingly, on any given night, no matter the time of year, Boon seems to be the place to dine on Main Street in Guerneville, which is saying something, particularly as the bistro’s success has been something of a boon for the town in and of itself.

Just recently chef David Blomster, formerly of Boon, debuted Hi Five, a Korean American diner just down the street from the kitchen he previously called home. And this coming March, the masterminds behind San Francisco’s Bar Crudo are opening a 35-seat seafood bar called Seaside Metal in downtown Guerneville as well.  Needless to say, things are heating up in Guerneville, but there can be little doubt where the spark began.

Find out more about Boon at www.eatatboon.com.

Boon | 16248 main street Guerneville, CA 95446 | Phone: 707.869.078