Sonoma's most romantic restaurants

Ready for romance? We've hand-picked ten of our favorite romantic dining spots in Sonoma County. So whether you're popping the question, or just popping out for a first date, we've got a restaurant that will get both your hearts beating faster. (Plus, handy phone numbers to make those reservations. Which you'll need, Romeo.)

Della Fattoria
Petaluma's favorite patisserie glitters and glows in colors of amore. Window box seats are prime real estate for sharing a cozy cup of gourmet hot chocolate and a croissant. Or for scoping out unwary love matches drinking their morning espresso. Though the downtown bakery is usually only open for breakfast, lunch and afternoon snacking, insiders flock to their Friday dinners. The multi-course meals typically feature local produce, meats and regional wines at a very reasonable price.

Madrona Manor
Though this historic bed and breakfast is bathed in a sea Victorian lace and tassels, Chef Jesse Malgren's nouvelle California cuisine keeps things interesting. A real life maitre'd caters to your every request, including a showstopping tableside dessert service. Snuggle up by the crackling fire or just admire your lover's face by the warm glow of candlelight in this most proposal-worthy spot. Upstairs guest suites make are highly conducive to , ahem, after-dinner romance.

The General's Daughter
Wine Country with a southern drawl. The charming Sonoma Victorian has recently reinvented itself as a favorite spot (possibly the only spot) to get daily foie gras specials along side nouveau "Lowcountry" grits and gumbo. Keep the spice alive by taking advantage of cozy nooks and lovebird seating throughout. Chef Preston Dishman is one of the region's rising stars, and well worth making the trip for.

Cafe Saint Rose
What makes this offbeat little bistro one of our absolute favorite date-night spots is Mark Malicki. The chef-owner's quirky personality infuses everything--from the small-plates menu (little fried bird with lavender honey and sea salt) to the vibrant art (his dad's), weekly movie nights and choice funky background music. Here, conversation never gets dull, your wine glass is never empty (long) and the night seems infinite with possibilities.

Mirepoix
If you're agreed that A) Anything French is romantic; B) Foods bathed in butter are equally romantic and; C) Just saying Coq au Vin makes you sexy, then this Parisian-style bistro just off the Windsor green is the key to your smooch-filled night. The space is small and intimate, the wine list extensive, and the atmosphere casual enough to not make your date feel any serious obligation. Plus, it's run by a young husband and wife team who know a thing or two about keeping the fire burning in the kitchen.

Cyrus
Champagne wishes and caviar dreams come true at Sonoma County's most ultra-luxe restaurant. Think little carts wheeling around caviar and cheeses, waiters snapping to attend to your every need and food so pretty it seems a shame to eat. Be warned, you'll pay a pretty penny for all that indulgence, but you did say for richer, didn't you? (Can't afford dinner? Stop in for some dazzling drinks at the bar.)

Ca'Bianca They say garlic is an aphrodisiac. Test out the theory with a little between-course-kissing at one of Santa Rosa's oft-cited romantic eateries. Featuring dishes from throughout Italy, you'll have plenty of excuses to twirl your fork suggestively or maybe even have your own Lady and the Tramp moment.

Zazu
Unassuming, and maybe even a little rugged from the outside, Zazu's the roadhouse with a heart of gold. Serving up Wine Country comfort food with a gentle Italian flair, the menu is thick with braised, roasted, melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness. Expect to find fun, inexpensive local wines, elbow-rubbing banquet-seating and a smart, slow-food sensibility that can be enjoyed in everything from Birkenstocks to Blahniks.

Farmhouse Inn If the quiet country drive to Forestville doesn't get your Romance-O-Meter going, the warm glow of the Farmhouse Inn on a dark winter's night should at least get a patter. Intimate almost to a fault, the restaurant is cozy and homey, with snappy service and a Cal-French menu that plays to the flavors of many regional wines on their extraordinary list. Plus, you can always sneak upstairs for a little overnight nookie.

La Gare Everything old is, well, still pretty tried-and-true at this favorite Santa Rosa institution that's been a favorite of googly-eyed lovers from its opening in the late 1970s . From its way-classic French menu to the cozy, dimly-lit interior, La Gare won't be denied. And hopefully, nor will you, loverboy.

IF YOU GO

• Della Fattoria: 41 Petaluma Boulevard North, Petaluma, 707.763.0161
• Madrona Manor: 1001 Westside Rd., Healdsburg, 707.433.1542
• Café Saint Rose: 465 Sebastopol Avenue (between Santa Rosa Ave. and "A" St.) Santa Rosa, 707.546.2459
• The General's Daughter: 400 West Spain St., Sonoma, 707.938.4004
• Mirepoix: 275 Windsor River Road, Windsor, 707.838.0162
• Cyrus: 29 North St., Healdsburg, 707.433.3311
• Ca'Bianca, 835 Second St., Santa Rosa, 707.542.5800
• Zazu: 3535 Guerneville Road, Santa Rosa, 707.523.4814
• Farmhouse Inn: 7871 River Road, Forestville, 707.887.3300
• La Gare: 7871 River Road, Forestville, 707.887.3300