HEALDSBURG. Overlooking Healdsburg's charming town square, this avant-garde eatery boasts interesting artwork, dark wood furniture, a vaulted ceiling, and partitions that are actually racks loaded with manzanita wood. Indeed, this is one of the town's trendier meeting spots. Earning particular praise are special wood-fired pizzas, said to be among the Wine Country's tastiest pies. More traditional appetites like to sample homemade flatbread and follow it with polenta-stuffed grilled rabbit or oven-baked cassoulet. Reservations are a must.

NAPA. Muted greens and blues set off the black and stainless steel-accented furnishings nicely in this cozy spot. A carefully crafted wine list offers labels in a 1:1 correspondence between products of California and their equivalents from other parts of the world. Lunch and dinner options find Spanish traditions mingled with Napa Valley flair. A polenta-stuffed poblano chile with crème fraîche and avocado makes for a perfect midday meal while dinner favorites include a Spanish ham plate with black mission figs, and venison flank steak with yam risotto.

NAPA. Set in Napa's historic Old Town District, this unique place offers Spanish-influenced tapas and a globally themed wine list whose entries hail from places like New Zealand and Portugal. The upscale atmosphere is relaxed, and colors and decor recollect Latin American and Mediterranean styles. Original metalwork and woodwork by local artist Mick Handley punctuate the scene. The menu includes hot and cold dishes to suit any taste: goat cheese baked in herb-tomato sauce, Moroccan barbecued lamb chops, veal tongue escabeche with maché salad, and grilled vegetables with basil oil.