In Europe, the word “bistro” is used to describe small, neighborhood restaurants that serve food and wine in a casual, relaxed atmosphere. In Petaluma, the Wild Goat Bistro lives up to that name, offering elegant fare in a friendly setting.

Located in the historic River Mill area, the restaurant’s exposed stonework and copper furnishings offer a rustic, charming atmosphere. The open kitchen lets you see the dish's progress from start to finish, and the popular outdoor seating offers up some of the best people-watching in town. The menu has quite a bit of flexibility, with soups and sandwiches for a quick lunch, appetizers and entrees for a full dinner experience, or shareable plates for a casual group outing. Menu standouts include the Fig and Pig pizza, gluten-free pasta dishes, and the farmer’s market salad. The wine list reflects plenty of quality bottles from California vineyards, as well.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr T.Tseng