Punch Magazine - April 2024

42 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM Stockhome’s menu, infused with Middle Eastern influences, pays homage to the Swedish capital’s contemporary cuisine. Last spring, Julio Ortiz and his brother Jorge realized their dream of opening a restaurant in the town where they grew up. Since then, Quiote, their unassuming spot on Kentucky Street, has elevated the area’s Mexican dining scene. “Even though we serve dishes from the entire Mexican Republic, my family is from Jalisco, and the Jalisco dishes on the menu come from my mom,” he says of mother Gloria, who splits her time between the kitchen and the dining room. “It’s been fun to work with her and explore my roots through the food we serve.” Don’t miss Gloria’s mole, which is served over chicken enchiladas. STOP & SHOP Petaluma remains an antique shopper’s destination but as the town changes, so have the tastes of its residents. As a result, you’ll find a wide range of stores, selling everything from vintage furniture and estate jewelry to modern furnishings and clothing PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF M. WOOLSEY / SOPHIA MARKOULAKIS BEST BITES There’s no shortage of fantastic food options in Petaluma. Several restaurants have San Francisco pedigrees like Table Culture Provisions and Pearl Petaluma. Restaurateurs Roberth and Andrea Sundell, who operated Pläj in San Francisco for 10 years, decided to bring modern Scandinavian cooking to Petaluma in 2018 with the opening of Stockhome on Western Avenue. “We fell in love with Petaluma the first time we drove through. We also wanted to raise our kids in a small town,” Roberth says. {due west} Petaluma is a town with multiple personalities. Visitors willing to make a detour on their way to Sonoma County’s wine country will find a community that’s rooted in history yet focused on progress. Historic buildings hum with cuttingedge eateries and boutiques, while cultural attractions marry its agricultural past with modern art and innovative public spaces. It’s just one of the reasons why Petaluma has so many Peninsula transplants—the small-town charm lures both young couples looking to raise a family and recent retirees wanting to stay within reach of San Francisco. Spend a weekend here and you’ll find yourself planning your next trip to Petaluma before you’ve even checked out of your room.

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