Celebrity Chef John Ash long ago set the standard for cuisine in Wine Country with his eponymous restaurant, located at the Vintner's Inn in Santa Rosa. Ash has since handed off the reins to chef Thomas Schmidt, whose expertise lies in finding the best local seasonal ingredients (many of which are drawn from the Vintner's Inn's extensive culinary gardens) and creating food that pairs well with wine. In fact, John Ash & Co. has one of Wine Country's most extensive wine lists, with more than 600 selections from Sonoma County and around the world, and many half-bottles, large formats and wines by the glass. The John Ash dinner menu has a mix of small and large plates to suit any-sized appetite, and a range of house-made pastas and seafood to pork chops and ribeye steaks. The "Front Room" at John Ash & Co was redesigned by the well known restaurateur Pat Kuleto, and makes a lovely, romantic spot to start with a cocktail and appetizers.