If you’ve been anywhere near Third Street in Santa Rosa over the past few months, you’ve seen it: the pink takeover that is downtown’s newest all-day brunch spot, Café Carrusel, in the former La Fondita space.

There’s a life-size horse draped in pink, a wall of pink flowers, a pink carousel and enough bubblegum-colored decor to make Barbie ask them to dial it back a shade or two.

Then there’s the Instagram. A quick scroll through the restaurant’s feed offers a preview of the pink-on-pink aesthetic, with plenty of flash and a touch of cheekiness. I can’t wait to sip mimosas with the girl crew at this wildly Instagrammable pink pony party.

Brought to you by the owners of Santa Rosa’s La Fondita, the restaurant appears to focus on classic breakfast dishes and Mexi-brunch favorites, along with cocktails and an evening menu of burgers, pizza and tacos.

630 Third St., Santa Rosa, instagram.com/cafe_carrusel. Hours are listed as 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4-10 p.m. daily, though it may be worth confirming before heading out.

Mei Mei coming to Healdsburg

The owners of Bazaar Sonoma have revealed details about their newest project, Mei Mei, planned for Healdsburg.

Husband-and-wife team Sean Quan and Jenny Phan intend to open a Chinese-style food hall and grocery in the former Quail and Condor space at 149 Healdsburg Ave.

The couple has been previewing menu items through a series of pop-ups, including protein bowls at Session Climbing on Wednesdays from 4:45-8 p.m. and appearances on Tuesdays at Lo & Behold and Tisza Bistro. Dishes have included Sichuan mapo tofu, orange chicken and cumin lamb stir-fry, along with zhong dumplings and hotteok.

They have also been popping up in Santa Rosa at Marla Bakery, recently announcing an ongoing series of Korean-style dinners from 5-8 p.m. on Saturday nights.

Since losing their Forestville restaurant to a fire in 2025, the couple has operated out of a nearby catering kitchen and through a succession of pop-ups while working toward a permanent home. No opening date has been announced.

Follow their progress at instagram.com/bazaar_sonoma and instagram.com/meimeifoods_co.

Chippy time

A very soft opening: Chippy has replaced Acre Pasta at The Barlow in Sebastopol.

Steve DeCosse, owner of Acre Pizza, quietly opened the fish-and-chips cafe in mid-June. The menu includes versions of the British classic, along with a burger, New England-style clam chowder, chicken katsu, a fish sandwich, shrimp po’boy, salads and a mushroom sandwich with furikake.

Opening hours have not yet been finalized, so it may be worth waiting a few weeks for operations to settle in. But if you happen to catch them while they’re open, I’d love to hear what you think.

6751 McKinley St., Sebastopol

Raising Cane’s coming to Rohnert Park

Rumors that Baton Rouge-based Raising Cane’s is coming to Sonoma County are true.

Representatives of the fast-food chain have confirmed that Rohnert Park will be home to a future location, with an opening planned for September 2027.

With nearly 1,000 locations nationwide, Raising Cane’s has built a devoted following around its chicken tenders, crinkle-cut fries, sweet tea, Texas toast, coleslaw and signature dipping sauce.

No location has been announced, though local speculation has already focused on several vacant sites.