It used to be that when you said Sonoma and Rohnert Park, you'd smile and say Cheese & Wine. Now when people think about this wine country region, they smile and say Chips & Slots -- as in Graton Resort & Casino. The Resort portion of the estimate 534,00 square-foot gambling facility will be built after opening. For now, the brand new $800+ million casino is expected to whomp other North Bay (San Francisco) casinos big time and in true form, they are pulling out the stops to retain customers before the onslaught.

River Rock Casino in Geyserville 32 miles away, Cache Creek Casino Resort, which draws heavily from the East Bay, and Thunder Valley resort, have had over a year to plan strategies for competition from the newest casino, opened on Nov. 5, 2013.

What you will find at Graton Casino:

• Smoke Free environment (some smoking areas)
• 3,000 casino slots
• 144 table games
• Live Poker Room with 18 tables -- limit and no limit play

Dining

• Tony's of North Beach (Italian dining & pizzeria)
• 630 Park Steakhouse (Prime Rib, Seafood, Steaks)
• M.Y. China (modern Chinese from famed Martin Chan)
• Daily Grill (American favorites such as burgers)
• Beach Hut Deli
• Boathouse Sushi
• DK Wings
• La Fondita Taqueria
• The Habit Burger Grill
• Roadside BBQ
• Scoops (Three Twins Ice Cream)
• Slice House by Tony Gemignani
• Starbucks

Bars & Lounges

• G Bar
• Sky
• 8