Restaurants in Sonoma, Sonoma

originally posted by Scott Kraft:
Restaurants in Sonoma, Sonomaand environs. Help me out Mr. Kessler. Some friends are planning a stay on the square. Thanks!

Hoke and I shared a great dinner at Cafe La Haye a few years ago. On the basis of my limited exposure, I'd give it the nod over Girl and The Fig.

Mark Lipton
 
originally posted by Scott Kraft:
Thanks, Mark. Looks nice. Although the list made me throw up in my mouth a little bit.

From our meal, I recall a Navarro PN from off the list, though we were doing mostly BYO that evening. You gotta say that, when in Sonoma, you're going to get a lot of homer wines for the most part. You want a good list, go to Willi's in Santa Rosa. I do see Corison and Laurel Glen cabs amongst the spoof, so it's not a total wasteland.

Mark Lipy
 
On the square, you might try Harvest Moon - no big press, just a nice place.
Eldorado Kitchen is pleasant, also.
I like the Girl and the Fig but much prefer the Fig Cafe (20 minutes north in Glen Ellen) same owner but no corkage, ever and similar bistro style food. They do have a wine list - all Rhone varietals. They don't take reservations so get there by 6:00 pm on the weekends.
Cafe La Haye is spotty, IMO; I have had fine meals and not so, with no apparent explanation for the difference. Reservations required.
There's a Thai place across from Cafe La Haye (can't remember name) that has the best green curry I ever ate.
There are quite a few more places that I haven't gotten into yet - I plan to remedy that this summer.
Best, Jim
 
originally posted by Jeff Grossman:
At lunchtime, go to El Sombrero. Order soft tacos al pastor. Also good is the octopus ceviche

Thanks, Jeff. Now that you mention it, I seem to remember hearing good things about this place.
 
Oh yeah, I forgot - for Mexican food go to Juanita!, Juanita! out on Arnold Drive (maybe 5 mins. from the square. Its an institution. And you won't believe the building.
Best, Jim
 
Cory,
FWIW, when I'm in Sonoma I eat there no less than once a week. Often times more.
I have never had a bad experience either with food or service.
And you can't beat the no corkage policy.
I will say, however, that if you don't like standing in line and insist upon eating when there is one, that can be a hassle.
Best, Jim
 
originally posted by SteveTimko:
originally posted by Scott Kraft:
Thanks, Mark. Looks nice. Although the list made me throw up in my mouth a little bit.

Sheesh, you're not complaining about girl & the fig, are you?

i wasn't referring to G&F but actually no i'm not a fan.
 
originally posted by Florida Jim:
Oh yeah, I forgot - for Mexican food go to Juanita!, Juanita! out on Arnold Drive (maybe 5 mins. from the square. Its an institution. And you won't believe the building.
Best, Jim

Yes - that's what I was looking for! Thanks, Jim!
 
originally posted by Florida Jim:
Cory,
FWIW, when I'm in Sonoma I eat there no less than once a week. Often times more.
I have never had a bad experience either with food or service.
And you can't beat the no corkage policy.
I will say, however, that if you don't like standing in line and insist upon eating when there is one, that can be a hassle.
Best, Jim
I will defer to you r experience here. When I went it felt very much like a restaurant that was going through a change of chefs. Everything out of the kitchen was...off. It was like the entropy that will eventually overtake everything was being presented in miniature. The food and the wine all came out at the exact same temperature. The soup and entrees were too cold, the wine was too warm, the dessert too warm, the glassware right out of the dishwasher. It was one of the first times in a long time that we sent anything back to the kitchen, and we sent three things back. Truly disappointing.
 
originally posted by Thor:
Why would a Napa guy help you with Sonoma? Surely a man must have standards in life.

Ha! My memory may be failing me, but hasn't Lou weighed in on restaurants in the town proper more than once in the past?
 
originally posted by Jack Everitt:
LaSalettehttp://www.lasalette-restaurant.com/

LaSalette remains my best choice for dining.

Estate is second.

The Girl & The Fig: Absolutely Not.

LaSalette looks great. I miss Portuguese food.
 
originally posted by Cory Cartwright:
When I went it felt very much like a restaurant that was going through a change of chefs. Everything out of the kitchen was...off. It was like the entropy that will eventually overtake everything was being presented in miniature. The food and the wine all came out at the exact same temperature. The soup and entrees were too cold, the wine was too warm, the dessert too warm, the glassware right out of the dishwasher. It was one of the first times in a long time that we sent anything back to the kitchen, and we sent three things back. Truly disappointing.

Cory,
May I ask when this ocurred?
Sounds rough.
Best, Jim
 
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