Visiting Sonoma- Wineries, Dining, Lodging- October 2014

 

 

My first dinner was at the award winning The Girl and The Fig, voted the top restaurant in Sonoma. With a wonderful outdoor patio this farm to table restaurant has been a staple here in town for 17 years. A third of their menu is cheeses. They own their own garden, and cure and smoke all their meats which come from locally owned farms. Begin with a signature drink. I enjoyed the Fig Royale, a sparkling wine infused with Fig and Vodka. The menu changes seasonally to fit the garden. I began with the Garden Squash Soup along with a the daily special, Prosciutto with Goat Cheese and Figs. Loved them both. For my entrée I chose Duck Confit, which had been slow roasted for eight hours and was filled with delicate flavors. Two other entrée favorites are the Wild Flounder Meuniere, and Steak Frites, a 6 ounce prime flat iron steak. They have an extensive wine menu and will pair for you the perfect selection.  I promise you whatever you order you will enjoy. Going there for one meal is not enough. They are also a favorite with locals for breakfast and lunch.

 

Renee Rebell runs a wonderful 2 hour wine and food tasting tour around the Sonoma Square. You will visit several wine tasting rooms and stop in different restaurants to sample Ahi tacos, cheese, ravioli and other goodies. You will learn a little of Sonoma History as you stroll. It was here in the Town Square where in 1846 the California Flag with the Bear was first raised. See the historic Mission dating from 1820’s and the Spanish army barracks. Native Americans were here first, and there was even a Russian settlement in Sonoma started 1812 with Fort Ross that lasted to the 1840’s. The tour is fun, Renee is great, and she has several other tours as well. Contact her at [email protected] or call her at 415-250-2273.

 

There are several wineries just a ten minute drive from town and the surrounding hotels. A bike winery tour is a fun way to work off the calories you will definitely consume on this trip. I spent my second night at The Renaissance Lodge in Sonoma. Here we rented bikes on our own and enjoyed the tree lined bike trails into town, and from there made our way to three wineries. Sebastiani Winery is the closest to town. From there it was 15 minute ride to Ravenwood Winery, for more tasting and purchasing a few bottles. Then on to the oldest Sonoma Winery, Buena Vista Winery. Each winery has a nice 30 minute tour which ends in their tasting room where you can sample all their wines and of course buy a few bottles to ship home. Biking was a good workout and afterward a 60 minute massage at our Hotel’s Raindance Spa was the perfect end to the afternoon. The Lodge pool and Jacuzzi are open to 11pm. Their rooms are very comfortable and Tim Torres at the front desk is great guy and very helpful with Sonoma advice. We had a nice dinner at Carneros Bistro and Wine Bar right on the Hotel property.  The Summer Corn Bisque with Dungeness crab was perfect. My Entrée was a Grilled Hanger Steak. The waiters at all the Sonoma restaurants are great at wine pairing so I enjoyed following their lead wherever I ate. Carneros has a large local wine selection to choose from. The Lodge in Sonoma hosts quite a few wedding and corporate retreats. They have several meeting rooms, and a very nice outdoor area for weddings and events. www.renaissancehotels.com

 

There was a Sonoma Harvest Parade Saturday night followed by a Sunday afternoon celebration in the town square. There are many food booths cooking and grilling to sample here and many return for the Tuesday night farmers market as well. The guys at the Green Grocer tent grilled up the greatest taco ever. A duck Confit taco with fresh garden peaches, apples, strawberries, goat cheese, radishes, and more. Had one taco Sunday and went back for another at the farmers market Tuesday, it was that special. And I hear their Grass Fed Burger is amazing. Check them out at www.Greengrocerdirect.com.

 

My last Hotel was Macarthur Place, known as a historic country inn. This property is lined with trees and individual bungalows. The rooms are beautifully appointed and spacious. They put out a nice breakfast spread and I heard great things about their dinner restaurant Saddles. The staff is friendly and can set you up with wine tours, hot air balloon rides and they have bikes to rent as well. They also have meeting rooms and handle many weddings. I didn’t make it to their Spa or pool and Jacuzzi, but I heard very good things. This property is a favorite of many who return yearly to enjoy and explore wine country. www.macarthurplace.com.

 

My third night I had dinner at El Dorado Kitchen, located in the El Dorado Hotel. Here I started with the Tuna Tartare with Asian pear, avocado mousse, and wonton chips. Also loved the Dungeness Crab Cake. For entrees they have a wide selection from King Salmon, Seafood Paella, Braised Lamb or Pork Chops, just to name a few. This is another of Sonoma’s wonderful farm to table restaurants, great for lunch or Dinner. And need I say they have an extensive wine list. www.eldoradosonoma.com

 

My fourth and last night I went for some traditional Italian Tuscan soul food which is rooted in the many Italian immigrants who came to the SF Bay area a hundred years ago. Della Santina’s is family owned and run, and yes they really cook several of Grandma’s old world recipes. Pass through their gated entry, down a brick walkway into the warm and inviting courtyard and you will believe you are in Italy. Get ready because this is some of the best Italian food you will ever have. I flipped over the Gnocchi Della Nonna, little potato dumplings in a sauce that changes daily, today was a duck based sauce. All the pastas are homemade and just heavenly. Loved a half order of the Cannelloni Florentine, chicken, veal and ricotta filled crepe in a tomato and béchamel sauce. All the different flavors together just melt in your mouth. They have from the rotisserie, Turkey, chicken, duck, and several fresh fish dishes. Whatever you choose will be cooked to perfection. www.dellasantinas.com.  Right next door they own Enoteca, a wine bar/wine store where you can also order off the same restaurant menu at the bar and watch a ball game on TV. www.enotecadellasantina.com

 

So next time you want to hit wine country for a long weekend Sonoma is a great choice. Low key and casual with a warmth all it’s own.