Sonoma Valley is synonymous with splendid wine and offers almost boundless natural beauty and all sorts of bountiful gardens. The Sonoma Valley might be best known for its laid back but outstanding wine tasting experiences, and local restaurants showcase the splendor of wine country just as well. Chefs and restaurateurs are hyper focused on what is local and seasonal. They also keep to classic culinary delights and infuse traditional cooking techniques with what the land offers throughout the seasons. We have tried them all, we love them all for many different reasons, and these following restaurants are some of the most requested with our wine tours.
Cafe la Haye
140 E Napa St
Sonoma, CA 95476
(707) 935-5994
www.cafelahaye.com
Cafe la Haye is a foodie favorite for locals and visitors alike. Located steps from the beautiful and historic Sonoma Plaza, this cozy restaurant has been welcoming diners for nearly two decades. Owner Saul Gropman designed the interior to be clean and cozy with high open beam ceilings, large windows and local artwork adorning the walls that energize the helpful and friendly staff. In back, Executive Chef Jeffrey Lloyd sources all the food from within 60 miles of Cafe la Haye. Like the decor, Jeffrey’s menu is unfussy yet sophisticated, with simple preparations that result in superb finished dishes. The wine list is also focused in on local producers, but features an intriguing international selection to compliment the food as well. Cafe la Haye is a place that we can’t seem to go to enough!
El Dorado Kitchen
405 First St.West
Sonoma, CA 95476
(707) 473-8394
www.eldoradosonoma.com/kitchen
This award winning restaurant is a local favorite and a must for any wine tour in Sonoma. The El Dorado Kitchen is led by Executive Chef Armando Navarro, who was trained by and has worked with some of the greatest chefs in the world. His food is earthy and intricate, but straightforward and absolutely crave able! Everything, not just the food and wine, is sourced locally from Sonoma; cocktails and beers come from local producers and speak to Chef Armando’s dedication to showcasing Sonoma’s best. The wine list is robust and while focused primarily on Napa and Sonoma wines, there is plenty of room for the rest of the world of wine. The seasonal and regional highlights echo Sonoma sensibility with worldly flavor, which has us coming back over and over again.
The Girl and the Fig
110 W Spain St
Sonoma, CA 95476
(707) 938-3634
www.thegirlandthefig.com
Few places epitomize the surrounding Sonoma Valley as well as the team at The Girl and the Fig. An institution of tastiness for over 15 years, The Girl and the Fig is a passionate and motivated player on the Sonoma restaurant scene. They work hard to create memorable dishes while pushing themselves to conjure up new celebrations of freshness. The menu is Provencal inspired while keeping in mind the local treasures that are seemingly limitless in Sonoma. Unique, fun, offbeat and delectable all accurately describe the food and setting, the experience is a true representation of the passion the people working there feel everyday. They farm a good portion of the menu themselves and know the food and wine intimately. If you haven’t been here yet, call us today and we’ll make sure you feel and enjoy the flavors and passions abundant at The Girl and the Fig.
Wine tasting is what comes to mind when most people think of Sonoma, but the local farmers are also well represented when their food crops make it into the hands of local chefs. Sonoma is a relaxed and unpretentious environment worthy of more than just wine tasting. Contact us today and we can arrange a wine tour that could include some of the most impressive food you have ever tried!
Sorry, comments are closed for this post.