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 Sonoma County [all categories]
 Sonoma - Dining
 Sonoma Dining
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| Author | Topic: Sonoma Dining |
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Hawkeye Member |
posted 02-01-2012 06:50 AM
  
Hi Loveswine, If you will go to the "?" above, you will find my email address. Send me a private note and maybe we can work something our to meet. We will be in Sonoma on March 5th. Maybe you coud meet us at one of the wineries or for lunch. We normally go to the Center Street Grill and Deli. Mrs. Hawkeye loves their milk shakes. IP: 68.169.184.155 |
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loveswine Junior Member |
posted 01-31-2012 02:07 PM
Hi Hawkeye, Sorry for the delay! Been busy... To clarify, I did start coming to the wine country in the 70's. However, lived in Japan for a number of years and then moved permanently to Sonoma in 2005. Consulting in a number of things, part time. And I agree life is very good. I love this time of year in the wine country. The mustard is just coming out and crews are busy pruning. Lots of frost in the morning lately, but it's crisp and clear and a bit of heaven driving anywhere. Would love to meet you on your trip here in March! Loveswine IP: 68.121.220.114 |
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Hawkeye Member |
posted 01-19-2012 01:08 PM
Hi loveswine, I am glad to know that someone reads my posts on this Board. I am a little confused. You say that you have been coming to wine country since the 70s, but your info shows that you are in Sonoma. Maybe you moved there in the 70s. Consultant in what? Just curious. These Boards have been pretty barren lately. Evidently there is not much visiting wine country going on. I have my upcoming March trip itinerary done . . . unless I decide to make some changes. I am pretty excited about some of them. Will spend 3 days in Napa Valley and 1 day in Healdsburg. Life is very, very good. -Hawkeye IP: 68.169.184.155 |
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loveswine Junior Member |
posted 01-18-2012 02:45 PM
Hi! I'm new to this message board and am loving all the information! I did want to add that our absolute favorite restaurant in Sonoma is La Salette. It's at the end of the alley that's north of the Murphy's alley on the east side of the Plaza, if that make sense. We love to go there with four people, order an array of appetizers and then share their whole fish on a bed of vegetables. They're a Portuguese restaurant. And Hawkeye, I've been coming to the wine country since the 70's, so reading your messages is like a trip down memory lane! IP: 68.121.220.114 |
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yesilovewine Member |
posted 05-03-2011 01:21 PM
Has anyone been to Murphy's Pub in Sonoma town? IP: 98.232.221.183 |
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damombo Member |
posted 05-02-2011 02:59 PM
Yes, we always have on nice jeans or something along those lines. I'd imagine you will see everything from a bit dressier to even less dressy - but neat jeans are acceptable just about everywhere (probably not the French Laundry, but we won't be going there) IP: 98.198.194.134 |
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yesilovewine Member |
posted 05-02-2011 02:51 PM
Oh, good D'. Thanks for that....I'm fairly sure he will make the reservation there for the evening of the Cabernet tour. We usually go tasting in nice jeans or chinos...still ok for dress code? The site says they are casual, but that has different connotations at different places.. IP: 98.232.221.183 |
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damombo Member |
posted 05-02-2011 02:27 PM
lcv915 - haven't been to either of those. yesilovewine - loved Saddles each time we've been, and we alway dine in what we've been wearing for the day's wine tastings - my suitcase only holds so much and I usually hope to stuff some bottles in for the way home. IP: 98.198.194.134 |
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carjeff Member |
posted 05-02-2011 12:14 PM
We had breakfast at the Sunflower Caffe when we were there a few years ago and really enjoyed it. I would definitely recommend it, if you not staying at a B&B. Couldn't comment on luch or dinner though. IP: 155.178.4.10 |
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yesilovewine Member |
posted 05-02-2011 10:11 AM
Sorry, L, no help from me on that one.... IP: 98.232.221.183 |
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lcv915 Junior Member |
posted 05-02-2011 09:17 AM
Has anyone been to Cafe Gratitude? Or the Sunflower Caffe? [This message has been edited by lcv915 (edited 05-02-2011).] IP: 199.136.69.155 |
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yesilovewine Member |
posted 04-28-2011 10:41 PM
Well, Hawkeye, You KNOW I love a burger, so thanks for that idea...we do need another lunch option. IP: 98.232.221.183 |
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Hawkeye Member |
posted 04-28-2011 04:40 PM
We did eat at the Girl & the Fig. Thought the food was pretty good but not so good service. We also ate at El Dorado Hotel & Kitchen. Again, the food was pretty good and the service better. If you are looking for a lunch place, and you like burgers, go to The Jack London Bar in Glen Ellen. Kind of a neat atmosphere and to know that Jack London drank there. IP: 173.247.8.79 |
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carjeff Member |
posted 04-27-2011 01:24 PM
Yesilovewine, Out of your list, I have only dined at Meritage. We also dined at Swiss Hotel and Girl and the Fig. Here's my review of all 3 Swiss Hotel - Very nice casual Italian restaurant. Our waitress was very friendly, and the food very good. We had the ravioli appetizer that was great, and our entrees were also very good. Great comfort food and slightly casual setting. Girl and the Fig – Excellent food, service ok. We had a cheese plate to start, and then had the Roasted Chicken and the Flounder entrees. Both were great – much more eclectic than the Swiss Hotel. Our waiter was no where near as good or friendly as the previous night (and also reeked of smoke). Sonoma Meritage - Just ok. The food was good, and so was the service, but didn’t compare to the other meals on the trip. Not bad, but nothing memorable. IP: 155.178.6.10 |
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yesilovewine Member |
posted 04-27-2011 12:57 PM
No worries, Hawkeye. Thanks for taking a look. Perhaps you'll be able to comment on my list of potential stops on the " hear that" thread.... Y'all doing ok in TN these days? The Eastern weather is just unbelieveable. IP: 98.232.221.183 |
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Hawkeye Member |
posted 04-27-2011 12:06 PM
Yesilovewine, Sorry, I can be of no help. IP: 173.247.8.79 |
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yesilovewine Member |
posted 04-27-2011 11:08 AM
Hi all. I'm down to figuring out dinner plans for after our all-day excursions in Sonoma Valley. Have narrowed to the following and just need a little reassurance that we can plan to get a good meal and have a good time at any of these: Sante` Saddles Cafe LaHaye Meritage Ultimately, we'll be choosing 2, so if you think there's a "don't miss" on the list, plese say so. We'll be dressed for wine tasting, so if there is a dress code issue, please tell me. One of our tours is going to be all cabs, so that was the prompt for Saddles. I was thinking of Estate, but it appears to be prix fixe dining only and I think we'd prefer to be able to choose what sounds good after a long day of tasting. Certainly willing to entertain other ideas, but we do have plans for Italian another night up in Santa Rosa, so I think we'd skip those options in Sonoma this trip. Thanks for the help. [This message has been edited by yesilovewine (edited 04-27-2011).] IP: 98.232.221.183 |
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yesilovewine Member |
posted 03-03-2011 08:14 PM
Greetings temartenson and welcome aboard! We have lots of fun here and look forward to your continued input. Thanks for the heads up on Santi...do you know whereabouts in Santa Rosa they have moved? We usually stay around Railroad Square so I hope it will be nearby. I had Bodega Bay in mind for the coast...but am not particular! Do you recommend Jenner over Bodega Bay? IP: 98.232.221.183 |
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temartenson Junior Member |
posted 03-03-2011 05:03 PM
Santi has moved to Santa Rosa and is good as it was in Geyserville. They now have outdoor seating which is very nice. Doug and his team do a wonderful job. Rustic at Coppolla is very good, but sit outside. The view is great and it's much quieter. If you get to the coast, Rivers End is a must in Jenner. The food is great and views are spectacular. IP: 69.136.10.233 |
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yesilovewine Member |
posted 03-01-2011 09:21 AM
Left Brain's family hales from Kentucky and they said that...and apparently passed that phrasing to him :}. I think we will go to Zin for lunch on the day that we visit the Wilson properties (whenever I get down there ); I think it would work well on the crossover between Dry Creek locations and Alexander Valley locations. Its right in Healdsburg isn't it? [This message has been edited by yesilovewine (edited 03-01-2011).] IP: 98.232.221.183 |
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damombo Member |
posted 03-01-2011 07:56 AM
Ha, I just remember my grandmother using that phrase many years ago - but now that you mention it, there were previous generations that did live in Kentucky... hmmmm, I'll have to dig out the family history stuff my dad was working on. IP: 98.198.194.134 |
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yesilovewine Member |
posted 02-28-2011 10:41 PM
A GRIP???!!! Are you sure you don't have some Kentucky in you????  Thanks for the proper attire info. [This message has been edited by yesilovewine (edited 02-28-2011).] IP: 98.232.221.183 |
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damombo Member |
posted 02-28-2011 06:16 PM
I usually wear only the swankiest of jeans when in California  I will usually wear slacks of some sort, but my dear darling husband wears only jeans (he is one of THOSE people) when on vacation. I take it back, he will bring a pair of slacks, but usually they stay in the grip (that's luggage for all you youngsters...) all kidding aside, Zin would be fine with jeans, John Ash would probably prefer slacks. IP: 98.198.194.134 |
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yesilovewine Member |
posted 02-28-2011 05:19 PM
Swanky? That one dates you, damambo . Me too, I guess!  I have been wanting to go to Zin for a while...I mean gee, a place named after my favorite beverage has to be good, right? Is it casual enough for jeans, or do we need something nicer like chinos? Much more than that and I may have to go there for lunch! [This message has been edited by yesilovewine (edited 02-28-2011).] IP: 98.232.221.183 |
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damombo Member |
posted 02-28-2011 03:03 PM
We've had lunch at Santi in Geyserville twice and thought it was very good both times. Zazu is worth at least one trip - funky, fun folks and a wonderful menu that probably changes often. Be sure to make a reservation because it is small and fills up quickly. Barn Diva was OK, it just had a vibe that wasn't particularly friendly. Food was good, waiter's attitude was bigger than the food portions... Zin is wonderful - enjoyed both times we've been there. Once just the two of us, another time 6 of us. Great food, great staff. A Divine Affair is in Healdsburg and it was terrific. The food was delicious, the chef is adorable (she will come out and see how you are doing), chef's mom is also adorable and she will probably be the one who seats you. For lunch, if you don't mind a crowd, Rustic at Francis Ford Coppola is also delicious. You can make reservations at all of these restaurants on Opentable.com. That is how I found Santi in the first place - when I plan out our itinerary, I like to see where we will be at meal time and then go to Opentable to see what restaurants are nearby. If you are looking for swanky good eats, John Ash near Santa Rosa (on the Vintner's Inn property) is also a great place. I'm hungry... IP: 98.198.194.134 |
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Poohh66 Member |
posted 02-27-2011 07:19 PM
Stark's Steakhouse in Santa Rosa was exceptional we thought, we had a delicious steak there, I would highly recommend it. IP: 173.168.214.16 |
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yesilovewine Member |
posted 02-27-2011 03:41 PM
Hi Gang. Posting here because this thread seems neglected of late and because I'm looking for some new ideas for places to try. Since we have several new posters I hope someone will see this and offer ideas. (I keep getting a promise of a "make-up trip to my spoiled vacay so I'm pushing for Sonoma County...of course.!) Have seen a couple places in print and on TV that I'd like to hear about, and from other sites, too. Cafe Citti- in Glen Ellen
IP: 98.232.221.183 |
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damombo Member |
posted 12-16-2010 07:53 PM
HEY! There were issues!! I could start another thread about all my issues, but it wouldn't be nearly as fun as talking about wine Or y'all could just plan a weekend here in Texas and I could pour some excellent wine and tell you all about it!! But I'm back - until I have to prepare for Christmas (is there a smiley that sticks it's tongue out?) IP: 98.197.192.216 |
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yesilovewine Member |
posted 12-02-2010 05:51 PM
Perhaps she is trying to find the computer amid all the wine she had sent back...? ( Wouldn't that be a fun problem to have??) IP: 98.232.221.183 |
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Hawkeye Member |
posted 12-02-2010 11:09 AM
Yesilovewine, Thanks for the information on Bedrock, will try and check it out when I am there. Just read on "Wine Road" where Mazzocco has just released their 2008 Maple Vineyard Zin. This is a place that I have tried to visit but have never gotten there. Next trip for sure. I wonder if we are ever going to read about Damombo's trip? Her next excuse will be that she has to prepare for Christmas. IP: 68.169.189.111 |
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yesilovewine Member |
posted 12-01-2010 11:03 PM
Hawkeye, I'm reading the current issue of Wine Spectator and James Laube has written about a new Sonoma winery- Bedrock- with which I am totally unfamiliar. The reason I'm mentioning it is that( Ravenswood founder) Joel Peterson's son, Morgan Twain-Peterson, is the winemaker. He is apparently very talented and is very focused on reds, especially old-vines. It sounds like a place that you would enjoy visiting. IP: 98.232.221.183 |
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yesilovewine Member |
posted 11-30-2010 05:24 PM
WOW!! I'm glad to know that we're still here! These are really slow boards....but I guess that is not necessarily a bad thing. Hawkeye, about the Maple Zin....I am not sure about that; when I talked with the Maples I was told that they no longer supply to Passalaqua. Perhaps this new release is from grapes they were already "cooking" before the relationship ended. Either way- I'm sure it will be very good wine with the Maples' grapes involved. I hope to meet them on our next visit. By the way, I forgot to mention to you that you should head over to the Ledson Hotel while in Sonoma-town and taste wines from the Zina Hyde Cunningham line. These are not poured up at "The Castle" in Kenwood. They come from property owned by Steven Ledson's family over near the coast.The name is homage to one of his (great?) grandmothers I believe. The Barbera is very good. IP: 98.232.221.183 |
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Hawkeye Member |
posted 11-30-2010 01:07 PM
Cabgirl and Yesilovewine, I was beginning to think that maybe North Korea blew up the country and I was the only one left. :-) Thanks for the dinner suggestions. We may just try girl and the fig and the Carneros Bistro & Wine Bar at the Lodge at Sonoma. Both sound very good. I know you are both familiar with the Passalacqua Winery. I received an email today announcing the release of their 2008 Maple Vineyard Zin. I thought Yesilovewine said that 2007 was their last Maple. We are having a big daylily meeting here in Chattanooga this weekend and a group of 14 will be going to dinner on Friday night. I will be furnishing the wine and will take some of the 2nd tier wines that we have purchased in Napa. Saturday night, there will be four of us (Cabgirl you may remember David And Mort) and we will go to my favorite restaurant in town, St. John's. I will again be taking the wine, only this time it will be the good stuff. Will try to remember and report. After Christmas I will start researching the wineries. I know I read somewhere about a winery owned by a black man (not racious, just an identifier) on top of a hill around Sonoma. May try and find that one. Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. IP: 68.169.189.111 |
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cabgirl Member |
posted 11-30-2010 09:46 AM
Some of the spots I like in Sonoma Square are: La Boulangerie Cafe - good sandwiches, LOVE the bread (their basque bread is delicious and perfect for sandwiches and cheeses) and their Russian Tea Cakes. I got 2 dozen of these cookies and traveled back East with them for a bridal shower. The folks loved them too. Cafe Le Haye - always wanted to go, but never have reservations and it's usually packed. I've heard very good reviews about this place. It's a small little restaurant tucked off the main square. Rin's Thai of Sonoma - excellent Thai food. Cheese Factory - also makes very good sandwiches and you can sample lots of complimentary cheeses while you shop. They also have a grill connected to the cheese shop where you can get hamburgers, tri-tip, etc. El Dorado Kitchen - Like the atmosphere. Very trendy and hip, but the food is just slightly above average. Better place for drinks and appetizers in my opinion. Swiss Hotel - As I recall it's Italian food. Food was average. Mary's Pizza Shack - great to hangout on a late night and grab a slice. Check out Sign of the Bear. It's not a restaurant, but it's a cute little cookware shop and the owners are wonderful! Also, not sure how I forgot this - I love girl & the fig. The food is delicious! I am never disappointed and always send folks there when they are looking for recommendations in Sonoma Valley. The breads, the meats, the cheeses, the butterscotch pudding, and anything else! Not sure if you've already done a search on WC.com, but I turned up this little guide that might prove useful to you: http://discover.winecountry.com/food/2010/07/sonoma-dining-guide.html IP: 68.121.220.114 |
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yesilovewine Member |
posted 11-30-2010 08:33 AM
Hiya Hawkeye. I waited to see if you would get a response here, but looks like nobody's here but us! I did some review of previous notes and found the following recommendations for Sonoma restaurants. Because we are usually in Sonoma on our way out of the area, my only meals there have been at Red Grape ( which I enjoyed ) and The Cheese Factory for picnic supplies. I have great regard for the opinion of a couple folks on Trip Advisor, however, so I'm giving you those recommendations: Estate- previously known as The General's Daughter and highly regarded by critics. Cafe Le Haye Meritage Della Santina- this has gotten mixed reviews of late, but my "pal" still holds them in good stead. Carneros Bistro- I think this is the hotel restaurant at Lodge at Sonoma Harvest Moon Cafe Sante also gets good marks, and I understand that they are offering a "tasting Menu" format on occasion which might interest you. IP: 98.232.221.183 |
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Hawkeye Member |
posted 11-25-2010 10:43 AM
We will be staying two nights in Sonoma in March and are looking for some suggestions for dining in and around Sonoma for dinner. Price range medium upward. Also, if you have any suggestions for wineries to visit, it would be appreciated. From Sonoma we will be moving to Calistoga, which we are very familiar with. IP: 68.169.189.111 |
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