Napa/Sonoma favorites?
Aug 3, 2004, 11:00 am
#31
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Worcester, MA
Programs: AA PLT
Posts: 668
My husband and I go to Sonoma about 4 times a year. We like Deuce, Cafe la Haye, and Girl and the Fig. Deuce I find to be greatly underrated. There is a nice courtyard if you want to eat outside, and the interior is beautiful---lovely woodwork and metalwork. Excellent service, terrific wine list (no surprise there). Cafe la Haye may have the best food of the three. Girl and the Fig has very good bistro-type fare (in the winter, their cassoulet is fantastic!). I think their desserts are a bit lack-luster, generally. They also have nice outdoor seating.
In case you are interested, the best coffee shop in Sonoma (hands down, IMO) is the Barking Dog Coffee Roasters. They do indeed roast their own. It's a nice place to sit and read the paper (many available, even the NY Times).
In case you are interested, the best coffee shop in Sonoma (hands down, IMO) is the Barking Dog Coffee Roasters. They do indeed roast their own. It's a nice place to sit and read the paper (many available, even the NY Times).
Aug 4, 2004, 6:13 pm
#32
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Redondo Beach, CA USA
Programs: UA 1KMM, Bonvoy LTE+A, HH D, Nat'l EE, Hertz Plat, Avis PC
Posts: 3,729
I'm opening myself up to ridicule by saying this, but my wife and my favorite restaurant there is Carneros at the Renaissance Lodge. Granted that's where we always stay, but the atmosphere, service, food quality, and wine list are all simply outstanding. It is a favorite among locals, so it must have something going for it!
Aug 9, 2004, 3:18 pm
#33
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,188
Originally Posted by BingoSF
The "open invitation" isn't all it once was. Two data points in the past month and a half suggest that they're cracking down on outside food. They've been "policing" more and more to protect their "patrons".
Aug 31, 2004, 8:38 am
#34
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Worcester, MA
Programs: AA PLT
Posts: 668
Ate at a new (to us!) restaurant in Sonoma this weekend: La Poste, on Broadway right next to the (you guessed it!) post office. Tiny bistro, more seating outside than inside. The food was wonderful, and it was obvious that it is a local favorite. I think it's about to become our new favorite here, too.
Deuce was a disappointment this time. La Haye was on vacation.
Deuce was a disappointment this time. La Haye was on vacation.
Jul 29, 2005, 2:17 pm
#36
Join Date: May 2005
Location: San Fran
Posts: 325
I keep repeating myself here: Mirepoix, Mirepoix, Mirepoix. I've been to pretty much every place in the county and Mirepoix is currently at the top of their game and on top of the other places around.
Flavor is a new place in downtown Santa Rosa. The food is good, nothing extraordinary. However, they feature Moonlight Brewing on tap. Brian Hunt is an extraordinary brewer; particularly his various Lagers. Russian River BRewing Company is a few blocks away. Vinnie Cilurzo is in a league of his own (well Phil Markowski is there too). I've been going to Sonoma County 6-8x per year for several years. I love the wine. In truth, however, its the three top breweries out there that get me most excited these days (Bear Republic in Healdsburg, being the third
Flavor is a new place in downtown Santa Rosa. The food is good, nothing extraordinary. However, they feature Moonlight Brewing on tap. Brian Hunt is an extraordinary brewer; particularly his various Lagers. Russian River BRewing Company is a few blocks away. Vinnie Cilurzo is in a league of his own (well Phil Markowski is there too). I've been going to Sonoma County 6-8x per year for several years. I love the wine. In truth, however, its the three top breweries out there that get me most excited these days (Bear Republic in Healdsburg, being the third
Aug 1, 2005, 2:34 pm
#38
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 647
Originally Posted by Just Passing Thru
This probably isn't what you're looking for, but I absolutely love to take a basket and a blanket to V. Sattui, select some fruit, cheese, bread and perhaps a little something-something (pasta salad? roasted garlic?) from the prepared foods case in the delicatessen, choose an appropriate bottle of wine, and then head for the lawn.
Spread out the blanket and spread out the goodies. People can pick and choose, grazing their way through the picnic arrangement It's simple and tasty, and if the weather is pleasant, all the better. I've done this twice with a group of co-workers, and it was a hit both times.
Spread out the blanket and spread out the goodies. People can pick and choose, grazing their way through the picnic arrangement It's simple and tasty, and if the weather is pleasant, all the better. I've done this twice with a group of co-workers, and it was a hit both times.
Aug 1, 2005, 3:21 pm
#40
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Naples, Florida
Posts: 7,419
Originally Posted by ALadyNCal
Help me choose 
Last year, we went to Tra Vigne. We tried to go to Bistro Don Giovanni -- but the wait was too long.
We are returning in a couple of weeks. Right now, my short list is Bistro Don Giovanni, Bistro Jeanty, and the CIA's Greystone.
If you were going to choose two of these for dinner and one for lunch -- which would you choose for dinner?
Also, Bistro Jeanty and Bistro Don Giovanni aren't "too similar" are they?
Thanks!!!
~~~I am also interested in feedback on the Glen Ellen Inn restaurant or Syrah.
FWIW, we are staying two nights in Sonoma and three nights in Santa Rosa this trip -- and possibly one in Napa (undecided).
Last year, we went to Tra Vigne. We tried to go to Bistro Don Giovanni -- but the wait was too long.
We are returning in a couple of weeks. Right now, my short list is Bistro Don Giovanni, Bistro Jeanty, and the CIA's Greystone.
If you were going to choose two of these for dinner and one for lunch -- which would you choose for dinner?
Also, Bistro Jeanty and Bistro Don Giovanni aren't "too similar" are they?
Thanks!!!
~~~I am also interested in feedback on the Glen Ellen Inn restaurant or Syrah.
FWIW, we are staying two nights in Sonoma and three nights in Santa Rosa this trip -- and possibly one in Napa (undecided).
I also liked Tra Vigne, bigger, food also OK.
I didn't care for Don Giovanni - food was a little like fast food and overcooked.
In St. Helena is a Dean & DeLuca .. very nice stuff for a picnic!
BTW, I did not find a nice restaurant in Santa Rosa, nor a nice hotel. The Hilton was lousy ..
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...REST_INDEX.txt
Last edited by USAFAN; Aug 1, 2005 at 3:23 pm Reason: Added link
Aug 1, 2005, 3:37 pm
#41
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Houston, Texas
Programs: United 1K, Marriott Plat, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 653
Originally Posted by USAFAN
In St. Helena is a Dean & DeLuca .. very nice stuff for a picnic!
BTW, I did not find a nice restaurant in Santa Rosa, nor a nice hotel. The Hilton was lousy ..
BTW, I did not find a nice restaurant in Santa Rosa, nor a nice hotel. The Hilton was lousy ..
Were you at the Hilton pre-renovation or more recently? And for restaurants in Sonoma, while there are some options in Santa Rosa proper, I've found the real treasure trove to be in Healdsburg. Bistro Ralph was just mentioned, which is very nice, as well as Ravenous. There are others, such as the Farmhouse Inn in Forestville, too. But, for the most part, I'm inclined to say that the dining for my taste is more attractive in Napa, although I think that might be changing slowly but surely as Sonoma gets more and more excellent restaurants.
Bistro Jeanty is great -- the chef who built Domaine Chandon into greatness. Bistro don Giovanni, I've found, has been disappointingly inconsistent. I prefer Tra Vigne at the moment, though sometimes in the summer some of the dishes can feel a little heavy.
Aug 1, 2005, 3:41 pm
#42
Join Date: May 2005
Programs: AA Platinum Pro, VS Gold
Posts: 97
Sonoma: Cyrus in Healdsburg
Try Cyrus, a new restaurant in Healdsburg which is giving the French Laundry a run for its money.
www.cyrusrestaurant.com
www.cyrusrestaurant.com
Aug 2, 2005, 1:07 pm
#43
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Naples, Florida
Posts: 7,419
Originally Posted by gutt22
Don't forget the Oakville Grocery for picnic stuff. I prefer it strongly to D&D.
Were you at the Hilton pre-renovation or more recently? And for restaurants in Sonoma, while there are some options in Santa Rosa proper, I've found the real treasure trove to be in Healdsburg. Bistro Ralph was just mentioned, which is very nice, as well as Ravenous. There are others, such as the Farmhouse Inn in Forestville, too. But, for the most part, I'm inclined to say that the dining for my taste is more attractive in Napa, although I think that might be changing slowly but surely as Sonoma gets more and more excellent restaurants.
Bistro Jeanty is great -- the chef who built Domaine Chandon into greatness. Bistro don Giovanni, I've found, has been disappointingly inconsistent. I prefer Tra Vigne at the moment, though sometimes in the summer some of the dishes can feel a little heavy.
Were you at the Hilton pre-renovation or more recently? And for restaurants in Sonoma, while there are some options in Santa Rosa proper, I've found the real treasure trove to be in Healdsburg. Bistro Ralph was just mentioned, which is very nice, as well as Ravenous. There are others, such as the Farmhouse Inn in Forestville, too. But, for the most part, I'm inclined to say that the dining for my taste is more attractive in Napa, although I think that might be changing slowly but surely as Sonoma gets more and more excellent restaurants.
Bistro Jeanty is great -- the chef who built Domaine Chandon into greatness. Bistro don Giovanni, I've found, has been disappointingly inconsistent. I prefer Tra Vigne at the moment, though sometimes in the summer some of the dishes can feel a little heavy.
I had seen Farmhouse Inn at Zagat ... didn't go, was a little too far.
Went to two restaurants at the depot/railway area (?) both had overcooked food. There is also a breakfast joint, which was very good ... long lines.
Dean & Deluca is fine, but a little expensive .. they had a (middle sized) bread for $8.00! I used my D&D $100 cash card, which I got from Lexus for test driving a car.
Aug 3, 2005, 12:53 pm
#44
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Houston, Texas
Programs: United 1K, Marriott Plat, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 653
Originally Posted by USAFAN
Dean & Deluca is fine, but a little expensive .. they had a (middle sized) bread for $8.00! I used my D&D $100 cash card, which I got from Lexus for test driving a car.