Heading to Sonoma - Must Eats (and Drink), Por Favor
can't miss places? Vineyards and restaurants .... we'll do a nice dinner out but a budget option or two would be great as well!
I'm an adventurous foodie. While I love wine, I don't know much about it so we're not looking for anywhere to highbrow.
Any and all help is appreciated :)
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6 Comments:
Downtown Healdsburg has a bunch of places to visit in a nice walkable town square. Selby is a good winery that is nearby. Another winery that I liked in Sonoma was Quivera; biodynamic, interesting grounds, I liked it there. Have fun.
proncis at 6:53PM on 08/20/09
Help us out and define Sonoma - it's a town, it's a county, it's huge, and the different regions have a lot of different things to offer.
cyberroo at 7:26PM on 08/20/09
You can't miss Vella's Cheese on 2nd St East. Pick up some cheese and other food for a picnic. There are lots of nice picnic spots within a few blocks including a few parks. If you're looking for more of a wine country setting I'd take the bike path near Vella's to Sebastiani Winery. They have tables along Lovall Valley Road. As I recall the tables are shaded, there aren't usually many people around, and you're surrounded by vineyards.
more_please at 9:29PM on 08/20/09
I love the idea of the picnic and the bike path! Thanks for the suggestions - definitely want to check out Quivera.
We'll be staying at the Fairmont, which I believe is in Sonoma town - we'll have a car though, too - so don't mind a drive if it's not TOO far.
mookie at 10:50AM on 08/21/09
If you are looking for a few budget suggestions, I would head to Esate on West Spain. They have Pizza and Pinot daily for $10. (Bar/Patio only.) (They also do a nice job for a full dinner as well.)
A favorite taco shop is Juanita Juanita on Arnold drive. I suggest regular tacos or a burrito vs the super taco. A Guadalajara steak sandwich if you are really hungry.
If you are downtown and feel like Thai, 599 Thai Cafe on Broadway would be my choice.
I am not a big fan of the sushi in Sonoma but if you find yourself in Petaluma or Rohnert Park, there are several good options, Hana Sushi in Rohnert Park being my favorite.
Sojurn Cellars has a tasting room downtown and is a great, sit down experience. I'll also be self serving and suggest that you come down to the Carneros and visit Schug Winery.
CarnerosPN at 1:07PM on 08/21/09
I like El Dorado Kitchenette (the little coffee shop on the corner) for coffee, pastries, light & crazy cheap lunches.
The Girl & the Fig has the best cocktails, but the bar area is a little, well, French. El Dorado Kitchen has a better bar space, but I'm never wowed by the drinks. Food-wise, I don't find that there's a lot to choose between EDK, Estate, Girl & the Fig, Harvest Moon & Cafe La Haye - they're the big players in town, and all are good, but not always great. EDK is more contemporary Californian, Estate is Italian with good antipasto, G&F is French, Harvest Moon is Californian and more independent feeling, and Cafe La Haye is tiny & Italian.
The town of Napa is only about 20-25 minutes away, which opens up a ton of other options - personally, I'd rather go to Ubuntu or Bounty Hunter than just about anyplace in Sonoma.
For bargains, you'll find taco trucks practically outside the Fairmont, just pick one. Also in that area is a good, red-sauce Italian/pizza place called Mary's - they've been there for something like 50 years. And Barking Dog Roasters is right across the street from the Fairmont and has good coffee (take some beans home). Another good bargain(ish) place is Fremont Diner, which is on the highway a few miles south of town.
If you like the bike idea, you can rent bikes in town and go wine tasting - the bike place on Broadway by the high school will give you a map for a 10-13 mile loop that's pretty easy and takes you to several decent-to-good wineries.
cyberroo at 3:26PM on 08/21/09