This trip I was only in Sonoma for 2 nights. Part of why I like the town is that there are many good restaurants on the Mexican plaza. Dinner choices were a bit of a quandry.
For the first night I chose la Salette. The name sounds vaguely French, but it's Portuguese. It's in a new building down on alley off the plaza. I had a great sardine appetizer followed by a traditional pork and clam stew.
452 First St. E. 707-938-1927
There are many other good restaurants. Please see also my 2004 page.
Note that all of these restaurants are popular. Call ahead, even a couple of days, for reservations.
The Girl and the FIg
110 W. Spain St. just off the plaza. 707-938-3634
It's a good and popular restaurant connected to the Sonoma Hotel. There is only so much indoor seating. In warm weather there is outdoor seating behind the hotel.
It's a very good restaurant that I have somehow never eaten in. The General in question - Vallejo - was the last Mexican Governor of Alta California and later a Governor of American California. His nearby house is open for visitors. The restaurant is in the house that he had built for his daughter, Natalia Vallejo Harasazathy. I did not research it, but I think the name means that she married the first local winemaker.
My other dinner this trip was here. The food was particularly good. The menu did not use the word, but the first course was a sort of "tempura" of baby artichokes and other vegetables. The main course was described on the menu as "cassoulet" (yes in quotes) with chorizo and clams. It was delightful, as was the unfiltered Saintsbury chardonnay. It made me think of the dinner the previous evening, but the style of the cooking and the restaurant are difrferent. This restaurant has a very modern elegant feel with modern decor and an open kitchen. There are plenty of attentive servers, and the prices reflect this.
I suspect that the hotel has recently changed hands. There is an up-to-date web site which indicates that the hotel rooms have been modernized. The restaurant space used to be operated by a good local chain and has been renovated.
Plaza Bistro.
420 First St. E. on the plaza. 707-996-4466.
I did not eat there on this trip, but I have had great meals there in the past. The present menu favors pasta and red meat.
.gif){kind=small}
