the girl & the fig | Sonoma

 

 

After an incredible day exploring Napa Valley in swooped The Girl and The Fig (literally! they called us that morning to announce their early re-opening and to book our reservations off the wait list!) A Sonoma dream come true! Serving rustic country fare with a French passion, this is truly the restaurant in Sonoma not to miss. While our waiters demeanor left a little something to be desired, the food and drink far outshine the minor gripe. I don't eat Flounder often but this was by far one of the best versions; in fact, I'd go so far as to say one the most beautifully prepared fish dishes, ever. 

Fig Fashioned ($12) Buffalo Trace Bourbon, fig liquor, fig, orange, cherry, house made bitters

Charred Brussels Sprouts ($11) roasted shallots, braised coppa, chili gastrique

Goat Cheese Sampler ($15) three selections of local artisan goat cheese, fig cake, compote, spiced nuts, lavender honey

 Wild Flounder Meuniere ($27) Yukon gold potato puree, cello spinach, lemon caper brown butter

The Girl & The Fig

110 West Spain Street

Sonoma, CA 95476

Wine Tasting in Healdsburg

Sonoma in January possesses a unique kind of beauty. Temperatures hover around a toasty 59 degrees, the rain spits from the thick fog cloaking the mountains, naked vines stand in stark contrast along the rolling patchy green hills. I'm relaxed and happy to be here for the first time with my best ladies. 

On Saturday morning after an early check in at the Renaissance Marriot Lodge at Sonoma Resort + Spa our driver, David, of Intimate Wine Tours whisked us off to Healdsburg, a small city located in Northern Sonoma's Dry Creek Valley where we tasted wines at Bella Winery and Yoakim Bridge. Because of the 1:30 Patriots playoff game we only had time for two tastings before booking it over to Lagunitas Brewery in Petaluma to ensure prime seating in front of their one TV!

Bella Vineyards + Wine Caves 

$10 tasting / beautiful wine caves / relaxed tasting atmosphere /

gorgeous property / excellent Zinfandel.

9711 W Dry Creek Rd

Healdsburg, CA 95448

Yoakim Bridge Estate

$10 tasting / intimate yet lively tasting room run by a spunky couple /

great Zins and a really delicious 2010 merlot.

7209 Dry Creek Road

Healdsburg, CA 95448

Lagunitas Brewing Company

noshed on soft pretzels + smoked pork nachos /

tasted unique beers - a range of hits and misses.

1280 N. McDowell Blvd

Petaluma, CA 94954

Post Lagunitas and a Patriots Win(!!) we headed back to The Renaissance Lodge where we were just in time for wine tasting happy hour, along with the rest of the hotel guests. After some hotel lobby shenanigans it was off to Sonoma Plaza for one last tasting. Our good natured driver who is now off the clock joins in on the fun at Roche Winery Tasting Room before bidding us farewell until tomorrow. We make our way across the square for dinner featuring inventive contemporary 

Portuguese cuisine at La Salette. Pictured is the Tasca Tasting Platter: Fried Goat Cheese, Spicy Fried Pig Ears and Escargot in Garlic Butter.

Roche Winery

popular downtown Sonoma tasting room 

outdoor patio on the square

122 West Spain St.

Sonoma, CA 95476

La Salette

Cozinha Nova Portuguesa

452 First St East

Sonoma, CA 95476