sonoma wine garden

having been to sonoma wine garden when they first opened for breakfast (see my previous post ), i have been wanting to go back for a meal and finally did last week. sunset on a balmy southern california day is the perfect time to take advantage of the rooftop views of the pacific and to bask in the last rays of sunshine on theoutdoorpatio. the tomato basil soup with a drizzle of basil oil and garlic croutons, was a perfect way to start. i chose the caesar salad ($12) because it had white anchovies (my favorite), but i was pleasantly surprised by the high garlic content of the dressing and the parmesan crisps which added a nice crunch to the crisp leaves of romaine. cindy chose the beet salad with shaved fennel and goat cheese ($12) and cleaned her plate. she loved the presentation as much as the flavor combination. we both had the 2005 jordan cabernet sauvignon from the alexander valley and very much appreciated the ability to order a half as well as full glass (cindy never drinks mo

you know that feeling where you take baby steps into that picturesque pool at your all-inclusive resort, and you edge your way to the swim up bar? you order your first drink of the holiday, take that first sip of that delicious cocktail, and take a second to gaze around at the beauty of it all? that’s what it’s like at sonoma wine garden. huddled inside the 3rd street promenade, swg has this incredibly friendly, airy feeling about it. in the middle sits a 3-sided wraparound bar with tables around each side (so that bar sitters and table sitters are at arms length apart). surrounding the bar sides are upper leveloutdoorseating areas with virtually no walls enclosing any of these areas. there are only superficial barriers such as tables or half doorways or stairs. the entire concept is very inviting and unpretentious.