sonoma wine garden

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 withtablesaround each side (so that bar sitters and table sitters are at arms length apart). surrounding the bar sides are upper level outdoor seating areas with virtually no walls enclosing any of these areas. there are only superficial barriers such astablesor half doorways or stairs. the entire concept is very inviting and unpretentious.

disorganized, overpriced. their motto should be, "thank god for captive audiences." the physical facility is beautiful and located in the best spot in santa monica place. the flavor is right out of "entourage." food is ok, not super creative or unusual and way overpriced. but the most annoying aspect is the service...total chaos. staffers are very cordial and willing but the problem is that everyone seems to believe that "it's someone else's task." we ordered a salad---it was forgotten. we told the waiter and he disappeared. next we flagged a supervisor and he got the salad immediately. but they made the wrong entre. othertablesreceived bread but not us...we had to ask. it's depressing to see someone spend around $1million on construction and start up and then be clueless about how operations are ruining the business. this was dec 2010 so maybe it's better now.