Sonoma

Sunflower Caffé, Sonoma, CA., 11/8/25

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entrance – 421 1st St W, Sonoma, CA 95476-6608

Sunflower Caffé was in the historic Sonoma Plaza, in the old home of Salvador Vallejo.  They are open daily for breakfast and lunch.  In addition to food they offer a good selection of wine, beer, cider and coffee drinks.  It’s a small place with a few indoor tables and the bulk of the tables are on the patio in back.  They do have heaters for cooler days and umbrellas for sunny ones.  The food is local, when possible, and organic.  We were there when they opened so we were able to get an indoor table and the service was fast, friendly and efficient.  The place was very popular with a line starting about 30 minutes after opening, but people came and went frequently.   The food was okay and did seem to use great ingredients but the flavor profile was mostly mild.  It’s on the pricey side but then it is California.  For us it was convenient, open and worked with our flight schedule, but depending on business I don’t think I’d wait an hour to get in.  However when you’re there it will make you a quick breakfast. Continue reading →

Enclos, Sonoma, CA., 11/7/25

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building – 139 E Napa St, Sonoma, CA 95476

Enclos opened in late 2024 and received 2 Michelin stars and a Green Star in summer of 2025, putting Sonoma on the map with Healdsburg and Elk.    Mac and Leslie McQuown who started the 16 acre Stone Edge Farm Estate Vineyards and Winery 20 years ago,  are the proprietors.  Now Enclos relies heavily on these organic gardens to help inspire the seasonal menus.   Executive Chef Brian Limoges developed an appreciation for coastal foods and cooking in his native New Hampshire before moving to San Francisco in 2013 where he worked as Sous Chef at Atelier Crenn, Quince and Saison, to name a few.    The restaurant, whose front yard contains 100-year old olive trees,  is in a Victorian home on the Plaza of Sonoma.  Inside, the small 2 rooms can seat about 28 people per night with a large open kitchen at one end of the space.  High coved ceilings are in both rooms filled with woods, modern light fixtures and art.   Some bench seating accompanies the interestingly cut bare wood tables.  All guests receive the same tasting menu with no optional supplements other than wine pairings.  There is some patio seating with a different, more casual menu available for wine club members.  Chef Limoges wants to create an experience for his guests and each table receives a hand drawn card by Larry Nadeau, Dining Room Manager.  Ours, of course featured Frankie -who lounged with it on a silver tray while we ate –  a thoughtful touch for the fun evening. Continue reading →

Sweet Scoops Homemade Ice Cream, Sonoma, CA., 11/7/25

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exterior – 408 1st St E, Sonoma, CA 95476

Sweet Scoops was a small shop on the Sonoma Plaza square where they make ice cream daily.   They change their flavors frequently and make their ice cream in small batches.   Owned by a husband and wife team, Joe and Ramie, it opened in July 2015.  It was in pursuit of their dream to “Make the world sweeter, one scoop at a time” and “eat ice cream, be happy” that they moved from Colorado with their children to craft ice cream and build a positive workplace to serve it in.   They now have a second shop called Darling, an Ice Cream Shop that serves the same ice cream.  While I loved their philosophy and flavor options it was not the strongest flavored ice cream ever but it was plenty acceptable.  The scoops came in different sizes and you could mix them in a cup.  They were nicely sized fairly soft ice cream.   It’s hard to go wrong with some well made ice cream on a warm day so if you’re walking the Sonoma Plaza I’d encourage you to give it a try and enjoy it at one of the outdoor tables and people watch. Continue reading →