Sonoma Valley 2021

“Doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment.” – Oprah Winfrey

Sonoma Valley 2021 | Cooking with a Wallflower

A few weeks ago, in mid-March, we celebrated my birthday with a quick weekend trip to Sonoma, a city a little over an hour north of San Francisco. Part of wine country, it’s a cute little town with so many wineries that offer wine tasting and so many good restaurants.

We haven’t travelled at all this past year. And since we both were vaccinated, we thought it’d be the perfect time to get away from the city.

We booked a room at a bed and breakfast called An Inn 2 Remember, located in downtown Sonoma. This was our second time staying at this bed and breakfast. The first time was a year before, also for my birthday, right before the lockdown began.

Sonoma Valley 2021 | Cooking with a Wallflower

Sonoma Valley 2021 | Cooking with a Wallflower

It’s the perfectly little spot if you love the cozy and comforting farm house, country style atmosphere. In the mornings, they leave you breakfast at your door.

Sonoma Valley 2021 | Cooking with a Wallflower

Sonoma Valley 2021 | Cooking with a Wallflower

We didn’t do much while in Sonoma. It was just perfect for relaxing and sipping wine. When it’s safe again to travel, definitely put Sonoma on your travel bucket list. It’s the perfect little getaway.

We started the day by eating at VBJ Vineyards and Cellars. Since we didn’t have a reservation for wine tasting, we walked in for some food.

We ordered:

The Burrata Board with sliced seasoned flatbreads, balsamic, basil, and tomatoes.

Seriously sooo good. It’s simple, but I could sit there and eat this all day.

Sonoma Valley 2021 | Cooking with a Wallflower

Avocado Flatbread topped with fresh avocado, chopped tomatoes, house made mozzarella, garden basil, and olive oil.

This was also good, but definitely filling.

Sonoma Valley 2021 | Cooking with a Wallflower

We finished our meal off by walking to the gelato shop.

We ordered hazelnut and pistachio. The pistachio ice cream was amazing.

Sonoma Valley 2021 | Cooking with a Wallflower

We relaxed the rest of the day, and then went to dinner at a restaurant I’ve been wanting to try: La Salette for Portuguese cuisine.

We ordered:

Wood Oven Roasted Octopus with sweet onion puree, red wine vinegar, and fried potatoes.

The octopus was so tender and perfectly cooked.

Sonoma Valley 2021 | Cooking with a Wallflower

Caldeirada also known as Portuguese Fisherman’s Stew. This was the dish I was most excited to try. It comes with sea bass, scallops, clams, mussels, shrimp, potatoes, and linguiça in savory yet tangy broth. My favorite in the stew are the mussels. They were so perfectly cooked!

Sonoma Valley 2021 | Cooking with a Wallflower

Porco à Alentejana.

Pork shoulder braised in wine and garlic and served with roasted potatoes and clams. This dish ended up being my favorite. The flavor was amazing and the pork shoulder was so tender, it fell apart with every cut. I highly recommend this dish.

Sonoma Valley 2021 | Cooking with a Wallflower

We ended the night by walking through downtown Sonoma. Although everything closed relatively early compared to the city, it was still fun to explore.

Sonoma Valley 2021 | Cooking with a Wallflower

Sonoma Valley 2021 | Cooking with a Wallflower

We started the next morning with breakfast from the bed and breakfast. A simple yet tasty waffles with fruit compote.

Sonoma Valley 2021 | Cooking with a Wallflower

Sonoma Valley 2021 | Cooking with a Wallflower

Then we explored Sonoma early in the morning before there were people out and about so we could take pics.

Sonoma Valley 2021 | Cooking with a Wallflower

Once we checked out, we headed to Yountville in search of Adhoc and Addendum’s fried chicken. But since the wait was so long, we decided to eat at Coqueta, a Spanish tapas restaurant, instead. Even though it was a random find, it ended up being perfect for us. I love tapas style menus because you get to try a little of everything.

 

I loved that all the tables are spaced out so that you don’t feel as if you’re close to anyone.

Sonoma Valley 2021 | Cooking with a Wallflower

Sonoma Valley 2021 | Cooking with a Wallflower

We ordered:

Champinones – sherry braised mushrooms with san simon cheese and jamon serrano

Sonoma Valley 2021 | Cooking with a Wallflower

Guava Mojito

Sonoma Valley 2021 | Cooking with a Wallflower

Patatas Bravas – lightly smoked crispy potatoes with bravas salsa and garlic alioli

Sonoma Valley 2021 | Cooking with a Wallflower

Salmón Ahumado – Smoked salmon with queso fresco and truffle honey

Sonoma Valley 2021 | Cooking with a Wallflower

Pimentos de Padron – flash fried padron peppers topped with jamon serrano, sherry vinegar, and maldon sea salt

Sonoma Valley 2021 | Cooking with a Wallflower

Setas al ajillo – grilled trumpet royale mushrooms basted with garlic chili oil then topped with garlic chips, amontillado sherry reduction, and poached egg yolk

My favorite of the tapas was the trumpet mushrooms. The flavor was so delicious and the trumpet mushrooms were perfectly cooked.

Sonoma Valley 2021 | Cooking with a Wallflower

We ended the meal with manchego cheesecake.

Sonoma Valley 2021 | Cooking with a Wallflower

Sonoma Valley 2021 | Cooking with a Wallflower

Our next stop was Domaine Carneros, a winery that specializes in sparkling wine. I’ve actually visited Domaine Carneros a few times over the years. But it was my boyfriend’s first time so we ordered one tasting to share.

We had the chateau sampler which came with blanc de noir, brut Rosé, Avant-Garde pinot noir, and the Estate pinot noir and a cheese plate to snack on.

Sonoma Valley 2021 | Cooking with a Wallflower

Sonoma Valley 2021 | Cooking with a Wallflower

Our final stop is back in Yountville for the fried chicken from Ad Hoc and Addendum. If you’ve never had their chicken, you need to try it. The chicken is perfect seasoned and perfectly crispy. The meat is juicy and tender. And it’ll be worth the wait.

We couldn’t leave wine country without a bucket of this fried chicken.

Ad Hoc and Addendum are part of Thomas Keller’s restaurants. He also owns the French Laundry and Bouchon Bakery, and Bouchon Bistro.

Seriously, do yourself a favor the next time you’re in Sonoma and Napa wine country. Get yourself a bucket of these fried chicken.

Sonoma Valley 2021 | Cooking with a Wallflower

Hope you enjoyed this quick little tour of our trip to Sonoma. It’s been so long since I shared any trip. Or even gone on any trip. So a quick weekend getaway was exactly what I needed to celebrate my birthday.

When it’s safe again to travel, definitely put Sonoma and Napa on your travel bucket list.

I promise you, it’s well worth it.

2 comments

Let's chat!