A Day in Sonoma

The best part of not having a rigid schedule is the ability to take a random trip to wine country. With a trusty GPS navigator, a wonderful friend and the most amazing weather imaginable, I headed to Sonoma. On a Tuesday. Typically maniac planners, we decided to be spontaneous and not really have a plan on where to go once we made it to Sonoma. Well, there's a reason why we don't usually wing it--we failed miserably and ended up driving around the business park section. Who knew Sonoma even had a business park?? Googling "Sonoma wineries" didn't turn out to be as effective as one would think. Shocking. We eventually found our way downtown and gave up on doing any actual wine tasting in exchange for browsing home decor shops. Then the eating began.

We first stopped at The Epicurean Connection, a super cute food shop and deli. A long communal table allows you to eat, drink and shop at the same time. The chef owner, Sheana Davis was really friendly and gave us many recommendations on where to eat. We also met the former Mayor of Sonoma, who found us on Foursquare!

raspberry rose petal jam was DELICIOUS

Sheana informed us of a happy happening across the street at Martini Oyster Bar & Grille. Never one to turn down a good deal, we continued our Sonoma crawl. Half priced oysters and $5 cocktails? Yes please!

the spanish mistress

i <3 bivalves

Sheana had suggested Willi's Wine War, a tapas restaurant near our hotel in Windsor. I was sold when she said it's where the locals go. The food was good, wine was flowing and service was excellent.

the cutest black truffle grilled cheese EVER. cauliflower soup was so good.

grilled spanish mackerel "toast", spicy fennel slaw, black olive aioli, pickled mustard seeds

roasted broccolini, mushrooms, miso butter

pimenta mac n cheese with smoked ham hocks and swiss chard

it doesn't look that pretty but this chocolate chunk and banana croissant bread pudding was great

Needless to say, we went to bed beyond full. Fortunately, I have fast metabolism and was ready to go the next morning. Stay tuned for a day in Healdsburg....