California Wine Country Restaurants

The Farmhouse Inn

The Farmhouse Inn Review

From the personable sommelier who arrives at the table to help you pick wines from the excellent list to the servers who lovingly describe the provenance of the black truffles shaved over your pasta stuffed with salt-roasted pears and Parmesan, the staff match the quality of the outstanding French-inspired cuisine. The signature dish, "rabbit, rabbit, rabbit," a rich trio of confit of leg, rabbit loin wrapped in applewood-smoked bacon, and roasted rack of rabbit with a whole-grain mustard sauce, is typical of the dishes that are both rustic and refined, and the starters often include a seared Sonoma foie gras served with an apple cider sauce. The inn's a favorite of local foodies in the wine industry, who also know that their head sommelier is one of only about a hundred Master Sommeliers working in the United States, so reserve well in advance.

If you've forgotten to call ahead, a few tables in the small lounge area can often accommodate walk-ins. The small dining room, which has casual country yet elegant appeal, is warmed by a fireplace in winter.

    Restaurant Details

  • Reservations essential.
  • Closed Tues. and Wed. No lunch.

Member Reviews

  • kh09, from LA
    5/19/09

    We went recently & also stayed in hotel. I ordered the asparagus/lobster and the rabbit. Didn't love the sauce on the lobster- bland & unnecessary; also didn't love the mustard sauce on the rabbit leg- underwhelming. But I'm kind of spoiled with food. Husband said the lamb was some of the best he had and the desserts were amazing. Overall, great experience. Super friendly, knowledgeable staff. Very laid back atmosphere. Fodor's review right on.

    Ratings details: Food: 4 | Atmosphere: 4 | Service: 5 | Value: 4
  • JoeBart, from San Diego, CA
    11/2/07

    My wife and I went to check out the Farmhouse Inn after they received their second Michelin Star. We had pretty high expectations seeing as we've only read glowing reviews of the property. The entire dining experience completely exceeded our expectations! Food and service were spot on - just right without being over the top. The wine list was fantastic - let the sommelier help you pick, he really knows his stuff. In short, it was perfect - we can't wait to go back!

    Ratings details: Food: 5 | Atmosphere: 5 | Service: 5 | Value: 5
  • jackanddaisy, from san diego, ca
    10/18/07

    We visited this restaurant on the strength of your star rating and were very dissapointed. We were a party of three, two of whom have a number of dietary requirements, so we inquired about the menu when we booked and were assured that they would take note of these requirements and that there would be plenty of choices. On arrival we were told offhandedly that thers were two dishes on the menu that would be ok for us-steak or a chicken dish and that was the best they could do. The steak was unexceptional except for its hefty price and the chicken was similarly uninspired. It was supposed to come with chanterelle mushrooms. There were two mushrooms on my plate and they didn't look like chanterelles. Overall the service was disinterested and supercilious.The staff were poorly trained, several times leaning across us to take plates. The starters were minuscule and the whole meal greatly overpriced. Moreover other diners were being offered a different menu to the one we were given. The dining room is a bare and unattractive space. At these prices one would expect flowers on the table and perhaps petit fours with dessert. No one asked if we'd enjoyed our meal and the only person who knew his job was the wine waiter who was pleasant, knowledgeable and helpful. We paid over $300 for the meal including a bottle of wine.This is a restaurant where the management seems to believe it's doing its patrons a favor. They would do well to learn that their mission should be to please the customer. We will not be giving them the opportunity to practice on us again!

    Ratings details: Food: 2 | Atmosphere: 1 | Service: 2 | Value: 1
  • jk384, from Salsibury, CT
    9/30/07

    This is a wonderful dinning experience. Excellent service, surperb wine list, interesting and unique food and pairing combinations. Well worth a visit.

    Ratings details: Food: 4 | Atmosphere: 4 | Service: 5 | Value: 4
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