California Wine Country Restaurants

The Girl & the Fig

The Girl & the Fig Review

Chef Sondra Bernstein has turned the historic barroom of the Sonoma Hotel into a hot spot for inventive French cooking. You can always find something with the signature figs in it here, whether it's a fig-and-arugula salad or an aperitif of sparkling wine with a fig liqueur. Also look for duck confit with French lentils, a burger with matchstick fries, or wild boar braised in red wine. The wine list is notable for its emphasis on Rhône varietals, and a counter in the bar area sells artisanal cheese platters for eating here as well as cheese by the pound to go. Sunday brunch brings rib-sticking dishes such as steak and eggs and a Basque frittata with potatoes, onions, and tomatoes.

Member Reviews

  • janschwartz, from California
    11/5/09

    This is a great place to stop for lunch when on the Plaza in Sonoma. The patio is lovely and the service is good. Other reviewers are right in praising the fig salad.

    Ratings details: Food: 5 | Atmosphere: 4 | Service: 4 | Value: 4
  • enologix, from California
    10/9/08

    Girl and the Fig on Sonoma Plaza, one one of three Sondra Bernstein restaurants, has declined with respect to Fig Cafe & Winebar in Glen Ellen (jury is still out on Bernstein's new venture, Estate, which is at physical site of the former General's Daughter.) The decline is is with respect to bar, wine list, sense of management (by example bartenders, host station) have changed greatly since 2007. My sense it will be back once Bernstein changes in human resources affecting these functions' products and services.

    Ratings details: Food: 5 | Atmosphere: 4 | Service: 2 | Value: 3
  • lindafrazer, from Philadelphia, PA
    6/5/07

    I was in wine country to visit with my son for the weekend. He couldn't wait to take me to eat at his new discovery. The food was great, the signature fig salad was perfect. The service friendly and attentive when you need them. All our food was fresh and delicious. A wonderful lunch. And the prices are quite reasonable. I'm looking forward to going back this time for dinner.

    Ratings details: Food: 5 | Atmosphere: 4 | Service: 4 | Value: 5
  • when, from Buffalo, NY
    4/19/07

    We had an excellent dinner, but the waitress never asked if we wanted a drink, then forgot our pre-dinner wine, and had to be reminded. It's also on the noisy side, with walls and wooden floors.

    Ratings details: Food: 5 | Atmosphere: 3 | Service: 3 | Value: 5
  • WP17, from California
    3/20/07

    Everything we have tried in the kitchens of Sondra Bernstein's the girl & the fig has been splendid. Very creative approaches to California French style cuisine. Worth a visit to Sonoma.

    Ratings details: Food: 5 | Atmosphere: 5 | Service: 5 | Value: 5
  • kimamom, from CA/Oregon Coast
    3/1/07

    We have enjoyed several lunches here over the years and this is the first place we stop while in the Sonoma area. The service is friendly and I love the crabcakes here and the Lavender-Infused Creme Brulee for dessert. They make a fig salad that is a signature dish and not to miss.

    Ratings details: Food: 5 | Atmosphere: 5 | Service: 5 | Value: 5
  • 3724lake, from Santa Rosa, California
    2/4/07

    My husband and I went to this restaurant for the first time 3 weeks ago. We have already been back three more times since. Always a great time! Highly recommend it!

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