Cheese Sampling in Sonoma

The Girl & the Fig is a cute and convenient place to share and test out cheeses. This was their minimalist sampler, but they have all kinds of cow, sheep and goat cheeses from various regions, including France.

From left to right: Morbier (France), Joe Matos St. George (Santa Rosa), Tomme brulee (Aquitaine, France). That two of these chosen cheeses were from France rather than Napa Valley was a careless accident on my part.  

The restaurant has worn hardwood floors and convivial mustard colored paint on its wood-trimmed walls.  The iconic place has gone commercial (you can buy t-shirts, totebags and compotes, and nuts there) which is a turn-off for me, but I still think it has a desirable atmosphere.  Reasonable prices.  

A salad of greens dressed in vinaigrette, with toasted walnuts and slivers of  pears. 

On the eve of the Sonoma Jazz Festival.

We found parking right on the street here, right before noon on a Friday. However, watch your time because the parking police tracks the amount of time you are parked.  

Sunflower Caffé

421 1st St W
Sonoma, CA 95476
(707) 996-6645
sonomasunflower.com

Reviewed 10/11/2009

Indeed the outdoor patio on a sunny day makes you happy just to be alive.

But then the food arrives.

Mine was disappointingly bland. It did not match the atmosphere.

I had the turkey omelet which was dry, and the accompanying potatoes had no flavor. The wheat toast was, again, just plain. The Trader Joe's bread I have at home is better. I'd expect far better bread in Sonoma!

That said, I am actually willing to try it again based on the reviews I've read on Yelp. But I'll go first to the many other places on my list.