Sonoma is a Food and Wine Wonderland so this is but a very small slice of what the region has to offer. Here is quick list of places for coffee, shopping, dining and wine for #WBC17 attendees.
Nearby the Hyatt:
Shopping
If you’d like to see the death of retail in real time visit the Santa Rosa Plaza Mall. Nothing going on here but the last gasp of some clothing chains and a few chemical laden bath and body product stores. But there is Apple Store here if you need accessories for your phone or someone tips a dump bucket on your laptop during speed tasting. (it can happen)
Head directly across the street to Flying Goat or A'Roma Roasters in Rail Road Square.
Or take a jaunt up a few blocks to Peet's on 4th Street.
Breakfast
Omelette Express
Beer
Russian River Brewing Company
Bird and Bottle
Eclectic small/share plates menu with mix of traditional and southern influenced comfort food. Fancy cocktails.
Stark Steak and Seafood
Classic fare in an elegant but casual atmosphere with great wine list and over 60 whiskeys to try.
Rosso
If you are sick of the whole shared plates thing, and really who isn't? Go to Rosso and get you own big plate of whatever or have one of their awesome pizzas all to yourself. Great local and Italian wine selections.
Old-school French cuisine. You’ll like this place if you are over 60 and have an expense account. Located directly across the street from the Hyatt.
SEBASTOPOL
About 9 minutes due west of the Hyatt is Sebastopol where you will find the Barlow home of Crooked Goat Brewing and Wind Gap Wines tasting room, a must stop for the Trousseau Gris on tap.
Also in Sebastopol:
Ramen Gaijin
Awesome and authentic ramen and Japanese influenced dishes with small plate Izakaya menu. Winner of 2017 Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand award.
HopMonk Tavern
Great selection of beer and hearty pub food with some lighter selections. Good place for getting loud with a group. Has an all weather/outdoor beer garden with fire pits and lounge style seating.
Handline
Upscale locally sourced seafood in fast casual setting. Order and pay at the counter and then find a seat kind of place. Great food and wine but don't be surprised if you walk out wondering how the heck you just spent $75 on two tacos a salad and a glass of wine. But nice if you have a group and don’t want to do the split-the-check-tango at the end of the meal.
Weather:
If you need weather updates use a weather app on your phone and be wary of people claiming to be “boots on the ground” when they are broadcasting from a bunker in an undisclosed location. ;-)
