Chris A.
Yelp
Sonoma Bistro has been in the Food-centric town of Rutherford for approx 10 years and I finally tried it out. Why? Because they now have one of the new liquor licenses that Rutherford started selling last year.
And I am so glad I did. I love this place!
Located on a corner in the center of town; plenty of street and municipal parking nearby. Very friendly staff. An approx 12 stool bar with an open, airy floor plan with big windows. Outdoor dining available.
Back to the bar: very nice bar set up; very cool glassware for the various drinks it offers on its very creative cocktail menu. Good stock of top shelf spirits but not overly done.
On the evening I went, Ester was the bartender and she is a very good mixologist. Drinks I had were great.
Thursday is Margarita night; there are happy hour specials too.
THE FOOD;
I love menus like this, not too big, but everything on it has some serious thought put into it. Specials are also available.
Apps--
--They had a special that consisted of (from bottom to top; see pic)
large, lightly fried portobello cap, with arugula, prosciutto, charred small chunks of butternut squash, a huge ball of burrata cheese, and toasted pistachios served with focaccia bread. I could eat this every day! DE-lish.
FYI- if this isn't available, there is a menu item very similar with watermelon & burrata.
-- Cuban Ropa Vieja Empanadas or Mexican Chicken Tinga Empanadas served with Queso frito, garlic mojo, and avocado crema were both tried and thoroughly enjoyed ( 4 pieces to an order)
--entree
SB Homemade Ricotta Gnocchi with Oxtail braised ragu, peas, and mushrooms was A-mazing! It was so good I cannot even recall what my dinner companion had that night. Another new all-time favorite entree of mine ala "One of the best things I've ever eaten".
We skipped the delicious sounding desserts and opted just for coffee and dinner drinks.
There is a sister restaurant in Nutley which should be considered.
But for me, I cannot get enough of Rutherford and at the top of that list is Sonoma Bistro.
HIGH-ly recommended.