Sonoma Wine Shop & La Bodega Kitchen

We had lunch at La Bodega after seeing all the glowing reviews. I have to say I agree with all them. We shared the crispy artichoke appetizer, which were crispy hearts of perfection with two delicious sauces. We also shared two pasta entrees, the Bolagnese Lasagana and the artichoke ravioli. The pasta was freshly made and both dishes were delicious and satisfying. The wine list is primarily from small local producers with some very interesting choices. We were actually the only customers for lunch, which I can’t understand, but we were able to spend some time with chef Rick, who was obviously still very passionate about cooking and his restaurant. He even sent us along with a couple of bags of freshly rolled pasta. I only wished I lived a little closer. Definitely a place to check out and enjoy.

Such a lucky find! We weren’t sure where we could go at 8:30pm last minute with a large group of 7, including 2 very jet-​lagged kids still on East Coast time — but hurrah for Unilocal!Brian, the owner, was extremely warm in welcoming us to his «NOT a restaurant,» giving us a large table towards the back that had comfy banquettes lined with pillows (which came in handy as both kiddos fell asleep halfway through). We grabbed our own silverware, napkins and glasses, and were soon right at home. The waitress let us all try different wines according to our preferences, and then we marked off a number of dishes to share on the menu. Some of my favorites included our large platter of 8 – 9 cow, sheep and goat cheeses, a pear/​cheese/​phyllo appetizer, and a plate full of mezze (including olives, a soft burrata-​like cheese, hummus, some kind of smoky veggie spread (red pepper? Eggplant?) and then the most amazing caramelized fig/​onion/​eggplant *something* I’ve ever had. The others loved their lasagna, baked squash, and ravioli. And then finally, we ended with a dessert sampler that was amazing — cookies, tiramisu, lemon tartlets, cheesecake tartlets with raspberry sauce, chocolate port cake, and a banana chocolate bread pudding that was extraordinary!
Such a great, casual down-​home place with terrific food — nothing pretentious, all delicious. And nobody batted an eye at the two kids laid fully out on the banquettes for the second half of our meal, snoozing away on the cozy pillows — rather, they encouraged it and were happy that the kids were that comfortable!

We were there last week for the first time at Bodega location.
Everyone was super friendly. Really great vibe. Plenty of regulars there too.
The food and coffee were outstanding. Great flavors, fresh, good ingredients.
Definitely check out this wine bar/​restaurant if you’re in the area.
Looking forward to a return visit.

Hidden gem in Sebastopol! Wouldn’t expect to find such a great wine tasting menu with locally sourced food. Mediterranean platter is great for sharing, and the mushroom ravioli has some serious wild mushrooms you won’t taste anywhere else.
Chef and staff are very accommodating and will make you feel at home

We came for a late lunch; it was perfect timing. We got all the attention of the entire staff. Mushroom ravioli, beet salad, house green salad, and baked pear pastry were our favorites. Chef came out and spoke to us as well as made these delicious recommendations. Sit outside if possible, it’s a tad noisy but the quaint ambiance is worth it. Rose wine was our favorite. They are closed Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s.

I love this place and can see why it gets consistent 5 stars! The service was so friendly and down to earth, and we thought the prices for brunch were really reasonable as not only is the food tasty good but their portions are very generous! We started with some breads (nice spread, good buttery taste with housemade butter and jam) and fruits (so fresh, loved that they had loquat too!).
We each chose different brunch entrees and were all so happy with our choices! Omelette with bacon, omelette with Greek olives and artichokes and squash tamales! My brunch entrée was the squash tamale — I love tamales and I love squash (perfect combo)! This dish was so good with the green chile and salsa to dip in — I loved it!
I completely recommend that you stop by for brunch here — a great find!

Amazing! We were nervous because it was my only my second time wine tasting and my husbands first. We walk in and this wonderful Israeli woman greets us and makes us feel so welcome and comfortable. Food is fresh made and delicious! And it’s great having someone pair wine with the food you order. Such a hidden gem! You will love it I promise!

Another amazing find via Unilocal!
We were driving up to Sebastopol to visit family and thought maybe we’d stop in Napa for dinner. But after finding nothing that looked worth trying (it was kind of late on a Friday and not much was open), I happened across this place which was «Open Now» and fit our criteria for wine tasting & restaurant.
However, this place claims they are «Not A Restaurant». Whatever. It’s Ah-​maze-​ing.
It has a very homey feel. You get your own place settings, circle your food selections with a pen… no one really «takes your order» but they do.
Howevery they want to define themselves, it doesn’t matter: this place is fantastic. We were awed by the delicious food and the service given by the hostess, and Meekk especially. She was so attentive in helping us choose our wines. Each wine tasted so good it was hard to decide what I wanted a full glass of.
All the food we tried was great.
The artichoke hearts, the cheese plate…
Meekk even let us get a side of hummus and pita bread when we saw it on our neighbors table. We liked the hummus so much we bought some to go!
I urge you to try this place on your next drive up Gravenstein Hwy — or go out of your way for it. Seriously.

Great cheese selections of all types. Tasty products with nice staff as well. Two places, cheese and wine shop across from each other in a courtyard. Wine selections are nice as well. The flights are good and the combined prices are reasonable. A couple fruit flies in the place was a little troubling but a pleasant place to have some wine and cheese.

Brian and Meekk, thank you. We love your wonderful place of a «not a restaurant «. And it really isn’t. It’s a family gathering place and we feel very blessed to be a part of the family.

This was our first stop on our way into Sonoma for the weekend. INCREDIBLE. The waitresses and chef were all super hospitable and fun to chat with.
They started out by pouring us tastes until we found a wine that we wanted a glass of… which wasn’t hard because they were very knowledgable and have an incredible wine selection.
The food was outstanding. It was a cold rainy day, so we started with soups. Both DELISH. Then we shared a salmon pasta. I can’t even with how good it was. If our hotel had been closer, we would have eaten there every meal. For reals.
Highly recommended! We’ll be back for sure the next time we’re in town!

Amazing food! Rick, the chef, is truly welcoming (and forages for his own mushrooms!!). He actually came out personally to explain the menu and he also delivered each dish. It’s clear he’s truly passionate about his job.
All in all, a great experience at an adorable roadside restaurant — highly recommend!

We celebrated New Years Eve at La Bodega, thoroughly enjoying the special menu they prepared.
We’ve always been impressed with the delicious food Meekk, Rick, Brian and the rest of the talented crew prepare for us.

Friendly and helpful staff. Meekk, the waitress, was enthusiastic and helpful with suggesting wines and insisted on showing us a few of her favorites! Chef Rick and his explanation of the menu and the morning’s pickings of morel mushrooms was a treat and the food definitely did not disappoint.
We are foodies that have traveled the world for amazing meals and by chance we were in Sebastopol for a wedding and looked up this wonderful place for a quick meal when we got in to town. Definitely a hidden gem and highly recommended for anyone who is passing thru or nearby. The food, the atmosphere, and the people will definitely make you feel welcome and leave you impressed.

My wife and I were looking for a unique place to eat dinner after a long day of touring in Sonoma and driving along the coast. This probably ranks up there as one of the best experiences we have ever had at a restaurant. We sat down and were greeted by Meekk who asked us what kind of wine we liked and she brought out 5 bottles of wine, poured a small amount in each glass and didn’t let us see the names and types of red wine. She asked us our thoughts about each and took notes. She found the perfect wine for us.
My wife and I are gluten and dairy free and they tailored the meal to us, customizing it to our dietary restrictions and taste. It was scrumptious! We were impressed. This is a rare find.

Semi-​pretentious (in a good way) great food, in a chill atmosphere.
Was driving from Armstrong Park (full of giant redwoods) to Oakland and I found this place with some great reviews. Might have been the first place i found on Unilocal with 5 stars.
The atmosphere was so chill that we set our own tables. The menu was every foodies (and vegans/​vegetarians) dream. The menu had codes next to items that were vegetarian and vegan, which is great if you have some in your group.
I had the manicotti, or should i say the organic beef, molinari sausage, greenstring organic braising greens, fiscalinin cheddars, with pear tomato marinara. Every part of this dish sounds gourmet and custom.
My brother had mushroom ravioli, covered in a mushroom cream sauce, that was his best meal of our 6 day foodie tour of california.
My sister was having a tough time deciding between the ravioli or chicken, both covered in a mushroom cream sauce, the owner (a mix between the kfc colonel and the dude from the big labowski) said what if we did a little of each. How accommodating is that? This is a breath of fresh air when most restaurant menu’s are now saying no substitutions.
If you like wine you will love this spot, as they let you try a bunch before you have to buy a glass. An israel women also waited on us an served wine, she was warm and fun.
Overall a great time. I felt I was at my friends house.

La Bodega was such a wonderful discovery. We found their Sonoma counterpart and joined the wine club. They told us there that we had them right down the road in Sebastapol. Must have driven by dozens of times not knowing they were connected.
Simply put, they serve amazing food and pair it with amazing wines. Ingredients are local, options vary, and the atmosphere is seriously casual. In other words, the best you can possibly want. We are wine lovers. We are not the kind of wine lovers who go to a tasting room, get a serious look of self importance, and then say «I’m getting a back note of … barnyard.» Don’t’ laugh. That’s a direct quote.
Service is personal, not obsequious. Meekk’s knowledge of, and obvious concern over our enjoyment of, the wines they serve is astounding and refreshing. We went through 5 samples of Pinot before we landed on the one that was «just right» even though all were good.
My point is this is a casual place with warm people at the helm and, at least the times we’ve been there, laid back patrons. Don’t be in a hurry. Sit back and enjoy the room.

A dining experience well worth the travel.
Organic lemonade
Mediterranean Plate.
French Green Lentil soup.
Chicken Matzo Ball Soup!!!
Beef & Sausage Manicotti.
Mushroom Ravioli.
Organic Chicken Wild Morel, Porcini and Crimini

Okay, so we closed this place down tonight. On their club handout there is a quote «it’s like going to your best friends home for dinner a only these friends have a great chef, and a killer wine cellar» — this is so true.
If you want a traditional waitperson served dinner, not the place for you, if you want an adventure in food and wine, this is it.
I have not had such an enjoyable evening for a very long time.
Food was fabulous — the photos will speak to this.
Go try it and believe me you will have a fun time. Never have I been to a place where they will sample the wines until you find one you like.
Brilliant.

Okay WOW. Everything we had from La Bodega Kitchen was to die for. Seriously — the flavors and sauces created by the were out of this world.
As mentioned in other reviews, this place is NOT a restaurant. It is a wine club with a kickass kitchen. That being said, everything is sort of relaxed and at a slower pace. This is definitely different for my family, who like things to be done as efficiently as possible, but it was a wonderful change of pace. Although my parents didn’t really understand the concept at first, towards the end of the meal they were definitely enjoying the environment!
The night started with some wine tastings to find out what type of wine we wanted. Then… the food.
Steamed mussels — Sauce was so good! The meatiness of the sausages really complimented the meaty mussels.
Beet salad — the beets are from their neighbors, and are beyond fresh. Definitely recommend this as a light starter
Chicken with mushroom sauce — if you’re a mushroom lover, you need to get this. That mushroom cream sauce was ridiculous. Perfect for soaking up bread.
Anyways… we tried about 6 – 7 menu items in total, and loved them all!
Almost convinced to join their wine club… which is more relaxed than other wine clubs. Then I’ll have to come back for some more delicious food!