the girl + the fig

One of the biggest highlights of last week’s visit to Sonoma was undeniably getting to see my friend Robin again. I have referred to Robin in past posts, like the time we met at Bistro du Midi and had dinner at Towne, but she is probably most famous for the Venge wine dinner she hosted in September. Robin is a ton of fun, an amazing chef and blogger, and overall just one of those people who you just have to have a good time with!

On a very warm and sunny day (last Tuesday), Eric and I went to Robin’s house where we reunited with her adorable dogs and very sweet mom. I also finally got to meet Cynthia Cosco, the winemaker at Passaggio Wines and someone I have been tweeting with for some time. Luckily, she kindly brought me a bottle of her highly-acclaimed Unoaked Chardonnay. I can not wait until it arrives in Boston (via NJ, stupid MA wine laws!) with the wine we shipped from California.

We also got a sneak preview of Cynthia’s first rosé, which has yet to be released. It was absolutely beautiful.

Robin had made lunch reservations at the girl + the fig, a restaurant I was eager to try since we cancelled reservations last March, due to our being on East Coast time and staying pretty far away.

the girl + the fig is located on Sonoma Plaza, and on this particular day, the weather was perfection. The restaurant touts country food with a French passion, and both the outside and inside are wrapped in cozy French country meets Sonoma warmth.

Once we were situated at a big round table near the back, we let the winemaker among us order the wine, a dry rosé, Maison Bouachon from Tavel France, an area known for its dry rosés. Did I mention the weather was perfect? Rosé was a perfect choice, and after we returned the first bottle, which was corked, we were all happy with the wine.

To start, we shared pastis-scented steamed mussels and frites.

Served with grilled bread and a tarragon aioli, the mussels were fragrant and perfectly-cooked, and the frites were nice and crispy, perfect for dipping.

The table also shared the grass-fed steak tartare which Robin somehow convinced me to try. It was good, but while eating raw tuna doesn’t bother me, I couldn’t get over the raw beef factor.

It was back to veggies for me. I ordered the arugula and fig salad; I figured I must have figs at the girl + the fig. Lightly dressed with a port vinaigrette, the arugula was spicy, the goat cheese creamy and fresh, and the figs like sweet candy.

Robin had the wild flounder meuniere.

And Eric had the beet salad with pretty pink beets.

We were all too full from dessert, but I am hoping a return trip to the girl + the fig is in our very near future. Who knows when we will be in Sonoma again?

A lovely lunch was followed by wine tasting and sunshine. More to come. . .

And if you missed it earlier, please check out my new recipes page!

How’s your Monday coming along?