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We step inside and immediately feel the depth
of historical influence, see mouth-watering deli items and a
little gift shop in an adjoining roomEveryone is ordering at the
counter, someone mentions a patio, so we follow and are amazed at the
beauty we find.
Lunch
is a must, so we order some sandwiches and carry them out to the
garden.
The menu is traditional deli, but boasts a Chicken
Vallejo,
with chicken
breast and mild roasted chili peppers and hot pepper Jack cheese melted
on a French roll. It seems only appropriate to order.
We could spend the afternoon
here! Much of the flora is native to the area and over 400
flowering plants add color and character. Of particular interest
is one of the oldest fig trees - 160 years - in California.
As we
lunch, a local offers to tell us more about the restaurant's past.
If these walls could talk!
The building is as old as the fig
tree! It survived major earthquakes, boarded Mexican
soldiers and during the Gold Rush, housed hotels, saloons and general
stores. Legends of excessive gambling, drinking and carousing are
beyond imagination!
After the Gold Rush, the building
did a 180 and became a Masonic Lodge and then a college. In the
late 1860's and for the next 40 years, the building was owned by a
French winemaker, who developed a winery behind the building.
After his death, the building became home to many businesses, including
the Sonoma Family Liquor - until prohibition - a
speakeasy and dance hall.
We had a great lunch AND an exciting history lesson! With our new and
growing appreciation of Sonoma, we are ready to find some wineries.
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