Disclosure: This meal was provided free of charge, but all opinions are my own.
Located inside a historic building and hotel in the Sonoma Plaza, El Dorado Kitchen is one of the city’s best eateries. Whether it is a lovely brunch or a fancy dinner, there is something for everyone in this elegant yet modern upscale restaurant. Here is all the information so you can check it out for yourself.
Details
- Cost: $15 – $30
- Read more at the restaurant’s site
- Location: El Dorado Hotel, 405 1st St W, Sonoma, CA 95476
- This information was from my visit in 2016
Getting There
El Dorado Kitchen is located in the northwest section of the historic downtown Sonoma Plaza. It is sandwiched between two other fantastic restaurants, The Girl and the Fig and Sunflower Caffe. There is street parking all around the area, but it can be busy on the weekends.
The El Dorado Kitchen is located inside the El Dorado Hotel, a building that was built in 1843. I didn’t get a chance to see the hotel other than the lobby, but it would be a great place to stay within walking distance of everything in the city.
The Restaurant
The restaurant is large and open with lots of natural lighting and a clean white and black modern style.
We came for brunch, which is one of my favorite meals to eat, so looking over the menu was overwhelming with all the great options. The waiter made some excellent suggestions for both appetizers and entrees; here is what we went with.
The Food
Ahi Tuna Tartare – This dish featured wonton chips with an excellent tuna. The wasabi tobiko on the top added a robust wasabi flavor without the typical wasabi bite. The tuna was served on an avocado mousse as well, and it was a great dish to share.
Burrata – Burrata is commonly served with sweet additions like honey, but here it was served with a pepper purée that changed the dish in a significant way. The smooth cheese had a pop of spice, which made it a nice start to the meal that didn’t taste like a dessert, which I liked. Honestly, it’s hard to pick which one I liked better.
Smoked Salmon Benedict – When I get brunch, it is hard for me not to order the Benedict, so that is what I got here. I was impressed as the eggs were prepared perfectly and broke precisely as they should. The salmon was easy to cut and had a great flavor that added a hint of salt to the dish. The bread that serves as the base was not overpowering to the taste and made it a good addition. Overall, a strong Eggs Benedict.
Huevos Rancheros – This meal had the comfort of the heavy Mexican dish but with a uniquely fresh twist. The vegetables were chopped and stacked on the tortilla with fried eggs draped on the top. The plate had black beans instead of the traditional refried, and the sauce was nice and light.
As you can tell, this is a fun brunch spot in Sonoma. I was a fan of the style the chef put into the dishes, especially the burrata, be sure to add it to your list next time you visit Sonoma.
