This relaxed but chic Sonoma restaurant packs a flavorful punch with local produce and simple preparations.

The Scene
The dining room is so small and breezy that succulent aromas from the tiny kitchen easily drift past all of the 14 tables in the split-level dining room. Casually dressed patrons pack both floors, one decorated in Mexican tiles, the other in hardwood. Rotating exhibits of large, original paintings deck the walls, a decor choice indicative of the free-spirited fare to come.

The Food
The understated yet colorful menu is a showcase for local organic produce. Crumbled blue cheese salad with baby greens, spiced walnuts and roasted golden beets melds marvelously with a balsamic vinaigrette for a rich and tangy combination. Potato pancakes, often brittle at other restaurants, arrive here crispy on the outside with soft and creamy centers. The pan-roasted chicken breast with goat cheese herb stuffing is a favorite among regulars. For a truly gooey, oh-boy finish, skip the blah rice pudding in favor of the chocolate torte served with vanilla gelato; it's what a brownie wants to be when it grows up.