It’s the romantic week of the year and it seems fitting to
feature a Sonoma
restaurant that provides Michelin Star quality food and cozy
tables for two.
From the start, you will be treated like you came to this Victorian
manor as a royal guest. The room is elegant and the service is first class. Executive
Chef Jesse Mallgren forms a meal together as if it is a performance. The start
and finish is the same, in one case churros and radishes, with an appropriate
savory beginning to your meal and a sweeter ending.
You will find Madrona Manor serves a mixture of textures and
flavors throughout its courses, even labeling them. A “Clean-Crisp” selection
might include a refreshing Fuyu Persimmon, with pomegranates, squash, pumpkin
seed, marscarpone and truffle. For “Soft-Delicate,” a Foie Gras Terrine with
guava, ginger, cippolini onions, pistachios and brioche is magnificent.
The “Grain” course is always a tough one to choose from,
offering one night a choice of Yukon Gold Potato Gnocchi with lobster, winter
squash, lemon and parsley, while the other option was White Truffle Risotto
(which has a $35 additional price tag), with abalone mushrooms and shaved fresh
white Alba truffles. When it comes to “Smooth,”
you are looking at a fish course, but the “Meaty” can vary from beef to venison
to duck.
The desserts are luscious concoctions of simple thoughts (a
Peanut Butter & Chocolate Parfait that’s made with chocolate chip
shortbread, toffee crunch and milk chocolate sorbet, for example). Whatever you
choose from the “Sweet” menu, thought, be sure to also get a serving of the ice
cream sundae. This treat is made tableside, using liquid nitrogen and topped
with chocolate sauce, nuts and whipped cream (as desired).
It’s a positive to some who want to have room for
everything, but be aware that most of the portions at Madrona Manor are tiny
(some could need tweezers to get on the plate).
Keep that in mind when ordering and don’t be conservative when it comes
to picking the number of courses.
Also remember that Madrona Manor even has an
inn attached to the restaurant if you’d like to make it a full night of romance.
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