Cafe La Haye

About Cafe La Haye

Cafe La Haye is a small, much-loved bistro a half block off the plaza in downtown Sonoma, opened in 1996 by Saul Gropman and now run by chef-owner Jose Lopez Nunes, who spent close to 25 years in the kitchen learning under founding chef John McReynolds. The 34-seat room cooks New American food from produce grown within 60 miles, and it has stayed a fixture of the valley for nearly three decades.

This is honest, seasonal Wine Country cooking. For more of Sonoma's best tables, compare the Portuguese cooking at LaSalette just across the plaza, the Provencal plates at The Girl & The Fig and the seasonal menu at El Dorado Kitchen. For a relaxed evening out, see our guide to a great first date.

The Kitchen

The kitchen leans into contemporary American classics rather than chasing trends, and the produce - sourced within 60 miles of the room - does much of the work. The undisputed signature is the grilled pork chop with a warm mustard-seed vinaigrette, a dish the kitchen will not take off the menu; around it sit braised short ribs in puff pastry with horseradish cream, pan-roasted chicken with goat cheese and polenta, and a risotto that changes by the day. Mains run roughly 22 to 40 dollars, fair for the quality, and the short menu turns over with the season. It is comfort cooking done with care, the sort of food that rewards a return visit rather than a single occasion.

The Room

The room is tiny - 34 seats over two levels in a converted storefront on East Napa Street, a half block off the Sonoma plaza. It is warm and unfussy, the walls hung with work by local artists, and the close quarters make for a convivial rather than a formal evening. Service is friendly and well-paced, the kind that suits a couple or a small group. The kitchen is small enough that the menu stays short and focused. Because there are so few tables and the place has a long local following, booking ahead is wise, especially at weekends; the plaza and its tasting rooms are an easy stroll before or after dinner.