Santé — Restaurant in Sonoma

I went to stay at the Fairmont to celebrate my birthday with a friend last weekend and we dined at Santé. We had reviewed the menu and were very excited to eat there. We split the entire meal and a bottle of wine. We began with the bread which was crispy yet soft and the butter was tasty. We ordered the oysters and they were delicious. I typically like smaller oysters like Kumamotos but for larger oysters these were actually good. Next came the butternut squash ravioli and this was amazing too. The sauce was very rich, yet sweet and savory and so was the filling. Then we had the ribeye for 2 with the duck fat fingerling potatoes and the broccolini. I ordered a medium steak and what I received was a medium well, almost well done steak. I am a huge fan of a good ribeye and eat them often, and I hate an overcooked steak - it ruins it for me. The steak was not soft as a well-marbled ribeye should be and lacked flavor/seasoning. There were only patches of salt and it came with this really creamy butter that was almost too creamy and the flavor was kinda overpowering the steak, so we scooped that to the side. The potatoes were also lacking seasoning, I could taste the bitterness of the skin. Also, they were SO dry that some of the potatoes were actually cracking along the inside, completely dehydrated. It seemed like they had been sitting under a heat lamp ALL DAY. The broccolini was cooked al dente and the sauce was tasty. The service could also use some improvements. Our server had zero wow factor and was very dry, not warm nor welcoming. I was a little irritated that he did not come back to top us off until we were about to leave. The manager was nice and came over to open the wine for us, but the server didn’t seem to be too knowledgeable about wine as one would expect in wine country. It’s a long review but an honest one. The resort is fantastic, but try some of the local...

Pro tip: order the chocolate souffle at the beginning of the meal. It takes about 30 minutes to prep and the kitchen will time it. It's not always on the menu but you can request it.

Between the two of us we shared an appetizer, 2 entrees and a dessert.

Appetizer: hamachi crudo... It was delicious and will balanced.

Entree: Bobo poultry poulet.... We found the farro and the chicken leg Divine. The chicken breast itself was a bit bland, but if you pair with the farro becomes acceptable in flavor.

2nd entree: Dry aged ribeye... The most expensive item on the menu, I had my doubts going in, but I could not deny there was something about this that made me want more. It's not your typical steak. I have steak all the time, but this one was phenomenal.

Dessert: Chocolate souffle... This was not on their regular menu (as you can see from the picture of the menus), but having been to the Fairmont in the past, this was one of the must have items. Most souffles served in restaurants I have been to aren't fresh and hot. They are usually pre made and served cold. This is one of those exceptions. This is how a souffle should be.

They also did a tuna tartare with apple amuse bouche which was a nice start. Bread service is included with 2 kinds of butter and fleur de sel.

We did breakfast as well. The biscuits and gravy were very good. Also ordered the smoothie which is pretty standard but over priced for what you get. I'd skip the smoothie.

Additional note: if you have any issues, bring it up with the manager. They gave a great management staff. We had a small issue with the chicken. We told the server who apologized but didn't do anything about it. I had read a review where that had happened to someone else. I asked for the manager who was very concerned and offered to comp us (which was unnecessary as it was a small thing). It was the offer and sincerity that I was...

Excellent Breakfast and Dinner at Santé – Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa

While staying at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, we had the chance to enjoy both breakfast and dinner at Santé, and it quickly became one of the highlights of our trip. The restaurant has such a warm and cozy atmosphere, the kind of place where you feel comfortable lingering over a meal, and every dish was prepared with so much care and flavor.

Breakfast was a perfect start to our days. ★ Avocado toast – fresh, vibrant, and full of flavor ★ Healthy bowl – light but surprisingly filling, a wholesome choice ★ Breakfast tacos – hearty and satisfying, packed with flavor ★ Crab eggs benedict – my personal favorite in the morning, indulgent and memorable

Dinner was just as impressive, offering a refined yet approachable dining experience. ★ Pacific oysters – perfectly fresh and briny, a great way to start the meal ★ Corn soup – rich, silky, and comforting, packed with depth ★ Chicken mousseline – elegant and beautifully executed ★ Dry-aged duck breast – absolutely outstanding, cooked to perfection and truly one of the best duck dishes I have ever had

What made Santé even more special for us is that they offer a pet menu, which our pup enjoyed just as much as we did. It was such a thoughtful touch and made us feel even more at home.

From start to finish, Santé exceeded our expectations. Whether it was a relaxed breakfast or an elevated dinner, the food was consistently excellent and the service matched the quality of the cuisine. Santé is not only a gem within the Fairmont Sonoma, but a destination on its own. I would happily return again just for the food—and so...