Wit & Wisdom — Restaurant in Sonoma

We love Michael Mina and years back celebrated our anniversary at his Las Vegas restaurant and were so very excited to be at the Sonoma restaurant last night.

Self parking isn't clearly identified but only about 100 yards away. We sat at a lovely table perfect for my wife's birthday. We started with cocktails which were perfect and I read the entire wine list. The wine list was massive and there are some real gems and also some notable names missing. However, be ready as the wine prices are outrageously high. The stemware was beautiful and flawlessly clean. The table water however was not. My glass was soapy (replaced) and the table water did not taste filtered. Not typical for fine dining.

The first course was salad and my wife loved her endive crab salad and gave it a 10. I had the heirloom tomato salad which was a 8.5 as there was a strange metallic aftertaste and the tomatoes seemed slightly off. For the main I had the Halibut and she had the Salmon. The poached halibut was truly exceptional and every bite was pure heaven. I gave it a 10. The salmon was nice too but my wife didn't seem to enjoy it as much. She gave it an 9 and didn't finish it.

The staff is very friendly and trying hard but they auctioned off our food at both courses. With fine dining, the staff should always know who gets what, especially when it's just two people. The main course was also auctioned "that belongs here". The staff also interrupted our conversational flow by unnecessarily pouring our wine, which we can do ourselves. At the end of the night the kind staff brought over a dessert with candle but once again messed up and set it in front of me. The silly mistake was quickly corrected and not a big deal but still worth mentioning here in the hope that the management reads this.

At the end of the night we both went to use the bathrooms. Sadly they were confused much like the staff as both bathrooms are gender neutral and they don't have a ladies bathroom. So my wife found herself looking at an industrial toilet with a horizontal silver handle liken to a service station with spray all overall the toilet seat from the men who had previously used the room. This unpleasant situation was solved by a short walk out of the restaurant to the nearly hotel "The Lodge" and to their "lady's bathroom" where she found a clean and welcoming facility.

In the end there still some bumps in the road for the staff but the food is fantastic as the halibut is absolutely amazing. The bathrooms need to be sorted at, as you don't need two gender neutral bathrooms - preserve one bathroom...

Wit & Wisdom has officially brought the brilliance of Chef Michael Mina's signature culinary style to the heart of Sonoma County--and it's nothing short of exceptional. Nestled in a beautiful setting that blends Wine Country charm with understated luxury, this restaurant delivers an experience that's both elevated and warmly welcoming. I had the pleasure of enjoying an extraordinary meal here, one that stood out not only for its flawless execution but also for its creativity and soul. From start to finish, the evening felt like a celebration of flavor, ambiance, and impeccable hospitality. The tuna tartare was, simply put, phenomenal. Perfectly balanced, vibrant, and elegantly plated, it was the kind of dish that stops conversation for a moment--just to savor. But the true showstopper of the night was the lobster pot pie, served tableside with flair. Rich, buttery, and indulgent, it's a dish that defines signature luxury comfort food. The aroma alone was enough to draw attention from nearby tables, and the taste exceeded every expectation. For dessert, I was treated to a creative and utterly delicious take on red velvet--a refined twist on the classic, beautifully executed. I also sampled one of their specialty candy bar desserts, which was equally impressive: playful, nostalgic, and elevated all at once. The wine pairings throughout the meal were outstanding. Each pour thoughtfully complemented the dish it accompanied, showcasing the best of local and international selections. It's clear the team has curated a wine program that is both knowledgeable and intuitive--something wine lovers will truly appreciate. While I had the opportunity to try a few other dishes during the meal, the tuna tartare, lobster pot pie, and desserts were the undeniable standouts. Together with the wine, setting, and stellar service, they made for an unforgettable dining experience. Chef Mina's culinary magic has found a perfect home in Sonoma County. Wit & Wisdom is more than just a meal--it's a...

Super excited to check out Wit and Wisdom however we felt it was a little over rated. Maybe we just missed the right menu items. Our server suggested many dishes and we didn’t go with his recommendations so there’s a little regret.

Pros: restaurant aesthetics and design was top notch. Menu was promising. Our server was very kind and professional. We really enjoyed the crab endive Caesar salad. We randomly ordered the truffle cream corn and it was so delicious. Highly recommend even if it’s not a perfect match with your entree.

Cons: I really hate to nit pick as I don’t want to negatively sway others from trying the restaurant. However I would not recommend the following items: the lobster arrabbiata was ok but not outstanding. The sauce was thin and soupy with no spice. I felt like it was puréed in a vitamix. My husband had the lamb which he thought was good but not the best he’s had for the price. I tried a bite and ate something bitter, almost dirty tasting. Lastly, we ordered the Hummingbird cake. It took about 40 min to arrive and was very dry and served like a traditional slice of cake. Apparently the most popular dessert but I would suggest another item.

I really want this restaurant to do well but for the prices they charge, the food quality needs to improve. Additionally, the glasses of wine were ok but not phenomenal (we have worked in the wine industry so could perhaps have overly high expectations).

Check it out but ask your server for recommendations and go with them. Wish we had a...