SMALL BITE: Most people come to Sonoma County for the wine. Daytrips by limousine are standard fare. But if you are tuned in to the farm-to-fork movement that is taking this country by storm, there is now another worthwhile reason to venture to the Sonoma area for the day: lunch or dinner at Lucy Restaurant & Bar in Yountville.
It’s a unique dining and wining experience where guests are treated to fresh, seasonal dishes prepared by talented chefs who are dedicated to sourcing ingredients from local farmers and vintners, as well as picking fruits, vegetables and herbs right from the restaurant’s nearby one-acre, on-site garden. If you ask, someone from the staff will be happy to give you a personal tour of the garden, too.
SIGNATURE DISHES: The menu selection changes according to what is local and available – and what is growing in the garden, of course, so you know you are getting the freshest food possible. On a recent trip to Lucy’s, the garden offered up squash, tomatoes, beans, peas, an assorted variety of mint – including chocolate mint! — stevia (a green leaf you can chew that tastes exactly like sugar!), strawberries, blackberries, lemons and more. Chefs will harvest produce and herbs from the garden daily to use in their culinary creations, salads and artisanal cocktails.
DISH FROM DINERS: The architects of this restaurant concept say it best: “Our culinary philosophy is ruled by the seasons, with an emphasis on local production and sourcing. That means we have close relationships with all our suppliers, from Napa Valley lamb farmers to local organic dairy producers.”
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: For guests who want to be really close to the source of their meal, they can opt to reserve a long, communal table arranged in the heart of Lucy’s Garden, where they can enjoy a long, leisurely multi-course meal in the quiet surroundings of nature.
A lot of creative thought and planning has gone into the menu at Lucy’s. Some of the standouts at lunchtime include herb fries served with a savory ketchup made with tomatoes from Lucy’s Garden; a Chicken Apple Sausage and Smokey Blue Omelette; and Local Petrale Sole with Squash, Pineapple Sage and Tomato Brown Butter.
In the eco-friendly spirit of Lucy’s, it’s worth noting that all the large tables in the dining room are made from salvaged trees. Lastly, a visit to Lucy’s wouldn’t be complete without mentioning their bathrooms. Each one is a separate room offering an interactive, spa-like experience that has to be seen to be believed. So much fun, you won’t want to leave
HOURS: Breakfast served daily, 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Lunch served Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Dinner served daily, 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Brunch (a la carte) served Saturday and Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
To make a reservation, call: 707.204.6030
ABOUT BARDESSONO HOTEL & SPA: Lucy’s is the official restaurant of Bardessono, an award-winning 62-room boutique luxury hotel that has earned countless awards and accolades for its commitment to green living. It is one of only three hotels in the country that is LEED Platinum Certified, which means that it has achieved the highest standard for environmental design.
After your meal at Lucy’s, take a leisurely stroll around the property, and you’ll be more than impressed by the careful planning and concern for the environment, and connection to the community, that has gone into every detail of the hotel.
Some highlights include:
- Drought-resistant plants and landscaping
- Carbon-fiber bicycles for guests to use
- Solar panels on the roof
- Minimal use of plastic
- Furniture fabrics are green-certified
- Carpeting is certified “Green Label”
- Porcelain and concrete tiles are made of recyclable, natural materials
- All linens in guest rooms are made from organic fibers
- No carpeting and draperies in rooms, harbors for dust mites and odors
- Woods throughout the hotel, including the flooring, have been milled from salvaged trees
- Dedicated adherence to recycling and compost programs
- The ceilings are made from redwood recycled from wine casks
- The rooms have doors and windows that open onto private patios for natural ventilation
- Water is used from 300-foot wells on the property
- Bathroom fixtures use low water flow
- Grey and black water is treated and recycled for irrigation use in Yountville.
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