Nestled in the quaint town of Glen Ellen, one can find Glen Ellen Star, a destination for foodies that highlights the local flavors of Sonoma. It specializes in wood-fire cooking techniques and offers divine homemade ice cream that one cannot pass up.
The restaurant has an open kitchen concept, with a wood-fired oven as its centerpiece. Many dishes on the menu are cooked to perfection in a wood-fired oven. If you’d like to watch the chefs in action, I’d suggest making a reservation in advance for the Chef’s Counter as there’s just 8 seats available.
The restaurant has a cozy interior with a neighborhood-friendly feel. The culinary team at Glen Ellen Star sources ingredients from local producers in order to craft daily menus that showcase the best of the region. A majority of the produce used comes from The Glentucky Family Farm that has been certified biodynamic since 2001. The restaurant has an extensive list of local wines and beers that perfectly complements the menu.
Chef Ari Weiswassner and his wife Ellen Benziger-Weiswassner (of the renowned Benziger Winery family in Glen Ellen) opened their restaurant a decade ago. Ari had previously worked at the French Laundry for a couple of years.
I visited Glen Ellen Star with a group of friends and we passed around the following plates to start:
Golden beets, dried apricot vinaigrette, vadouvan pistachios, pickled leeks, whipped crème fraiche
Brussels sprouts, brown sugar bacon marmalade
Cauliflower, tahini, and spiced seed dukkah sumac
Smoked Mt. Lassen trout “conserva”, sourdough flatbread, pickled red onion, jalapeno and dill
Their Tomato Cream Pie Pizza with aleppo pepper is a signature dish that we could not pass up.
As for mains we indulged in the following:
House made lumache pasta with braised rabbit, red wine sugo, spinach, saffron espuma, castelvetrano olives.
Snake River Farms American Wagyu zabuton, crispy nishiki rice, broccolini puree, sauce “japonaise”
We settled our sweet tooth with chocolate fudge ice cream as well as strawberry rosé sorbet.
In conclusion, Glen Ellen Star is a culinary gem that captures the essence of Sonoma’s farm-to-table dining scene with its rustic charm, sophisticated flavors, and warm hospitality. Whether you’re a foodie, a wine enthusiast, or simply seeking a memorable dining experience, Glen Ellen Star promises to delight your senses and leave you with cherished memories of wine country indulgence.
