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The Girl and the Fig
Sonoma, California

More Information: http://thegirlandthefig.com

One sure thing that can be said about Sondra Bernstein is that she has no idea how to relax. Her passion for the hospitality business is her driving force and continues to inspire her to create and recreate.

Sondra is the Proprietor of the girl & the fig in Sonoma & the fig café & winebar in Glen Ellen. She is also the author of the “the girl & the fig Cookbook” published by Simon & Schuster in April 2004.
Her gourmet food product line is available nationwide under the girl & the fig label. In 2006, Sondra opened the fig pantry, a gourmet deli, wine & general store as well as Les Petites Maisons, four vacation cottages 1 mile from the Sonoma plaza. Unfortunately in 2008, a drunk driver drove through the country store and she decided it was a sign to move on to a new project. Later in 2008, she took over the historic property in Sonoma known as “The General’s Daughter” and turned it into ESTATE, what she tags as Sonoma food with an Italian accent.
The property has extensive gardens whereas much of the produce gets used in the kitchen.

Her short story … D.C. born, Philadelphia bred, BFA from Philadelphia College of Art (photography), TGI Friday’s Trainer & Team Leader for their national restaurant openings, graduate of The Restaurant School (culinary & restaurant management), Operations Manager for several restaurants in Philadelphia (The Fish Market & Marabella’s) and Los Angeles (Alice’s Restaurant & Tavern on Main), and Director of Operations for Viansa Winery in Sonoma County.

The long story … Sondra has spent over twenty years dedicated to the hospitality business. With a passion for food and wine, the trip from Philadelphia to Sonoma County was inevitable. Having restaurants in Sonoma County is a tribute to the efforts of the farmers, ranchers, cheese‐makers and, of course, grape growers & vintners in this bountiful landscape.

The restaurants themselves are mixed media collages that incorporate all of the five senses. Her philosophy of dining is as follows; “dining is an analogy to theatre. First of all, you need to start with the real thing (in theatre = raw talent) (in dining = raw product). Then it takes a lot of practice before the curtain goes up.
The passion, the intensity, the teamwork, and the integrity all drive the work to a climax (guest satisfaction & personal accomplishment).
On the surface the collage of the senses is as follows:

Sight encompasses the physical space as well as the finished plate Smell, obvious as it may be, is necessary to enhance the other senses Sound would inevitably be our choice of music Touch would be on two levels, the textures of the food & wines, as well as the emotional touch (memories & feelings) that the experience can bring Taste is the one that keeps them coming back for more

Below the surface, you will find lots of subtle nuances & details that round out the dining experience. To put all of these elements together requires hard work & dedication. Sondra has surrounded herself with very talented and passionate people that share the philosophy that life is a work in progress.

Important philosophies that run through the restaurants are the usage of the local products when available, a focus on wine education with the guests and staff through variety and tasting, and allowing the staff to contribute on whatever level they are inspired to do so.
Sondra has created restaurants that she believes in, that she enjoys working in and that make people happy. And the food is really good too!

Sondra has participated in many food & wine events including the Sonoma Valley Wine Auction, Rhone Descouvertes, March of Dimes Star Chefs, Make a Wish Foundation, SF Chefs, The James Beard House, Hospice du Rhone, Rhone Rangers, Napa Valley Wine Auction, Winemaker Dinners throughout Sonoma & Napa Valley, Worlds of Flavor Conference, The World Wine Market, Aspen Food & Wine Classic, The Fancy Food Show, The Olive Festival, Sonoma Valley Film Festival, the Sonoma County Showcase and many more.

Events:
Sondra and her partner John Toulze will participate in the Live Auction Dinner and the Grand Tasting and Dinner Dance.