Located on a quiet street one block off the historic Sonoma Plaza, the DEPOT HOTEL is a beautifully restored plumstone building, one of the landmarks of the "Valley of the Moon" in California's famous Sonoma Valley wine country. Once the local hotel for 19th century passengers arriving on the train from San Francisco, the original owners opened the restaurant to serve the local townspeople and their visitors as well.

Today, the historic old hotel building houses the DEPOT HOTEL restaurant with casual and charming "country-inn" style. At the rear wall of the Restaurant is the glass-enclosed "Garden Room" which opens onto a beautiful private garden with shady decks and brick terraces surrounding a central reflection pool with sparkling fountains. Always a favorite spot with locals, the Restaurant takes pride in extending Sonoma hospitality to visitors and sharing with them the cuisine and wines of Sonoma Valley. CLICK THE MENU BUTTON ABOVE FOR OUR MENU!

The Ghilarducci's... Michael and Gia and familyl Michael was born in the Italian-speaking area of North Beach known as "Little Italy." At the age of eleven he began working in the kitchens of his father's restaurant and, with the exception of time spent attending and graduating from the culinary program at the Hotel and Restaurant Administration at City College of San Francisco, he has been working professionally in the kitchen ever since. In addition to his formal training in the Classical French tradition, he has worked at some of the most prestigious restaurants in San Francisco. His credits include L'Orangerie, and working as Chef de Tourneau at Ernie's on Montgomery Street. On the Peninsula he worked as Sous Chef of L'Auberge and as Chef of the Villa d'Este. In more recent years, he has been Chef-Owner of Chez Joseph in Oakland, Liaison in Palo Alto, and Columbus Street in Los Altos. Chef Ghilarducci and his wife Gia purchased the DEPOT HOTEL building in December of 1985.  In 2007, they celebrated their 22nd year in Sonoma. When their schedule permited, the Ghilarduccis have traveled extensively in Europe to gather recipes and to enjoy the food of the great restaurants of France and Italy. Chef Ghilarducci also enjoyed trips to Northern Italy to visit his family near Lucca. Through these trips, he came to acquire a deep appreciation for the home cooks of each small town, and has developed a great respect for the variety and naturally healthy style of cooking that distinguishes the rustic, "country-style" of cooking in Italy. In 1998 the Ghilarducci purchased established vineyards in Lake County.  The wine is currently produced under the Wildhurst Vineyards label, with single vineyard designated as Ghilarducci Vineyards Merlot, Fume Blanc, or Cabernet Sauvignon. In 2001 the Ghilarduccis began taking groups of cooking class students to Europe for "food and wine" tours of France and Italy.  In 2006, he joined Crystal Cruise Lines roster of guest chefs teaching classes on board ship to new groups of cooking class students. In 2008, they also took cooking class students to the wine regions of Chile and Argentina. Today, Chef Ghilarducci continues to oversee the restaurant, develops new dishes for the menu, supervises the wine list and cellar, and teaches cooking classes.   His wife Gia develops new desserts for the dessert menu, and manages the banquets, weddings, and cooking classes.  Their daughter Gianna is a Patent Agent and manages her husbands law office in Sonoma. She is also the mother of their first grandchild Siena, born Christmas eve 2007. The Ghilarducci's son Antonio is also a professional chef. After graduation from culinary school, Antonio has cooked at La Folie in San Francisco, Angele in Napa, the French Laundry in Napa, Shiso and El Dorado Kitchen in Sonoma. In 2008 he has at last consented to join the family at the Depot Hotel, where he is now Executive Chef.   He is developing new cooking classes, private dinners, and new dishes for the menu and the Vinoteca antipasto wine bar.

The Food and The Wine

The current menu at the DEPOT HOTEL restaurant reflects the excitement he feels for this unique and satisfying style of cooking. The menu focuses on the honest, straightforward, generous food of the Tuscan countryside and the Mediterranean basin. Within this framework, Chef Ghilarducci has created a menu that showcases the meats, poultry, seafood, bread, cheeses, fruits, and vegetables that are locally produced in Sonoma County. The menu prices are extremely reasonable, ranging between $8.50 and $27.00. Food portions are also consistently generous, reflecting the spirit of his family in Italy.

Wine by the glass from a large variety of Sonoma Valley wineries is served at the cozy wine bar and at the fireside tables in parlor. Wine service is also available on the decks and brick terrace overlooking the pool and garden. The wine cellar has also been personally selected by Chef Ghilarducci and represents one of the most extensive collections of wines from the Sonoma Valley and Carneros region. The Sonoma appellation is widely recognized by wine connoisseurs as an area that yields premium wines -- equal to, and sometimes surpassing, the wines of Napa Valley and Europe. When one travels in Europe, it is widely expected that the traveler will choose a wine from the local vineyards to accompany the meal. Wine lists in each province in Europe feature the local wines almost exclusively . The wine list at the DEPOT HOTEL reflects this pride in the wines that are produced here in the Valley. Sonoma Valley wines consistently offer a variety and quality that all wine-lovers appreciate and savor. Wine prices are also very approachable. It is the policy of the Chef that guests should always be able to find a quality wine on the list to match both their palate and their pocketbook -- that even the most premium wines should still be priced fairly.

The Depot is located one block off the northwest corner of the Sonoma Plaza, just up the hill from the corner of West Spain Street and First Street West. The Restaurant and Garden are open for lunch Wednesday through Friday, and for dinner Wednesday through Sunday. The DEPOT HOTEL is also available for weddings and private parties.

Awards Received by the DEPOT HOTEL Restaurant

The satisfaction of our dining guests is the most important recognition we receive here at the DEPOT HOTEL. Greeting old friends and meeting new ones who appreciate dining with us, preparing wholesome and delicious Italian cuisine, providing a convivial and beautiful Sonoma wine country setting and offering friendly and knowledgeable service makes operating the DEPOT HOTEL more than just a restaurant...it's a lifestyle!

Nonetheless, we are proud to have received many awards over the years. Although we make no special effort to solicit them, the DEPOT HOTEL is the proud recipient of industry recognition of its cuisine.  In 1989, Chef Ghilarducci received the prestigious national award "Master Chef of America." This honor, which has been extended to only 5% of the chefs in America, is particularly valued by chefs as it is awarded by professional chefs to recognize the talents of a few of their colleagues. A concurrent award also honors the DEPOT HOTEL as a dining destination. Similarly, the Wine Spectator has awarded our restaurant with a yearly "Award of Excellence" for our wine list for the last eight years in a row. The Restaurant has also been consistently awarded three stars by the Mobil Travel Guide. We are pleased to be recognized as one of Sonoma County's leading Italian Restaurants. Below you will see just a few of the awards we have received.

Wine Spectator Award of Excellence	Sebastiani Vineyards Salute	Chefs in America's Finest Restaurants

707 938 2980

gia@depothotel.com



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