- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Mayo Reserve Room
Categories: Arts & Entertainment Wineries Food Wineries Food Beer, Wine & Spirits Wineries, Beer, Wine & Spirits [Edit]
9200 Sonoma HwyKenwood, CA 95452
(707) 833-5504
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 10:30 am - 6:30 pm
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
53 reviews for Mayo Reserve Room
Review Highlights
"The food and wine pairing is phenomenal."
(in 30 reviews)
"We were greeted and served by Chef Max Porter-Elliot."
(in 7 reviews)
"...was our most memorable tasting experience in Sonoma county."
(in 4 reviews)
Loading...
53 reviews in English
-
Review from Marc B.
Normal Heights, San Diego, CA
1/3/2012
My fiancee and I went to May Reserve Family Room on 12/27/11 for the 7 course wine and food pairing which was absolutely amazing!!! In particular, the executive chief (Clayton) was very helpful and knowledgeable about everything food and wine related. The wines (all Mayo Family Reserve wines) were incredible and the food paired with the wine was truly gourmet. I highly recommend the Mayo Family Reserve Room to anyone who enjoys fine wine and food!!!!!
-
Review from Peter C.
8/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
Very cool! Great to pull off the road and sit in their casual bar. Atmosphere is pretty tame, but the staff was terrific and the tasting was wonderful. I tried 7 different wines -- seven! -- which was quite a delight as we finished up our day trip (I definitely owe the wife for driving!). They stay open later than just about everyone else, so save for the end of your day.
I'm kicking myself however: we didn't do the food pairing which definitely seems like a must here. Definitely will have to come back! -
Review from Tammy H.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 5/31/2011
I was very fortunate to be able to enjoy another fabulous afternoon in Sonoma at Mayo Reserve this past weekend. The weather was good for the most part, and I incorporated it into the beginning of my day of tastings. I came with a group of 10 fellow wine enthusiasts and foodies, so we were ready to eat to our hearts' gastronomic content, and drink heartily as well.
First, the Mayo Family seriously knows how to serve and accommodate their guests and regulars. They are not chintzy on the pours at all, and do a spectacular job finding chefs who really know how to pair their select wines with the foods. They start off with lighter whites, progress to much heavier and full-bodied reds, and finish with a tasty dessert (guinness cake!) and accompanying gewurtztraminer. Everything was very tasty, and the wine kept flowing. The pricing is very fair - $35 for 7 course wine and food pairing, and for large parties expect a built-in gratuity (but, this is food AND beverage service, so no whining allowed!), and the (new) Chef Clayton does a great job of explaining the pairing rationale, and introducing menu items.
My only complaints?? How far it is, within the Sonoma Valley, and the portion size. The price is a great one - and the portion is fitting for a dainty eater like myself, but for more heartier eaters, the hors d'ouevres may not be sizable enough. Look at the Yelp pics and get a better idea. Trust me, the food is so amazing you want to enjoy a whole entree-sized portion of it, but unfortunately, for now, the kitchen can only accommodate little nibblings. Maybe in the future, perhaps? I suggest making a reservation, because they have a smaller dining/tasting room, and as word-of-mouth is spreading, they tend to fill up sooner than later. Also, menu items change according to season, and everyone gets the same items. All delicious, and perfect with the wines, of course. I'll be back soon :)1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
5/25/2011
This review is so outdated because I went New Years weekend, on Sunday, January 2nd, 2011, and my… Read more »
-
-
Review from L E.
New York, NY
5/5/2011
I was expecting amazing things from Mayo Reserve Room given the stellar reviews on Yelp. It was not amazing . . .but it was very good.
PROS
The seven course wine and food pairing is good value at $35 and a is wonderful way to spend a leisurely afternoon in Sonoma
Service was friendly
Tasting pours were generous
The gourmet food was different and interesting
The chef visited the table with each pairing and described tastes re: wine/food
CONS: My main criticism is that there was absolutely no atmosphere. Considering Sonoma is so beautiful and I had been to many breathtaking wineries in the days leading up to my tasting at Mayo Reserve Room I think I expected more in the atmosphere/beauty department. I also believe the service could have been slightly more professional.
Having noted these pros and cons I realize that I am being too critical and I would likely return to the Mayo Reserve Room in the future as the service, food and wines were all very good.
Enjoy the goat! -
Review from Kirk L.
Atlanta, GA
8/26/2011
This is a tough review for me. Mayo Reserve Room could have easily been a 5, but it was probably closer to a 3.
The good:
-Value - $35 for 7 wines (decent pours) and 7 "courses"
-Great wine/food pairings - I really enjoyed the way the wine played off the food.
-Tasty, creative, nicely plated dishes
-Knowledgeable, friendly service with great descriptions of the pairings (from the 1 employee that was there)
The bad:
-Slowwwwwww - I'm guessing this isn't normal, but it appeared that there was 1 guy working - greeting, cooking, serving, and doing the lengthy descriptions of the pairings. There were 4 other tables besides our party of 4 there, yet we never saw a single other person working - lunch took 2 1/2 hours, and ended up costing us 1, if not 2 winery visits in the afternoon.
-Decor/Atmosphere - the place is pretty sterile (other than the couple of flies buzzing around).
-Did I mention slow? This basically ruined the meal for us. Frankly, if one of my friends was doing this rating, they'd probably give it 2 stars because they were all so pissed it took so long. I thought the quality of the food and wine, as well as the price, merited 4 stars. -
Review from Amy R.
Benicia, CA
11/26/2011
My boyfriend and I had rented a house near this winery for the Turkey holiday. The owner had left a bottle of their Zinfandel for us to try. We were pleasantly surprised by the taste and were happy to find that the tasting room was within walking distance. The wines were great and the pours were quite large for tasting! Big bonus. We didn't partake of the food and wine pairings, but still enjoyed sitting at the bar and drinking the 10 wines on their menu for $10. Very, very worth it!
-
Review from Elizabeth W.
San Francisco, CA
10/16/2010
Let me preface this review by saying I absolutely love Sonoma, and was excited to take my Aunt there for her big 5-0 birthday celebration.
Sonoma did not let us down. Mayo certainly did.
The wine is about as abrasive as the woman pouring it. I am shocked to see all the 5 stars for this winery, maybe they had a little extra in their wine? We even purchased two glasses of their rose champagne- a total lackluster. Fail again.
The only redeeming factor was their glassware.
Don't make the same mistake we made, just keep driving.
Hold the Mayo. -
Review from jill j.
Mill Valley, CA
10/10/2007
In case you don't know, The Reserve Room does a paired Food & Wine tasting for $25. This includes 7 Mayo Family wines paired with 7 different bite-sized courses. This is the best tasting value in the wine country. However, this is NOT a meal, so plan accordingly. We left hungry (and a bit tipsy) as the wine-to-food ratio is pretty high.
We had the "Harvest Menu 2007":
1. Wine grape - tropical fruit - ricotta brandade "crustade" with a 2006 Pinot Gris
2. Smoked John Dory sole - plantain macadamia "dolma" with a 2005 Chardonnay
3. Chanterelle - Peruvian potato - gruyere "baklava" with a 2005 Pinot Noir
4. Wine juice cured pork belly lentil cabbage "tostada" with a 2005 Syrah
5. Gold-dusted robiolina chocolate-dipped black mission fig with a 2004 Meritage
6. Kobe beef and stilton slider, cabernet cluster ketchup with a 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon ***** THIS WAS DIVINE!!!!!! ******
7. Gravenstein apple - gewurztraminer grape roasted sweet potato pie with a 2006 Gewurztraminer.
Some of the pairings were amazing - both the food and the wine improved together. Some were merely OK, and I preferred either the food or the wine on its own.
Our server was friendly, chatty, knowledgeable and accommodating. There was no hard sell, but the two of us signed up to share a Wine Club membership.
Atmosphere is a little stale and doesn't have too much personality. You can sense that it was once a group tasting room. The bathroom is smack in the middle of the space -- a placement I'm never fond of.Listed in: When in the Wine Country…
-
Review from Jennifer S.
Petaluma, CA
6/28/2008
I've been here a few times and always have enjoyed myself. The wine and food pairings are $25 which is an incredible deal for the size of the pours and the quality of the food. The pairings are seasonal which is nice if you return every so often like I do to re-stock my wine fridge. My favorite wines are the 2005 Caberent Franc Reserve and the 2005 Viognier Sara Lee...
I found it interesting that the last reviewer gave this place such a bad review. Like all the previous reviewers, I've found all the staff to friendly and entertaining. Maybe the reviewer had a bad attitude or a chip on his shoulder that day? -
Review from rachel m.
Austin, TX
10/17/2007
What a frickin' fabulous concept: The Mayo Reserve tasting room does a food and wine paring for $25, which consists of 7 fantastic little gourmet "bites" paired with their best wines. Highlights: the pork belly tostada and the cheese stuffed mission fig dipped in dark chocolate and sprinkled with gold dust.
I can't wait to take out of town guests and family there - definitely something unique and wonderful in a sea of standard tasting rooms.
Keep in mind this is not meal-size food - size-wise, the whole menu is the equivalent of having an appetizer and 2 glasses of wine (or more if you're lucky and get extra pours :)Listed in: Sonoma Life
-
Review from Powell Y.
Costa Mesa, CA
1/7/2008
Date: January 5, 2008
Winery: Mayo Family Winery
Winemaker: Michel Berthoud
Tasting: walk-in
The reserve tasting room of Mayo Family Winery is known for their food and wine pairing, but we opted to just try the wine as we had a sandwich prior to arriving here. Unfortunately the tasting was initially conducted by their executive chef, whom should of just stick with being in the kitchen and leave the front of house to people with a personality. Gulping down a large cup of Emergen-C and stating you might be getting a cold certainly doesn't help making your guests comfortable. A sick chef conducting a tasting, what's wrong with this picture, you tell me...
Hospitality staff, personality is much more important than actual experience and knowledge. As long as they are willing to learn and trainable, I take good personality/training needed over good knowledge/no personality any day. I know this, I've hired tasting room staff in the past.
2005 Page/Nord Vineyard Syrah
Mouthful of oak, there is just enough fruit to make it palatable.
2004 Meritage Diane's Reserve
60% Cab, 30% Merlot, 10% Cab Franc
Chocolate notes and dark fruits, chalky tannin.
2005 Reserve Merlot Meredith's Cuvee
High acid, angular, awkward.
2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Random Ridge Vineyard
What's that smacking my palate, oh yeah, cedar plank...
2005 Sodini Ranch Petite Sirah
Overly sweet, touch of residual sugar?
2005 Old Vine Zinfandel Port
Kill me now...Listed in: Wineries and restaurants to…
-
Review from Erin S.
Santa Rosa, CA
5/24/2010
I have been to a lot of food and wine pairings and the Mayo Reserve Room is as good as it gets. Chef Max Porter-Elliot welcomed us when we arrived. I was hesitant at first, because my first experience with Mayo Winery (Glen Ellen location) was not a pleasant experience and neither were the wines because of it.
Mayo Reserve Room made up for it immensely. The whole atmosphere is so welcoming. You receive seven wines with seven pairings. What I liked most is that they come out in rounds so you don't have to remember everything at once. Max really makes this experience personal by describing each of the wines in detail and then the pairings that he choose. You can really tell he has a passion for pairings. The pairings were amazing. Even wines that I didn't like improved. The menu changes quite often, which is always a plus. Let alone their Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and Petite Sirah are wonderful.
My first time hear I spent over 3 hours just talking about wine, food, and Sonoma County. It was a perfect day. -
Review from Alysha M.
3/16/2010
7 course food/wine pairing for only $35 ($25 if you are a member) is a great deal! Although they tell you that the portions is not good to replace a meal, it definitely is generous, and very amazing & delicious too.
I am usually more of a red wine person, but I honestly loved all of the white wines. They were fruity & flavorful & was a good match to the food paired with.
I would definitely recommend the food/wine pairing to anyone. Another plus- the chefs/owners were very friendly, warm, & welcoming! -
Review from jenna c.
1/23/2010
I am conflicted.
CHEF MAX: 5 STARS.
MAYO WINE: 2 STARS
YELP RATING: smack in the middle
Chef Max Porter-Elliott is a GIFT to the Mayo Family Winery. The wines alone are WAY tannic for both mine and my husband's palette. So, tasting the wine solo is... well, a lot. And actually just too much for me. So much so, it left a chalky film in my mouth. (some people may be into this, not us.)
HOWEVER, Max has paired dishes so beautifully with these HUGE Cabs & Zins that it really balances the flavor of the wine. Max said that some wines were just meant to be had with food. But, my husband and I... think good wine should be able to stand on it's own. And the unfortunate part is... that we can never recreate Chef Max's incredible science of food pairing.
We felt bad leaving without buying a bottle, because Max was so amazing and knowledgeable... both as a person and as a chef. Without the food pairing it would have been a big disappointment.
But--- We would say... If you are a foodie and love trying new things... it is a must do. Even if the wine is not our fav... it might be yours. And just to have his delectable bites melt in your mouth is worth it.
Judge for yourself.Listed in: 2010 Sonoma Trip!
-
Review from Heather M.
Cincinnati, OH
3/26/2009
Tasting at Mayo is definitely one of the most unique experiences you'll have in Sonoma! The tasting is pricey, but you'll taste ~6 wines, each paired with an awesome small plate. A perfect last stop on your way out of Sonoma, especially as the afternoon sun pours into the small tasting room. You can either sit/eat/drink at the bar, or at one of the small tables in the tasting room.
For more info - http://www.mayofamilyw... -
Review from sam h.
San Francisco, CA
7/21/2010
The food and wine pairing is phenomenal. My family came to visit from Florida (6 of us total), and it was easy to get a reservation. We were running late at another winery, and they were very accommodating when I called and told them we would be late.
We were greeted and served by Chef Max Porter-Elliot. It was a great experience to be able to ask the chef questions as we tasted the food and sipped our wine. We had 7 tastings in total. This was my 2nd trip to the Reserve Room, and I am always amazed how much the food can make a wine go from decent to fantastic. This was a perfect stop for lunch, as we had a big breakfast that morning.
This is a must-do for anyone who likes food and wine, and a unique experience for Sonoma. -
Review from Beth W.
Nashville, TN
9/11/2007
Just got back from 3 days of wine tasting in Sonoma County and this was my absolute favorite. My BF and I were the only 2 people in the tasting room around 3 p.m. on a Tuesday, so Chef Billy was able to spend plenty of time with us. I can't stop thinking about the yummy Kobe beef slider with blue cheese. I could have eaten a whole plate of those! The wine and food pairing was $25 each, which I think is a fair price for the quality of food you are getting. The portions are small, but it was plenty for us to call it a light lunch.
Such a fun experience- I highly recommend this as a stop if you are in the area! -
Review from Megan B.
Fairfax, VA
10/7/2011
The food and wine pairing will change everything you think about http://wine.it is a tasting, not a meal, but some of the most delicious food and wine you can imagine.
-
Review from Corrine L.
San Jose, CA
4/9/2011
5 stars for the hot ass chef and that best ever tasting popcorn soup. I promised to stalk him... and I just might.
-
Review from Krissy M.
San Francisco, CA
1/29/2007
Blech.
I tried the wines without the food, so perhaps I had a different experience.
The guy who poured was uninteresting, uninvolved and a real snooze fest.
The atmosphere was yellow and uninspired. The wine was equally as dull.
The worst tasting in Kenwood.
Not fun. -
Review from Chris G.
5/17/2007
I went to the Mayo Reserve room after visiting their main tasting room and talking to the niece of the owner. Both the main tasting room and the reserve room are great places and you get a family vibe from both. Luckily when I had a chance to go to the reserve room it was quiet so the chef had time to sit down and tell us some stories.
That was the first time I heard of anyone tasting soil and he told us he help him understand the land more. Every dish he served was great and he told us whether there were a few or many he made each dish as people came in, so everything was fresh. And it tasted that way.
I've recommended Mayo to many friends and co-workers and no one has ever told me they were not happy from the experience. -
Review from Hui C.
San Francisco, CA
3/26/2010 1 Check-in Here
The service was very good and the wine was excellent. I thought the food was only ok.
The food-wine pairing is 7 courses and 7 wines. A good mix of whites and reds. With each pouring there is a good introduction given.
We went there around lunch time. The portions were small and the overall quality was good but not great. The pulled pork was dry and a couple of the pairings didn't seem to go well with each other. The goat cheese was too strong for the chardonnay.
I would go back again for the wine. Next time I'm gonna eat before hand. -
Review from Jen F.
Bend, OR
5/13/2009 5 photos
This was one of the only things on our "to do list" for Sonoma that we actually did... and I am so happy that we went! Food and wine are supposed to go hand in hand, and it's just silly that Mayo is the only winery that acknowledges that by offering regularly scheduled pairings. The menu changes regularly and reflects the season of your visit. We were treated to a tasty variety of small bites and small pours. The sous chef was also our server and he was a wealth of knowledge about both the food and the wine. It was a truly enjoyable experience and I wish I had better words to describe it... so I'm uploading all the delicious looking photos I took while we were there. Just looking at them makes my mouth water, thinking back on all the great food and wine!
If you are in the Sonoma Valley just go, and hopefully you'll find it as much fun as I did! -
Review from Danielle S.
Austin, TX
10/26/2008 2 photos
I've been here twice for a pairing, and enjoyed both tremendously. The chefs were different each time I went, but their standards did not change. The food both times was delicious.
Mind you, I am a very picky person who doesn't do a lot of "trying new things." Nonetheless, I tried a few things that weren't something I'd make for myself, but it was still cool to try and taste the contrasts and accents and compliments...
Anyway, I think it's worth doing if you're willing to drop $25-$30 per person. If you're a "foodie," I think it's definitely worth making a reservation! -
Review from Star M.
Rockport, TX
11/3/2009
We stopped in for a "wine only" tasting -- we had just had our first bottle of Mayo Family's Petite Syrah at Alexander's Steakhouse in Cupertino & wanted to see what else they have. We didn't realize that they have two tasting rooms, so didn't know about the food & wine pairings until we got there.
It was a quiet Wednesday afternoon, midday or so, and we were the only ones there. Sat at the tasting bar & tried several different wines -- ended up buying the PS, a lovely Zin & the Zin Port. Our wine guide (chef du jour) comped one of our tastings ($20, I think) - but could have used a bit more personality. He did, however, do a good job of explaining the winery's varietals, etc.
Will definitely go back for the food pairing tasting next time we're in town. -
Review from Jerry C.
Anaheim, CA
3/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great food paired with wine, a wonderful experience, the wine was sublime but the young chef we all wanted to put in our suitcase and bring home - young, talented, personable - I'd like to invest in him! The daughter in law of the winery's owner was our hostess, she was also very knowledgeable and fun.
-
Review from Stephen W.
San Jose, CA
10/11/2008
Wine always goes best with food - it'll really help you appreciate the flavors and enhance the tasting experience. The staff is really helpful in explaining the nuances of what works with what.
The food and wine pairing was a great deal overall. Just be a bit careful at the end. After tasting 7 wines they'll try to sell you a club membership and it's pretty easy to sign almost anything they pass over to you at that point, let me tell you!
As for the wine itself it's pretty good - but for the price that they offer and what you get it could leave more to want. Great experience, but the wine was mediocre if tasted by itself. -
Review from Nicole J.
San Francisco, CA
5/7/2009
This was our last stop for day one of wine tasting with the in-laws. The owner welcomed us in to the tasting room and sat with us while we tasted his wines. He was very knowledgable about regions and why certains grapes/blends were named. When he discovered it was my boyfriend's mom's birthday, he brought out a mini cheesecake (served for the $$ wine/food pairing) along with the Gewürztraminer tasting. That was super cool. And the pairing of the dessert and wine was ON point!
We'll be checking out the wine/food pairing on our next visit. The in-laws became wine club members, and I ended up purchasing the $30 half bottle of the delicious Gewürztraminer. -
Review from Stephen W.
San Francisco, CA
11/29/2006
This place is fantastic. Absolutely fantastic. It's so good that it makes me wish that there was a six star rating or that I could redo every other review to lower them by one star.
It is everything I love about wine tasting but instead of having to sip the wine and imagine what flavors it might compliment you get a taste. It also is a fine learning experience as you take a sip of the wine and enjoy it's taste before you drink the wine in context with the food and taste a whole new level of the wine.
Billy is a great chef and Mayo wines are my favorite. Is it any surprise that I love this place so much? -
Review from Alex A.
Chicago, IL
9/3/2011
We went to the mayo reserve room for a 7 course wine and food pairing. The wines were quite delicious and the pairings were spot on. The food was as good if not better than the wine and it complimented each varietal perfectly. The employees were extremely knowledgeable about food and wine which is what made this such a unique and delicious experience. Cost was $35 and filled us enough to skip lunch so the price was just right. If you are in Sonoma and looking for a unique tasting experience, this is the place.
-
Review from Shaun W.
Petaluma, CA
2/14/2010
Is it the best wine in Sonoma County, No. Is it bad, No. Paired with the food definitely brings it up a notch. I have been to this one as well as the other two (which they closed the pairing) and this is best of the lot.
Between the winemaker/owner and the Chef you can tell they know what they are doing. Fabulous parings, the food is so delicious that I usually want to start over and do it again. There are not too many places out there like this, I wish there were. We have been here quite a few times, always bringing friends. It is a real treat and must stop on anyone's list.
Oh, and there sparkling wine - outstanding! -
Review from Monica L.
Glendale, CA
7/17/2010 1 Check-in Here
My husband and I had the BEST time at Mayo Reserve with Chef Max. The food and wine were great. Do it!
-
Review from Dana B.
Oakland, CA
10/20/2009
We ended up trailing into Mayo at about 6:00 p.m. Although we have not yet tried the food, we were still able to enjoy some good wine.
Both the prices for the wine and food seem to be very reasonable. The new chef from New Hampshire was very friendly and helpful with our wine tasting experience. The next time my fiance and I head up to Mayo, we will definitely be dining in for the food and wine pairing. -
Review from Arlene M.
1/17/2010
This was our most memorable tasting experience in Sonoma county. We got the 7-course wine and food pairing and it was definitely worth it. Mention yelp to get a discount!
We were the only ones there so we got to chat a lot with the executive chef, Max. He was a former engineering major-turned chef, but still had enough geek in him that we got along great talking about kitchen gadgets such as using induction burners for sous-vide. All the tastes were amuse-sized, but it was more enough to be our lunch given that we had seven of them!
The standout courses for me were:
Rogue River Blue with truffled Sonoma honey - I gotta admit, I love me some cheese...this was so good that we went across the street to buy the honey that he used, asked him where to get the truffles, googled the cheese to see if I can get it on mail order. Hopefully I can somewhat recreate the wonderful flavors of this dish.
Duck stuffing with foie gras and brioche - He called this his "turducken". I just love everything that has duck in it, and this was kind of like a savory bread pudding with duck and foie gras...how can you go wrong?
Khambay's Zinful Chocolate - Wine AND chocolate...what's not to love? My hubby doesn't eat chocolate so I got to eat his portion as well...score!
Though these were my favorites...I actually loved everything that he served in front of us. It was really nice to have unusual and exciting dishes that were truly entertaining to eat and enjoy with their great wines. This guy is so talented, I think he should go on Top Chef!
On to the wines...all the pours were very generous (almost half a glass with each one) that we had to take a walk afterwards, even though we were there for almost 2 hours. Their Chardonnay had some nice strong flavors that it appealed to me even though I'm usually more of a red wine drinker. Their Zin was big, yet it was also really smooth, it reminded me a lot of the Ridge Zins that I love so much. I thought that the Cabernet Sauvignon was their best wine, it was full of flavor yet also still very smooth. We even got a sample of their bubbly though it wasn't part of the regular tasting, and I liked that as well. We were going to buy one of each bottle but we got an extra discount by buying half a case so we went for that. He even threw in an extra bottle of Chardonnay for free, since it had no label so they couldn't sell it! Most of their wines are pretty affordable, everything except for the Cab is under $50.
I loved it so much, I recommended it to my sis who went there the next day and loved it too. Since they change their menu seasonally, I would definitely have to return and see what they have to offer in the spring and summer months. This was probably one of our best tasting experiences ever...highly recommended if you're ever in the Sonoma area. Just make sure to call ahead and make reservations! -
Review from Nadia C.
10/29/2007
I have been here 2 times and I have had the best time both times! What a wonderful experience for only $25. The food pairing and wine were delicious. The staff is nice, the wine flows and the food is pleasant. 5 stars for a fabulous time!
-
Review from Raffi A.
Burbank, CA
7/9/2009
This place along with VJB winery right up the street made my last trip to Napa/Sonoma for the better*. The 5 stars goes to location/atmopshere and wines. I did enjoy the food, and the price wasn't at all over the top compared to some larger wineries doing the same thing. The food quality wasn't spectacluar, but the pairing was sophisticated. Their current sauvignon blanc (forgive me for not remembering the vintage) was amazing, crisp, pure, and a round flavor (not just a hint) of kiwi and lime, that almost made be beg the question that it was kiwi fruit with a hint of white grapes. Their Chardonnay was really nice along with their meritage.
Great place overall, and I would stock up on at least 2-3 bottles, since they're not mass distributed.
*Impressions on Mayo may have been simultaneously hightened after visiting St. Francis and Ledson (do not bother your time going to these "theme park" wineries! -
Review from Nate W.
Oakland, CA
8/8/2009
Make this a priority if you are ever in the area. Simply the best wine country experience I've ever had. $35 gets you seven small plates paired up with Mayo wine. It is worth every penny. We arrived just as another couple of honeymooner's were leaving. The chef/wine guy, Max Porter-Elliott welcomed us at the bar overlooking Hwy 12. Max is new to the area via the C.I.A. in New York. This guy was the best. Really laid back and fun. Took time to talk with us, poured three glasses of wine and the retreated to the kitchen to prepare our first round of dishes.
Round 1:
Cresenza Cheese "Tombe" with Garden Bean Chutney & Tomato Jus
2007 Sauvignon Blanc, Emma's Vineyard, Napa Valley
- Great combination of flavor and color.
Halibut "Wellington" with Peach Coulis & Lavender-Pistachio Dust
2007 Viognier, Saralee's Vineyard, Russian River Valley
- Perfectly paired. Perfectly cooked.
Chicken "Saltimboca" with Prosciutto, Lemon Essence
2006 Chardonnay, Laurel Hill Vineyard, Sonoma Valley, "Reserve"
- Great take on saltimboca, really clever. Hate chardonnay but this
one was good, especially with the dish.
Finished up our initial 3 dishes and wine. A Fed-Ex guy showed up with a package for Max, who was obviously excited. He signed for the package, and look at us and asked "Do you guys want to have some fun? Ever heard of molecular gastronomy?" He opened up the package and pulled out a half gallon sized container filled with white powder. Turns out he ordered this stuff from a chemical company back east that sells this stuff to big food companies. He said he had two different kinds of powders. One will turn any liquid into an oil, and another that wil turn any liquid into a powder, the latter used by potato chip companies to create salt and vinegar flavor for example. So he brings out this apple cider vinegar and has the wife spoon some of the liquid to oil powder into a bowl while he used an emulsion blender to mix it up. Turned into a delicious glaze like substance. While he prepared round 2, he invited the wife back into his kitchen. Turns out he is preparing all of these gems with only the use of a small oven and a microwave! This guy must be really good to be able produce this food using those tools.
Round 2:
Grilled Flatiron "Tartine" with Almonds, Raspberry, & Pea Leaves
2006 Malbec, Trio-B Vineyard, Vineyard, Napa Valley, "Reserve"--
- No idea how he did this one. Awesome. Great Malbec.
"Pork & Beans" Cassoulet with Candied Pluots & Spiced Pecans
2006 Syrah, Page Nord Vineyard, Napa Valley--
- Bar none best "pork and beans" I've ever had. A lot going on with
this dish. Again paired perfectly with a bold syrah.
Lamb Loin "Tartlet"with Espresso Rub & Chocolate Shavings
2005 Meritage, Rancho Salina Vineyard, Sonoma Valley," White Horse"--
- Again thought I didn't like lamb. Wrong. This was perfect.
Ricotta-Carmel Pot de'Creme with Ruby Caviar
2006 Zinfandel Port, Ricci Vineyard, Russian River Valley--
- Im not a big desert guy, but this actually turned out to be my favorite
dish. How the hell do you cook a pot de' creme with an oven and
microwave? The ruby caviar was a delicious port infused tapioca. My
God.... Great port too.
All this pretty much one on one with Max. He threw in a nice bottle of sparkiling wine, and gave the wife a smaller jug of the liquid to oil mix to play with. Had the best time. Don't miss this place.Listed in: The Best Wine Country…
-
Review from Christy W.
Wheaton, IL
6/19/2011
My husband and I decided to spend a day in Sonoma during a recent trip to San Francisco. Since we just had the day there, it was really hard for me to decide where we should eat - there were so many good options. We were both so glad we decided to have lunch at the Mayo Reserve Room. Having one of the two chefs explain the wine pairings and the food was such an ideal experience, which allowed us to ask questions about preparation and ingredient choices. The wine was good and we ended up with a bottle to ship home. The food was outstanding. We've been fortunate to eat at some of the best restaurants in the country, and I have to say that one of the 7 courses served here may have been one of the best flavored dishes I have ever eaten. Not everything was a solid 10, but I would say that nothing was below a 7 - so overall a really good meal. The portions were fine for lunch and allowed us to be hungry again in time for dinner. Speaking of which, I had made a reservation at a well spoken of restaurant in town and the chef said that although it was a good choice, he recommended his favorite dinner spot and called and made us a reservation for the evening. Although I was a little leery of cancelling at the other restaurant, I did and we were not disappointed with his recommendation (The Hot Box). Although we tend to want to try different restaurants and not consistently go to the same dining establishments, we will probably make another stop for a bite to eat at the Mayo Reserve Room the next time we're in the area.
-
Review from Julie R.
Dallas, TX
4/28/2010 7 photos
We thought this was well worth our time and visit to the wine country. We loved each appetizer they prepared- they were unique and interesting and I think very well paired with the wine they chose. We also agree with the other reviews on thinking the wine was okay but liked the pairing together. We also though $35 was a real deal for this experience. I've posted some of my photos above as well.
-
Review from Dale G.
7/21/2009
You love food? You love wine? You love pairing the two to create an experience beyond compare? Well your in luck, this is the place! My family and I dropped in last weekend and met Jeff Mayo (working behind the bar) for their food and reserve wine pairing. Seven works of art paired perfectly with seven wines. As Jeff was serving us he would explain the characteristics of the wine and the chef would explain what course went with which wine. An amazing experience and a must it you are in the area. For $25 the deal cannot be beat.
