We had a lovely Christmas dinner at Sante and loved it. The food, the service, the decor were all great! I'd recommend.
JjjC
For prix fixe menu, I would state that it was just ok. I've been to other places that have mastered the process. While I understand that this is a hotel and many people attend, this was still steam table food, albeit quite good. I can only comment on the Christmas dinner, not the overall offerings of the hotel's restaurant and I want to be fair. We had amuse-bouches first. Blinis, meh, shrimp, meh, crab salad drowning in mayo, meh and the #best# oysters I've had in a long time. Maybe shrink the amuse bouche? I would not have felt deprived with just a few oysters of that good quality! The main I selected was prime rib. The meat was literally alone, plopped on a plate with nothing around it. Presentation is everything-there wasn't anything of the sort. It tasted good, but not a top cut, not tough, but not super tender. The sides were served separately and our table for two was totally crowded. Suggestion: don't try to be all things to all people. Chose 2 veggies and 1 starch if you're serving at the table. If you're going to do more, do a buffet. The bûche was pretty good; a lot of different flavors with the different, pretty decors. The coffee flavor was outstanding. Presentation was a lot nicer. Service was very good, both wait staff and sommelier/maitre d'h. We felt very welcomed by everyone at SMI and the ambiance was great, from parking valet, guitar player, and all restaurant staff. This is not meant to be criticism but rather suggestive.
Don
Enjoy a Christmas feast at Sante on Christmas Day 2025. Excellent service from our server Holly who did an exceptional job of making us feel welcome and always providing a great Holiday spirit.
Eben
We were a little disappointed since we came here for many years before Covid. The selection menu is just ok nothing really special, service was rushed , inaccurate and not what we would expect here.
Gabriel
Food quality and service was top notch as was in our past visits. Though I requested a separate table, we were still seated at bench style seating. A separate table prevents being too close to other diners where their conversations can be intrusive and gives a measure of privacy. Given my reservation was done well in advance, it didn't seem unreasonable it couldn't be honored. Otherwise, all was good!
Robyn
Food, ambience, hostess, sever - all absolutely wonderful!!! The young valet gentlemen who greeted us, delightful! The tall older gentlemen valet who told us our car was parked close enough to walk with longer grey hair, not a very nice person with abrupt and lazy service. Not the type of customer service we usually experience there. Kind of downer on Xmas after such a lovely experience. Overall, delightful as always!
Patrick
A wonderful food and drink/wine combination- pricey but good value. Will definitely return.
Sonoma
Fabulous all around, staff are outstanding. Bar and appetizers amazing (I highly recommend the Canardier cocktail) Dinner was excellent with seasonal additions as always. We had the octopus and the beet salad, followed by the duck and petrale sole, everything was seasoned and cooked perfectly!
Heather
Long wait between courses. Then our finished plates sat in front of us for quite a long time. Server pretended it was not her job and maybe it wasn't but someone needs to clear the plates! Manager came over to check in and he did t pitch in to help and clear plates. The whole dinner flow was off. We will think twice before dining again.
Veena
Main courses were super delayed coming out and unfortunately very bland but apps and cocktails were amazing
Santee restaurant at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn is a special place. Everything we ate during 2 breakfasts and 1 dinner were exceptional. Crab Benedict and Cottage-lemon pancake were finger-licking good. Service is outstanding. We mention Ana, Bryce and Brian but others who served us were also wonderful. One thing to remember: they are very busy on weekends. Reservations are always a good idea but it is essential on weekends.
Dennis
Our experience was unforgettable. The hostess Marina made sure we had a quiet table with Happy Anniversary menus. The server Melissa decorated our table with flower pedals, knowing that it was our ten year anniversary. Server Mackayla was cheerful, and punctual. The caviar, fresh oysters, homemade goat cheese pasta was tremendous. The main course was perfect! Chateau Breann cold have been cut with a butter knife and the double garlic mashed potatoes were heavenly. It was more than a dinner, it was a special occasion experience we will never forget! Jeremy helped with the food and the bartender Deb, made a dirty martini that was ideal. Thank you Sante! Thank you Chef Jen!
Bob
Service was good and food was good as well. Highlight were the oysters. Fresh and delicious.
Stuart
Very very slow. It was highly recommended but didn't live up to expectations. The server apparently wasn't told he had our table, so his first words were that he was comping our dessert. Not his fault and he was very nice, but all the food came slowly ... :30 until we got our bread and soup and 1:45 until we got our mains. Not bad, but only fair. And nothing you can't get numerous other places. My feeling is that either they were trying out a new GM or the kitchen was dramatically understaffed. We also expected a far better wine program for a high class resort. Our overall impression was that they should hire a named chef and reimagine their menu and service. Felt out of date. They also comped our wine which I tried to talk the server out of, but he said that we were nicely patient. Oh well.
Jackie
The Sante' at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn was delightful. There doesn't seem to be a strict dress code so you may see very casual attire or you may see a more dressy attire. We like to go there on special occasions so we dress a little better to enjoy the experience. The waitstaff are casual but professional. The menu did not list the items I saw on their website, so I was a little disappointed but what I did order was delicious! The Branzino fish was great. My husband shared it with me as we had ordered the Charcuterie platter and it filled us up. We ordered a split bottle of wine at $30.00 and one martini at $21.00. A little pricey but worth the elegant dining experience. JLS Santa Rosa, CA
We had a lovely Christmas dinner at Sante and loved it. The food, the service, the decor were all great! I'd recommend.
For prix fixe menu, I would state that it was just ok. I've been to other places that have mastered the process. While I understand that this is a hotel and many people attend, this was still steam table food, albeit quite good. I can only comment on the Christmas dinner, not the overall offerings of the hotel's restaurant and I want to be fair. We had amuse-bouches first. Blinis, meh, shrimp, meh, crab salad drowning in mayo, meh and the #best# oysters I've had in a long time. Maybe shrink the amuse bouche? I would not have felt deprived with just a few oysters of that good quality! The main I selected was prime rib. The meat was literally alone, plopped on a plate with nothing around it. Presentation is everything-there wasn't anything of the sort. It tasted good, but not a top cut, not tough, but not super tender. The sides were served separately and our table for two was totally crowded. Suggestion: don't try to be all things to all people. Chose 2 veggies and 1 starch if you're serving at the table. If you're going to do more, do a buffet. The bûche was pretty good; a lot of different flavors with the different, pretty decors. The coffee flavor was outstanding. Presentation was a lot nicer. Service was very good, both wait staff and sommelier/maitre d'h. We felt very welcomed by everyone at SMI and the ambiance was great, from parking valet, guitar player, and all restaurant staff. This is not meant to be criticism but rather suggestive.
Enjoy a Christmas feast at Sante on Christmas Day 2025. Excellent service from our server Holly who did an exceptional job of making us feel welcome and always providing a great Holiday spirit.
We were a little disappointed since we came here for many years before Covid. The selection menu is just ok nothing really special, service was rushed , inaccurate and not what we would expect here.
Food quality and service was top notch as was in our past visits. Though I requested a separate table, we were still seated at bench style seating. A separate table prevents being too close to other diners where their conversations can be intrusive and gives a measure of privacy. Given my reservation was done well in advance, it didn't seem unreasonable it couldn't be honored. Otherwise, all was good!
Food, ambience, hostess, sever - all absolutely wonderful!!! The young valet gentlemen who greeted us, delightful! The tall older gentlemen valet who told us our car was parked close enough to walk with longer grey hair, not a very nice person with abrupt and lazy service. Not the type of customer service we usually experience there. Kind of downer on Xmas after such a lovely experience. Overall, delightful as always!
A wonderful food and drink/wine combination- pricey but good value. Will definitely return.
Fabulous all around, staff are outstanding. Bar and appetizers amazing (I highly recommend the Canardier cocktail) Dinner was excellent with seasonal additions as always. We had the octopus and the beet salad, followed by the duck and petrale sole, everything was seasoned and cooked perfectly!
Long wait between courses. Then our finished plates sat in front of us for quite a long time. Server pretended it was not her job and maybe it wasn't but someone needs to clear the plates! Manager came over to check in and he did t pitch in to help and clear plates. The whole dinner flow was off. We will think twice before dining again.
Main courses were super delayed coming out and unfortunately very bland but apps and cocktails were amazing
Restaurantji Recommends
Santee restaurant at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn is a special place. Everything we ate during 2 breakfasts and 1 dinner were exceptional. Crab Benedict and Cottage-lemon pancake were finger-licking good. Service is outstanding. We mention Ana, Bryce and Brian but others who served us were also wonderful. One thing to remember: they are very busy on weekends. Reservations are always a good idea but it is essential on weekends.
Our experience was unforgettable. The hostess Marina made sure we had a quiet table with Happy Anniversary menus. The server Melissa decorated our table with flower pedals, knowing that it was our ten year anniversary. Server Mackayla was cheerful, and punctual. The caviar, fresh oysters, homemade goat cheese pasta was tremendous. The main course was perfect! Chateau Breann cold have been cut with a butter knife and the double garlic mashed potatoes were heavenly. It was more than a dinner, it was a special occasion experience we will never forget! Jeremy helped with the food and the bartender Deb, made a dirty martini that was ideal. Thank you Sante! Thank you Chef Jen!
Service was good and food was good as well. Highlight were the oysters. Fresh and delicious.
Very very slow. It was highly recommended but didn't live up to expectations. The server apparently wasn't told he had our table, so his first words were that he was comping our dessert. Not his fault and he was very nice, but all the food came slowly ... :30 until we got our bread and soup and 1:45 until we got our mains. Not bad, but only fair. And nothing you can't get numerous other places. My feeling is that either they were trying out a new GM or the kitchen was dramatically understaffed. We also expected a far better wine program for a high class resort. Our overall impression was that they should hire a named chef and reimagine their menu and service. Felt out of date. They also comped our wine which I tried to talk the server out of, but he said that we were nicely patient. Oh well.
The Sante' at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn was delightful. There doesn't seem to be a strict dress code so you may see very casual attire or you may see a more dressy attire. We like to go there on special occasions so we dress a little better to enjoy the experience. The waitstaff are casual but professional. The menu did not list the items I saw on their website, so I was a little disappointed but what I did order was delicious! The Branzino fish was great. My husband shared it with me as we had ordered the Charcuterie platter and it filled us up. We ordered a split bottle of wine at $30.00 and one martini at $21.00. A little pricey but worth the elegant dining experience. JLS Santa Rosa, CA
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