Michael Mina Shines in Sonoma

Wit & Wisdom restaurant definitely worth the drive

Super star chef Michael Mina has done it again–and during COVID. This month he has opened Wit & Wisdom  at The Lodge at Sonoma. Located in the heart of Sonoma, Chef Michael Mina’s first restaurant in the region has opened its doors to the public with charming outdoor spaces, water falls, and dramatic fire pits.

Inspired  by Jack London’s collection of personal writings and essays of the same name,  Wit  & Wisdom draws upon the bounty of the region to showcase a warm, yet sophisticated California restaurant featuring products from local Sonoma and Napa Valley artisans, hearth-oven cooking, and a wine list reflecting the unique varietals of the coveted area.

Menu preparations centers around the restaurant’s variety of open-fire cooking methods: a wood-fired pizza oven, Josper Charcoal Oven, and wood-burning stove. Both the culinary and beverage menus have a focus on local – heavily utilizing the incredible farms, purveyors, and wineries in their Bay Area and Wine Country backyards.

Wit & Wisdom serves lunch and dinner daily for resort guests and locals alike. Some of the delights on the menu include Hot Charcoal-Grilled Shellfish platter, Savory “Pot-Tart” with Braised Short Rib, and Michael Mina’s legendary Lobster Pot Pie.

I’ve always wanted to expand to this incredible part of Northern California and could not be more excited to introduce our Wit & Wisdom concept to the region.

Embodying a modern American concept, Wit & Wisdom is located just minutes from some of the region’s most sought after locations including historic Sonoma Plaza and world-class wineries. “A Wine Country project has been a long time coming,” says Chef Michael Mina. “I’ve always wanted to expand to this incredible part of Northern California and could not be more excited to introduce our Wit & Wisdom concept to the region. Our team is thrilled to take advantage of The Lodge at Sonoma’s incredible location and support the local community by sourcing the highest-quality product that’s available in their very own backyard.”

Transforming the space was local designers Wilson Ishihara who brought the concept of Wit & Wisdom to life at The Lodge at Sonoma. Wilson Ishihara pulled through thoughtful touch points reminiscent of London’s famed collection of stories, all set throughout the fresh and modern eatery. The restaurant also features an outdoor terrace offering al fresco dining and a bocce ball court.

If you are driving up from San Francisco or Silicon Valley, make it a mini-vacation with a stay at The Lodge at Sonoma. After a delicious multi-course meal at Wit & Wisdom, walk to your cottage for a restful night sleep and enjoy a morning poolside for the perfect getaway.

For the latest updates, please follow along at @ChefMichaelMina.  

culinary and beverage menus deliver Mina’s signature flair. The playful new menufeatures signature dishes such as Liberty Farms Duck Wings,and a fresh shellfish program including Pacific Oysters, Red King Crab, Spice-Poached White Shrimp and Diver Scallops. Driven by the seasons, the menu will also showcase Northern California’s bounty of vegetable offerings in seasonal dishes such asahearth-blistered garden tomatoes pizzaand an ember-roasted eggplant, zucchini & feta pizza –featuring Marshall’s Farm Honey, Crispy Squash Blossoms and Lemon Thyme. In addition, the versatile menu–which centers around a variety of open-fire cooking methods –will offer a rotating seasonal selection of hand-made pastas and grain dishes, wood-fired vegetables and pizzas, fresh Pacific Coast fish, local market vegetables, pasture-raised meat entréesand more. Transforming the space werelocal designers Wilson Ishihara,who brought the concept of Wit & Wisdom to life at The Lodge at Sonoma. Wilson Ishihara pulled through thoughtful touchpoints reminiscent of London’s famed collection of stories, all set throughout the fresh and modern eatery. The restaurant also features an outdoor terrace offering al fresco dining and a bocce ball court.“We saw a tremendous opportunity to bring Michael Mina’s world-class reputation and innovative restaurant concept to The Lodge at Sonoma,” says Tom Healy, Chief Operating Officer at DiamondRock Hospitality. “Having had the privilege of working with him over the years, there was no question that he was the ideal culinary partner for this resort. We are thrilled and honored to house his first ever wine country concept.” Wit & Wisdomis nowopen for dinner Monday –Sunday from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Beginning in late September, the restaurant will open for lunch Monday -Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.Brunch service will commence inOctoberand will be offered on Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.For more information on Wit & Wisdom please visit, www.witandwisdomsonoma.comand for more information on The Lodge at Sonoma please visit, www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/sfols-the-lodge-at-sonoma-renaissance-resort-and-spa/. ###ABOUT MINA GROUPMINA Group is a San Francisco-based restaurant management company specializing in creating and operating upscale, innovative restaurant concepts. MINA Group is led by Chef/Founder Michael Mina whose accolades include James Beard Foundation “Who’s Who of Food and Beverage” inductee in 2013,Bon AppétitChef of the Year,San Francisco MagazineChef of the Year, and International Food and Beverage Forum’s Restaurateur of the Year. Operating since 2003, MINA Group currently manages over 40 restaurants including BARDOT BRASSERIE in