SoNapa California Grill and Wine Bar in New Smyrna Beach, Florida

SoNapa California Grill and Wine Bar is nestled in the Indian River Shopping Plaza on Third Avenue in the beachside community of New Smyrna Beach, Florida. This cozy and intimate restaurant offers an exquisite selection of California cuisine and over 100 wine varietals from the Napa Valley and Sonoma regions.

SoNapa founders, Adam Barringer and Michael Kosmas, have established a restaurant that offers fine dining at affordable prices. Their menu consists of a variety of delectable flatbreads, appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, and dinner entrées followed by luscious desserts.

Last week, I dined at SoNapa for the first time. We chose the restaurant to host a going away party for a friend. I was excited to try the cuisine because my husband proposed to me at an intimate restaurant in Napa Valley. It had been years since I had the opportunity to enjoy California cuisine and Napa wines.

Our server, Sarah, introduced us to the menu and offered suggestions, along with wine choices. I immediately ordered a glass of Luna; a light bodied Pinot Grigio with sweet after tones. We began our meal with the Chalk Hill flatbread which consists of baked brie, spinach, and freshly chopped tomatoes, drizzled with balsamic glaze.

Personally, I would have been satisfied with the flatbread and considered ordering another for my meal. Instead, I opted for the Healdsburg Chicken Ravioli. The presentation was gorgeous with pillows of fresh ravioli perfectly positioned on a rectangular plate. Each morsel burst with the flavors of fire roasted chicken melded with cheese and topped with a light Alfredo-tomato sauce and shavings of parmesan cheese.

One of our guests ordered the Silverado Osso Bucco consisting of slow cooked pork shanks enveloped in a demi glace sauce. Two of the ladies ordered Forestville Short Ribs consisting of braised and oven roasted boneless beef short ribs infused with SoNapa's rich demi glace.

One friend opted for the Sonoma Coast Crab Cake appetizer and paired it with a side of homemade mashed potatoes and fresh baby greens. Another ordered the SoNapa "Signature Salad" consisting of a bed of fresh greens topped with dried cranberries, pine nuts, goat cheese and raspberry vinaigrette.

Each of us shared a bite or two of all the entrées and salads and agreed that everything was amazing. In fact, the food is so good at SoNapa that it will be difficult to decide which entrée to order during the next visit.

Regardless of your taste, chances are SoNapa has something you will enjoy. The flatbreads are a must-have. Guests can select from seven types of flatbreads including the Knights Valley topped with filet mignon and Humboldt bleu cheese, or the North Coast consisting of smoked salmon, tomatoes, onions and fresh mozzarella.

Diners can make a meal from SoNapa's selection of appetizers which range from tuna sashimi to a trio of beef burgers topped with bleu cheese, bacon and spicy brown mustard. Another must-have is the Rutherford Artesian Cheese Trio consisting of Gouda, brie, and cheddar cheeses served with crisps.

SoNapa offers seven salad selections which can be paired with the soup du jour, half sandwich, or half flatbread. The Mount Veeder is a Caesar salad that can be topped with roasted chicken or wild caught sockeye salmon for an additional cost.

In addition to the aforementioned entrées, SoNapa also offers filet mignon, Chilean sea bass, and wild caught salmon roasted on a cedar plank. Dinner entrées are served with a choice of seasonal vegetables and one side item including: fresh asparagus, pesto risotto, rosemary roasted potatoes, whipped sweet potatoes, or homemade mashed potatoes.

SoNapa's dessert menu includes three hard-to-resist options. Cheesecake lovers will swoon over the cheesecake lollipops dipped in dark and white chocolates. Chocolate lovers can experience death by chocolate when ordering Diamond Mountain; a rich chocolate cake with a warm liquid center. Lovers of tropical desserts will appreciate Howell Mountain; a warm pineapple upside down cake served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Sarah was a conscientious server who made our visit enjoyable. She was well-versed on wine pairings and menu selections. When we struggled with dinner decisions, she suggested we each order something different and share. Sarah informed us that SoNapa will be relocating to larger quarters along A1A in the southern tip of New Smyrna Beach in October 2010.

Until then, you can enjoy SoNapa's California cuisine and wines at 761 Third Avenue. The restaurant is located at the end of the strip mall in the Publix parking lot. SoNapa opens at 4 p.m. daily and hosts Happy Hour from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

SoNapa California Grill and Wine Bar
761 Third Avenue
New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169
Phone: 386.402.8647
Website: www.SoNapa.com