The Girl & The Fig
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Founder | Sondra Bernstein |
| Headquarters | Sonoma , United States |
Area served | Sonoma, California |
Key people | Sondra Bernstein (Founder), John Toulze (Executive Chef and Director of Operations) |
| Products | French-American cuisine, cocktails, artisanal cheese platters, charcuterie, desserts |
| Website | thegirlandthefig |
The Girl & The Fig (presented as the girl & the fig) is a dining establishment located in Sonoma, California, United States. Established in 1997 by entrepreneur Sondra Bernstein initially in Glen Ellen, California, the restaurant relocated to Sonoma’s downtown district in 2001.
History
Company founder Sondra Bernstein opened The Girl & The Fig in Glen Ellen in 1997. Early on, John Toulze, who had experience at Viansa Winery, joined the team as sous chef and manager. By 1999, he advanced to executive chef and director of operations, also becoming a business partner.
In 2001, the establishment transitioned to its present site on the ground floor of the Sonoma Hotel in downtown Sonoma. The space incorporates a bar, retail shop, main dining area, and an outdoor patio. Bernstein expanded the brand further in 2004 by publishing the girl & the fig cookbook and introducing "FIG FOOD," a product line retailed at the restaurant.
By 2012, Bernstein’s broader ventures were estimated to generate annual revenues around $10 million. The restaurant gained wider recognition after being featured on season 16 of The Bachelor in 2012 and has attracted notable guests such as Lady Gaga.
Amid the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Bernstein adjusted operations by downsizing staff and selling the farm that supplied their produce. The business pivoted toward curbside pickup and outdoor seating, collaborating with gourmet slush producer Wicked Slush to enhance takeout offerings. Additionally, Bernstein launched takeout ramen and Japanese dishes served through a side entrance. By mid-2020, revenue had dropped to roughly one-third of pre-pandemic figures.
Cuisine
Offering lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch, the menu blends French and American culinary traditions. The Michelin Guide categorizes its fare under Californian cuisine. Nearly 95% of fresh ingredients come from the restaurant’s own organic and biodynamic garden located in Sonoma. Signature items include fig and arugula salad, beef carbonade, black cod, trout and beet salads, hamburgers, and flounder with meunière sauce. The menu also features artisanal cheese platters—highlighting producers like Laura Chenel—and house-cured charcuterie. Desserts include selections such as lavender crème brûlée.
Cocktail offerings draw inspiration from French flavors using fresh components like figs; the wine list exclusively highlights California Rhône varietals. Noteworthy drinks include the Fig Royale—a sparkling wine with fig syrup—and a lavender mojito.
Reception
In 2009, Bon Appétit named The Girl & The Fig among the top ten U.S. restaurants for Thanksgiving celebrations. It has earned numerous positive critiques from prominent publications such as The New York Times, Wine Enthusiast, Wine Spectator, and Country Living, underscoring its significant presence and acclaim within California’s culinary landscape.
External links
- Meet the Chefs: Sondra Bernstein & John Toulze in The Press Democrat
- French-American culture in California
- French restaurants in California
- Restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area
- Buildings and structures in Sonoma, California
- Restaurants established in 1997
- 1997 establishments in California
- American companies established in 1997
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment