Newly added to the Copper Square restaurant scene is Sonoma Casual Dining. While the name leaves as much to be desired as "Snakes On A Plane" the menu plays out in much the same fashion. On possibly the most up-and-coming corner along the lightrail, Sonoma has opened on the corner of 1st Ave and Van Buren, directly across from Central Station. This prime location should provide ample foot traffic once the lightrail hub begins to buzz.
It is unfortunate because those passengers will not find much at Sonoma. The place is usually packed with an after-work crowd drinking and listening to the live music on the weekends. They seem to be lacking diners however, after 2pm. While this Order/Take Number/Wait style may work well for the on-the-go lunch crowd, it translates poorly for the dinner bunch. Casual is one thing, sloppy is another.
A ridiculous abundance of chicken on their menu begins to make me feel like I am back at Lo Lo's. The problem is, this chicken is over cooked (a-la Zoe's). Featuring a "rotisserie" along with a menu of fake Italian dishes and something called a "Cowboy Steak" one needs to worry if the owners have ever been to Sonoma.
They are clearly trying too hard and have lost their direction; recently opening up an espresso stand and smoothie bar. "Inexpensive Excellence" is the motto at Sonoma but at $8 a plate the price seems high for lunch and the quality seems dismal for a place striving for excellence.
Sonoma also serves breakfast and has a full wine list. By the time you've read this review, there will probably be a kid-play area and they will serve bagels & cream cheese too.