Chicken and Bubbles at Songbird

The break from the winter rain and the delightfully unexpected burst of spring weather had Sonoma residents and tourists alike wandering out and about upValley to Glen Ellen. Nestled amid the shops and restaurants of Jack London Village is Songbird Parlour, an event space that has a dinner gathering open to the public on Thursday, March 9. The theme: Fried Chicken and Bubbles.

Chef Nathan Holden’s menu is a unique take on an American standard, bringing in a bit of Japanese style barbecue to the table.  Along with the sparkling wine.

“Everything starts and ends with our love for our local community,” said General Manager Brandy Avina.  The Songbird event space is also about the artisans, farmers, and winemakers that provide us with some of the best food and drink in the world,” she said. “Whether we’re throwing one of our famous dinner parties like this one, or a professionally-designed wedding celebration, we always aim to celebrate our local culture and create space to gather and make memories within it.”

People often don’t know Jack London Village is there because the tranquility of the Arnold Drive often leads visitors to think it’s just vineyards and rustic open spaces. “People miss the sign and the turn off from the highway,” said Avina. For the record, it’s the historic brick structure with the water wheel, about a half-mile south of from town. There are restaurants, tasting rooms and shops.

“There’s so much more that we here at Songbird are aiming to do,” Avina said. “To work with our fellow shops and restaurants in this little village complex to provide a unique experience for both tourists and locals is important to us.”

— Jonathan Farrell