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| Michael Militello and Vincent Carriere. |
by Joseph H. RADDER
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| Michael Militello and Vincent Carriere. |
Vincent Carriere has cooked for every president of the United States since
Jimmy Carter. He has cooked for Prince Charles and Princess Diana. He has cooked for the
Pope. And now, western new Yorkers can enjoy his food expertise at a number of venues,
including the Sonoma Grille.
In 2003 Vincent and Michael Militello opened the Sonoma Grille at 5010 Main Street in
Snyder adjacent to the Lord Amherst Hotel, where the Youngmann Expressway (I-290) meets
Main Street (route 5).
"We feature a fusion of Northern California and Mediterranean cuisine," Carriere
explained. Based on his many years of experience in the best restaurants of France and
Spain, and his knowledge of the best the Sonoma wine country of California has to offer,
the Sonoma Grille features unusual and delicious appetizers like escargot lollipops and
crostini de polenta which the menu describes as grilled corn meal polenta, topped with
roasted garlic concasser, Italian parsley, and flash-broiled with romano cheese.
The list of entrees reveals the same kind of creative cuisine. Examples include the Sonoma
Grille's signature duck leg confit, paired with a crispy-skinned breast over a cassoulet
of cannelini beans. And sautéed veal noisettes with pan-prepared sauce charcutiere over
vegetable spaghetti. For the more basic tastes there are center cut filet mignon, lamb
shank osso bucco, and chicken supreme. These are just a few of the many tantalizingly
tempting items on Sonoma's menu
There are unusual salads too, like slow-roasted beets with gorgonzola. Beets are
thinly-sliced and sprinkled with toasted walnuts and crumbled bleu cheese accented with
field greens and white truffle oil. Perhaps surprisingly, there are grilled pizzas, pasta,
and even a signature burger for the lighter appetite.
Carriere points out that the Sonoma Grille has five dining rooms. The high energy bar area
seats 50, the Sonoma Grille Bistro seats 60. Private dining room Sonoma XO seats 30, and
the restaurant's two banquet rooms are the Sonoma Cellars and Sonoma Reserve, seating up
to 130 people. For larger parties, Sonoma caters them at the Tralf in downtown Buffalo.
Yes, catering is also a Sonoma Grille specialty.
Asked to tell us more about the name Sonoma, Vincent Carriere told us "When we buy
lamb, we buy Sonoma lamb, from the Sonoma valley in northern California. Goat cheese comes
from Sonoma and a lot of our wine comes from the Sonoma valley as well." These great
tastes, combined with those of the Mediterranean countries, especially Italy's Tuscany,
Spain, and France, are what give the Sonoma Grille its unique cuisine. Summertime means
diners can enjoy Sonoma's delightful outside café, where live music is featured every
Friday evening.
As noted last month, Vincent Carriere has a passion for freshness. Only the freshest foods
will pass his muster. Fresh seafood, fresh meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh
coffee. No wonder that everything at the Sonoma Grille tastes so good
Joseph H. Radder is a freelance writer.