The idea behind restaurateur Lauren Kershner’s Songbird Parlour is simple: Highlight the best of the season with New American farm-to-fork dishes made from ingredients sourced close to home, in this case Glen Ellen.
And the setting, in Jack London Village, just before the small town of Glen Ellen, invites guests to gather, linger and savor, making the restaurant as much about connection as it is about food, which comes courtesy of chef Eric Moulton.
Songbird Parlour opened in November 2024 in the historic village, which was established in 1839. The restaurant offers plenty of easy parking and a welcoming atmosphere. Inside, the design is both open and cozy, with high ceilings, a rich green palette, a wine lounge area and thoughtful Victorian-inspired details—including an enchanting floral mural and gilded mirrors overlooking dining tables, creating an ambiance that feels at once elegant and relaxed.
The menu beguiles. One may start with the beet salad, which features roasted beets, Grazin’ Girl gorgonzola, farmstand berries, crispy onion, seasonal sprouts and seeds. For something more indulgent, the hand-rolled ricotta gnudi, paired with confit tomato, garlic and roasted summer corn, is a standout. These are literally “nude” raviolis—filling without the pasta shell—scandalous.
Among the entrées, the filet mignon with pomme purée, creekside shiitakes from Bohemian Well-being Farm in Occidental, tallow-basted carrots and shiitake demi-glace is a deeply satisfying choice. Equally impressive is the duck breast—cooked to perfection and served with French green lentils, Swiss chard, guanciale and a cherry mostarda.
Other tempting options include Sunday fried chicken, pan-roasted steelhead with forbidden rice, and a bone-in pork chop with stone-ground white grits and pole beans. For those wanting the full experience no matter what the season, the Chef’s Menu is available at $85 per person, offering seasonal inspirations and signature dishes served family-style.
Throughout, restaurant partner and general manager Kenneth De Alba curates wine pairings that elevate each course. A 2024 Passaggio Sparkling Rosé from Sonoma Valley provides a bright start with the apps, while a Sonoma Coast 2019 Tagline Pinot Noir emerges as a top pick for dinner.
For dessert, one may try the vanilla ice cream drizzled with local honey and olive oil, dusted with fennel pollen and finished with a sprinkle of sea salt—delish. They may pair it with a brown butter bourbon salted chocolate chip cookie and a dessert wine for an unforgettable end to the evening.
In short, Songbird Parlour is a burgeoning cultural hub that both honors Sonoma Valley’s rustic heritage while embracing global sophistication.
Songbird Parlour, 14301 Arnold Dr. #3, Glen Ellen. 707.343.1308. songbirdparlour.com.
