Sonoma Steakhouse is the Sunset Station entry into the steakhouse derby and it is another fine dining experience that, while perhaps not as successful as their sister Station restaurants, is still worth taking a look at.

The room is a lovely recreation of a California winery cellar - a high-pitched ceiling with graceful arches enhanced by soft lighting lends an air of spaciousness while nooks and crannies offer quiet dining options.

The menu is short but complete in terms of steakhouse fare. A choice between only a few seafood appetizers left me cold but I'm sure that many will appreciate the bacon wrapped shrimp. It's hard to knock anything that is wrapped in bacon when you get right down to it.

A tomato bisque and an onion are your only soup selections while salads stick to the traditional Caesar, spinach, and chopped.

Steaks, poultry, veal, and seafood rule the entrée side of the menu with the cow-based meats obviously acting as king. A prime-aged bone-in rib-eye is their "signature" meal but they offer a variety of cuts including filets, New York, porterhouse, and prime rib.

Seafood options include lobster, salmon, swordfish, and more and if neither fish nor cow are doing it for you, there are a few other options including chicken, pork chops, lamb, and veal.

The steaks were fine but unremarkable until we added one of the sauces offered on the menu. Definitely order one allow your steak of choice to soak in the rich flavors before each bite - it'll enhance the meal immeasurably.

Prices fall into the "not-bad-at-all" category with most appetizers, soups, and salads under $10 and most entrees in the $19-40 range.

My only major complaint came with the service, which appeared to be spread a little thin for the room, leaving my table with long waits for courses, the dessert cart, and the check. When they were with us they were great, but getting them away from other tables to us was difficult at times.

There are better steakhouses in town than Sonoma Cellar but I still recommend this restaurant for a fine, relatively inexpensive meal.