The maximum rating is 5 stars.
5 stars = Excellent, Can’t Miss
4 stars = Very Good
3 stars = Good
2 stars = Fair
1 star = Mediocre
0 stars = Forget it

 

Anatolia - Mediterranean - CLOSED

527 4th St., Santa Rosa CA 95401
(707) 527-7799
Parking: pay parking in rear, street parking

Last Visited: March 25, 2006

Food: 3 to 4 stars
Atmosphere: 4 stars
Service: 4 stars
Price: $$ to $$$

Both Gayle and Fred recommended Anatolia to me.  It opened fairly recently in downtown Santa Rosa.  Anatolia’s coral/orange/red color scheme is earthy and fresh.  The restaurant has an open feel about it with lighting coming in from the front windows.  There is outside seating facing Fourth Street as well as indoor seating.  Mirrors inside give the room a spacious feel, and there’s a bar in the middle of the restaurant with seating across from it.  The decorations blend well into the atmosphere.

Upon our arrival for lunch, the waitress was just beginning to set up silverware on the tables.  She was pleasant throughout our meal and when we told her we wanted to visit a while before ordering, she was happy to accommodate us with drinks while we chatted.  With our drinks, we received a basket of warm pita bread triangles and a small ramekin containing hummus topped with a little olive oil and paprika.  The hummus has a nice texture, but was a bit on the mild side.    

- Meat Gyro – This gyro is filled with sumac seasoned onions, tahini, lettuce, tomatoes, and spit roasted layers of sirloin and lamb.  The mixture of ingredients is rolled burrito style in a flatbread much like a tortilla.  The roll is then cut grilled enough to show grill marks and cut on a bias.  I looked up sumac on the web and found that it’s a spice made with berries of a wild bush that grows wild in Mediterranean areas.  These berries are dried and crushed to form a purple red powder.  It’s preferred over lemon for its sourness and stringency.   Back to the dish - Choice of french fries or salad are available to accompany the gyro.   I selected French fries and found that they’re thin cut and perfectly crispy.  They’re lightly seasoned with salt and black pepper – very good fries.  Overall, the gyro was good – the lamb didn’t have that gamey taste and the red onions didn’t have a strong aftertaste – probably because of the sumac.  Filling and very good fries – great, though I wish I had more tahini on the side.  $8.50

My dining companion enjoyed the Spanakopita Pie which was comprised of squares of baked phyllo dough topping a spinach, feta, and onion mixture.  The pie is accompanied with a mixed green salad tossed lightly in a vinaigrette dressing.  This starter’s portion is great for a light meal and is presented on a white square plate.   

I’m not sure what the difference between some of the entrees and sandwiches with the same name were.  The menu doesn’t explain the differences except to denote that the price is a higher. 

Our server was very pleasant throughout our meal and came back to check on us just the right amount of times.  She also monitored our drinks and knowledgeably answered our questions.  The only thing that could have been improved would be to have her share the soup of the day as she brought the menus.  Also, when we asked about the tempeh, she told us it was tofu.  After searching the web when I returned home, I learned that tempeh is similar to tofu, but has a nutty mushroom flavor.  This would have helped distinguish the difference between the tofu and tempeh sandwiches offered.  Otherwise, her service was very good.

Overall, I enjoyed a good meal at reasonable prices.  Service was pleasant, and Anatolia seems like a great place to return to again.

   

Arrigoni's - Italian Deli

701 4th St., Santa Rosa CA 95404
(707) 545-1297
Parking: pay parking in rear, street parking
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am to 4:30pm, Sat 8am to 3:30pm

Last Visited: January 26, 2007

Food: 2 to 3 stars
Atmosphere: 4 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $ to $$

Arrigoni’s has been around for quite some time.  Located at the corner of 4^th Street and D Street, they tend to get a lot of downtown traffic.  Walk into Arrigoni’s and notice the deli counter on your right, and the red and white checkered tablecloth covered tables to your left.  The dining area is surrounded by windows making for a bright room with lots of plants and greenery.  It feels like you’re in a picnic area. 

Arrigoni’s is known for serving Mediterranean specialities, salads, sandwiches, omelettes, soup, and dessert.  Upon arrival, you go to the start of the line located at the rear of the restaurant.

- The Beef Eater – Roast beef is topped with bacon and tomato.  A tart caper sauce is spread on the bread.  One thing I like about Arrigoni’s is that the sandwich makers will scrape out the center of the bread to allow for you to have a proper amount of meat and vegetables to bread.  However, I found the beef eater a bit bland compared to what I was expecting.  Okay.  $7.75

They have a variety of sandwiches, and the salads looked like they could feed a large group of rabbits – mounds of lettuce and whatever other accompaniments on a plate.  Overall, I found the deli to have a wide variety of drinks, main items, and nicely presented desserts, but based on the one sandwich alone – well, it was an okay experience.  I wouldn’t mind returning, but I’m not running back there wanting to try their entire menu either.  An okay place to go and a convenient meeting spot for lunch.

 

Bangkok Boulevard - Thai

6358 Commerce Boulevard, Rohnert Park CA 94928
(707) 584-5091
Parking: in shopping center parking lot
Hours: Sun – Thurs: 11am to 9:30pm, Fri – Sat: 11am to 10pm

Last Visited: November 7, 2004

Food: 4 stars
Atmosphere: 4 stars
Service: 3 to 4 stars
Price: $ to $$$

Bangkok Boulevard is located in a shopping center. From the outside, it doesn’t appear particularly enticing, but once you enter, you’ll see its trendy style and décor.

Enter the room and there is a small waiting area. The rear of the restaurant contains a maple colored bar. The ceiling and all the ducts are painted black. Trendy blue lights hang from the ceiling above the counter and bar. The textured walls are a light orange color. The bottom half of the walls are covered with dark wood panels. There is also a large mirror with multiple rectangular shapes created by wood frames. This mirror gives the room a more open feeling. The tables are also dark rich wood and the placemats are tan and black straw mats with black trim. The chairs are cushioned and comfortable. On each table is also a wooden box with an animal painted in black. The tile floors blend well with the décor. The front of the room is decorated with fruit wreaths. The back of the room has tall green plants and display shelves decorated with flower garlands. The side of the room has a dance floor and stage where Thai dancers exhibit their talent on Monday evenings.

- Satay (choice of vegetables, chicken, beef, or prawns) – Served on a small rectangular wood tray were five pieces of skewered chicken (although the menu indicated that there would only be four pieces) along with a small plate containing Thai peanut sauce. Also accompanying the skewers was a small dish of pickled cucumber segments and chopped red onions and four triangles of toasted bread. The chicken is marinated in coconut milk and Thai ingredients. The chicken had grill marks and was tender and moist, and the peanut sauce gave it excellent flavor. This is the first time I have seen it served with the bread, but we ate it nonetheless. Good. – Chicken or Beef $5.95, Prawns $6.95

- Green Curry (choice of vegetables, chicken, beef, or prawns) – Spicy green curry is cooked with coconut milk, red bell peppers, green beans, zucchini, carrot, bamboo shoots, and basil leaves. The green curry chicken was served in an orange clay container on top of another container that looked like a flower pot with a hole near the bottom edge. In the old days, Asian dishes were often served this way except the flower pot portion of the container held charcoal, with the stand in the pot separating the hot charcoal from the ash. It certainly gave the presentation a unique look. The chicken is good, and the curry is spicy. Though marked with only one ‘splat’ (one indicating mild, with spicy and flaming curries also available), the green curry may be too spicy for some. The curry was certainly flavorful and I would recommend trying it. Chicken, Beef $7.95, Prawns $8.95, Vegetables $6.95

- Pad Thai (choice of vegetables, chicken, pork, beef, or prawns) – Thai noodles are pan fried with bean sprouts, egg, green onion, and topped with chopped peanuts. A large square plate is filled with wonderfully flavored rice noodles. We again selected chicken to go with this dish, and found it flavorful and delightful. A very traditional dish to try out. Chicken, Beef, Pork, $7.95, Vegetables $6.95, Prawns $8.95

- Jasmine Rice – Rice is served in a brown bowl. We found the rice a bit cold, but with good texture. Order rice if you select any curry since you’ll need something to accompany all of the sauce. $ 1.50

- Thai Ice Tea – Thai tea is topped with evaporated milk in a tall glass. Good. $2.50

Curry (whether red, yellow, or green), is a must try here. The dishes are flavorful and the atmosphere is pleasant. There are still many more entrees to try – check it out sometime.

Bangkok Thai

2770 Cleveland Ave, Santa Rosa CA 95403
(707) 576-0256
Parking: in parking lot
Hours: Mon – Fri: 11:30 to 3pm, 5pm to 9pm, Sat - Sun: 12pm to 3pm, 5pm to 9pm

Last Visited: September 21, 2005

Food: 3 to 4 stars
Service: 3 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Price: $ to $$$

Formerly the home of Las Casuelas, Bangkok Thai Cuisine has painted the once Mexican style restaurant a lilac purple and added some bamboo mats to cover the windows.  Along with some bamboo plants placed in the former candle holders, some new wood accents, and new plants, the place has now turned Thai. 

It’s still a spacious room with wicker table bases in addition to metal table tops.  There are dark green and dark blue cloth napkins folded and placed on each table next to the forks.  When we sat down, the staff brought us ice water and large dark green plates. 

There was only one visible staff member this evening, but there weren’t many people, so service was fine.  She was dressed in a bright green Thai silk outfit with gold borders.  For the appetizer, she brought us small plates and removed them when the main dishes came. 

- Chicken Satay – Two strips of chicken are skewered and marinated in satay seasonings including lemon grass.  Four skewers arrive on top of a lettuce leaf and are served with peanut sauce and two half slices of fresh orange.  Excellent flavors. $5.95

- Pork Pumpkin Curry – Pork is cooked in red curry along with pumpkin slices, zucchini slices, carrots, onions, and Thai basil.  There was plenty of ‘wok air’ as the dish came out steaming hot.  The creamy curry made for a pleasant accompaniment to the steamed rice.  Again, two half slices of orange decorated the plate.  Excellent flavoring.  Great. $8.95

- Pad Thai with Chicken – The pad thai is offered with either chicken or shrimp for an additional $2.  The pad thai at Bangkok Thai Cuisine isn’t as sweet as other places.  However, I found the noodles to be perfect – the texture was just right, leaving the noodles al dente.  With the chicken, the pad thai is cooked with bean sprouts and topped with crushed peanuts.  It’s a little saltier than I expected, but very good.  Great ‘wok air’ too.  Two half slices of orange decorated the plate.   $8.95

- Steamed Rice $1 per person

- Coconut juice – Refreshing juice, but the coconut could be a little fresher. $2.50

- Thai iced tea – Also very refreshing.  Great. $2.50

The only downside was that the restaurant faces west, so the sun pounds in during the summer and there isn’t quite enough ventilation.  It could get stuffy if they don’t have a fan or air conditioning on. 

My second visit was for lunch.  This time I came with a larger group of people and there were two servers attending.  Each of us ordered a lunch special combination.  Although the menu doesn’t state it, the lunch specials come with a small green salad made of romaine, red cabbage, and shredded carrots, topped with a peanut sauce. 

#1 Spring roll, Chicken Satay, Chicken Green Curry over rice – After the green salad,  a plated arrived with a large portion of green curry over rice, a spring roll cut in half along with dipping sauce, and two skewers of chicken satay topped with peanut sauce.  The chicken satay was consistent with that of my last visit, except there was only one piece of chicken per skewer.  The spring roll is crispy and fresh, but leaves you wanting for more.  The chicken green curry tasted good, but there were a lot of vegetables.  It probably should have been named vegetable green curry with chicken.  There were larges pieces of cabbage, carrot slices, mushrooms, onions, and more vegetables with only a small amount of chicken, but the overall portion was large.  Good, but because there were too many vegetables, the food rating dropped from 3 to 4 to just 3 stars.  $6.95

The service was also dropped from the 3 to 4 range to 3 stars.  During this visit, there were only about ten people in the restaurant including our table.  Unfortunately, despite the simple method of taking our orders in order, the server still made multiple mistakes.  It would have been better for him to simply ask who had what instead of guessing.  The kitchen also made an error and cooked one dish incorrectly, so had our friend not taken what was already cooked, there would have been a significant delay.

The server had a good sense of humor and was attentive, but the lack of order caused the service rating to fall slightly.  Still, the portions were excellent, and the food is good, so I would still return and recommend it for others to try.

For my most recent visit, the funny server mentioned above seemed to have disappeared.  I found out that if you order one of the vegetarian lunch specials, you only get one skewer of tofu satay, but you get six half rolls of the Spring rolls. 

#4 Spring Roll, Chicken Satay, Pork Red Curry over rice - This was much like the lunch special mentioned above, but the curry was red and the meat was pork.  The meat was tender and much like before, there is an abundance of vegetables.  The veggies were also similar to last time.  Three stars. $6.95

Overall, I found the portions at Bangkok Thai Cuisine a lot larger than their competition with more vegetables.  The prices for dinner are about two dollars more than lunch prices.  Great food and great flavors.    

Bear Korean

8577 Gravenstein Hwy, Cotati CA 94931
(707) 794-9828
Parking: in shopping center parking lot
Hours: Tues - Sun: 12pm to 9pm

Last Visited: May 25, 2007

Food: 3 to 4 stars
Service: 3 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Price: $$ to $$$

I first went to Bear Korean when it opened around 2000.  People talked about the small plates (panchan) offered, the Korean bul go gi, and how nice it was to have a new cuisine to try in Sonoma County.  Since then, I haven’t seen any other Korean restaurants stick around nearly as long.

The walls recently got a new coat of paint.  Now it’s a bright rusty orange color.  The restroom has some fluorescent green paint on the cabinetry.  I’m not sure what happened to their previously muted color scheme, but they have undergone some new decorating even though the ownership remains the same.  The photography once on the walls is now replaced with more typical Asian paintings of mountains and hillsides.  Yellow silk flowers hang from a basket that hangs on the wall.

The door to the kitchen in the rear is blocked off by curtains although you can still catch a glimpse of the cooking taking place.  The tables are wood laminate and the chairs are covered by green cushions.  Upon arrival, we were told to sit anywhere.  Several of the tables had not been cleared, but most were available.  We were asked if we wanted anything to drink, and then left to the menu.  

Once you have ordered, the panchan comes out.  Panchan varies depending on lunch or dinner.  For my recent dinner visit, we received small plates of: marinated daikon (spicy), kim chee (marinated spicy cabbage), potato salad with apples, spicy marinated tofu, marinated cucumbers, mung bean sprouts with sesame oil, spicy shredded turnip, glass noodles (jap chae), and spinach.  Depending on what’s in season, you may find some of these dishes a little different.  During the spinach scare, the spinach plate no longer appeared.  Kim chee is a staple, and the potato salad seems to be a regular also.

The bul go gi has always been the primary dish here, but I once saw hot steaming dumplings and had to try that out. 

- Chin Man Du - Originally priced at $6.95 (at least on the most recent menu), the menu has now been marked up and shows a designation of small (4 dumplings) and large (8 dumplings).  These little dumplings are filled with pork and vegetable, along with glass noodle, and steamed over a cabbage leaf.  They are brought out in a bamboo steamer.  The dumplings are tiny, but they taste good.  They’re not like those you find in San Francisco, but okay flavor and okay for Cotati.  $3.50 small, $5.95 large

- Bul Go Gi – Also known as Korean Style beef, beef is sliced thinly, marinated, and sautéed with onions and some mushrooms.  The presence of the vegetables is hardly visible since you get a heaping mound of beef.  It’s good stuff, though to an Asian palate that is not familiar with this style of beef, it may seem overcooked.  The marinade used tends to be slightly sweet tasting. Good. $13.95

- Tofu Bi Bim Bap – The rice with assorted mixture section is separated into hot and cold.  Primarily, the same ingredients are used in these, but there is a very slight variation in meat.  The tofu bi bim bap came with a bottle of hot sauce for us to stir in, and the tofu, carrots, spinach, bean sprouts, zucchini, and other items topped rice and all was presented in a little stainless wok.  A fried egg is placed on top of the dish contents.  Since the vegetables and tofu were cold, the dish quickly became cold too.  Very simple combination, but great.  It’s a bit pricey for what you’re getting, so opt for a hot bi bim bap for more interesting presentation. $9.95

- Dol Sot Bi Bim Bap – The dol sot version is similar to that above, but it comes in a stone pot.  The pot is extremely hot, and this one also had beef.  The combination of flavors is accentuated by the heat, and the heat also causes the hot sauce to distribute its flavor more evenly.  The fried egg is great too.  I like to break up the egg and stir it into the rice and vegetables until everything is coated.  Terrific. $10.95

- Jap Chae – Jap chae is glass noodles that have been pan fried with vegetables.  The sauce is light in texture, but each noodle is coated with a soy sauce/sesame oil based sauce.  The vegetables tend to be spinach, carrots, bean sprouts, and zucchini.  Great. $10.95

- Rice – The rice comes in a small stainless steel bowl with a cover.  It’s a cute container, but it’s a bit pricy for the amount of rice you are getting.  $1.75

During a visit several years ago, there was one woman on staff who explained to us that she was helping out the family.  Unfortunately, she ended up spending most of our meal standing over our table stirring the Bi Bim Bap as she talked to us, which left us with a sense of lack of privacy.  However, my 2007 visits have been fairly quiet.  I have heard that owner sometimes comes and introduces himself – but this hasn’t happened to us yet, although I did see him chatting with a table nearby.

For a recent lunch visit, I received a smaller amount of panchan – kim chee, mung bean sprouts, potato salad, japchae, and one other item. 

- Korean Style Beef Lunch Special – See the description for bul go gi above.  On a square white plate, one corner is covered with bul go gi.  Adjacent to that is a corner containing a large scoop of rice.  Two fried dumplings, goon man du, cover one of the remaining corners, and a salad comprised of lettuce and a slightly sour dressing fill the other corner.  In the center of the plate is a small little plate for dipping sauce.  The lunch special is a bargain, but the quality of the salad was fair.  Some of the lettuce was fresh, some had been refrigerated to the point that the lettuce looked translucent, and some of it had rested.  The dressing was a bit too sour for my tastes, considering it was a creamy dressing.  The goon man du didn’t have as crispy an outer layer as I had hoped either because the dumpling had been fried much earlier or the oil wasn’t as fresh, but the meat was good.  I still think it’s a good value and would be even better if everything was up to par.  $6.95

It’s hard to find another Korean restaurant in Sonoma County, and I think Bear Korean is a good place to check out.  Try the Bul Go Gi, Dol Sot Bi Bim Bap, and the Jap Chae to have a taste of authentic dishes.

 

Betty's Fish and Chips

4046 Sonoma Hwy, Santa Rosa CA 95409
(707) 539-0899
Parking: in  parking lot

Last Visited: June 17, 2006

Food: 3 to 4 stars
Service: 3 stars
Atmosphere: 3 to 4 stars
Price: $$ to $$$

Enter Betty’s and you’ll see that it’s a cozy family place.  There are blue and white colors all around the room along with sea faring decorations.  Booths are available as well as regular tables.  If you sit at a booth, you’ll receive a placemat with a scene of the sea on it.  If you are at a table, the placemat can be seen through the glass on top.  The usual items arrive once you order fish – ketchup and tartar sauce.  Since they make their own tartar sauce, you might think it’s ranch, but it’s just a non-chunky tartar sauce.  Our waitress was extremely efficient with drinks, checking back after our order had come, giving us the check and just keeping an eye on all her tables.  She had her system down pat.

- New England Clam Chowder Cup – The clam chowder has great flavor with lots of clams – I think almost every bite had some clams in it.  It’s creamy, but not starchy, and it’s accompanied by a package of oyster crackers.  Although it’s not the very best clam chowder I’ve ever had, it is good stuff, and would be welcome on a cold day.  Cup $3.75, Bowl $4.95

- Icelandic Cod and Chips – The pieces of cod are very lightly breaded and deep fried until dark brown.  I was a bit surprised by the color since the chips came out a more golden brown.  The chips are fantastic – crunchy on the outside, a little soft and tender on the inside – these fries are very yummy.  The fish is fresh and has a mild flavor, but the darker color is a little unusual, and it would be better if the fish were lighter in color (but it’s easy to get past this after you taste it).  Good portions and a jumbo could fill up two people.  Small (1 piece) $7.25, Medium (2 pieces) $9.95, Large (3 pieces) $12.95, Jumbo (4 pieces) $15.50

- Homemade Coleslaw – The slaw has a natural sweetness about it, given to it by pineapple.  Perhaps I just like pineapple, but it made me want to eat more and more.  It wasn’t too salty or too sour, but more on the sweet side, and yet, not too sweet.  A nice combination of cabbage and the like.  Good.  Medium $1.25, Large $1.75

Other offerings include Seafood sandwiches, both cold or from the grill, fried seafood, and don’t forget Betty’s Lemon Cloud pie.

The only thing I would improve besides the coloring of the fish is the tartar sauce.  The woman at the table next to us brought her own and seemed happy.  If you’re accustomed to chunky tartar sauce, you may find this one too smooth for your taste.  So perhaps you should bring your own too.  It all depends on your preference.

I was most impressed by the gal who handled our section.  Despite all the hustle and bustle, she saw us leave and yelled out a thanks and good night.  Although some may find yelling inappropriate, this is a casual place and her greeting was most welcome.  It shows that Betty’s has that special something.  It shows that they’re on top of things.  I would definitely go back to Betty’s to try out more of their seafood delights.

Bistro des Copains - French

3782 Bohemian Hwy, Occidental CA 95465
(707) 874-2436
Parking: in  parking lot
Hours: Sun-Thurs 5-9pm, Fri-Sat 5-10pm

Last Visited: August 5, 2006

Food: 4 stars
Atmosphere:  4 stars
Service:2 to  3 stars
Price: $$ to $$$

The earthy and friendly colors of their Bistro sign against the forest green building drew me in.  Copains means buddies in French, so that was an even more welcoming thought.  As you enter the restaurant, you’re greeted by an open bar, fresh flowers, and warmth from the delightful yellow and burgundy reds.  The tables have white paper over dark red tablecloths with olives displayed on them.  The back wall contains pictures of farmland (photos from Michel Augsburger’s ancestral farm back in France).  The open kitchen allows the aromas to permeate into the dining area.  White cloth napkins sit between a fork and knife and the bread plate.  A bouquet of lavender is tied with a ribbon and each table contains one laid on its side at the center of the table.  We received water upon our arrival.

Food from Provence is known for its use of local foods.  The food is fresh at Bistro des Copains and quite light.  This was a lunch visit, and the windows brought in lots of sunlight and gave us a view of the happenings in Occidental.  At first glance, their menu is quite high priced – they were serving the same menu as dinner for lunch, with a few exceptions. 

- Souffle au Chevre – Goat Cheese souffle with mixed greens – A goat cheese soufflé is placed on top of a bed of mixed greens.  Let’s start with the greens – the vinaigrette was wake you up sour.  What does this mean?  If you didn’t know it was going to be very sour, you would wake up at first bite.  When I took the first bite, I was so surprised.  After follow on bites or after being warned, it’s still more on the acidic side, but more than bearable.  Fresh greens – I think only one piece had a little rust, but overall, good.  The soufflé was white, light, and fluffy.  The top had been browned and just lightly crisp, but the center of the soufflé was still a bit cold.  Warming closer to room temperature would have made it perfect, but it melted in my mouth.  Great dish.  $7.50

- Salade de Betteraves – Roasted beet and walnut salad – There were about eight beets – four of regular red beet variety and four of a smaller red beet variety – served on a small white plate.  The smaller one was more dense.  It was topped with an herb leaf and crushed walnuts were sprinkled around it.  A drizzle of olive oil over the beets completed the salad.  Sweet, fresh, and simple.  Good. $6.75

- La Pissaladiere – Caramelized onions, goat cheese, and black olives pizza (with anchovies optional).  Served on a white plate, this thin crusted pizza was topped with anchovies, then caramelized onions acted as the cheese, covering the entire dough, then goat cheese chunks and black olives.  The pizza toppings are on the sweet side due to the caramelized onions, but the anchovies really balance out the sweetness well.  Good. $10

Other offerings included risotto, roasted chicken, duck, oysters, roasted fish, and raviolis.  The general sense of the menu is that the food is simply made, but the essence of each dish is filled with local flavor.

There were a few things that were uncomfortable about my visit.  Besides waiting forever to get water (and trying to be subtle by putting the glass near the edge of the table) and then still having to ask for additional water despite being only one of two tables in the dining room for lunch, my glass had lipstick on it.  When I looked behind to see if I could find another glass, the table behind me also had a glass with lipstick on it.  I noticed that the server was wiping all of the wine glasses.  I’m not sure they wipe all of water glasses.  I am fairly certain that the silverware doesn’t get a good wiping since mine had spots.  The other item was the bread plate.  When I have a bread plate that is sitting on the table upon arrival, I make the assumption that bread will be served, but no bread was in sight.  I’m not sure why they bother with bread plates if each table doesn’t receive bread.  If I hadn’t shared the salad and pizza, I don’t think I would have used the bread plate at all – bizarre.

Overall, the service was friendly, but it wasn’t very good in terms of coming to check on how we were doing with our food, or filling water.  There were four people working in the restaurant while I was there, but only one attending to the dining room.  However, with only two tables of two each, I felt the server should have been more prompt and alert about water glasses being filled.  Good simple and fresh food, but so-so service; however, the food may still get you to go check it out.

Boathouse Sushi - Japanese

6278 Redwood Dr, Rohnert Park CA 94928
(707) 588-9440
Parking: in parking lot

Last Visited: September 25, 2005

Food: 3 to 4 stars
Service: 3 to 4 stars
Atmosphere: 4 stars
Price: $$$ to $$$$

Boathouse Sushi is self-described as serving innovative Japanese cuisine California style in a modern bistro setting.

Boathouse Sushi definitely has a modern feel.  The ceiling which shows the painted ducts, the burgundy color, and the black give the room a romantic elegance.  The light fixtures look like cones of crinkled paper.  The silver beads that hang from the ceiling covering the hall to the restroom add to the look.  The room is separated by a divider painted black.  On one side, the windows bring in natural light.  On the other side are the bar and the sushi bar.  The sushi bar is decorated with an area for sushi boats to pass.  Six boats traveled the waterway, curved and winding.  The island is decorated with metal sculptures.  The boats are empty and only filled when a dish is ordered.

When we arrived, we were asked if we would like to sit at the sushi bar or a table. 

We decided to sit at the sushi bar this evening, although from the height we were sitting at, we couldn’t actually see any of the sushi preparation.  The glass display case is lined with green plastic bamboo which blocks the view, so you only see the finished plated product placed on top of the case.  The setting is serene, but since I’ve been to restaurants where the boats are full and you can endlessly select dishes from the boats, something just felt like it was missing.  Blank boats.  No dishes.  It looked like empty ships.  On each table is a bottle of soy sauce in a modern bottle and the cocktail/dessert menu featuring their specials. 

The food rating would have been a solid four, but there were a few flaws this evening.  Not only is it the more frequent you eat at a place, but the more dishes that you order that you’ll find more room for flaws.  So instead of a solid four, Boathouse receives a three to four rating for food with great potential for upgrading their rating in the future. 

- Green Tea – Considering the amount I typically pay for tea, I thought this was a little expensive.  It probably wasn’t so much the price, but that I paid eight dollars in fluids alone, and that doesn’t fill you up much.  What was probably more frustrating was the teapot.  It was clear glass with the tea basket inside, but it constantly spilled when I poured it.  I thought it was the way the lid was placed on the pot, but after making the adjustment, the teapot was still spilling.  I’m surprised the staff wasn’t aware of this.  Maybe I just got a bad teapot, but it would have been better for it to have a napkin wrapped around it or under it.  Fortunately, there was a clean napkin next to me, but I must have spilled more than 1/3 of the contents simply because of the teapot.  Pretty teacups are used to serve the tea.  Each of the cups looked different – one was on a pedestal, the other was a larger cup.  $2 per person

- Miso Soup – The miso soup is served in a bowl with tofu, seaweed, and green onion.  The tofu is diced so tiny that I had a hard time finding it.  The size is about ¼ of a sugar cube.  It’s not sweet nor overly salty.  Just right, but a little more tofu would have been nice.  It could also come a little hotter in temperature, but still okay. $2

- Black Cod baked with Shiro Miso – Past experiences with fish cooked with shiro miso have been terrific.  The flavor of the miso complimenting the delicate layers of the fish.  However, they didn’t have any available this evening.  I was disappointed that we didn’t find that out until after the order had been placed.  Besides, couldn’t they sacrifice some salmon to replace the cod?  Nevertheless, no such luck tonight.

Nigiri Sushi (two pieces each) – All were plated on white rectangular plates.

- Unagi – A large piece of warm unagi is placed on top of the rice.  Excellent.  Clean fresh flavor, great temperature.  Just perfect.  $4.75

- Garlic Maguro – The server recommended the garlic maguro as a must try if we liked maguro.  This special was described as sushi grade maguro topped with ponzu sauce.  The rice was seasoned with a spicy red oil and lightly drizzled on top with a few green onions.  I felt the ponzu sauce overwhelmed the fish.  It overwhelmed my palate and covered the fresh flavor of the fish.  I think true maguro lovers wouldn’t like this one, but if you like to spice up your sushi, it might be a good option.  I recommend eating it after you’ve eaten your other sushi and rolls if you’re going to try it.  $5.95

- Rainbow Roll – A roll with salmon, shrimp, halibut, tuna, and red snapper over rice.  Within the roll was crabmeat.  The roll was cut and separated into four groups, two pieces in each group.  This was also served on a white rectangular plate.  The roll itself is a bit on the small size, but it’s not primarily rice.  The fish is delicate in flavor and texture.  Good.$11.95

- Vegetable Tempura – Eight pieces of tempura are plated over some salad greens comprised of lettuce, red onion, and carrot curls.  The tempura is served with a cup of warm dipping sauce.  There were two young corns, two broccoli flowerettes, two pieces of diagonally sliced zucchini, one onion ring, and one slice of pumpkin.  Each is lightly breaded and the coating is just the right thickness.  I wasn’t too keen on the broccoli since I don’t think that should be a tempura vegetable.  To me, it’s a filler vegetable.  Even the young corn is borderline.  However, the amount of tempura coating was just perfect, so that rescued it.  This is one of the reasons for the 3 to 4 star rating.  I would have liked another slice of onion at minimum, and another slice of pumpkin would have been great. $4.25

- Panko Fried Tonkatsu – Pork loin cutlet is dipped in panko crumbs, cut into strips, and served over rice.  Along side is a salad comprised of lettuce and red onion lightly tossed in a soy sauce/sesame oil dressing.  Three mandarin oranges decorate one corner of the plate.  A tonkatsu dipping sauce and another lightly spicy orange colored sauce accompany the tonkatsu.  The tonkatsu is breaded just right with the panko crumb covering being light and golden brown.  The flavor of the sauces are a nice compliment to the pork and though I prefer my tonkatsu sauce to be on the thicker side, this one was fine.  I wasn’t as crazy about the orange colored sauce, but it was okay too.  Although the tonkatsu would get a rating of very good on its own, the salad had wilted lettuce and not because of the dressing.  This is another reason for dropping the rating from four stars to the 3 to 4 range.  $12.75

Overall, I was happy with the quality of the sushi and the thickness of batter for both the tempura vegetables and the tonkatsu.  All of the food was very fresh with the exception of the salad.  Although there’s no filler rice (in my mind that means excess rice) with the sushi, the broccoli in the tempura would be considered an excess vegetable.  It’s good quality food in a nice setting, and  I would certainly go back for the sushi.  Service on the whole was fine, but it would be great to see the sushi chefs smile more.  Offering additional dishes via the floating boats would also be a great improvement.  Boathouse has a few things to work on, but pretty good for the most part.

After I talked to friends about my visit, several people expressed some discontent with their own visits.  One mentioned lack of freshness for the sushi, and another found the rice to be excessively sticky and broken.  For now, the rating stands, but be cautioned.

   

Cafe Europe - German

104 Calistoga Rd. (in St. Francis Shopping Center), Santa Rosa, CA 95409
(707) 538-5255
Hours: Closed Mondays. Lunch: 11:30a - 2:00p (Tues-Sat), Dinner: 4:30p - 9p (Tues-Sat),4:00p - 8p (Sun)
Parking: in shopping center

Last Visited: January 21, 2007

Food: 4 to 5 stars
Atmosphere: 4 stars
Service: 4 stars
Price: $$$

Don’t let the shopping center fool you. You walk into Café Europe greeted by Herbert Zacher in his black pants with white vertical stripes, and with the German almost polka type music on the speaker system and the beer mugs on the wall, it’s a whole other world. This quaint German restaurant will aid in soothing the senses. Note if you’re under 60, you’re probably going to be part of the younger crowd of patrons. Chef Robert Buchschachermair whips up a treat.

Reservations recommended for dinner. The earlier the better if you don’t have a reservation. Early patrons get more attention and the food comes faster. Go with an empty stomach and save room for the apple strudel which comes a la mode. The staff is friendly and know what they’re doing. They keep an eye on everything and make sure that the water glasses are filled. The staff also helps each other out so that if one person is busy, another will take your plates – they work well together.

The entrees include choice of salad or soup. These days, it’s a bargain to get salad or soup included at these prices. The house salad is mixed greens with tomatoes and cucumbers on the side. House dressing is great. Other dressings are available. Most dishes come with garden vegetables and some sort of sauerkraut. The great thing is that the garden vegetables aren’t overcooked. They’re done just right and have a nice natural flavor.

- Cream of Asparagus soup – A nice blend of asaparagus and potato, this soup is not overly rich, but just the right texture and flavor.

- Cream of Mushroom Soup – Shitake mushrooms and cream make up a delicious soup that has just the right texture and flavor.  The scent of fresh herbs only add to the perfume of the soup.  Wonderful.

- Potato pancakes are crispy and light, golden brown, served with applesauce. A yummy treat. Two pancakes $4.50

- Nuernberger Combo - Two veal and three pork Nuernbergers served with homemade mashed potatoes. They give you the mustard and all the accompaniments. It’s great for sampling different sausages. Warm and light – these are a far cry from what you would find packaged on a shelf. They’re delicious. $14.50

- Wiener Hackbraten/ Vienna Meatloaf - Lean ground beef and pork herb sausages mixed with other goodies served with a creamy mushroom sauce and mashed potatoes. More of that homemade taste the way it should be. $13.50

- Schweinelende mit Pilzen / Pork Tenderloin and Shitake Mushrooms – Grilled pork medallions with sautéed mushrooms and a potato pancake and red cabbage sauerkraut. More of the same of what is listed above and below. $15.95

- Lamb Loin Chops - One great thing is that you get really nice pieces of meat. Café Europe doesn’t skimp. You get nice cuts of meat, all tender and sweet.  The chops are grilled to perfection. $18.50

- Bayrischer Sauerbraten – Top sirloin marinated in red wine and vinegar roasted and so tender it melts in your mouth. It comes with spaetzle which is oh so good. I hear that with Germans, sauerbraten is the dish of choice and they do a great job of it. $17.50

- Kalbs Wiener Schnitzel – Four pieces (or three pieces depending on the size) of veal are breaded and pan-fried and served with a potato pancake. Again, it’s those pieces of thin, tender, and juicy meat that hit the spot. They are served with a wedge of lemon and the lemon juice brings out the flavor even more. $17.50

- Jaeger Schnitzel – Much like the Wiener Schnitzel, except this one is served with spaetzle instead of the potato pancake. This one comes with that homemade creamy mushroom sauce with large white mushrooms cut thick and placed on top of the veal.  The spaetzle, which has been ever so lightly browned on one side, soaks up the sauce and has a lightness about it.  My side vegetables during this last visit included marinated carrots, marinated red cabbage, and a cauliflower floret.  I love how the attention to detail is present in every dish.  The veal contains light brown grill marks along the diagonal.  Delicious and tender.  $17.95

- Hungarian Goulash – This flavorful beef stew is served with wide egg noodles. It’s a treat because it’s on the specials menu and not always available.  The second time I tried it, the noodles were replaced with seasonal vegetables – carrots, pureed spinach, and red cabbage.  The pieces of beef are tender and can be broken apart with a fork.  It still maintains its form and pairs well with the flavorful sauce.  The many spices fuse together to create a rich dark red sauce that tastes delicious.

- Hassenpfeffer/Roasted Rabbit – The rabbit is deboned for the most part is topped with lingonberries and gravy. This dish is served with spaetzle and fresh vegetables. Out of all the dishes I’ve tried at Café Europe, I probably liked this one the least. If you like chicken breast, then you might find this one a favorite, but it was on the dry side for me.

Note: The salad was wilted once out of the six or seven times I’ve been there. Otherwise, it’s been pretty close to perfect. Unfortunately, the bread is cold, but it’s always soft. Don’t let this deter you, but the chain smoker out front is more than likely your host.

During this last visit in 2007, the salad was very fresh and the house dressing, creamy dill, seemed a bit thicker than usual.

On Sundays, the rolls are warmed which make them absolutely delicious.  Why they don’t do this the rest of the week, I don’t understand, but the just make the experience that much better.  Café Europe is a great place to get an old world experience with first rate service and food that is hearty and delicious.

Caffe Giostra - Italian

1390 N McDowell Blvd. #L, Petaluma CA 94954
(707) 664-9441
Parking: in shopping center

Last Visited: 2003

Food: 4 stars
Atmosphere: 3 to 4 stars
Service: 3 to 4 stars
Price: $$ to $$$

Caffe Giostra is located in the same shopping center as the OSH Hardware store. It’s a small place, but the food is excellent. In particular, I enjoy their lasagna of the day. You can’t go wrong, especially if it’s one that has meat in it.

The restaurant is small. Upon entering, to your right is a raised seating area. Further back are additional tables, and on the left is the open kitchen. There is a bench in the waiting area, but reservations are recommended since there is limited seating.

Since it has been a while since my last visit, I’ll write generally about the dishes.

- Pasta dishes – Pasta is freshly made and sure to please. I have tried a number of dishes and am always impressed by the sauce and the quality of pasta. If you’re looking for lighter fare, you may consider splitting dishes (I split a seafood pasta) which is allowed for an additional charge.

- Lasagna of the day – Upon entering the restaurant, you’ll see a specials board. Each day is a new lasagna. I have separated the lasagna from the pasta dishes because their lasagna is exquisite. Knowing that it’s so good, I always have a difficult time deciding whether to get the lasagna, or take the chance to try another item. The lasagna is hand rolled, making the layers so thin that the sauce is wonderfully absorbed in each layer. Excellent.

- Profiteroles – These pastry puffs were filled with vanilla ice cream decorated with chocolate sauce. The presentation is great, but I didn’t find the profiteroles outstanding, though they were good.

Service at Caffe Giostra varies depending on the server and the time you arrive at the restaurant. During peak hours, though the staff does a good job of checking on you, I did feel neglected several times, but I have made many visits, and as always, when you visit a restaurant multiple times, there are more chances for patrons to find something wrong. Overall, Caffe Giostra has excellent food and flavor and is certainly worth a try.
 

1940 Piner Road #600, Santa Rosa CA 95403
(707) 570-0688
Parking: in shopping center parking lot

Last Visited: November 16, 2004

Food: 3 to 4 stars
Atmosphere: 3 to 4 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $ to $$$

China Bowl, located in Piner Square Center next to TCBY Yogurt, recently opened in November 2003. They specialize in Chinese cuisine, Japanese cuisine, and sushi. There is a variety of dinners to select from – both Japanese style and Chinese style.

We met the owner, Mr. Yu, and he was very friendly and thanked us for coming into his restaurant. It’s a small operation, but you’ll find the décor filled with lots to look at. Upon entering the restaurant, you’ll see a large aquarium containing a variety of koi fish. To your left is a sake barrel. Mirrors on the right side of the restaurant give the place an open feel. The bright green box lanterns are fresh looking. The table has the typical sushi photos labeled with both the English and Japanese name of the fish. Also on the table is a bamboo container holding many chopsticks, and you’ll also find a beautiful blue teacup and water glass. For those who wish to have tea, a teapot matching the teacups will be brought to your table. During my most recent visit, there was also a square based porcelain box with a spout containing soy sauce.

In the back of the restaurant is the sushi bar where you can watch the sushi chef prepare your requests. The walls are adorned with old style Chinese characters that look reminiscent of Chinese hieroglyphs. They range from large letters to small lettering. The wall to the left has three beautiful individual wood shelves that hold miniature teapots. Two of these shelves are shaped like teapots themselves. There are also a few Asian draperies in black, green, and blue that are embroidered with beautiful designs and displayed on the wall.

To have a better feel for the food, we tried both Chinese and Japanese dishes. The owner recommended that we try the Stir Fried String Beans and Agedashi Tofu. The California rolls were recommended by the local radio station, and we selected the other sushi.

- Stir Fried String Beans – These string beans were very crisp and flavorful. Unlike dry fried string beans, this dish is more moist. The string beans are cooked with Chinese preserved vegetables, shallots, and dried chili peppers for a little spiciness. They are also a beautiful green and not overcooked. Not the same style as that which you find in San Francisco, but certainly a worthy effort. I would put this on the must try list. $6.95

- Agedashi Tofu – Small cubes of tofu are deep fried to a golden brown and served with Soya sauce. They are stacked in a pyramid and topped with very thin flakes of dried fish. Don’t let the dried fish deter you – it enhances the flavor. The tofu was crispy and very good. Another must try. $3.95

- Unagi Maki – I actually meant to order unagi nigiri sushi, but was staring at the maki sushi menu. This was an okay dish, but I think I would have enjoyed the nigiri sushi version more. The sesame topping the unagi maki was very flavorful and presentation was nice.

- California Roll – Imitation crab California rolls are available for $3.95 and for only a dollar more, you can get fresh crab California rolls – The cucumber and avocado slices make this crab roll very sweet. It’s also rolled in an orange fish roe for a great presentation. Portions are generous. Another must try $4.95

- Spicy Tuna Roll – This roll is indeed spicy. It looks a little more red than typical maguro because of the presence of the spicy sauce. The flavor is reminiscent of salsa due to the jalapenos, and I found it spicier than expected.

All sushi is served with wasabi and pickled ginger.

Since there is only one waitress caring for the entire dining area, service can sometimes feel frazzled. She is kind and sweet, although it seems she was a bit overwhelmed as the restaurant began to fill up.

During my recent visit, I enjoyed a lunch bento box. They also had a new special – Teriyaki Bowl for $3.95. This special doesn’t actually come in a bowl, but they have four choices (chicken teriyaki, peking tofu, and more) available at this price.

- Tonkatsu and Beef Short Ribs Bento Box – This reasonably priced lunch special includes miso soup as a starter. The bento box contains salad, two pieces of gyoza, short ribs, and tonkatsu. A bowl of rice accompanies the box. The tonkatsu has a nice panko bread crumb crust and was deep fried until golden brown. The short ribs are flavorful and tender. The gyoza is petite and a little crispy, but nicely done. Good. $7.95

My most recent lunch visit was quite slow. With only one server attending to the entire room, our ten person party was quite neglected. The soup took a long time to come, and the service seemed to neglect all tables in the room. The food however was still good, in particular the combo. See comments below.

- Moriawase Lunch Sushi Combo – Maguro (tuna), Hamaichi (yellowtail), Ebi (shrimp), Saba (mackeral), Sake (salmon), Tai (red snapper), and six pieces of Tekka Maki are served with miso soup. The miso soup was lukewarm, and though the flavoring was right, the temperature made the soup lack what was needed to make it good. Although the menu lists the combination above, the plate came with unagi (eel) instead of ebi. This was a welcome substitution. The sushi was served with pickled ginger and a small mound of wasabe. All of the fish was fresh and the flavors were very distinct. Very good. $ 11.95

China Bowl gives a good effort. I would definitely go back to try more of both their Japanese and Chinese cuisine. It’s more typical than many other Chinese restaurants in the area, and they are true to their word about not adding MSG. There is a wide seafood selection too. Check out China Bowl.

127 N McDowell Blvd, Petaluma, CA 94954
(707) 763-6699
Parking: shopping center parking lot
Hours: Mon-Thurs 11:30am to 9:30pm, Fri-Sat 11:30am to 10pm, Sun Noon to 9pm

Last Visited: October 29, 2006

Food: 2 stars
Atmosphere: 2 to 3 stars
Service: 3 to 4 stars
Price: $ to $$

The food rating was once 3 to 4 stars and has since dropped down to two stars due to my recent visit.  I really used to enjoy their food a lot.  I have joked about China Dragon’s healing power to many of my friends.  It’s a strange coincidence, but I have gone to China Dragon when I happened to be feeling sick.  After every visit where I ate their buffet when sick, I have always gotten better very quickly.  I joked that it was something to do with their hot and sour soup.  I couldn’t explain it.  Unfortunately, during my last visit, I got an enormous MSG headache.  I called the establishment to tell them this when the headache came on, and they told me that next time, they wouldn’t use MSG.  This is hard to believe considering that first, their menu says “NO MSG” on it.  Why would there need to be a ‘next time?’  Second, how do you not do it next time when it was used on buffet items for which the patrons don’t specify that they don’t want MSG.  For those that don’t know, MSG is short for monosodium glutamate.  It’s a flavor enhancer.  When used in small quantities, it can be very effective, but when used in large quantities, it tends to create dry mouth, thirst, and sometimes, headaches or stomach aches.  I had a headache.  I think MSG was used in the salad.  You can often see it in spice mixes when it hasn’t fully dissolved. 

- Lunch Buffet – The lunch buffet is a steal at this price.  There have many customers which means a very fresh buffet.  Some of my favorite items included the hot and sour soup, beef with broccoli, tofu with fresh vegetables, fried squid, salty/spicy shrimp, and on and on.  The usual pot stickers and egg rolls are available too.  They also offer seasonal fruit in abundance – orange wedges, watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew and the like.  $7.30

Service is always good with servers clearing plates frequently and checking to see if you need anything.  Tables are available without long waits and the servers are efficient getting everybody in and out in a quick, but not hurried fashion.  Too bad that they don’t live up to their claims about not using MSG. 

500 Mission Blvd #E, Santa Rosa, CA 95409
(707) 539-5570
Parking: in parking lot

Last Visited: August 15, 2005

Food: 2 to 3 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $ to $$

There is a small entranceway that immediately shows the dining room. The ceiling has molding that is highlighted by some teal trim. The creamy color of the wall pairs well with the teal and natural wood molding. All of the plates are from a matching set featuring blue and pink flowers on a white background. The large windows in front bring in natural light.

The lunch specials are a bargain. The lunch special menu is divided by pork, chicken, beef, vegetable, and seafood. Included with each meal is a choice of hot and sour soup or wonton soup, one egg roll, and choice of steamed white rice, fried rice, or chow mein.

For this meal, I dined with a large group of people and was pleasantly surprised at their speed and attentiveness.

- Orange Sesame Beef – With this lunch special, I selected hot and sour soup and chow mein. The hot and sour soup was hot in temperature, but too strong with sesame oil flavoring to be close to authentic hot and sour soup. Not bad for Sonoma County, but not authentic. The egg roll was served on a plate with sweet and sour sauce and a small amount of hot mustard. It was nice to have the egg roll served on its own plate, but it certainly made for a large number of dishes on the table. The egg roll was crispy on the outside and there was an average amount of filling on the inside. The egg roll was average to above average and would get a higher rating if it had more filling inside. The orange sesame beef was served with the chow mein. The beef is first lightly battered and deep fried. Then it is cooked in a dark sauce made with some onion and orange rind. This concoction is then topped with sesame. The flavor was light with orange, but what was surprising was the level of spiciness. The menu had a pepper next to the dish, indicating that it would be spicy, but I didn’t find it spicy at all. Overall, the flavor of the orange sesame beef was fine, but I would have liked it better had it not been battered and fried. The chow mein was served plain with only a light soy sauce flavoring. The noodles were soft and not overcooked. For the quantity of food, the price was extremely reasonable. $6.95

- Kung Pao Chicken – Free range chicken is cooked in a spicy sauce and served with the choices listed above.  The portion was again large, but I didn’t find it to be particularly impressive.  The flavor was okay, but I believe they use MSG since I was quite thirsty afterwards.  Okay for Sonoma County.  $8

Fortune cookies are served after the meal. During my second visit, we also received cut oranges.  My overall impression of China Room was okay. It’s not bad for Sonoma County Chinese food, but certainly not up to par with San Francisco Chinese food. The service was attentive throughout the meal. The staff came to fill water glasses and remove dishes frequently.

After talking with another member of the dining party, I found his experience to be quite different despite us dining at the table at the same time. In his teacup, he found a piece of corn, and as his water glass was being filled, he noticed that the staff touched the top portion of the cup which he found to be inappropriate. The dish he selected was not made authentically either.  Fortunately, during my second visit, the dishware seemed to be cleaner.   

Based on my own experience and the comments above about cleanliness, the three stars for food became two to three stars. The service which was originally three to four stars dropped to three stars despite the very quick arrival of food.  Quick food arrival remains a consistent feature of China Room.

China Room still offers a great bargain, but check your dishes and teacups before using them and you may want to watch your water being filled to see where your cup is being held.
 

The Chippery - American/Burgers

1021 Hahman Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95404
(707) 579-2447
Parking: in parking lot
Hours: 11am to 7pm

Last Visited: January 18, 2007

Food: 3 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $ to $$

Scott suggested I try the Chippery.  Known for being at the Farmers market and their fresh chips, it seemed like it would be a great one of a kind place, but of course, chips alone just isn’t enough.  So the Chippery sells burgers, shakes, and sodas too. 

Located next to the Boys and Girls Club, the Chippery has a main counter where the menu is posted behind the register.  They offer multiple sandwiches including the All American burger, Jesse James Burger (described below), chicken sandwiches, and more.  Of course, the basic additions for burgers are available including bacon, avocado, and the like.

Walking into the Chippery, it’s a clean establishment with bright colors and not a lot of frills.  As you enter, condiments in little packets as well as paper napkins are in small containers on a counter.  You can see the chips being cooked to the left rear of the restaurant in a large stainless apparatus.  There are two, but I only saw them operating one of them.  Each chip was taken out as it browned by a person holding large tongs. 

Since I had read about the Jesse James in some articles, I thought I would give it a try.

- Jesse James Burger – A large patty topped with cheese, mayo, an onion ring, and smothered in sweet barbecue sauce.  Choice of chips (sour cream and onion, sea salt, white cheddar, and more) available.  I opted for sea salt since it was my first visit.  The burger was rather large and wrapped partially in paper.  The bun had been grilled, but it was also slightly burnt – enough that I was peeling away part of it.  The burger was juicy, though the flavor had been hindered by the other fixings on it, but all in all, it was quite satisfying.  The onion ring was crisp and added more flavor to the burger.  The chips were delicate – not quite as thick as kettle chips, but not thin like the kinds you find from most brand name manufacturers.  Nicely seasoned, not too salty and not soggy – they had a nice crisp.  Good. $6.95

- Chocolate Milkshake – A 24 ounce shake is available with whipped cream or not.  Other flavors available included vanilla, strawberry, and coffee (though my dining companion said the coffee one was just okay).  I found my milkshake good, but a bit light on the ice cream – it wasn’t as creamy as I would have preferred and melted fairly quickly despite the cool temperature this day.  Okay. $3.95

The service was friendly, but there was room for opportunity.  I had told the woman at the register that I would need a few minutes to look over the menu since it was my first time, so she sat down at the register and started to snack on chips.  Professionally speaking, I wouldn’t mind the sitting down, but don’t snack when a customer is there.  She was nice about coming to check on us during our meal to see if we needed anything, so that added a personal touch and I decided to give three stars for service.

They also offer a kids meal which includes a small soft drink, chips, and half of a plain burger. 

It’s not the best burger I have had, though the portions are hearty.  The milkshake isn’t the best either, but both are okay and I wouldn’t mind going again to try some of their other chip flavors.  My chip experience was better than I expected as some of the reviews of their chips at the Farmer’s market were not so favorable – primarily talking about soggy chips, but I attributed that to freshness and being right out of the oil – not allowing enough time to dry and expose to the air to set.  A good restaurant to check out if you want to satisfy your burger cravings.

701 Sonoma Mountain Parkway, Petaluma, CA 95954
(707) 775-3325
Parking: in shopping center parking lot

Last Visited: April 9, 2005

Food: 2 to 3 stars
Atmosphere: 2 stars
Service: 2 stars
Price: $ to $$

Chunky’s, located in the same shopping center as G&G Market, was recommended to me by  one of trAde’s readers who I’ll refer to as cywang.  Enter Chunky’s and find that it’s bright from natural lighting coming in through the windows.  The establishment contains about ten tables.  The menu contains combination plates, tortas, tacos, burritos, and a grill menu.  So if you don’t like Mexican food, you can also opt for burgers and fries.   

4618 Old Redwood Hwy, Santa Rosa CA 95403
(707) 527-7768
Parking: in parking lot

Last Visited: July 29, 2005

Food: 3 stars
Atmosphere: 3 to 4 stars
Service: 4 stars
Price: $$

Cricklewood’s sign says that it’s an ‘eating and drinking place.’ It’s been established at that spot for quite some time. The outside is dark brown wood. Inside is similar, with a large bar and dim lighting. Cricklewood also has a large patio in the back which is great for dining on a nice day. The patio has some sun protection while letting in the light, so it’s quite comfortable.

One nice thing about the entrees is that they are all accompanied by salad or soup, available during lunch and dinner. You can make one trip to the salad bar and fill your plate with either choice of soup or salad. It seems rare to find this available in restaurants nowadays. The salad bar isn’t huge, but offers enough variety with the basic fixings for a salad and offerings of premade pasta salad too. The freshness of vegetables ranges from slightly below average to average. It has a lot to do with preparation – lettuce being cut more than likely the night before or at minimum, hours before, causes some of it to dry out wilt or rust. It’s not severe, but you’re bound to find a few pieces in this state.

- Clubhouse sandwich – The bread for all the sandwiches were the same – some variety of multigrain. The bread was cut into thick slices, but I found it to be a bit dry. My sandwich was made with turkey (like that in a roll, not fresh turkey slices) and bacon, lettuce, and tomato. It was served with a pickle. Overall, I found it to be a bit dry and lacking in flavor.

- French Dip sandwich – Thinly sliced pieces of roast beef are layered in a soft French roll and served with au jus.  This sandwich came with garnish and a very small slice of honeydew. Some at the table found the meat to be on the rare side, but mine was okay.  The roll was slightly crusty on the outside, and soft on the inside.  I was satisfied with this dish.  After having this sandwich, I upgraded the food rating to 3 stars from the 2 to 3 range.  Good.  $7.50

This experience was in line with my past experiences at Cricklewood. It’s interesting to go for its atmosphere as it’s been around for a while, but it’s not a place that I choose to go to. For me, it’s more of a place that other people select, and I’ll go to be part of the group. Depending on what you’re looking for, you may find it to be your new hangout or just another place to go. That’s why the atmosphere is in the 3 to 4 star range.

Note that the staff was extremely good at attending to the drinks, and since our party was rather large, this in itself was quite a task.  In past visits where larger parties (greater than fifteen or more), if you call ahead, the service is typically very good, although drinks may not get refilled.  This alone brought service to a 4 star level. As always, try it for yourself and decide.
 

56 E Washington St., Petaluma, CA 94952
(707) 782-1130
Parking: in shopping center parking lot

Last Visited: 2000

Food: 4 stars
Atmosphere: 4 stars
Service: 4 stars
Price: $$ to $$$

It’s been a while since I visited Cucina Paradiso, but it’s not because I didn’t like it. I just haven’t had a chance to go back yet. From the outside, it doesn’t look all that impressive, but once inside, you’ll find it has a romantic setting and is quite cozy. The staff gave good service, and the food was great. I remember having very hot steaming tomato bread soup. It was the first time I had tried it anything like it, and I enjoyed it a lot - very hearty, but not overly filling. I don’t remember what dishes we tried, but I’m sure one was a pasta. Cucina Paradiso made a great overall impression on me.

As expected, since I’ve only been to this restaurant once, I didn’t have much opportunity to try other food, so it just means I’m just going to have to go back sometime to try more out and give a more complete review.
 

Daphne's Greek Cafe

2280 Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
(707) 566-6736
Parking: in shopping center parking lot

Last Visited: May 5, 2005

Food: 2 to 3 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $ to $$

Although I don’t normally rate chains, this one was recommended by so many folks, and it’s a rare one in this area, I made an exception.  Located in the new shopping center next to Blockbuster’s, Daphne’s is getting attention in Santa Rosa for it’s fresh food.

Enter Daphne’s and you’ll see the signs above the counter showing the menu.  The restaurant has a fresh look – lots of light neutral colors.  Although it’s a restaurant chain, it’s one that I’m not familiar with, and the Greek cuisine makes it unique. 

- Daphne’s Gyro Pita - The gyro meat is 80% beef and 20% lamb.  The meat is roasted on the rotisserie and shaved off of the rotisserie for each serving.  The meat is served wrapped in a soft warm pita shell with fresh lettuce, a tomato slice, and red onion slices.  The pita is accompanied with Tzatziki sauce on the side.  I found the meat to be a bit too strong in flavor my tastes.  It tasted almost wild or gamey, and I doubt it was the lamb.  Normally I can eat lamb without detecting any of this flavor, so I suspect whatever it is to be the marinade and/or spices.  The portion is large.  Your typical person will have trouble taking a full bite of the pita.  $4.99

- Make it a plate - Add Greek Salad and Rice Pilaf to any pita sandwich. Add $1.99

The Greek Salad is comprised of romaine lettuce, feta cheese, tomato chunks, and olives.  It’s very fresh and comes with a zesty dressing.  The rice pilaf is yellow in color and doesn’t have a very distinct flavor. 

If I were to visit again, I would probably try something besides gyro meat, perhaps chicken or maybe just a salad.  Daphne’s was accompanied by a little too much hype, so when I tried it, I expected something better than what I got.  The place is decent in atmosphere and offerings, and it’s a good alternative to typical fast food, but not quite the right thing for me.  I would prefer the authentic version more.

Della Fattoria - Bakery/Cafe

141 Petaluma Blvd North, Petaluma, CA 94952
(707) 763-0161
Parking: street parking
Hours: Tuesdays through Thursdays and Saturdays 7am to 3pm
Fridays 7am to 9pm, Sundays 9am to 3pm, Closed Mondays

Last Visited: May 12, 2007

Food: 3 stars
Atmosphere: 2 to 3 stars
Service: 1 star
Price: $$ to $$$

Della Fattoria’s new bakery had been mentioned in the local newspaper several times, so I thought Mother’s Day would be the perfect day to take mom to try some sandwiches made with wonderful bread and possibly enjoy a few scrumptious pastries

I was expecting a treat – if not for service, at least for the food.  Unfortunately, my Della Fattoria left me disappointed, not so much with the food, but with the entire experience.

Dempsey's - Brewery

50 East Washington Street, Petaluma, CA 94952
(707) 765-9694
Parking: in shopping center

Last Visited: August 2, 2006

Food: 3 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $$ to $$$

Dempsey’s isn’t much to look at from the outside. In fact, if you’re still in the parking lot, you might think it’s a store, not a restaurant. The entrance is on the side facing the Petaluma River. There is outside patio dining available. Inside, it’s fairly dark. It is a brewery after all. The bar has a television, and inside there is ample seating.

It’s been a while between the actual visit and the review, so the details of the dishes are going to be a bit vague, but the overall impression is s