Yesterday, after hiking Bodega Head (spectacular views!) at Sonoma Coast State Beach, we headed to Fishetarian Fish Market. Menu on their blackboard is a bit expanded compared to the website.

Been craving some fish & chips, Fishetarian solved that problem. Three good sized pieces of cod came out golden brown, crispy without a hint of grease. Came with tartar sauce and vinegar was also on the table. Chips were crispy and stayed that way throughout the meal.
DW had the prawns and chips which she thoroughly enjoyed. I'm not a big fan of fried prawns so will pass judgement.

Crab cakes, crab sandwiches and clam chowder looked wonderful being served to other tables. Several items to try here. Owner and staff very friendly and patient as we looked things over trying to decide what to order.

Great place to visit after hiking, heck it's a great place to eat anytime :)
Currently open Friday-Sunday but we were that starting in June Fishetarian will be open Thursday-Monday.

Dang, you beat me to this place. Been passing Wise Acre almost every day on the way to Foothills Park.
Been wanting to stop in. Now after reading your report I will for sure.

We did pick up some Pumpkin Patch eggs at the Windsor Market. Medium in size, good color and flavor.

Nice thread and story JR. Son and dil made waffles, fresh fruit, pastries and some French Press coffee. Beautiful day out here, 80 with a nice breeze. Wishing all the moms out there the very best!

yes, a good 35 minutes, especially if you are not familiar with some of the West County roads. Enjoy and please report back!

Nice, I think you will really enjoy the food and relaxed dining experience. Depending on where you are coming from, give yourself some time to get there as The Applewood Inn is tucked away off Rt 116 in Gurneville.

Wife and I took advantage of the current Travel Zoo promotion and I must say that we had an excellent dinner (and wine) at a bargain price.

Besides the creative food, service was also first rate. Sometimes with a food or restaurant promotion you get that “funny” look or less than stellar service. Just the opposite at Applewood, head server-sommelier Joseph and staff did everything possible to have an enjoyable evening.

Apps were Marin Miyagi Oysters, American Sturgeon Caviar, Fresh Horseradish, Meyer Lemon, Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Pan Seared Diver Scallop, Mendocino Uni, Whipped Yukon Gold Potatoes, Saffron Butter, Piment D'Espelette.
Starters were very different but both had nice fresh flavors. As part of the promotion we each had a generous glass of Pickett Fence Chard (creamy, buttery but DW likes chard that way) and a very fresh, crisp Pinot Noir, also Pickett Fence.

Entrees were Miso Glazed Black Cod, Crispy Maitaki Mushrooms, Mustard Greens, Dungeness Crab, Grilled Scallions, Ginger Broth, Toasted Sesame Oil.
Cocoa Nib Crusted Rack of California Lamb, Sherry Braised Chorizo, Sautéed English Peas & Green Garlic, Mint Chimichurri.
Both perfectly prepared and tasty! With the entrees we had a Dutton Estate Pinot and Copain Mendocino Syrah. The extra glasses of wine were not part of the promotion.

Finished with a couple of indulgent desserts. Profiteroles of peanut butter semifreddo
chocolate and caramel sauces.
Three-Layer chocolate mocha mousse, hazelnut praline, espresso gelato white chocolate crumble.

We had wanted to try the Applewood Inn, going with the Travel Zoo Promotion was a bonus. Very much recommended if you are in Sonoma Wine Country.

Here are some pictures of last nights dinner and the Applewood Inn website.

http://applewoodinn.com/

This has been an awesome thread to read and follow, thanks for your efforts!

A couple of questions.

1) In regards to flavor, if you had to summarize the top 2-3 places for eggs, which would they be.

2) Where is Warner Ranch, can't seem to find an address.

Thanks!

We were there eight days apart and the menu was the same, no additions or deletions.

Just a quick update, our daughter is visiting from NJ so after some wine tasting at Copain and Lynmar we headed out to Bodega Bay for dinner here Friday evening.

As reported above, apps of roasted cauliflower and artichoke salad along with the gnocchi were excellent. We also had the raw Miyagi oysters with shallot and fennel migonette which brought out the briny freshness... yum.

Ribeye and halibut were perfectly prepared, new entree this time was the braised lamb sugo with fresh pappardelle pasta with roasted butternut squash, Tuscan kale, feta & parmesan cheese. Deep savory flavors in this dish and the bowl got passed around often :)

Shared a light but decadent cheesecake made with creme fraiche in a small pool of raspberry sauce which was great way to end the meal.

Another great meal, get Terrapin Creek on your list of places to try.

Split an order of the duck tacos and a breakfast sandwich (with sausage) from the Green Grocer at the Windsor Farmers Market this past Sunday. Both were very good.

No shrimp and grits which look really good. Maybe next week.

Very ambitious schedule, ultimately it is up to you to decide what wineries to visit and which to skip.

Very good choices for dinner, all very different. Tomi Thai is our favorite Thai restaurant in the Bay Area, it is that good. Assuming that you are staying at the Holiday Inn Express, you can walk to Tomi Thai which will be a welcome relief after a hectic morning and afternoon.

Enjoy your trip!!

Celebrating our son's and his wife's birthday, we chose dinner at Terrapin Creek Cafe and boy are we glad we did. Outstanding dinner from start to finish, you know everything is really good when all four of us claimed to have the "best" meal :).
Terrapin Creek Cafe is small but seats are spaced well and comfortable. It is tucked away in a small strip mall on Eastshore Rd in Bodega Bay.

We were warmly greeted by owner Andrew Truong who takes care of the front of TC and service while his wife Liya Lin looks after the well run kitchen. We chatted with Andrew during the evening and you won't find a more personable and modest host.

On to the food, let me start by saying every dish, apps, entrees, desserts were distinct in flavor and well presented. Starters were Salad of roasted Cauliflower and Baby Artichokes with baby spinach, Estero Gold cheese, warm pancetta-sherry vinaigrette.
Salad of Grilled Octopus & Potatoes with sauce gribiche, shaved red onions, fines herbs, paprika oil.
Hamachi Crudo with chopped favas, mint, lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, sea salt.
Potato Gnocchi with Wild White Shrimp with sauteed asparagus, basil & pistachio pesto.
Each was delicious. I never thought I would have gnocchi as good as The Blue Bottle Cafe in NJ but these were every bit as good.

Entrees kept up the pace. Creekstone Farms Beef Rib Eye with potato puree, sauteed broccolini & mushrooms, bordelaise sauce.
Glazed Baby Back Pork Ribs with creamy polenta, clamshell mushrooms, sauteed Swiss chard.
Pan Roasted Alaskan Halibut with farro, roasted leeks & shiitake mushrooms, lemongrass & coconut broth.
Liberty Farms Duck Breast with black forbidden rice, scallions, roasted baby carrots, spinach, duck jus.
Take your pick, each was excellent.
We also had a basket of assorted bread with some tasty olive oil.

Pretty full at this point but who can resist dessert :) We shared a Banana Cream Pie with shaved coconut, chocolate sauce etc and Molton Chocolate Cake. Both were rich without being at all heavy. Along with some coffee, a perfect way to end the meal.

We also drank well, a 2010 Damilano Arneis and a 2000 Chateau Dauzac paired very well with the variety of food.

Service was relaxed, efficient, you felt like a guest in one's house. This while the restaurant was packed with diners.

Terrapin Creek Cafe may not be the easiest restaurant to get to but is very much worth the effort and equally worthy of receiving (and keeping) a coveted Michelin Star.

Pictures below should be in the same order as above.

http://www.terrapincreekcafe.com/

JJ, here is the e-mail from the owners, Rory (pastry chef and manager) and Aaron (chef) followed by the new Spring menu. No gnocchi on this menu, heresy :) but will be back for the summer. BB celebrated their 7th anniversary recently and much of that was in some bad economic times. Good for them!

Greetings Friends of Blue Bottle,

We have lots of exciting news at the restaurant to share! First off, Happy Birthday Blue Bottle. We celebrated seven fantastic years of great food and service on March 23rd, 2013! The new spring menu is now in place and will continue through the month of June. It's true that the gnocchi are once again hibernating for a season, but I'm sure they will reappear in July for the summer menu. The appetizer and entree selections are copied below the email, and as always, visable on our website, www.thebluebottlecafe.com.

Mothers Day, May 12th, is just around the corner, and we are now accepting reservations through the end of May. We will serve our a la carte dinner menu for Mothers Day, opening at 2pm and taking final reservations at 8:30pm. As this is always a very popular day, be sure to get your requests in as soon as possible to reserve seating.

Speaking of celebrating Mothers... Our owners, Rory and Aaron Philipson will be welcoming their own new addition to the Blue Bottle family. Their first child, a daughter to be named Mia Grace is due any day now so if you don't see Rory on the floor in the upcoming weeks, she will probably be at home enjoying some tender first moments with her newborn. Our new floor manager, Corinne has taken the reigns most nights at Blue Bottle and is doing a remarkable job while Rory is out on maternity leave. And Joyce, aka 'Mom' and soon to be Grandma has been spotted on a more regular basis to help out with hosting detail as well...

Fathers Day... Since this will be Aaron's very first fathers day, we are giving him the day off from cooking and will remain closed on Sunday, June 16th.

Graduation Parties? We know how important these lifetime achievements are and want to help make them as special and memorable as possible. Customized catering, whether at your house or here at the restaurant is a great way to top off a special day with awesome food! Rory will be back to baking just in time to fill all of the specialty cake requests and Aaron is already hard at work putting together ideas for upscale barbecue accompaniments, hors d'oeurves, and full catering menus to complement your event.

As always, the restaurant will close for a summer vacation the week of July 4th. June 29th will be our final dinner service for the spring menu and the new summer menu will debut for our reopening on Thursday, July 11th. Catering and private parties will also be suspended during our vacation.

Happy Spring! We hope to see you soon!
All our best,
Your Friends at the Blue Bottle Cafe

Appetizers

Spring Pea Soup with Minted Crème Fraiche*
$9.50

Hoisin Glazed Pork Belly with Butterhead
Lettuce Cups and Spicy Kimchi
$13.00

Pan Seared Crabcake with Fennel
And Apple Salad, Cider Aioli
$14.50

Portabella Mushroom Flatbread with
Housemade Ricotta, Duxelle, and Crispy
Rye Toast, Frisee and Truffle Vinaigrette
$12.00

Salads

Blue Bottle Salad: Mixed Baby Greens,
Sliced Red Grapes, Toasted Hazelnuts, Red Wine
and Honey Vinaigrette, Shaved Manchego Cheese*
$9.50

Asparagus Salad; Cooked, Raw and Pureed,
Goat Cheese Mousse, Lemon Zest Bread Crumbs
$11.50

Local Baby Lettuces, Baby Artichokes, Roasted
Red Peppers, Ciliegine Mozzarella, Garlic
Chips, Smoked Pepper Vinaigrette*
$12.50

Gluten Free Dishes are Followed with *
Please Inform Your Server of any Dietary Restrictions or Allergies
We Will Do Our Very Best To Accommodate Special Requests
Entrées

Black Pepper Fettucine, Pork Guanciale, English
Peas, Grana Padano, Onion Cream, Fried Egg Yolk
$24.00

Pan Seared Day Boat Sea Scallops, Chick Pea
Panisse, Fava Beans, Red Pepper, Spinach,
Leeks, Meyer Lemon Gel, Fish Cream
$31.00

Seared Griggstown Chicken Breast with Crispy
Chicken Arancini, Asparagus, English Peas,
Garlic and Celery Root Chicken Jus
$26.50

Sautéed Atlantic Fluke, White Asparagus,
Carrot Cardamom Puree, Roasted Parsnips,
Baby Carrots, Lobster Nage*
$28.00

Pan Roasted Painted Hills Flat Iron Steak,
Crispy Potatoes, Marrow Custard,
Broccoli Raab, Sauce Bordelaise*
$29.00

Duo Of Lamb: Boneless Lamb Loin and
Braised Lamb ‘Shepherd’s Pie’ with Baby
Carrots, Turnips, Lamb Reduction*
$35.00

Griggstown Quail with Butter Poached Lobster
Tail, Saffron Braised Endive, Fingerling
Potato, Mushrooms, Fines Herbs Sauce*
$36.00

Pan Seared Lake Trout, Pear and Fennel
Wild Rice, Oyster Mushrooms, Bacon Foam,
Pumpkin Seeds and Golden Beet Sauce*
$26.00

totally agree with JJ, Blue Bottle is an excellent choice and your array of wine will find some excellent pairings (Black Kite and Navarro more my style than KB or Loring :)

I just received an e-mail with the brand new Spring Menu which sounds delicious, it has NOT yet been posted to the website. With owner Rory due any day, she has a lot on her mind :).

If anyone is interested in seeing the Spring Menu, let me know.

We finally made it over to Backyard last Friday for an early dinner. Pretty solid overall, everything was well prepared with a couple of standout dishes.

Shared a couple of appetizers, Cheese plate: Nicasio Valley loma alta, Cowgirl Creamery St. Pat, wild lettuces, meyer lemon marmalade, spiced almonds. Cheeses paired really well with the lemon marmalade and spiced almonds.
Also had a flatbread, First Light skordalia, Stemple Creek beef meatballs, Monkey Mountain arugula, Bohemian Creamery caproncino. This was a simple but tasty dish.
Both apps were good sized portions.

Entrees were True Grass Farm’s pork shoulder, Roots of Creation rapini, Mycopia king trumpet mushroom conserva, creamy polenta, young onion relish. This was good but the halibut was excellent. Wild, line caught, halibut, Armstrong carrot quinoa, wild spring onions, chive oil, wild watercress.

There were some comments that the portions here are small, we did not experience that with apps, entrees or dessert. Speaking of dessert "Ron's Chocolate Budino" is awesome, chocolate mousse, salted caramel, Strauss sweet cream, toasted rice. Heaven in a bowl, texture of the mousse and amount of salted caramel is perfect.

DW enjoyed a couple glasses of the Moshin RRV Pinot while I had a Boont amber ale. Service was friendly and helpful making for a relaxed dinner.
Want to get back for the Wednesday fried chicken dinner as Chef Kedan is ex alum of Ad Hoc.

Some pictures below.

Thanks! Sounds like a plan for this weekend.

You are not going to have me repeat that story, are you :)

Is that forum still in operation.

I would really like to but no longer a NJ resident. Have moved over to the dark side in Sonoma County Ca for the past three months.
Will be back for a week in June and have a host of favorites lined up :)

Jr, for sure you can call me Tom. Hearing about that Port Cheese Spread brought back some nice memories. Also remember the steak being first rate but as mentioned was many years ago.

Makes me wonder why we never returned :)

Jr, do they really still sever that port wine cheese at the bar. I remember my first time there in 1975 downing that spread and crackers. Sad to say my last time there was in the late eighties.

We used to really enjoy WYB but ate way too much of that awful spread :)

How were the wines. Fred is a pioneer is many ways, getting to meet him, taste and purchase some wine sounds like a good afternoon!

Diavola, Geyserville. Grilled Mediterranean octopus, fingerling potatoes, fennel, celery heart, parsley, tomato, crostone, kale, borlotti beans & bottarga.

Tastes as good as it sounds!

Give Drews a try, you won't be disappointed. There is some love for Chef MD but our visits to Trinity when he was there were uninspiring to say the least.

Giving this thread a revival. After thoroughly enjoying take out a few times recently, last night three of us had dinner here.
We got there at six so we started with the "Happy Hour" or Asian Tapas menu. We shared Fried Pork and Shrimp dumplings, Lemongrass Dungeness Crab Cake, Lemongrass Calamari, Hong Kong Pork Shu Mai and Coconut Prawns. Nice variety of flavors, an excellent start.
The Happy Hour menu has quite a variety of dishes to try and also a selection of drinks, beer and wine at 4-5 dollars each.

Our mains kept up with the apps, Singapore Spicy Rocket Prawns, Angkor Borei Calamari & Prawns, sauteed in a Cambodian spicy, garlic sauce and Hong Kong BBQ Pork Egg Noodles were shared and were delicious.

Service was friendly and attentive, a nice relaxing meal.
Chinois Asian Bistro is a real gem in Windsor, just one block over from the Town Green.
If you are craving Japanese, Ume Japanese Bistro, their sister restaurant, is a few blocks away and every bit as good. More on Ume at another time :)

http://www.chinoisbistro.com/index.php

Great news bgut1!!, a long road back is almost complete.

Look for the reopening of Drew's Bayshore Bistro in Keyport. End of conversation, his shrimp and grits are outstanding!!

Good question, they are very different. Not really surprising as the Portuguese cuisine of Chef Azevedo is more refined than the places in and around the urban NJ cities, especially Newark which are more "rustic" in both presentation and flavors.

Overall, Cafe Lucia would be my choice for a relaxed dinner with excellent food but a place like Seabra's also satisfies, especially when you are with a group.

http://www.njdiningguide.net/Seabras/...

Great report btw, really liked the photos!

Hey bgut1, good to see you are still eating well. Firefly sounds really good. Normally I would get there after your post but it is a bit of a commute now :)

Keep those reports coming, always good to hear your take on restaurants

Four of us had a celebration last night at Cafe Lucia in the space where Affronti was. It is a comfortable and attractive room where the noise level was moderate even with all the tables occupied.

It was a celebration so we ordered a lot of food and shared everything. Started with tasting plates, small grazing plates of Fried Sonoma Goat Cheese, Boquerones-White Anchovies, Polvinhos-Baby Octopus, Smelts in Escabeche, Pig’s Feet Terrine, Serrano Redondo-Ham, Herb Marinated Olives. All were very good, the terrine and octopus were standouts.

Followed with appetizers, two orders of sauteed veal sweet breads with leek-fennel slaw, anise scented demi-glace. they were excellent as were the chourici crusted scallops, pan seared, Japanese sweet potato puree, leek confit, molho cru. Last app was bolinhos de bacalhau, cod cakes, cilantro alioli, Moroccan black olive coulis. Didn't taste these but got a big thumbs up :).

Entrees were also very good and attractively plated. A special pan roasted branzino came with fingerling potatoes and diced peppers. bacalhau no forno, traditional baked casserole of North Atlantic salt cod, potatoes, onions and olives. Portuguese fishermans stew was a small feast of sea bass, scallops, clams, mussels, shrimp, fingerling potatoes, linguiça, lobster fumet. Last entree was traditional Brazilian Feijoada, stewed beef, pork, smoked sausage, black beans, rice. Rich and tasty..

Finished with two desserts which were plated beautifully and were delicious. Chocolate was chocolate mousse with almond tuile, chocolate soufflé with ruby port gelée and bitter chocolate sorbet with caramelized banana. Traditional was arroz doce with madeira braised figs, malassadinhas with "ovos moles," and almond ice cream sandwich with fig cake.

Nearly rolled out after all that. Had a couple of white wines, an Azur sauvignon blanc and Rochioli chard, both wines were very nice.
Service was very good, almost too good at times as the meal winded down.

Cafe Lucia is an excellent addition to Healdsburg and we plan to head back again soon. Lots to explore on that menu :)

http://cafelucia.net/index.html

Stopped in for an early dinner last night. The printed menu has much more variety than the online menu.
Started with the guacamole and chips which hit the spot.

My entree was Tasajo which was perfectly prepared and delicious. Beef was tender and came with grilled onions, mushrooms, chili pepper with a side of rice and beans.
I guess you can compare to fajitas but tasajo was so much better.
DW stuck to her favorite, camarones tequila which were also excellent. Service is always friendly and helpful.

We dearly miss the pizza in NJ but we have found alternate comfort food :).