Andrew H's Profile
Sebastopol
I definitely agree. The Hole is the place to eat. Fantastic place.
But as far as seafood goes? I don't really know of many Sebastopol places that focus on seafood. If you are driving 116 to or from Seb., I recommend both Lynn's Thai and Mai Vietnamese in the little Apple Valley shopping center in Cotati. Both have great menus and are very good value.
http://www.lynnthai.com/index.html
http://maivietnamesecuisine.com/
Saison switches to prepaid ticket system
I hope their purveyers/ food sources do the same to them.
Ngoc Thanh - New Vietnamese in North Petaluma
You will love Mai, it is the gold standard. But keep trying new places and you never know what you will discover.
Ngoc Thanh - New Vietnamese in North Petaluma
I have to admit, I'm not a fan of Thang Long either but I remember it being better than NT. I have not been to TL for several years though so take it with a cup of fish sauce. Let me know what you think if you go.
Ngoc Thanh - New Vietnamese in North Petaluma
The old Jerome's BBQ location (North McDowell and Old Redwood Hwy) now holds a Vietnamese restaurant less than a month old. I stopped in this afternoon and gave it a shot. It's very nice and clean inside with orchids along the entryway. The menu is fairly small with your usual Pho and Bun bowls, but they also had banh mi. I got a pork banh mi and a five spice chicken rice plate. I hate to say it but I wasn't really impressed with either one. They weren't bad but they weren't great either. I want to try more on the menu. Cheesy V pop videos play on the flat screens. Hoping it will get better but nothing beats Mai in Cotati.
http://www.phongocthanh.com/
New in Petaluma - The Athenian
Loved reading your review and thanks for supporting Lana, George, and The Athenian. I must try the bugatsa.
New in Petaluma - The Athenian
There has been a rotating series of restos across from Whole Foods on E. Washington St on the corner at Edith St. Semolina was there for years, then a brief stab at a BBQ place, then I notice new paint/sign. Ah Greek food! A block from my house? I'm there.
When I went in and looked at the menu, it was identical to the old Papa's Taverna carte. Down to the Greek iced tea and tzatziki sauce, my heart quickened. I asked the waitress and yes, the old owners of Papa's have blessed the neighborhood. Lana and George greeted me with open arms. It was like coming home. I spent many lunch hours at the old Papa's on the river south of town in the early 90's and here, 20 years on, she's at it again.
The food is good solid greek cooking but the warmth and hospitality are off the charts and something that fine chefs sometimes never master. Greeks, and to some extent other middle easterners seem to have it in their blood.
If you loved the old place's chicken pitas, moist mousaka and soft skordalia. You'll be in heaven. No website and I wouldn't expect to see one. But for now their hours are M-S 11:30 - 9pm, closed Sundays. Phone 707-762-0600. Convenient if you're headed to/from the coast.
Disclosure: I love the living heck out of these people and would lie, cheat, steal, stand in front of a charging minotaur for them. Selah.
Ajanta triumphs once again.
I know it's been mentioned in other threads but this place is just outstanding. I used to go there much more often even though its almost 40 miles from my house. Lachu Moorjani is most gracious, and talented and he takes great care in sourcing his ingredients for this green certified establishment. The food is so excellent and consistent. I could eat there frequently without getting tired of the flavors. Many vegetarian options are available including superb lotus root dishes.
I had portobello pakora which were very light and pillowy with a finely spiced dipping sauce. The specials this month include a fine Goan dish, Galina Shakooti which I ordered high medium on the hotness scale. It had many different spices including ajwan seeds and the chicken was sprinkled with dried coconut. There was just enough naan to wipe up every last bit of sauce. The naan itself is noteworthy. Many places make naan too thick so that it's spongy. Ajanta makes it thinner with a nice exterior that's slightly flaky.
The full dinner comes with basmati (brown basmati available), achar, apricot chutney, and pickled carrots with ajwan.
A nice masala chai ended the meal. Unfortunately I was too stuffed to have their great kulfi for desert.
All of the bay area has many indian restaurants to choose from but I've never found anything to compare with Ajanta. The prices are very reasonable and its a lovely room to dine in. The staff is experienced and I've never felt rushed. They recently did a special series of dinners for Diwali. Hopefully more special dinners are in the works.
Thanks to Lachu and his fine staff!
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Ajanta Restaurant
1888 Solano Ave, Berkeley, CA 94707
Fremont Diner WTF
Now it's even more complicated. If you want to sit outside (which is usually the only choice), you have to order inside, they prepare a to go order and you eat outside. More boxes and packaging for our capacious landfills. The food is still incredible but the hoops you have to jump through to actually eat there are kind of a turn off.
And breakfast shuts off cold at 11am.
I went to the Fig Cafe in Glen Ellen instead. Good but no cheesy grits.
Cultivated Chanterelles in the market
I believe they were wild. My mistake.
And dayum if they aren't popping up like crazy now. Found some real beauts in the last week.
Avatars Punjabi Burrito in Petaluma
The buffalo enchiladas are very good. Same owners as Sausalito and MV. They do a free Thanksgiving meal every year in honor of the founder.
What do people recommend at Bud's Meats?
I really like their elk sausage. Also the venison tenderloin is very tasty. I've had their pheasant as well. You really can't go wrong.
Pimientos de padrón
Last time I was at Green String Farm in Petaluma, they had scads of them at 2 bucks a pound.
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Green String Farm
3571 Old Adobe Rd, Petaluma, CA 94954
Noches Mexicanas at Rocker Oysterfellers in Valley Ford
Hi Shonac, Thanks for your response. I thought the quality of all the offerings was very good and I would like to come back for the duck. I realize you are using prime ingredients and this results in a higher price. Also the economics of doing a pop up only two nights a week may affect pricing as well.
Your competition (about a jillion mexican restaurants here in the north bay) price their plates lower for a variety of reasons, however. And your clientele will need to be convinced the extra cost is worth it. People are used to inexpensive Mexican food.
I wish you suerte in this endeavor. Provecho!
Noches Mexicanas at Rocker Oysterfellers in Valley Ford
A two night per week pop up has started up. The food was good. We had tacos dorados, drowned torta, and carnitas. I do think they need to reconsider prices. A torta for 14 bucks?
Margaritas were very good but also pricey at $9.50.
Monday and Tuesday evenings only, try for yourselves
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Rocker Oysterfeller's
14415 Valley Ford Road, Valley Ford, CA 94972
Staying in Bodega Bay for two nights
Bodega Bay is not really known for its food but there is good food in the surrounding areas. Spud Point is on the Westside Road and is known for it's chowder. I don't recommend their crab sandwich. If you are coming from Petaluma, consider a stop in Valley Ford at Rocker Oysterfellers. If you are coming through Sebastopol, try Hole in the Wall.
Jenner is about 15 minutes north and has River's End which looks very good. The Indian place on the south side of the Russian River is OK but not spectacular.
Expect fog for most if not all of the day. Don't miss Bodega Head which is not a restaurant but is a gorgeous place to hike and view the coast. Many beaches and coastal areas are accesible north of the bay.
Please don't go in the water except for Doran Beach. This is not an area for swimming or wading. Many people drown here every year.
Welcome to Sonoma County!
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Rocker Oysterfeller's
14415 Valley Ford Road, Valley Ford, CA 94972
River's End
11048 Highway 1, Jenner, CA 95450
Hole in the Wall
972 Gravenstein Hwy South, Sebastopol, CA 95472
Picks and Pans from Outside Lands 2011
My favorite were the Arepas which coincidently were the most overpriced. 9 bucks. The sweet potato tater tots were a big letdown as were the shwarma cones. Wish I'd tried the BBQ. The Flying Saucer desert was a little over the top but at least I was moving around and burned off a few calories.
I really think the food trucks should have been placed around the track of the Polo Fields. They were getting business up in the trees but it was kind of isolated.
Hole in the Wall in Sebastopol!
Outstanding corn chowder served with lunch today. Very creamy and full of goodness. The turkey burger was fine as well. Go HITW!
Hole in the Wall in Sebastopol!
Ubetcha Wolfe, thanks for supporting HITW. Now you have to come back and try the beet salad.
Cheers!
Hole in the Wall in Sebastopol!
Had my first breakfast there this morning. The standout was the biscuit with mushroom gravy (maitake, shitake and trumpet). Wow! Adam's got something going on here.
They will be closing early on the 4th but back to reg hrs (7 to 9, 7 days) right after.
Fremont Diner WTF
OK they corrected their hours listed on line. I withdraw my gripe. But now they have serious competition for Hole in the Wall which for me is an equal drive.
8am you can get served w/o a wait.
Why are pine nuts so FREAKING EXPENSIVE?!
Most are from China. I won't buy them anymore because of that.
Fremont Diner WTF
They used to open at 7 on weekends which was perfect to beat the crowds. Now they don't open till 8. Maybe my gripe was overly harsh, but when you show up and the place is shut despite what their advertised hours are...
Hole in the Wall in Sebastopol!
Open for less than a month, this little joint has become a regular stop. I've had two lunches and one dinner there and they haven't missed yet. Very inexpensive ( almost everything was
No beer and wine yet, just soft drinks and iced tea but don't let that keep you away.
The chef and owner Adam Beers is very friendly and we had a good time chatting with him. He cooked at the French Garden before opening this place.
Service was good but could be a tuned up a bit. I'm forgiving as it's just getting of the ground.
Its tucked away in a small retail center just past Fircrest Market as you drive into Sebastopol.
http://www.facebook.com/holeinthewallrestaurant
Fremont Diner WTF
Seriously, if your restaurant is more popular than god, why would you cut back your business hours?
Chad and his crew have done an incredible job, but I won't even think of going on a weekend anymore. You can't even park, much less get in line for service.
And please update your FB page with accurate business hours.
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Fremont Diner
2660 Fremont Dr, Sonoma, CA
JJs Cafe on Highway 89 in Shasta County
I had a very nice lunch here over the weekend. Great Minestrone soup and a nice chicken sandwich. Lots of homebaked goods, friendly service and they offer lodging.
Stop by in the town of Old Station, just south of the junction with highway 44.
New place in Sebastopol, Woodruff's Foods
I did go once and had a chicken sandwich which was good. But I'm still wanting to try the arepas
I Beg Your Padrón
A very tasty pepper and fast becoming popular. The simple olive oil and salt prep makes a delicious side.
