Best restaurant in Sebastopol? [Archive]

Zeno Swijtink

04-05-2008, 09:35 PM

We're celebrating Analy High's 100 year reunion next month, and a bunch of folks want to meet at a restaurant before and after. As I only go to church in Seb. on Sundays, I'm not familiar with Sebastopol restaurants anymore. Can any of you recommend one? Great food would be #1 priority. Thank you in advance!

Don


Could you say a little more about what you like? What is "great food" to you? What is important to you in a dining experience? It differs so much among people that it's hard to recommend one place among the many good restaurants in town.

thewholetruth

04-05-2008, 11:08 PM

By good food, I mean a nice meal. Not burgers but steak. By good food, I also mean they cook well, they make food that tastes great, incredible even.
Hope that's a little clearer. :):

Thanks in advance,

Don

Could you say a little more about what you like? What is "great food" to you? What is important to you in a dining experience? It differs so much among people that it's hard to recommend one place among the many good restaurants in town.

nurturetruth

04-05-2008, 11:49 PM

I hear the French Garden is really nice.

See more about them and their menu online: https://www.frenchgardenrestaurant.com/cuisine/cuisine.html

they use fresh organic produce straight from their garden . :thumbsup:
Not sure if the meat they use is hormone free or organic though. Would be great if this was the case.

By good food, I mean a nice meal. Not burgers but steak. By good food, I also mean they cook well, they make food that tastes great, incredible even.
Don

Zeno Swijtink

04-06-2008, 07:43 AM

By good food, I mean a nice meal. Not burgers but steak. By good food, I also mean they cook well, they make food that tastes great, incredible even.
Hope that's a little clearer. :):

Thanks in advance,

Don

I should have asked you too to give examples of good and not so good restaurants in Santa Rosa, Cotati, or wherever you live. This would make your taste and desires probably clearer than saying it should be a nice meal, or that the food should taste incredibly.

shellebelle

04-06-2008, 07:58 AM

East West gets my vote!

We're celebrating Analy High's 100 year reunion next month, and a bunch of folks want to meet at a restaurant before and after. As I only go to church in Seb. on Sundays, I'm not familiar with Sebastopol restaurants anymore. Can any of you recommend one? Great food would be #1 priority. Thank you in advance!

Don

Zeno Swijtink

04-06-2008, 08:09 AM

East West gets my vote!

See, there we go. East West is a decent fast food place, but in my mouth not an eatery to go to for a 100 year reunion!

thewholetruth

04-06-2008, 08:17 AM

Sizzler? No. Looking for better food and ambiance. Portofino? Yes. Chiles/Red Lobster/Olive Garden? Yes. Middle Eastern food? No. (Personal preference - lol - it's probably the only ethnic food I don't like much). Chinese/Japanese/Thai food? Yes. Chinese Kitchen on College Ave. in SR? No. Looking for better ambiance. Johnny Garlics? Cattleman's? Yes. Yes. McDonalds/Burger King/etc.? Definite no. Not looking for $23 meals, but not looking for $4.95 meals, either. Somewhere in between, fairly priced but great food.

Again, thanks for your thoughts.

Don

I should have asked you too to give examples of good and not so good restaurants in Santa Rosa, Cotati, or wherever you live. This would make your taste and desires probably clearer than saying it should be a nice meal, or that the food should taste incredibly.

tdavis

04-06-2008, 09:10 AM

From Analy you could walk to:
Starlight (chef was voted Best of Sonoma County)
K&L
GTO's
West County
Starlight
did I mention Starlight?

Zeno Swijtink

04-06-2008, 10:00 AM

From Analy you could walk to:
Starlight (chef was voted Best of Sonoma County)
K&L
GTO's
West County
Starlight
did I mention Starlight?

All these places are way over $20/p. East West may be too small for your group to really chat.

We suggest:

Himalayan Tandoori and Curry House, on 969 Gravenstein Hwy. S, Sebastopol, CA 95472. Phone: (707) 829-2679.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g33069-d661860-Reviews-Himalayan_Tandoori_and_Curry_House-Sebastopol_California.html

Pasta Bella could also be an idea. It seems to have a new owner and got some good reviews.

Address: 796 Gravenstein Avenue, Sebastopol, CA 95472
Phone: 707.824.8191 (Across from McDonald's)

tdavis

04-06-2008, 11:55 AM

Not true:

I haven't been to GTO's recently so I can't speak for their current pricing but at West County, K&L, and Starlight one has many options in the under $20 range.

nbolmer

04-06-2008, 01:44 PM

Chiles/Red Lobster/Olive Garden? Yes.

Typo?

:hmmm:

thewholetruth

04-06-2008, 02:03 PM

Did I mispell "Chile's? LOL I meant "Chili's". :wink:

Don

Typo?

:hmmm:

thewholetruth

04-06-2008, 02:04 PM

Thank you, sir! I plan on checking them all out over the next couple weeks.

Don

From Analy you could walk to:
Starlight (chef was voted Best of Sonoma County)
K&L
GTO's
West County
Starlight
did I mention Starlight?

Lenny

04-06-2008, 03:37 PM

Not true:
I haven't been to GTO's recently so I can't speak for their current pricing but at West County, K&L, and Starlight one has many options in the under $20 range.

K&L has some screaming Macaroni & Cheese dish. Yeah, I said that! Mac & Cheese. :heart:

Sara S

04-07-2008, 04:57 AM

K&L Bistro is one of the two West county restaurants which has gotten a Michelin star twice in a row (The Farmhouse Inn is the other), but I don't think you will get a dinner for under $23 there. As I recall, that is the price of their excellent crab cakes; I don't know the price of the Mac & Cheese, or the French Onion Soup, which is exquisite.

K&L has some screaming Macaroni & Cheese dish. Yeah, I said that! Mac & Cheese. :heart:

Nemea Laessig

04-07-2008, 02:35 PM

If you like great sushi, try Sushi Tozai (https://www.sushitozai.com/). They also have a banquet room for groups.
Stella's Cafe (https://www.stellascafe.net/Site/Welcome.html) at Russian River Vineyards is a great place, beautiful festive atmosphere, and a small plate menu of fantastic food. If you don't mind going down the road to Graton, there are two great places there, Underwood Bar & Bistro (https://www.underwoodgraton.com/), and the Willow Wood Market & Cafe. (https://www.willowwoodgraton.com/) Willow Wood is more casual and less pricey than Underwood, tho they are both owned by the same folks.
Also, the new place at 116 and Florence, Peter Jonell's, looks promising, and is apparently committed to local organics. Many our local restaurants use local organic produce when they can, but don't necessarily blow their horns about it.

Unfortunately, in the Sebastopol area there really isn't anyplace with really good food in the median price range. Most of the places here mentioned straddle the $23 mark in their entrees. If you want a special meal out you pretty much have to pay. Sushi Tozai is probably the one with the most reasonable prices here.

Bon Appetit!
~Nemea

Dianala

04-08-2008, 02:03 PM

I like to start with "It depends." It is hard to name one "best" restaurant overall, but there a few that I will go back to over and over again.

French Garden is on the upper price range and you get what you pay for; and they have the Bistro which has small plates to enjoy as well. You can't beat their fresh organic salads, the soups are always yummy, and the butter and honey are made locally. I think they even make their own bread... I love their Sunday brunch too. And, the dishes are artistically presented as well.

The Indian/Himalyan restaurant on the south side of town is a gem. And, GTO's has several dishes we go back for as well.

Have fun exploring! We are lucky to have so many good restaurants overall.
Dianala

If you like great sushi, try Sushi Tozai (https://www.sushitozai.com/). They also have a banquet room for groups.
Stella's Cafe (https://www.stellascafe.net/Site/Welcome.html) at Russian River Vineyards is a great place, beautiful festive atmosphere, and a small plate menu of fantastic food. If you don't mind going down the road to Graton, there are two great places there, Underwood Bar & Bistro (https://www.underwoodgraton.com/), and the Willow Wood Market & Cafe. (https://www.willowwoodgraton.com/) Willow Wood is more casual and less pricey than Underwood, tho they are both owned by the same folks.
Also, the new place at 116 and Florence, Peter Jonell's, looks promising, and is apparently committed to local organics. Many our local restaurants use local organic produce when they can, but don't necessarily blow their horns about it.

Unfortunately, in the Sebastopol area there really isn't anyplace with really good food in the median price range. Most of the places here mentioned straddle the $23 mark in their entrees. If you want a special meal out you pretty much have to pay. Sushi Tozai is probably the one with the most reasonable prices here.

Bon Appetit!
~Nemea

steph

04-09-2008, 08:26 AM

Supplement your search at these sites, you'll get more particulars on food, pricing, atmosphere, etc. Be sure to check with the restaurants - many are too small or loud for large groups of folks to meet.

https://www.chowhound.com/boards/1

www.yelp.com

Sciguy

04-09-2008, 10:11 PM

The owners of French Garden (Dan and Joan) have their own organic farm where they grow the vegetables and flowers and maybe more (chicken eggs?) that they serve there. And they are amazing people. Joan is a dyed in the wool progressive who does everything she can for dancing, history, documentary movies, environmental groups and more. Dan is responsible for saving Palm Drive Hospital. Support our local community's supporters.

And that new Indian-Himalayan restaurant south of town ...? It's food to die for. We are so lucky those people came here to Sebastopol.

Paul

I like to start with "It depends." It is hard to name one "best" restaurant overall, but there a few that I will go back to over and over again.

French Garden is on the upper price range and you get what you pay for; and they have the Bistro which has small plates to enjoy as well. You can't beat their fresh organic salads, the soups are always yummy, and the butter and honey are made locally. I think they even make their own bread... I love their Sunday brunch too. And, the dishes are artistically presented as well.

The Indian/Himalyan restaurant on the south side of town is a gem. And, GTO's has several dishes we go back for as well.

Have fun exploring! We are lucky to have so many good restaurants overall.
Dianala

thewholetruth

04-13-2008, 07:43 AM

Thank you all SO MUCH for your recommendations and personal reviews. It turns out that someone else went ahead and booked a ROUND TABLE in SANTA ROSA. sIgH Oh well. I appreciate your many replies just the same, and will be checking out some of these restaurants y'all recommended.

Don

We're celebrating Analy High's 100 year reunion next month, and a bunch of folks want to meet at a restaurant before and after. As I only go to church in Seb. on Sundays, I'm not familiar with Sebastopol restaurants anymore. Can any of you recommend one? Great food would be #1 priority. Thank you in advance!

Don

Jonberger

04-13-2008, 10:08 AM

I believe the new place is actually called Peter Lowell's, but I read it as "Jonell's" at first too. The script they use for their logo is nifty but illegible. Anyway, it's a very nice place.

If you like great sushi, try Sushi Tozai (https://www.sushitozai.com/). They also have a banquet room for groups.
Stella's Cafe (https://www.stellascafe.net/Site/Welcome.html) at Russian River Vineyards is a great place, beautiful festive atmosphere, and a small plate menu of fantastic food. If you don't mind going down the road to Graton, there are two great places there, Underwood Bar & Bistro (https://www.underwoodgraton.com/), and the Willow Wood Market & Cafe. (https://www.willowwoodgraton.com/) Willow Wood is more casual and less pricey than Underwood, tho they are both owned by the same folks.
Also, the new place at 116 and Florence, Peter Jonell's, looks promising, and is apparently committed to local organics. Many our local restaurants use local organic produce when they can, but don't necessarily blow their horns about it.

Unfortunately, in the Sebastopol area there really isn't anyplace with really good food in the median price range. Most of the places here mentioned straddle the $23 mark in their entrees. If you want a special meal out you pretty much have to pay. Sushi Tozai is probably the one with the most reasonable prices here.

Bon Appetit!
~Nemea

riverreb

04-14-2008, 10:59 AM

We're celebrating Analy High's 100 year reunion next month, and a bunch of folks want to meet at a restaurant before and after. As I only go to church in Seb. on Sundays, I'm not familiar with Sebastopol restaurants anymore. Can any of you recommend one? Great food would be #1 priority. Thank you in advance!

Don

K&L Bistro or the French Garden. Also Cafe St. Rose will be opening at the current site of Two Crows.

thewholetruth

04-14-2008, 02:16 PM

Thank you, Rebecca, very much, for taking the time to refer those to me. \

Funny thing is that back in the day (that would be "the day" when I was growing up in Sebastopol, sleepy little down-home apple town that it was) there was The Pine Cone, A&W, Don's Restaurant and the Golden Dragon. Now it seems that Sebastopol is filled with artsy-fartsy (slang for either upscale or natural foods) sounding restaurants instead of all-American sounding restaurants (or all-Japanese). To quote one of my least favorite artists from back in the day: "The times, they are a-changin'". Well, I guess they've already changed. LOL A long time ago, things changed in Sebastopol.

Don

K&L Bistro or the French Garden. Also Cafe St. Rose will be opening at the current site of Two Crows.

dylanandjen

04-20-2008, 03:25 PM

jwag65

04-21-2008, 09:38 AM

K&L bistro

AnnaLisaW

04-21-2008, 02:26 PM

I was reading the posts about where to eat (medium price range and sorry to toot my own horn as I am one of the family (and new(ish) owners) but Pasta Bella Saute and Grill is a great bet..hello we have the most slammin' burger in town, grassfed meat, chipotle or gorgonzola and pancetta, housemde aioli, organic greens......its big and delicious and served with a salad, all our entrees are about between 9 and 20 with fresh, top-quality local and organic when possible ingrediants, vegan and vegetarian options, gluten-free options....I am proud of our restaurant, and our and repeat customers.....just feel we are misunderstood at times (fabulous unique pastas, quality inghrediants, wild mushrooms etc etc etc ....best for the medium price range? Pasta Bella. I love all the other restaurants mentioned as well, especially Graton....we are blessed with good food and local owners in West County.
Cheers.

Sounds great. I Googled it and they have a great looking menu posted.

shellebelle

05-05-2008, 10:30 AM

We went and took my Dad while he was here! We had a lovely time! Great food, friendly staff, seemed very family oriented!

The Mac and Cheese (which has a different name) was fabulous! And I am a really picky Mac and cheese person. Loved the strings of cheese on the fork.

I was reading the posts about where to eat (medium price range and sorry to toot my own horn as I am one of the family (and new(ish) owners) but Pasta Bella Saute and Grill is a great bet..hello we have the most slammin' burger in town, grassfed meat, chipotle or gorgonzola and pancetta, housemde aioli, organic greens......its big and delicious and served with a salad, all our entrees are about between 9 and 20 with fresh, top-quality local and organic when possible ingrediants, vegan and vegetarian options, gluten-free options....I am proud of our restaurant, and our and repeat customers.....just feel we are misunderstood at times (fabulous unique pastas, quality inghrediants, wild mushrooms etc etc etc ....best for the medium price range? Pasta Bella. I love all the other restaurants mentioned as well, especially Graton....we are blessed with good food and local owners in West County.
Cheers.

shellebelle

08-04-2008, 05:00 PM

How about a nice add to Occidental?

Noah's Barley and Hops is fabulous!!!

I've been twice - both times on his "slow days" - if those are his slow days what must his busy look like and taste like!!!!!

WOW!!!

Fine beers, knowledgeable staff, fabulous food there is no wrong here!!!

Noah is a charm; an absolute needed kick to the local foodie delights!

We tried them on a Tuesday their slower night. Despite being a smaller menu and skeleton crew (due to how small the crowd is/was) the food and the service was exemplary! I hope to get to try the mousse this time but the pecan pie is to die for! So I know I won't be disappointed! Shephards Pie was fabulous - just soo good to taste beer based Irish foods.

Sunday I went again - Tippsy Shrooms! Marvelous!!!!!!!! No room for dessert!! I swear I am going back just for the mousse!!!

Thanks for a great evening Noah!!!

nbolmer

08-04-2008, 05:55 PM

Oh my gosh, thank you SO much Shelly! It was our biggest Sunday ever, and I was running around like crazy without a server, but I look forward to seeing you again when it really is slow, like a Tuesday afternoon! Speaking of which, a while back I was talking to Barry about some advertising in exchange for a meetup at my restaurant. We're going to be changing our hours soon (as football season approaches) to close Tues instead of Monday - I'm thinking a mid-week meet-up, draft specials, and maybe some freebie appetizers if I can get a group in for dinner one night? In any case, thank you so much for the positive review - can't wait to have you in again soon.

Cheers!

Noah

Imagery

06-05-2009, 01:11 AM

I believe the new place is actually called Peter Lowell's, but I read it as "Jonell's" at first too. The script they use for their logo is nifty but illegible. Anyway, it's a very nice place.

Their prices are WAY too far in the stratosphere to be something you can reach in reality. Take out a mortgage to pay for dinner...

Our first (and only) experience there was :hmmm:

One cheese plate and two glasses of wine = $40
BTW, the OP mentioned something about steak. There isn't a piece of meat to be found at Peter Lowell's place. Not a scrap anywhere.

Also on the healthy side of things, in the price range AND a place that has some historical significance is the Pine Cone Cafe. Food is reasonable, nothing over $15 for an entree, and it is along the lines of the East/West cafe people have already mentioned.

Jonberger

06-05-2009, 06:03 AM

Their prices are WAY too far in the stratosphere to be something you can reach in reality. Take out a mortgage to pay for dinner...

Our first (and only) experience there was :hmmm:

One cheese plate and two glasses of wine = $40
BTW, the OP mentioned something about steak. There isn't a piece of meat to be found at Peter Lowell's place. Not a scrap anywhere.

Also on the healthy side of things, in the price range AND a place that has some historical significance is the Pine Cone Cafe. Food is reasonable, nothing over $15 for an entree, and it is along the lines of the East/West cafe people have already mentioned.

I've modified my opinion of Lowell's too. It's not so much that the prices are high as that the portions are microscopic. Good food, but not very much of it. And the staff is weirdly snotty; there's a definite vibe of "you don't belong to our club if you're over 30 and don't have a lot of piercings." If you ask any questions about the food, they answer with this condescending kind of "I can't believe you didn't know this" attitude. Having said all that, the food, such of it as there is, is pretty decent, for my money, but I can't disagree about the pricing.

I want to like the new improved Pine Cone, I really do. I've tried very hard to like it. The Indian-inspired menu is well-written; if I went to restaurants to enjoy the quality of the prose on their menus, I'd give this one an enthusiastic thumbs-up. But the execution is spotty at best. Take their "chipotle hollandaise" (please -- to paraphrase Henny Youngman). Sounds great, what's not to like? Well, if it bore any resemblance to either chipotle or hollandaise, I might have, but it actually consists of mayonnaise with some reddish stuff in it, probably paprika. We've had some good dishes there, although at the moment I can't quite remember what they were, but every time we've gone, at least one of the dishes we ordered was somewhere between tasteless and downright nasty. We've regretfully decided that we're better off just going to the tried-and-true East West -- not that there's anything wrong with East West, it's just that we've been there so often that we've had everything on the menu at least three times.

Imagery

06-05-2009, 08:02 PM

I was reading the posts about where to eat (medium price range and sorry to toot my own horn as I am one of the family (and new(ish) owners) but Pasta Bella Saute and Grill is a great bet..hello we have the most slammin' burger in town, grassfed meat, chipotle or gorgonzola and pancetta, housemde aioli, organic greens......its big and delicious and served with a salad, all our entrees are about between 9 and 20 with fresh, top-quality local and organic when possible ingrediants, vegan and vegetarian options, gluten-free options....I am proud of our restaurant, and our and repeat customers.....just feel we are misunderstood at times (fabulous unique pastas, quality inghrediants, wild mushrooms etc etc etc ....best for the medium price range? Pasta Bella. I love all the other restaurants mentioned as well, especially Graton....we are blessed with good food and local owners in West County.
Cheers.

Interesting. We might have to give you a try once again. Maybe you ought to advertise some of what you've just stated in this post, because the last time I went there, it was all overpriced pasta with the standard sauces I could get at Olive Garden.

Meat? You guys have meat in there? I'll see if we can drop on by sometime. My name is Garfield, so I'll be checking out the lasagna - and I have an authenticity benchmark that no one (so far) can match.

Lisa Rost

06-05-2009, 09:27 PM

Hi All,

I have to speak up & say, that Peter Lowell's food is consistently outstanding. It's organic, always beautiful, delicious & perfectly executed.
They have a wide range of prices. You can order a Macro Bowl & fill up for under $10.00, or of course spend much more.

Their fresh home made pasta is like nothing I've ever had (the lasagna & ravioli have redefined pasta for me). Their pizza is super thin & delicious, they have an assorted aniti pasta sampler plate that totally rocks, it's creative, healthy & generous for about 14.00 bucks, a great meal.

Their fish is always outstanding... the service professional & helpful..
It's a unique little gem & I could go on... really, everything there, has totally worked for me & my pals.

We're lucky to have a number of really good restaurants in Sebastopol & Graton. Just depends on your mood, occasion, & budget.

Bon Appetit!

rekarp

06-06-2009, 01:23 PM

I love Peter Lowell's and I think the food is very reasonable. Plus I'm 52 years old and have always been welcomed there. There is a house made sausage pizza on the menu. Last time I was there they had chicken.

Organic and sustainably raised food is more expensive than mass produced food from Walmart. Even so the entrees at Peter Lowell's are $15 - $20. And there are always options for less, like the macro bowl for $10. Wine is at the going rate. It's hard to complain that they charge $8/glass for a Grgich Hills Fume Blanc when it retails for $30/bottle.

I think it's unfair to compare food mostly grown locally by organic and biodynamic farmers to food flown in from all over the world, grown with the cheapest and most unsustainable farming practices.

Ron

Their prices are WAY too far in the stratosphere to be something you can reach in reality. Take out a mortgage to pay for dinner...

Our first (and only) experience there was :hmmm:

One cheese plate and two glasses of wine = $40
BTW, the OP mentioned something about steak. There isn't a piece of meat to be found at Peter Lowell's place. Not a scrap anywhere.

Also on the healthy side of things, in the price range AND a place that has some historical significance is the Pine Cone Cafe. Food is reasonable, nothing over $15 for an entree, and it is along the lines of the East/West cafe people have already mentioned.

broadbandersnatch

06-08-2009, 04:56 PM

With regards to Peter Lowell's, I had my first dining experience there yesterday and it was a mixed bag. First there's the glass half empty half full test. I ordered a glass of white wine which usually comes in a pretty standard glass.To me the glass should be at least slightly more than half full to be a generous pour. I find those who split it down the middle or less to usually serve small portions all around. In this case the pour was precisiely half a glass. The pizza which my friend ordered was excellent, the crust reminding me of pizza in Italy, crisp and delicious. At $14 its not exactly a bargain, but I think he was satisfied. The macro bowl was another story. There was simply nothing remarkable about this dish. My home made rice and veggies rocks this little dish. The tofu had no flavor whatsoever, it was simply fried. The veggies were clean, but not in abundance (one leaf of kale and a bunch of carrots,) but not very flavorful, and a good portion of the rice stuck to the bottom of the bowl. Indeed, the only distinguishing element was the ginger/miso sauce which was otherwise unremarkable. The price for two half glasses of wine and the aformentioned dishes? $40 dollars before tax and tip. This would've been acceptable if the meal was exceptional. It wasn't.

I love Peter Lowell's and I think the food is very reasonable. Plus I'm 52 years old and have always been welcomed there. There is a house made sausage pizza on the menu. Last time I was there they had chicken.

Organic and sustainably raised food is more expensive than mass produced food from Walmart. Even so the entrees at Peter Lowell's are $15 - $20. And there are always options for less, like the macro bowl for $10. Wine is at the going rate. It's hard to complain that they charge $8/glass for a Grgich Hills Fume Blanc when it retails for $30/bottle.

I think it's unfair to compare food mostly grown locally by organic and biodynamic farmers to food flown in from all over the world, grown with the cheapest and most unsustainable farming practices.

Ron

rekarp

06-09-2009, 07:07 PM

I don't work at Peter Lowell's, but I have to say that I just don't understand some of these comments. I mean, you eat out, you have wine, you get a pizza and a meal, the pizza reminds you of Italy, and you're not sure it's worth $40?

Next time you're there try the homemade pasta, like the ravioli stuffed with fresh peas and oregon shrimp. Or the king salmon, which no one else around has on their menu. Try the Grgich Hills Fume Blanc for $8 - a blow away.

Otherwise, if you want two meals and wine for $40, maybe Olive Garden is your place. Then you'll get the Gallo Hearty Burgundy, some microwaved frozen meals, and maybe a bill for under $40 - maybe.

If the prices were any lower they would be losing money. The wine is all either organic, sustainably farmed, or biodynamic. The food is almost all local and organic. Everything is cooked from scratch with excellent ingredients.

Maybe Sebastopol deserves restaurants like the awful Thai restaurant next door to Peter Lowells. That's cheap. King Hwa up the street - that's cheap too. Check those out and report back.

Quality ingredients are expensive. I think people need to understand that and recognize what's being offered at PL's. Or restaurants like that won't be around anymore and we can all go to Mary's Pizza Shack (not that there is anything wrong with Mary's).

Ron

With regards to Peter Lowell's, I had my first dining experience there yesterday and it was a mixed bag. First there's the glass half empty half full test. I ordered a glass of white wine which usually comes in a pretty standard glass.To me the glass should be at least slightly more than half full to be a generous pour. I find those who split it down the middle or less to usually serve small portions all around. In this case the pour was precisiely half a glass. The pizza which my friend ordered was excellent, the crust reminding me of pizza in Italy, crisp and delicious. At $14 its not exactly a bargain, but I think he was satisfied. The macro bowl was another story. There was simply nothing remarkable about this dish. My home made rice and veggies rocks this little dish. The tofu had no flavor whatsoever, it was simply fried. The veggies were clean, but not in abundance (one leaf of kale and a bunch of carrots,) but not very flavorful, and a good portion of the rice stuck to the bottom of the bowl. Indeed, the only distinguishing element was the ginger/miso sauce which was otherwise unremarkable. The price for two half glasses of wine and the aformentioned dishes? $40 dollars before tax and tip. This would've been acceptable if the meal was exceptional. It wasn't.

"Mad" Miles

06-09-2009, 08:38 PM

I just wrote a scathing response to rekarp re: P. Lowell's but something on this board was loading so slow that it got dumped as I was trying to move things along. Here's the gist.

I ate there for $30 for a salad, pizza and glass of wine. I was the only one there and I got treated like a pariah.

For an alternative, try: https://rossopizzeria.com/ (https://rossopizzeria.com/)

Yeah, I know, it's not in Sebasto-centerudauniversio-pol.

So F'ing, WHAT?

Guess I'm too "attached" to good food at a good price with good service.

"Mad" Miles

:burngrnbounce:

broadbandersnatch

06-09-2009, 09:33 PM

Dude,

It was a small skimpy little pizza, and a truly lousy and unimaginative vegetable dish that was actually subpar. I thought I was totally clear on that. Do I have to spell it out? This meal was not worth $40. I can think of a dozen restaurants in SF where I would do better, especially in the vegetarian arena. There is simply no excuse for that macro dish not tasting like anything. Don't give me this crap about the Olive Garden or Mary's (although Mary's has good pizza)and Gallo Burgundy. The new Blue Heron is serving wonderful glasses of pretty classy wines for 6 bucks and they fill them up almost to the top. I had an 8 dollar beet salad that was huge and full of great flavors. I actually got full. I left Lowell's still hungry.

Sorry, but your rebuttal doesn't fly. The staff has an attitude and the food I ordered was not impressive. (not the pizza, which my friend had ordered, overpriced but quite decent).

I don't work at Peter Lowell's, but I have to say that I just don't understand some of these comments. I mean, you eat out, you have wine, you get a pizza and a meal, the pizza reminds you of Italy, and you're not sure it's worth $40?

Next time you're there try the homemade pasta, like the ravioli stuffed with fresh peas and oregon shrimp. Or the king salmon, which no one else around has on their menu. Try the Grgich Hills Fume Blanc for $8 - a blow away.

Otherwise, if you want two meals and wine for $40, maybe Olive Garden is your place. Then you'll get the Gallo Hearty Burgundy, some microwaved frozen meals, and maybe a bill for under $40 - maybe.

If the prices were any lower they would be losing money. The wine is all either organic, sustainably farmed, or biodynamic. The food is almost all local and organic. Everything is cooked from scratch with excellent ingredients.

Maybe Sebastopol deserves restaurants like the awful Thai restaurant next door to Peter Lowells. That's cheap. King Hwa up the street - that's cheap too. Check those out and report back.

Quality ingredients are expensive. I think people need to understand that and recognize what's being offered at PL's. Or restaurants like that won't be around anymore and we can all go to Mary's Pizza Shack (not that there is anything wrong with Mary's).

Ron

Imagery

06-09-2009, 09:40 PM

Otherwise, if you want two meals and wine for $40, maybe Olive Garden is your place. Then you'll get the Gallo Hearty Burgundy, some microwaved frozen meals, and maybe a bill for under $40 - maybe.

Or, we could simply enjoy something at one of the cafes along the downtown corridor, where $40 will get you two dinners and a couple of glasses of wine. Perhaps things have changed at Peter Lowell's - they certainly have a few knights on this board to defend its honor - but the only time we went there (wife and I) we had 1 glass of mid-price wine (each) and one cheese plate - and dropped $40 + tip. I guess you have to be a part of the VIP (aforementioned) crowd in order to get special "regular" pricing.

If the prices were any lower they would be losing money. The wine is all either organic, sustainably farmed, or biodynamic. The food is almost all local and organic. Everything is cooked from scratch with excellent ingredients.

I don't mind paying a fair price for a glass of wine - and have several bottles that fit the aforementioned categories in my collection, so I know how much they price at for retail. I have a Laguna Farms subscription and understand the cost of food - and the cost of excellent ingredients. I understand that I've seen the cost of doing business using the aforementioned foods - when purchased in quantity isn't THAT much of a premium over some of the lesser ingredients. Perhaps it's the overhead he has to pay for the rent in that place.

rekarp

06-09-2009, 10:27 PM

Miles - I have no problem with Rosso's, other than it being 25 miles from my house. It's a great restaurant with a good philosophy about food, service and community.

I moved to Sonoma County in 1991 from SF - this place was a restaurant wasteland back then. I went from awesome Burmese, Thai, Cambodian, Indian, etc, steps away and at $20 or less for two people, to virtually no good food anywhere near. There are still very few places with servers who actually know or care about the food.

My favorite West County restaurants are K&L, Willow Wood, Underwood, Bistro Des Compains, Peter Lowell's, and Terrapin Creek Cafe. BTW - Terrapin has steak, and they are as good as Seaweed, which used to be in that spot.

One last thing about Peter Lowell's, and then I'll bow out. They have a chef who has been there around six months - Shamus. The guy is consistently excellent and inventive. He's a really friendly guy as well, and sometimes delivers the food to the table.

I can understand the criticism about the attitude. Some of the younger waitresses can be less than friendly. It's hard to get good help in this area.

I just wrote a scathing response to rekarp re: P. Lowell's but something on this board was loading so slow that it got dumped as I was trying to move things along. Here's the gist.

I ate there for $30 for a salad, pizza and glass of wine. I was the only one there and I got treated like a pariah.

For an alternative, try: https://rossopizzeria.com/ (https://rossopizzeria.com/)

Yeah, I know, it's not in Sebasto-centerudauniversio-pol.

So F'ing, WHAT?

Guess I'm too "attached" to good food at a good price with good service.

"Mad" Miles

:burngrnbounce:

Nemea Laessig

06-10-2009, 05:12 AM

I can understand the criticism about the attitude. Some of the younger waitresses can be less than friendly. It's hard to get good help in this area.

Now you are blaming the wait help? It is the people running a place that set the tone for how the rest of the staff behaves. If treating each customer well is a priority that will be reflected in every level of service.

~Nemea

Joan Price

06-27-2009, 08:04 PM

...And the staff is weirdly snotty; there's a definite vibe of "you don't belong to our club...

I ate at Peter Lowell's a few times during its first months, and then quit going. The servers were so surly that there was no pleasure eating there and paying those prices, and the food quality was uneven.

Today, I ate there again with a friend who told me it had improved, and was I pleasantly surprised! Glory (am I remembering her name right?), our server, was peppy, sweet, smiling, and eager to accomodate our requests. I told her of my previous experiences and the comments on WACCO, she seemed genuinely surprised. I think things have changed there, and I'll go again.

Joan Price
blog: Better Than I Ever Expected: Sex and Aging (https://www.betterthanieverexpected.blogspot.com)

jitterbug

07-17-2009, 08:40 AM

I just wanted to put a mention out there for the Main Street Deli Mart at 280 S. Main Street (just north of the post office.) They have a nice selection of middle-eastern food & great falafel sandwiches. It's small, with a few tables inside and a couple outside.

You probably drive by it and hardly notice it's presence. But what a treasure! Here's a link to the Google Map street view: main street deli sebastopol, ca - Google Maps (https://tinyurl.com/l7m2e7)

Enjoy!

Imagery

07-17-2009, 11:07 AM