"Mad" Miles' Favorite Restaurants

Sarah's Forestville Kitchen

Summer Hours:

Good News! Chef Greg Hallihan and Dean ? have new summer hours. They're open for dinner Wednesday through Saturday from 5:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Previously they were only open on Friday and Saturday for dinner.

On Thursday nights they are hosting live Jazz with Mike Emerson, Nicky Otis, John Main and Matt Silva. See the link in their restaurant name (above) for details.

Sarah's is my favorite place these days. Delicious, affordable (Cash Only) and a great setting and staff.

Not to mention that it's pretty convenient for me since I live in the same town. Last Friday I had some of the freshest, moist, perfectly cooked and seasoned roast chicken I've ever had. Check 'em out if you haven't already.

Along with Beth's Nightingale Breads and Autumn and Nicholas's Aioli Delicatessen they make my town a great place for food. (Tai Olesky's Mosaic is sorely missed, admittedly.)

On these warm evenings you can dine outside under the tulip tree in Sarah's courtyard. I have at least once a week for the last few months, and now I have more options for evenings in which to do so!

Papas & Pollo, Refreshed!

The Baha Beach Shack place is reopened under new owner Nick. Similar menu as before.

The dining areas are significantly spruced up, the Order windows and Kitchen opened up more to the main dining area.

A sweet setup with cable TV and long tables and a couch lounge area in the side dining room where the salsa bar used to be. Free wifi.

The Patio has been expanded and a sound wall is going in tomorrow to block traffic noise were the street side entrance used to be.

There is a single, double the previous size, bathroom, Unisex, with new paint job and appliances, everything works and it's clean and comfortable!

The two tacos I had were scrumptious and even though Boont Amber is not on tap, they have my favorite Mexican Amber Ale, Negra Modelo! Mostly they have three Lagunitas brews on tap, and Guinness. The "Sumphin Sumphin" was out, but the IPA and Censored Ale were flowing.

New sauces, Habanero and Cream, as well as the Salsa Verde and Rojo like before.

The emphasis is on fresh, locally sourced ingredients. And I could taste it.

The place was comfortably busy on a Monday night. They are open every day except Wednesday from noon to 9:00.

P&P was my in "town" standby when I was broke ass po' ten or so years back. The prices are pretty much the same as they were.

Even when I was financially comfortable I would go back for the mesquite grilled chicken tacos and Boont Amber. But the hours got sketchy, the dining room crusty and the men's room frustrating and slightly scary (broken sink drain, a distinct lack of hygiene/cleaning, funky door scraping on the patio, hard to close, hard to open.)

All that is history, except for the great chicken tacos. They put frijoles negros in the tacos, which I like, but I'm a purist and will probably order without next time. Avocado and sour cream offered, without asking, for the tacos. Shredded cabbage comes with. a grilled pepper, jalapeño? (it was long and thin, can't recall the other kind someone suggested it might be) comes with, along with fresh lime wedges, no need to ask or go get it yourself as before. Good burn with that pepper and a touch of the habanero sauce. Be forewarned.

This is great news for us struggling workers! Huzzah!!

Nick is good friends with Keith the previous owners son. He seems like a really nice guy, as is Keith.

When I mentioned that it looked like he's put a lot of money into the place, his instant reply was, "And Sweat."

Check 'em out.

915 Gravenstein Ave
Sebastopol, CA 95472

If you like oriental/thai etc check out "Noodle Pallace" on Petaluma Hill Road in Santa Rosa Laousian (I have no idea how to spell that word and spellcheck is clueless as well.)

REALLY Great food and so cheap you will think they forgot something when they bring the bill!
clean light food and sweet people (the only down side is the huge T V (they turn down the volume on request.!)
try the shrimp saled!
and their spring rolls are awesome(if you are vegetarian,you need to let them know...)


Nico

Hi Miles,

Thanks for the recommendations.

Two items. There is a Chinese restaurant in Forestville that I have eaten at once, a month or so ago, and I liked it a lot. Much better than the ones in Sebastopol. It is in the shopping Center up on the hill. Sorry I do not remember the name.

Also, I wonder if you know the Latin American place on Sebastopol Rd.? I ate there once and really liked it a lot. Likely because it is far enough away to forget, I have not been back. Maybe if I can go by there and get the name, we could meet there sometimes. You and I met at Sarah's one evening, if you will remember.

Thanks, Bruce

Quote:

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Posted in reply to the post by "Mad" Miles:

Dear Waccobies,

After my comments this afternoon about restaurants I was inspired to write the following.

Bon Appetit!

"M"M

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Miles’ favorite inexpensive but tasty restaurants
in central and western Sonoma County
By R. Miles Mendenhall


1/17/2007

These are places where I go to eat (or get take-out/take-away) and can get a good meal for between $10 and $15. The food is good, the people friendly and while the ambience might be strip mall formica and self-serve condiments (some, not all) this is where you can eat well, interestingly and not spend the normal $20-$30 that a restaurant meal costs now days.

(Dear Vegetarians, Vegans and Animal Rights Activists: You’re my Peeps. I’ve carried out many an action with you my sisters and brothers. But, please bear in mind that I’m an omnivore with carnivoral tendencies. These places may have vegetarian choices but that’s not why I go to them. Yes I’ve read “Diet for A Small Planet” and much other anti-meat commentary. I’ve been through the debate and have made my choices. Please save the preaching for someone you have a hope of convincing.)


Santa Trata Eritrean Restaurant
711 Stony Point Road 8A, West Santa Rosa
(The Stony Point Shopping Center, Next to Pho Vietnam, which is the best Pho place in the area. But I miss Cam Ranh Bay!)
575-8792

Recently I've gotten takeout from there three times in the last three or four weeks. It's great! Tell Helen Miles said Hi. I look forward to sitting down to eat there, when it’s convenient for me.

I can get a meat entree and a vegetable with Ingera bread for $11 including a dollar tip.

I recommend the Zigne (Spicy Beef Stew) and the Hamlee (Spinach). I've also had the Doro Kulwa (Chicken with garlic, onions and pepper) and the Tibsi (Lamb). Everything is really tasty and there are several more dishes that I haven't tried yet. (Yes, I have their menu in front of me!)

We really need to get them regular business so they can stick around! I’ve been jonesing for a good African restaurant in this area for years. Now we just need to add a Moroccan, and a West African to round things out!


Lola’s Taqueria
Petaluma Hills Road, South Santa Rosa

Great tacos, great seafood soups. Nice service. Excellent prices for the quality and quantity received.


Papas and Pollo
915 Gravenstein Highway, Sebastopol
829-9037

Cool hippy surfer beachcomber ambiance, excellent brews on tap, the chicken mesquite grilled tacos (or burritos or baked potatoes) are excellent. I haven’t tried the shrimp tacos yet, but I’m meaning to.


Su Casa
108 Calistoga Road
St. Francis Shopping Center, Calistoga Road and Highway 12 (in the back corner of the elbow, north of Safeway)
538-7937

Jose serves the best America (U.S.) breakfasts in Santa Rosa. Better than Max’s, Omelet Express and even the Russian River Pub on River Road where I eat because I live in Forestville. When I lived in Rincon Valley I was there at least once a week. He is part of the Ochoa family who own taquerias around town. And a hell of a nice guy. His Mexican food is also very, very good.


But for some of the other best Mexican cuisine:
Mexico Lindo
9030 Graton Road, Downtown Graton
823-4154

One of the only places around here that serves Mole. It was my sainted mother’s favorite Mexican restaurant because of that. Try the Fish Veracruz, one of my favorites. Mario and family are the salt of the earth, and some of my favorite west county habitants. Check out the music he has on Friday evenings. When the weather’s nice try eating on the back patio.


Taqueria Sol Azteca
1435 E. Cotati Avenue, a few block from SSU on E. Cotati towards Cotati
792-1859

I discovered this place when I was a credential student at Sonoma State. The best Al Pastor I’ve had in the North Bay.


Back to Asia!

Thai Mekong
52 Mission Plaza, Suite 111
McDonald’s Center at Mission and 12, Next to Pamposh
538-8382

B.J. upgraded his teriyaki place to emphasize his native Thai, Laotian and Cambodian dishes. The food is plentiful, fresh and tasty. When I lived in Rincon Valley I also ate there at least once a week.



Baan Thai
Larkfield Shopping Center, Old River Road north of the intersection with Mark West Springs Road / River Road

I’ve only eaten there once, recently but they do Thai right. I don’t know if you know it, but Chinese immigrants run some local Thai restaurants. I think it has something to do with a glut of Chinese places and the fact that the market will bear more for Thai than Chinese. They can cook Thai but I think I can notice subtle differences in quality between Thai food made by native Thai’s and non-natives. Something about the crispness and freshness of the flavors and avoiding overcooking the ingredients. Baan Thai is Thai food done by Thai’s at a not too exorbitant price. (Unlike excellent Thai food, made by Thai’s who charge a premium!)


And back to Latin America....
Hot Tamales, Central American Tamales and Pupusas
3020 Santa Rosa Avenue #F
568-1241

These El Salvadorian tamales are wrapped in banana leaves and have a softer smoother masa than Mexican ones. They also have more filling, compared to the Mexican style. I’ve only eaten here once. But it was very tasty and they had some of the most interesting and varied salsas of any Latino place I’ve been to lately. The tamales did not have green olives in them like I’ve come to expect from Central American tamales. That would be my one and only very minor complaint!


Ting Hau, Northern Chinese
717 Fourth Street
Santa Rosa (across anarchy alley from Russian River Brewing)
545-5204

Great Chinese food for a great price. Tell Aihe Miles says Hi and is sorry he hasn’t been around. This is a place I ignored for several years until friends introduced me to it. I grew up eating Chinese and Mexican in Taiwan, Colorado Springs, Seoul – Korea and Huntsville – AL. and at home. My mother was a fabulous cook and took lessons when we lived in Asia. Also my parents would try every Chinese restaurant in a twenty mile radius when we first moved somewhere, then take us kids back to the best ones. I lived in Taipei again for six months in ’97. I know a little bit about Chinese food. These folks do it just right. But I’ve eaten so much of it over the years that it isn’t the first style I seek out when I’m hungry. I don’t eat hamburgers and French fries very often for similar reasons. That’s the only reason I don’t eat at Ting Hau at least once a week.



That’s it. I eat at other places, with excellent food, but they won’t let me out without dropping at least $20 or more. So they don’t make this list. Maybe I’ll do another one of my other regular haunts where I go when I have the scratch.

As for all the folks above, tell them Miles sent you!

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Yo Deadwood,

The only Chinese place in Forestville is Tahoe Chinese. Owned and cooked by Bing. I have mixed feelings about the place. But I'm a Chinese food snob because of my upbringing. I like some of what he does. Other things I find kind of so, so.

His Mongolian Beef (without the dried noodles), his shredded pork in garlic sauce, his War Won Ton and a couple of other things are very good.

But my mother checked every Chinese place in the areas we lived, and took us back to the best. Plus she took lessons in Taiwan and Korea, and was an excellent cook in her own right. So, I'm a mite particular. With a penchant for the northern and central styles and not as big a fan of the Cantonese method.

The Mexican place I go to, based on a recommendation from my brother, is La Texanita. I used to prefer Lola's Taqueria on Petaluma Hills Road, and for the money and portions it's still the best deal I know in Santa Rosa. But I really like the service, presentation and price at La Texanita. Plus they're more consistent than Lola's on Petaluma Hill, which has been uneven and less hospitable, and hygienic, in my experience in recent years. Food quality, price and proportions still rule at Lola's.

Don't forget Sazon on Sebastopol Road. It's unusual Peruvian. And for Ceviche and other Mariscos, sere La Prima!

Sorry, I'm space'in our encounter. But I'm like that. Better at faces and sequences of events than names. And even the former escape me once in a while. Takes a few times, sometimes. Not personal, it's late. Plus I go to Sarah's at least once a week, and I'm a schmoozer, if given an opening, so it all runs together sometimes. Hit me over the head, next time!

Quote:

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Posted in reply to the post by DeadwoodPete;140680...:

Also, I wonder if you know the Latin American place on Sebastopol Rd.?

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Rinconcito Yucateca?? it's across from the Japanese place Miles recommended, well west of Stony Point. I loved it there, and I hope it sticks around for a long time. A long time ago I had a fabulous soup called 'sopa de lima' in Yucatan, and I've never seen it since. The owner of RY told me he made it for a while, but so few people ordered it that he took it off the menu. If this place takes off, maybe it'll be back!

I hope Sara S. will forgive me for linking her thread about Sobbit Goa here. Just want to keep things neat and tidy, given my reply.

In recent weeks and months, Sarah's Forestville Kitchen has been my mainstay. Greg Hallinan does superior work. And he works very hard at it.

I've also now eaten at Hole In The Wall twice and Adam is doing the best gumbo I know in these parts.

The other night a notorious Waccoon and I dined at Rocker Oysterfeller's on one of their Mexican Nights. They're doing a regional tour of Mexico, I missed the Oaxacan duck, but got the Jaliscan rabbit and Pibil. They switch the menu every five to six weeks. That's Monday and Tuesday out in Valley Ford.

I've also been back to Lola's Taqueria on Petaluma Hill's Road, and for quality, quantity and price, they can't be beat. I still will go to La Texanita. I'll probably alternate.

Chef Billy at HopMonk has his jambalaya back on the menu, had it on Tuesday. Seriously good. Jambalaya as it should be.

When I want Japanese, including Sushi, Toyo on Piner and Marlow, still has Chef Yo (formerly of his own excellent place, Cafe Japan) and David is a welcoming and generous host. The portions there are quite large compared to the usual Japanese places. And the quality is excellent.

If anyone knows about new places, especially in the affordable range, please let me know. Speaking of which, Noodle Bowl is still The Bomb!

For a free meal, join Occupy Santa Rosa, although if you help with the cooking or the dishes at the Peace & Justice Center of Sonoma County, I'm sure they will be grateful!