23708 Mon Apr 14 18:58:27 -0700 2003 17 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 90689 I live in So. Cal and I am about to take a trip up to Sonoma County (we are staying in Rohnert Park). I've been browsing this board for a while and I have a few questions. I would like to go out for a nice intimate/romantic dinner one of the nights I'm in the area. The restaurants I'm thinking of are: 1) John Ash - A few of the posts recommended this restaurant. Went to his website and the menu looks interesting. 2) The Wappo Bar & Bistro - looked interesting. 3) Zazu - another recommendation on this website. I would like to know what the price ranges are for these place if possible so I know what I'm in for when I get there. ;) Also, my hubby is somewhat of a picky eater, big 'meat and potatoes' type. When we dine down here we usually stop by the nearest steakhouse (Ruth's Chris) for a special occasion. John Ash didn't look too 'weird' for him, so this is the place I'm leaning toward at this point. Some of the other places recommended on this board looked a little to 'different' for his tastes. We are also big fans of mexican/latin type food (I already know about the taco trucks) so any recommendations in that category would also be helpful. Any help or new suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Mon Apr 14 18:58:27 -0700 2003 0 Valerie 1 90723 Re: John Ash. I ate their once about a year ago. The food was excellent. My only complaint was the ambiance. How can I put this nicely? It was a very old scene, much like you see at Denny's during the 5pm early bird senior's specials hour. Mind you I'm not a trendy person who needs to eat at the hottest, sexiest, most happenin' places, but I'm pretty sure I was the only person dining there under 55 that night. For my girlfriend and I, both in our late 20s, it just felt... awkward and unexciting. I wonder, was I just there on an odd night or is it usually like this? Details: Saturday dinner, arrived about 6:30, probably left by 8:30. I'll throw a recommendation out for Syrah in Santa Rosa. I had an absolutely wonderful time there. The food, wine, service, and atmosphere are all great. It does have several "meat and potato" dishes--one steak dish, one lamb dish--that might be suitable for your husband's tastes. It has a bit of a rustic lodge atmosphere, with lots of wood fixtures, large beams in the ceiling, and the smell of smoky grilled meat in the air. Ask to sit in the main dining room, there's also an indoor courtyard that they use during dinner. Regarding Mexican, I ate once at Maya--a very colorful restaurant on the Sonoma Square--and was very disappointed. I'd recommend not eating there. Enjoy your visit! -Nick Link: http://www.syrahbistro.com Mon Apr 14 20:48:48 -0700 2003 90689 0 nja 2 90773 It's been a few years since I've been in John Ash & Co., so I can't comment on the demographics. I've continued to be impressed with the kitchen's skills sampled at catered events. I'll second the rec for Syrah. Nicely detailed food. A recent dinner report is linked below. Also Nick, I wanted to thank you for the great contribution you've made here in the few weeks since you appeared on the board. You've given some very solid and well considered recommendations. Please keep 'em coming! Link: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/23398#88853 Tue Apr 15 02:24:20 -0700 2003 90723 0 Melanie Wong 1 90755 Why are you saying in Rohnert Park? There is nothing there - it's a nasty drive to anywhere from there. Wappo in Calistoga - a very long, twisty drive. Zazu in Napa - an hour at least. Do you have to stay in Rohnert Park? If so, you had best concentrate on Sonoma County and forget Napa. There are many posts on this web page fof Sonoma Mon Apr 14 23:03:13 -0700 2003 90689 0 Walt 2 90760 Zazu is in santa rosa in sonoma county. Zuzu is in Napa. different places. Link: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/21503#77546 Mon Apr 14 23:37:19 -0700 2003 90755 0 vn 2 90821 The reason why I chose Rohnert Park is for... well... price. Now I understand why it is cheaper to stay there. I don't mind driving so much though, and the plan was for us to do most of our sightseeing in the Santa Rosa area. Any other suggestions as to where to stay would be appreciated. No B&Bs though... Valeire Tue Apr 15 17:27:37 -0700 2003 90755 0 Valerie 3 90838 If you're going before the end of April, Sonoma Hotel has a special on rooms right now. $79 midweek to stay right on the Sonoma Plaza is a great value. $95 on weekends isn't bad either. It's a small place, though, and could be full. The Swiss Hotel, also on the plaza is another option. Both hotels are above restaurants- The Girl and the Fig, and The Swiss Hotel Restaurant. Link: http://www.sonomahotel.com/specials.htm Tue Apr 15 19:56:30 -0700 2003 90821 0 Jackie Avery 4 90847 ...and I almost forgot this one. Well, I didn't forget really but was afraid to admit it... I once stayed at the Flamingo Hotel in Santa Rosa. In fact, I got their weekend spa package that costs about $550. Friday/Saturday night stay in a "luxury" room. It was really no more than a large, nice, clean motel room. Well done for what it is, but it had no character, no cuteness, nothing inherently romantic about it. Our room was close to the pool and hot tub, which were fairly noisy until about 10pm; lots of families with kids. Other rooms might have been quieter. I tried the included continental breakfast one morning--mediocre--so I skipped it the next morning and went to Sonoma Bagel Company just down the street. Yummy. The spa package included 2 treatments (1 each) and use of the health club that's across the parking lot from the hotel. I thorougly enjoyed my massage, though it's the only professional one I've ever had so I have nothing to compare it to. I was unhappy with the workout facilities only because there were some bratty kids there screwing with the machines and running around while the parents and staff did nothing to limit the disturbance. I've been told this place was in the movie "Bandits" with Bruce Willis, but I haven't seen it myself. Due to the motel feel, the families, and especially the giant, rotating, pink neon Flamingo sign, I'd say the best way to sum up this place is: an old school Vegas strip hotel without the casino. Link: http://www.flamingohotel.com/ Tue Apr 15 21:14:35 -0700 2003 90838 0 nja 3 90869 Rohnert Park doesn't have too much touristic interest, but draws corporate business travelers and visitors to the Cal State University. If you're looking for motel-type accommodations (Sandman, Holiday Inn Express, Motel 6), you'll find plenty in Santa Rosa in all price ranges and be more centrally located. Wed Apr 16 03:17:06 -0700 2003 90821 0 Melanie Wong 1 90757 You can't beat Kenwood Restaurant in Kenwood...not far from rohnert Park. I think one of the best restaurants in the Sonoma-Napa area. Check http://sterba.com/kenwood/restaurant/ Mon Apr 14 23:30:02 -0700 2003 90689 0 Jim H. 1 90770 Wappobar in Calistoga is worth the trip. They cook wonderfully creative "world food". Here is the link for menu and prices. Another great place when in Calistoga is the All Seasons Cafe, a classic French bistro owned by the couple who also runs the Hydro Grill across the street. http://www.wappobar.com Tue Apr 15 01:24:38 -0700 2003 90689 0 Heike Bartlett 2 90771 Heike, are you aware that the drive between Rohnert Park and Calistoga is some 50-60 minutes minimum including a fair stretch over a winding mountain road? That's 2 hours roundtrip! I'm a high mileage driver and I know that road well, but I don't relish tackling it after a night out, especially when there are so many fine choices in Sonoma County that are much easier to get to. I'm not challenging your recommendation, just want to make sure all the parties understand the logistics and challenge of getting from point to point. One place I can recommend that's out of the way, but still closer than Calistoga is the Farmhouse Inn in Forestville off of River Road, where I've had several wonderful evenings. I've linked Ellen Robert's recent post. The menu includes a steak for the meat and potatoes man. It can also deliver in the romance department. Link: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/23053#86874 Tue Apr 15 02:08:33 -0700 2003 90770 0 Melanie Wong 1 90772 Not high on romance, but perhaps a place that your husband would enjoy for lunch is the Washoe House a little south of RP in Petaluma. It's the oldest roadhouse in California, built in 1859. I've linked a discussion below. The url for the broken link with more of its history is http://www.chowhound.com/california/boards/sanfrancisco4/messages/8596.html Link: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/17756#53600 Tue Apr 15 02:14:49 -0700 2003 90689 0 Melanie Wong 1 90783 We have friends who built a house in Napa and the husband is a meat and potatoes kind of guy, (not to mention he is John Wayne reincarnated - so anyplace that is Western themed will be favorably looked upon). He raved about this place, (just click on the link to dining to see the restaurant) for steak and atmosphere. Please understand that I don't have any first hand experience with the food. Link: http://www.sonoma.com/cgi-bin/new_mont_frame.cgi?return=www.sonoma.com/thingstodo/dining/sonoma_valley.html&target=www.macarthurplace.com Tue Apr 15 10:37:21 -0700 2003 90689 0 WLA 1 90791 For an intimate/romantic restaurant I would suggest Mirepoix in Windsor, about 15-20 minutes easy drive from Rohnert Park north on 101. My wife an I had an outstanding dinner there a few weeks ago. I posted a report on it. Take a look (link below). Great place. Link: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/23202#87716 Tue Apr 15 12:19:04 -0700 2003 90689 0 svL 1 90823 Thanks for all of your suggestions, you have been very helpful! I'm going to research your suggestions, and I'll let you know how it goes. This is the first time we'll be vacationing in Sonoma, so this should be an exciting experience. Thanks for all of your help! Valerie Tue Apr 15 17:32:56 -0700 2003 90689 0 Valerie 1 90825 It sounds like your husband may like these two places which are both in Petaluma, a stone's throw from R. Park: Dempsey's - house made beer, nice atmosphere, good meat and potatos. Not a steak house, a little "younger" feeling than that, but would suit your needs well, and Mike's at the Stockyard: incredible hamburgers, with all the different toppings you could imagine. As the name would indicate, it really is at a cattle auction yard, and adds much atmosphere to the place. Small, diner-esque, counter with swivel stools kind of place. It's great. Tue Apr 15 17:46:51 -0700 2003 90689 0 Liz 2 90868 Here's a link to a recent discussion for eats near Cotati, which is right next door. Link: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/21043#74577 Wed Apr 16 03:13:37 -0700 2003 90825 0 Melanie Wong