Anyone with feedback/recs for WildFox in Novato???

[Eugene Park]

Greetings CH'ers! I'm taking a client to WildFox Restaurant in Novato this coming Tuesday, and a search of the CH archives came up with only a solitary sentence from 3 years ago. Anyone familiar with what's good and what to avoid?

Should you want to get some more info about them, their website is below. TIA.

Link: http://www.wildfoxrestaurant.com/inde...

[rworange]

Trying to see if I posted about this place, I came up with two posts from late 2004 (not mine):

http://www.chowhound.com/california/boards/sanfrancisco26/messages/97877.html

http://www.chowhound.com/california/b...

That was about the time I ate there. A caveat is that I didn't eat at the restaurant. The motel next door uses them as room service.

I don't remember exactly what we ordered, but I do remember the pizza - skip it, very unremarkable. Somehow I remember sandwiches and fries were involved. Since this is dinner, you probably won't do sandwiches, but get something other than the fries. However ordering fries for room service is a bad idea because by time they get to the room they are past their prime.

Reading the posts, I would say stick with the steakhouse/comfort food basics and don't explore their creative side unless someone else has more recent experience and says otherwise.

[Eugene Park]

Thanks RW! Weird, I searched using both the old and new search engine tools, and used WildFox and Wild Fox as the keyword(s), and these threads didn't pop up. Ah well....

Anyone else have any first-hand recollection of good/bad/ugly @ WildFox? I'm taking clients there for lunch, BTW.

[Jim H.]

Shortly after they opened I had lunch there...never went back. Food rather ho-hum.

[Civil Bear]

Agreed. I think their problem is that the setting and decor builds you up for something special, but the food is just ordinary.

[TerriL]

I ate there just once and was suprised it was so crowded. I remember reading and re-reading the menu in search of something I might like. However, the person who took me had been several times and really liked it. All the salads seemed really busy -- fried goat cheese, candied nuts and the like. There are a couple other (IMO) better restaurants nearby, both of which serve lunch: Boca and Rickey's.

[SusanR]

I have to agree with you about WildFox. They seem to be really busy, particularly at lunch time, yet the food is nothing special. I would have a business lunch at Boca instead. Eventhough their food can be a bit uneven, it still my first choice for that kind of meal in the Novato area.

[AlleyCat]

I've been there about 3 or 4 times because I work in the area. That is the only reason I continue to go back. There isn't much to choose from as far as eating places in that area. The food is nothing special at all. They do have nice patio seating, but at this time of year, it isn't really a draw. Try Boca instead.

[Eugene Park]

Thanks to all who offered perspective on WildFox. I had lunch there yesterday, and it was mediocre. Our table started off with the crayfish fritters (too much breading, not enough crayfish) and the deepfried maguro roll (flawed concept, though maguro was passable). I had the braised short ribs special, which was perfectly cooked but lacked enough of the braising liquid for taste and also was undersalted. The couscous that accompanied the short ribs was the best thing I tasted, with a beguiling smoky flavor.

The restaurant itself was nicely appointed (in a hunting lodge style) and the service reasonably professional. Prices are reasonable, but I'm sure there is better to be had in Novato.

Cheers!

[Melanie Wong]

I'd hoped for better for you, just for your sake, but now we know ...

[rworange]

The thing with WildFox is that it is right next to that motel that has a lot of conferences held there (captive audiance ... where the heck am I?). So other than that Burger King, a lot of people who aren't familiar with the area, just migrate to WildFox ... it's easy and nearby. They have a thing going with the motel (providing room service), so guests get referred to the place. WildFox has a built-in customer base. They don't need to try.

[Biscottilady]

That's such a shame- and I think that RWOrange is correct- Wildfox can ride the coat-tails of the neighboring hotel. I live extremely close to Wildfox and have eaten there only once for dinner on my own watch (other than being dragged there for business lunches). There is nothing (and I mean NOTHING) good about Wildfox. Each time I've been there, the hostess act as if there'll be a half hour wait - and within 30 seconds of sitting, you're called to dine- weird!? The menu is ok. The food is a C-/D+. Honestly, just a short ride down the frontage road will get you to a Mediteranian restaurant (The Garden?) that is WELL worth the effort in comparision to Wildfox.

[wolfe]

Must work for them if they haven't changed in 3 years. Too bad.

[Steve Green]

Biscottilady said:
"Each time I've been there, the hostess act as if there'll be a half hour wait - and within 30 seconds of sitting, you're called to dine- weird!?"

Nothing weird about that -- they're just hoping you'll go to the bar and order a drink while "waiting". I agree about the food being mediocre -- I ordered a medium burger the time we were there and was delivered a well-done flavorless puck. GF had one of those "busy" salads. Meh.

[rworange]

At least it is consistant.

They do have some sort of Latin night every June that seems interesting, but never been.

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Wild Fox Mesquite Fired Kitchen
225 Alameda del Prado, Novato, CA