566413 Tue Oct 21 14:14:33 -0700 2008 10 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 4119351 I have a reservation for an early sunday dinner to Ad Hoc for an upcoming weekend in the wine country, but was wondering if anyone could suggest an alternative if I don't care for the day's menu. I'm looking for something relatively casual with fantastic but unfussy food. I considered Martini House based on the recommendations here, but the price point is a bit higher than Ad Hoc's and I got the impression the atmosphere might be on the stiff side, though I could be completely wrong there. Thanks for your help! Tue Oct 21 14:14:34 -0700 2008 51699 jsgjewels 1 4119919 I am working off of the relatively casual and unfussy food comment. Possibilities are: Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen Cook Mustards Grill Tue Oct 21 18:16:40 -0700 2008 4119351 14573 Scott M 2 4119934 Going to Mustard's on saturday! Probably don't want to do 2 Cindy Pawlcyn places in one weekend... Tue Oct 21 18:23:54 -0700 2008 4119919 51699 jsgjewels 3 4119948 Oh, didn't realize. Another thought is Celadon. Tue Oct 21 18:31:00 -0700 2008 4119934 14573 Scott M 1 4119928 Bistro Jeanty down the street from ad hoc... Tue Oct 21 18:20:30 -0700 2008 4119351 10877 Sarah 2 4133578 No no no! Not Jeanty! Mon Oct 27 23:14:09 -0700 2008 4119928 16301 Non Cognomina 1 4120111 The Cellar at Martini House is lively and casual. It has a pub-type menu and you can also order off the main menu. Tue Oct 21 19:45:26 -0700 2008 4119351 10159 Ruth Lafler 2 4133579 I second the Cellar at Martini. Mon Oct 27 23:15:01 -0700 2008 4120111 16301 Non Cognomina 1 4121340 I would recommend JoLe in Calistoga. Very fun, friendly atmosphere, food is fantastic, and all dishes are appetizer size and priced right, so you can spend as much or as little as you want. Their Sunday night crowd seems to be a lot of locals, so that is always a good sign. Wed Oct 22 10:23:27 -0700 2008 4119351 200971 Mountain Girl 1 4121917 Thanks for all the good suggestions! Wed Oct 22 13:36:26 -0700 2008 4119351 51699 jsgjewels 1 4122922 Another casual, unfussy option is Market in St. Helena. The owners--until recently--also owned Cyrus in Healdsburg. Very good food, and reasonable prices (especially at lunch). Wed Oct 22 21:04:32 -0700 2008 4119351 85363 ducky