Lunch in Petaluma - Bovine Bakery?

[sonomajom]

I'm meeting someone for a light lunch in Petluma - salad /sandwich type lunch. Looking at boards sounds like Avatar or Bovine Bakery might be an option. I've been to Della Fattoria and love their baked goods but the reports on service have scared me off.
I called Bovine to inquire whether they had seating and they said it was limited. Can anyone tell me whether it's reasonable to turn up there forlunch and expect to be able to sit down
also any other suggestions since the person I'm meeting lives in Mill Valley and may not be so excited about Avatar
thanks

[sonomajom]

Well we opted for Water Bistro since it was a lovely day and we could sit outside - and I'm not a beer drinker. Great experience, thanks Melanie. I had the chorizo and mozzarella quiche and salad. Quiche was delicious gooey cheese counterbalanced by spiciness of the chorizo. My friend had a mushroom quick which she enjoyed. I tried pineapple cake for dessert which was so so - they had a delicious looking strawberry napoleon but it looked about 1000 calories a slice. They also have a good selection of wines - though not sure why they don't give names but they are good at giving tasting - coffee was fine. I'm definitely putting it on my list
Service - you line up and order and then they bring out - was excellent for what it is.

[Melanie Wong]

Thanks for the update on Water Street Bistro. Worth mentioning again that the chef/owner was Daniel Patterson's sous chef at his long ago restaurant, Babette's.

[patcox]

A place in Petaluma I like is Graffitti

[vulber]

unless it's a Monday - absolutely Lagunitas brewery - great affordable menu of simple, reasonably-priced, delicious sandwiches (which come with a great salad). and of course the beer is out of this world, and the outdoor seating area is great.

[Tripeler]

"...of course the beer is out of this world..."

While this may sound like an exaggeration, this is absolutely true and there is no other way to say it. Lagunitas is one of my top choices when I am in California. A great line of beer with great variety.

[vulber]

yea - it's amazing on draught at any bar - but the freshness of having it at the brewery is just unbelievable - i can't think of any brewery that's better at the quality/drinkability combination.

but unlike russian river up north, i also love that their brewery restaurant doesn't try to be some fancy gastropub, it's just simple, delicious sandwiches with great ingredients at a great price.

nothing like a nice day on the patio with beer, pretzels, and peanuts

[Pius Avocado III]

RRBC's menu is dominated by (weak) pizza, with some sandwiches and salads. Not sure how that equates to a fancy gastropub.

[vulber]

fair enough, i just got a "trying too hard" sense from their menu - not to mention pizza appears in about five different forms, none of which sounding particularly appetizing

[Robert Lauriston]

I think the only potential problem with the service at Della Fattoria is that they can be slow. If you're not in a hurry it should be no problem.

[villadeste94]

Wild Goat Bistro is Fabulous

[Missmoo]

You could also try Ray's Deli up Western. It's only sandwiches and some salads but people love their offerings (and they have beer and wine).

[Melanie Wong]

Not entirely sure of this, but my recollection of Bovine's seating is a couple cafe tables. Do they serve sandwiches?

You might consider Water Street Bistro, http://www.waterstreetbistro.net/
or Rosso Pizzeria/Mozzarella Bar, http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/848489
http://www.rossopizzeria.com/

[Ruth Lafler]

I don't see any sandwiches on the Bovine Bakery menu. They have salads, pizza and quiche, but no sandwiches. I think you're right that they just have a couple of tables where you can sit and eat, but I wouldn't consider it the kind of place where you'd sit with a friend for lunch.

[sonomajom]

Salds/Quiches are fine - I had actuallly checked their online menu. Sandwiches was probably an over generalization on my part.
I'm not big on Italian when eating out, I'm lucky enough to live with someone who makes divine homemade pizzas and pastas
but will definitely check water bistro - thanks

[Melanie Wong]

Lucky you!

BTW, Rosso doesn't serve pasta. It probably makes a better salad than most places in Petaluma and I make a meal out of the latteria offerings and antipasti.

[sonomajom]

I'm so out of it - I'm guessing this is the newish Rosso - 'cousin' of the one in Santa Rosa? My one destination for decent late night dining in SR. I'm a Rosso fan. I had forgotten they had opened a branch in petaluma thx