Crepevine

I recently went to Crepevine in Montgomery Village for dinner and had a wonderful experience from the start. Our first contact was with the person who took our order and she was very welcoming.

We decided to sit down at a table on their patio and enjoyed lemonade while we were waiting. Our food arrived in only a short time and I enjoyed the Sonoma sandwich while my friend had the California crepe.

The service was great and efficient and the atmosphere was inviting and memorable. Overall, the entire experience of Crepevine was excellent and we will definitely be visiting them again!

740 Farmers Lane
Santa Rosa, CA 95405
Ph: (707) 577-8822
mail: maher@crepevine.com

Monday to Thursday
Time: 7:30 AM To 10:00 PM
Friday
Time: 7:30 AM To 11:00 PM
Saturday
Time: 7:00 AM To 11:00 PM
Sunday
Time: 7:00 AM To 10:00 PM

Ruth McGowan's Brewpub

I recently visited Ruth McGowan’s Brewpub in downtown Cloverdale. (131 East 1st St.) I’d been in before but never to sample their happy hour fare. I saddled up to the bar and ordered a Caroline’s Blonde. Ruth’s is one of those places where everyone knows everyone else and even if you don’t; it doesn’t matter- it’s real friendly and “family friendly” too. Delta brought me a happy hour menu and a smile pronto. I decided to try the crispy chicken sandwich and beef slider. The happy hour menu comes with a choice of beverage, so since I got two dishes, Delta had to remind me that I had a 2^nd Caroline’s Blonde coming! All for $5.95! A great value if you ask me. While I waited, I enjoyed some homemade potato chips that were very tasty.

The gent next to me had the Caesar salad. He told me it was pretty good too. Ruth’s happy hour is from 3 to 6pm Monday through Friday. This is one of my favorite places to go either solo or with friends because the food is consistently good, the beer is delicious and the service is spot-on. They also serve Brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 2pm. One more thing... if you happen to catch their chicken pot pie special... order it, it's another favorite of mine, but it isn't on the menu... I'm sure you'll enjoy it...

What to do on a Warm Summer Evening

Step into the tasting room at Selby Winery in Healdsburg, located at:
215 Center Street , open from 11:00-5:30

My husband and I went to Selby on Monday evening with a mission in mind, to buy several bottles of their "Bobcat Zinfandel 2008", a wine that has its own party in your mouth. I encourage you all out there to try this wonderful tasting wine, and while you're at it, give their "Calegari Pinot 2009" a little taste too, you won't be sorry.

We were greeted with a welcoming "hello" and a big smile by Kristen, who works behind the tasting room counter, which made us feel totally at home. She was very engaging, and knowledgeable about the wines being poured, and she'll make you laugh, which is a good thing.

There are two choices that go into your tasting experience, the complimentary wine list and the $5 Reserve list. My husband and I decided to do the both, and were very "happy" people in the process.

Needless to say, we left Selby Tasting Room, having had a very pleasant experience, taking with us a variety of their wines, and having the pleasure of meeting the winemaker herself, Susie Selby, a very nice lady.

She was gracious enough to sign one of our wine bottles.

What more could you ask for?

Margaritas and Sunshine

My friend and I went to La Rosa Tequileria & Grille on Friday for their “Happy Hour” drinks and food specials. We were greeted with a warm smile from the hostess and were told to go into the bar area for Happy Hour. We chose to sit outside on their patio and enjoy the great weather the night brought with it.

The waitress we had, Emily, also greeted us with a smile and explained what the Happy Hour was all about since we let her know we had never been there before. This bit of happiness goes on from 4-6pm.

We decided to order margaritas ($4.00) for starters, which we decided was a great a choice. Mmm, mmm, good! They were very tasty, and of course they went well with our chips and salsa .Next we looked at the Happy Hour menu, there are seven choices of little appetizers to choose from, and we were on a mission to try them all.

First, we started with the chicken taquitos, two cut in half presented on a bed of lettuce with sour cream and pico de gallo on the side ($2.50). Steak quesadilla, four little triangles stuffed with goodness, also sour cream and picco de gallo on the side ($3.00), and a side of guacamole ($3.00). Next, we tried the tacos ($1.50) so we got three to sample, al pastor, carnitas, my favorite, and fish, which was a little pricier ($3.00).

All in all, the food was flavorful, the atmosphere welcoming, and the margaritas refreshing. We didn’t get through all the menu has to offer, but that just gives us another reason to come back. In parting, just remember to order your margarita before the stroke of six.

La Rosa is located at:

500 4^th Street

Santa Rosa, CA

Equus Loungebar

I recently enjoyed the happy hour at Equus Loungebar. I arrived at about 4:30 and there were about 20 folks already there and I'm glad I showed up when I did because it became very popular later with folks getting off work and tourists from the Fountaingrove Inn.  A friend and I had the Asian Style Wings, the Tempura Shrimp and the Kobe Beef sliders and of course a favorite beverage... ($2 beer and a rum & coke) The food was excellent and worth the wait because the energy of the bar was congenial. At one point when I ordered my 2nd "Great White" I ordered a more stout beer by mistake and when I pointed it out to the bar attendant, she said, "no worries" and brought me my original "Great White", no charge... I really appreciated her gesture! The loungebar has their happy hour from 4:30 to 6:30pm Monday through Fridays. Check it out!

Stark's Steakhouse

521 Adams Street
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
p: 707.546.5100

Located a stones throw away from Railroad Square is a classic restaurant with a modern twist, Stark's Steakhouse has a wonderful happy hour from 3:00-6:00 pm Monday through Saturday. Known for their classic and vintage look, this restaurant appeals to the younger crowd and traditional steak eater crowd alike. The beef used here is prime, grass fed beef and has the only in-house dry-aging in Sonoma County! They really do a great job of implimenting the "farm to table" concept and keep the food they serve local.
The service from the waiters I recieved was great as well as the atmosphere in the bar area during happy hour. However, get there early or plan on a wait to get a table due to how popular this place is! The food is well worth the wait. All of the food I had as superb and very well done. My personal favorite, the potatoe skin fondue.
Some of the happy hour deals I loved were:

$1.50 each

BBQ Oysters, Tuna Tartar Tacos, Prime Meatloaf Slider, Truffle Fries and Yam Fries

$2.50

Garlic Bread

$3.50 each

Potatoe Skin Fondue, Buttermilk Onion Rings, Crispy Calamari

$5.00

Mini Burger

Some of the drink happy hour specials are:

$2.50

Stark's Pale Ale

$4.00

Happy Hour White

$5.00

Happy Hour Red

$2.00

Beefeater Martini

Cleveland Ave. Wineries...

Tucked away at 1301 Cleveland near Ridgeway Ave. are a group of family wineries called the Wineyard. A week ago last Thursday; I went to try them out at the behest of our classroom "host". They have "Thirsty Thursdays" from 4 to 8pm. I started tasting at about 4pm and was intrigued by Tobe Sheldon's wines. She was pouring 4 wines, and I liked them all. I also tasted wines from Krutz Family Cellars and MJ Lords and like them as well, but I must say that I enjoyed the Sheldon 2006 Pinot Noir the most! My hosts at all 3 wineries were friendly and knowledgeable about their wines and answered all my questions... The happy hour gourmet food truck was a little late during my visit, but I was early and I'd definitely go back to try some of the D'Argenzio located next door and sample some of that gourmet food too.  Go check it out, I'm going again for sure...