Here's a place that's been on my radar since it opened in the last few months. Taking over a spot that formerly housed Mary's Pizza Shack in Petaluma next to the 24 hour CVS and SMART train station, this breakfast and brunch spot came with some fanfare and recent press. Finally made it.
I want to like this place. I appreciate the effort in the time and the passion of people who want to make a lovely spot that becomes a "go-to" destination in a town. Petaluma has some great spots with sometimes a healthy wait for brunch already -- let's add another! Sadly, it's just not to be, from my perspective.
First the bubbles: it's nice to have a few different choices of half decent bubbles on the menu by the glass. I chose Chandon Brut. Note to the ownership: might be nice to have some 750 mL bottles rather than only these tiny one serving bottles. Also, you could have even a larger variety of local sparkling wines to choose from. I'd like a glass of Iron Horse, for example.
While we were waiting, we were brought a complementary bread - I think conchas - with the sweet and crispy top. We were told they are looking to add a bakery. It was pleasant and had good flavor dipping in coffee as suggested.
The menu has your normal brunch staples, but a few extras also. There is a page of omelettes that represent different cuisine from different countries. My daughter enjoyed the Tokyo omelette.
For me, I ordered the chicken and waffles. Chicken and waffles can come in many different forms I've discovered as I've had them in different restaurants. The best that I've ever had so far are from (now closed) restaurant in Petaluma, Easy Rider. Their chicken and waffles was absolutely perfect, combining sweet, savory and spicy. I probably ordered it 50 times over a few years. I recognize each is its own -- but talking about chicken and waffles here. I have had bone in or nit and prefer boneless. I also prefer breast. The photo on the menu seems to show a boneless breast on top of a thin waffle. When I ordered, I asked the waitress how the chicken came - she really did not have a firm answer. It's almost as if they don't really have a plan for their chicken on their waffle. She said some people wanted bone in some people don't. I basically wanted what the menu pictured - which is how I think of chicken and waffles.
What I received is pictured in my photos. Absolutely flattened chicken of some kind, batter fried where the batter was more than the chicken itself. And with no spice or flavoring whatsoever other than batter and chicken. Extraordinarily bland. I could not even eat it. The waffle had a flavor I did not prefer, artificially sweet. Last: no pure maple syrup at this restaurant.
Please, all brunch spots should provide pure maple syrup. It is a game changer.
So basically, I spend a bunch of money on a dish that I couldn't eat because it really had no flavor and had low quality ingredients.
To say I'm disappointed as an understatement. To be completely clear, I was not expecting chicken and waffles like I had before. I'm not trying to compare something. But honestly, this wasn't even edible for me. Even basic chicken and waffles is supposed to be a comfort food, southern, flavorful and delicious. The bone in or bone out situation is a preference. But flavor is absolutely not a preference, it's a requirement.
The staff was courteous, the restaurant was clean and presentable, there were flowers, absolutely everywhere probably even more than needed - maybe some other decor would be a nice compliment to the abundant floral motif. But as far as setting, it was all decent and good.
I will say that nobody came to check on us and ask how the food was. I absolutely 100% would have sent my dish back and just asked for it to not be included on my bill. I would not have even chosen a replacement.
I take my Yelp reviews very seriously. I recognize that my words can possibly positively or negatively influence a restaurant. It's hard for me to criticize good people who are trying hard. But I hope this is constructive criticism that is received well by the establishment:
-Get that dish off the menu, first of all. Just don't try. It is obvious that the concept of chicken and waffles is not understood here.
-Make a better waffle batter. Try a buttermilk base, perhaps, not something out of a box please.
-Invest in pure maple syrup for your guests.
Once again, sad and disappointed. I will drive near and far for amazing food and a dining and breakfast experience. Sometimes even an hour to go to brunch. This is 10 minutes away, and I can't even dream of going again without knowing of some kind of major change. I certainly wish them well and hopefully they have their niche audience to support their livelihood and business. And I hope they will take this constructive criticism to heart and realize that it's not coming from a bad place. read more