La Dolce Vita Wine Bar has been one of our go-to spots for years, and it never disappoints…read more We've been here for everything--date nights, birthday celebrations, pre-movie drinks, post-movie wind-downs--and it somehow fits every occasion perfectly. It's one of those rare places that always feels like the right choice. Over time we've gotten to know the owner a bit, which just adds to the welcoming, personal feel of the place. The service is consistently great--friendly, attentive, and never overbearing. The wine selection is fantastic and really well curated. What I appreciate most is how they meet you where you are--if you just want a great glass of wine, they've got you. If you want to learn a little more, they're happy to guide you. And if you feel like geeking out on wine, they can absolutely go there too. They also sometimes project old movies on the wall, which adds a really fun, laid-back vibe and makes the whole experience even more memorable. It's comfortable, unpretentious, and always a good time. Hard to ask for more in a neighborhood wine bar. We'll keep coming back.

I love this place for a date night or out with friends. The owners are your servers and they are…read moreextremely knowledgeable and attentive. I personally can't get enough of the cheese plate but the other menu items look amazing as well.

This spot, in the reception area of the Petaluma Hotel, is a gem. It offers comfortable sofas for…read moreseating, a warm inviting fireplace, and kind hearted bartenders and staff to serve you. Check the hours, but it's awesome that at the moment it is open 7 days a week until 11pm! By far, the most inviting "later evening" spot in town for a cocktail or glass of wine. A small menu from The Shuckery is available (I believe you can order most things?) - appetizers. The restaurant is right next to this space. I great spot to relax and spend time with friends or loved ones - whether staying at Hotel Petaluma or not!

The Shuckery Parlor is located in the lobby of Hotel Petaluma, which is next door to The Shuckery…read more We were already staying in the hotel, hanging out in the lobby, and planning on getting some oysters. Turns out they didn't have space for my party in the restaurant but were more than happy to seat and serve us in the Parlor. We got drinks, appetizers, and main courses, and it was all lovely! There was a wedding happening in the hotel, so we dined to the fine tunes of the DJ (not sarcasm - the DJ was great!). Despite us being down the hall from the actual restaurant, service was good. We started with some oysters and the burrata. My friends seemed happy with their oysters, but I thought the burrata was only okay. It was a bit watery and the portion was small. I ordered the scallops and my husband got the lobster roll and we both very much enjoyed our meals. Mine came with three large scallops in a light sauce on a bed of vegetables. There were a bunch of shaved carrots and everything really came together nicely! I saw a few other smaller parties relaxing on the couches with drinks. I appreciated the option of having a more low-key option to a sit down restaurant when I was having a rare night out with friends.

Great selection of wine and friendly vibe! It's a plus that many customers drop by with their dog!…read moreFun!

Great selection of tasty wines, and better company! Relaxing place for easy chats, locals and fun…read more Service is quick and knowledgeable and it is where I go to pick up amazing wines from good people!

4.6/5 Stars--Strongly recommend! Ambiance: It's a smaller…read morerestaurant, quite busy on SAT Night but wasn't terribly noisy! Service:No complaints here-4.5/5, Above average. Prices :Decent/Good except I felt Corkage fee was a little aggressive. FOOD-Good to Outstanding. The Scallops were quite frankly SUBLIME. The Chef's special Chicken breast that we had was slightly dry and underwhelming after the Scallops.

Brigitte Bistro has become one of our favorite spots for a great night out--especially since my…read morewife is a bit of a francophile and loves authentic French cuisine. From the moment you sit down, it feels like a little escape to France right in downtown Petaluma. The dishes are outstanding across the board. I even tried bone marrow for the first time here--something I never imagined ordering--and it was incredible. Rich, flavorful, and completely changed my perspective. What really made it fun was that even our kids got into it... they actually tried escargot! Not something I ever expected to see, but that says a lot about how approachable and well-executed the food is. The wine selection is excellent and thoughtfully curated, with plenty of great French options. And on a couple of occasions, we've brought in our own bottle of French vino, which just adds to the whole experience. Great food, warm atmosphere, and a place that somehow works for both a date night and a family dinner. We'll definitely be back.

California's wine country has made its presence known in the heart of California's cheese country!…read moreLocated in the heart of downtown Petaluma, the Montagne Russe tasting room is the newest tasting room in Petaluma taking over from where Black Knight Vineyards recently had a tasting room. Montagne Russe's full name is Montagne Russe Winery and Record Lounge, and it is exactly what it is, as it is part wine tasting room and part vinyl record store with hundreds of new and pre-used classic record albums for sale. What a perfect place to sip great wine while enjoying hit tracks from the past. Montagne Russe pours some of the nicest wines sourced from across Sonoma County, especially the nearby Petaluma Gap, making this newest tasting venue an ideal spot to soak in the atmosphere while supporting a local business. We've visited Montagne Russe before when their tasting room was at Bacchus Landing in Healdsburg, and while it was a beautiful space, it wasn't always busy. So it's no surprise they made the move to downtown Petaluma this past year. We'd been wanting to check out their new location since they opened over the summer, and finally got the chance during a recent weekend afternoon. With lively crowds outside, parking was harder to come by, as the recommended Keller Street Garage was completely full, but a short walk from the River Plaza parking lot did the trick. Even though we had reservations, we didn't end up needing them when we arrived, but the tasting room was full by the time we left. Winemaker and owner Kevin Bersofsky greeted us with a complimentary splash of their 2022 Sparkling Brut Rosé which had subtle hints of citrus throughout. From there, I enjoyed their Library tasting while my friend enjoyed their Signature tasting, both of which were offered at 35 dollars a person. For our second tasting, I enjoyed their 2019 Silver and Gold Chardonnay while my friend enjoyed their 2023 Roberts Road Chardonnay. My tasting of the Chardonnay tasted as it it was lower in alcohol, but higher in acid than my friend's Chardonnay, but both tasted wonderful. For our third pour, we enjoyed their signature Pinot Noirs, we me enjoying their vintage from 2019 and my friend sipped on their 2022 vintage, which were both sourced from Black Knight Vineyard, of which their wine tasting room they replaced in downtown Petaluma. For our fourth pour, I enjoyed their 2021 Terra De Promissio Pinot Noir, while my friend enjoyed their 2022 "Quatre Cinq Un" Pinot Noir, for both of these wines, the tannins were not too overpowering but you could definitely taste them. For our fifth and final pour, I enjoyed their 2018 Robert's Road Pinot Noir, which had hints of baking spices and cherries, while my friend enjoyed their 2021 Alder Springs Syrah, which was lush and silky smooth. For 70 dollars, not including gratuity, we enjoyed a lovely afternoon of wine tasting. When we made our reservation, there was a note about being able to bring in takeout from nearby restaurants, though it never came up once we began our tasting and honestly, we were too focused on the wines to think about food. As the afternoon went on, the crowd grew significantly, and at times it felt like we got a bit lost in the shuffle when it came to service. Still, we made the most of our visit and thoroughly enjoyed both the wines and the people-watching. With Montagne Russe still relatively new to the downtown Petaluma community, I can easily see them thriving here for a long time to come.

New wine tasting room in Petaluma, with a spin, they spin records as well. They had a grand…read moreopening on July 12th. They served their sparkling brut Rose and plenty of Pinot Noir, all from Sonoma County, Sonoma Coastal, & Petaluma Gap appellation. One that stood out to us was the 2022 Dragons Back Pinot Noir. A classic tasty Pinot. They went all out and offered tasty bites that really enhanced their wines. They used to be in Healdsburg at Bacchus Landing a much larger location but not centrally located so moving to historical downtown Petaluma gives them an opportunity to attract a larger audience especially since their wines are sourced from the cooler Sonoma county region. What a fine job of remodeling the tasting room. I don't know how they did it but somehow the place seems wider and larger than the previous tasting room at this location. They opened the back with some large gathering tables and their vast selection of records is housed in the back as well. They added some small tables throughout the space. It's easy to maneuver. They also allow guests to bring food inside, so you can sip, sit, nosh & listen to some tunes. There are plenty of eateries around so it's any easy stop. As I write this review I'm reminiscing how well their Sparkling Brut Rose and Dragons Back Pinot Noir went so well with a prosciutto sandwich they offered at their grand opening. A great match, and good representation of Sonoma Coast, Petaluma Gap wines.

Every time I go to Central Market I realize that I need to visit more often. It was one of the most…read moresatisfying meals I've had in quite a while. From the starters (we arrived before 6 pm, in time for their happy hour menu) to dessert, there's little room for anything but the highest praise. Their Thick Cut Onion Rings were some of the most divine I've ever tasted. Part of me wanted to order another round as my main! Crisp and flavorful, salty, but balanced. The wood fired carrots that came at the same time were also tasty, but had a hard time competing with their fried companion dish. For our mains, I've gotten the Sweet Gems Salad more times than I care to admit - and love it every time. My friend enjoyed the Funghi pizza with foraged mushrooms. For my son's fried chicken, we should probably have asked for more gravy. It seemed a little dry, but still tasty. Then, since we almost never skip dessert, the strawberry pies were flavorful without being at all oversweetened. And their bittersweet chocolate torte is rich and always served warm. Our server, Christine, wasn't wrong to tease us about hoping we'd be back next week. She was thoughtful and attentive, without hovering, throughout the meal. In fact, the whole team did an excellent job of guiding us through our dinner, start to finish, from the greeting at the door as soon as we stepped in, to the speedy kitchen and expediter that got everything to the table at the perfect temperature. Central Market is probably my favorite culinary balance between comfort food, quality ingredients, approachable dining, with enough options and inventiveness to avoid anything from feeling pedantic or tired. The space is beautiful and open, without being too noisy to hold a conversation. I'm not sure we'll be back next week, but soon!

Wow - this was one of most forgettable meals of my life. My wife and I got the fried chicken -…read moreawful. I have never had fried chicken that had zero taste and absolutely no seasoning. The blandest most dull fried chicken ever. Zero seasoning at all. Like none period. Zip My Mother in Law had the pork shop and she said it had no seasoning either. Also no salt or pepper on our table. This restaurant doesn't seem to believe in seasoning food. Also so dirty in there - you walk in and are greeted by the curtains around the front door - filthy . Seriously nasty to see as you walk into a restaurant. I also noticed the booth benches were so so dirty and stained - gross. Just avoid! Awful and expensive experience. Craving good food? Do not go here. Truly forgettable and a very poor experience.

We had a great experience with David as our tasting room host for the classic tasting! Our…read morefavorites were the Grenache and the Zinfandel, both from Dry Creek Valley so lots of yummy baking spice notes, perfect for autumn. David kindly poured us the malbec and cab franc to end our tasting, as we had already tried the cab sauv blend at a recent Yelp Event, we liked both. We had a cozy corner table in the back, so it was a tasty and relaxing afternoon!

With summer approaching, had to get out and enjoy downtown Petaluma. Adobe Road Wines has a cozy…read moretasting room that was very inviting. The cheese platter was setup when we arrived and our pourer was able to identify each cheese, with notes on what wine paired with them. He was very knowledgeable and we could tell he had a passion for the wine industry even being young. The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon "Blue Dog" was a delicious blend from both Napa and Sonoma County grapes. The unique designs for the Racing Series bottles really helped elevate the nod owner, Kevin Buckner had to his career in racing. We got a sneak peak of the new tasting room that is under construction via a rending they had on video. We are excited to check it out along with the added experiences that will surely draw in people who are looking for something special to do.

Absolutely love this place. Our sommelier Hailey was awesome. This cute winery / tasting room is…read morelocated close to downtown Petaluma, a good amount of seating, and the tasting was fantastic. They're also dog friendly! They have themed days while you're doing your tasting such as bingo night, 90s/2000s music night, family night, etc. The wine was great, there was a variety of Pinot noir's, a rose, and a Syrah, accompanied by a cheese plate already included in price, wow!! Looking forward to visiting this beautiful establishment again some day.

It all started earlier this year, somewhere deep in the heart of Fort Worth, where the air smelled…read morefaintly of mesquite and wine dreams. My adoring sidekick and I were invited to a private wine tasting and that experience poured straight into our memory like a perfectly decanted dream. Gary Brooks himself was there, the soft-spoken sorcerer behind Brooks Note Winery. His wines didn't whisper, they sang. Balanced. Elegant. Honest. The kind of Pinot that makes your boots buckle and your palate perk up like a hound on the trail. Somewhere between the third pour and the second "this is amazing," he told us we should stop by if we were ever in California. So, like any pair of polite Texans with a thirst for the finer things in life, we showed up. And let me tell you: the Brooks Note tasting room in Petaluma is a rustic-modern temple to the wine gods. The exposed beams, gleaming ductwork, and warm wood details make you want to cozy up and swirl your glass. It's the kind of place where your taste buds grow up and your Instagram feed gets a glow-up. We had reservations for a late afternoon tasting and were greeted by none other than Lucy, the softest, fluffiest winery pup in California. She strolled over like she owned the place, and honestly, I think she does. My adoring sidekick gave her the full greeting: head rub, affirming tone, instant friendship secured. Then came the Pinot Flight Tasting Menu, a five-part aria of California terroir: * 2022 Monroe Vineyard: Fruit-forward with a hint of the forest floor, like autumn bottled and ready to dance. * 2023 Russian River Valley: Silky as a tuxedoed lounge singer. Red fruit, spice, and grace. * 2022 Weir Vineyard: Earthy, old-soul depth. The kind of wine that feels like it remembers the first time someone planted vines in California. * 2023 Petaluma Gap: Cool, coastal, and fresh like ocean wind meeting orchard breeze. * 2022 Panther Ridge: Lush, structured, with a finish so long it could anchor a ballad. We were mid-way through the second glass when Gary appeared like a magician stepping onstage after the opening act. He welcomed us, remembered Fort Worth, and then proceeded to give us the full behind-the-scenes tour: the tasting room, the barrel room stacked high with rich oak dreams (no clue what kind of wood, but it smelled like wine-soaked heaven), and the metal vats where fermentation magic bubbles into being. It's one thing to drink a wine. It's another to see its origin story. We eventually made our way back to the table, finished our tasting, then slipped into that late afternoon golden glow. Before leaving, my wife said her goodbyes to Lucy with the kind of fondness usually reserved for lifelong friends or the last bite of a perfect dessert. We didn't take any bottles with us because we already had some back home in Texas. As we stepped outside into the California sun, I said, "Their wine bottles don't gather dust, they disappear gracefully after dinner." My wife rolled her eyes and muttered, "You're aging like wine, all right. Getting drier by the year." She's not wrong. Final thought? This is the kind of tasting that doesn't end when you leave the building. It lingers in your memory like a perfectly aged vintage. TL;DR: Petaluma charm meets Pinot perfection. Balanced, elegant wines served in a spacious, welcoming room. Lucy the wine pup deserves her own label. Gary Brooks delivers not only extraordinary wine, but an unforgettable experience. The only thing smoother than the Pinot is my wife's way of saying, "That's enough, dear." Brooks Note isn't a stop, it's a chapter worth savoring. Bonus Dad Joke: What did the grape say when it got stepped on? Nothing. It just let out a little wine... but probably not as gracefully as a Brooks Note Pinot.

We stayed in Petaluma and our friends recommended The Shuckery. We got here right before Happy Hour…read moreended (3pm-6pm) and was able to get a dozen oysters and rose' at HH prices. We got an additional dozen because they were so tasty. Raw oysters - Well shucked. Very minimal shell pieces if at all. Fresh clean tasting. The varieties we had were called Sweet Jesus and Kuushi. Mignonette was delicious, light & tangy but not overpowering. Baked oysters - my sis ordered one Rockefeller and one Miso. The Rockefeller was "ok" but the Miso was "absolutely divine". Braised short ribs - absolutely delicious. The mashed potatoes underneath was creamy and had a distinct cheesy taste. The meat was tender and flavorful. The greens brightened up an otherwise heavy dish. Linguine di Mare - very tasty. Pasta was well cooked and seafood was fresh and not overcooked. The accompanying toast (from local bakery/cafe Della Fattoria) was crispy and chewy and sopped up the cream sauce well. And that cream sauce. Absolutely amazing. Wish I had more of the toast to get all of that delicious sauce. Service - we did not have reservations but were seated quickly upon arrival. Everyone was friendly and attentive. Shout out to Wade and Scott. 10/10 would recommend, would come again. Delicious fresh food, great service.

Went through the Shuckery into the Hotel Lobby to the small Bar. Ordered cocktails…read moreWhich were just OK. French fries off the bar menu were awesome but no Happy Hour offered in The Hotel only at the restaurant. Staff was OK but nothing memorable won't be returning. I started off at the restaurant bar and said we only wanted cocktails so we're directed to the Hotel area where a small bar was that serviced the restaurant.

I enjoyed a glass of a certain beer that commonly has gone with…read moretacos (I forget the name), and a Speakeasy Burger with fries. I was with my friend, who had a couple of rounds of a different beer, along with the Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta. As far as I remember, he enjoyed his orders as well and well both approved of diligent service and laid-back ambiance :)

The squash soup was incredible and the lobster mac n cheese. Not ce ambiance, the waiter was…read moreattentive. Really good!