(no subject)

For all you folks getting ready to travel thru Placerville, CA there is a small but very quaint restaurants called Luna Cafe. Service is excellent and they serve excellent pasta dishes.

   >I don't know about Ventana Inn, but I've been to Nepenthe's twice,
   >the first time just for drinks and a view, the second time included
   >dinner.
   >
   >The view, the fireplace, the atmosphere, all very nice.  The food,
   >*very* disappointing.  The menu is quite limited.
   >[...]
   >Anyone else eaten dinner there?  Was it just a bad night or is this
   >normal?
   >
   >Missy

   It is not a place to go for great food.  Their hamburgers and French
   dips are about as good as it gets and they are served only until 4
   p.m.  [...]

   JW

Disappointed with Nepenthe?  Try Cafe Keveh, just downstairs from Nepenthe.  I'm not sure whether they serve dinner, but it's a great place for lunch.  The view out on the deck is spectacular, of course, and the food is creative and tasty, if somewhat overpriced. Nepenthe's menu is rather stodgy; Cafe Keveh serves trendy California organo-yuppie food.  I had something like a black bean burrito on organic whole-wheat tortillas, and delicious expensive fresh lemonade (I think it cost $3!).

(Note that when I say "overpriced," I mean that a lunch that might cost $5 on Valencia St. was about $10 at Cafe Keveh; nevertheless, I think it's worth eating there just for the amazing view!)

      Nomi Harris
      [email removed]

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Subject: Re: Charlie's Dry Kitchen (Was: Santa Rosa recommendations) Organization: Fisher Studio
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 Someone wrote:

> Dave K. wrote:
>
> > Sunday night ... we drifted over to Charlie Palmer's Dry Creek Kitchen (in
> > the
> > hotel Healdsburg). Although the room was only 1/3 full (and stay that
> > way until we left) we were told that they were "all booked" but we
> > could eat at the bar. Since the bar had place mats and silver service
> > set for each stool, this must be a frequent occurance. I had
> > "Caramelized Organic Chicken Breast with Basil - fresh ricotta gnocchi
> > and sautéed spinach" which was very nice, if also fairly predictable.
> > My wife ordered "Pan Roasted Northern Halibut - braised hearts of
> > romaine, roasted fennel and preserved lemon" and had a moment of
> > trepidation when the woman next to her loudly demanded her halibut be
> > taken back as it was still rather chilled in the middle! It turned out
> > OK, however. Nice place, but rather full of itself (like a Napa
> > restaurant dropped down in Sonoma).
> >
>
> Hmmm, I feared the place would be like *that.* MH and I are having a
> rather important anniversary this year and are thinking of treating
> ourselves to  Hotel Healdsburg. The main attraction of the restaurant
> is that it's within walking distance of our room, but it doesn't sound
> strong .. did you happen to notice anything inviting within walking
> distance of the hotel?
>
> I'm going to peruse Terrance's list, but I'm not that familiar with
> Healdsburg ...
>
> Thanks for any info.
>
> -Amalia

I live in Healdsburg. I have a few favorite restaurants within walking distance of the Hotel--

1. Tastings (great food and excellent service. I highly recommend ordering from the "tastings" menu with the wine pairings. It's an experience! If you go on a Friday or Saturday you may meet Finn, the sommelier--he has a wealth of wine information. Frank from the Dry Creek Vineyard tasting room is there those nights as well--he is a talented character with a quick wit, and he's a fantastic waiter too.)
2. Ravenous (generous and creative dishes, excellent bar)
3. The Charcuterie (if you like garlic)
4. Bistro Ralph (great service, delicious food)

Restaurants within walking distance to avoid:
1. Felix & Louie's (nice bar, overpriced mediocre food, terrible service. It used to be wonderful, but not so lately...)

The Hotel looks like a fun place to stay. I took a tour there before they opened. I've heard good things about the Hotel Healdsburg Spa too.

Enjoy!

Molly