Wishbone

Let me first start by saying that I LOVE breakfast at Wishbone.  The cozy and eclectic decor (baskets hanging from the ceiling) is warm and inviting; a perfect setting to sip on their salted honey and lavender latte while indulging in their fresh made bacon cinnamon rolls. Their breakfast is a nice twist on comfort food, while adding some unique dining options as well.  Unfortunately I'm not writing about breakfast.....

I FINALLY made it to Wishbone for dinner, and was joined by my sister Kristin. We were promptly greeted and seated. Generally, its a nice idea, and a Picky Petaluman standard to be seated and offered some water while browsing the menu. Instead, we waited 10 minutes to be OFFERED water while we watched the tables surround us have their glasses refilled! Alas, I had to move on. After quenching my thirst, it was time to order: cocktails, appetizer, and entrees. We decided to start with some "dirty" fries, Kristin ordered sausage and greens, and I opted for a poke bowl.  As we sipped on our refreshing and I must say, delicious cocktails, we chatted and chatted, almost losing track of time...ALMOST! Next thing we knew it had been 30 min and there was no sight of our "dirty" fries.  Don't forget to add on the 10 min delay upon water service, bringing our total time to 40 min without even a morsel of food! After an inquiry as to an ETA on the fries, they FINALLY arrived...and let me tell you, they were AMAZING! Delicious pork pieces smothered in a beer cheese with a buttermilk dressing on top of fried potatoes, and finished with a chicken wing, I mean what's not to love? Dinner came quickly after, my poke salmon bowl was delicious and Kristin's sausage and greens topped with ground mustard were not far behind.  We finished with a lovely panna cotta (Kristin loves a panna cotta, I on the other hand struggle with the texture, but the flavors were delightful), and a berry crisp with a beautiful homemade whip! It was rustic, fresh, and full of flavor.  Everything was well balanced, creative, and FRESH. 

Final verdict? Having been to wishbone multiple times for breakfast and now, once for dinner, I must say that the food is consistently delicious, and I have never had a previous issue with the service. I would even venture to say that the service for dinner may have been a fluke, as we saw many other patrons with water flowing!  Their food does tend to take a little on the longer side which I think should be noted on the menu, but I don't mind waiting if I'm warned.  I understand that fresh food can take time, but water shouldn't.  In the end, I definitely recommend Wishbone for breakfast and dinner despite the slow service, because when we left, our bellies were not only full, but satisfied and HAPPY. 

Chicken Pharm

Disclaimer: I wrote a more extensive review and somehow it got deleted, which was devastating.  This is a condensed version.  Sorry!

I tried.  I really had high hopes; hopes of a place for a good happy hour, fun atmosphere, and  good food, but I was let down.  Perhaps my visit was an "off" day, but Sunday Brunch in Petaluma is not a day be "off".  Sunday Brunch can be a busy time, especially downtown.  Most of the time there's a wait at the usual hotspots, but surprisingly enough (or not), there wasn't a soul in Chicken Pharm! `Knowing that Chicken Pharm isn't usually busy, it was a perfect place to grab a quick breakfast on our way out of town for our road trip.  As we walked in, I noticed a sign out front promoting their Chicken and Waffles with Spicy syrup; salty...sweet...and spicy? SOLD! 

Walking into Chicken Pharm is refreshing. A large open space with ample seating and a couple rooms with some couches and cozy chairs that beg for a lazy day of lounging and eating with friends.  The rustic vibe and bright white accents offers a modern coziness that I love. The space and decor has so much potential, but unfortunately that is where it ends.  The lack of patrons on a Sunday morning is in what I believe to be direct correlation with the lack of customer service and subpar food. 

At Chicken Pharm, the process is to order at the register, except there was no one there.  We saw a couple people in the back kitchen, made eye contact with them, but no one came out to greet us. Three minutes later (felt like 10), an unenthusiastic employee appeared, and yet still no greeting! I had to ask for a brunch menu, and after asking a few questions, placed my order; which came with a side of salty eye rolls.  Apparently our business was a distraction from the World Cup. 

When the food came, Meghan's breakfast tacos were not only flavorless, but also lukewarm.  My biscuit was decent, but cool in the middle, which means the very COLD butter had no chance of melting into my biscuit, and was also un-spreadable.  Thankfully some delicious jam was available to bring us a glimmer of delight. Lastly, my chicken and waffles arrived; a floppy waffle paired with mediocre chicken, and NO spicy syrup.  I had to ask for the spicy syrup, to which I was asked, "oh you want the spicy one?" My lovely reply: "Uhm yea, since that is what's advertised on the  board outside." Come to find out, I would have been better off with the regular syrup because the spicy one was nonexistent. 

Final Verdict: Skip the Pharm.  The employees are uninterested in customer service, but VERY interested in chatting with each other and watching The World Cup. The food is subpar. and quite frankly, considering we were the only ones there, our food should have been piping hot.  If you want Sunday Brunch but don't want to wait in lines, my suggestion is to stay home.  You would be more satisfied with a packet of instant oatmeal. 

I would have taken more pictures, but why?

Marlowe

Sunday before the Giants game with my Mom we decided to head to Marlowe for brunch. I have been here before for dinner and had an awesome experience, and brunch was no different. From the moment you walk in, you are promptly greeted by not just the hostess, but also with patron chatter indicative of satisfaction with the delicious food and libations.  The vibe is trendy but classic; rustic touches paired with simplistic subway tiles and a monochromatic vibe  makes you feel not only cozy and welcome but also current. Both of my visits I had made reservations and was seated immediately, which is exactly how it should be! That’s the point of a reservation right? Once seated the service is impeccable. Orders are promptly taken and the team work amongst the staff is obvious; the manager is active; straightening bar stools, cleaning stuff off the floor, and always visible.  My water was never empty and neither was my stomach!

I hadn’t planned on having a cocktail, but when I read the menu there was one that caught my eye…The Juicer: gin, cilantro, serrano, lime, cucumber...right up my libation alley.  I hate sweet drinks and this was fresh, spicy, refreshing.  My mom even had a couple sips! We ordered the Candied bacon to share, as well as the polenta (also happens to be what I had for dinner on my previous trip) and an open-faced deviled egg sandwich. Not less than 10 min after our order did our food arrive. The single thick (and I mean THICK) slice candied bacon did NOT disappoint.  It reminded me of a nice slice of Honey Baked Ham on Thanksgiving.  My polenta was again perfection.  Creamy and paired with delicate but meaty mushrooms, topped with salty parmesan, spicy arugula, and a perfectly poached egg.  Theres a sign near the restroom stating something along the lines of, “The polenta is more addictive than crack,” and I must agree! Lastly, and least impressive was the deviled egg sandwich.  While I appreciate the creativity, as it is not often you see this item on a brunch menu; the bread was slightly dry and the egg mixture to bread ratio was less than desirable.  

The Juicer

So delicious; refreshing and SPICY

Candied Bacon

Polenta AKA CRACK

Deviled Egg Sandwich

#truth

Final verdict: If you are in the SF area and want a casual brunch or a nice dinner (you can dress up or down), I would highly recommend a visit to this small but cozy spot.  The food is cozy; you will see elevated comfort foods as well as elegant options, and don’t forget about the deliciously crafted cocktails!  Make a reservation because like I have said before, good food and good service is a recipe for success, and judging by the line outside and the packed tables, Marlowe has it perfected.

Chef Gator’s Rustic Burger and His Creole Friends

Before Chef Gator’s Rustic Burger and His Creole Friends opened, I would walk by the store front and think, “Hmmmm, I don’t like the name, and I don’t know how creole food is going to go over here in Petaluma.” Petaluma is very focused on farm to table dining regardless of cuisine, and I was curious and skeptical to see how Chef Gator would pull it off.  Before heading to the movie, Won’t You Be My Neighbor (highly recommend) on Saturday, in my pajamas BTW, Meghan, my mom, and I decided to satisfy my curiosity and check it out.  Let me tell you, I was impressed! The casual space is well decorated; bright and rustic with many seating options including community tables, which I love. Orders are placed at the register, which we did have to wait a bit, but the hostess was pleasant and informative, where you receive your number and head to the table. My mom, Janet, and I split a cheeseburger and planned on sharing Meghan’s fries, who also ordered a cheeseburger.  Now the menu is extensive, and unfortunately I didn’t review it thoroughly since I wasn’t planning on reviewing this restaurant, but I recall there were some southern classics like chicken and waffles and jambalaya.  Our food was brought quickly (good thing because we were on a time crunch!), and I couldn’t wait to dive in.  The burger was not large, which Meghan pointed out was nice. Portions have gotten SO out of control and wasteful! The burger had a ton of flavor, was juicy, and still tasted fresh and of high quality.  The aioli spread, obviously a mayo base, was delicious and flavorful. Only thing I would change would be the bun; I loved it, but I wish it was toasted on the flat top a bit to give some it some ability to stand up to aioli and juicy burger. As far as the fries go, I was not blown away, but not unsatisfied, which is not Chef Gator’s fault in any way, it’s just that my when it comes to fries, my heart will always belong to McDonald’s (I know I know, what can I say).

Final verdict: While the name is slightly unappealing, the burgers are anything but! The staff was nice and the service was fast.  The environment was casual and accepting of my attire, and the vibe was family friendly. I definitely plan on exploring more of the menu and I would recommend it to anyone in the area looking to get a taste of the south with the quality Petaluman diners have come to expect.

Note: Like I said, I didn’t plan on reviewing this experience, and unfortunately I have NO PICTURES! Ugh, lesson learned...WIP

Well Hello There...

As many of you know, I have A LOT of opinions, especially when it comes to my FOOD.  Food is something that beings me SO much joy (and sometimes disappointment)!.  Eating is more than just nutritional consumption, it is a time when we gather together, catch up on life, and one of the few times we WANT to put down our devices (except for the instinctual phoodagram); we get lost in the conversation, the aromas, the ambiance.  It's in these moments of getting lost, that we truly find connection; connection with cultures, strangers, friends, family, and ourselves.  That is why not only do I love food, but I love the dining experience.

The dining experience, meaning the ambiance, staff, music, and anything else that stimulates a sense and/or reaction, contributes to how our food will taste. Much of food is perception, and that starts from the moment you enter a restaurant. From the moment the  hostess greets you, to the moment they run your credit card, you are still assessing your experience.  And let me tell you, I could have the most delicious meal ever, and if the service is terrible, I am unlikely to return.  Key word is UNLIKELY, because lets be honest, I still love me a delicious and creamy risotto from what used to be my favorite Italian restaurant! 

After YEARS of critiquing nearly every meal (obviously influenced by my obsession with Top Chef and various other reality food shows) my friends and family have urged me to hit the keys and share my lovely thoughts with you all... as THE PICKY PETALUMAN! So stay tuned and stay hungry!