I have been eating at this location for something like 20 years. First it was Siena, then Mistral, and finally Sassafras, under the ownership of Michael Hirschberg. A couple of years ago, Jack Mitchell purchased it, and has continued the tradition.

Indeed, my family has eaten there so often over the years that when my 3 kids were still at home, we essentially had our own booth (and, informally, our own assigned seats in the booth).

It's a large, comfortable restaurant, with lots of booths and outdoor dining in season, open 7 days a week lunch and dinner. Their wine list (featuring Sonoma County wines) wins awards, and the wine-by-the-glass selection is outstanding. They also have some good draft beers and a full bar, with a number of top-shelf offerings.

I regard it as *the* place to go with a group of 5 or more, and as my go-to place when my wife and I want to eat out, but aren't sure what we want. The menu has choices to fit every taste, from elegant and generous first courses/appetizers to first-rate main courses, almost always with several fish selections. Lunchtimes they have the best hamburger in town: Big, and if you order it medium rare, you get it medium rare -- though today I had petrale sole.

They also have very good thin-crust pizzas, enough for one hungry person or two, sharing it as an appetizer.

The food is always excellent, but has no pretensions to a Michelin star. That's OK with me, because so often what is important is comfort, a wide selection on the menu, and good service. If you want to add deluxe, you can go to their frequent winemakers and other seasonal dinners.