When you read the previous review from an individual that goes to this restaurant for over 20 years you might think it is just friends helping friends. Nothing could be more wrong. Not only was the information the previous reviewer wrote accurate, it did not praise the owner/chef enough.

The chef uses fresh ingredients when in season and it is reflected in the menu . We made dinner reservations but made it a point to arrive for the Happy Hour. The Happy Hour Menu was amazing! We ordered the Chicken Taquitos with guacamole, cilantro and pumpkin seeds and the Broiled Oysters Bonneville with pesto and ceasar dressing. There were 11 items plus 6 flatbread pizzas on this menu. Why did I have dinner reservations?

Because the main menu was also diverse and delicious. The mushroom stuffed ravoli was delectible as well as the other entrees. This young chef is extremely talented and very proud of his restaurant. The staff , from the bar service to food service , is efficient but in a friendly welcoming manner. The wine list, as well as the dinner menu prices were very reasonable in price.

The location of the restaurant appears to be a small office area, so the parking lot looks empty at night. At first glance it is not appealing but don't let that stop you. We enjoyed the restaurant so much, we went back the last night we were in Santa Rosa. If you are in the area, do youself a favor and go to this restaurant.

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.