Category — Restaurants

It was beautiful driving weather today, so I thought I’d check out some fixers along Bodega Highway. Northwood Golf Club is a beautiful spot for a little recreation, but I didn’t have time for nine holes, let alone eighteen, so I just stopped to admire the redwood shaded grass for a minute and headed west. I took a quick detour into Monte Rio since I remembered a pretty gate at the Village Inn that would help flesh out my gate postings.

Just as I rememberd, this iron gate was roofed in foliage that was echoed at an interior courtyard gate. This inn is nestled in the redwoods along the banks of the Russian River so it doesn’t really need the addition of a green oasis like an urban location might, but we believe in plenty of nature in west Sonoma County.

If a couple of measly redwoods don’t give you enough plant material in your life, you can stick some plants on your fence and gates…and add some planters for good measure. Actually, all kidding aside, the “doorness” created by the ivy in the gate is an important element to add human scale to the environment, particularly in a redwood forest that reaches so high into the sky. The gate in the first photo is just visible on the lower left of this image and you can get a sense for the sheer size of the redwoods, both height and girth. The Village Inn has done a good job at building a comfortable and cozy environment within the redwoods.

I headed up to Occidental where I needed to get pictures of some of the Italian style family restaurants for an article Wild Jane is writing on the main sonoma.net site. I made sure to get photos of both the Union Hotel and the classic Howard’s Cafe two blocks up the street. The Union Hotel is a whole complex of buildings including a pizzeria, saloon, ballroom, and a residence at the end of the street. I had mentioned a few posts back how gates can be used as inviting features within a longer property divider. This mixed residental and commercial fence is a useful reminder that in a town with busy restaurants and saloons, the good citizens living next door probably want some peace and quiet.

There isn’t a residential break apart from the driveway in this long fence. It’s a fairly elegant “stay out” sign. There is, of course, a pretty gate into the restaurant’s courtyard and a driveway gate for the residence.

Howard’s Cafe is a beautifully converted residence with great original detailing on the lower and upper covered porches and eaves. It’s a lovely spot and one of my favorite breakfast hangouts on Sunday when I can get away. If you get a chance to stop by, have a look at the detailing on the upper porch beam where they echo the post-top detailing in the middle of the span. It’s a nice touch that you absolutely won’t see in production building today. Of course, you’re not there just to look at the architecture. The food really is great.

The builders also created a very intricate detail at the eaves that’s a little busy for my taste, but it’s certainly a great example of what pattern books, the power saw and an abundance of wood made possible. Sort of like desktop publishing in 1986…too many fonts, colors, and styles, but hey, see what I can do.

My brother Ned builds guitars and was in the area for the Healdsburg guitar show yesterday. I was going to be in Santa Rosa looking at a nice Victorian fixer later, so it made sense to meet downtown. I was looking for an excuse to try a breakfast place in Santa Rosa that was new to me (in business since 1937…), so we met at Arrigoni’s Cafe and had breakfast in their open-to-the-street dining area. I had the house special Arrigoni omelette with Italian sausage, zucchini, scallion and parmesan topped with Mozzarella. Excellent. Ned had a California omelete with avocado, but his real treat was a great piece of baklava that came all the way from Detroit. According to Raja Naber, the friendly owner of Arrgonis, this shredded filo dessert is the best example of baklava in America. I couldn’t disagree.

Arrigonis has a serving counter where you place your order before grabbing a table. You get your coffee and espresso drinks at the counter and your food is brought to you when it’s ready. Our waitress was efficient and friendly with the easy manner that makes Sonoma County dining so comfortable. Overall I was very pleased with my breakfast and am happy to recommend this long time Santa Rosa favorite to everyone.
701 Fourth Street
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
(707) 545 – 1297

M-F: 7 – 4:30
Sat: 8 – 3:30
Breakfast until 10:30 A.M