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Rocker Oysterfeller
Categories: Restaurants Breakfast & Brunch Restaurants American (New) Restaurants Southern Breakfast & Brunch, American (New), Southern [Edit]
Valley Ford Hotel14415 Hwy 1
Valley Ford, CA 94972
(707) 876-1983
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 4:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Sat-Sun 10 am - 8:30 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
98 reviews for Rocker Oysterfeller
Review Highlights
"It was seriously the best fried chicken I've ever had."
(in 26 reviews)
"This is a wonderful gem in Sonoma County."
(in 11 reviews)
"The Molasses & Bourbon pork was tender and tasty without..."
(in 6 reviews)
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98 reviews in English
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Review from Franny L.
San Carlos, CA
10/12/2011
Everything about this place is delightful. Fresh, local food crafted with care -- so yummy you just want to hold it on your tastebuds. Wonderful wine list, & other yummy cocktails & beverages. Friendly, attentive staff. Rustic comfort. Can't wait to go back!
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Review from Suzannah R.
Santa Rosa, CA
11/30/2011
I've been here three times, having heard so many wonderful things: once for the Mexican menu night, once for just drinks, once for a full meal. I think if I had just gone for oysters I would have been happier; as it is, the regular menu seemed wanting. But first, the good stuff:
Service: The staff is helpful, kind, and accommodating. The hostess we had, on a very busy night, and when I was part of a large party, was very attentive, prompt, and sweet. The bartenders are friendly, comfortable, and casual, and make spot-on suggestions when you're feeling unsure of what to imbibe.
Atmosphere: The building is fantastic, a classic example of 19th century California and its romantic Victorian ranch-life. The dining room is spacious and warmly lit, the bar is cozy, and the wraparound porch affords a classic northern California view complete with an old market across the way, green and gold hillsides dotted with roaming livestock, and lovely sunset light or rolling fog depending on the time of the year.
Food: NOTE: I am not an oyster fan. This bit of info might immediately have disqualified me from this review, except that they don't just cater to oyster eaters-- they have gone out of their way to design a menu that works for everyone. I hear only rave reviews about the oysters-- thus, if you are a fan of them, no need to continue reading this review! Otherwise, be forewarned: This is a tourist-priced menu, having more to do with the experience than what arrives on the plate. Overall, the food is good. But the portions make no sense, and with the price tag, that becomes downright annoying. The meat plates are mostly just that: meat, with small dollops of greens or potatoes but not enough to balance the palate. You have to supplement this with sides, which are delicious, but so small that their $6 - $12 price tag is a little hard to swallow when tacked on to the main course. (Example: On Mexican menu night, the guacamole alone is $6. If you can recall the line in the movie 'Pulp Fiction' regarding the "$5 shake" you will understand the feeling I had upon discovering this.) Though one might expect a main course to have good variety, that is not the case; you will spend full-meal prices on half a meal.
But I still like this place, and want to love it. I hope they are able to reconcile their menu / price issue so that I can feel good about spending my hard earned cash at this local landmark. -
Review from Meredith C.
Chicago, IL
Updated - 10/13/2011
I stopped by after a long day at Bodega Bay with my bf and they happened to be having a crawfish boil. One favorite thing this Southerner waits for most of the year. The service was great, the seasoning was oh-so-yummy/spicy (think Tony Chachere's), and the authenticity was very similar to what you would get in MS/LA (crawfish, corn, andouille sausage). It is about $2+ more per pound than what I'm used to, but that's not bad considering the location of this place. I do think that they should season all of the items in the bucket and not just dump a heavy portion on the top.
If you stop here, be sure to enjoy the rocking chairs out front. It's a perfect spot after a very enjoyable meal.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/17/2010
I am new to the area and heard about this place from many different locals. Which means I had to try… Read more »
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Review from Janet J.
Burlingame, CA
1/23/2012
DE-LISH!!!!!!! Oysters Rockerfeller,B.B.Q. oysters,fried chicken, amazing brussel sprouts, and so much more! I had a hard time deciding what to order. The service was so great,very attentive. This was my first time experience and definately not my last. I loved the casual, rustic setting with the inventive food and drinks. Northern Ca. is so lucky to have this hidden treasure!
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Review from Kelli H.
Santa Rosa, CA
11/15/2011
Delicious! I loved their fries and their "Saloon Snacks". The bloody mary was GREAT as well as their margarita on the rocks! I can't wait to go back!! Everyone loved their oysters and the staff was SO friendly. This is a great place!
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Review from N B.
North Bay, CA
7/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
I have been to Rocker Oysterfeller a number of times, and I always find it to be a mixed bag. I really wish I could give 3.5 stars, but since I can't, I rounded up. Here is a summary of my experience:
-Small town charm galore -- I prefer to sit up front at one of the tables at the bar.
-Service is S L O W. I suggest you prepare yourself for this in order to avoid getting frustrated, and try to consider it part of the experience. (I know. It's hard. Ask my husband.) We came for dinner the other night and grabbed part of a table at the bar, and it was probably a good ten minutes before someone came by to say hi, bring us menus, and offer to open our wine. Staff is always friendly and nice, it just can be a loooong time between when you get to see them.
-Oysters are rockin'. When we come, it's almost always because one of us realizes it's Thursday, and that's the night oysters are on special for $1 or $2 each. Love the baked oysters. (If you're looking for raw, they are fine, but why not go on down the road to Point Reyes?)
-Small plates and apps haven't ever really let us down. Bacon wrapped rabbit loin? Yes, please! Each salad I've had has been great, too.
-Main courses have been a mixed bag for us. I've had gritty sauteed greens here (like, fresh-out-of-the-ground, never-been-washed gritty), which, to their credit, they took off the bill when I mentioned it. I've had the fried chicken a couple of times; first time it was great, second time it was dry. I've had an unremarkable fish dish but a great pork plate. You get the picture.
Overall? Come prepared for a leisurely meal, and probably stick to apps and small plates. -
Review from Derrick V.
San Francisco, CA
6/17/2011
Surprised to find this nice brunch spot in Bodega Bay. They have an inspired menu with a lot of interesting options. It's inside a hotel, and with an old school saloon ambiance.
We all started with Bloody Marys, which were nice and spicy.
Of course we had to try the oysters rockerfeller. It was my first time this baked oyster dish, but I think I'm partial to raw ones.
The raw ones were okay, expected more being so close to Hog Island.
I had the oyster po boy, which was really delicious, nice bread, crispy oysters and a tasty aioli.
The taste I had of the fried chicken was really good too.
My friend's burger had a bit too much gorgonzola, so it overwhelmed the beef. The bread was a bit too soft and started to fall apart while eating. Otherwise, the beef was cooked perfectly medium rare.
Service was a bit slow, but the staff tried their best to keep up. -
Review from Jeremy R.
Lutherville-Timonium, MD
12/22/2011
We visit Dillon beach a couple times a year and always planned on trying Rocker Oysterfeller. This visit we finally made it only to wish we had stayed at Nick's Cove. We rolled in and the dining room was empty yet our group of 6 was forced to eat in the bar. When we left the dining room was still empty, very strange. On the positive side the burgers, Jambalaya and cornmeal biscuits were tasty. The chicken fried duck tasted like chicken fried steak with gloppy gravy, no starch but some nice grilled broccolini. The black-eyed pea burger was average but nothing special. Overall the place is overpriced for average food and mediocre service.
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Review from Karen D.
Santa Rosa, CA
5/30/2011
We just finished our fourth meal at Rockers, and I just want to commend the visionary owners, and warm & capable staff, for your skills, care and success. I have lived in Sonoma County for almost 26 years, and have never found a place that consistently combines great local food, flavors and textures galore, a fun, welcoming ambiance without any pretense or faddishness. Well done, keep bringing use new delights. My husband said the lemon tart was the best dessert he can ever remember.
Well worth every penny, standard pricing for fine So. Co. dining. Drinks very generous, and fun music is an extra bonus.
Wow!
Karen d.
(Also had fun at Oysterpalooza -- but not as fun as a dinner with friends in the bar!) -
Review from Audrey F.
San Francisco, CA
1/23/2012
I celebrated my 50th birthday with all my friends at this gem of a restaurant this past weekend. It was a truly wonderful experience. The staff made us feel so special. There was no request we made that they did not graciously accommodate. We were able to sit at a long table and try the dishes each of us ordered.....I am just saying, there was not a single dish that came to that table that was not out-of-this-word delicious! Their oysters are amazing, their chicken was moist and flavorful, and comes with great mashed potatoes. I ordered the halibut and it was so moist and flavorful. But the true magic of this historic place is the staff. Shona just shines with welcoming charm and the chef, Brandon, is priceless. If you want to feel really relaxed, welcomed and spoiled, please try this restaurant. You absolutely cannot make a bad choice from this menu, and you won't walk away a stranger! 5 Stars!
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Review from Leah E.
San Francisco, CA
12/31/2010 8 photos
WEEKEND GETAWAY IN SONOMA: November 20, 2010
Chilled Drake's Bay oyster on the half shell served with our Lemon-Honey-Jalapeno Mignonette.
OR Rocker Oysterfeller: Wilted arugula, cream cheese, crispy bacon and cornbread crumbs with a hint of Pernod liquor and garlic butter
OR BBQ, Louisiana Hots, Garlic Butter on Tomales Bay oysters.
Are you not convinced yet?
I found an article on Rocker Oysterfeller Kitchen and Saloon while browsing a copy of 7x7 magazine. And the food writer had me at BBQ oysters. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
So my fiance and I packed our overnight bags and headed to Valley Ford, a city in Sonoma County, despite the forecast of heavy rain. And the promise of a wonderful weekend was sweetened by the fact that RO is housed at Valley Ford Hotel where we also decided to stay. EAT + DRINK + SLEEP= Perfect weekend getaway!
DECOR/AMBIANCE:
Rocker Oysterfeller is a casual dining restaurant that is full of country charm. It is located among rolling hills, ranches and grazing cows. It is the perfect setting for a bucolic and quiet mini-getaway. The crowd consisted of couples trying to have a romantic dinner (including us) despite familes with kids who kept on staring and pointing at our crab! And mixed age group of 20 something friends eating at the bar to more mature ones in their prime.
The decor is shabby-chic country with cozy wooden provincial furniture. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
SERVICE:
Service was very friendly. It is being run by a husband and wife team. The wife is the bartender, server and hotel manager. The husband is the chef.
DRINKS:
Since we didn't have to drive after dinner, my fiance and I had a glorious evening with Oyster Rockefeller's strong but yummy cocktails:
1. Strong MOJITO for my fiance.
2. BLOODY MARY for me: Generously served in a mason jar with a olives and celery stick. Strong and good. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
BISCUITS: Complimentary, hot, fluffy and delish! http://www.yelp.com/bi...
OYSTERS;
We were here for the oysters and we chose:
1. Six CHILLED DRAKE BAY'S OYSTERS ON HALF-SHELL with Lemon-Honey-Jalapeno Mignonette ($12)
Six LOUISIANA HOTS BBQ TOMALES BAY OYSTERS ($14)
1. Both were delicious! The fresh and BBQ oysters were a great combination. The fresh oysters were plump, sweet and fresh. The BBQ oysters tasted like eating BBQ chicken wings except they were oysters. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
MAIN:
We wanted to eat more oysters but we wanted room for the main entrees:
1. FLASH FRIED DUNGENESS CRAB with Cajun seasoning, potatoes and toast ($29): Since it is the beginning of the crab season, my guy chose this. He got down and dirty and enjoyed this sweet and meaty crab. He gave me a quarter of the crab and it was spicy delish! http://www.yelp.com/bi...
2. GULF SHRIMP PO-BOY with Applewood Smoked Bacon, White Cheddar and Fries ($18): This po-boy is so ginormous and oozing with countless plump tender prawns in hot melted cheese (and bacon that I took out.)! I could not finish it and longingly looked at my wasted delicious leftover. This sandwich might be a misnomer because it is pricey but it is so worth it! http://www.yelp.com/bi...
OVERALL:
We really enjoyed our dinner at Rocker Oysterfeller along with the well-mixed drinks, cozy dining room and warm service. The ingredients are locally-grown and harvested, thus, the Southern-inspired dishes tasted fresh and lighter than their authentic Southern counterparts.
TAB: $110 including tax and 22 % tip. Worth every dollar!
AT THE BAR:
Our dinner did not end here. We were too full to go back to our room upstairs (along with the fact that the room had no TV and weak wi-fi connection.) My fiance and I decided to hangout at the cozy bar for a night cap. It was pouring outside and I was feeling cold that I decided to have a HOT TODDY. http://www.yelp.com/bi... It was sweet with cinnamon and cloves. Well-made! and warmed up my freezing bones. My fiance had another mojito. We chatted with the owner, watched football and went people-watching.
The evening was perfect. And the best part, we just climbed a flight of stairs and slept like babies while it was storming outside!
Delicious destination restaurant in Sonoma. Add this to your "MUST VISIT IN SONOMA" list.. -
Review from Candice L.
Berkeley, CA
4/20/2011
I love this place. We go here when we want to take a nice drive. We usually plan on going to Hog Island on the drive back home but always leave here stuffed to the brim. The oysters are fabulous. The drinks are nice and heavy-handed. The wait may be long but it's nice to relax with a game on the TV in the bar and a good drink, slurping down some oysters. The combo po boy is great. The pulled pork is one of the best. The burger is delicious-- esp with a fried egg on top. The gumbo is pretty good. They offer fried chicken on waffles for brunch.
The crab cakes are amazing!!!! Bloody marys and mimosas are yum (:
It's true that it's in the middle of nowhere but sometimes you need that. And when you do, you should eat here. -
Review from David M.
8/13/2011
When I lived in Novato I used to drive up here on the weekends to get the gumbo. Seriously the best I've found this side of the bay. Even their burgers are amazing. Next time I'm in the area I'm definitely making a stop here!
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Review from liv l.
Sebastopol, CA
7/29/2011
My boyfriend and I wanted to have a nice dinner, and we'd driven by here lots of times so we decided to stop in. Everything seemed great a first, but it ended up being a terrible experience. There were flies buzzing around our table, one of which went down my shirt, so we promptly switched tables thinking this would solve the problem (we'd sat in a corner). The waitress laughed when I told her the flies were bothering me, though she didn't seem to mind we'd switched tables. All seemed fine until the food came out and the flies returned, one of which landed ON my face, and another on my water glass. When we told the waitress, who saw we were obviously uncomfortable, she offered to box up our food.
Who pays $20 an entree to have food boxed up that will be cold by the time you get home, and has to be thrown in the microwave?We ended up having to sit in the bar area at a table next to another couple-- so much for our cozy, classy dinner.
Then come the food: less than mediocre... and I'm not even picky; I only ate half my dinner.
After everything, we tried our best to make light of the situation... until it took almost 20 minutes just to get our check. In fact, our waitress didn't even bring it, another gal did after asking if we needed anything else.
Our bill came to $75 dollars, which was a good chunk of money for us, for an experience that we will recall as "our worst dinner out".
I'm sure that had we not been a couple in our mid 20's, we might have been treated differently instead of having her laugh at the situation, and ignore us when it came time to pay. I felt insulted and so disappointed that this restaurant, which is near where we live, did not meet expectations.
After all that, we won't be returning. However-- the Market across the street makes GREAT sandwiches and they're always friendly :) -
Review from K G.
Petaluma, CA
10/29/2011
We had dinner here and really liked the first 10 minutes of our experience. The place feels good. The server was sweet. The cocktails seemed interesting. Then things went downhill. Nothing we ordered was very good. The fried chicken portion was very small. The gravy was not so good. The mashed potatoes were cold. I ordered my burger medium rare and it came out medium well. I asked for green salad instead of fries, and it came swimming (literally drenched) in caesar salad dressing... (I didn't ask for caesar salad dressing on bibb lettuce). And to top it off, we didn't see our server again after we ordered. No one refilled our drinks at all. She came by when we were done eating, and asked if we wanted another drink, but we just asked for the check. Off night? I don't know.
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Review from Maple Q.
San Francisco, CA
12/29/2010
We used Firefly Fine Catering, which is owned and operated by the owner/operators of Rocker Oysterfellers (from what I understand), for our wedding last October in Guerneville. We are from Washington, DC - or, better put, live there now - and it was a little difficult to manage wedding planning from across the country; but that's on us. We're uptight, anxious people planning a wedding from another coast. Duh. We made our bed. So, all that said, despite some small logistical challenges that were eventually overcame, we were really, really pleased with our decision.
The food was EXCELLENT. Best wedding food of any wedding I've ever been to. The fried chicken was well done, moist and juicy with a perfectly crisped skin. The polenta with mushroom ragout was incredible: arguably one of the best food items I've had in years. The s'mores (our version of wedding cake) were fun and tasty. Everything was locally grown and sourced, if possible. We were really, really pleased.
The service staff were very professional, and very nice. Shona Campbell, the owner, was a real pleasure to work with, and did her best to manage our anxiety, and she understood our vision perfectly and was constantly coming up with really wonderful ideas to actualize it.
Yay! I'm a fan. -
Review from fused g.
Forestville, CA
Updated - 11/12/2011
Went out mid-week --- love the drive. Had a few starters and then two main meals. DEVILED EGGS had a pungent flavor and just didn't work for us but the GUMBO was absolutely delicious! We had a cup and it was very very tasty and a nice portion, too. PULLED PORK in BOURBON was accompanied by a very good broth with a few veggies and corn cakes (unlike last time when completely ala carte). My dining partner enjoyed it but felt that half of the pork was juicy & tender and another half was very dry. He would have liked a little less meat and a little more of the sides. HALF-POUND BURGER was juicy and perfectly cooked (medium rare) but the salad (instead of fries) was soggy and thick with dressing. We shared a yum glass of Unti red wine to wash everything down. Rocker Oysterfeller has great ambience in the bar and fresh food from the kitchen. Service was sweet and friendly. I highly recommend the Gumbo and will have a bowl of it next time for my dinner!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/15/2011
Rocker Oysterfeller could easily be 4 or 5 stars but it ekes out only 3+ for us. Great location;… Read more »
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Review from June A.
Sonoma, CA
2/3/2011
This is a wonderful gem in Sonoma County. Might be a great place for visitors but this is a must for locals :-)
Thank you Michele for the wonderful service.
June
p.s. Hope to meet the chef next time :-) -
Review from Ryan C.
9/26/2010
Locally grown food, great atmosphere, live music!
Yum West Sonoma.
Caesar salad with fried oysters--the wife really loved the fried oysters. The salad was fresh and good too.
Gleason Ranch Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Crushed Little Farm Potatoes,
Fried Sage, Lagunitas Ale & Caraway Gravy--a unique and delicious dish! Loved the gravy but forgot that the "fried sage" was fried sage and didn't eat it, because it kind of looked like a bay leaf! This was a great dish.
County Line braised greens: good but there were some weird pieces of distasteful liver in there. I normally like liver, but this one was a bit distasteful.
Banana foster dessert: I don't know why we got this one. It was all right, but nothing special, and I'm pretty sure bananas don't grow anywhere near West Sonoma. -
Review from Sheridan S.
Roseville, CA
8/21/2011
Enjoyed it! We went on a Thursday night, so we tried the $1-$2 oysters. Louisiana Hot, Garlic Butter and Oysters Rockefellers. I tried the later, my boyfriend thought the Louisiana was the best. The place was hoppin.' We both had the fried chicken, which was delicious. Our sides were collard greens, mac and cheese and jalapeno johnnycakes. The mac and cheese was amazing, everything else was really good too. We passed on dessert, the only chocolate offering had walnuts, so we had to pass. I would recommend this place to anyone. Considering the historic location, it is awesome to see that these folks have restored this place as the center of the community. Can't wait to see more...
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Review from david d.
San Francisco, CA
9/26/2010
If you were lost and hungry and stumbled upon this place you would be quite happy and satisfied with the food. Otherwise, not so much.
The place is nondescript; likewise the service. I wasn't told of the changes to the menu nor was the single jalpeno roll brought to the table refreshed.
And on to the food. If you come here, ordering the rocker oysterfeller oysters is probably necessary. And they are OK. Fresh oysters that have a bit too many bread crumbs atop them for my taste. But not bad at all.
A salad was composed of very fresh greens and tomatoes, alas, somewhat overdressed.
Finally onto the fried chicken. The chicken was swimming in a thick gravy and sat atop a mountain of mashed potatoes. Pedestrian is the best way to describe this. The serving seemed a bit undersized to me. After I was well into it the server brought another piece of chicken commenting that the kitchen had forgot to put it on the plate. A bad day in the kitchen perhaps?
So, there you have it. Obviously I am in a minority and the place seems popular with locals. -
Review from Julia H.
Milpitas, CA
3/29/2010
After a fun filled day of dropping off a baby Quail to the Bird Center in Santa Rosa, some wine-tasting, we ended up at Rocker Oysterfeller for dinner.
We had a reservation (since we were a pretty big group) and had a lot of fun hanging out for a DELICIOUS dinner.
The food was so good. Fresh seafood, fresh oysters, fresh everything, it was just so appetizing that we all inhaled our food. We shared a bottle of wine and desserts.
This restaurant was a great end to our weekend in Bodega Bay. A definitely must go if you're in the area! -
Review from Cory N.
Concord, CA
10/17/2011
The service is very friendly, if a bit overwhelmed at times. The food was excellent, with all fresh ingredients and cooked just about perfectly. Had the Rocker Oysters, rabbit loin (mustard sauce was mild and flavorful), chicken fried duck breast (best chicken-fried anything I've ever had). The apple fritters were amazing, and, unfortunately, they ran out before we could order more.
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Review from Glaciala A.
Providence, RI
7/10/2010
The hamburger was killer, the meat was just simply to die for. Thick juicy hamburger patty and it was on really tasty bread and fries were awesome. Heard it's also local meat. Tried the pulled pork sandwich and it was also delicious. Great place to stop if you're in the area. On certain nights they have live music, and it was really fun to listen to while sitting at the bar.
Also, the oysters rockerfeller were really really good! First time I've had oysters like that, and would definitely order them again. -
Review from Rhianna M.
San Francisco, CA
6/11/2011
The service is slow but in a relaxing and laid back kind of way. Eating in the bar is a must. It offers more ambiance and live music (we enjoyed jazz guitar on the night we went). Their margaritas are awesome and go well with the Louisiana Hot oysters. . .yum! We tried all of the oysters and those were our favorite by far.
The cheesy grits are also a must. The endive salad was good but not amazing. The star of the salad was the Point Reyes Blue Cheese. I don't even like blue cheese and I couldn't stop searching for more cheese crumbles, enough said. I would like to go back and try the Molasses-Bourbon Braised Pork Shoulder and their Jalapeno corn biscuits. -
Review from Katie W.
2/16/2008
My sister was in dire need of accomplices in a total lie. She wasn't going to run her last nine miles for her charity walk-athon and so needed a reason to be out of the house at 6 in the am to ensure remaining undetected. How absolutely against every fiber of charity, wouldn't you agree? Enter the Accomplices. Could I be speaking of an underground alliance? Perhaps. But now, could I really say?
We planned to head out to the beach and maybe a skip or half-jog, so that we could truthfully say that she indeed ran that morning. Is this air-tight or what? Hunger arose and we stopped in Valley Ford at the charming, and only hotel there. Across the street is a breakfast place and probably the oldest grocery store in America. Do not even give this second "breakfast" place a second glance, we had to wait an extra hour for the Hotel to open for their weekend brunch (line 'em up at 9 am) but I would have gladly waited 3 times that amount for what we received.
I ordered the Devil's BELT - a bacon, fried egg, lettuce & tomato sandwich. To call this a mere sandwich does not do this collaboration justice in any sense of the word. The bread was seeded wheat that the GRIDDLED for me and slathered with a cheese sauce. Serve with fries and you got my name on it Honey.
Let's move onto the biscuits. These are like absolutely no biscuit you have ever taken pleasure in. Soo crispy on the outside and beyond tender on the inside. I use that word sparingly because I despise it - but there really is no other way to let you know how completely perfect these delights are. Ma had the biscuits in chocolate sauce and bacon. Grandma Ledbetter's design. I love Grandma Ledbetter. This was the crowning dish.
The Faux-Runner got the biscuits and gravy with scrumptious sausage. Then there's the yogurt parfait. Forget all parfaits that you have ever seen/tasted or even read about. Homemade granola sprinkled atop blueberries and figs!! Yes, figs on cool plain yogurt.
The stand-by 2 eggs, potatoes & toast was outstanding in it's class, it was as if every potato was individually coated, loved and grilled in the pan with such coddling you were sure these were trust-fund babies. There was no way to improve upon any of these dishes, these people got their act not even just straight, it's curved my Friend - great AND innovative.
The staff are extra friendly and totally helpful, because some of them are the owners too and they like to come out and talk to you if you're feeling the vibe. If not, shut the hell up and eat your breakfast - who cares? Be forewarned, after eating here you will be strongly compelled to rent out a room upstairs and stay for lunch and then dinner too, stay the night and have breakfast again the next day.
Who the hell would choose running a marathon over such fair? Beautiful drive, phenomenal food and the best lie that I ever told.Listed in: Come, Let's Break Our Fast, Graceable Eateries
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Review from Lhm M.
Oakland, CA
7/4/2010
If you are out for a drive and you come across this jewel of a restaurant, be sure to stop. You won't be sorry you did. One thing for sure is you will not leave hungry.
They start you off with killer biscuits, full of corn and jalepeno's, I think the butter has sugar because it is so sweet.
Our table of 4 tried their crab and artichoke crab cakes and they were very nice. Flavorful and light. Then we had their namesake Tomales Bay Oysters, really delicious but we could have used more biscuits for the glorious liquor.
We shared the mac and cheese, this is a real winner. The grits are very nice as well.
I had the Texas BBQ brisket sandwich, very smoky and tender. Good stuff.
This place is lovely and quaint with a terrific front porch and a bar. Hey they even have a hotel above it. -
Review from Amy L.
Santa Rosa, CA
Updated - 8/31/2009 1 Check-in Here
Went there last night. It remains my favorite local restaurant- well worth the drive.
Sadly, they've discontinued their $20 "Sunday Supper." (if you are reading this Rockers, PLEASE bring it back!)
On a whim, I ordered their clams. Oh-My-Goodness! By far the best clams I've had in a long time- maybe best ever! I've had them before, but don't remember them being THIS good. They are these delicious, little clams swimming in an almost creamy, fennel and shallot(?) broth and served with toasted ciabatta. Only $14 for a "small" bowl and that could easily be dinner- if you're not starving.
Also tried the ribs (shared a half-rack) which wasn't really my cup of tea. Very smoked, somewhat dry. But, the fries that came with the ribs were AWESOME! Ordering a side of those next time (if they'll let me.)
The oysters weren't as good as times past. Not sure what was different. Maybe anything after those clams wasn't going to seem as good.
Service was wonderful, as usual. Always feel so welcome there- it's so warm and inviting. Didn't save room for dessert. :(1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/28/2009
Gosh- now I feel all cliche giving this place 5 stars when everyone else seemed to enjoy it so much,… Read more »
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Review from Mishel F.
San Diego, CA
9/2/2008
We're from Santa Rosa, and this restaurant is well worth the 45 minute drive (admittedly an absolutely gorgeous ride). Have eaten here twice and each time has been spectacular, even for picky Sonoma County standards. They use largely organic, locally grown ingredients - everything is made from scratch including their amazing corn biscuits. Service is warm and friendly, wine selection is excellent and prices are very reasonable. The restaurant is always packed, usually with a good mix of interesting locals and tourists - but for some reason it's never too loud to enjoy yourself.
There aren't many options in this part of the county, what a great find this one is! Can't wait to try their brunch. -
Review from Andy S.
8/28/2009
To look at Rocker Oysterfeller either from the outside or the inside you might not guess that the food is absolutely fantastic. Don't let the somewhat "upscale roadhouse" look fool you. This place is a gem.
First off, I made reservations by e-mail with the owner a few weeks in advance and I also inquired about the band that was playing that night (there's live music most Sunday nights). When the bands got switched unexpectedly, the owner was nice enough to e-mail me and make sure we wanted to keep our reservation for the same night. Talk about great customer service!
Once there, I ordered the Gleason Ranch Fried Chicken, Crushed Potatoes, Fried Sage, Lagunitas Ale & Caraway Gravy ($19). It was seriously the best fried chicken I've ever had. Wonderful flavor and not greasy at all. The sage potatoes and gravy were also excellent. My girlfriend had one of the oyster platters (The Rocker Oysterfeller, 6 oysters w/ Arugula, Bacon, Cream Cheese, Cornbread Crust; $14) and a bowl of cheddar cheese grits ($6). She loved them both, and the bites I had were terrific. To drink we had the Hanna 2007 Sauvignon Blanc ($7.50 a glass), which to be honest I don't really remember, probably because the food was so good.
Sadly, we were too stuffed for desert (we'd had some late-afternoon ice cream in Petaluma), but we did go into the bar to enjoy the last few songs by the three-piece Irish/Celtic band that was playing. They were very good (you could hear them in the dinning room but they were never too loud).
Note that the night we were there it had gotten a bit chilly outside, and the patio was either closed or not in use. The dinning room is fairly small, so reservations seem like a good idea, although I never saw anyone waiting for a seat.Listed in: Best of Bodega Bay area
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Review from Betty W.
Novato, CA
10/20/2011
I tried 3 items, the Rockers Oysterfeller, the deviled eggs, and the nectarine salad. I like the atmosphere and the sounds of the menu. The oysters would have been fabulous but were too salty. The deviled eggs were someone's idea of something interesting, but way too salty, spicy and just didn't work, I didn't finish them. The salad- the nectarines were not ripe so it made what could have been a really good salad just okay. I will go back to try more things, but what is with chefs putting too much SALT in foods these days?
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Review from Barbara P.
Santa Rosa, CA
9/20/2009
Stopped here for drinks & a snack after a day at Dillon Beach. They had a sign on the door that there was a limited menu, so we had only a few items to choose from.
We each had a Creole Caesar Salad with Shaved Parmesan & Fried Oysters. We're not huge oyster fans, but this may have changed our minds. But then again, anything fried is good. We liked the creole caesar dressing & large shaves of Parmesan. I would have liked a bit more dressing, but ultimately it was enough.
We split an order of Dungeness Crab & Artichoke Cakes with Red Pepper Rouille, Watercress & Pine Nuts (2 cakes per order). They were yummy & hit the spot. I'd definitely return to try the full dinner menu. Interesting wine list, too. -
Review from Cristy J.
Oakland, CA
7/7/2009
We found this place on a fluke. I was in the mood for oysters so we stopped in Bodega Bay at the Tides. My boyfriend sees a poster of a local school's festival or something with Rocker Oysterfeller's listed as a sponsor. We looked it up on Yelp, read the awesome reviews and thought it was worth continuing down highway 1 to check the place out. Besides, we figured Hog Island would be close enough if the place totally sucked...which it didn't! Random.
First off, I love that the 'kitchen and saloon' was formerly an historic hotel. The decor is tastefully done, we may even steal the design of their dining room for our own, I loved the rustic look of the exterior and the bar itself, the hardwood floors, bluegrass playing on the satellite radio, very nice ambiance.
We got there well after lunch time so we had to sit at the bar since the dining area wasn't open. No matter, there was plenty of seating because the place was empty. We ordered bloody mary's and they were just the right amount of strong. The bartender was friendly as were the waitresses, the owner happened to be sitting at the bar and chatted us up, we felt very welcome despite the fact that we were very grimy looking after 3 days of camping. But I digress...
The lunch menu was a bit limited, but the scant offerings were fairly good. Oysters were fresh, tangy and light. I really liked the lemon jalapeno sauce to dip the oysters in. I wasn't a fan of the chicken wings, they were a bit small and fatty, however the sauce was exceptionally good, also tangy.
The winner was the pulled-pork sandwich served on ciabatta (which I love). Unlike other establishments, this sandwich wasn't smothered in sauce or grease, yet retained quite a bit of juiciness and subtle flavor. The fries that accompanied the sandwich were perfectly cooked, crisp on the outside, soft and warm on the inside. They didn't even need ketchup- amazing. My boyfriend says those fries took him back to a pub in Belgium- they were perfect.
We ordered a salad just to round out the meal. Nothing exceptional except for the slice of thin bread covered in poppy seeds and fennel, I can eat that stuff anytime! We'll definitely head back for dinner sometime when we're near Sonoma County again. -
Review from monica e.
Oakland, CA
3/7/2010
I have to reiterate my little sister's review of this spot: http://www.yelp.com/bi...
This place seems to exemplify what's good about the Sonoma Coast: fresh, comforting and welcoming. The restaurant is situated in an old west inn on a short stretch of town that looks like the set of an episode of Gunsmoke but foodies, don't let that deter you from coming in for a satisfying meal.
My sister's review pretty much says what I like about the food. (I got to taste everything on her and her hubby's plate!) The staff there was so accommodating and friendly. If we would have let them, our server and the kitchen staff would have taken my infant niece so my sis could eat uninterrupted. That's priceless.
We were so impressed with the cuts of meat they used. Both the New York Strip and the pork loin were so melt in your mouth delicious. My bro-in-law asked where they bought their beef and the waitress said, "Oh,from a ranch about a mile and half up the road." Fresher would have been picking your beef from a pen out back like selecting a lobster from a tank at a seafood restaurant.
Speaking of cattle, if you have a hypersensitive olfactory sense and a strong gag reflex, eat in the dining room and not on the patio on warm days or evenings. The aroma of grass-fed, happy cows wafts into town like nobodys' business, folks.
Otherwise, swing through and have yourself a great meal among some friendly Valley Ford people! -
Review from Brittan S.
Santa Rosa, CA
4/6/2011
This dinning experience was fantastic! First of all the drive to Rocker Oysterfeller is beautiful, then when you arrive the smell of home style cooking greets you! Rocker has the best oysters by far I have ever tasted!! I go to restaurants all other Sonoma county and San Francisco and this little hide away is definitley worth the drive! Thank you to the owners and staff I now have a restaurant that I can look forward too!
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Review from Theresa X.
New York, NY
9/11/2007
Visiting a friend in Sebastopol last wk, he heard thru the grapevine that this was the place to go to have oysters...what a change from NY is all I can say. aside from stepping out of the car and smelling that fresh stench of cow shit, if seated in the back dining room, the air is clear and the place quite quaint (QQ). Starved, they immediately gave us the best cornbread I have ever had, YUM! Had a little jalapeo kick to it, I like. On to the 'Tomales Bay Oysters', we had:
The Rocker Oysterfeller (Arugula, Bacon, Cream Cheese, Cornbread Crust) and another w/ BBQ, Louisiana Hot Sauce - Both very interesting, not bad, not great, but interesting, definitely not ur general take on oysters. would I order again? nah
Also to start, we had the Beer battered prawns, summer squash, okra w/ Cajun spices w/ green goddess dressing - Basically deep fried everything, think tempura but onion ring style. it was aight
but there is still ore food to be had; I was on vacation after all :-) Molasses-bourbon braised pork shoulder w/ jalapeno corn cakes, YUM! w/ a side of mac & cheese (unbuttoning pants) DONE! -
Review from Sarah W.
Oakland, CA
Updated - 3/27/2011
Rocker's burgers are the best in California! The service is alright--so be patient. It's worth the drive....
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/20/2010
We drove out here and enjoyed a mega-delicious lunch! The crab cakes and gumbo were great. The… Read more »
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Review from Melena M.
Sebastopol, CA
9/5/2010
This place is awesome- the perfect West County bar and restaurant.
I love the food, drinks and atmosphere here. The owners are really involved in their business, and they are doing it right. The food is delicious, I think the fried chicken is my favorite, but it is so hard to pick one thing... of course the OYSTERS are a must, fresh and local.
There is a great selection at the bar and their taste in live music is right on the money. This is a great place to spend some time and enjoy life's simple pleasures with your friends! -
Review from Don F.
4/6/2009
OK..........This was the best of my Yelp reviews for the weekend.
We came Saturday night about 5:30 with no reservations so we ended up sitting in the bar area. I think the service in the bar might be a little slower than the main dining room. I ordered the fried chicken, mashed potato's & gravy. The chicken had a crunchy coating like corn flakes, I have never had that before but I'll be back for it again! The potatoes and gravy were really good too.
Wife had a salad and some mac & cheese. She was a happy camper. -
Review from B. G.
Bodega Bay, CA
10/1/2011
We've eaten here about 4 times and each experience has gotten better....a rarity for me to say this regarding a restaurant. Our ultimate breakfast spot is Lucille's in Fort Collins....Cajun goodness at its best; Trout Poncetrain and fresh beignets, nothing has ever compared...until today. Hubby had chicken fried duck with gravy, potato hash, and eggs over easy - WONDERFUL! We were in food heaven. I opted for shrimp over creamy polenta with red eye gravy....more subtle than his but ever so decadent. We noted that the only difference was the fresh beignet experience when our lovely waitress brought out the the dessert menu - fresh beignets with berry jam topped the list....yes, yes, yes! We really liked our server and the bus boy was Johnny on the spot. Looking forward to Thursday....oyster night! This place is a must.
