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Wild Fox Mesquite Fired Kitchen
Category: Restaurants American (Traditional) American (Traditional) [Edit]
225 Alameda Del PradoNovato, CA 94949
(415) 883-9125
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 11:30 am - 10 pm
Sun 10 am - 10 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
112 reviews for Wild Fox Mesquite Fired Kitchen
Review Highlights
"don't forget to try the ahi tuna sliders."
(in 3 reviews)
"I enjoyed the Oven Roasted Vegetable Tower, which was..."
(in 3 reviews)
"French onion soup is great, Clam Chowder is great."
(in 4 reviews)
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112 reviews in English
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Review from Erin L.
Novato, CA
12/24/2011
The promise of all-you-can-drink mimosas at Sunday brunch was all it took to entice my book club to plan our holiday party at WildFox. Forget about the books. Booze please! When we arrived for our event, a large table was all ready and waiting for us. We had been positioned in a great area of the restaurant (not that there's a bad area-- it's a very warm and welcoming space) and our server came over immediately to get drink orders going. Throughout the 2.5 hours we were there, service was prompt and helpful and we were never pressured to give up our seats. The whole experience was very pleasant.
I ordered the ham & cheese omelet, which was absolutely delicious. Friends ordered a variety of other items, from eggs benedict to chicken crepes, and everyone was very pleased with the food. The mimosas were a big hit, too. The woody decor and tasteful Christmas decorations made the space feel very cozy, and we were happy to linger and enjoy our meal.
I will definitely be returning to WildFox and recommend the brunch, in particular. -
Review from Edward M.
San Pablo, CA
2/2/2012
Greetings Munther and Company. Last evening our group of seven dined at this restaurant. We were honoring two special ladies. We were seated in a corner booth that was between two dinning room entrances. We had a 6:30 reservation and were seated on time. However, after being seated we were ignored for almost an hour. We finally had to flag down a waitress to get service. In that hour only one drink order was attempted and two bottles of wine were ignored as we asked them to be opened. They did not offer an ice bucket to keep the chill on the white but gladly passed on the corkage charge. The server did not even attempt during that time to sell us an appetizer or salad. Other tables around us that were seated after us had bread and salads arrive before our order was taken. We had to ask a bus boy for water and bread. When the entrees arrived some 45 minutes after our order, two had to be sent back. One Risotto with Prawns had raw prawns. A busboy/server did take the prawns back but the risotto that was left was bland, unseasoned and appeared to more of a pilaf and not creamy like most risottos we have had. Another risotto was great at our table.The steak special came luke warm and had a rubber band on the meat when it arrived. Another person at our table ordered the same and commented the meat had great flavor but was tough. It took almost 10 minutes to get the manager over to the table and he offered a soup. Hmm, what a concept, replace a stark with a soup. When the bill arrived, they did in fact take both entrees off that had issues but kept the 18% tip on our party. As we were preparing to leave, the manager offered a couple of desserts but we were done and ready to go. One other thing that happened was that the server said we had shorted her on the check. We had double counted it and knew that it was right. It appears that even if it somehow was short the $5 the server claimed ( $ 165 total), it could have been taken off the tip as the service was not acceptable. So, it was a bummer for such a special meal.
On the other hand, we have visited the bar and have enjoyed many happy hours and bar snacks. We will definitely be back for afternoon snacks and cocktails. I hope that this was an off day. I know you can do much better. -
Review from Erika C.
Novato, CA
8/19/2011
My boyfriend and I visited Wildfox for our first time a few days ago. After looking over the menu, I settle on the half chicken and switched the side from mashed potatoes to creamed spinach. Our waiter was great, super friendly, took me through the different specials and made suggestions. There is a whole list of sides that can be switched in to your main course, which I really liked. My boyfriend ordered the meatloaf and a small ceasar.
My only complaint with Wildfox, was the time it took to bring our dinner out. The restaurant was pretty much empty with the exception of the bar, and our dinner took what seemed like forever to get to the table. It wasnt too big of a deal for us, but something to take note of.
When our food finally did make it to the table, my half chicken was amazing....soo good. Huge, but really yummy and cooked perfectly. My boyfriend really enjoyed the meatloaf too.
We did notice another table had ordered dessert, and a huge sundea came out in a goblet...it looked amazing! Next time....
All in all, we will definelty be back to Wildfox. -
Review from Grace L.
San Rafael, CA
1/16/2012
Wildfox is your standard, upscale California grill. The building is beautiful, the parking ample, and the decor spacious and elegant. The portions were huge! The salads were fresh, with authentic (real caesar! a hard find these days) and delicious dressings. While the meats were cooked to perfection, the flavor was a bit flat and uninteresting. The sides were flavorful, though. The service was fine, but our waitress never smiled until the end, she wore casual, bootie jeans and she cleared plates before everyone was finished with their meals. Overall, our experience was fine.
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Review from Caitlin A.
Fillmore, CA
1/22/2012
Haven't had a bad meal here yet. The place is pleasingly decorated, the food is fantastic and if it is a little pricey it is worth it to dine at one of the better places in Marin.
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Review from Jean O.
Novato, CA
2/3/2012
Food the tops and lovely environment. Price is steep but worth it once in awhile, don't you think?
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Review from Oren P.
San Diego, CA
12/5/2011
The place is popular - but there is also not a lot of competition in the area. The osso is good, as are most of their other meats - but prices are high and service is slow.
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Review from Mildred A.
Bay Area
7/19/2011
I guess you are better trying the meats...which was not at all what I chose. Of course.
It was a farewell lunch to my darling boss. Now I'm not just kissing ass. He is the kind of boss you want to have. Cool, generous, understanding, funny! The kind of boss you feel bad about calling in sick to. That kind of boss. So I am KISSING ASS. But he retired...which was the occasion of this lunch.
Toast was closed for renovations (fist shaking in the air) and we trekked it to Wild Fox instead. In the pouring rain. By the time we got there we had high expectations of succulent warm stews. Wild Fox had a different idea.
Service was curt and rushed. This guy made it clear he was not in the mood to serve a table of 8. Not even a smile. Answered our questions with monosyllables and was not willing to ask the kitchen for modifications. As in rare vs well cooked for the Reuben sandwich and the hamburger. Really? Daaaamn.
So we settled on salads and pizzas. If you are on a high protein diet, do not order the salads. My Greek salad allegedly contained a grilled chicken breast. I think they were referring to the pounded-into-oblivion transparent slice of meat in a corner of the plate. More akin to a prosciutto slice than the breast of any avian I ever saw. The greens were scarce and totally forgettable.
So I ended up hungry and broke at the price tag of $12.50 for a completely below average plate of food. And I have to go back to work?! What's a girl to do but fill up on coffee. Turns out their coffee is pretty decent. -
Review from Linda C.
Windsor, CA
11/28/2011
My husband and I were on the way back from dropping our daughter off at the airport. I had won gift certificates that Wild Fox had donated to local Firefighter sponsored golf tournaments. One was Steve Rucker Tournament that supports Fire Squirts Camp for at-risk children, and Guns & Hoses that supports YMCA send a child to camp. I was reading the reviews on YELP and made reservations.
We were pleasantly surprised that Monday's are 1/2 off the price of any wine on the wine list. They have a really nice wine list, and a very nice variety serving most price ranges as well as a large selection of wines by the glass. The 1/2 off allowed us to order a wine that we would not normally pay full price for. Our waiter, Jose was awesome. When we asked him which appetizer of the two we had selected, he suggested the Ahi tuna rolls that were excellent. Lots of tuna with a light crust and wheat sobe noodles and julienne vegetables.
We had the baby spinach salad with pecans. Crunchy goodies although the dressing could have been a little lighter. I had the bass special and my husband had the salmon. The bass had a very light sauce with capers, rice and fresh broccoli. The salmon was cooked perfectly although it was served with a heavier sauced potato and slaw side. Still very good. They do allow customers to select from the ala carte sides to substitute for those offered at no extra cost.
They do have a very nice patio area with a fire place and a full service bar. We will definitely be going back and hopefully on a Monday. It was busy, so I would suggest reservations if you want a booth if available. -
Review from Josh H.
San Francisco, CA
11/9/2011
Been here a few times, and have enjoyed the food every time. The service is usually pretty good. The steaks are fantastic and the clam chowder is out of this world. We'll be back for sure.
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Review from Sarah C.
3/21/2011
We had just checked into the Best Western right next door, and it was time to have my birthday dinner as part of my San Francisco trip with Nate and my FIL and MIL. We were all tired and indecisive after a day of sightseeing in San Fran, so I opted for Wild Fox after reading some reviews and being too tired to care that there were some bad ones. :)
I got the Wild Fox Burger (I was seriously craving some meat for some reason). It was good and tasty and done just to my liking. I really loved the homemade pickles.
We split a hot fudge sundae for dessert - oh man! Soooo hit the spot. The toasted marshmallows were a nice treat.
Great place if you are staying next door - easy to get to and lots of options to choose from. -
Review from Rita S.
Novato, CA
12/29/2010
Your average California bar & grill restaurant. You want to start with a Caesar salad and a grilled steak with an "interesting" sauce on it? You can get it here. Want broiled salmon and a roasted beet & goat cheese salad? Ditto. You get the drift.
Nothing cutting edge going on here. Good food that's usually executed fine. Prices feel a bit on the steep side. Doesn't feel like there's a whole lot of soul in the cooking any more. Has that corporate feel about it.
Many people I know in Novato think this place is awesome. It's the kind of place where you won't get any surprises, good or bad. Sometimes, that's good enough. For me, it's not.Listed in: Novato's Best Restaurants
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Review from zia s.
San Pablo, CA
1/3/2011
Believe it or not, I've lived across the freeway from this place forever, I know a few of the employees, but I've never really been in!
Last night, my boyfriend and I stopped in for a late evening martini and a bite to eat. We took a seat at the bar, and were greeted immediately by the bartender Tony. We ordered a round of dirtys, and were very pleased with the way they came out. We then let tony know we'd be interested in looking at the menu, and he was able to guide us through quite well - letting us know his honest opinion of what was good and what wasn't ALL that great. We ended up with the greek salad + chicken, and the crab cakes. Both were great, and just what we were in the mood for. You could REALLY taste the freshness of the crab in the crab cakes.
We stuck around for a while, ordered another round, and chatted with Tony about a few different things. Eventually we decided it was time to go, and we closed out our tab. We'll definitely be back - maybe next time for a full dinner. Thanks guys! -
Review from Michael S.
Oakland, CA
3/31/2011
would have been 3 stars but the food is overpriced..not that its bad but for $18-20 for an entree the quality is unacceptable...you can consistently get better meals for $12-$15 if you care to go to Oakland or SF. Also service was a bit slow, the drinks were expensive AND the tonic was flat...
once again for the price the drinks should be tasty and unique and they were anything but.... -
Review from Sascha O.
10/8/2010
We were out of fresh produce in our fridge and I didn't want to just eat carbs/fat/meats for dinner. But it was past 9pm and being in sleepy North Bay, we only had so many options for venues that were still open. To make matters worse, my husband didn't know what he really wanted so he wanted to go to a place that had pretty broad choices (read, not ethnic or specialty food).
So trusty Yelp is to the rescue again and I see that there are a couple of "American" food places that are open. One was $$$, and this place, wild Fox, was $$. that pretty much was the basis of our decision and we didn't expect too much from it either, given a 3 star average and wildly different reviews from "wow" to "yikes" : P
But I was actually more on the pleasantly surprised category. The place was nice and airy, had good ambiance, had a good bar section where guys enjoyed drinks and sports on flatscreen TV, ample seating space, and apparently an outdoors section where you can buy and enjoy cigars too. We don't smoke, but we thought that was kind of dope.
Well, so we walk in, and at the front desk there is a sign that says to go to the bar to get service. Uuuummm okay?? So we go there, the bar tender is quick to notice us and greets us. We asked to be seated, and the apparent hostess that was by the bar dealing with her own business (pretty much cleaning up and prepping to leave I guess) took us back over to the front desk to pick up menus and then seated us at a booth.
Booth table was roomy and nice, however the seats were angled lower in the back so it required some effort to prop up at the table or try to lean into it to hear what my husband was saying. Not really made for a small framed woman I guess: P
Anyway, off to the menu... there were a lot of tempting, delicious sounding items on it... but I've been going through some detoxing and didn't want a lot of carbs, oil, sugar or red meat. (which unfortunately is the highlight of the place, boasting aged prime beef, thin crust pizzas etc) So I decided to make a meal out of their organic green salad (side salad portion) and sake steamed PEI mussels from their appetizer section. My husband wanted his typical sausage and mushroom pizza, then was told that they were all out of pizza and anything chicken based for the night. So he decided to get beer, bbq pork sliders and a cup of chowder, then finishing with a mini sundae.
The mixed salad was a good surprise. Pretty good portion for a "side" salad, price was reasonable (I think $5 or 6...), and it was healthy, leafy, fresh organic greens, with tomatoes, shredded beets, carrots, cucumbers etc, with honey mustard dressing. It was actually really quite good and right up my alley. Well worth the money.
The mussels were pretty good. Great in entertainment factor when the waiter came with a sizzling plate with mussels on it and poured sake over it and made it sizzle even more. Then he poured coconut ginger curry sauce over it. Price? $14... good portion, but still on the pricey side. Taste: That curry sauce had a LOT of zing!!! Extremely gingery and spicy (not that hot but spicy) to a point where it was sometimes almost bitter. I didn't mind it, but it might be a little much for some. I also would've preferred if the sizzling plate was not that shallow. I couldn't really scoop up the yummy juices on the bottom after I ate all the mussels.
My husband didn't comment on his beer but it was his favorite kind so I am pretty sure he didn't have anything to complain about : ) Also the chowder looked classic, thick and creamy. The bbq pork sliders were excellent too, however they were on the tiny end of "sliders"... maybe about 2" diameter buns x3. So that I think is really an appetizer portion and if you want to make it into a meal, you'd have to order up a couple of other dishes to fulfill your appetite. Having said that, the bbq pulled pork inside where saucy, sweet, tangy and juicy. We both agreed that the ribs here probably is worth coming back for and trying.
His mini sundae was really cute too. I personally find that "mini" size is a perfect portion to end the meal. Vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, chocolate fudge, etc and it came with this black blob on top which I was like, "what is THAT?" but quickly realized that it was a big roasted marshmallow. Due to my current diet I resisted trying it, but seeing how my husband gobbled it up, I bet it was quite awesome : )
So all in all, a pretty good experience. Good to know they serve till 10pm, better than chain restaurants, yet casual enough to hop on the car and roll over at the spur of the moment. Definitely would come back, when I am not detoxing to try one of their delish sounding main courses. -
Review from L L.
San Francisco, CA
7/13/2010 1 photo
For a first visit, I'm sold. Of course the portions are super-sized (which is probably why the Wild Fox Mesquite Fired Kitchen has been compared to large franchise restaurants), but they're SO much more original.
The service was friendly and prompt, which may also be related to the slow lunch traffic in the middle of the week. I enjoyed the Oven Roasted Vegetable Tower, which was gorgeous AND delicous.
I look forward to becoming a frequent flier to this establishment so that I can try everything on the menu! -
Review from Tiana S.
Vallejo, CA
7/30/2011
I just went to Wild Fox for the first time tonight and everything was great! I had the crab cakes which were very flavorful, the clam chowder (very, very good!), and a burger. Everything was very good and flavorful. The only down fall with the burger is for each additional topping on your burger you have to pay $1.25. It was well worth the money I spent, and to top it all off, we had the Pecan Bunt Cake! Wow! This was amazing! Would recommend it to any of my friends.
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Review from Ken D.
8/7/2010
Three times at Wild Fox under my belt during recent business trips have given me a consistently positive experience of the place. All three times, I had dinner at the bar with friendly, attentive bartenders making me feel right at home.
The food, overall, was good for this level of restaurant. Much better than a chain, but certainly not 'fine dining'. Don't take that as a slight. It's simply meant to manage your expectations. Don't expect the subtle melding of delicate flavor profiles. Instead, expect hearty portions, nicely grilled meats, and a comfortable atmosphere.
As for food choices, I loved the seared tuna sushi app, and the sides of veg that you can order a la carte. My grilled pepper-crusted petit filet was very good. The one blip showed up in the form of the smoked pork chop. It was big, but a bit tough. Smoking pork is always a gamble in my opinion. It's so flavor-specific that after one bite you're saturated with that pervasive, smoky taste. A large pork chop of that type is just too much, and it might have been better served as an appetizer. Plus, the smoking makes it denser than a normal chop, ergo the tough nature of the chop. Again, that was a lesson in choosing, and my needing to read the menu more closely.
If I find myself in Novato, I'll be back, order wisely, and enjoy Wild Fox. -
Review from Derrick V.
San Francisco, CA
6/8/2010
Came here for a company lunch.
I, along with a couple of my coworkers, ordered the 1/2 lb KOBE BEEF burger. I specified medium rare. What we got was a 1/2 lb of cardboard.
How a kitchen can incinerate well marbled Kobe beef into a dry, tasteless, having no juice whatsoever beef patty is beyond me.
And never mind the roasted shallot aioli promised on the menu, I had to ask for plain old mayonnaise to introduce a speck of fat back into the burger.
I must admit, I was rather skeptical of the ambitious menu this place seemed to offer. But I definitely did not think I would be having the worst burger I've ever had. How hard is it to cook a freaking beef patty. Put it on the grill and flip. Check for doneness.
I think they used a flame thrower on our patties for 5 minutes, left it on the counter for an hour, then assembled it. Jokes aside, please heed the Kobe beef warning. Don't get excited. You have been warned. -
Review from Stephen L.
San Rafael, CA
I have been here two times now and, every time I really want to like this place. I mean it is a nice place with a great patio with big stone fireplaces that I love but, I just don't love being seated outside on said patio and being forgotten about.
That was the first time we went to Wildfox. My girlfriend and I were seated outside on a Friday night by the fireplace and waited for our waitress to take our order and waited and waited, you get the idea. So that didn't really make for a wonderful experience after we had to track down someone to take our order.
Wildfox take two. We decide to head over there after my girlfriend brings up a Reuben that she had had a few weeks before so I was in at that point. When got there it was apparent that the "A-team" was clearly not working today but, it was Labor day so I can understand the skeleton crew. I went ahead and ordered my Reuben after we over heard the specials from the waiter at the table next to us that our waiter must have thought we wouldn't want so he didn't share what it was with us.
We get our food and my sandwich was tiny, I have never seen a Reuben this small. I was also happy to get fries with my sandwich that were from a bag of frozen French fries that they sprinkled some parsley on. Oh and I think that I got the last of the bag because all my fries were little pieces as you can see from my picture. Thanks for not caring at all about the product you put out to your customers Wildfox. -
Review from Sonya C.
Novato, CA
7/8/2010
I think people have been too harsh in reviewing this place. I read someone compared them to the cheesecake factory.
They're food is DELICIOUS! Here's a list of the things we're had and loved @ wild fox:
1. French Onion Soup (big portion, fantastic cheese dripping down the sides of the bowl)
2. Sake Steamed Mussel Appetizer (Soft juicy perfectly cooked mussels, in red curry sauce with sake)
3. BBQ Ribs (sticky with sauce falling off the bone.. I might have to have these for dinner, now that I think about it)
4. Shrimp & Craw-fish Risotto (creamy velvety risotto with perfectly cooked seafood in it.. what more do you want)
5. Roasted Corn Potstickers (I'm normally apposed to fusion, but these are really good)
* We've also had excellent wine here twice. Though I drank too much and can't remember what it was.
That's all I've tried so far because I tend to get those same things over and over. But, seriously I'm a local and, this is one of my favorite spots in Novato. Give it a shot! -
Review from L H.
Novato, CA
10/3/2011
I wanted to try a different restaurant and this has been on my list for a while. Went here with my fiancee for an early dinner/late lunch. We arrived around 4:18PM and apparently they don't seat you until 4:30 for dinner. Thought that was weird. So we had to wait about 10 minutes, which was whatever. The dining room was small with tables and booths. The bar was also small and was right next to the dining room. There was also outdoor seating from what I could tell.
After waiting 10 minutes we were seated in the middle of the dining room, which was odd. The other people who were waiting right behind us were seated in booths. I hate sitting in the middle of any dining room. There was also a woman doing paper work in one of the booths. Not sure if she's the manager or not, but she had her binder and papers out and about. Thought she should have been working in the employee lounge instead of out with the diners.
Anywho, our waiter was kind of friendly. Wasn't very talkative or smiled as much. I ordered the Prime Rib medium well with candied butternut squash and garlic fries. My fiancee ordered the ribs with cole slaw and corn on the cob. The meal came with complimentary bread and butter. The butter was whipped and was very light. We also ordered tempura calamari, which was very greasy. Didn't really like it because I felt like I was just eating the batter and grease. My prime rib was eh. It looked limp and pathetic. Not juicy and had a weird flavor to it. Not sure what kind of seasonings they added to it. I've had better prime rib at other places. The garlic fries were good and so were the candied butternut squash. My fiancee thought his ribs tasted weird too. Maybe it was the bbq sauce they used. He barely touched his cole slaw and corn on the cob. Guess he really didn't like it.
We will not be coming back. Rather go to another restaurant. -
Review from Chris J.
Windsor, CA
4/10/2010
Meh... This place reminds me of an overpriced Applebees, minus the flair.
The food was mediocre at best. At our table of 8, everyone's reactions when asked how their food was- "It's ok. Definitely had better." And I also see what everyone was saying about the service as well. Nothing special at all.
The burger I ordered medium, came well done. The truffled egg that was on top tasted nothing like truffles. And when I asked about the truffle aioli that was suppose to came with it (the waiter brought me a burger and after 10 minutes I had to flag him down for some condiments, come on)... he said- we're out of the truffle stuff. That truffle stuff being basically mayo with some truffles (I highly doubt they make real aioli using a mortar & pestle, then garlic, oil and eggs). And I know they weren't out of truffles because my wife was sitting next to me eating a mushroom ravioli dish with peas and bacon in a white cream TRUFFLE sauce. Lame ass server. Take some of the truffles from her pasta dish, toss it in a food pro with some mayo and garlic and make my damn aioli. Anyways, the raviolis were actually pretty good.
The $6.95 half green salad that they served was a joke- I've sneezed more green than what they had on that plate. Literally, a small handful of greens, tossed on a plate with some shredded carrots and a single cherry tomato cut in two? WTF? And when the server came by and asked how my burger was, I told him I ordered it medium and it was well down. What did he say... drum roll... "Well it looked really good you know, especially with that egg on top. I might have to try that one day."
A lot of other people at the table got steaks... all ordered them medium to medium rare. All of them came medium-well to well done. The sides dishes were also bland uninspiring. This is one of those places where they "pretend to be" fancy... but I think they know they're nothing special. When you claim to have "truffle aioli" or "braised green beans"... And you bring out "mayo" and "boiled in water green beans"... you're letting your true colors shine. It's a wannabe fancy place with mediocre, uninspired food and service that's lacking.
At least the beer was ok. -
Review from kevo m.
East Bay, CA
9/24/2007
Announcer: Kevo, tough race today!
Me: Well, ahhh i was mistake start. and ahh i when I make first corner, I was ahh fifth or six.. something. and ahh difficurt pass a Ruben Xaus and ahhh Max. And after pass ahhh I pass Max, i stay first position and I keeping for title.
I keeping ahh push litto bit and when I in front group i keeping ahhh thinking save a litto tire. but ahhh i thinking ahh push in finar rap, i ahh push again.
And ahh just a litto disappointment because tire a litto better the last race and ahhh last tree laps almost finish tire and quite difficurt to controw for the bike and ahhh finish race. Max pass me when ahhhh I go wide in ahhhhh finar corner.
http://static.px.yelp....
Announcer: Thank you Kevo-chan! Congratulations on your second place finish!
What a great race that was! I felt like I was racing at Philip Island, Australia in the World Super Bike series on a Yamaha R1 Superbike against the likes of Ruben Xaus, Max Biaggi, Troy Corser, Troy Bayliss, and James Toseland. But back in reality it was just a local club race at Sears Point/ Infineon Raceway in Sonoma against other weekend warriors like myself. I finished 23rd out of 30. But that day I got my best lap time EVAR.
My paddock-mates and I had dinner after race weekends on our way home from the track. With all that adrenalin still flowing it's a great way to decompress and rehydrate! We bench race and boast of our racing adventures. The significant others are drinking to celebrate everyone and their bikes going home in one piece. My race team doesn't have a drinking problem. My drinking team has a racing problem.
This particular race weekend was an especially good one all around, so we decided to celebrate by going to the Wild Fox.
There is an outside seating area for those good weather days. It was our smoking section while we waited for our food. The service was excellent. Decent wine selection. The food was also excellent.
While it does have that ski lodge feel to it, everyone was dressed rather well... like they just came from church. We felt out of place in our somewhat grungy track clothes peppered with grease and sweat stains. We were still treated well despite our attire.
The Wild Fox will always be a post-race pit stop on our way home.Listed in: My Best of the Bay Area List
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Review from Ali R.
San Francisco, CA
9/19/2007
Dad's bday last night... Family gets together.... hmmmm... Here's how it goes.
Put our name in (who knew it would be busy on a TUESDAY night... it was - make a reservation ALWAYS).
Wait ten minutes.
Sit down. Grandma promptly asks if it's ok if she has a cocktail. We all roll our eyes and say yes. Grandma says, "Oh Goody!! Flag our waiter down quick, I don't want to mess up my cocktail by drinking it during dinner. I like to finish it before our food arrives." *roll the eyes* Waiter walks by... carrying food... Grandma pulls him (LITERALLY) and he says, "One Minute." She says, "Beefeater, straight up, two olives, with a twist, DO NOT SHAKE IT, I can taste the water. And put a rush on it!"
*more eye rolling*
Dad now scolds Grandma for being rude. She scoffs and says she wants to feel the beefeater go straight to her blood. Oh boy I think... It's going to be a long dinner... Then we start talking about breast feeding and how it's not my grandma's fault that she didn't breast feed my dad... it made her sore and it was "all the rage" to use formula in that era.... I think she truly felt responsible for all his allergies after that... I ended up having a few extra drinks just to handle my family...
So anyways... about the restaurant and the food.
Food was good. Not the BEST EVER, but definitely good stuff. I would easily come back here when needing a good place in Novato for dinner. The best dish at the table was the Giant Shrimp Risotto. YUMMM. Excellent wine list. I had one of each so I know... :P
For bday desserts they bring hot fudge sundaes with roasted marshmallows and PEANUTS. BOOO. I wanted that ice cream. Damn you peanut allergy.
The decor is quite nice too. Feels like you are in Aspen or something. Stone and wood walls with large ceilings and windows overlooking the pretty areas of the hills behind. Very nice... -
Review from Tracee E.
San Rafael, CA
11/22/2008
Walking into WildFox is like walking into a corporate restaurant trying to a large comfortable dining room with a fireplace to remind you of home... it just ends up being too corporate-y to quick fit the bill.
The food was okay- a little overpriced for the quality/ presentation. I has a curry noodle dish that my asian co-worker laughed at me getting (her philosophy is never to order a cuisine that isn't the specialty of the restaurant- and I have to say after this experience, I agree with her). The curry was bland and un-rememorable.
My fellow diners enjoyed the food (hamburger, sandwich, fish) but agreed that it was just average and nothing overly special. I'd keep on looking if you're in search of a special meal.Listed in: Lunch places in San Rafael
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Review from Brianna A.
Norco, CA
10/27/2011
Im visiting Infineon raceway with my dad and we are staying at the best western right next to this restaurant, so we were hungry and it looked interesting, so I had the thin crust, oven dried tomato mozzarella and basil pizza, all I can say is DEEEELISH!!! So yummy! But the pizza is fairly large for a personal size pizza, I would recommend to share it on a date or something.
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Review from Vanessa C.
Kensington, CA
4/21/2009
Well, I finally caved-in and began casually dating a former colleague. Because said former colleague is also an elected official, I envisioned something analogous to romance and intrigue - covert brown bag lunches on park benches, quiet dinners in the city, trips to coastal towns, where nobody would know us.
What I got instead was a man who stubbornly refuses to leave Novato - seriously. And the only restaurant at which we ever dine is Wild Fox, a reliably pedestrian place with a nice patio, decent burger and spicy Bloody Mary.
Now, I know locals love this place, but is it worth the schlep over the bridge? Probably not, but I'm not so sure this guy is either. -
Review from Julie F.
3/4/2009
I'd give this place 3.5 stars.
Reading some other Yelp reviews I am semi-surprised at the poor ratings; I personally haven't had really bad food here (actually pretty good) and haven't been on the receiving end of poor service. I've been here a handful of times all with clients.
Today I had the Mesquite Grilled Chicken Sandwich that came with pesto, bacon and jack cheese with a side of fries. All I can say is YUMMMM... I was with a client so I could not inhale the sandwich as I would usually do with my friends. So I politely picked at it until it was 3/4 gone. My client had the Crab or Shrimp Louie and my other coworker had the Chop Salad. All salads were devoured stat.
The Wild Fox is quite crowded for lunch and can be a little noisy. We were seated in the main dining room. The other room that they have has a nose cozy fireplace in it to make it nice and warm. I'll probably be back but only when we take this particular client. -
Review from Nils E.
San Francisco, CA
6/19/2009
Imagine The Cheesecake Factory as a stand-alone restaurant instead of a chain. Now, scale it up a bit. Not a notch, but just a bit, with a menu that doesn't include more than one type of cheesecake. Throw in outdoor and covered patios, some over-50 Marin locals, a couple of fireplaces, and voila! Wild Fox.
PROS: nice setting, tons of food options, a fully stocked bar, and outdoor seating (albeit somewhat noisy given the proximity to the highway).
CONS: pretty much everything else.
(No, seriously.) The food is plain and simple - no frills, no stretches of the imagination, and no pleasant surprises. They've thrown some Asian-inspired dishes on the menu for sh*ts and giggles, but these are greasy piles of noodles or rice with gobs of cheap meat and oily vegetables. The sandwiches are straight-forward and the portions are sizable, which is satisfying. The fries are nothing special, but they're hot and salty and don't have any hints of other fried foods - this is a plus in my book. Portions are all-American: this place is not for the faint of appetite.
It's not too much of a surprise that there are complaints about the service - the restaurant looks like it can seat over a 100 people, and there are not nearly enough servers. What few there are need to manage noisy, hungry and boozy patrons, and that can't help their demeanor.
You're not going to be blown away by the dining experience. You will, however, enjoy this place for large or small groups, business lunches, power lunches, and happy hour with half price appetizers. The larger your group, the better so you can dominate the noise levels, inside and out. It's a place that is convenient for those who live close by, but in all likelihood, a disappointment for anyone seeking it out as a destination.
Does it leave you craving for more? Next time you are in Novato and need greasy food to wash down your cocktail, look no further. -
Review from Elle M.
Marin County, CA
7/27/2008
On a Friday evening, a group of eight of us had our monthly moms night out. We were seated on the outdoor patio where we were treated to wonderful ambiance (fountains, rustic stone Mediterranean decor, and citronella candles to keep the bugs at bay). The service was excellent--our waiter was kind and attentive, not ever losing his patience even after having to repeatedly explain the specials as we trickled in at different times.
I started out with the Pomegranate Cosmo, which tasted absolutely luscious and it was none too weak--just what I needed. We were planning to share appetizers but ended up each doing our own thing, so I went for it and ordered the flank steak which was scrumptiously flavorful and cooked to perfection. The sides were equally superb--I knew I would love the horseradish mashed potatoes, but the green beans in a butter garlic sauce took me by surprise. After eating a steak, I rarely finish my veggies--this time I wouldn't even let the waiter take my plate until I had eaten the last green bean!
Unbeknownst to me, my husband called the restaurant during our dinner and put in a good word for us with one of the managers that he happens to know. That was midway into our meal, so although it didn't seem possible for the service to improve, we were totally delighted when Felipe brought us two divine desserts...on the house! The dense lemon cheesecake with raspberry coulis and fresh berries was my favorite, but the fruit tart with vanilla ice cream was also delicious.
I had a sip of my friend's Espresso Martini (Absolut Vodka, Kahlua, Shot Of Espresso, Fresh Whipped Cream) and it was soooo good. If I hadn't already used up my alcohol quota and dinner budget, I would have ordered one.
This is the same restaurant where I came a few months ago with my parents and my grandma for a light lunch on a cool spring day where we sat inside the warm lodge-like interior with spacious ceilings and enjoyed the view of the fireplace and the surrounding woodsy hillside.
And the same restaurant where I went on my second date with my husband and we discovered our shared love of french onion soup.
And there have been less memorable meals between these, but all in all, Wild Fox has served us well and we will always come back for more great food, attentive service, and unbeatable ambiance.Listed in: Best of North Marin
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Review from Monica B.
Marin County, CA
6/22/2009
Borrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrring.
Went on a work luncheon here, and despite the delightful company my co-workers, the experience was totally unmemorable and unimpressive.
While the menu's fare is somewhat varied and offers variety-the options for vegetarians was notably poor.
I opted for a turkey burger, which was absolutely average. Not inedible, however certainly not remarkable. The side salad it came with was also unworthy of note.
The interior decor was also interesting to note-what is the theme here?! The building is an ecclectic and strange mixture of architectural styles blended into a pseudo-hunting lodge or cottage-complete with stone fireplaces and Sear's siding...inside.
In general, do not plan to return unless prompted. Not really worth the extra $ since the meal wasn't sensational. -
Review from Susan C.
Knoxville, TN
9/12/2009
Been there - done that. Been there - done that. Been there and did it again, most willingly.
My sweetheart and I purposely cruised through Northwestern Novato this weekend on a semi-work-related journey and happened upon the Wild Fox Mesquite Fired Kitchen. We had not stepped foot in this architecturally-pleasing eating establishment for several years, although we frequently pass it southbound on Highway 101.
Of the 3 or 4 times we've partaken of food and service and cigar bar (the man, not me), it's been dinner -- not lunch. We both have been fans of the Roasted Vegetable Tower, a tasty concoction of pureed butternut squash with mico-thin crispy onion sticks and a balsamic glaze ($12.95). As strict Weight Watchers back then, this seemed to be a great dish, although I vaguely remember mashed potatoes in the mix.
This time we were amazed at the expanded lunchtime offering: appetizers -- from Mudslung Crayfish Fritters with serrano chili dip ($8.95) to filet mignon pizza with cherry tomatoes, olive oil, caramelized onions and truffle-scented bleu cheese ($14.95) to an ahi tuna roll with wasabi and sesame noodle salad ($14.50); a variety of hearty salads including the traditional Caesar ($8.95) and and Grilled Salmon Cobb ($14.95); broth dishes (shrimp, $14.95 and chicken, $13.95); Giant Shanghai Noodles featuring Mongolian Lamb ($13.95)and Mee Goreng (cabbage, cilantro, thai basil, potatoes, tomatoes, tofu, onions and spice syracha sauce, $12.95); rice dishes, pasta and vegetarian fare and meat, poultry and seafood (none more than $14.95).
After perusing the menu, I'm sorry to report to vegetarians and especially vegans that he menu isn't as accommodating. Plenty of salad offerings (many with cheese or cheesy dressings) and only two seemingly pure vegan entrees: the Roasted Vegetable Tower and the Mee Goreng.
My sweetie and I surprisingly both settled on the Grilled Lamb Sirloin Sandwich with caramelized onions, curry aioli, spinach leaves and tomato slices. We try to sample different menu items when we eat out; however, we're lamb lovers.
Much to our surprise, his second choice and mine as well, the Classic Reuben. Crazy! After being a couple for three decades, I suppose it's only natural that we hunger for many of the same things. (Please don't tell us that we're starting to look alike!)
The lamb, medium rare as requested and cooked as we had ordered, tasted absolutely succulent and was thinly sliced and and tender and juicy. The roll was fresh, the tomatoes and spinach were likewise, the onions piled high, yet the sandwich as a whole lacked a "kick." We ordered a side of horseradish, and after spreading it on the bread and salting the tomatoes, the sandwich became a tasty treat. As semi-Weight Watchers these days, we asked for the accompanying salad (greens with vinaigrette dressing) instead of bean soup or French fries. Fresh, crisp!
Service: Good, although the waiter did not return specifically to ask us if we wanted soda refills. Ambiance: Rather nice with the high ceilings, dark and formal decor, fireplace and water fountain in a window-surrounded back room, striking etched-glass table privacy and room dividers that add a touch of class, full bar, rock-wall enclosed outside patio with fire pit that serves as retreat for cigar-o-philes who like to savor and puff and wax eloquently.
Dinner menu is much the same, subtle differences and higher prices (of course), with the most expensive item listed -- $35 for an 18-ounce cut of Prime Rib accompanied with two side dishes, horseradish cream and au jus.
And on Thursday and Friday nights, L-i-v-e music: jazz, blues, rock, funk, soul, r&b and fusion. Woo-hoo!
Haven't tried many of Wild Fox's offerings, yet I've been there, done that, and most surely will go again. -
Review from sarah F.
San Francisco, CA
6/29/2010
They have a great patio area that's perfect on a nice sunny day. I came here on a lazy Sunday afternoon with my sister. We shared the kobe sliders and a southwestern chicken salad. The salad was overpriced, but still it was delicious.
Service was very slow. Good place to come for a casual meal. -
Review from Jaii F.
San Francisco, CA
11/16/2008
This experience was pretty straight forward. A group of us went here for a birthday brunch. There were nine of us and Wild Fox was able to accommodate us and to set us up with outdoor seating upon request. I appreciate this especially since it was an exceptionally lovely November afternoon.
Unfortunately, the food and service were just so-so. Not bad enough to be bad (but almost), and not good enough to be good. The drinks from the bar and the coffee refills were really slow. One person waited nearly thirty minutes for a coffee refill. The place wasn't that busy and besides being slow, there was no real follow up and rarely anyone around to ask for coffee or drinks or whatever. The main negative was that I requested that the birthday boy be served a dessert so we could sing happy birthday and the server never brought the dessert. She dropped off the check and I had to go find her to even pay so I decided not to bother with the dessert as everyone was ready to go.
I would say three stars but on the brink of easily slipping to two.Listed in: North of the Golden Gate…
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Review from Stacy E.
Petaluma, CA
3/15/2007
I have mixed feelings about this place. We have had good and bad food here. I feel that food is very good. I really like the salad there.
The one thing I don't like about this place is the service. I feel like because we are so young that sometimes waiters think that we will not tip very well. We always get so so service. but I think All waiters shoule know that sometimes. The way we look does not mean anything.
I think they have to many steak houses in Novato! -
Review from Emily l.
Novato, CA
11/9/2007
I like Wildfox for its location and their meatloaf. Ask for the extra gravy if you are not dieting, yummy. They also have a killer Gin Martini with this Raspberry liquor, it is divine.
It can get very busy on Friday and Sat nights, they will cram you into the smallest table so when you are eating if the server goes to the next table you get a view of their ass. If the ass was cute I would have given more stars. -
Review from Craig W.
Lebanon, NH
12/21/2008
For some crazy reason, my partner and I are never able to get the name of this restaurant right. We call it Red Fox, and White Fox, and any other type of fox you can think of. I think we have finally memorized it now, though, as we have started to visit more and more frequently.
The atmosphere is wonderful. In the summer, the outdoor patio is absolutely perfect. In the winter, the large windows behind the huge fireplace allow you to see the rain. The restaurant backs up to a nice nature scene. The service is very good and friendly...something that is hard to find in Marin County. The prices are middle of the road, and the food quality is good.
My partner is vegetarian, so dining out can sometimes be difficult. He loves Wild Fox because they have some really different dishes.
Above all of this, the entertainment is the best! By entertainment I mean the residents of the area. Having worked in the area for several years, I know what the population is like: People who have plenty of money, but absolutely no class. It's like putting perfume on a pig.
I don't mean to offend anyone who is from that area, but really! Take a look at those around you and tell me that I'm wrong!
Seriously though, you will like this restaurant. Give it a try! -
Review from Jason H.
Sacramento, CA
2/25/2008
My first trip here with was really good. Really nice ambiance, they had an awesome bar with a friendly bartender, had some drinks, and there was a special on the menu that night - I believe it was a pistachio crusted halibut. Tender, flaky, and so delicious. The waitress had some really good wine recommendations that night as well and other than being really busy, the whole experience was very positive
I managed to go back a few months later with some of the same group of people, and the halibut was out of season so I ordered instead one of their steaks. Wholly disappointing... the meat was tough and chewy and way too well done for medium rare. The waiter also didn't really seem to know what was going on in terms of our orders or what was available, but an interesting revelation he made was that the Wildfox Hefeweizen was just Widmers. This visit was also during midweek, and there weren't a lot of people in the restaurant, making the delay and quality even more of a question mark based on the first visit.
Based on my first visit, I'd probably be willing to give Wildfox a third shot next time I'm in San Rafael, but making sure I make it on a Friday or Saturday night. Perhaps the crowd brings the better wait staff and chefs. Prices were definitely on the high side, where one would expect service and quality to be constantly good. I'd give the first experience a 4-5, the second a 2.
If you're in the area, looking for some nice ambiance, and haven't tried this place yet, give it a shot. -
Review from LeAndra M.
San Rafael, CA
4/5/2008
Loved, loved, loved the ambiance and location.
Food was so, so. My filet, although tender, lacked any real flavor. It basically just tasted like a piece of meat. It needed to be sexier.
The service was also so, so. Our server only came back a few times to check on us, which meant we had to wait a long time for our second round of drinks and dessert.
I loved the iceberg wedge salad - very tasty.
I loved the hot fudge sundae, but we had to request more sauce, as ours had but a dribble. It was basically ice cream, whipped cream and peanuts until we got more sauce on the side.
Sure, I'll go back because of the location, but I much prefer the Buckeye in Sausalito.
