Every now and then, whether you’re celebrating a big event or trying to make a big impression, you gotta pull out all the stops and go to that perfect Santa Rosa restaurant for dinner. Here’s a list of five special occasions and the Santa Rosa restaurants that match up best with each.
Best Place to Celebrate the Big Promotion: Nothing says “I have arrived” like dining at John Ash & Co. The experience is for folks who appreciate the finer things in life and are willing to pay for them. The food is fit for a king and the staff treats you like royalty. John Ash, who enjoys a demigod status among foodies, is the granddaddy of wine country cuisine. This restaurant has been raved about in all the luxury-living magazine, bringing people here from around the globe for just a taste.
Best Place for the First Big Date: Ca’ Bianca restaurant should be on the cover of a Harlequin Romance: An enchanting, white, Victorian manor; lush gardens; a wrap-around veranda with a shaded patio; floor to ceiling bay windows; crystal chandeliers, discreet frescos on the walls; even Italian marble on the bathroom floors. Ah, but true romance is never about looks alone. And Ca’ Biance delivers with a soulful and lusty array of Italian food and wine.
3. La Gare
Best Place for Your Anniversary Dinner: This is the place to celebrate your anniversary because, if you’re a local, this is probably the place the two of you went to on prom night, or had your first date, or where you got engaged, or all of the above. La Gare has been a part of the fabric of Santa Rosa life ever since it opened in 1979. Locals love the warm atmosphere, the friendly service, the French cuisine. And they are very loyal to their favorite spot. Best Place to Impress Out-of-Town Guests: Whether it’s in-laws, an important client or the girl who shunned you back in high school, sometimes you just need to impress. When you want to bask in the glow of admiration, the lighting is just right at Syrah. The creative, unique cuisine is a favorite among locals as well as the national press. Plus, after dinner you can walk out onto Railroad Square, which is very charming by night and lively on the weekends, and showoff your hometown a bit.
Best Place for Your Birthday Dinner: This is your special day. It's not about dressing up or making an impression. It's simply about having a delicious, relaxed meal in comfortable surrounding amid the people you love. Zazu is just the right low-key restaurant with a casual air. But don't let the modest looks fool you. The food is first-class. And even though the wait staff treats you like a long-lost friend, they are very professional in attending to your needs.
