Posted By: yo yo yo (19/08/2007 9:12:09 AM)
Comment: i have stopped by pretty much once a week (or more :))...have had the pleasure of watching the toad turn into a pub...not a "foody" establishment but a pub...i have lived in many areas of california and have traveled throughout england and never have i expected to find 5 star service at a pub...i enjoy a place where i feel comfortable enough to wear flip flops, seat myself, etc...if i chose to dine, i would go to the dry creek kitchen or martini bar or tre vigne. but sometimes just love the casual nature of a pub. keep up the great work toad!

Posted By: cloverdawn (09/08/2007 9:54:26 AM)
Comment: Well, I must say, all these blogs DO make me want to stop by and check out the place... Hang in there!

Posted By: Wayne (08/08/2007 8:31:56 AM)
Comment: It is important to understand what a "soft opening" is. It takes time to dial in all the components of a new space, staff and menu. Seems like all the basics are in place and I have confidence that the "issues" raised in these posts matter and will be addressed. The space is great, the concept is awesome and the owner is dedicated to customer service. Lets give it a little time and stay supportive. I haven't tried the food yet but the atmosphere, service and beer (tried a couple of those) have been awesome.

Response: Heather here...I stopped in today to try and grab lunch and see if the food's improved. After a gruff "Sit wherever you want," I sat ignored with no menu for a couple minutes. Undaunted, I moved to the bar to see if I could get some attention and still couldn't get even a "Be right with you". At the point where another customer got up and got his own menu, (there were a bunch of tables in the same sitch) I left. Hope springs eternal, but not my patience.

Posted By: fritzie (08/08/2007 8:25:14 AM)
Comment: I saw Huge Lg, Friday eve, had a great time. It could've been louder, and that would be better... I like a raucous place on a Friday eve. But quieter for the after work, or midday Sat lunch. The FishnChips were OK, not as bad as some might say, but room for improvement for sure. KEEP IT UP!!!

Posted By: Michelle (07/08/2007 7:36:30 PM)
Comment: Toad...To be very honest with you, my expectations were set high for "Traditional Fish 'n Chips" as you very well know, once you've been to England and had their version of fish 'n chips (and beer)it is hard to duplicate that taste, but not impossible. I really did appreciate your "pub menu" you stuck within the whelm of what one would find on the menu at an English pub. I guess more than anything I am disapointed in your chef's food. Like I mentioned before the beer and staff were very nice, this is always a PLUS. I should've taken into consideration how new your establishment was/is before posting such harsh comments. I will definitely give The Toad another whirl. However, I am hoping and praying that your chef has greatly improved the fish 'n chips!!!! SoCo is counting on you!! Uhmm...one last thing, really...the music is WAY too loud. :o)

Posted By: yo yo yo (06/08/2007 8:38:30 AM)
Comment: i had a great time!...looks like a first week opening of a pub. keep up the great job and look forward to seeing it evolve!

Posted By: toad (06/08/2007 8:18:46 AM)
Comment: the definition of a pub is ..A public house consisting of a building with a bar serving alcholic drinks,mostly beer and light food! We are not a theme pub with knights in shining armour and guinness mirrors everywhere.Isuggest you could probably find those elsewhere in Sonoma county.The pub is however 9 days old and we do have work to do!!We have already rectified the fish which I agree was terrible and we are working on the sound .I happen to be english so believe me there is nothing token about the place but I DO STRESS THAT WE ARE A WORK IN PROGRESS and happy to admit it.So please give us some time and then give us another whirl.

Posted By: Ken (04/08/2007 10:25:54 PM)
Comment: Okay- I love the idea of an English pub in Santa Rosa, I couldn't wait to get over there, hang out, eat fish and chips and drink beer. Maybe my expectations were just too high?? But I missed the part where this is an English pub?- My first impression was the noise level!! It's kind of bizarre because it's a small space with a concrete shell, it really amplifies the noise 10 fold! The Beer was great and I would return if I can sit outside and drink, but please don't even show me the fish and chips..YUCK. Soggy outer crust, with a "white board" thing in the middle (supposedly Cod), PLEASE Chef, taste your food before you serve it. I ordered three pieces and sent back three and a half! Sincerely, English guy with a bad fish taste in his mouth

Posted By: Michelle (04/08/2007 1:36:09 PM)
Comment: Okay, I'll start with the positive stuff first. Our waitress was friendly, and the beer was good. Now... absolutely the worst fish 'n chips we've ever had...GROSS!! We also noticed other people's plates going back 1/2 finished. Also, this place is sooo far from an "English Pub" it's crazy! I've been throughout England and dined in many of their pubs. I promise you, this place is NOTHING English! It's a weird combo of California Modern and English Pub?? DUMB IDEA! It's truly more of a "Beer Bar" than anything English. Nothing wrong with that, but drop the cheesy limited English tokens around the place...it's not working! Ohhhh and by the way, music is way too loud!! The entire building is concrete (including the tables) so the sound just POUNDS in your ears. Not necessary!

Posted By: Sam the Sham (01/08/2007 3:26:34 PM)
Comment: Here's one to round this whole blog out. The REAL HugeLarge will be playing at the Toad Saturday. Dead Heads probably don't want to show, nor anyone who just wants to talk (they play LOUD!).

Posted By: Grelnor (01/08/2007 8:35:49 AM)
Comment: So fine to have another friendly crawl-in in the old part of Santa Rosa. Friendly, proud bartenders - even if one was more clued in than the other. The 4:20 opening time was not lost on me and I didn't have to ask my college age son. And yes, you can have a pub with concrete slabs. The brew was cold and the complimentary garlic fries were hot, fragrant, and made with REAL potatoes. I'll be back.

Posted By: 1mamatoad (31/07/2007 9:24:40 AM)
Comment: just a little in the defense of the decor...this california and this is 2007, the concrete counter tops and tables and floors and the modern feel are northern california with an english fusion or possibly vise/versa...the art work is also a work in progress so stay tuned it will create its own warmth and character as time goes on.... however... lets remember it was a "soft" opening...chris' food is still the same...but thanks for your words of encouragement and keep coming back! cheers!

Posted By: Vince (30/07/2007 2:30:13 PM)
Comment: Sorry Sam, didn't mean to offend. I was merely stating that I didn't think the Toad's decor lived up to the "classic" idea of a pub. It's all in the eye of the beholder, ya know? As to the band, someone told me that's who was playing on Saturday, I guess they had their bars mixed up. I wasn't familiar with them but whoever they were, they definitely had a Dead jam vibe. Sorry, but the sausage rolls just lacked flavor to me. The mustard was quite good, but the rolls themselves had no flavor at all. Like I said in my previous post, the good far outweighed the bad, so there's no need to get defensive. I was a big fan of the Old Vic, and I'm glad that there's a somewhat related tradition continuing with this new pub.

Posted By: Sam the Sham (30/07/2007 1:23:46 PM)
Comment: To Vince: What makes a pub bar? Does it have to be wooden? Funny, because there are many a concrete and other stone "pubs" throughout England and Ireland (and yes, I've seen them). I can't think what was wrong with the sausage rolls, unless you don't like Coleman's Hot Mustard: it is not for the delicate. Finally, Huge Large did not play at the Toad, they played at the Russian River Brewery, and they sound NOTHING like the Greatful Dead, not even close, in fact Huge Large is about as far away from the Dead as you can get before you get into Brian Eno. Laughing Gravy played Friday, Stupid White People Saturday. Music is scheduled, talk during breaks. To All: The Toad in the Hole is great! If you are an Old Vic Alumni, you must get down there, we are all coming out of the woodwork. Chris' food is as good as ever and you can't get past the feeling of coming home. It took a long time but is well worth the wait. Hopefully Vince and any others who missed the old days will come to an understanding of just what a special thing is coming back. Oh yeah, and you all missed The Feud!

Posted By: Vince (30/07/2007 9:12:38 AM)
Comment: I was in this weekend. I was pretty disappointed with the decor. How can it be a "pub" with a concrete bar? The rest of the decor is sparse, but that's to be expected, being newly opened. I had the pastie and sausage rolls. The pastie was good, though bland. The sausage rolls were not very good at all. One bartender poured perfect pints, another poured sloppy, messy pints, but made sure to top off the glass, which makes him a champ in my eyes. We also got a free pint for killing a keg, which was awesome. They also had live music, I think they were called Huge Large, which was reminiscent of the Grateful Dead. The music was a bit too loud, but that seems like it's always the case(note to bar owners: people like to be able to talk to each other!) The bar staff's friendliness and attentiveness made up for any of the small shortcomings. I'm going to give them a bit to work on the decor, food and pouring and I think they will do just fine. It's great to have a new pub in town!

Posted By: frances Rivetti (28/07/2007 10:50:33 AM)
Comment: Definitely to the right! To quote my favorite line in Wind in the Willows, "a nice slice of welsh rarebit and a hot toddy" will suit me fine!