Posted By: http:// (30/09/2008 1:14:04 PM)
Comment: My friends, family, and I absolutely LOVE this place. If anyone has ever been a server you can appreciate how difficult the timing of all plates can be... Even if I have to ask for my own knife, I don't mind. It's a perfect quanit, and yummy place to dine.

Posted By: JSF (30/05/2008 11:10:28 AM)
Comment: Pleasant restaurant, great food & love Brian's presence on the restaurant floor. We are planning on supporting this new venture & continue to spread the word when asked for dining suggestions in Santa Rosa. Love the feel of the restaurant, reminds me of the early days of Lolo's when you could go in & have an excellent meal in a wonderful setting. Service hsa been good at our visits, but not great, would be worthwhile to do some training of the staff so everyone is on the same page & things run smoothly, it's noticeable @ times that the staff is struggling or there's not one person running the operation, everyman for himself. Also may want to consider extended weekend hours. When we dined on a Friday night we felt rushed to wrap things up & it was only 9 o'clock. While we were enjoying out coffee, the wait staff was resetting tables & handling close out tasks & basically shutting down the restaurant. There were other customers enjoying their desserts & coffee, so quite an odd feeling. If you want to post your hours as being open until 9:30 that should mean you'll accept customer up until that time, correct? Then lets start closing up @ 10 so customers feel it's okay to enjoy their coffee & dessert & don't feel like they are a nuisance for wanting to enjoy the full dining experience.

Posted By: Jack at Fork & Bottle (19/04/2008 9:01:52 AM)
Comment: We dined last night for the first time at Bistro 29 and, alas, we have no desire to return. Service: Dishes did not arrive at the same time for app or mains. App served with no room to place them, due to pre-app plates still on table (which, apparently served as super-oversized butter plates). Utensils not supplied for even half the diners with dessert. One guest did not receive a replacement knife for main course. Just plain awkward. Food: Cassoulet was good and would eat again. Lamb rounds were very chewy and only the center was medium-rare (potatoes were good). One of our guests did not like the main chicken (althought the fries were crispy). The other enjoyed his jambon crepe, but the jambon was really salty. Apps: Foie Gras was very unremarkable - the large salt crystals gave it some taste, the accompaniments lacked lustre. Green mixed salad was surprisingly crispy (good!) with strong, tangy vinaigrette but alot of cracked pepper. Also: Stemware - good enough. Extremely poor selection of French wines in a "French Bistro". Wine list is on a clipboard with first page very(!) crumpled (I wonder if they think this makes a good impression?). One or zero* non-HFCS choices for kids to drink other than water. (*We didn't inquire as to which lemonade it was.) Not kid-friendly.

Posted By: Morgan (04/04/2008 3:16:05 AM)
Comment: All the amazing dinners from you at Applewood have prepared me to come taste the flavors of your new restaurant with marked anticipation. I hear from Kevin, Adrien, and Mia (to name a few) that it is excellent. After reading these reviews I'm not surprised that many others think so as well and am now looking forward to it even more so. Can't wait to come into town and see you and the rest of the gang! Good luck - although I have the utmost faith in your success. Congratulations Brian!

Posted By: James (03/04/2008 4:39:39 PM)
Comment: Had dinner here last week. The chicken and halibut dishes were great and fairly priced. Had to get the foie gris before it's banned! Very nice casual place. The crepes are large and excellent! Just what we needed. blows the door off of La Gare.

Posted By: Steve (07/03/2008 3:26:34 PM)
Comment: Had dinner here last week. The roast chicken was fantastic, best I've had in a looong time. Accompanied by the truffled frites and you have a perfect meal. Well done Brian.

Posted By: sarah, chris, and simone (06/03/2008 12:58:45 PM)
Comment: Brian truly cares about what he is doing and his genuine passion shines through in his food. No comparison to Lolo, as his food is unique and full of zest and character. He has a strong will to succeed. We had a great meal here, and we are picky. The great thing about it is the lack of arrogance and if you have a problem with anything, just talk to him, he will make your experience better I am sure. We had the pork terrine, the delicious steamed clams and chickpee fries, the steak, the bass (amazing), the gnocchi, some lovely Kir Royals and the beignets and crepes - all wonderful. Please support Bistro 29, it is a huge undertaking starting a new restaurant, and Brian is certainly capable of the challenge- thanks Brian

Posted By: Jesse (05/03/2008 2:33:04 PM)
Comment: Cant wait to come in for dinner! Brian is a great chef and a dear friend. I have heard great things so far. 620 Fith St. is back on the map! Cheers

Posted By: bistro29 (03/03/2008 8:44:34 AM)
Comment: We would like to thank everyone for being so supportive in the first few weeks since our opening. Thanks to all of you who took the time to write your comments in this page, we appreciate all of them. A bientot!

Posted By: Left at the Door..... (01/03/2008 4:14:12 PM)
Comment: Well-..here's another take on the newest downtown "Bistro"-..After reading all the raving "reviews" about Bistro 29 here on BiteClub (and in only the first 2 weeks open!) I could not wait to give it a go-..so Friday night I was hosting a guest here from Napa and after seeing a movie and listening to my repeated comments about all the great reviews I had read we settled on Bistro 29--and I could not wait! You see I am used to driving to Boulevard in the City for my favorite pan seared foie gras and was soooo looking forward to a local "Bistro" doing it right, and grilled sardines were definitely in the evenings plan. And the desserts-..well it seemed that almost half of the reviews praised their creations and that some would even go back for the desserts alone right? So was I anticipating something special? You bet I was-..and "something special" was EXACTLY what we got! We drove by and looked in the front window at 9:25 (they advertise open until 9:30) and the place was about 1/3 full so we figured we would be ok and parked. Walking across the street to the restaurant I already knew of at least 2 dishes that I was going to order (and I had not yet seen the menu!) just from the BiteClub reviews alone-..Now I am no stranger to the location as I was a longtime fan and loyal customer of Café' Lolo and was more than accustomed to the consistently sumptuous food and Lori's unprecedented welcoming tableside manner so when we entered and were left completely ignored and standing alone inside the front door "watching" the server's and busser's re-setting tables and scurrying around us for what was to be at least 5 minutes I was just a little confused, maybe it was the tail end of a private party and we were "crashing" it, as that's sure what it felt like. Such surrounding beauty, but one that felt like standing in their walk-in-..Now I am no stranger to the restaurant business after spending 12 years in some of the northwest's top dining and lodging establishments, so to completely ignore a couple standing at the door was unheard of especially for a new spot trying to "make their bone's" with the local clientele. The Chef was actually out on the floor and talking to a larger party that was just getting ready to leave and he glanced over a few times looking like he was hoping we would turn and leave-..and the waiter, when he finally got close enough for me to get in his way with an "excuse me" seemed bothered as well-..and then it came-..I said "table for two please" and he replied with a great big grin-.."sorry we are closed, but we had the best night ever and we have ran out of everything"-..wow, great night-..so I asked "how about dessert and coffee" and again was hurriedly told "we ran out of everything, sorry, maybe another time!" and continued on his way. So we went to Flavors and had dessert and coffee-..In my opinion you can "mask" challenging" dishes and a "less than stellar atmosphere" with great service (by the way the place looked fabulous and I have read nothing short of excellent reviews on the food) but no matter how good the food and how elegant the atmosphere, you cannot overcome an uncaring attitude and poor service. Good luck Bistro 29, but please remember that luck has absolutely nothing to do with your success or-..

Posted By: http:// (24/02/2008 10:03:28 AM)
Comment: Last night my boyfriend and I had dinner at Bistro 29. We absolutely loved it. The staff was very attentive and friendly. I loved how they brought out the bread and set it right on the table instead of on a plate, like they do in France. We started off with the green salad and foie gras. The foie gras was so incredible. It was pan seared and served on homemade french toast with black figs. The french toast was cooked to perfection, not soggy at all and perfectly moist. For our entrees we had the roasted chicken with pommes frites, roasted carrots, and pearl onions. The chicken had a very nice crispy skin and the meat was extremely moist and flavorful. I had the roasted bass with artichoke and wild mushrooms, so delicious! It was perfectly cooked and the sauce was wonderful. The dessert was AMAZING. We had the valrhona cake(chocolate cake) with salted caramel ice cream. Big mistake we made by sharing it.

Posted By: Crepe Lover (19/02/2008 11:02:20 PM)
Comment: OMG! I love it! So far only dessert under my belt. But it was perfect! Lovely lemon crepe, just the right balance of sweet and sour! Cant wait to go there for dinner!!

Posted By: Martie (17/02/2008 10:52:21 AM)
Comment: What a delectable meal!!! We dined at Bistro 29 last night, and I have to say hands-down it was one of the most gastronomically amazing experiences I've ever had. The ambience was lovely, the staff was professional, the food was amazing! We were so impressed with this new "Escape to Paris" hotspot right here in Santa Rosa - we will definitely be back. Brian was great at Applewood - now he is a tour de force!! Kudos to the chef!

Posted By: LS (16/02/2008 10:07:04 AM)
Comment: We loved what Brian did at applewood and made a trip from the central valley to see what he could do at 29. I did not think I could be more impressed then my previouse chef Anderson dinning experiances, but I was. The food was amazing (kudos to Adalar as well), the atmospher was perfect, and our wait staff seemed seasoned and competent. This was so worth the drive and I am telling everyone in the Valley to make the journey as it is well worth it.

Posted By: Ryan (15/02/2008 3:14:40 PM)
Comment: Ate here last night. Great atmoshpere and staff. Sardines were just ok (I'm a rookie at these, but wanted to try them) and the hanger steak was absolute PERFECTION!

Posted By: Christine (15/02/2008 11:57:10 AM)
Comment: Just a note-- just called for lunch reservations, but they are not open for lunch as yet. They hope to start lunches later this Spring if all goes well. So dinner it is!

Posted By: Christine (15/02/2008 11:53:38 AM)
Comment: A comment to Michelle--why not look at Bistro 29 in the French spirit--there are lots of French lunch basics on the menu for you: great composed salads and homemade (of course)soups, crepes for sandwiches, fish, meat, charcuterie (top- quality "cold cuts" if you will, to eat with great bread). It's all there--just be adventurous and you may discover you love it, even if the dishes don't have the exact same name or look as traditional American lunch dishes. That's the (wonderful) idea!

Posted By: len (14/02/2008 2:04:15 PM)
Comment: There's a hundred local restaurants that serve penne pasta, sandwiches, salads and the other "basics". It doesn't take a first class chef or any chef at all.I think there are quite a few of us who are glad to have a restaurant that serves foi gras and grilled sardines and cassoulet even at lunch.

Posted By: JK (14/02/2008 10:39:37 AM)
Comment: We dined there last night, it was TERRIFIC. I had the hangar steak with pommes frites and it was absolutely delicious. The greens under the steak were savory and a really nice touch. Not one person at our table could finish their entree, the portions were very generous and the prices really reasonable for what you get. The waitstaff were friendly and although they were busy, they seemed to be allowing each table to set it's own pace. We will definitely go back soon to try other things- there were so many that looked really good and their was even discussion from table to table about how wonderful the food was. The trick next time will be saving room for dessert! Cheers to Bistro 29!!!

Posted By: 830 (14/02/2008 9:03:29 AM)
Comment: Best desserts in Santa Rosa, hands down. Nothing else in SR, even in SoCo(?), compares. Usually I don't bother with the final caloric bomb because so few can deliver something worth pushing my belly further out for. I'll go back to this place for the desserts alone, but dinner was great too.

Posted By: Shirley (14/02/2008 8:01:26 AM)
Comment: Our wine and food group went to Bistro 29 for dinner on Tuesday night and it was just great. Felt like we were in France.

Posted By: The Critic (13/02/2008 8:12:44 AM)
Comment: Best new restaurant in Santa Rosa thanks to Brians exquisite cuisine. Had dinner there last night with friends. I won't go comparing it to Cafe Lolo's because there is no comparison. Bistro 29, with its unique, hearty French cuisine, stands alone in Santa Rosa. I, along with many others, have always sung the praises of Lolo's but this time it's nice to see what Brian can do on his own terms. Check out the Duck Confit Crepe and the lovely Cassoulet. Just two highlights on a wonderful menu! Good Luck!

Posted By: Steve Johnson (12/02/2008 6:42:25 PM)
Comment: I had dinner there opening night. Let me tell you, Mr. Andersons cooking is getting better year after year. I loved his cooking at Lolo's and am quite impressed with this new venture. My wife and I began with two appetizers Mussels and Foie Gras. Both magnificant. I believe the Mussels were with a Pernod cream. Delicious! We skipped the Crepe course, but not because they didn't sound appetizing. For dinner my wife had what looked like half of a chicken. She said she loved it. It came with beautifully golden "Pommes Frites" (French Fries). I had the braised Lamb Shank. I haven't had lamb this good since I was in Italy! We skipped dessert but based on how good they looked we have vowed to stop by late one night for coffee and dessert. If we can get in that is. Kudos to Brian and company. And welcome back to Santa Rosa.

Posted By: Blowfly (12/02/2008 12:04:31 PM)
Comment: I coulda sworn Jeff Cocks did a review of this place. But maybe it's just the snooty aspect of it.

Posted By: BJT (12/02/2008 10:19:54 AM)
Comment: I dined 29 opening night, but I wouldn't have guessed it by the food and service which seemed up-to-speed. Great look & feel inside. Atmosphere is Bistro-style loudish, but still easy to have a conversation. Menu is diverse. The savory crepe with the egg..Complete'(sp?) was excellent and I preferred it to the Ratatouille one. Grilled goat cheese salad is a winner. Table next to me had the sardines (these are big fish sized, not those tiny things) and he raved about them. Portions are pleasantly big, making sharing an entree with a friend reasonable. Wine selection is very nice & modestly priced. Largely local with many by-the-glass. Early still, but I think they will do well. Gregarious chef visited the tables to get feedback direct. I will go back.

Posted By: Michelle (12/02/2008 8:57:10 AM)
Comment: I would only like to offer my personal opinion about some of the menu items mentioned in this article. I would not order sardines, or fois gras - especially for lunch! I agree with an earlier post, please, please, please keep some "basics" on your menu! For lunchers, offer homeade soups, salads and gourmet sandwiches. Cafe LoLo had a few great salads on their menu, and it was a nice place to have lunch. I dined there often because of the menu variety. Also,they had a nice selection of wines by the glass. Anyhow, I'll look forward to reading a review from anyone that has actually eaten there. :o)

Posted By: markeology (11/02/2008 9:59:44 PM)
Comment: I will be back to check it out. You have my pledge to let others know that you are back in the same spot. Don't let the naysayers drag you down, the spot is fine for a loyal clientele. See you there tomorrow!!!

Posted By: Brian is a great guy... (11/02/2008 12:56:04 PM)
Comment: I wish you luck buddy. It would be great if you would put some basic stuff on your menu that would appeal to someone looking for a quality lunch or dinner without all the foo foo of the last two places that went under there. One reason Cafe Lolo did so well was their lack of pretentiousness. Satur and Orsi's just felt too stuffy and lacked some basic menu items. Please don't fall into the same trap of trying to sell fancy food to a clientele that is looking for at least the option of something basic. Throwing Michael's penne pasta on the menu wouldn't be a bad idea. I know, I know, but it would sell, you know that.

Posted By: geoff (11/02/2008 11:47:06 AM)
Comment: Good luck Anderson. I hate to say it, but your gonna need it.