Underwood Bar & Bistro
9113 Graton Rd, Graton, CA, 95444
Underwood Bar & Bistro Menu
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Address :
9113 Graton Rd
Graton, CA, 95444 - Phone (707) 823-7023
- Website https://www.underwoodgraton.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
- Mon :Closed
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat
Coat Check : No
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Jon B.
We love this place. The food is consistently wonderful, and the bar is beyond amazing. The only comment I'd make about the food is that they seem to get a very salty variety of harissa; everything I've ordered that involves harissa -- including, sadly, the otherwise wonderful harissa fries -- has been almost unendurably salty. But it's a small thing in a sea of good things. You just can't go wrong with the food, the desserts are wonderful, the bar is great, the wait staff is totally on top of the crowd scene in there, and basically this place just totally rocks. This is where we take our friends from the city when we want to demonstrate that Sonoma County has just as good a food scene as they do.
(5)Grover G.
This place gets so many positive reviews. I don't know what I am missing but I didn't enjoy my expereince. It wasn't the service or the decor, although I do think it needs a little facelift inside. The outdoor area is nice but again, nothing fantastic. If you read other reviews, there are some similarities with my experience, such as the Harissa fries. Sounds yummy but they overcook their fries, it's really crispy. I didn't enjoy it. They had a Moroccan dish, lamb if I remember correctly. It was overcooked and dry. Fish with a thai curry sauce, mediocre. I didn't feel their food was that great. Maybe if I stick to french onion soup, beet salad, onion tart, I would've had a better experience. Mixed drinks not mixed well, another reviewer made this cooment and they still give this place 4 stars. (what??) Better or as good as Danko's?! How can you compare, they're two completely different style of food and restaurant, and no. But if you were to compare, no way. Underwood is not as good as Dankos.
(2)B R.
Great menu. Relaxed atmosphere. Much less pretentious than many other restaurants in the area.
(4)M V.
love Underwood on a foggy, cold graton evening... it feels like a wonderful Paris bistro...
(4)Megan G.
I've had excellent vegetarian cuisine here, paired with expensive cockails and outdoor heating lamps/ I've enjoyed dinner here. Brunch, I had a mojito and huevos rancheros. Get anything with creamy polenta, if you can!!!
(4)david l.
quite possibly the greatest place on earth.
(5)Pea N.
This bar restaurant has a great atmosphere. The dozen times I have been here on the weekends the bar and restaurant are always packed (if you want to dine in the restaurant area I recommend making reservations). The bartenders know how to make a mean drink and are super friendly. I go here on a regular basis and always try something new on the daily specials menu along with the beet endive salad and flatbread.
(4)S. F.
All the small plates we ordered were delicious! Loved all of it! Will definitely be back sometime.
(5)Mari B.
I visited Underwood while on my honeymoon in Oct 2007. Nice decor, excellent service, and overall a wonderful food experience. My husband and I shared the following at the Bar: Harissa Fries -- Cilantro, scallion, and lime Flatbread-- Caramelized onion, bleu cheese, walnut, and sage Macaroni and Cheese--made from 3 different kinds of cheese and baked Kumamoto Oysters I know...we had a lot of starchy foods, but we were visiting and it was so good! Sitting at the bar was so much fun the bartender was very pleasant and helpful in suggesting food.
(4)kainoa r.
The bar brings me in, and burger sits me down. Expect to see some of the same people there if you make several visits... it's a local favorite. If you're out in Sebastopol, I suggest you take the short drive to Graton for Underwood because it's as good, if not better than anything there. Strong cocktails, friendly bar staff, nice area out back, and a solid menu.
(4)Nick D.
I found the atmosphere to be above average, and the service to be decidedly average. We made a meal out of the small plates, and were surprised at how average they were for the reputation of this restaurant. Overall, expensive for a shoulder shrug experience. Willow wood across the street gets 5 stars from me every single time...friendly casual atmosphere, great service good prices, and scrumptious meals. I believe owned by the same people...go figure.
(3)Chazz d.
Ive never ever had a bad experience here! The food is always top notch, the service is awesome and the bar has great drinks! They have some regular staples that will always be on the menu but they change it up quite a bit and Im never disappointed! Great for family, dates and solo. The local people are friendly. Not a good place if you want peace and quite.
(5)Ge I.
Me and my boyfriend spent 2 nights at Occidental. We checked out some Wineries and got really hungry so we past through this little town and saw just a couple of restaurants. Underwood was one of them and they had patio eating which we love so deiced to eat there. Plus I love anything that says Bistro. :) That they it was very very hot. over 100 degrees outside so I didn't want to eat anything to big, anything hot. I choose to just stick with a burger with Pommes Fries which are my favorite. I can't remember what my boyfriend ate but I think he might ate a sandwich. The Hamburger was OK not the best I have had. The fries were also OK. I think it was way to over cooked. The staff was cool and the patio seating was also cool. If I ever was in the area again I would check them out.
(3)Lisa R.
Living in Sonoma County, I am often underwhelmed by what the local restaurants have to offer in terms of both quality and originality; the Underworld is one exception. Great food- great atmosphere- creative menu- good wine list- and friendly staff. Thanks Underwood!
(5)Zoe S.
Holy crap I love this place! Oysters and Pomme Fritz with an ice cold IPA... Marry me! I go here everytime we go to Russian River Valley. I still don't know how a chef this good made it of San Francisco.
(5)Elle G.
The bar is awesome! They have an extensive selection of drinks! The food is very good! I have experienced less than awesome from them during a rush which is sad bc I know they can do it amazingly! I highly suggest the mac n' cheese, it is the best anywhere. I think the food is a little taxed. The atmosphere makes up for it being over-priced. I really enjoy hanging out there. The service is excellent!
(4)Jen B.
This is the best place to have a nice meal out in West County. Definitely the place to bring a date who has high standards (ask for a booth). Very cool decor. Many of the patrons are west county weird. They have an interesting menu that includes vegetarian dishes as well as many dishes with meat (how about some blood sausage with your bloody mary?) Even with that range, sometimes it is surprisingly hard to find something I really want (before dessert). They have a swank bar that will make almost any cocktail you can think of, but one night I was ordering long island ice teas and the first one was great but the second was HORRIBLE. I wondered if the bartender hadn't stepped out for a break and the mean-eyed hostess attempted to make the drink instead. Also, the Underwood is expensive. You will drop serious bank if you want a quality dining experience. You can get a great burger (this is the one and only "cheap dish") for ~$10 but most entrees are double that and cocktails in the $8 range add up fast. We never get out of there under $100 for two at dinner. Bottom line- go there with out of town relatives, or for a business chat if they are paying. If you are paying, it will impress and is a memorable dining experience beyond anything you'll find from Sebastopol to Bodega Bay.
(4)Johnny C.
Great service. Unfortunately the place was packed when my gf and I got there (w/o reservations), so fortunately we were able to get a spot at the bar (full menu served). Frank the bartender was great. He was very friendly and had great suggestions on which wineries to visit. Definitely worth a visit and if you aren't able to get a seat on the floor, a seat at the bar is every bit as good, if not better.
(4)Mike H.
I gave it 3 stars because it has the bar vibe down. It deserves 2 stars as a restaurant. The service was nice but disjointed. The food was improperly prepared. Maybe because it was completely full and they didn't have any incentive for medium rare to be well medium rare. If you want to spend city money on drinks go early to score a spot at the bar or go late and elbow your way to the bar but only eat the simpler items from the menu. Mike
(3)Krissy D.
We had a great dinner here on Saturday night. Surprisingly enough, our biggest challenge was finding parking nearby. Graton, what is going on here? From what I could tell, not much of anything. Weird. Anyway, we arrived early and they were able to seat us right away -- big points there. I had a decent pisco sour (harking back to my days in Chile) and we got a nice chard to share with our meal. Service was attentive but not overbearing. I recommend the hearts of romaine salad (super tasty) and also enjoyed the veg ravioli (sauce was great; I could really taste the Meyer lemon). The pastry chef went nuts that night, making it rather difficult for us to decide what we were getting -- we settled on the ice cream sandwich and chocolate layer cake. Soooo good! Three small things dampened our experience: (1) My friend walked in on a dude in the restroom. People, there are locks on those doors for a reason. (2) The server forgot my decaf coffee after dinner. No big deal. Things were busy. (3) We got the evil eye from some lady in the bar pretty much the entire time we were there. Not sure if she wanted our table or if we accidentally killed her dog. Whatever. This place is THE spot to go for a great dinner in Graton and its environs. The road back to Guerneville is scary as s*** after dark, so make sure you designate a driver!
(4)Nikki W.
I recently went here for lunch and had a pretty good time though I got the feeling that dinner would have been better. I got a salad, can't remember exactly what it was called but it had goat cheese and almonds on it, definitely not a large portion but we had a few apps too to level it off. Had the Harissa fries which were HUGE a giant plate of them, pretty good but not amazing. We also had the Ahi Tuna pate which was rather delightful, it had a Asian fusion to it but could have been better with crustini vs. the chips it came with. My madre had the steak asian "salad" its on the apps menu and that was really good very flavorful but once again pretty small. Overall for 5 people, including two apps, three salads, two sandwiches and not including any alcohol it was $80 plus tip.
(3)Ann B.
My sister and I stopped here for dinner on the recommendation of a friend. Boy were they right. We sat outside, enjoyed a glass of wine and read through the menu. It all sounded so good. We finally decided on a selection of several small plates, including a lovely roasted beet, endive, walnut and feta cheese salad and Hoisin glazed baby back ribs with a Napa cabbage and mango slaw. The food was well prepared and all the produce was very fresh. The portions were just right for sharing. Service was very attentive, but not overbearing. We'd definitely try it again.
(4)Stacey T.
Love the Underwood! Always yummy food and great service. Whenever I have visitors in town I always book reservations because you a guaranteed a tasty dinner. Love how the menu always has seasonal flares and great twists on menu options. Great range of choices sure to please anyone's taste.
(5)Andrew P.
One of the more fun restaurants I've been to anywhere. My wife and I sat at the bar and had great fresh oysters, amazing cocktails, and a few other small plates that we both loved. By the way, these were these were the 5-7th oysters my wife had and the ones that sold her on them once an for all..
(5)Allen S.
Went here based on some Yelp ratings on a day trip that took us thru Sebastopol, Graton, and points west toward the ocean. Boy was I glad. We sat at the bar, and Jen, the bartender took such good care of us. After having trouble with the beer tap, she got us a couple of drafts and sat us down with the menu. (one was on the house by the way for the wait on the beer) We decided to split a Chicken Sandwich special. Great decision. Was full of chicken, peppers, cheese, bacon, and was to die for. Great food, service, and Jen was a sweetie.
(5)Erica H.
I love, love, Underwood....my sisters and sister in laws come here often. We are always happy with our cocktails and the burger rocks....along with the harissa fries....yummy! The crowd is always loud and lively, the service is always great and everyone is friendly.
(5)Heather N.
We went to Underwood on New Year's Eve for a bite before moving on to our destination for the evening. We ended up getting seats at the bar and had a wonderful time. Frank was in great spirits and cracked us up. The food here is always amazing, although the entrees looked a tad spendier than usual. We did small plates, ribs, flatbread, the duck was insane and they know how to do a plate of fries. Will we visit again, of course, three blocks from our house, great food and Frank, how could you not?
(5)James P.
Now that I've eaten here 6 times (4 dinner, 2 lunch), I feel like I can almost fairly write a review... Hits the bullseye and more for what their name says they are trying to be- a Bar and Bistro, with thought put into every detail. The thinking man's bar and bistro... The spot: Out there in Graton, across from the sibling WillowWood. Patio seating in the warm times, spacious interior, comfortably decorated. Gets a little loud at night when it fills up, so maybe not the best for a Saturday "get-to-know-ya date night," but great with friends, or if you don't mind a little noise. Still beats most places I've been in SF... Service: Every time I've been there, it's been quick, friendly, professional, and helpful with the wine list the couple times I actually didn't bring wine. The Bar: Gorgeous bar with countless spirits to go into their many creative and tasty drinks. Great , interesting wine selection, lots of good local and international representations, with a plethora by-the-glass. Prices are fine, leaning to the high end, but seems fair for what you are going to get. It looks like they get stuff that sells out at wineries without trying too hard... Well chosen beers on tap. Even good options for non-alcoholic drinks- always appreciated at lunchtime. If only it wasn't a back-roads drive through West County from where I live, I'd be here every night.... The food- Bistro fare, done with great seasoning and perfect execution every time I've had it. Most recently for lunch I had a tender pork tenderloin sandwich with fontina, bell peppers, some pickled onions, etc... with a side of the fries, and a side of the braised greens just to polish me off. Dee-licious. Dinners I've usually gone for tapas style selections, or get a bunch of oysters and some sides. I'll be going back as much as I can.
(5)L Y.
Small town greatness. The food is nice and solid. Try the serrano ham with manchego cheese, charcuterie plate, beet salad, anchovy crostini, and flat bread. Maybe there was a bit too much truffle oil on the cured meats but it was still tasty. The fish stew was also a winner. Great local wines, local beers, and a fully-stocked bar. The atmosphere is warm and friendly. If I lived in the area and wasn't at home, you could find me here, bar-side.
(5)Charles S.
Great little restaurant. Very friendly feel as soon as you walk in - with the long bar and people gathered around having a good time. The meal was very good with creative options, all very fresh, and the wine list was excellent and reasonably priced.
(4)Alissa P.
I go there as a lovely treat. I love their oysters and Harrisa fries. Everything I have ever had has been on the exceptional side and with the exception of a one dinner screw up I love this place.
(4)Boomer G.
My 87-year-old grandmother and I have a standing dinner date each week at Underwood, and the staff always make us feel so welcome. I'll never forget how excited my gran was when, on only our second visit there, the bar staff remembered her favorite drink and took care not to "bruise the gin." The food is always top-notch, especially the Chinese Broccoli, Mac and Cheese, and Thai Lettuce Cups (just three of my many favorites on the menu). I'm almost tempted to score Underwood low, just to keep out the crowds, but I love it so much there I just can't bring myself to do it!
(5)rachel p.
this place is so cute and cozy. and the food is fantastic. who would have thought there'd be such a cool lil gastro-pub in graton?? oh, but there is. five of us girls ate here after a day of wine-tasting and shared a few of their small plates which are not so small after all. lemme tell ya, that beet salad rocked my tastebuds. and i was also a fan of their sauteed greens with garlic. yum. the ribs were very good, the fries were ok in my book, and the carmelized onion flatbread with oyster mushrooms and truffle oil was decadent and tasty, tho the bread could have been a lil crispier. still yummy tho. they also had quite the cocktail menu. so if you're all wine-d out, you can cleanse the palate with a nice cocktail. it seemed like this a hot spot for the locals too, so make a reservation before you go.
(4)William R.
I don't remmeber exactly when I came here but my friends introduced my girlfriend and me to this jewel of a restaurant. After an all day trip through the wine country, we came here to polish off a few bottles and attempt to drive home on a full stomach. Started with THE BEST mjitos I've even had in my life (with sticks of real sugar cane for stirrers) and fries...lol. 2 burgers and 2 filets came after 2 dozen oysters and a bottle of champagne. I couldn't drive....thanks Patty. When I go back to the wine country, The Underwood is definately going to be my last stop. Love it.
(4)Ben M.
Been here many times. Have traveled the world, and this is some of the best food in it. Try the thai dishes next time, or the oysters. Yum!
(5)Anh V.
so i just came back from drunk driving in sonoma. ok, i was drunk but thankfully, not the one driving. sick of the tasting tease, i wanted a %#*bottle so we went here and lo and behold, they had the bottle (ok half bottle so we ordered 2) of the merry edwards, russian river 06 pinot noir. though 05 was a good year for them and most vineyards, the 06 for this one is tasty. the gods must love me today. hmmm, heaven. i deducted a star since the hostess did not seat us (table of 5) for apps and vino. we could only sit if we ordered dinner despite the many empty tables...uh huh, mooooving on.... the food was surprisingly very good! i'm not easily surprised so having well seasoned and flavorful food at a bar impressed me. the bartender was so funny, i wanted to rent him out at parties. i guess it worked out that we weren't seated afterall. i highly recommend : 1. the flatbread with smoked duck breast and apricots. the flavors packed a wallop. 2. the harissa fries with cilantro, scallion, and lime yummy! (follow with gum or mints) ok, average: the bruschetta with anchovies was very nice and the fish taste was not overpowering. my regret is not ordering the pizzetta which had jamon serrano, arugula, manchego, cheese, and egg. i'll definitely be back to try out more of the menu and to enjoy the impromptu comedy show at the bar.
(4)Roxane S.
I haven't eaten here in a while but boy was I surprised when i stopped in for a drink the other night. It was chock full of folks young and old. It wasn't even over run by wine country tourists, there were real west county folk, not the hicks either! I remember when Graton was just a blip on the map, actually it still sort of is. I was also impressed by my friend who just moved to Petaluma, he was full of some western sonoma county enthusiasm that I haven't seen since the vegetable growing contest at the Sonoma County Fair many years ago. They also carry Level Vodka but I realize that may not be a draw.
(5)Chris B.
The Underwood is a not so hidden gem for West Sonoma County diners looking for something a bit more polished. It reminds me of Absinthe, and in fact the owners modeled it on Balthazar in NYC. The decor is French brasserie with mustard walls, red leather banquettes, zinc topped cafe tables, and Noir-ish lighting. The space is divided between a bar area with cafe tables, and a more traditional dining room area. They also have the best bar in Sonoma County, with a good stock of libations and well schooled mixologists... This is probably the only bar in all of Sonoma County where I'd even think of ordering a Sazerac. Their menu is a mix of Mediterranean influenced small plates, and French themed meat plates such as roasted duck and New York steak with green peppercorn sauce. To give you a sense of their food, a few weeks ago at dinner I ordered the mixed grill, which consisted of roasted quail, rack of lamb, and a duck sausage. It was excellent. My dining companion had the roasted duck with a seared leg of duck confit--all this paired up with a Merry Edwards Pinot Noir. They also do a great burger and steak, with proper French fries--pommes frites served with aioli and a chipotle-infused ketchup. They definitely understand roasted meat, and the concept of medium rare. The Underwood is very much a "come as you are" sort of place, with a mix of the well dressed and those in jeans and T-shirts. If you'd prefer something a bit more casual, or family oriented, try their sister restaurant--The Willow Wood Market--directly across the street.
(4)Rachel P.
Just updating to officially declare the Underwood to be my favorite restaurant in the US. Seriously. I've been patronizing this place for almost three years now and have never had a bad dish or drink. Whether at the bar or in the dining room, I've always enjoyed the service, which manages to be friendly without being overbearing or robotic. And of course the atmosphere remains intimate but inclusive, down-to-earth but indulgent...On the top of my list of reasons to live in Sonoma County.
(5)Lorenzo F.
Awesome food and service. Ribs were to die for!
(5)Vanessa M.
Years ago they once had this great waitress/bartender, Annie, I think was her name. She was the only friendly service oriented person behind the bar. Not very wheelchair accessible. Yea the food is good, but Im always let down by the way they staff makes me feel unwelcome. Maybe I just am unlucky here?
(3)J C.
This is one of my favorite spots of all time. Definitely worth the drive. They make things from scratch that other restaurants don't to try and cut corners. But you can taste the difference in quality. Their bar is amazing too. Creative, delicious drinks!
(5)Jane L.
Pretty good food. We started with a French onion soup that was delicious, but maybe a wee bit more sweet and syrupy than I am accustomed. The trout salad my dining companion (DC) devoured. I thought it a bit unbalanced with too many pecans and the apple was too tart for my liking. For my main course, I had the lamb stew, which was pretty good. I know that it was Moroccon and should be a little sweet, but again, I thought it was a little too sweet. But my DC's steak frites , well specifically the frites, were amazing! He almost ran a knife through my hand as I tried to abscond with more fries. In my defense, he didn't need *all* those fries. Evidently my DC found the steak so good that he was compelled to eat every last bite, though he was about to explode (from all the frites he had wolfed down) and is usually able to exert a little more restraint. We ended with the triple sorbet desert. I liked the mascarpone sorbet and could have dispensed with the other flavors. Overall, pretty good meal.
(4)Noel B.
Totally erratic food__fish soup to die for one day, tasteless fish stew another. Enjoy the classy bar but don't bother staying for dinner. Avoid the pseudo ice cream sandwich dessert at all costs.
(3)Jen W.
The food is consistently good, the atmosphere is fun, a little noisy at times, but the place is small and tables are close. People are friendly, service is good, the bar has a nice set up, it really is a great place to grab a bite, particularly the burger, when you're in the middle of nowhere.
(5)Matt S.
I can't comment on the food because we ate elsewhere but the drinks were awesome, the service was fantastic, and the venue was pretty cool. They have a huge selection of drinks and once you make your choice you can head out back to heat lamps, outdoor seating, and an impressive bocce ball court. Only place in Graton with lights on at night.
(4)Topazskye L.
The steak frittes was excellent along with the chipotle ketchup. Make sure you get loads of that ketchup. The Kumamoto oysters were so sweet and succulent. Service was attentive and it was probably cos we beat the lunch crowd cos we heard they usually get kinda busy on the weekends. We never made it to desserts cos we were quite stuffed with the steak frittes, oysters and their chacuterie platter. Yum!
(4)Amber L.
This is a good local spot near the Russian River wineries. Their porkloin was one of the best of my life.
(4)Mike C.
every time we find ourselves on the west side of sonoma county around dinner time, underwood comes to mind. what a surprise the first time you walk through the front door...in graton...really! this place is great in every way, people, energy, full bar and food! a must visit!
(5)Jay B.
This little town is a far cry from the days of the OK Corrall, and only the locals will know what I am talking about! I have eaten here several times- usually for lunch. One of my favorite hometown destinations when I venture outside of my beloved City. My bf and I recently came in for drinks and some appetizers on a weekend eve. We sat in the corner tables of the bar for about 15 minutes- when no service was rendered, we moved to the bar area (although a couple sat down in the same seats and were served drinks and a meal about 30 minutes later). Bartender was fantastic; humorous, engaging and made the best cosmo I think I have ever had. He was also gracious enough to make some other patrons a mojito with Splenda, much to the entertainment of yours truly. The french onion soup was superb! Good wine list with local labels. On the downside, one of the employees was wearing a bloody bandaid on his finger and me, being the good ER nurse that I am, offered him a chic bandaid to disguise the potential health department citation- he didnt seem very receptive to this, but maybe he was just caught off guard.
(3)Arwen O.
I've been grumpy about this place for ages (it's the sophisticated cousin of my beloved Willow Wood Market), but it's actually a perfectly nice restaurant. The food isn't particularly unique, but it's a quite decent rendering of California cuisine, and the atmosphere is beautifully bistro. I particularly like the zinc table-tops, marked with the patina of diners past... All in all, I say: I'd come here again if someone wanted to take me.
(4)Jennifer H.
Food is decent, wine list is pretty good, but the service leaves something to be desired. If you are nearby, it is worth grabbing a bite to eat (although pricey for what you get), but I would not go out of my way. Definitely a "locals" spot -- if an "outsider", you feel like one. All in all, don't love the vibe.
(2)Carrie C.
I was given a recommendation to visit Underwood Bar & Bistro, since I was going to be Pinot tasting in the area. What a treat on my birthday! I love the decor with a French flair, I felt like I was in Paris...I love Paris by the way. The food though was just unforgettable, I left drunk on the flavors that lingered with me. Flatbread - caramelized onion, blue cheese, walnut and sage. Oysters-Yum! Hariessa Fries - cilantro, scallions & lime. Chinese Broccoli - crispy pork, red chili flakes, oyster sauce. We shared a steak on the "specials" menu with mashed potatoes and greens (best steak I've ever had). Oh yes, then coconut creme brulee and Sauterne...dreamy! I'm just wondering if I found the right man for me... if the Underwood team would teach us to cook for each other like this! Cheers, well done!
(5)Diane D.
Our party of five arrived at Underwood at 6pm to celebrate my birthday. The restaurant is extremely noisy due to hard surfaces everywhere with no attempt at sound baffling wall hangings. Our waitress was immediately both very distant and arrogant. We orered salads to start. The frisee and beet salds were tasty but very small. Our waitress stood over us with the salad plates, waiting impatiently for us to clear our bread plates away for her. I have never seen this done anywhere else. It certainly let us know what to expect. I wish we had left at that point. The bread was okay as was the ordinary olive oil to dip. During the meal our bread was never replenished. Our water glasses were never refilled unless we stopped someone and requested it. The wait staff were apparently trained to always look straight ahead above the customers head level and to never make contact. The coldness of the staff and the room itself was extremely uncomfortable. I had to borrow someones's jacket to wrap my legs since the fans were blowing frigid air constantly. This was after I had asked for a bit of heat. All of our dinner plates contained very modest amounts of almost tasteless food served with no attempt at attractive presentation. My local diner serves food in a more attractive manner. Our waitress never asked how we liked our food. Those of us with seafood entrees had to request lemon and had to wait a long time for it to arrive. The only acceptable food was the warm chocolate cake for dessert. It was good. The prices are outrageous for the measly amount of unspectacular food. The wine prices, by the glass or bottle are laughable. This birthday dinner is one I will try to forget as soon as possible. I would have preferred Taco Bell. I cannot understand why the place is so crowded. It's in the middle of nowhere and the diners must have come here on purpose. Underwood, you need to add a little life to your establishment, your food and certainly your wait staff! We will not be back!
(1)Karen Y.
this place was disappointing and i was really expecting better considering the previous reviews. the place has atmosphere down, and a bar that is stocked with EVERYTHING. it really is an impressive looking bar. the bartender was concocting an interesting bloody mary for some other patrons, though we were in a wine mood, so we started with a glass of dutton pinot (great wine). after looking over the very interesting menu, we decided on clams with campellini and a pizetta. the clams were good, though not great and missing something though i can't tell you what it would be. i can't tell you what the pizetta was like because they brought us flatbread instead. my husband was so hungry and the place was so busy (not an open seat, even the bar was full), he ate it without noticing that it wasn't what i ordered at all and i don't like sending things back (i have that awful picture of the french toast down someone pants from the movie road trip). i also do not like blue cheese, so i cannot fairly review this item. getting service when the place is packed is next to impossible. they are nice, but unorganized.
(3)Beth B.
I like lunch here, there is usually a yummy special for me and I hear the hamburger is awesome. Dinner, despite the cocktails.. not so much
(4)Aaron M.
My lady would give the Underwood five stars, but while I like it, I'm not as huge a fan. The food can be hearty, but compared to some of the other amazing dining options in the area, its not that impressive. The burgers and steaks are always disappointing, though I recommend the bib salad, and anything that's served with the sticky rice. Their wine list has a nice array of excellent local wines, and their cocktails are way more cosmopolitan than you'd expect for something in West County. This place is an orgy of locals and get be seriously crowded on Fridays and Saturdays, so that can suck. Still, if you can elbow your way to the bar, the atmosphere, warmth, and great cocktails are unmatched around Santa Rosa.
(4)Bonnie G.
This is one of our favorite spots of all time. The food is excellent, every time. The bar is amazing and the cocktails never disappoint. The staff is attentive and personable, even when it's packed, which is often. Last time we went, I had the Thai Beef Salad small plate. The flavors were perfect and I scarfed down every bit. Hubby had the mushroom soup and it was so full of mushroom flavor it was like nibbling on fresh ones. The drizzle of truffle oil over the top sent it into the stratosphere. The house Cosmopolitan was so freakin' good! Hubby had the Lulu and it was excellent too. If you want a special experience, hit the Underwood.
(5)Jessica D.
Underwood is fantastic. Great food, great drinks, and an outdoor bocce ball court make is a wonderful place to bring a date. It gets a bit noisy on the weekends, but the atmosphere is still really nice. Some of their dishes are outstanding, while some are mediocre. But their desserts are always delicious. Highly recommended!
(4)Kevin L.
Not bad at all. A classy, swanky joint in what appears (to me) to be the freakin boonies. I had the pork tenderloin with green beans and mashed potatoes. Very tasty and very dimly lit.
(4)J T.
Our new go-to restaurant. Great wines. Oysters. Cheeses. Great for dates or dinner with friends. (Can be a little cold and noisy but that's part of the vibe)
(4)Dijana S.
Lunch here was a special treat. Fresh local ingredients, interesting salads (hats off to the Smoked Trout salad!), nice, well-priced local oyster selection, and very impressive service. (My husband also thinks they make the Arnold Palmer around.) We'll definitely return whever we're in the area. Worth the hype!
(5)Brittany C.
Love love love this place. Great food, great staff! Next time you're in there, make sure you get the Chocolate Torte!
(5)Hunter C.
Incredible. This is the definition of Sonoma County cuisine. So much care put into the craftsmanship of each meal. Great wine, including an assortment from local wineries along with options from other areas. Service was not overly friendly, but certainly attentive and very helpful.
(4)Tawnie L.
Delicious food, best mojitos in west county. Love love the bar tenders!
(5)Brian S.
We love Underwood. Great food great staff. Loved the Steak Frites.
(5)Michael D.
To paraphrase the great Roy Andries de Groot writing for "Playboy" decades ago about a famous restaurant in France: have I found the best restaurant in Sonoma County? I haven"t tried them all yet, but I"m already convinced I have. From the decor to the fabulous bar and Frank, the multi-award-winning genius master often behind it) to the stellar staff (especially the wonderful Medina) to the crowd to the incredible food, it's been a five-star experience every time we've been there. The tapas, the oysters, the large plates, the specials, the fries...oh, my goodness, the fries! Read the other reviews, check out the menu online, and just GO! (And save room for the ethereal panna cotta and great coffee!) It is thrilling to live near a restaurant that does everything so well so consistently!
(5)T Lee S.
This restaraunt was recommended by one of the wineries we visited. It was an excellent referral. I loved the atmosphere. The staff was very welcoming & friendly. The had the chicken breast. It was delicious! I was impressed by the quality of the food. Must Try!
(4)Claire T.
To fortify our stomachs for wine tasting, we had lunch at Underwood on the recommendation of someone at one of the wineries. It's a cute place--a little more upscale than I was picturing. We split the Moroccan lamb sandwich, which was large and filling. The lamb had a good flavor but was a little chewy. I would probably try something different next time, but I will return if I'm in the area. I also tried the soup of the day. I recommend Underwood if you're wine tasting in the area.
(4)Vicki L.
I've been to Underwood several times and while the food is OK the one thing that is consistent is the POOR SERVICE. My husband and I went last night for a drink and appetizer in the bar and after waiting 20 minutes no one came to our table to take our order or greet us. The bar was not that busy there were several stools available. Some places seem to think its your privilege to be in there establishment, Underwood Bar is one of them! We won't be going back.
(1)eddie c.
Fantastic energy, food and right here next to home!!
(5)Andrea H.
Talk about dumb luck. After a long visit to the beautiful Armstrong redwoods we stumbled into this place very hungry and tired, ready to eat most anything. What a find! The food was absolutely delicious, and the atmosphere and waitstaff friendly and fast. We both had delicious blue cheese walnut romaine salads and split a fruit cobbler. This is a great combination - beautiful hike followed by wonderful food.
(5)Allison U.
Driving to this place is fun! Taking a seat in this place is fun! Ordering a cocktail here is fun :) and splitting a bottle of wine here is fun! Start here, then order a round of oysters, share a salad, order an entree you crave, and enjoy! My kind of joint. The food showcases the area very well and the environment makes me feel right at home :). Can't wait to go back.
(5)Spike S.
If you live near Graton, you know about this place. If you don't, you probably don't even know where Graton is. I didn't, and I've been to Sonoma County at least 25 times. So for those of you who don't know, Graton is a one block village somewhere between Santa Rosa and Guernville. It's also near Sebastopol. And if you're visiting Sonoma County, you should really stop here for dinner and drinks, if you drink. But don't expect much more than that in Graton. So once you're here, you'll be amazed. Just as good as top tier restaurants in San Francisco, great service, very casual atmosphere, and - get this - no hipsters! Much nicer, and you don't have to listen to conversations at the next table about whatever the latest developer tools are or how many options someone got. Because of that, you can get down to drinking and eating. Despite being in wine country, the mixed drinks are excellent, not what you would expect in a place that looks like a somewhat remodeled tavern (outside seating is quieter and pleasant), and the food just rocks. Apparently the chef has some connection with Thailand (overheard that from a server at another table) and there is a nice spicy Asian touch to more traditional dishes. We started with an excellent bowl of clams in a broth that we completely scooped up afterwards. Crispy pancetta strips in it. Followed that with a terrific salad of romaine, blue cheese, caramelized nuts, and poached pears. Then a special, local seabass, cooked perfectly, with spicy asian slaw and peanuts. To finish, although deserts sounded great, I can't eat foods with sugar, so we went with the cheese plate. This wasn't just cheese, there was some homemade jelly (which I didn't try) and dried fruits cooked in a couple different ways. And apple slices. Add to that a glass of Tokaji, really surprised to see that here, and you have a great ending. Service was terrific too, very attentive. There's no way you won't have a great experience here.
(5)Rosanne D.
Came in for dinner last Friday night--what a charming little joint with some nice bistro options. I had the day boat scallops with truffled cauliflower puree'. Had I known it was so delightfully rich, I would have skipped lunch. Also had the harissa fries (half order), which were awesome with the aioli. The food was definitely on the mark. The decor was cool. It was a nice fusion of French style with wine country casual cool. The coolest table to get is the one in the corner nearest the door, which offers banquette seating for 2--optimal people watching, without the draft from the door! The only downside was the deafening noise. They really need to put up some sound absorbing padding--there were lots of people, and at times it was difficult to carry on a conversation below a shout. That was the only part of the evening that was out of sync. Bottom line...I look forward to going back!
(4)Tallulah B.
Two gray steaks -- one with gristle! -- plus one rude manager= never going back. Gross.
(1)Michael M.
I spent a nice late afternoon at Underwood eating oysters with a terrific presentation and reasonable price while slurping Blind Pig and watching people play bocce ball. We didn't have a reservation but were seated quickly despite what seemed to be a big crowd. Don't be deterred by all the cars parked outside or the reputation for surly service--the staff is very professional and courteous. Thanks for a great afternoon.
(4)James B.
We are locals and we have been disappointed with the attitude of the wait staff each time we have gone there. We have generally found the servers to have an attitude of superiority. Overall the food was good enough, though the portions somewhat small for the price, that we returned a few times hoping to learn why the restaurant was so popular to so many. Our most recent visit will be our last. My daughter had just finished a year at university and I took her to Underwood to celebrate. My wife was out of town. We were in a great mood, but our server, Lisa, was in a hostile mood from the outset. Perhaps she thought my daughter was my date, and she wanted us to know of her disapproval. Service was slow despite the restaurant being only half full and early on there was a misunderstanding about our drink order that Lisa inexplicably took as a deliberate act of deception on our part. It was not. She insulted me about this and when I asked the manager for a new server, he agreed that she should not have insulted me, but he refused to give us a new server. Strange logic. For us it was "4 strikes, you're out".
(1)Riley M.
The kind of experience you have at Underwood, depends on what you're looking for. Enjoy an amazing Burger (homemade ketchup and aioli!!), have a killer drink, play a few rounds of Bocce Ball outside, or enjoy an upscale meal. It can be a bit on the expensive side, but for what you're getting, I'd actually admit that it's fairly affordable. The crowd is a mishmash of yuppy-wine-tourists, as well as younger folk that are out to enjoy a good meal and/or drink. I've had quite a few late nights at the Bistro, and I must say, shout out to the amazing bartender Gailen. He'll hook you up with a Great drink, and of course, Underwood has a damn good selection of cocktails. If you're not a fan of cocktails and mixed drinks, you can't go wrong with their selection of Beer.
(5)Doug I.
(pasting my review from TripAdvisor) During our stay in Healdsburg, we arrived at our B&B around 9:30 p.m. and needed some late night suggestions for food + drinks. Our B&B host recommended Underwood Bar & Grill...and we're glad he did! It's actually located in the small town of Graton, which is about 20 mins from Healdsburg. We got there at night and most places were closed, but the town seemed really cool Because we got there so late, we got the late-night menu (served from 10-11). In addition to ordering wine and beer, we ordered the thai crab-cakes + mac n cheese. Everything was really good! Also, the atmosphere was cool (saloon like, but at the same time, very classy) and the service was great. Next time, we'll make sure to get there early enough for dinner, but regardless, I definitely recommend checking out Underwood Bar & Grill.
(4)Jensyn H.
Sonoma County is well-known for its delightful restaurants scattered throughout the region. Underwood is one of these places for sure. Although Graton is only a block or two of antique shops and a diner, it has the ability to surprise any newcomer with the complete balance of class and taste that Underwood Bar & Bistro has to offer. I love the Tuna Tartar on the tapas menu. They even have a bocci ball court outside!
(5)Dean O.
We had a really nice meal at Underwood and it's definitely a place I recommend and will return to. The atmosphere was cozy and lively, but yet still casual enough that we didn't feel like we had to get too dolled up to fit in. Our service was good (and those busboys are ON IT!). My only ding on the rating comes from their very "red meat heavy" menu and one of the dishes was super salty (not enough to send it back, but enough to feel like it needed a correction in the preparation. The menu, as I mentioned, seems geared towards meat lovers. In fact, I don't recall a single vegetarian entree and even the fish dishes seemed to have some element of pork (chorizo, lardon, etc) in them. So, I went for the chicken breast which was actually VERY good. In fact, I almost never order chicken and was quite happy with the preparation, the beautiful vegetables included and it came with a petit gratin (which was the best part of the whole meal). My partner got the pappardelle with ragu (which was the overly salty dish). In concept a lovely dish...in actuality needed some tweaks to be truly delicious. We also enjoyed oysters on the half-shell (yum), harissa fries (YUM, but the portion is HUGE and could have literally satisfied 4-6 people), and we finished the dinner by sharing some chocolate banana bread pudding (just OK...was a little dry and bitter to be honest). All in all, however, we enjoyed the experience and left full and satisfied (and with a big box of left over harissa fries, per my earlier comment regarding portion size). I will say, I caught a glimpse of their lunch menu which had MANY more "non-red-meat" options and I think my next trip will be for their lunch service instead. Likewise the pricing for lunch seemed much less steep (dinner entrees were in the high $20s and low $30 which felt a tiny bit high). Graton is a really charming "tiny town" and this is one of 3 restaurants there. So if you are in the area, duck into to one of the great dining establishments and enjoy the small town sophistication and hospitality.
(4)Zachary C.
It was ok. I liked the decor and vibe inside the bar area. There were a few little things that were disappointing, the server forgot to bring a beer and we had to ask about it twice, also there was blue cheese in a friend's dish that wasn't mentioned in the description. The menu was kind of unique, but seemed a little pricey. Overall, I think I would go back and give it another chance if I needed a place to meet friends or family for lunch in west-county.
(3)Mr. Papshmir ..
We had our rehearsal dinner on their back patio in October 2011 and it was simply terrific. Mark, the GM worked tirelessly with us to make sure all of our snobby east coast guests would appreciate the rustic quality of Sebastapol. Food was great, beer and wine were terrific, and it was a great precursor to our spectacular wedding day up the road at Vine Hill House. I have eaten here for both lunch and dinner outside of special occasions, and will say this is one of, if not the best restaurant in the area.
(5)Lisa W.
The atmosphere was energetic and lively! We got some great cocktails that were prepared by 2 very energetic bartenders on 2 different occasions. We did not get a chance to try anything other than the Harissa fries - which were great - spicy with a good aioli and homemade ketchup. We will definitely return!
(4)Kevin J.
I have to give this restaurant one big WOW! I mean, I never would have expected this kind of food to be prepared within the small town of Graton. I know that Sonoma county is know for it's wine, countryside, and food but in Graton!?!? Underwood Bar & Bistro serves up some delicious dishes. Having lived in San Francisco for many years I'd like to think I know a thing or two about good food and Underwood was on point. The burger was huge and cooked perfectly for my nephew and brother. The chicken was prepared with flavor and tenderness intact. The seared ahi tuna was was an oriental flare in a sea of American cuisine. The duck was crispy on the outside and nothing less than superb on the inside, and the steak was as flavorful as you could ever hope for in a big hunk of meat. The side dishes are made for sharing as the fries (in both preparations) are HUGE! We were a table of 7 and the fry plates weren't even dented. I would be back in a second. The only thing that seemed to lack a little bit were the drinks. Lots of choices but probably not the best hand-crafted I've ever tasted. regardless, they got the job done. If you get a chance sit on the back patio if the weather permits.
(4)Champagne Disco D.
Went in earlier this week for our anniversary dinner. We were blown away by the outstanding service and atmosphere. Everything about our meal was above and beyond delish! I was driving, so I can't wait to go back and try some of their signature cocktails! Underwood - you rock, and you know it!
(5)R P.
We went there on 08/11 for a late lunch. The menu is limited. We had a hamburger with french fries. The fries were good but the hamburger was well, well done and very dry. We asked for pink in the inside. It took so long to get our lunch that we decided not to send the order back. A group of 5 women came in and wanted to eat but the staff would not accommodate them in a big table. Strange since no one but us were there. They left saying that they were going across the street where they could get a decent table. Too bad since we were also gently nugged to sit at another table than where we wanted to sit. We didn't move. Maybe that is why our hamburgers were well done.
(2)Nique F.
Places like the Underwood make me looove Sonoma County where, even in a sleepy town like Graton you can stumble upon a cozy little brasserie for an unforgettable meal in a funky/upscale ambience. So many great memories sitting at the bar, tasting through the wine list and slowly savoring their dressed-up comfort food. There's definitely a local vibe here, but you'll never be shunned as an unfamiliar face. Just belly up to the bar, and you'll be one of the regulars in no time! The cocktail menu is very intruiging, while the BTG wine list is slightly limited but definitely not shabby. For dinner they've got both a tapas and regular menu...great for sharing with a date. Try the scallops (when in season), the spring pea ravioli, or a side of mac n' cheese (it's so rich, you won't need an entree). Once you discover this place you'll wonder why you hadn't earlier. Such a charmer. Check it out!
(5)Max G.
Fun and energetic atmosphere. We would not of heard of Merry Edwards Winery if it were not for the bar tender. They have a full bar and lots mixed drink specials.
(4)Corey G.
There is eating, and then there are dining experiences. Underwood supplied the latter. I had never been to Graton before. It's a small California town, and amongst it's small town-ness lies Underwood. I love finding treasures like this in those small sleepy towns. From the beginning I knew this was going to be awesome. First off, we were welcomed by a *beautiful* hostess. We were then shown to the table reserved for us. Then we moved to cocktails. Their list of cocktails displayed creativity, daring, and a uniqueness all their own. I, and several of my supper-mates went with their take on the Mojito. This was a pretty darn good concoction. The mint, lime, and rum were mixed just right, and I especially liked the long piece of raw sugar cane thrown in (it was my lollipop for the evening). I also went with a drink called "something Complicado" (I picked it because I like a cuban salsa move called the Enchufla Complicado). This was a tequila-based drink, and I remember it helped end the evening just dandily. For dinner I went with: - Salad - Wagyu Steak with - Duck fat potatoes. Yes, those are words I typed, not a poem, but it was poetry in my mouth. The salad was not no ordinary salad. It was sooooo dang good, and one of the best salads I ever had. Then there was the entree. Wagyu steak is a steak on par with Kobe beef. So we're talking about something special, and it totally was. Then there were the DUCK FAT Potatoes! Oh so tasty!! For dessert (oh yeah, I had sweet on my mind), I went with their espresso creme brulee. EXCELLENCE on my tongue! I must also not forget to mention our server. I can't recall her name, but she totally hooked us up, made us feel like family and at home. She was funny and very cool! Next time I'm in the area, I will definitely make a stop---wild horses won't stop this amigo!
(5)Patricia D.
The Underwood is like going home for the holidays, provided you don't have a dysfunctional family. And if you do, this is a safe haven. The service is outstanding, the food always spot on, the noise level loud enough to drown out that annoying family member and a wonderful bocce ball court out back when you need to escape. We've been going there since they opened ages ago. It's always been excellent. The smoked trout salad, Mac 'n cheese, burgers, steak and fries, oysters and especially their French onion soup have been on the menu forever and there is good reason why - they are delicious. When my daughter dropped her first cell phone into her French onion soup, I figured it died a noble death. Prices have gone over the years, but it is still my favorite restaurant in West County and always worth spending a few dollars more for real food than getting unlimited breadsticks at Olive Garden for the same price.
(5)Lil M.
I have been to this place multiple times and we always sit at the bar, order tons of drinks and food. Usually Annie is our bartender and she is so awesome. We have gone in once or twice where there was a bartender, with medium length dark hair and a little bit of facial hair ( sole patch) he always seems drunk, extra loud, and doesn't give good service. I've seen him screw up multiple orders and I just hope to god he's not the owner. Tonight we went, hoping Annie would be bartending. He was bartending. He made eye contact with us after about 20 minutes of us standing by the bar waiting for him to notice us. He walked over and asked what he could get for us. I asked him if the bar had titos vodka and he said, super loud so that everyone at the bar could hear him "oh, I am SO sorry, we don't have titos vodka, texas' finest vodka, but if we would have known you were coming in we would have ordered it just for you." His tone was so sarcastic and I was totally embarrased. All I have to say is I'm a bartender and that he was totally rude to us, and I'm sure he didn't remember us, even though I always tip 30-40%. We drove a long way just to go there and walked out because of his rude attitude. My advice to the owners would be to get rid of him and get someone who doesn't make their customers feel like a piece of shit. Because besides that, I love this place and it's food to death. But now I'm going to call ahead of time to see whose working.
(3)Kevin L.
I dug the Underwood up out of a Sunset magazine when doing a little research for our weekend road trip (it was literally around the corner from one of our other stops). I had high hopes for it but was even more pleasantly surprised when we got there. The meals were excellent. Probably one of the best cooked steaks I can remember having. The ambiance, the service, the food all just fell into place. We enjoyed it so much we stopped back by for lunch on the way back through the area 2 days later. I've eaten in some really nice establishments and would consider this among the upper tier. As with most of my favorites it is a little pricey (paid something like $18 bucks for a burger, but it was one hell of a burger) but definitely worth the splurge.
(5)Anastasia L.
This is by far my favorite meal in California. When i say MEAL I mean the duck. it is served two ways on one plate. Confit and breast. can't decide what i like better. I literally have dreams about this duck. I have visited a number of times, but always order the duck. I have tried their other dishes from my friends plates, all are excellent. the seafood stew stands out, so do the oysters. This place is really special.
(5)Anonymous G.
Ive been here 100 times. This is easily the best lunch restaurant in west county. Its also the place youre most likely to be sitting next to a famous winemaker. Every bit of food ive ever eaten has been perfect and delicious. Absolutly killer wine list and service is pretty good. Harrissa frys, crab cakes, hoison ribs, lamb sand blow my mind every time. Oh and seriously best french onion soup ever. Want a killer an under the radar place? Its Underwood.
(5)Linda S.
Great place to sit at the bar and have dinner! Loved the Mangotini & flatbread pizza. Nice crowd and classy atmosphere. Worth the drive. :) Linda
(4)Tom S.
WOW!!! A fabulous brasserie in Graton California? Am I dreaming? Underwood bar & bistro IS a 5 star worthy place. Right up there with Gary Danko. We arrive Tuesday 7:00pm - The place is packed. The sizeable bar is 2 deep with chatty happy customers. The main dining room looks like the perfect french bistro. Also, there are 2 outdoor dining patios and a boccie ball court for your pleasure. The cigarette smokers are out there. The food is simply fabulous. The core menu has all the french dishes you expect: Duck confit, steak & frites, french onion soup with a perfect melted cheese crust. There's some surprises too. My tuna tartare with all sorts of tiny vegetables & relishes was sublime. Every evening there are 3 specials.: One fish, one beef, one vegetarian. Wine list has 18 by the glass selections. There are 75 bottles or so on the list. Mostly Californian, some French. Wine mark-up is double Bev-Mo' retail. Bambie & I over ate on purpose so we could sample a few items. We really overdid it, without regrets. I felt fine in the morning. This food is California clean (no pesticides, no hormone fed animals). Served by knowledgeable adults who behave nicely. We ate 4 courses, drank 4 glasses of wine. We spent $115 plus tip. I'm going back again, and again, and again...
(5)Natalye R.
Underwood is that rustic, cozy restaurant spot nestled comfortably on the main street of a quiet town that the locals love and the out-of-towners (like myself) only find themselves in the area of maybe once a year. I don't know what it is about this place, but there's such a charm to it, especially as darkness sets in. Maybe it's because the ambiance is so warm, but in spite of the kind of day I've had, I always feel good when I step foot into Underwood. The place itself is welcoming, even when it's busy and bustling, and everyone seems to be having a good time. The bar area is my favourite place to camp out, unless it's during a warm summer night, in which case the outside bocce ball court is the prime place to be. The menu is very American-esque in my mind, with classed-up comfort food type items that make it hard to decide what to eat, so of course you pick multiple items off the tapas menu. Me? I'm vegan, so naturally my choices are already narrowed down quite significantly. But the roasted beets (hold the cheese) are phenomenal, if you're the beet loving type (which I am). And if you love beer even more than you love beets (again, me) then you'll love the drinks as they feature local (ish) microbrews on tap, which is the way to my heart 98% of the time. While the meat-and-cheese-heavy menu isn't enough to get me out there on a regular basis, I can't say that I don't love what this place is doing, and I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking for top-notch cocktails and food with a creative spin.
(4)Marlene T.
The food was good and the ambiance decent, albeit the other patrons were a little too packed and loud for my tastes. I really did enjoy the service is up to par. At first when we showed (3 of the 5 in the party) we were temporarily seated near the bar while they got our table ready. And we were promptly seated before the rest of our party showed up. While I thought it a little pricey for what I got I still enjoyed our experience. I would honestly expect more from all the positive reviews, but this is definitely a place not to be missed. Stop by and enjoy the outdoor seating if it's a nice day and you're driving by. Guarantee to have a good cocktail and service, and hey, the food is really good if you want to shell out a decent buck for some every day good food.
(3)Dana R.
I'd give them 4 stars for the 1st visit and 3 stars for the 2nd. We've eaten here twice in the last couple of years. The first time I recall the hoisin ribs as being fall off the bone with the delicious sweetness of the hoisin sauce. For my entrée, I had a roasted duck breast and leg (with beautifully crispy skin) with an Asian preparation including mung beans, cilantro, red onions, spicy/chili fish sauce, and rice. It's not on their menu currently, but it's one of the best preparations of the type that I've had. Recently we went again with friends and ordered all sorts of food to check it out. We started with the pommes frites and "ketchup" and aioli - the fries were crispy and not greasy and the "ketchup" was a delicious homemade tomato/smoked chili sauce and the aioli seemed to have two magical flavors in garlic and lemon. Yummy. The Thai lettuce wraps were delicious too - several pieces of Bibb lettuce, sautéed ground pork, shallots, and chilies served with cilantro, rice noodles and thin red onion slices, roasted peanuts and a spicy fish sauce. It's an assemble it yourself (which is fine) - very well balanced in terms of sweet/salty and spicy; great texture with the crunchiness of the lettuce. We also ordered a delicious heirloom tomato salad with lardons and cheese. The tomatoes were so fresh and sweet and the cheese was delectably creamy. The lardons could have been crispier. My roasted chicken was flavorful and deliciously juicy and tender and was served with fried capers, black oil cured olives, a sun-dried tomato paste and vinaigrette over frisee and croutons (a panzanella-type salad with the chicken). My husband had fresh ravioli stuffed with a ricotta cheese/basil mixture and was served with fresh halved baby yellow and red tomatoes and a smattering of freshly grated cheese in a lovely broth. It was so light and tasty - he said it's the best pasta he's had in quite awhile. The server told us the pasta is made elsewhere and they assemble it at Underwood. Our friends had a hamburger (sans cheese and add Dijon mustard) and a Bibb lettuce salad with blue cheese dressing and slices of red grape tomatoes and Niman Ranch bacon (my husband and shared the latter too (and I took most of my delicious chicken home)). The burger was moist and tasty according to my friend. For our experience, the bacon could have been a bit crispier on the salad, but overall it was very satisfying and not too overly dressed. We had two bottles of the 2007 Perception pinot noir from the Russian River (183 cases produced) - while certainly not Burgundian by any stretch - it was a lovely compliment to the vibrant flavors of our meal. We finished with cappuccinos (which were fine but nothing extraordinary) and 2 desserts: the peach, nectarine, and blueberry cobbler and the ice cream "sandwich" that was much more like an ice cream cake. The cobbler came with the fruit tepid inside. The ice cream cake was satisfying with its soft and flavorful chocolate cake, raspberry sauce (which you could add or not as you like) and the various flavors of ice cream. They need to update their website with the current offerings. The service was good. Ambiance is fine - we sat outside and it's nothing more than a fence enclosed two sided patio with tables and chairs ... nothing special.
(3)David W.
I suck, I know it. But I don't have a lot of time to Yelp right now. Sorry folks. Came here after an amazing experience at Lynmar Estates. If you are a Sonoma County wine fan, do not miss this place. On to the food. We were wasted and starving and needed a place to go. The ladies at Lynmar highly recommended this place so we went. We got there after lunch was over but they were willing to serve us. Score! Sat in the bar area and ordered quickly to accomodate their kindness to serve. Bar area was beautiful/rustic/comfortable. Beers on tap were solid and I browsed the wine list which was also solid. Had a roasted turkey sandwich and the wife had a pasta special with roasted veggies, etc. Bread that was served was to die for and I apologize that I cannot remember the details, but it has been a few months. At any rate, go to this place for the casual atmosphere and local solid california ingredients. price is right for a great night. Will be back next time we are in the area.
(5)Alana W.
Underwood has a beautiful atmosphere and wonderful bar, including the bartenders. Ive gone there occasionally since it opened. Being born and raised in Sebastopol I love to support local business and give my out of town guests a local experience. Unfortunately the last several times I have had HORRIBLE service while dining from the same red headed waitress. She must know someone to keep her job at Underwood, because this women is miserable and made mine and my guests experience very uncomfortable. So much to where I will never go back to dine. There are to many GREAT restaurants in west county to waste time and money on a less then sub par dining experience.
(1)Trent Y.
My wife and I have gone to this restaurant many times. There are so many restaurants in Sonoma county but none as consistently great as this one. Anytime we want an excellent and unique meal we book a reservation here. With young children it is hard to have a night out and it can really suck when you spend a ton of money getting out only to have the food be just Ok. Underwood's has never let us down. The food is excellent, creative, fast, and comes out hot. Great bar drinks as well.
(5)Andrea K.
Very very good food at a good price. Have been a few times and am a total fan. The only unfortunate thing is the bar is very small and almost pointless to go to, and they don't let you sit at the bar tables unless having a full meal. But the service and food are good so I would go with a reservation if you're going at a popular time.
(4)Cleo L.
We had lunch here - arrive early, because the specials sell out fast. Highlights - Baby Lola Rosa salad, Moroccan Lamb Sandwich, Macaroni & Cheese with Pancetta
(5)Trisha H.
We went to Underwood last Saturday for dinner after wine tasting. It was packed, but we found seats at the bar. One bartender walked/ran by a few times and did not acknowledge us for the first 5 minutes or so. We managed to get menus and share with the stranger next to us since no one greeted him either. Then Annie came over to save the day. She was also obviously slammed but smiled, said she needed to get through a few drinks and then her attention was all ours. This totally changed our attitudes and we told her to take her time and thanked her for acknowledging us. From then on, we had fantastic service, she dealt with the pressure and busyness of the shift with grace and professionalism. The food and drinks were fantastic and we will definitely come back. She turned an almost bad experience into a great one! Thanks Annie!!!
(5)Norm S.
Visited here on a Friday night with my wife. Restaurant was noisy inside, although we were outside (on the side patio) and there were no issues. We had one main server, but it seemed as though we had four - there was always someone to clear plates and/or refill glasses. Great service! Local wine selection was good as was their cocktail list. They have a couple local beers - enough to choose from. We had the pizzeta as an appetizer (my wife won't stop taking about it!) and fish stew and ravioli as main dishes. All very good, the desserts were also outstanding! All in all a great experience - highly recommended. It should be noted that finding parking was a bit tough. And you likely need reservations.
(5)Jo N.
Yes,It is good food! The decor is very pleasing. Try to sit in a booth because the chairs are awful and uncomfortable. I give it a 4 star because it is ALWAYS sooooo loud that it is tough to enjoy the company you're dining with.
(4)C B.
Although we were supposed to be back in SF for my birthday dinner reservations, all I was really craving was a trip to underwood! Was a great way to spend my birthday - martinis and oysters, a. Rafanelli zin and a delicious meal - a fun (at times can feel romantic and sophisticated) atmosphere and a place I always recommend to friends who are visiting the area. Summer afternoons on the patio are divine!
(4)Issy D.
Can you say YUM?! This place is right next to my house and thank god it isn't cheap or I would eat there everyday. I love the beet salad, steak and french fries, and their burgers are AMAZING. In the summer you can eat dinner out by the bocce ball court and sip on beverages and enjoy the sunshine. I love this place and I've never had bad service like others seem to have.
(5)David K.
Went there for lunch this last Friday as the place came highly recommended by a tasting room member at Hartford Family Winery. Sorry Mark, our visit fell way short of our expectations!! We sat outside because it was a beautiful day but our server didn't have the time to provide adequate much less superior service. When she finally did take our order the wait time for the initial order of soup for the beautiful lady in my company came timely was only warm and tasted like it was out of a can!! I ordered a ribeye sandwich because it sounded good and difficult to mess up, right? Wrong!! It arrived as ordered, rare, but was at least 25% fat (grizzle) and I admit I should and normally would have sent it back and ordered something else!! My friend's items came and they taste was pedestrian at best!! I have NO plans of returning to this restaurant and I only hope your service and food experience is much better then ours!! I'm a foodie and wine snob and have eaten in much better places then this restaurant, internationally as well. Joy and peace to all.....
(1)Paul S.
A bit crazy and crowded, but still the best bar/restaurant in West County, as far as I know. Food has really improved over the last few years, and cocktails are usually excellent. Backyard bocce court in the summertime draws a crowd. Wine industry place to see and be seen.
(4)Mike I.
Pricey, but good. Not very kid friendly. I had the Osso Bucco, which was good. The flatbread appetizer was also very good. Kids didn't like the burger. My wife had the steak and fries. It was very good as well. If it were more kid friendly, I would be more impressed. We weren't the only ones there with children.
(4)Davey G.
Ventured out into a region of Sonoma County I'd never been to. After getting lost due to my inability to read directions, we parked on the street in quiet Graton and walked up to what appeared to be a lively little restaurant in a charming town. We started with an assortment of oysters. I won't pretend to describe them by name, because my memory stinks, but I was able to sample at least six different oysters ranging from buttery to briny to minerally and meaty. We lucked out with a bonus pair of the mollusks for no apparent reason, which the waitress said was "something the oyster guy's been doing all night." Sweet! Next up were a couple of small plates. First, the Chinese broccoli. Sadly, it was so salty. Additionally, the strips of ginger were unappetizing and looked too much like slivers of garlic, so I had the unpleasant experience of biting straight into a spicy, fibrous strand. The next round canceled out the lackluster greens. White anchovy crostini with olives and walnuts. Superb! Cheese and fish?! Crazy idea, but the Parmesan actually worked on this dish. I could have ordered several more plates of this stuff. By now I was actually kind of full, but we'd put in the order for a burger with a side of harissa fries. It was a thick patty, kinda charred on outside, nice and medium on the inside. The fries however, stole the show. They were served wedges of lime that you squirt over the spicy potatoes. The play between sour and spice was really nice. All of this was washed down with a couple of pints of Blind Pig from Russian River that Underwood has on tap. Yum.
(4)Denise S.
I absolutely loved this place! Lots of rustic charm with lots of people crammed in together. Had the soup of the day with a lovely pizzetta. Food was terrific and service was great. A Sonoma "must"
(4)Joseph J.
Underwoods always has some great seasonal or daily dishes, healthy sized portions, great staff and service, and good energy. Sometimes its a bit toooooo crowded for my tastes, but that is a small complaint. I do wish there was easier or better parking, the whole town suffers from the lack of it. The bar seems to have its own party going on most of the time, which is the epicenter of the crowd, and which I tend to avoid. Nonetheless, it is it own kind of place without much in the way of similar places.
(4)Jeff M.
On a recent wine tasting trip, we decided to drop in on the Underwood for dinner on the way home. It's located in a funky building in a town of funky buildings called Graton. The facility was clean and well kept and the wait staff were timely, friendly and helpful. The wine list was small but featured some good wines including some from the local Russian River Valley appellation. They also have house specialty cocktails; Terri tried their Cosmo, but found it too tart to enjoy. Their standard menu features oysters along with an eclectic assortment of appetizers, soups, salads, dinners and sides. The dishes are interesting and worthy of multiple trips to explore. We started with White Corn Chowder, the soup special. The soup was creamy but lighter and not as sweet as most Corn Chowders - this was a good thing! Served with some pumpkin seeds and small pieces of bacon which complimented the flavor well. I jumped on the Wild King Salmon special served on top of a serving of pureed white beans and accompanied with artichoke hearts, broccoli, and a light broccoli salsa. The salmon was cooked to perfection, medium rare and moist, and tasted wonderful. The white beans had the consistency and taste of mashed potatoes. The broccoli, artichoke hearts, and the broccoli 'salsa verde' went well with the meal. My sweetheart ordered the Moroccan Chicken, a roasted half chicken with a light spice rub. The skin was nice and crispy and the chicken moist. The spices were mild but the taste was good. It was served with a flavorful sauce that could have used more spices to bring out more of the Moroccan flavor. The chicken was accompanied by oven roasted potato wedges. In addition, we tried the Chou-Fleur side, a cauliflower gratin, baked with cheese and cream. If you like cauliflower, this is a must try! For dessert, we tried the Meyer Lemon Panna Cotta and the daily Sorbet Trio - raspberry, pink guava and mango. The Panna Cotta was outstanding, one of the best I have tasted! The mango sorbet did not really thrill but the others were very tasty, and not too sweet. While the prices are spendy - the Salmon special was $32 - the food was above average. I do believe another visit is in order!
(4)Ben G.
They should call this place UNDERWHELMING (and overpriced). I met a friend here recently for dinner. I wasn't super hungry so I got the Bibb salad for $10. It was seriously disappointing. Just a few pieces of Bibb lettuce (big whole pieces, not cut up -- a peeve of mine), some bits of bacon, a few tiny slices of beet, and a blue cheese dressing. Needless to say I was still hungry. For $5 it would have been great. But for $10? Are you kidding? Especially compared to the HUGE salads (with tons of ingredients, not just three) that you can get for $6 down at Intermezzo in Berkeley... those monsters can feed three people. Why so stingy, Underwood? My friend got the Ravioli, which I believe was something like $16 and looked like it included 6 pieces at most. Very small portion, bordering on insulting. Here's another example from the menu: If you want to order fries, it's $8. For POTATOES. Come on, $8 for fries? That's just ludicrous. So if you have money to spend and don't care about value or quality at all, by all means go to the Underwood. If, however, you want a meal that is just as good (if not better) for half the price, check out many other local places first (e.g. Barley and Hops in Occidental). I don't mind paying $$$$ for food IF IT's WORTH IT -- for example, I think Flavor in Santa Rosa is pricey but the quality of the food, atmosphere, and service is great so I go there once in a blue moon (and still, they're not as $$$$ as Underwood and they don't charge $8 for fries). The Underwood is definitely not worth what they charge (maybe if they slashed their prices by 30%). To add insult to injury, you're paying exorbitant prices and -- from what I can gather -- it's not even organic! LAME.
(2)ALISHA W.
A great watering hole with bacce ball in the back and a relaxed slightly upscale vibe inside. the bartenders make excellent drinks, but the food is a bit on the pricey side. I live just down the road and visit there every once in a while when I don't mind spending an easy $80 in a night.
(4)Ed R.
Food is always great.....lots to choose from & their servers are always attentive making our experience here great every time we have come.
(4)Albert N.
I love to come here for an afternoon treat!!! Sitting at the bar enjoying an afternoon cocktail with friends creates memories that will not be forgotten. The bartender added to our experience by being friendly but not budding into our conversation.
(5)Rocky S.
What a find! I will revisit this restaurant to see if I can update my review to a 5-star rating. I went there with four friends about a month ago and found that all of the menu items were very tasty and fresh. The atmosphere is also really nice. It's the perfect place to take someone on a date because it is in what seems to be kind of a mysterious side-town that is often overlooked. To be continued.
(4)Michael B.
I've been back a handful of times, or two, since my last review so I wanted to update. I focused on what maybe I could do to improve my experience at Underwood and I exclaimed "I'll show up earlier!" So anyway the earlier the better, but no early bird shit. I've noticed every time I arrive past 9 pm the service is more or less rude, minus two girls which are consistently nice and good at their jobs. Also the likelihood of them having the specials is greatly increased the closer we get there to 8. So anyway its better than before, food is delicious, I have had some amazing flat breads there and I like the fact that they have updated their menu as well. Shows they care about whats in season, local and most importantly fresh. I'd also like to note their sister restaurant across the street, Willow Wood, has a wonderful brunch in addition to the other 3 meals they serve. P.S. The cocktails taste great, are creative, and somewhat unique. Thanks Underwood I never wanted to give up on you!
(4)Steven K.
I think my wife probably would have given 5 stars. As much as I liked it, I can only give 4. The ambiance is very casual, which is fine. We wouldn't have dressed up for the dinner, nor would we have expected to at the Underwood. It's a nice menu with lots of options. We opted for lighter meals. She had short ribs off the small plate menu. I had the evening flatbread, which featured duck and figs. Our cocktails were great. The service was friendly, not particularly prompt but also not annoyingly slow. If we were back in Graton we definitely would consider a return visit.
(4)Har- y.
Went with hubby on a busy Friday night - bar was full, great vibe. Cocktails - delish. Hard to choose from the list - so many great ones. Hubby's salmon was cooked perfectly, my duck was pretty good - a little salty - but the lentils that came with the duck were sublime! Never thought I'd say that about lentils...Loved the outdoor patio, and the back area with a bocce pit. Fun atmosphere - great way to start our weekend.
(4)Green S.
Outstanding drink menu. Death and taxes on tap! We've been here a few times and always have a nice time.
(4)Steve K.
Great food! Nice place, too, with lots of character, but a bit out of the way unless you're already in the area. We enjoyed dining on the patio, and were especially impressed with the Moroccan chicken, the sea bass, and the tuna tartar tapas. We will return!
(4)Anne R.
Delicious. Fresh. Yummy. Highlights: beet appetizer (huge - I took most home and enjoyed over two days), frites, tuna tartare, cheese plate with a lovely goat cheese.
(5)fred j.
I enjoyed myself at the bar with bartender Frank. My wife and I wanted to try this place as everyone seems to really like it. We started with the some Asian beef wraps. Great way to start simple but great combination of ingredients. Then we went on to some chines broccoli and pork, love it! Then we had the steak frites. Finished with the wormed chocolate tart. My wife enjoyed the positive energy Frank had through our dinning experience. I also liked him, I will say he is an entertainer maybe more than a bartender. you may need to be a little forgiving of with how quickly you get served at the bar. If you don"t want to be entertained a table may be a better place for you.
(4)Laila P.
This place is pretty pricey. But the portions were generous and the food was excellent. Would give this place four stars if the service had been better. I had halibut with rice, chorizo and some corn/jalepeno relish thing. It was amazing! We had the pork lettuce cups as an appetizer and the chinese broccoli. Both were excellent. I was so involved with my own dinner, I couldn't even tell you what boyfriend had. I know there was Anchor Steam on tap which was greatly appreciated considering it was quite hot out. We had the meyer lemon tart for dessert and it was sooooo good! I would definitely give this place another try next time I'm out in that part of the county.
(3)Ian B.
Always one of my local go-to's, they're one of the few (if not only) places in West County serving food past 9. The Duck Confit is spectacular, and the burger is worth almost solely for the fries that come with it, done perfectly crispy and thin.
(4)David P.
My favorite dining place in West County. Graton is literally a one stop-sign town and this is its jewel. Nickel topped bar area has a very Euro feel and the bartenders are always absolutely wonderful, and knowledgeable in their craft. Ask for the drink specials. Wide ranging menu including tapas style dishes. I usually go for their staple dishes such as the Underwood sandwich which is very yummy...
(5)Lynda S.
Great atmosphere, great food, amazing service and Bocce Ball!! Loved it:))
(5)James N.
THIS REVIEW IS STRICTLY ABOUT THE SERVICE. I have been eating and drinking at Underwood since its inception. But I have had it with the service. I love Frank and the other bartenders but I can't deal with the rest of wait staff anymore. In fact, I won't deal with them anymore. If you sit at the bar you will be taken care of and have a great time but be prepared for rude, disinterested service if you are at a table. This last Friday was the final straw, our waitress was so rude and short with us.... I felt their service had reached a new low... but no - there was more disrespect to come... when our food arrives we were short a dish and my friend, an older and completely unassuming gentleman asked for his oysters (perhaps she had forgotten?) she shot back "I only have two hands - I'll get them in a minute." and huffed off - my friend then actually apologized to the waitress thinking she might have misinterpreted him - she glared at him and said "I'm busy". Whoa! - hey if you don't want to be a waitress in a busy restaurant where you have the opportunity to make big tips (our tab was north of $200 for oysters, a salad, flat bread and a couple rounds of drinks) then go work someplace else. This is the 3rd time in a row where our table service sucked. All that being said - the food was great (thanks Mark), the drinks were well prepared (thanks Frank) but I will not be sitting down for dinner and/or food there again. I don't need the attitude - Someone needs to tighten up the wait staff. Waitresses are a dime a dozen in West County- especially bad ones - time to upgrade.
(2)Pat j.
I went to Underwood this evening and unlike many reviewers was simply not impressed. For us the food was average. The salad (tomato cheese vege) was the best but not very flavorful. The Chinese (bok choy and pork) salad was horrible--unevenly cooked vege and the pork was burned and flavorless. The special flatbread with cheese, veggies, chicken and spices was dried out and flavorless. One of us ordered the house white wine and the other the house Cabernet--at a cost of $8 and $12, respectively. My fault on the Cab--it was my error for not looking very carefully at the (food stained) menu. You would think an attentive waiter would point out the costs but not here. The restaurant had only two parties when we arrived and we were seated on the opposite side of the room from the other party, which was nice. Then, while we were in the middle of dinner a third party of four came and the waiter sat them right next to us; there were many other places they could have been placed. It was a real jerky thing to do. Of course the party was very close to us and wanted to know exactly what our food was, etc. I live close by and will never recommend this place to anyone, will only recommend people not go there. It does have a nice looking bar with plenty of exotic drinks for which you pay handsomely.
(1)Tara H.
Burger can't be beat. Love the ambiance and the service. We have lunch or dinner here frequently. Don't miss it.
(5)Hillary R.
Worth the drive to Graton! Delicious tapas, excellent wine list.
(5)Aaron B.
Dined on a Friday night with my baby! We'd been wanting to come here for some time and got really excited about it once we'd read the yelps. Didn't live up. The restaurant and the surrounding area is gorgeous. Really nice outside dining. The bar is well stocked and very inviting. We were seated in a small but comfortable two top. The hostess was polite but brief even though the place was only half full. After we were seated the staff brought water, bread and olive oil. The bread was garbage. They must have bought out Safeway that night... I take that back. I've had better bread from Safeway. It's too bad because there are several great bakeries in West county. We started with wine and the baby back ribs. The ribs were tender and served with a nice Asian inspired salad with cabbage, mint, lime, cilantro and mango. The server when taking our order and through the rest of the meal was awkward and distracted. We were visited by a parade of very nice bussers through the rest of the meal. Three different bussers asked if we wanted more bread after we had asked our server for more bread. My girlfriend ordered the steak and fries and I had the duck. Her steak was cooked well with a nice compound butter on top, The fries were perfect. (I would go back just to sit in the bar and drink beer and eat french fries.) The steak was served with some sort of additional steak sauce on the plate that was good but didn't need to be there. My duck was less than exceptional. There was a leg of confit and a seared breast. The confit didn't have any flavor. It was like eating under seasoned day old chicken. The breast was over cooked on the outside and close to blue in the middle which made the texture really chewy. It was served on top of some lentils which were nice and with frisee and lardon salad. Usually I hate that stuff but they did a really nice job with it. We had a couple of nice glasses of wine. They serve the wine in 3 or 6 ounce pours which was cool. My girlfriend had her steak with a nice ginger beer. The dessert and fromage menu came. Desserts 'o' day; Sorbet of the Day, Creme Brulee of the Day, etc. Our server did a really bad job of making any of it sound interesting so I had an espresso and we got out of there.
(3)Bill S.
Second visit not as good. Left a message for reservations- never got reply- when i called again, no acknowledgement of missed call back- in fact a snotty "i'm trying to fit you in" got table next to the host stand- service was rushed and cold. when we asked for espressos the wait person look horrified and said "i just took 3 orders!" Food was still good. Except the bread, as Aaron B. said, Safeway can do better. Sadly, not my favorite anymore.
(3)Jenni H.
One of my favorite dinner places to go. The customer service is always good. I love there drinks from the bar and they always do a good Manhattan. I like how they have small plates but the size of the food that comes on then is still enough to share! If you like to get more then a few thing and share , I recommend this place cause it's perfect for that !!! Some of my Favorite bites ! Mussels in a Curry An coconut sauce with deep fried sticky rice to dip in sauce ! Also the beet salad ...
(4)Paul A.
Good skirt steak and lamb dishes. There are some crazy meth dealers that will run you down in the street and seem to know the hillbilly cops in the area - brothers and such. They will fuck you over, so carry a piece (legally) for self-defense.
(5)Dave B.
It's been over a month since my camping trip with the woman who would soon to be my girlfriend and I went camping with her friends at the Russian River. Another friend drove up from the city with her dog Daisy. Being a three day weekend, we were able to enjoy a leisurely Sunday of wine tasting/watching (OK, I still get voyeuristic thrill out of people who enjoy drinking their grapes). Around 4, we started to get a little peckish. We'd received two independent recommendations for Underwood from the women of Hartford Family Winery. When we arrived, we were greeted with a sign saying they were closed until dinner. We looked around for other options in the neighboring towns. Enjoyed the beginning of a reverse progressive meal with slice of pie each at Mom's...Peach Cobbler was amazing...but I'll have to yelp that separately... Looking for a place that has a patio on a sunny day that has good food can be quite a challenge. Being dog friendly just makes it that much more challenging. Upon entering Underwood, the dining room and bar didn't make me think that we'd found the perfect place. After being led to the back, I was stunned at how wrong I'd been. This walled garden with half a dozen tables was the perfect setting for Daisy to play. A boce court stole center stage. The three of us weren't hungry enough to have a full meal and opted for the tapas and small plates menu versus the large and entree portions. Four dishes were enjoyed by all: - Roasted Beet Salad with endive, walnuts and feta - Ceviche Tostada with rock shrimp, scallops, lime, Fresno Chili, mango, cilantro, and avocado - Goat Cheese & Caramelized Onion Tart - Harissa Fries with cilantro, scallions and lime I washed it down with a glass of lemonade. A perfect way to enjoy a relaxing and delicious meal with friends. I hope to find my way back here many more times. In fact, it's not that far to just drive for the sole purpose of going to. It'd be worth the trip.
(5)David A.
Great food, great wine (beer and cocktails), and a great crowd. Probably my favorite restaurant in Graton. Where you may ask? Graton, CA... and the Underwood are one of the best least kept secrets in west Sonoma County. An interesting crowd for such a small town... runs the spectrum from vintage farmers to hipster winemakers to bohemian bushman and then some. An awesome bar with great bartenders, especially Gaylen... who are there to make sure you leave completely satisfied. If you want a real sense of west county then I would definitely suggest stopping by, cheers!
(4)Shana F.
I want to love Underwood. Maybe I want Underwood to love me. I don't know. I had dinner at Underwood twice within a month. The menu changes all the time, which makes dining out very difficult for me due to my strange food allergies. The Underwood staff was kind enough to fax that night's menu to us so I could make sure I could eat something! That's great service! That night I I had ahi tuna and soba noodles. Absolutely delicious! It really was an amazing meal. I enjoyed the meal so much, I decided to go back again. This time, we called and asked again if we could get the night's menu faxed over to us. The person who answered the phone seemed really confused and said she would have someone do that. The menu never showed up. I decided to take my chances and hopefully I could eat something on the menu. That night, there was one dish on the menu that I could eat, with one small substitution (pretty much subbing plain rice in since the pilaf that came with the dish included an ingredient I am allergic to). I asked the server about subbing in plain rice. She ROLLED HER EYES and said she'd have to ask the chef! I didn't think it would be an issue since there was another dish on the menu with plain rice. Our server disappears for a long time, then comes back and says the chef will do it, but she personally "highly discourages" it because the dish will be "horrible." She tried to encourage me to order the dish how it was created. I explained to her that there is no way I can order the dish the way it was intended to be consumed due to my allergy. She rolled her eyes again! Anyway, my dish was fine. As someone who frequently makes special requests in restaurants due to a medical condition, I completely understand that dishes with substitutions will taste differently. I am prepared for this when I order. At a place where dinner entrees are over $20, I'd expect a little more from the staff. Honey, I'm not paying for a Big Mac!
(3)Katy M.
This is a weekly stop for us :) I have tried just about everything on the menu....love the Mac & Cheese, French Onion Soup, Bib Lettuce Salad, the ribs - oh yum! He pretty much always has the burger - says it's one of his favorites in the area. Service is always attentive, great wine list, all the standard beers on tap. We try to sit at the bar - awesome bartenders who always are up for talking :)
(4)Paul W.
This place is great. My wife had Streak frites which she said was excellent. I had a grilled hamburger with Gorgonzola and bacon that was fantastic. The server made a very good recommendation of a wine for my wife. I had a French manhattan and it was really good. Good atmosphere. Quaint town. We'll be back here.
(5)Chris D.
Great fresh food, cool bar scene, great wine selection. We ordered a couple of daily specials, the steelhead in miso broth with soba noodles was amazing, as were the fresh orecchiette with hand made spicy sausage. The wine was great: They have 3 oz or full glass so we ordered about 6 different ones, some whites and reds, but I think they could charge just a bit less for some of the 3 oz. We were too full for dessert, but definitely the place to try when passing through Graton.
(4)B K.
I hate people that just come on to Yelp to bitch. But God, I had a unusually bad experience, and Underwood deserves some serious negative points. My girlfriend and I went to Underwood for our one year anniversary. We brought a nice bottle of wine, and asked for it to be opened when we sat down. Our server takes our ID's and walks away, without saying anything, and moments later the bartender comes back with them, and says to my girlfriend: "This isn't you." Well, after they took other forms of ID from her, including a social security card and credit card, the owner came back to us and said he didn't understand why there was a problem. Neither did we, and we were offered the explanation that an employee there told the owner/other staff that my girlfriend wasn't 21. How stupid is this? Are we in high school, or the fine dining community? And yes, she is over 21, thanks. Apparently the best the owner could do after an embarrassing moment like that was to try to make small talk over my nationality. How about an apology, and a drink, or even better, comp a dish after something like that. It wouldn't hurt to show a little class, especially after we did, considering they embarrassed us for nothing, and their staff kept looking at us with these sly little looks all night. It was so uncomfortable. We should have left, but it was late and we didn't want to let the staff ruin our night. We ordered steaks and drank our wine, and honestly, I fee like I got some type of illness from the steak. Haven't eaten anything since, and 24 hours later I have all signs of food poisoning, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and I am extremely pale. I don't think everyone will have a bad experience at Underwood, and I am not saying it is a bad restaurant. Rather, I think they made a really bad choice, and followed it up with more poor choices, and in addition to that, my food must have been cooked in an unsanitary manner, because I have never had a food borne illness. Bogus experience. Thanks Underwood for making my anniversary suck.
(1)Giselle H.
I've eaten here many, many times over the years and I have to say that although I'd give the food 5 stars, the service has slipped to 2 stars possibly due to being 'too spoiled' by their success. When a dish is sent back because it's too spicy, as my halibut was, the chef should know better than to scrape off, and redeliver the same dish, resulting in a slightly smaller version of what it was before. Nothing was taken off the bill... The waitress was uninterested in us, unfriendly and lacked good advice for menu options. The noise level is terrible, so this is not the place for large groups, unless you don't plan on doing any talking, or you sit outside on their new side, or back patio. The back patio has a bocci ball court and is quaint. The ambience here is festive and food generally divine, if a bit over-priced. I of course won't cross Underwood off my list, but they need to get back on the ball in terms of service, service, service.
(3)Jess P.
I love Underwood!!! They make great Manhattans. The oysters are delicous and always fresh. They have my favorite ones too; kumomotoes, beau soliel and malpeques. (not sure about those spellings...) The french onion soup is always good, I get it everytime. The proscuttio and melon, delicious. The atmosphere is always great. I have never had a bad experience coming here. They have great special: grilled morocan style salmon, chilled tomato soup.. The ribbs are the best; lots of meat cooked just right with a creamy slaw. Come and order one entree and several small plates and share, it's the best way to do it! You cannot go wrong with anything here!
(5)Eric A.
Wow, I can't say enough about their Burger. I came here with a friend just to eat their Grilled Hamburger with Gruyere and it was kick *#$. For those that are in the area, go try it, you'll love it. If I remember correctly, this place was not just a place you see on the side of the road, you actually have to drive to get here (on purpose) Enjoy!
(5)Wax W.
Gall dang we always have a great time. The food is very solid and the drink are roof on fire good - great bartenders. Most of the staff has been there for years. The thing I like the best here is that the whole experience in consistent. The food is always a pleasure, the crowd is always enjoyable and I always feel like I got my money's worth - even if it's damn near $20 for a burger with fixings.
(4)Anna N.
The Underwood can be really fun if you have a little bit of disposable income. Food is great. Drinks are great. It's not usually too loud by the bar. It's definitely the best place around to go out, or to have a semi-fancy dinner. Also, you can get drunk and play bocce ball on the patio out back, which is a blast. There are heat lamps out there too so you won't freeze your butt off.
(4)N R.
Consistently good food, service, and a fun bar to hang out at. Today's strawberry-rhubarb cobbler with ice cream was divine! Super Bloody Mary on a dreary day!
(5)Meredith P.
Wonderful food, usually great service and the best bartender EVER! Just missed the five stars due to lack of vegetarian entree options and last visit we were told we could only occupy the table for an hour and a half?! [We were concerned about this, we like to enjoy our evening and meal and take our time, we talked with our waitress and she did "change things around" and allowed us to stay.] I have never been told about a time limit on a table and if this is the case should have been alerted to this when I made the reservations - plus we're locals and used to eat there all the time. I left for the Peace Corps for a year and now there are time limits on tables? For a $150 meal for two (like I said we like to take our time and enjoy, we order many drinks and extras) I hope for better hospitality. Time limits are not classy or inviting. This said I am confident things will change and maybe already have (last meal was May 2012)? I have faith in Underwood as one of the best restaurants in Sonoma county I know they want people to feel welcome and leave supper happy!
(4)Rick B.
Always consistently GREAT! Worth the drive!
(5)Juhwi K.
I can't say enough good things about this place! I came here with my bf which we found this place from hemisphere magazine and reviews off from yelp and their foods just surprised us! i was little hesitate to try mac and cheese but OMG that was ABSOLUTELY best! and baby back ribs were just unbelievable and we had everyone's favorite, Herissa fries
(5)Kate D.
Delicious cocktails and food. Interesting flavor combinations. Great service. Really nice place for a small wedding reception dinner.
(5)Jennifer L.
I wanted to order every single thing on the menu. I did not. Well, actually I did almost, but they didn't bring half of it, thank goodness. As we waited for our table, we saw the soup of the day getting prepped in the kitchen and all but one member of our group was compelled to order it - asparagus with bacon - SO GOOD. I had a pasta special with sausage and peppers and arugula which was really good, someone else got steak frittes, also really good, and the rest of the group pounced on the yummy sounding ham sandwiches. We enjoyed it all and I can't wait for an excuse to come back again and try some of the other items.
(4)Jacob J.
I'm a tourist and heard about the food and drinks here. The place sits in the middle of a tiny town and the bevvy of cars parked outside; their owners are all inside here enjoying the food and good time. Clientele on the night I dined were forties plus, with less than a handful of young twenty something ladies. The restaurant was lively and the bar practically full. Despite what you may have heard reservations are a must. One could sit at the bar, Frank one of the bartenders is funny, brash and keeps the bar entertained. Don't study the menu ahead of time, just come in with a few people and try an assortment of dishes. Also bring an appetite so that you can also have a main course. I came for cocktails and tapas and got full too quickly. The seafood here is fantastic; I'm talking the Thai chili clams, fresh oysters and Catalan fish stew. All divine. Burger was boring. We hoped for a table but after getting to know Frank and watch him create cocktails we stayed at the bar despite the cushion less, hard stools. Three people sharing tapas and appetizers, a few cocktails and a dish or two.. brought our total to about a buck fifty. ($150) Pricey but definitely good. Real time pricing listed on their website.
(5)Shirley F.
The best trip is the trip unintended. After hitting a few random wineries in Sebastopol and Graton, we came to Underwood at a local's recommendation for a leisure late lunch. On a sunny day, the patio outside seemed inviting. It's a cool, breezy spot to sober up. The food here is impeccably delicious. Salmon pan-grilled to perfection, on top of fennel and arugula salad with light cream dressing. Even basic food like french fries tasted awesome. The food reminds me of some fancy schmancy places in the wine country, but without the hefty price tag, the noises, and the pretentious crowd. And while I don't usually "yelp" a place based on one fantastic experience - I want make a note... for my next trip up to the less-traveled roads.
(5)Heather S.
Our table was ready when we arrived. We had a nice server and tasty drinks. The food was only okay. We were a party of 6 so there were many dishes and I didn't try more than my own and my husbands. I started w/ the frisee salad w/ lardons and a poached egg. The salad was good, but too much vinaigrette. The egg is suppose to be the dressing for the most part and here it was not. The tuna tartar with chips was also pretty good. The squash soup looked good and my guest enjoyed it. For an entree I had the Catalan Fish Stew. Major, major, major disappointment. Not sure how it happened, but even with the shellfish being cooked reasonably well and none of the shrimp being tinny the stews gravy had an incredibly strong iodine flavour. It was very off putting and I barely ate half. My husband had a pork loin that was juicy and tasty. Other dishes were pork osso buco and Thai clams, both guests enjoyed their dishes. Even though I found my dinner to be pretty gross the other guests enjoyed their food so they get 3 stars based on the entire order for the table.
(3)Tiffanie H.
Horrible service!!! We came in for a glass of wine & oysters and was rudely turned away....even after I called first and they said they were open and had room. I have been in Sonoma County my whole life, born and raised in Sebastopol and Graton and have been very bummed about trying to get "into" Underwood and never getting in. That I understand but the rude pretentious attitude was uncalled for.
(1)Chris F.
I had lunch here on 4/7/12 and it was great. All the food was good, but what really stood out was our awesome bartender. I must say she made the best Manhattan and Negroni that I have had in a long time. See you soon!!
(5)petaluma d.
Interesting menu. Very good local ingredients. Charming atmosphere. Attentive and friendly staff. Whats not to like about this place???? Will I visit again??? HELL YES!!!
(4)Katie S.
After a lovely dinner at WIllow Wood across the street, we were directed to Underwood Bar & Bistro for drinks and dessert. Despite a packed bar and restaurant, they quickly found a spot for our party of eight. Both times I've been to Underwood it's been noisy in a lively, jovial bar way. Sitting in the bistro area we had some relief from the noise--at least enough that we could all carry on a patchwork of conversations. Our table shared three of the dessert specials--a chocolate mousse cake, a strawberry shortcake, and a caramelized banana split. I don't eat strawberries, so I didn't indulge in the delicious looking shortcake. The mousse and banana split were excellent. I was also particularly fond of the cheese plate we ordered, not so much for the cheese (which was good), as for the stewed fruits along side it. Stewed fruit along with a glass of tawny port, can't really be beat in my dessert book.
(4)peter b.
Had dinner there last night. Everything was superb. We decided to do Tapas platters and share. The Chinese broccoli and the ribs were the best that I have ever tasted. Very good beer selection and the cocktail list has something for everybody. Another great experience in Graton. Thank you.
(5)theo n.
Dink of yourself on horsebak, riding into town. Ay'd had a long hard day riding through dey rolling hills. The stops swinged between quenching thirst with red wine and dogging those pesky rightus natives. The first salon that popped up on my range was Underwood. Ay tied up me horse Ruddy with a quik release not. Just in case anybody came a 'nocking. Inside a mighty purrdy girl cut up fruit behind the bar; better citrus than my neck. I strut to a table and ordered a proper vitamin packed meal, not any of that energy bar horseshit or dried manure jerky, but nice juicy burgur. Oh Yeh.
(4)R B.
Nice menu - great bar - food is excellent - they've been here for a while and are successful - get with updating the men's room - peeling paint makes me think that they're overlooking details (in more spots than the men's room) - sorry, hate to be picky but it's yucky in there ... no 5 star overlooks these details. Great neighborhood feel and SF style menu. Will be back
(4)Leigh N.
Underwood is a fantastic place to eat and greet. The food is yummy, the bar is fantastic with bartender Frank Dice. The music is cool and you can even play Bocce Ball in the back. You can also hold a wedding or reception there.
(5)B. Y.
Stopped here after ziplining in Occidental - good service and good food but nothing extraordinary. They also serve half glass pours, which is nice when you know you're going to be doing wine tasting as well. I had the chicory and duck confit salad, which was good but would have been better if not drenched in the dressing.
(3)Paul M.
When I told my friends about the rude service of our waitress they all told me to sit only at the bar. It seems all the locals I've talked to agree that the service at the actual restaurant is atrocious. I wish I'd known this before I made the mistake of taking my two clients there. They were so angry that I doubt I'll win the contract. So unless you're the masochistic type attracted to prima donna servers, don't go there.
(1)Paul J.
My wife and I called at 8:45 on a Saturday night, hoping that we could get a table (when every place in Healdsburg was booked for the night). I guess that's one of Underwood's virtues - being off the beaten track means that there's usually a table to be had. Such was the case for us, and we were seated a half-hour later. Service was very good; we had bread & water before we could say 'boo.'. Our waitress was quite attentive & each plate (except for the entree) was brought just as we finished the previous one. Started with Thai Lettuce Cups, a delicious pork-based spicy-citrusy app. Next was the Roasted Eggplant soup, which seemed hearty but lacking until we s the dollop of raita in the middle; it added much-needed depth to the dish. Moved on to the Shaved Fennel & Arugula salad, an intriguing amalgamation of flavors (mandarin orange, goat cheese crostini, jalapeño jelly, maracona almonds, green olives? All but the olives worked well.). Then the part we came for: the Nieman Ranch bacon cheeseburger, cooked perfectly. It was juicy and supremely tasty. All the food left us feeling very satisfied. The lone drink was a St.-something-or-other cosmo. It was the weak link: bitter, metallic, harsh citrus. It was my fault that I didn't send it back, but I would never order it again. Price was reasonable for a more upscale place. I'll return the next time I'm craving a high-end burger!
(4)Caitlin L.
I'll echo the "I so badly wanted to love Underwood" comment from a couple other reviewers.....but as much as I tried to love it, I just couldn't. It was definitely the most casual, laid-back spot we went during our honeymoon in Sonoma, which would have been fine if the food was really good.... but sadly we ended our week in the wine country on a rather ho-hum note. The Chinese broccoli small plate was quite delicious, so I'll admit maybe we just didn't order the right things. But our burgers were not juicy and I didn't care for the harissa fries (claimed to be seasoned in cilantro, lime, and scallions, but I didn't get any of the citrus or cilantro flavor at all....) Although the cocktails had been hyped up prior to us going, I was also not in love with the one I ordered. Again, perhaps I just made the wrong choice, but the server was not making any strong recommendations I went with a twist on a cosmo with mandarin vodka. Overall, cool vibe but only so-so food with weak service and rather steep prices for the experience.
(3)Bill C.
Had dinner at Underwood last night. Very pleasant non-pretentious decor. Greeted and seated right away. Spencer had oysters. They offer four different kinds and he sampled and enjoyed all of them. Next came Bean soup. We both agreed that it was very good but not as good as my bean soup. Next we had the roasted beet and feta small plate. It was outstanding!! My main course was the Osso Bucco. It was very good. Spencer had the hamburger and Mac and cheese and thought they were both delicious. The Macncheese had pancetta in it. We did not have dessert! The service was ok (the busboy(?) was better than the waitress). We would definitely go back if we are in the area agai n.
(4)Chris b.
People....if you are into great food...ch ch check this motha out!...Underwood is great.
(5)Matt O.
We were up in Sonoma drinking heavily and this place was recommended to us as a nice place for lunch. Service: The service was ok though the maitre 'd was very solid, offering nice local wine recommendations and menu tips. He was also very friendly which is rare these days. Food: The special of the day was a lamb sandwich which according to my companions was very good. Someone had Broccoli Beef which didn't seem like beef and certainly wasn't broccoli. Nevertheless, it tasted pretty good (whatever it was). I opted for the duck confit. I never NOT get duck confit when available. The skin was oh so crispy and it sat on a bed of lentils and spanish blood sausage. Holy cr@p it was an explosion of goodness. Sure, I've had more refined dishes but I really don't mind getting punched in the face by flavor every once in a while. Recommended. Get the duck.
(4)Mark W.
The service was very good, with wait staff working their way though a crowd of happy people, all packed in enjoying great drinks and really great food. The place was loud. The noise level was actually OK., with four people. With only two, it would have seemed too hard to talk. The owner was helping by bringing out deserts, and stopped to have a brief chat. Everything was cooked perfectly. After dinner drinks were good. Go there!
(5)Steven P.
Was visiting some family in Santa Rosa and went to Underwoods to have an early dinner. Great original selection of food and drinks. The staff were very kind and were always checking in to see if you needed anything. Portion sizes were on the smaller side but with appetizers and a few glasses of wine it filled us up. We had the beets, minced ham and a little pizza with a sunny side up egg in the middle of it as our appetizers. All three were delicious and out of my norm. For my main dish I had the vravioli and again an excellent dish.
(4)liv l.
Great atmosphere, great food, and friendly staff.
(4)N B.
As another reviewer said, I want so badly to love Underwood... I really do. I enjoyed the atmosphere; the bar is cozy, the lighting is low enough to be complementary but not so low you can't see what you're eating, and it just has that overall charming and comfy vibe that I really dig. That being said, I was a little surprised by all the superlative reviews. I had a beet salad to start that was fine but not remarkable, and likewise my fiance had a flatbread that was also tasty but nothing that knocked my socks off. Our mains were the duck and the butternut squash ravioli. Fiance thought the duck had good flavor but the skin wasn't crispy (and really, crispy skin is half the fun of eating duck, no?); I thought the lentils underneath were an odd texture with the duck. My ravioli itself was tasty, but the sauce was the consistency of melted butter, which made for a very heavy dish. (They don't have the dish on their on-line menu, but if memory serves, it was billed as an apple cider sauce, but the reality was more like melted butter with some cider mixed in.) Nothing on the dessert menu spoke to us, so we called it a night after finishing our wine. All told, two apps, two entrees, and two glasses of Dutton Goldfield pinot netted Underword about $95 from us before tip... Seemed a little steep to us for what we got. Service was fine on a crowded night, though our server forgot to check back in with us after our mains arrived. I liked the atmosphere enough to want give the place another try, so I think we'll be back, but likely only for drinks and small plates.
(3)Allison B.
Instant props for the bocce court. We had to wait quite a while for our table - but sipping a Russian River brew while leisurely gliding those little red and blue balls down the court made it pass much quicker. Secondary props for outdoor seating. I'm sure its par for area restaurants, but as a displaced Californian now living in Boston, it's become a luxury. The food was excellent - especially the Morrocan carrot soup. Perfectly sweet and spicy, it was the standout for me. The selection of cheeses was also great - we enjoyed a mix of hard and soft varieties, which proved the perfect complement to our wine (naturally, their list is extensive). My dining companions also enjoyed their entrees - from lamb and steak to scallops. Overall, a pleasant experience for our far too short trip to the area!
(5)Katie C.
late night, well after dinner, more drinks, west-county folk come out of the woodwork to banter with Frank... those are the best times. The atmosphere, vibe of the Underwood cannot be beat. If I must share my least enjoyable times here, I'd say it would be dinner when it's SO busy, and the food is not always as divine as it could be. Additionally, I hate the uncomfortable wooden chairs in the dining room - especially when they're trying to cram a 5th person on the end of a small 4-person table - very awkward! I much prefer the booths. Bar is perfect though and every lunch I've had here has been fantastic.
(5)Lucas G.
Very good food.... this place has really good food, service, and atmosphere. occasionally it gets a bit noisy but other than that there aren't any other problems! I was reading through the other reviews on yelp for underwood and some people are crazy cause it is a great place and i would definitely come back again!
(5)DD B.
I am trying to figure out when I can get back up to the Russian River again, because I can't wait to go back to Underwood! I came here with my boyfriend and a friend back in May - we were doing some wine tasting in the area and were looking for a place for a late lunch/early dinner. A women at the Hartford Winery recommended this place to us, and I'm so glad she did - it was really great! The restaurant itself is very nice inside, but my friend had her dog with her so we sat at the back patio, which had a much more casual feel - the tables were set up right next to a bocce ball court. The three of us shared four appetizers: the Roasted Beets with endive, walnuts, and feta (delcious!), the Ceviche Tostada with shrimp, scallops, lime, clianto, mango and avocado (yum!), a Goat Cheese & Caramelized Onion Tart (tasty!), and a big plate of Harissa Fries with cilantro, scallions, and lime (so good - the plate was huge but we ate every last fry!). We enjoyed everything we ate, and I enjoyed hanging out with my friends & dog on their sunny patio. I'm really looking forward to eating here again.
(5)Terra R.
Wish I could say zero. I don't understand what i'm missing, how can they have so many 4 or 5 stars. This was by far a one hit non-wonder. When I called to say we were running 15 minutes late for our reservation and to ask if that was ok (i would have understood if they had said no and honestly wish they had) Her response was "well I will tell your waitress so that she knows since we have that table booked for another reservation at 9pm (our was 7pm, fyi even with our 715 arrival we were out of there by 820pm, a little overkill on their part of rushing us out)" Who says that to a customer? I didn't realize our reservation had a time limit. Our waitress was unfriendly and uninformative, just handed us our menus and walked away. She spoke condescendingly to my boyfriend who was so offended he wanted to walk out but we had already placed out order and we didn't want to be rude. The bread was stale and gave us the impression it was from Safeway's bakery. We started with the Thai pork lettcue cups...the seasoning was way overdone, all you could taste was lime and mint. Next I had their french onion soup which was served to me still boiling, literally boiling bubbles so needless to say I sat their sulking while my boyfriend ate his over seasoned salad. 15 mins later I finally got to try my soup and honestly progresso in a can is better...way too sweet, all onions hardly any cheese or croutons. For the entree I had the steak I asked for it medium rare and it was rare, if Gordon Ramsey was there he would have called the chef a donkey. THe potatoes must have been seared quickly the outside was crispy and the inside mushy, the side salad was ok but the blue cheese was bland. Once again his entree the ahi tuna was way over seasoned..too salty. And on top of all of that we were seated literally less than a foot away from the table on each side of us, we felt as though we should have introduced ourselves to our dining partners, there was no privacy. We were so disappointed it was both of our birthday dinner. We we will be telling everyone we know to avoid this place. We live in santa rosa so on our way back into town we went to French Garden for dessert and we were so glad we did, it saved the evening for us...friendly/attentive staff even when the bar was packed full of patrons and the food and wine we had their was so much better. They even gave us a litte take home treat since we mentioned it was our birthdays.
(1)Cyndy P.
Popped in there the other night, and loved everything about it. Sat in the bar area, and my friend had oysters and I had the goat cheese plate. It was so delicious. Carrie C was our server and she was fantastic. Very attentive and made the experience pleasant. We then had salads, and a pizette, and the mac and cheese. The mac and cheese was good, just a bit too rich for me. Got a great bottle of pinot, Miramar, it was yummy! Finished with the strawberry shortcake. Everything was great! I will definitely be back. Can't wait to sit outback next time.
(4)Allison M.
Went for dinner and left stuffed with good food and drinks. We sat at the bar and started with their margarita and complicado drink, both were delicious. Ordered the mussels and petit pomme frites to begin, thumbs up on both. After looking over the menus, we were a bit disappointed that there were hardly any vegetarian options. All of the entrees had meat incorporated in it somehow; we do eat some seafood but even the fish options had meat in the dish. We asked the bartender if there was a veggie option on any of them and she said they could probably modify some of them to not have meat but we hate to be difficult (my bf and I both have a restaurant industry backround and know how it is to get high maintenance guests) so we just decided to order off the small plate and salad menu. Next we ordered the flatbread topped with caramelized onions, bleu cheese, walnuts and sage which was delicious, especially paired with a glass of their riesling. Somewhere in between some of these courses we had more cocktails, I had their pomegranate cooler and my bf had some kind of cucumber, gin and ginger beer concoction, both great. Eventually we ordered the tuna tartare to share, which is a combination of ahi and tombo tuna, diced cucumber, avocado and some kind of light marinade and served with house made potato chips on the side--very refreshing and presented nicely. Next we had a romaine salad which had pears, bleu cheese, walnuts and a champagne vinaigrette. Only complaint with that was I wish there had been more pears because they were so yummy. I was wanting to try the cheesy cauliflower because I had heard great things so we got that and the side of Mac n cheese as our entrees. They did not disappoint--they are served piping hot in mini Dutch ovens and we kept burning our mouths because we could not stop ourselves waiting for them to cool off! Totally worth it though, they were that good, and paired with a glass of chardonnay=perfection. We were pretty full after all this food but decided to share a dessert, a chocolate torte with raspberry sauce and Chantilly cream and a couple of cappuccinos. Perfect end to a great meal. The only reason I didn't give this place 5 stars was because of the lack of veggie options. And I would definitely recommend sitting at the bar, Annie and Candice are wonderful and charming bartenders
(4)Larry d.
I'm at Underwood way too often. But, it's really the only game in town. Food is usually good, an occasional off night now and then. One thing you can absolutely count on however is terrible service. I don't know where they get these people. I guess country is country, but come on. Be a little more selective and do some training, management. That's your job. If someone can't cut it - then cut them out. Wouldn't it be nice to be known for your food and your service? It's all within your reach. Try it. You'll like it and so will we.
(3)jerry r.
During a recent visit to Sebastopol, this restaurant was recommended to us. This is a delightful venue. The menu offers an array of small plates as well as heartier fare. My friend an I ordered small plates; thai child clams with chorizo, a flat bread with carmelized onions and cheese, french fries wih Harissa and wine. Everything was delicious with wonderful depths of flavor. My husband ordered a pastrami sandwich with fries and it was enough for 2 ! While dining, we met a couple who dines their every Saturday after their bike ride. The lady ordered oysters on the half shell and they were gorgeous! That will be my choice the next time! I can't wait to go back again soon!
(5)Maggie Baggie H.
This is one of my favorite places to bring folks from out of town when I am attempting to get them to move to Northern CA. First, the name is poetic as the gorgeous bar that hugs the entrance. The food is seasonal, local, and talks to a part of me that enjoys eating things I should have shot, grew, caught, or milked. The lighting is the kind I look best in, dim and warm. The drinks are stiif, the wine list is reflective of the region. And then there is the town Graton. Sure, I use to live there, so I have the soft spot for the little (and I mean little) place. Best blackberries in Sonoma County. My favorite antique store. The Wildwood Cafe, across the street from the Underwood, is home to the coffee folks that started me drinking the black crack at the late age of 22. Both roads out of town lead you to the river. So, if you are reading this and you are my lover, here's the deal when heading North-West from our City: Take me for a leisurely float down the Russian River in one of those canoes you can rent in Guernville. Have at least one bottle of wine, and some Cow Girl Creamery cheese, and bread from the Bovine Bakery (that means we've stopped in Point Reyes) . Don't feed me too much bread and cheese, but just enough. Let me paddle. As we drive back, suggest a little place called the Underwood. Be sure you have made reservations. Wine and dine me. I am sure you have planned this trip to take place on a full moon, because, once she's pulled her round head up and over Graton, and we've had our fill of flatbreads, catalan fish stew, birds and steak, you should take me for a walk in the Graton's historical cemetery. I mean, I am just suggesting....
(5)Lauryn Y.
I usually love this place. I came in with a group of 12. All of us in the wine business. we came in at 4:30 on a Tuesday.. Not a soul in the joint. The bartender was AWFUL! He acted as if we were putting him out by .....God Forbid....ordering drinks!! He wouldn't let us order snacks at the bar and when we sat down to our table and our server was know where to be found, he would not let us order a drink from the bar. The grand finale of this experience was when he and our server were bitching so loudly about our table that everyone at our table heard them. NICE!!
(1)R. G.
Although many have tried to create an approachable, hip, conscious, fun, casually elegant, quintessentially NorCal restaurant/ gathering place with a true sense of community, San Francisco has nothing like this! From the well-thought-out cocktail menu to the focused wine list to the knowledgeable staff and local ingredients this place is 5 stars all the way. The ambiance is casual and feels local yet modern and the service is professional and friendly. I stopped at the bar to have some oysters and wine last weekend and would definitely recommend the bar for dinner as well! I wish that this place was in SF, but I could probably never get a reservation if it was. Sigh. Until next time Underwood.
(5)joan g.
Across from Underwood is wildwood, their bakery and breakfast /lunch cafe. The first time we went, we sat inside in an airy, retro 50's but hip and charming room. Great salads, wine. Today we went for breakfast, were seated outside where we could smell the garbage cans and got snippy service - not from our waitress but another one. However, the food was fabulous - the coffee not so much. Venetian eggs - poached and served on toast w/proscuitto was only missing a light sauce of some sort - but the flavors were lovely. Don't sit in the rear of the patio - ug.
(3)Ahna P.
Best birthday dinner combination: 1 excessively sweet boyfriend who loves me even though I'm a "little" bit crazy + 1 order of pommes frites + 1 bottle of Merry Edwards pinot = wonderful birthday
(4)jon b.
We had our wedding rehersal dinner here and Underwood was amazing. Everyone raved about their food and the desserts and drinks were delicious. I had the flat iron steak and it was perfectly cooked, my fiance had the seafood stew and it was perfect. The staff was very friendly and they were quick with anything we needed. Highly recommended!
(5)Mike T.
Really good food... probably the best restaurant near the Russian River. It's always packed on weekends. The bar is great to eat at if you can get a seat. Excellent selection of drinks and wines.
(4)Garry G.
Just had an awesome lunch. Dined with 3 others and everyone's food was excellent
(4)sandy c.
THE BEST BURGER in SoCo hands down!!!!!!! Pickeled onions mmmmm!
(5)Sarah W.
The food is really good. But it's not the best, and if you're in Sonoma County and you want to spend as much as you will at the Underwood, you probably want better. (For instance, Zazu, which is around the way and more inventive.) Plus, the fancy schmancy drinks are at like New York City prices. And this is Graton. I repeat, this is Graton.
(3)Kapeli M.
"Underwear", as it is affectionately called by my sister an I, is a nice little restaurant, and a great compliment to the small town of Graton. My Mom loves it here, while my Dad prefers it's sister restaurant Willowood market across the street. The food is pretty good for Western Sonoma County. My Aunt lives up the road, so we come here often to congregate. The interior is pretty modern, although it has a down home feel as well. You walk in a see a big metal bar full of any kind of booze you want, and a number of good beers on tap. The wine list is solid and what you would expect from a wine country destination. The markup is decent and not too over the top. The food is solid, although the only thing that I remember about my numerous times eating here is the oysters and french onion soup, but that may be because the menu changes some. One thing I did not know until a few months ago...they have a dancing area and a bocce court in the back. Overall, a nice place to unwind for a Sunday meal, or to get down on a Saturday night, should you crash someone elses party.
(4)Josie H.
Yum! This is a great spot. Ate here with a large party this past weekend (Saturday night) while in town supporting my dad in the Vineman 70.3. Sweet service, delicious food, all around great. Got the duck entree, and this place makes a damn good cosmo. I don't even typically drink cosmos. Will definitely remember this place next time I'm in town!
(5)fused g.
Underwood is great.....bistro-style food at Underwood ranges from 3 to 5 stars---bartenders are top notch, cocktails really good --- atmosphere is urban-rural. Great place to meet folks, feel like you're in the city and have a good time. It can get super noisy, though, especially on weekends. Responding to a post concerned about where one can sit, have cocktails but not order full meals...you can have just drinks as well as tapas, lunch or dinner menus at the bar; the tables directly behind the bar that have full serving set ups are for meal service. I believe one can also slurp without ordering food outside at the bocce ball court area.
(4)Pink L.
Pros: Bar is awesome, nice food and the bocce ball in the rear is a great spot for a game with a pre-dinner cocktail. Ambiance of the place is great, definitely a west Sonoma County favorite. Cons: Prices are steep and the bar staff can be a little snooty at times. If I was sitting down in SF or southern Marin I'd be okay with fronting $30+ a plate for dinner, but this is west Sonoma County and, well, the food just isn't up to par with a pricey restaurant in SF. The times we've been in there the bar staff can have a bit of an attitude, but otherwise this spot is definitely a gem of the area. Definitely a great spot to check out, make sure to have a reservation though...
(3)Eugene L.
I was rolling with the EBC Dinner Squad . Porsche , Isabella , Jason , Christine and I . We rolled to Underwood on Christine R recommendation . We found Street Parking really easy. We rolled in to Underwood and it was half full a lot of Open Tables . We asked to be seated at a Table ,but were told it was reserved by the Hostess . But she managed to seat us at a Table in the Bar area . We were looking to have a Snack after Kevin Bs Stellar Event at DeLeoach Vineyard . Underwood looks to be the Fine Dining Option in the Sleepy Town Of Graton. We all decided to order off the Tapas Menu - Small Plates. We Ordered : Hoisin Glazed Baby Back Ribs - These were fall off the Bone Tender . Pretty Tasty Harissa Fries - These were Spicy . Reminded me of Cajun Fries . Chicken Lettuce Wraps - Diced Chicken mixed with Lemon Grass and Mint leaves - Nice Light bites good flavor. Mussels -in White Wine Broth- Pretty Tasty and Earthy. Mac and Cheese . Nice and Creamy and Cheesy I liked it . Underwood is a nicely Decorated and a Classy establishment and would make a nice date joint. We all kicked in $15 toward the Tab it even Covered a Nice Tip . I would eat there again. Its even out of Range of My Ankle Bracelet Yea!!!
(4)Plamen M.
Great food and atmosphere with a horrible customer service... Great cocktails! Awful staff... Very close to a 5 star establishment
(4)Michael O.
Stopped in for a drink after wine tasting and before our dinner reservation at a swanky restaurant. Had oysters, made small talk with the locals while sitting at the bar. Then we watched as patrols had their food brought out to them. That's when we decided to cancel our reservation. Not only was the ambience perfect without prevention, but the food was incredible. How often can you say that about a chicken dish??? Chicken. No one orders chicken. But this was so flavorful, moist, and thoughtful that it blew me away. Kudos. Come for the ambience and a cocktail, stay for the food.
(5)Manda Bear B.
********************* 1334 ********************* A hidden gem in West of Sonoma, Underwood Bar & Bistro is located in the picturesque Sonoma wine country, sleepy town of Graton. About an hour drive from San Francisco, Graton is the geographical hub of Sonoma's West County, nestled in the middle of Occidental, Santa Rosa, and Sebastopol. Underwood provides classic dishes and local wines in a laid-back bistro setting. It's a happening spot for the locals and tourists alike on the weekend, and also offers a late-night menu. - Steamed mussels with pommes frites, was so good. I drank all the broth! - Moroccan lamb sandwich, spicy grilled lamb sirloin, tomatoes, arugula, red onion, grilled flatbread, and French fries; that tzatziki, slightly aromatic garlicky spread made all the different. It's a perfect sandwich to fill up before you continue your wines tasting adventure. We sat the bar. The service was good. The cocktail we tried was strong. The wine list offers a lot of local wines. It's bit out of the way. So if you drink, make sure to have a designated driver or Uber.
(4)Vicky L.
After an afternoon with other Yelpers, we were ready for somewhere warm and with food. ... we are good Yelpers, and followed what our app told us. After a short drive through who knows where, we arrived here at Underwood. I was the first to get there, so I put our names down for a table... this is where I get a bad feeling. "Hmm" says the hostess. Like she didn't know where to seat 6 of us. The ENTIRE restaurant was empty. Apparently, we got there just as the restaurant was open, and they were completely booked starting in 1.5 hours. She usually likes to give guests 2 hours for a comfortable dining experience. - We were still in and out within an hour. Pro-tip: make a reservation to avoid not being seated.
(2)Cindy C.
Great atmosphere, the food was very expensive for what we were served. Duck Confit was recommended by the hostess, it was burned and dry. Raviolis were undercooked. The night was saved by the opportunity to be with great friends.
(2)Isabella B.
Actual rating 3.5. Advertised as the "honky-tonk" brasserie in the sleepy town of Graton, the Dinner Squad dined here in the post-event meal via a suggestion made by another Yelper. VENUE: Looks to be the neighborhood restaurant. Seating arrangement reminded me of an 'older' version of the Rutherford Grill. Noise level is typical of any brasserie. Though they serve entrees, the emphasis here is on the Asian and Mediterranean-inspired small plates. SERVICE: The waiter gave us a bit of a cold shoulder as she refused our party of 5 booth space next to another group of Yelpers as it was already reserved. Instead she had us sitting across from the bar, isolated from our party. Our group (me, Eugene, Porsche, Christine and Jason) ordered from the small plates as we were already too stuffed from the event to even consider entrees. - Harissa Fries (cilantro, scallions, lime), $8.75. My share. Harissa is a Tunisian chili pepper paste. Crunchy and slightly spicy though still somewhat plain, flavor is improved by dipping into one of the two dips. Aioli improved the fries somewhat. - Hoisin Glazed Baby Back Ribs (napa cabbage and mango slaw), $14.75. Eugene's share. The rib was adequately glazed with the hoisin and the rib meat literally fell off the bone. One order only contained four ribs so Porsche and Jason had to share. - Chicken Lettuce Cups (rice noodles, cucumber, peanuts, mint, lemongrass, chile-lime dressing), $12.75. Christine's share, this was a variation of lettuce wraps that is more like a spring roll. The chicken was minced and mixed with the dressing, lemongrass and mint. This was the last and lightest entree, made for a good finish after eating all the heavier sides. - P.E.I. Mussels (white wine, pernod, tomato concasse, shoestring potatoes), $13.50. Jason's share, the pearly looking mussels had a silky smooth texture. White wine broth was a bit plain that was improved slightly with the shoestring potatoes. With the shoestring 'fries' this isn't the small plates version of moules frites. - Macaroni & Cheese (les coudes), $7.00. Porsche's share. Cheese was oozing all over the macaroni though it was somewhat plain. Total came to a bit over $60 for all entrees. I remember all of us split evenly at ~$15 including tax and tip and this was enough to cover all of our shares with more than 15% gratuity. Should we stop by Graton after a day out in Sonoma wine country I would take a group here for small plates or take the No1DP here as a post-winery dinner date.
(4)Jamin S.
Very friendly and inviting place. I stopped by Underwood with a few friends a month or two ago and I was definitely impressed. They were very accommodating and seated us right when they could. The menu was interesting and I had a hard time deciding what to order because of all the tasty sounding choices! I ended up getting the chicken lettuce wraps with the sweet and spicy sauce. It was very flavorful and fresh. Nicely done. My friend got the ribs, and wow! Talk about fall off the bone perfect! Very delicious indeed. I will for sure be back again to try more!
(5)Kevin B.
Most folks root for the underdog. But after my lunch today, I'm rooting for the Underwood. The Underwood Bar & Grill, that is. A co-worker and I came here after a biz mtg. in Santa Rosa. Never in a million years would I have ever thought of coming to Graton for anything let alone lunch. But since my colleague is a North Bay native, and swore by this place. So long story short - I had to trust her word. And I'm SO glad I did. The restaurant boasts a lively bar, covered patio, and an uncovered patio/garden area. You'd expect a charming bar/grill/bistro like this in SF or the East Bay. But not in a Norman Rockwell-ian town like Graton. Let's face it - this town consists of a quaint Main Street, and that's pretty much about it. We started off our lunch with a few adult beverages (a margarita for me, and a Chardonnay for the lady). For lunch, my friend ordered the Smoked Chicken Cobb Salad ($14.50) - a generous melange of spinach, bacon, egg, cherry tomato, avocado, croutons, blue cheese, with a creamy lemon dressing. It was just as tasty as it sounds. For my entree, I ordered the Moroccan Lamb Sandwich ($13.75) - spicy grilled lamb sirloin, tzatziki, tomatoes, arugula, red onion, grilled flatbread, served over a bed of french fries. Holy moly! This was one of the best damn sandwiches I've had in a while. Every bite was SO full of flavor. The flatbread was a delicious alternative to regular sourdough or whole wheat. And the dish came with two zesty dipping sauces. I pretty much shamelessly licked my plate clean (yes - the sandwich was THAT good). Service was super friendly (without being overbearing). Pricing was reasonable. The setting was relaxed and inviting. I want to come back here again. Underwood Bar & Bistro has made a fan out of me.
(4)Murphey T.
Well it's about that time of the summer ladies and gents! My boy Byrtholemew is breezing through G Town, fish van crew in tow. Hold on to your belt buckles, examine your zippers, and cinch up those drawstrings, because some oysters are most definitely getting ordered tonight! My mouth is watering and my pants are sagging just thinking about it! Keep an eye out for the boys, we'll be the boisterous bunch taking it all in on the front patio. Yes indeed, The veranda is fine this time of year, and them oysters will no doubt have you eyeing our rear! Hope my man G-Lynn is in the mixology mix tonight! It's Bunderwoods time baby
(5)Chris W.
Initial impression - staff is pretentious and not very communicative. Oh well. Atmosphere - l warm. They only had the covered outside seating available for a Saturday lunch. Too bad because the patio area looks awesome. No option to sit out there at all. Service - slow. Period. Food - really dang good. We had the herb roasted chicken and the lamb sandwich. Worth it. Bottom line - we'd come back but knowing the service and attitude is not up to snuff. The server couldn't even bring us our check back but had a bus boy do it. Not cool.
(3)Eden R.
Great food, awesome wine list, good service.
(4)jack q.
We were driving around checking out different areas that we hadn't been to and ended up in Forestville around lunch time. Both of us were starving and Underwood had a parking spot open right next to it. Must have been fate. We didn't have a reservation, but were quickly seated and ended up ordering 2 of the specials - the cappellini pasta and the pork loin sandwich with fries. Both of the dishes were very fresh, well-prepared and delicious. I'm not usually a big fan of fries, but these were perfectly cooked, very crunchy and not greasy. The garlic aioli and homemade catsup were very good, too, and we nearly finished all of them. Portions were large and the prices were quite inexpensive for the quality and quantity. The service was excellent and the place is very cool.
(5)Chris G.
Underwood never disappoints. At this point its like a will tuned machine. Food, atmosphere, and service top of the top. Thank you for not having a Flat Screen TV behind the bar. Also Pink L this level of restaurant is not cheep. If your looking to save money stay home but, if your looking for nice night out its worth every penny,
(5)Tomas P.
Very marginal dinner for $92 for 2. The kinda place you have to stop at McDonalds on the way home to fill up. I would have gotten the scallop special but it seemed a bit pricey at $32. My friend & I both got the fish stew for $23 - basically half a bowl each. A few medium sized shrimp, a number of tiny clams, a few mussels - a pretty poor experience for anyone who likes seafood. My friend had to send his back, it had a bad clam in it. They need to supply earplugs when you eat here - as you have to shout to be heard by anyone sitting at the same table. I don't understand why they don't do something about the acoustics - an EXTREMELY noisy place even tho it was only half full. Great place for a drink at the bar, friendly wait staff - not a good choice for dinner unless you have money to burn
(2)donna w.
Love the Underwood! Not only do they have Frank, who is quite possibly the coolest bartender in the world (next to my two faves in SF), but the food is great and the bocce ball court makes for fun summer evenings. Frank makes a killer Manhattan and knows his stuff when it comes to alcohol AND music! We've had many interesting conversations about all kinds of topics here. The pizzetta is spectacular - I order it almost every time I come here. Or the Pan-Roasted Thai Chicken. The burger is unbelievable too.
(4)Jan M.
Food is very mediocre. This restaurant isn't fit for a foodie. Grilled Hangar Steak - Boring Baby back rib appetizer - take them back to the kitchen Service was good.
(2)Michael S.
Delicious and enjoyable. French onion soup was tasty. Tuna tartar--nice twist, good size serving. Beet salad was very good--could have used a little more goat cheese with it. Burger with white cheddar was delicious and cooked to perfection (medium). Good service. Sat on patio, covered. Was comfortable out there temp wise, but had to put up with too many flys. French fries were nothing special; too thin and deep fried for me. Accompanied with house ketchup, which was a little strange--combo of tobacco and marinara sauce.
(4)John P.
10+ years and I have never been disappointed. Frank and Annie are fantastic bartenders. The bar itself is amazing. Selections are superb. Wine list is local and regional but also touches all corners of the globe. Service is purposefully slow paced yet never disappoints. If you are in a hurry just let them know when you walk in the door. The Dude will abide. Food is always spot on and delicious. Yes it's expensive. However the ingredients are local, fresh and arranged perfectly. Daily specials never disappoint. Tonight was no exception as the heirloom tomato soup was hearty and delicious. Menu can be called static however Underwood somewhat cater to locals who know that whatever you order will always be fresh and amazing. Example: Catalan fish stew has been on the menu for 10+ years. Still amazing. Fresh crisp clean wonderful. The steak is always good. Asian plates have great flavor. Tapas are inexpensive and plentiful. The fries are to die for. Oysters and local artisan cheeses are sweet and fresh. Try Underwood again for the first time. Relax in Graton. Spend a few dollars. Enjoy yourself. It's worth it.
(5)Angela K.
I always enjoy stumbling upon a restaurant I wouldn't have otherwise if it weren't for backroads and adventurous hubby. It reminds me of an old Victorian house's interior with warm woods and yellow accents. One of the tables are little on top of one another, the mood inside the restaurant is one of welcome. They have a selective menu with enough options to satisfy most appetites along with a wine and cocktail menu that is quite extensive. The only area I could see for improvement would be a much wider selection of desserts, most of the desserts were either chocolate or cheesecake based. I always enjoy fresh fruit option or ice cream that isn't vanilla covered with caramel sauce. This is definitely one of the places you have to plan a trip to visit.
(4)rusty r.
This place completely knocked our socks off. One hit after another. Cocktails. Wine. A couple dozen oysters. Great service. Wow, the trout salad. Duck confit and breast was amazing. I eat in NYC all the time, and this place was as good as anything I've had in the city in the last few months. Not sure if it's always like this, but we walked out the door being totally blown away. 5 stars.
(5)Doug U.
the GF wanted to bring friends out for a midday beverage....she really loves the mojitos here and the ambiance is terrific. fresh and tasty are the mojitos and the bar selection is excellent.....couldn't believe how fast they downed the drinks!! then we needed lunch and we took off for the coast....will be back again!!
(3)Maya A.
The food was very well done. The Harissa fries were delicious! They had decent portion sizes and plenty of tapas options. The burger was a good size. The desserts were really good. And they had four special desserts. The chocolate cake with 3 layers of ice cream took the honors! They hadve a lovely outdoor area with a batchi ball court. I'm only giving this four stars because some of the fries which came with the burger were undercooked.
(4)Stephanie M.
Try the duck. You'll LOVE it.
(5)Mike F.
Solid selection of local brews on tap, extensive wine list (as expected in this area). Came during restaurant week and was delighted by the tuna tartare and a variety of oysters - Point Reyes stood out. Ravioli was nice, delicate. the sauce very interesting (in a good way) - finely chopped roasted peppers mixed in with tomato sauce and delightfully seasoned. Definitely a must-stop during your stay in sonoma county. Sam, the bartender, is the man. Gave great all-around reco's for out of towners like us without suggesting stupid touristy things.
(4)Doron A.
This place is a splash of sophistication in the middle of funky rural Graton. Classy but casual. We always sit at the bar where the staff are exceptionally friendly and professional and we always fall into conversation with fun and interesting folks. The food is also very good. Their frites are absolutely perfect. Thin and crispy in the French style and served with house made aioli and ketchup. The burger is fantastic, and their wide selection of small and large plates pretty much guarantees something for everybody. Underwood draws everyone from wine tourists to the guys from the local firehouse, and for good reason. It's consistently one of the best places in the west county.
(5)S K.
the drinks are creative other than that, mediocre food but very friendly and helpful service
(3)Naomi F.
Went here for dinner and the food was amazing. Staff and service was great. I will definitely be coming back
(5)Andres B.
this is where the locals eat. sat at the bar and had a great mid afternoon salad after vineyard hopping. great wine area, this was recommended to me by locals and they were right! very cozy place, fine service and really good food.easy parking out front. blink and you'll miss it. funky antiques across the street.
(4)Emily S.
Amazing food! Loved all of it. We got the French Onion Soup, Flatbread, Steaks (medium rare, and to perfection), Mac and cheese (tasty but took about 15 min before it'd cooled down enough to eat), and Myer's Lemon Cheesecake (although I barely tasted any lemon, just the way I like it). Love the ambiance and look of the place, and our waitress was great. Few slight bummers - we were seated at a table in the bar area, which I soon regretted bc it was pretty busy. My husband gave me the booth and took a chair, and he said the chair was quite uncomfortable - his back was killing him. Also, was about 45 min from the time we ordered until we got our food, which was just too long. We didn't complain, but felt it would've been nice if the waitress checked in with us more. But again, they were super busy, and we get how that goes. Still sucked, but oh well. Was still delicious.
(4)Bob D.
We where staying at Avalon Bed and Breakfast just a couple miles away and stopped by Underwood - excellent food and service. When they brought out the ketchup I could see this place was different because it was home made and yummy. The pizza was yummy with spinach, sorrano ham, monchega cheese topped with an egg - was delicious esp with some wine. We want to go back next time we are in the area and try more dishes.
(5)Stacy M.
Our valentines dinner was almost $200. The waitress was almost losing her shirt . She was just one button away from exposing the restaurant. Then there were the stealthy water guys grabbing things right off your table .. Like ninjas.. You would see a arm appear. The atmosphere was complete with a crying baby. Also, the tables were small , no intimacy and they seated us where the pathway of people and wait staff run food by the bathrooms. Food was good though. The portion of the appetizers were very small. I guess if I could hear exactly what my boyfriend was trying to say to me cuz it was sooo loud .. I wouldn't have almost choked on my food with laughter over this pricey meal.. Lesson learned bbq for Valentine's Day at home.
(3)Cheri B.
Had a fabulous birthday dinner here with about 14 friends. The shaved fennel and orange salad was amazing. Because we were a large group, we ordered most of the sides and enjoyed tapas style. Every dish was well prepared and delicious. Great for large groups, and a lovely patio out back. Sometimes I also stop here for a beer while cycling on the west county trails.
(5)Lisa K.
We took a little drive out to graton to eat at s little bistro , first we enjoyed appetizer of lovely Caramelized onion , blue chease walnuts , and sage for a very tantizing combination of flavs mmmm I just wish we could of been waited on in the covered deck area . They said we need to go to the bar and order after a long day at work this is absolutely the last thing we wanted
(5)G S.
Sat at the bar with an old friend and got some beers and appetizers. Halfway upscale, halfway laid back atmosphere. Nice bartender, decent food if overpriced (got the harisa fries, yum). Should've asked about prices for Guinness pints; $7 each is over the top.
(3)Marina N.
Only had the lunch menu, it's quite abbreviated and more plain than the dinner menu. Hoisin ribs are tender and have good flavor but they're too sweet. The cauliflower gratin is good but too simple. The pizza has a great crunchy crust and might have cheese in the crust but tomato sauce needs improvement. The frisée salad with lardons was too sour so request dressing on the side. I found the warm chocolate torte and the cake part of the ice cream cake to be inedible but the ice cream was fine. And fries for 8 bucks at lunchtime? C'mon. Bartendress was friendly. Like the outdoor seating options. Overall, I recommend skipping lunch here but cannot say if the other meals are better.
(3)L T.
Excellent place to refuel after hitting wineries. Harissa fries are ingenious! Roasted beets and flatbread were very well prepared. Everything is packed with distinct flavor. Cocktail menu is enticing. Great atmosphere in and outside. Go!
(4)Jen R.
This is our little taste of The City in small town Graton. Hands down my favorite place in Sonoma County for cocktails and Mac n' Cheese. This is saying something as every establishment that has Mac n' Cheese on the menu, I try it. So far no place has matched the rich, decadent, bubbling, creamy, deliciousness the the Underwood serves up every time. Always quality beers on tap, favorite wines on the list and a huge bar selection. The Underwood attracts a great staff that knows the menu, how to make a delicious drink, how to cater to their customers and are just generally all around great folks. Great ambiance, good for groups, lovely patio. Still feels like a treat every time I go. Oh, always go for dessert! Crème brulée and any fruit cobblers!
(5)M L.
Nice place to go dine after a long day wine tasting. We had mostly tapas and everything was good: Oysters, French onion soup, ribs. Very good service and the main plates looked good and an added incentive to come back.
(4)Angelica C.
We ordered the catalan fish stew , duck leg confit and breast, and warm chocolate torte. I didn't get to try much of the stew but had a piece of the chorizo and loved it. The duck leg was extremely salty, but the breast was cooked to perfection. The chocolate torte wasn't overly sweet, and was actually a little on the bitter side, but that's what I like. I'd definitely come here again.
(4)Semuteh F.
Came for dinner with friends after a day of wine tasting. It was really the only option in town and we were craving burgers. We each ordered the burger off the Afternoon menu. I ordered mine with Gorgonzola and bacon. Adding bacon and cheese costs 3 bucks and 2 bucks respectively which is absurd. Two slices of bacon for $3?!? Anyway, we were starving so we ordered. Burgers were ordered medium, and medium well but came out very rare and/or still mooing. They "fixed" the issue by heating up the patties but by then we had already put toppings on the burgers and cut them in half so they came back an absolute mess. I was really shocked that it was so difficult for them to cook a burger medium. Our server seemed disinterested. Two stars for potential and delicious french fries. Won't be back sadly. Graton has some great wine/vineyards but we'll find another place to eat next time.
(2)Joel G.
I have come here many times primarily for the burger "best in west county"and the hearts of romain and a cocktail or two. This last experience I had was pretty disappointing, I ordered my burger and salad and my favorite drink a Hemingway . The bar tender said we don't have the ingredients and reluctantly made me something that he thought was similar, which was not at all close. While I was eating I watched him use every ingredient in a Hemingway :-(.. Why not just say I don't know how to make it?
(3)W H.
Great food - though limited for vegetarians. Great bar.
(4)Jon R.
terrific place. Great ambiance. I ate at the bar but the banquettes reminded me of Pariis. A nice cross section of people, some ranch workers on a bar crawl, a bunch of tourists, etc...
(4)Keto S.
This place was recommended to us by some locals, who spoke well of it. While my wife and I found the food to be reasonably prepared, it was not commensurate with the price we paid. Definitely a bit spendy for what you get. We generally found the service to be atrocious! Despite what seemed to be enough staff (it wasnt that busy), and that we knew what we wanted in just a few minutes, it took 15 minutes for some one to take our order. The waitress managed to be fairly inattentive during our time there. I tried to get my drink refilled a couple times, but to no avail. Finally I left my empty drink conspicuously on the most obvious corner of the table to see if ANY staff would ask me for a refill. Not one. If I had realized, as a customer, that we were going to be so terribly inconvenient to the wait-staff, I would have spent my money elsewhere. Needless to say, we wont burden them ever again.
(1)Eric R.
Took my extended family to the Underwood last night. It was the day after Thanksgiving and everybody was sick of the kitchen. Food and especially the service was excellent. We had our 2 yo with us and they were very accommodating. Everyone enjoyed the Asian broccoli, crab cakes and if course the French onion soup. Beautiful bar and cocktail menu as well. We just bought a house in Graton so I think we will be spending a lot of time at this place.
(5)Gilda D.
My husband and I strolled in for an early dinner. The place was empty. We were one of the few tables that were seated. Our meal was simple, soup, a burger, and the pizzetta. While we sipped our drinks, more people were seated, then after a good half hour, while everyone around us were being served we finally asked the waitress what happened to our food . She gave a lame excuse, in the meantime we were hungry and felt this is way too long to wait for food. When we expressed our concerns we were greeted by another waitress who proceeded to take over. Another 10 minutes, our food finally arrived . Customer service is not their strength, I doubt if we are to return for another meal.
(1)Jacqueline K.
This was my first time in Graton and this restaurant was so cute! I went here with my boyfriend and the ambiance was very romantic. We sat at a corner booth, which was really cozy. We ordered: cauliflower gratin, the special of the day (scallops with bacon), the arugula salad, and oysters. I probably wouldn't get the cauliflower again since I like my cauliflower more soft, but I did enjoy the rich cheese that came with it. Scallops and bacon were delicious, but who can go wrong with that combo? Same goes for the arugula salad, especially with the prosciutto. I loved the oysters (I think I ordered the Kumamoto and Tomales Bay ones?), but if only they weren't ~$3 each. I could have easily eaten like, a dozen oysters, but withheld my want to indulge. Service was attentive and friendly as well. Graton seems like a cute little area and I'd definitely come back again.
(4)Bob W.
Service was excellent the whole time. The confit of chicken is just 2 chicken drumsticks - no breast, no white meat. Salad under it with a dressing with an orange flavor is good, but still the dish is a terrible ripoff for $22.50 considering the low-quality chicken. Who do they think they are fooling with these $22 drumsticks? Catalan Fish Stew for $23.75 is OK but kind of stingy on the portion size. Side orders of cauliflower baked in a very rich, fattening creamy sauce and sauteed Chinese broccoli in a soy-ginger sauce were tasty - enjoyed these $7 side orders more than the ho-hum entrees. Peach-berry cobbler is a complete miniature pie, about 5-inches in diameter with a good crust. The other dessert was a flourless chocolate cake with a raspberry sauce, tasty but nothing ground-breaking. If you order a bottle of pinot noir from the nearby Merry Edwards winery it will set you back $75 here... and it's really no better than Chateau St. Jean pinot noir which retails for $12 at BevMo. Figure your final bill with tax and tip to top $200 for 2 people. Entrees just didn't seem worth it compared to what you can get at other places for the same prices. You'll probably be better off just sticking with the tapas menu.
(2)Jennifer C.
Popped in here on a suggestion from one of the local tasting rooms. Glad I did! One of the best restaurants Ive been to in a long time. The cocktails were delicious as well, and staff was friendly. My friend and i ate from the afternoon menu. Highly recommended.
(5)Scott S.
Went here for lunch today. I'd give the food 5 stars and service 2 stars. We were seated immediately, but then waited 10 minutes before the waiter, Kirk, came over. Instead, he took the order of party of four that was seated after us. In previous visits, the host/ess has asked for a drink order, but the one on duty ignored us even my companion caught her eye. On to the food, the best reason to come to Underwood. I had the special sandwich of the day, a pork tenderloin, with very thin slices of apple that almost looked like cheese, with honey mustard on toasted sourdough and big pile of fries. The fries come with homemade ketchup which could make you swear off Hunt's for life. My buddy had the beef pho which looked great. The fish balls in his soup were the best I've ever tasted. Delicious broth too. So, I'll definitely be back to Underwood, as the food is just that great. As for the service, I hope it's better next time. Usually I gladly tip 20%. This time, 10%, and that felt generous, except for the busboy who was prompt with refilling our water and friendly as he cleared our plates.
(3)George C.
One of our favorite places. A hidden gem! Great food, great staff and service and great drinks. My wife and I love the oysters here. They have this pizzeta I think it's called. I could be wrong on the name but its the only pizza they have and you have to order it. Also frank at the bar makes great drinks and is the most knowledgeable bartender I've seen and he's very funny.
(5)j. r.
Review is relative to other restaurants in this ptice range. We dine here about twice a year when we are in the area, hungry and too tired to go into Sebastopol. Food here is generally good. Expect to pay 80 - 120$ for dinner for two adults. More if you enjoy an alcoholic beverage. There is a yummy burger on the menu for the budget minded. Goat cheese on caramelized onion appetizer was amazing! Romaine hrarts needed more good bits in it. The other salad which had outer Romaine leaves and poached pears was too strong with vinegar. Had the duck off the regular menu. One gets a seared duck breast and a jointed leg and thigh. The leg and thigh were wonderfully cooked and were a pleasure to eat. They were crunchy on the outside with meat falling off the bone on the inside. A distraction from the pleasure was that some bites gave a strong sting of way too much salt. When eating duck, one wants to be thinking wonderful thoughts of the meat, not bad thoughts about burning salt. The breast seemed to be pan seared right to the edge of blackened - a line I don't like to be crossed. It had a wonderful black crusty flavor. However, the meat was very rare, shiny red and bleeding on the plate. We sent it back for a little more cooking as we prefer our fowl to be cooked through. It came back more cooked but still rare. We took it home in a box to finish the job ourselves. We had the warm chocolate torte and the alfalfa herbal tea which comes with a pot of honey. The torte was very richly chocolate with a good moist texture. It was beautifully plated with some yummy sauces. One of which hinted of cinnamon. The torte comes with a bit of whipped cream (Chantilly cream on the menu) which was inadequate in volume and/or strength to balance the torte. The torte is good for sharing. The tea was pleasant, especially with a touch of honey but not remarkable. I couldn't taste the alfalfa but there was a nice finish of nettle. Service is pretty good. A little casual for this price level but fairly attentive without being intrusive. The place is almost always busy/full. You may need a reservation during peak hours. It is quite a loud room.
(3)Ben C.
Great drinks, great food, great bar, great lighting, great staff. All around one of the best spots to eat in Sebastopol/Graton/Santa Rosa area. Also one of the best burgers around with some of my all time favorite fries. Get the flatbread too. Mmmmmmm burgers....
(5)wolf c.
Nice little place with an interesting menu of tapas and unexpected lunch fare. The bar was quite impressive too. Unfortunately lunch was a bit more pricey than it should have been.
(3)Joseph G.
This is to the owner of The Underwood. Went to dinner on with a friend 11-26-14, basically three things need to improve. Service, Food and Price. The waitress got to us and took our order quickly. We did not like the fries with red sauce and she returned with regular fries which were good and when we paid the bill we were charged for both. The pork ribs were chucked full of sharp bone chards which we left on the plate. The tuna tartar tasted fishy. Also the portion was very small for the price. Overall price/portion ratio was on the high side. The bar is great. We will never eat here again.
(1)Bill M.
Underwood is a great place in a quiet setting. The specialty drinks are really interesting and if you're in the mood for a cocktail, this is great place to visit. I like the menu, which is weighted toward small plates. The white anchovy crostini, tuna tartar and flatbreads are very good; salads are creative and delicious. The service is very attentive and friendly.
(4)Ilana R.
Let me start by explaining the lime crisis. Mexico is dealing with a war. This war is affecting the availability of limes in the US. You can read about it from a most reputable news sources m.nydailynews.com/news/n… Now personally, I love a night out, but I try and keep my nights out SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE. How in light of this current lime situation can a bartender still serve a drink so steeped in social injustice as a gimlet? How? Just explain it to me. While I enjoyed my limey libation, I can't understand how it's maker can sleep at night. Maybe in a world where Neko Case is considered good music, social injustice is considered good business.
(5)Daphne P.
I've been to Underwood twice in the last week. A week ago Saturday we sat at the bar as we wanted to wait for an outside table. It was a warm evening in beautiful Graton and not only was it worth the wait, but we happened to sit next to one of the chef's who had just finished his shift. In fact, I really recommend you make a point to sit at the bar. It is a 5 star bar. You will find winemakers, farmers, chefs and other locals of interest. There is a wonderful selection of local wines. I had a glass of Iron Horse sparkling wine (vineyards just a mile or two away) and my companion had the Elderflower Gin Ricky- very refreshing! When the outdoor area finally cleared, we headed out to our table. The host is wonderful- very friendly and has captured the West County look in a great way, kudos for his understated fashion sense. For dinner we shared the fabulous hamburger, a bowl of freshly made tomato soup and the frisee salad with lardons (I love lardons!) and an egg on top- very French, very fresh, very perfect. Then, two days ago I was there with a rather loud group of ladies and we sat inside. The service, again was perfect and attentive. We had bottles of the Anderson Valley Brut, NV. Perfect for a warm evening. I had the duck breast and crispy confit leg set atop some delicious lentils de puys. There were 9 of us, we had everything, the rib eye was also a huge hit. Fabulous!
(5)Shelley P.
Loved this place. Even the beet salad (and Idon't like beets!) was terrific!! Great service, great food. A tad on the pricey side, which is why I didn't give it 5 stars.
(4)Robert B.
Best bartenders (Frank and Galen), best pub, incredible food, excellent bloody mary after a bike ride, bocce in the back, new covered dining on the quiet corner. This place has it all.
(5)Kira W.
This is where hubs and I go when we are wine tasting in this area. Underwood is a longer drive than the other eateries, but it is an excellent restaurant for lunch or dinner. Underwood's unassuming appearance and casual atmosphere is misleading, as the food is "jacket required" gourmet good. (Great place to finish a day of touring wineries in the Russian River Valley, be sure to make a reservation). This is a local favorite of many winemakers, and you may just see one of them enjoying a glass of wine right next to you! My favorites: Their burgers are awesome, as is there steak pommes frites. Yum.
(5)Sean F.
Great drinks! Great food, good vibes...def worth checking out if you are in the area. Pricier than most placed yet well worth it.
(5)Liz G.
Another AWESOME restaurant to cross off my "have to try it" bucket list. My boyfriend took me to dinner after I had a crappy day at work, and boy oh boy did it cheer me up. We sat in a corner booth which was a little cramped, but we totally made it work. I loved the decor inside; it had really soft and romantic lighting, perfect for a date dinner. He got a couple fantastic tasting cocktails, I got some really delicious coffee. We ordered some Kumamoto oysters (god, I love oysters) and both got a "hearts of romaine" salad (roasted pears, candied walnuts, point reyes farmstead blue cheese, champagne vinaigrette) to start with. So very yummy! For our main course, he got the steak & frites. Fries were cooked to perfection, and the steak was damn good. I am IN LOVE with what I got, which was a pappardelle pasta with slow cooked lamb shoulder, mushrooms, a delicious sauce, and all topped off with broccolini greens and pecorino sprinkled on top. Oh my good lord, I am salivating just typing about it. I would order it again in a second. After this, we had just enough room left for dessert, so he got the Meyer lemon creme brulee and I got the warm chocolate torte with vanilla poached pears and chantilly cream (surrounded with a delicious raspberry syrup). We both enjoyed our desserts immensely. I almost nearly gave them a 4 because it was very loud in the restaurant and we were a little squished in our spot, but I can't bring myself to do it. The food was that good for us! Yeah, it's a bit pricey as people have mentioned in other reviews, but it was definitely worth it! Would go again, and absolutely will.
(5)A P.
Great place, but not for the hard of hearing. Lively atmosphere with very helpful staff. As a neighbor of the restaurant (I live down the road), I want to thank Jen and Gaelen for their kindness in collecting and donating corks from their great collection of local wines. The corks will be made into a large heart-shaped cork board to send to a spectacular mother, wonderful woman and genuine friend in McLean Virginia who has made it though 12 months of a grueling treatment for pancreatic cancer. My sincere thanks for thinking of my project when you opened all those bottles. Based on the number of corks you shared, I can attest to the fact that this is a great place to try out some excellent wines! I appreciate you all so much!
(4)Lil F.
Everything is good at Underwood. The food, drinks, and service. Great for tourists, business lunches or date nights.
(5)Dennis M.
In the town of Graton you will find this awesome bistro. Wonderful atmosphere. good selection of wine and spirits. nice music and every ecclectic menu. I enjoyed the tuna tartare and a burger. It went well with one of the local Zins. This place has good breakfast and dinner. Great for groups. Truly a hidden gem.
(5)Bob D.
I had dinner with a group of family members last Sunday. It was the second time I had dined there and we were seated outside on a beautiful warm evening. the food was terrific. the only downer was a drunken group arriving via two busloads that clogged the restrooms and generally made fools of themselves. I expected better at a fine dining establishment.
(4)