Dining for A Few of Us - SCHELLVILLE GRILL, Carneros, S.Sonoma County CA
Written: Feb 11 '09 (Updated Oct 12 '09)
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Pros: Painfully Average. Early hours for undiscriminating locals and unwary travelers
Cons: Difficult to find (but hard to forget).
Was questionable, now avoidable.
The Bottom Line: A pumpkin exterior concealing a fun atmosphere and very good food by an intriguing owner. American Comfort with a bit of world cuisine.
(No longer recommended.)
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| ASourdough4's Full Review: Schellville Grill |
10/10/09 - No longer recommended.
Schellville Grill
22900 Broadway, Sonoma, CA 95476
(On Carneros Highway, 6 miles south of Sonoma City Square on U.S. 12)
707.996.5151
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Easy to miss but hard to forget once you have found it, Matt Nagal's Schellville Grill is one of those places we search for...unique places with good Food, careful Management, and decent Prices.
True words, ironically prophetic: What I saw here last Winter was lots of potential, expectations supported by good cooking. I had thought that an "attaboy" might increase patronage; revenue from which could have been reinvested to everyone's benefit. Last Saturday morning, what we saw was a vast increase in potential. Including, I am sad to say, an approach to complete decreptitude. From where we sat, we could see that the kitchen floor had collapsed; leaving gaps into which who knows what could enter.
The 'cooking' defied description.
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We love to explore our San Francisco Bay Region; Sunday mornings are best for hitting the road. The schedule is clear, we have had our morning Juice, Coffee, during a dip in the Whirlpool. Without a plan, we may find ourselves dressing up for an adventure and where we wind up is usually decided as we move along.
We usually find and report on a worthy Breakfast Place out in the country or in one of the small communities with neat names that are scattered around the region. Sometimes, our objective has been right under our noses; a place we have passed again and again, on the way to somewhere else.
“Hey, what do you suppose that place is like?”
We are dedicated to letting you know.
THE RESTAURANT - Located at an old country road junction where there once was a railroad spur, Schellville Grill was established on 2/22/2002 by Matt Nagan; owner and operator. The buildings date from the thirties and show it but Matt has begun to transform it from inside out. Like the Roman Emperor Octavian's motto: He “Makes haste, slowly”.
The restaurant seats 50 indoors, another 60 can be accommodated at chairs and picnic benches out on the large open patio, weather permitting, Summertime events are announced periodically. There is one mixed gender public restroom.
Our own experiences include several stops for Breakfast/Lunch – We try something different and have been pleased every time. We had noted that they serve Dinners but it was just last Saturday when we went there to celebrate an anniversary. My lovely partner chose the HOUSE TRI-TIP and I wanted the GRILLED STEAK TIAIATTA until Matt persuaded me to try the SAUTEED BROWN BUTTERED CHICKEN. Wonderful.
I like Beef Patty egg dishes, THE SWEDISH is very good, with sauteed onions, cheese, and a huge beef patty stacked on wheat toast.
For a shortstop, I find that the BIG 'O BOWL OATMEAL (sic) is the best on the Coast. Being Scottish by way of Nova Scotia, I have a love/hate relationship with hot cereals but this is old-fashioned cut oats, not rolled.
ATMOSPHERE - A Road House, warm, informal inside and out, friendly greetings, hot coffee – décor reminiscent of some long ago time when there was an airport nearby – steeped in tradition. A dependable place.
THE FOOD
..BREAKFAST – With 31 selections, from Oatmeal to Grilled Steak, you will find what you want.
... and LUNCH – Turn the menu over and be overwhelmed with Salads, House Specials (some with European Style: Penne, Porchetta, BBQ, Mexican dishes and Traditional American Sandwiches.
...DINNER – Exquisite. Literally something there for everyone. Matt has found or invented recipes for Fish, St. Louis Ribs, Florence Buttered Chicken, Grilled Steak Tiaiatta.
By now, you could have guessed: Matthew Nagan is a 1986 graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, New York.
THE BEVERAGES
...WINE – A dozen selections; Sonoma and surrounding county representatives
.... BEER (Domestic & Imported)
...THE OTHERS – Soft Drinks, Juices, Iced Tea, Lemonade, Chocolate Milk,
THE PRICE – $5.50 (Oatmeal and Coffee) to $40 (Entree with Wine)
Appeals to Budget Conscious folk as well as “Foodies” who will be surprised and pleasantly so.
THE SERVICE - We love it when the owner joins the staff and fills in or the chef takes a break and comes out to see how things are going. A genuine hands-on approach; revealing that the folks who make things happen really CARE what the customer thinks. After our first half-dozen visits; we became interested in what made us want to come back. It was easy to figure out; we had been made to feel at home and that we really did matter.
THE HOURS
Breakfast / Lunch Daily 5:30am to 2:00pm
(Clearly dedicated to the working folks and early travelers.)
Dinner Fridays and Saturdays 5:30pm to 9:00
Special Events (Call – Reservations accepted)
PARKING Highways 12 / 121 used to be a “T” intersection. Ample on-site.
HOW TO FIND IT Northeast corner of the Intersection of U.S. 12 and State Route 121, 6 miles S of Sonoma City Plaza. A large new Fire Station just east makes an impressive landmark.
State 121 (aka Carneros Highway) runs from State Route 37 at Sears Point to Napa Valley. Schellville is ½ mile E of the junction of Routes 121 and 116 (to Petaluma) which is called Valley of the Moon Scenic Route. This is Jack London Country. (U.S. 12 is also known as the Glen Ellen Highway, and this portion is the northernmost part of the famous El Camino Real, the route that connected all 21 'Spanish' Missions from San Diego to Sonoma. Watch for the Bronze Bells. Broadway is an extension of the City of Sonoma street by that name.)
SPECIAL NEEDS A challenge for wheelchair access. Grab rail in restroom.
DIETERS and DIABETICS Try the Veggie Omelette, the VeggieBurger or the Pulled Pork topped with House Cole Slaw. There are fresh made hash browns or fresh salads. The Big 'O Bowl of Oatmeal is splendid and ample. Old-Fashioned cut Oats, 2% milk, sugar substitute, small spoon. Egg whites? Matt can do. Watching carbs, can do tomatoes. Heaven from Six to Two. Substitutions are encouraged, even suggested.
KID FRIENDLY? - Half-Portions are still generous. Beverages include every child's favorites. All are welcome but this is not a part of Fast Food Nation.
Buon Journo
Thanks to MONGKUT for lending me his restaurant review format.
© Maurice McDonell 2009
Recommended:
No
Kid Friendliness: Yes
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
Notes, Tips or Menu Recommendations After many visits; we (no longer) want to go back for more. Could be great stop at the edge of Wine Country.
10/10/09 - I regret my earlier mis-judgment and naive recommendations
Best Suited For: Kids and Families
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Epinions.com ID:
ASourdough4
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 - Top 500 |
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Member: Maurice McDonell
Location: Above Beautiful Napa Valley
Reviews written: 200
Trusted by: 193 members
About Me:
July-2009 Gone to the Wide World of Wireless. Still reading and rating. Mostly elsewhere.
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