Palooza
8910 Sonoma Hwy, Kenwood, CA, 95452
Palooza Menu
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Address :
8910 Sonoma Hwy
Kenwood, CA, 95452 - Phone (707) 833-4000
- Website https://www.paloozacateringandevents.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Jessica J.
We had lunch here the other day. We were seated and then left with no menus or drink order. Finally we asked a server passing by and completely ignoring us if she could provide menus. After that, our server came for drink orders and we put in our order because we were starving. We had just driven a few hours and skipped breakfast. We ordered the Falafel Wrap, Blue Cheese/Bacon Burger and Kids Mac'n'Cheese($7 with no side or drink.) We also ordered a Stout which my friend enjoyed and I ordered a beer tasting. None of which were very good and not nearly cold enough. But $10 for 4 tastings is fair enough. We were sitting on the patio, which was nice but just TONS of flies. The Falafel was "mediocre," the mac was bland and my burger was good but on a burnt bun(really burnt) and didn't come with anything other than the blue cheese and bacon. I asked for the fixings. I was so hungry I didn't care about the bun but I couldn't get a 3 yr old to eat the mac. I never have to beg her to eat. The flies were relentless and the service was polite but not great. The rosé was really bad and owner argued that it wasn't. Oh well. I even overheard one of the servers arguing with another customer about their order that was wrong. And she was also pretty snotty to us because our server wasn't around that much.
(2)Kelly M.
Amazing sour beer list. Amazing. The bartender totally knows what he is talking about. Food could use a little help. They were out of pasta, quinoa, and bread. That seems like a fluke and I would go again.
(4)Bill F.
Going to a restaurant at 2PM on a Winter Sunday in February, what would you expect? Well on this day the weather in the Sonoma Valley was in the 70s and the restaurant's (dog friendly) patio was packed and when we left at 3 the inside was filled too with a line out the door. The owner confided in me that the day's crowds exceeded his expectations by a longshot. That said, the staff handled the unanticipated crush very well. Going over the very interesting menu with the help of owner, Jeff Tyler, we narrowed down our choices for this visit to the Fish Tacos and the Reuben Sliders with a side of their delightfully crispy homemade potato chips, along with a glass of Russian River Brewery's Apex IPA. The food was extremely tasty and prepared to perfection. We'll be back!
(5)Wally W.
One of the best ribs I've ever had. Edible with a fork and knife. Flavor was amazing. I think the sauce could be a bit spicier. The four of us ordered two orders of ribs and a mac and cheese. Enough to feed us after a day of wine tasting. The mac and cheese had so many different cheese. It was definitely more than one. The interior was nicely appointed, open, with a loft. They have many different beers on a large chalkboard. Service was prompt and we were seated quickly on a Saturday afternoon.
(5)Lara R.
I took my staff out for lunch here today. The outside eating area is great. The food was fantastic! I ordered the Kenwood burger and my staff ordered other burgers. We all agreed that it all tasted super fresh and delicious! The fries were the bomb! I will definitely be coming back for more. The only reason why I won't give 5 stars was because it took a while to get our orders in and for the food to come out and we only had a one hour lunch so we had to eat a bit fast. The waitress did say they were short on staff today so I understand. Other than that that place is great!
(4)Brian G.
Awesome place when we arrived in Kenwood. Pulled pork sandwich was excellent and the Asian chicken sandwich looked equally delicious. Good variety of craft beers on tap.
(5)Ashley C.
We came to Palooza after a day of wine tasting in part because they had a great beer list and it was walking distance from where we were staying. Palooza's has a nice friendly, laid-back atmosphere that I really liked. Service was friendly and helpful (we even met the guy who goes the beer ordering too- he was great but can't remember his name right now). We were "wine-d" out for the day and my husband loved the local beer list. He was very pleased with the dark beer our waiter recommended. I also loved that they had a cider on the menu too! It was delicious and fresh - exactly what we needed. The food was solid. I ordered the burger and my husband ordered the chicken sandwich. It was a good value - $50 w/ tip for food, a beer and a cider.
(4)rosemarie r.
Good ribs
(3)Sonia V.
Visiting in California and wanted to try something new. Cute place, nice decor, we choose to sit outside. Waitress brought us food menus and gave us time to think. A few minutes ladies another came over because she noticed we only had the food menu and said the waitress is training, asked us if we wanted the cheese board, we weren't in the mood for cheese so we declined. Then she asked if we were told the specials, which we werent so she then informed us of the specials. I ordered the chicken Chipotle wrap, I was told came with French fries, however it didnt it came with chips instead. It was good, but I think it's because I overloaded it with extra Chipotle sauce. My fiance ordered the brie and bacon burger, he asked for it medium rare, however when he got it it was well done, which made it dry. For a $15 burger I think taking it medium rare is pretty easy. Overall not a repeat visit for us.
(3)Barbara S.
Had an opportunity to visit Palooza on a beautiful sunny afternoon. We decided to stop in here because we had our two doggies with us and they do have a nice covered patio area where we could bring the dogs in with us. It was very busy however we only waited for about 10 minutes for our table. Staff was very attentive and took our order promptly. Hubby ordered the burger and it was delicious and cooked perfectly. They have a special bun for their burgers and sandwiches "Racer 5" bun, I guess it is made with Racer 5 beer. Whatever they make it with, it is a perfectly soft and tasty bun. I had the Kale Salad with smoked chicken. I have ordered this salad twice now and I guess I still have the same complaints about it. It is $10 and is a very small salad. And, they really need to "massage" the kale as it is tough and "scratchy" going down! I say this because most polished restaurants would not even think of serving a kale salad without doing the "massage" trick before serving the salad. The smoked chicken was an extra $5 bucks and was just "OK". Most of it was pretty tough. I do give them an "A" for effort for everything else and will go back and next time try something else on the menu. Great place to go if you are looking for outdoor dining in the wine country.
(4)Chelsea W.
Great outdoor seating
(4)Alia G.
Great Lunch stop! And a good place to change up your palate.... take a break from wine tasting and have a micro brew. I had their shrimp sandwich... it had a little kick to it and I loved it. It was not your normal shrimp salad sandwich. And you can opt to have a green salad instead of fries which I did because I was trying to be "good". I mean... I was using my calories to drink wine not eat French fries. LOL! They have about a dozen of more micro brews and if you want to continue drinking wine you can do that too as they have a nice selection of wines to select too. We picked this place because it was walking distance from the Paradise Ridge Winery tasting room. But I'd recommend it to anyone that is in the Kenwood area looking to grab a relaxing bite to each. They also have an outdoor patio if you feel like sitting outside.
(4)Andrew L.
This place is new and I think will do well if they keep up what they're doing. We took a party of 6 (including 2 kids) for lunch last weekend. The place was decorated very nicely inside. The walls of wine bottles were kind of perplexing... more than 3 of us simultaneously wondered out loud whether they would fall off in an earthquake. Anyway, we were seated promptly and the service was very friendly. For the record, there was only one other party dining there when we arrived: a couple. So, there wasn't much of an opportunity for service to be bad. We all ordered something different. The food came out quicker than I would have expected. I ordered the baby back ribs and enjoyed their incredible tenderness and flavor. The barbecue sauce was amazing! The side of fries were among the best I've had in at least a year. They managed to be thick, but not starchy. Dense, but not lacking flavor. Their coffee is also exceptional. I'm somewhat of a coffee snob, even though I stopped regularly drinking coffee a few years ago for health reasons. I had a sip of my girlfriend's coffee and was impressed at the flavor and strength. They actually apologized for it being strong when they served it... I say, bring it on! Other entrees included chicken tenders (kids), chicken sliders, pulled pork sliders, and a Chicago dog. No complains from anyone. For lunch, it was less than $100 for 6 people (remember, 2 of them were kids) including tax AND tip. I'm impressed at these reasonable prices in an area that is, for the most part, hardly a cheap one. Dinner service may be a different story, but don't write this place off until you've tried their food. It's seriously good.
(5)Todd K.
Dropped in, no reservations and was greeted and seated right away. The beer and wine selections were ample. We had the fried pickles, deviled eggs, wedge salad with a smokey ranch dressing, baby back ribs and the El Jefe sandwich. Everything was so good. For anyone passing through Kenwood, CA. This is the place to go.
(5)Paul H.
The specials on the menu for Oakmont night have turned into something similar to what's served at the Quail Inn. Frozen french fries, tasteless burgers, deteriorating portions of fish, etc. Not the place it was. You have a ready made clientele of Oakmont residents. Don't spoil it by serving mediocre food.
(2)Tina J.
Loved the Thai chicken sandwich... It had a really good smokey flavor. They have a good selection of craft beers. They also have really yummy homemade potato chips. the staff was super nice and knowledgeable. My husband wants to come back tomorrow he liked it so much !
(5)Max B.
Great food. Awesome selection of super-local wines and incredible beers. They have patio seating and sometimes live music. I usually get the burger, but at this point I have eaten most of the menu without disappointment. That the owners started with a hot dog cart and grew it into a business like this speaks for itself, but no on yelp, so theres my five yelp stars!
(5)Dawn S.
4 of us were from the East coast and this place delivered food that was spot on and amazing! We had a vegetarian that they accommodated with the risotto, deviled eggs, roasted garlic flatbread, roasted artichokes...all were amazing!!! We will be ordering from them for sure, and they delivered! The pizza place we called and said, "no delivery" lost us to them easily. So happy we bailed on the pizza and pursued this place! 5 stars all the way!!!! Thank you!
(5)Tom M.
7 of us came in for lunch last week between our tasting appointments. It was nice that we could all get in easily, and have a good lunch. I talked with the bartender for awhile about their beer selection as there looked to be a lot of craft beers I've never had before. The food was good and fit the bill for what we were looking for. I had the fish and chips, and a wedge salad. Others at the table had burgers, the chili, and even the fried pickles. The pickles were awesome, and the dipping sauce complimented them well. I'll go back again next time we're in the area.
(4)Barbara D.
My son had his wedding @ Paradise Ridge Winery and The Palooza Gastropubs catered the rehearsal dinner and wedding. It was FABULOUS!!! The food is A+. For anyone looking for catering for your wedding or special day...the Palooza Gastropubs is the best!!! Jeff and Suzette are very nice as well. The people the wedding and rehearsal dinner were amazed at how good the food was. Great job!!!
(5)Garrett R.
Great local gastropub in Kenwood. Ordered a local amber on tap and sat out on the patio. They put heaters out since it was a bit chilly. Top notch service the entire meal. I ordered the pork belly Mac n cheese but was sadly told later that they had just run out. We did eat very late right before closing, so this wasn't an issue really. I instead ordered the Asian pulled chicken sandwich with just made chips on the side. Phenomenal. Tons of flavor and all beautiful white meat chicken. Only reason for 4 stars was no beer list for draft beers available on the patio. But overall this is the perfect spot when you're "wined out" from tasting Sonoma wines all day. Would recommend this to anyone!
(4)BJ T.
Great burger and an INCREDIBLE beer selection. You're going to pay for it, but, when you're in wine country and need something without the grapes, head to Palooza.
(5)Benjamin M.
Wow, did Kenwood ever need a place like this. Upscale enough to bring in the yuppy locals while barlike enough to feel cozy. Solid food and great alcohol selection. Bring a date or bring the boys. Not cheap but definitely won't break the bank.
(5)Christine G.
It's a bit pricy but the food is very high quality and delicious. We had the Brussel sprouts, chicken wings, burger with fries and cookie with vanilla ice cream. Everything we ate had a lot of flavor and was enjoyable. I especially liked the homemade sauces (wing sauce, blue cheese sauce & garlic aioli). The staff were all friendly. We sat outside, which was nice because it was a gorgeous day, but inside looked cool & comfortable too. I would definitely come back when in the area.
(4)Sherry L.
This is the second time I have tried this place, hoping my first experience was a fluke....but I was wrong. First visit, it took 10 min to even be acknowledged we were waiting for a table. Then after waiting an incredible length of time to even have our order taken, after 45 min we start watching people seated after us being served food. Finally the waiter comes up and says "sorry, your order wasn't put in - can I put it in to go boxes once it's ready? Um, what? Second visit this past Friday night, again waited 15 plus min to be noticed waiting at door. I kid you not, 3 other couples who were waiting to be acknowledged as well left with not so happy words. Not even a "we will be right with you" as employee passed us all several times. Finally seated, had to find waiter to take drink order, then had to find waiter to take food order. Again took an incredible amount of time to be finally served....what's weird is that once again others who came in after being served first. Had to ask waiter when our food was coming. Reuben sliders, not so good, everything cold once it came. Cuban sandwich, okay...arrived cold. Artichoke....not cooked enough and hard. Some people having a great time and enjoying themselves, they must either know someone or go there everyday so they are noticed. Maybe I will try again sometime in the future, I want to enjoy because so close to my house....
(1)Chris M.
My husband and I have been to Palooza twice so far. He likes the craft beer selection and I love the food. The staff is friendly and courteous. There is outside seating and inside seating as well as seating at the bar. The price of the dogs are a little high but so far all the food we've had has been top notch. They have happy hour and house made potato chips...mmmmmm!!
(5)Lucas W.
They listen! They adapt! They change! The guys at Palooza have decided that the voices of The People matter! Yay for them, and please patronize them and give them your support!! They fired their chef (who was making all that fancy Wine Country food---NOT!!) and have completely rewritten their menu and now offer--get this--burgers and sausages and ribs! Wooohooo!! I ate there the other night and the burgers were sublime!! Please go and try them for yourself and see if you agree!!
(4)Derek G.
Great fresh food, great menu. Terrific staff and service. Large draft selection. Great portion sizes. One of our best meals on a two week motorcycle trip.
(5)Baron Von B.
This is my favorite new place. Atmosphere - Laid back, small bar with a view of a couple of TVs if you want to watch the game and have a couple of beers. Outdoor area that is comfortable if the weather is right (which it usually is in Kenwood). Dog friendly outside. There seems to be a lot of locals here, and local industry (winery staff having a drink/meal after work). I like that about this place. Beverages - Beer & wine only, but that's all I really drink so no complaints there. The beers on tap are a combination of mainstream and hard-to-find craft beers. They rotate the (20?) beers every now and again which is nice. Almost all of the wines are from surrounding wineries. I like that you get a taste of the surrounding vineyards. Food - This is my style of food. Fish tacos, hot dogs, chicken wings, salads, burgers, risotto, fish and fries, reuben sliders... different things like deviled eggs of the day (sounds good, I'll have that). If you are looking for fine dining (steak house, Italian, French, etc.), this might not be the place for that. HOWEVER, all of the food is high-quality. Just because hot dogs or wings can be processed and cheap, does not mean they always are. The dishes here are fresh and flavorful. Try the Chicago Dog. Best hot dog I've ever had. Service is casual and friendly. Try this place if you are in town. If you're sick of wine, come here for a beer. If you're not sick of wine, come here for wine! If you want whiskey and a 63 year old man dancing on a bar like he's drunk for the very first time, go to Steiner's.
(5)Chris G.
I stopped in this Resturant today on a trip to Santa Rosa The food was good and the server was very cute Thank you
(4)Sean W.
I popped in for dinner for and had the scottish eggs and the rueben sliders which were fantastic as always.
(5)Tom T.
A breath of fresh air in wine country. Asian chicken, split pea soup. Outstanding nuance, yet simplistic.
(5)K-Bizzle K.
Great beers and local wines on tap. Casual, but good food. Would recommend to everyone. Last time I was there, we had the flatbread pizzas and the pork belly mac n cheese (delicious!), and shared some salads which were great as well.
(5)Megan H.
Great Place! The cheese board was a great start, delicious cheeses that paired with the wine perfectly. Very wide selection of food wines and beers, quinoa burger with an egg is out of this world! I would definitely recommend this place - worth the trek!
(5)Nena L.
food mediocre waitstaff is nice. beware menu has changed so if you are looking for Carmel rice balls they are not here wahhhhh fish tacos were so tiny! good flavor but tiny. they don't brew their own beers. I don't know I'm not from kenwood so maybe this is the happening place not sure about that. came hungry for the "gastropub" grub but really came for the comedy yay...
(3)Jenna H.
Yummy! Sliders.... DO IT. Desserts are great too!!
(5)Darby T.
A breath of fresh air in sleepy Kenwood! Palooza is fun, and hip and might just be the saving grace to the Kenwood Marketplace, which has always looked like an abandoned, rundown strip mall on the side of Hwy 12. The menu is cleverly written with a unique spin on classic gastropub food! Anyone looking for some culinary adventure, THIS IS YOUR PLACE! The Bacon Wrapped Veal Meatloaf is the ultimate comfort food and the Bone Marrow is absolute decadence! Grab a few friends and try their burger challenge to see which of their Kobe Beef choices you prefer! Paired with their homemade hibiscus ketchup, OH YEAH! It's a french fry's new best friend. Their beer and wine list is quite impressive featuring lots of local wineries and breweries. Try the MacLeod Sauvignon Blanc, it's delish! Sure Palooza is new and just getting their bearings about them, but what restaurant isn't going to encounter a few hic-ups during their opening month. I think Palooza is just the exciting culinary establishment Sonoma Valley has been looking for and I have a feeling their spacious outdoor patio will be calling my name quite a bit this summer... That patio and couple glasses of some fabulous local wine!
(5)Courtney E.
My wife and I went to Palooza Gastropub on friends recommendation. The four of us got there this past Friday just before 7pm for music, beer and to try the food. The outdoor patio seating was inviting with heaters and blankets provided (nice touch) and is dog friendly. The tap/bottle beer and wine selection is extensive for a small place. We orders beer and a few appetizers. The beer came out in short order and the appetizers took some time. When they arrived we ordered dinner and another round of beer. It was a good thing we had the appetizers and second pint because it took forever to get our main meal. We weren't watching the clock because the beer, music and conversation was good, but it had to be at least 30 minutes (8:15PM) before we got or burgers and ribs. If it hadn't been for the good folk music by the Keepers, we likely would have left without or food. My wife asked for a to go box when her meal arrived. Then manager apologized and discounter her ribs 20% (a whole $3.60 on a $140 bill, woohoo); could have done better. Prices for bare fare a bit high. Food is pretty good. Otherwise the people and atmosphere is friendly and comfortable. I hope they will do something about the kitchen. I'll probably go back, but only if I'm not in a hurry.
(4)Robert T.
Excellent service, a wide selection of draft beer and a creative menu make for an outstanding new option in the barren culinary wasteland in Kenwood on Hwy 12. The Monkfish & Chips I had were perfectly prepared and a MUCH tastier option than the usual cod or haddock variety. I'm really looking forward to taking advantage of their outdoor seating come spring.
(5)Kate M.
Palooka has excellent customer service. I love their beer selection and the food is delicious. The chicken wings and Kenwood burger are a must!
(5)Joe E.
We were in Sonoma and after a day of wine tasting stumbled into Palooza by accident and saw so many beers on tap. We tried a few and ordered some food and all was top notch!!! We actually came back the next day for Diner. Loved this place. Highly recomended.....
(5)Chelsea D.
We recently hired Palooza for a weekend of catering and could not have been happier with the service and food. Friday night featured pulled pork sandwiches, gourmet cheeseburgers, Chicago style hotdogs, and fries 3 ways for 25 people. Absolutely delicious; you can taste the quality of locally raised and farmed products in their selections. Saturday night was upwards of 60 people, and the evening started with street taco appetizers (carnitas, chicken, and killer sauces/salsa) and finished with paella and salad as the main dishes. The carnitas were excellent and many of our guests commented that was the best chicken taco(s) they ever had (I agree). The paella was packed with all different and delicious types of meats and seafood and looked great while it was cooking. These feasts were made even better by the guys at Palooza. They were efficient, had great senses of humor, were helpful and collaborative during the planning process, and left our property 100% the way they found it. Definitely earned and deserve 5 stars!
(5)Kent H.
We went there last night and had a great experience. After a few days in wine country doing tastings and eating fancy food, we really just wanted to relax in a lower-key atmosphere with some good old comfort food, and Palooza lived up to our expectations. The food was great, the beer selection was solid, the prices were fair, and our server was friendly and fun. We'll definitely be going back if we're in the area.
(5)Frank T.
My wife and I have been here several times and have really enjoyed every visit. One was on the patio with some local musicians; another was at the bar trying out their burgers. Yesterday, we thought we might get in before the Giants game and try some of the casual food. Our plan worked out great! We got two seats at the bar and watched the start of the game with the wedge salad with beets and blue cheese. I had to try the fish tacos that were served to another guest at the bar. The presentation is top notch and the three little tacos were terrific! My wife tried the Brie and bacon burger, so I got to taste that before my chili dog. It took me back to my high school days when a chili dog was considered sinful. Palooza's chili dog is definitely sinful. Gotta get back and try some more of the items on the menu as it seems to change frequently. We want to support the local wineries and breweries, so having such a broad spectrum of local beverages makes the value of the whole experience better than some of the other local restaurants we frequent.
(5)Tommy F.
My cousin and I were taking a break from setting up for a wedding about 2 miles away. We were looking for a place to eat. We found this GEM! Diane was fantastic and welcoming. We met one of the owners, Suzette. a very nice lady who grew up in East LA. She was amazing and friendly. Good conversation. Started with the wings. A must order!!! Then fist & fries, YES! Was able to get the last order of the Fig & Pesto Flatbread. Thumbs up. Hope to be back and bring more with.
(5)Jamie B.
This review is LONG overdue! I've been here on a few occasions and received excellent service every time! The Food: -Food is super good. I had the burger when I ate here and highly recommend it -Truffle Fries... No need to say more. The Booz: -Awesome beer selection! Whoever buys the beer here knows what they are doing. The bartender Ted was very knowable and taught me facts about how beer is made and the differences between styles of beers. The Service: -Always on point. They make sure to check in on you every so often so that you have everything you need! If you are strolling through the area or need some food after a long day of wine tasting, hit this place up!
(5)Tom S.
Revisit Feb 2015: it's my duty as a Kenwood local to keep y'all apprised. Food portions have increased, Yea! Lunch today was bistro level fine. Classic burger was big & juicy. Fries were good enough, I would'a like them cooked 30 seconds longer. Bambie's kale / chicken salad satisfied her, but it looked a little anemic to me. What's with this place & the fascination with kale? My personal peeve, would rather eat fern fronds than chewy kale. Menu items have grown 400% since June 2014. Wine list now includes bottles outside of Sonoma county. Has become popular & crowded. Packed with folks waiting for tables on a Sunday afternoon. Locals: come here during the week.
(4)Renee C.
I can't remember the last time I was this upset from a dining experience. Beer and drinks are okay, but DO NOT GET FOOD HERE! We live down the road and came in to get dinner to go. My boyfriend specifically asked if the fish and chips were a large portion. He is 6'4", so when he asks if it is a large portion, he means it. The server said it was indeed a large portion, but when the food came out we discovered there were only three very small pieces of fish, and it was mostly just fries. If this was a $7 meal, then fine. But he paid $15 for the SMALLEST portion! Not to mention it was cod, a very inexpensive fish. We were so upset we decided to weigh it when we got home... The heavily breaded fished weight A MERE THREE OUNCES. WHAT?! I am not sure on what planet that is a big portion, and the server didn't seem to care that we were dissatisfied. Needless to say my boyfriend was still very hungry after this meal, and had to make something else to eat at home. Then there was my quinoa burger. I have been a vegetarian for years so I have had countless veggie burgers, and I am not a picky eater at all. I have never had one that was this horrible until this one. The burger was overcooked, dry, and honestly tasted like ash in my mouth. I have never had an experience like this, especially with something as simple as a veggie burger. Even the tomato on it was white, with absolutely no flavor. I think even McDonald's has better quality tomatoes than this. We also got the artichoke as an appetizer, which was undercooked, bland, and far below average. Everything was just so bad. Overall we spent $65 here... HUGE waste of money! I am so disappointed with this place. DO NOT EAT HERE! This area usually has such great food, but this was awful. I wish I could give this place zero stars, but unfortunately I do not have that option. As a local, I am embarrassed this place is even serving food. Beyond disappointed.
(1)Team G.
As a local, I pass by here often but never thought to stop by as it usually looks empty and there are ample amounts of great places to eat in the area. However we took a gamble today and decided to try it out. Big mistake. The gastropub was empty and it took 10 minutes for us to be greeted with 3 guys on staff. One guy walks over after the bartender asks him to help us, drenched in sweat to take our drink order. As he walked away, I watched him rub the sweat away with his hands multiple times. When our server finally came over, I asked that sweaty guy not touch anything we ordered since he was not compelled to wash his hands. We waited for our drinks another 10 minutes before they finally took our food order. We got: -fish tacos: best thing we ordered, Sans the vin aioli and lacto fermented hot sauce and opted for a side of garlic aioli instead -wings: dry, sitting in a bowl of watered down buffalo sauce -Reuben sliders: underwhelming, fresh made kettle chips were burned The experience was made worse by the fact that service was incredibly slow, despite not being busy at 4 pm on a Sunday and 3 guys working the floor. Pair that with the subpar food and absolutely disgusting unsanitary practices, we will never be back nor would we ever refer this place to anyone we know. Really can't be doing business like this when you're in a destination location with lots of competition. Very disappointing.
(1)Jonathan F.
Nice roadside eatery in Kenwood. It's more like a pub /sports bar than a restaurant. Yet it has a nice outside patio area. A bit pricey. More for the tourists than locals. Service was outstanding, first class. Food is Ok. I had the chili cheese hot dog. I wish the bun had been toasted, that way it could have not gotten soggy so quickly. Coffee was good. Cream is fresh off the farm, real stuff. As For the outdoor seating I think the restaurant should have place mats and some cushions. The wooden table and bench chairs was like being at a park bench or camp site. I don't mind the rustic style, but when it interferes with comfort and basic food hygiene I think providing those accommodations is smart, especially at tourist crowd prices.
(4)Arman J.
Pretty little cute spot on Sonoma highway. We stopped here on our way to a wedding. I got the chicken sandwich, with their house salad and blue cheese. The chicken was a little undercooked, but over all okay. Not bad for a quick lunch spot.
(4)Susan S.
Yesterday, I decided to take a drive and stopped at Palooza's for a late lunch. I was alone so I took a seat at the bar. The bartender (Teddy I think) came right over and was so helpful. The menu is well though out with a variety of food and beverage selections. Fried pickles, chicken wings, truffle mac & cheese, burgers, sliders, sandwiches and salads just to name a few. There are also a dozen or more beers on tap as well as wine and cocktails. On the recommendation of the bartender I had a hop dumpster double ipa and the brie & bacon burger. It was so delicious! I'm very glad Palooza is not far from my house because it will definitely be on my A-list.
(5)trish B.
We have to keep going back because of all the wonderful beer...and the delicious food...okay, then there's the wonderfully welcoming owners who sat with us and won us over. Nothing fancy but that's perfect for us. This place is a true pub with great grub to match! You can hang out, play ping-pong, watch big screen games and feel right at home. Keep an eye out for their special events, too. How about a comedy night? Yeah!
(4)Rebekah K.
This place is FANTASTIC! We came here this past weekend and had the best time. Their beer selection was incredible. What's more incredible is the knowledgable staff, who was able to make great recommendations. Their wine selection has just as much variety. I cannot wait to come here again and try more amazing craft beers. The owner, who was great, said they switch out various beers based on season so there's a few new ones often. Food was yummy! Came out quick and reasonably priced. Outside was great, nice atmosphere. Weather was perfect. Had table tennis outside- FUN! We stayed to watch the comedians at night who were hilarious !
(5)Kathryn D.
Great spot for lunch in Kenwood! My husband and I hit up a couple wineries and then grabbed food at Palooza. We sat in the awesome outdoor dining area. I had the grilled chicken sandwich with their homemade potato chips and a glass of Chardonnay - totally hit the spot. The food, wine and service were all excellent. I highly recommend!
(4)Marty P.
I had to stop in on day one to see how the new restaurant in Kenwood was shaking. Palooza's is now open serving lunch and ice cold draft beer. The lunch menu looks great, and the wine list is true to home, supporting all my favorite small local wineries. I enjoyed some tasty boiled peanuts with my ice cold draft, and the bartender was very welcoming and answered all my questions. I know the owner Jeff, as he started out selling hot dogs at local wineries. He told me, "I never really wanted to open a restaurant, but I needed a bigger kitchen for my catering business." I can't wait to go back for lunch next week to try the BLLT Bacon, lettus, lox, and tomatoes. Should be great with a "Little Sumpin" from Laugnitas. Kenwood thanks you for having a new place to hang out with good friends over a great selection of brews! Good luck Jeff I wish you all the success!
(5)Mike R.
Stopped in for lunch before hitting the local wineries...everything was fantastic including the service. Pork belly Mac n cheese is a must have. Fried pickles with aoli absolutely Delish!
(5)Jennifer E.
Food was mediocre, but the service was really bad. We sat outside, my husband ordered a glass of wine, only to have it attacked by flies seconds later. Two landed in the glass, glass of wine ruined. Waitress never offered a replacement, nor asked if we wanted to buy another glass. We thought she might comp the glass of wine on the bill, but no, we paid $8 for a sip of wine.
(1)Stacy H.
Great beer list and even menu items change on a regular basis. I love keeping things fresh. It's the place to be for happy hour and locals are still recognized. Love the atmosphere.
(5)Kimberly K.
Casual atmosphere. Excellent food. Good craft beer and wine menu. We had the Wedge salad, ribs and fries and Chickenn sandwich. All food was expertly prepared. My husbands fries were cooked crispy and not dark or burned (it has been years since he found a place that cooked fries to his liking). The chicken sandwich was very tasty and the homemade chips were fantastic. Ribs were very meaty and the cole slaw very fresh with light dressing. Wedge salad was enough to split. We will be back for Sangria Sunday! Housemade sangria...12-3 on Sundays with music. Can't wait. What a gem to have in Kenwood!
(5)D C.
Had dinner with a group before an event....restaurant was not crowded and service was very slow. The food was excellent and menu was great. A bit pricey- $11/glass of wine and $15/shrimp sandwich.
(4)Margaret M.
Wowza! This is an amazeballs place to enjoy a lunch with friends. We landed here after a big bike ride and loved sitting outside on patio (with fantastic available shade if the sun gets too intense). Food is delicious - simple names and incredible ingredients.....My beer drinking buddies loved the tasty options on tap....Attentive and friendly owner/chefs = how refreshing!
(5)Becky C.
I must say I'm laughing to myself about some of these negative reviews. Do these folks eat anywhere outside of Kenwood? There are plenty of Star and Denny's restaurants for you to take your $10 to. Welcome to a place where they are trying to shake things up and bring "Sonoma county" to an area that needs it! Loved the fish and fries. My friends loved the BLLT and hamburger, and the chipotle ramaloude is perfect! The staff is super friendly and their menu is locally supported and they use what's in season. I certainly hope that once the negative Nellies clear out, that there's enough room for the people who want to try something different in a fun and very friendly environment. Give this place a chance and support local businesses that buy local.
(4)Julie V.
One star for good beer choices--that's about it! We spent $125.00 For 4 people and left to go eat somewhere else!! The food was HORRIBLE! From the worst calamari we've EVER had--chewy, tasteless--to disgusting fish and chips--looked like greasy fried balls of mushy white fish with absolutely NO TASTE! The portions are so small for the price point! Hamburger bun was extremely dry and old. Fries were good and as others have said, the ketchup is great--but we would not return for great ketchup only!
(1)Adam E.
Great place, great food, great atmosphere. Good list of local wines. Owners are usually there and are very friendly. Would recommend this place to everyone. I had the shrimp salad sandwich and it was delicious.
(5)Bianca N.
this place is still a pathetic joke.
(1)Courtney K.
Excellent selection of craft beers, interesting menu, and they are actually open past 8 p.m.! This place is only going to keep getting better! The staff and owners are awesome people and really make it that much more of a fun experience. A great neighborhood spot.
(5)Justine D.
Found this place randomly while wine tasting in Sonoma - delicious food. The fried pickles were amazing and the Kenwood burger hit the spot. Also serves local wines and beer.
(5)Danielle C.
Local with a great atmosphere. This place is fabulous. I ordered the veggie risotto-out of this world. Highly recommend this place. The wine list is also great, full of local wines. Owners are also very involved, making sure their customers are satisfied. Easily 5 stars.
(5)Kirsten W.
Great find! Watched the Kings hockey game here on June 4, 2014, as we were recommended by one of the wineries we are members at. Food was great. Much better than bar food. The wings were awesome, the portobello pizza was perfect and the burger was flavorful and filling. Great beer and wine selection, lots of local products. A must in this area. I had a beer sampler for $10, great way to try a variety of them. I probably could've eaten the wings and Porto pizza all night! Great hospitality too! We will be back.
(5)Jake T.
Amazing beer list and great food. Must hit if you are a local or just driving through.
(5)Rachel P.
After reading some of the stellar reviews of Palooza Gastropub I decided to take my friend who was in from San Diego for dinner. I knew going into it that the prices were a pinch high but I was not concearned because the reviews were good enough and I am not opposed to spending a little more for good quality. However, I wish I would have saved my money and gone to a place where I knew I would be getting what I paid for. We split 4 items: ribs (VERY DRY and the BBQ sauce that is raved about by some yelpers was to me very mediocre - I've had better from a bottle) Chicago dog (I should have known not to order a hot dog but against my judgment we ordered it and well, I have had better at my kids school fair) Caesar Salad ( bottled Johnny's Great Caesar Salad dressing - I would think it would be homemade from a place that boasts about FRESH food - but it is not) and finally Spinach Artichoke Dip ( $13.00 ... yes thirteen dollars! For 13.00 I would expct some amazing dip but for that I got something we did not even finish - it had an odd flavor - like a lemon(ish) tart awkward after taste?) Ok yes, the location is fun (If you are out wine tasting or on a date an looking to be out of the city) but that is all it has going for it. The decor is what you would expect for wine country (you guessed it wine bottles) Sadly another fail buy a restauranture who in my opion will flush out like so many of the other cookie cutter places that pop up in Sonoma County thinking they are doing something ground breaking, but in reality it has been done by so many before him/her.
(1)john b.
It seems a tad unfair to review a place that's only been open a week, but we stopped in for a little gastropub light dining. We only had a few things. Personally, I love calamari but I like it sautéed or lightly fried, but if you prefer it coated in cornmeal and fried big time, you will definitely like their version. The Kale salad was good but sparse on ingredients. The beef cheek sliders were a great touch and fantastic. The Hibiscus Ketchup is delightful. Plenty of local wines and in keeping with what makes a pub, the array of beers on tap is a winner. I think the kitchen has real potential but I would say that the prices seem high for pub, tapas or shared menu items. At this point the Heritage House in Santa Rosa delivers a better value. The burger seemed particularly high given what is out there. The ambiance at Palooza is fine altho I like my bar lighting a bit softer. A lot of light wood and corrugated metal accents. There are a few low tables and high round ones. They are ambitious and have big plans for events. Well worth keeping an eye on.
(3)Bruce E.
I also have to wonder about the negative reviews. Why pass over the GREAT beer and wine selections when you should start with that? I've been twice and loved the additions the second time I got there. The staff is knowledgeable and pointed me to a great pairing with my burger. That's 2-3 stars right off the bat. I've enjoyed the calamari during each visit and can recommend the Snake River burger and fish and chips. Both were tasty and well prepared - no need to smother this stuff with sauces and fancy toppings. They start with quality beef and fish, which is what you really want. Pass on the hop and barley ice cream - it didn't work for my and I'd just as soon have another beer. Kenwood is lucky to have this place and I look forward to an expanded menu.
(4)Virgil W.
I have been here twice and love it. The food is unique and inventive. They make their own hibiscus ketchup and have this slice of bone with marrow that my man loved and my dogs later for the bone. I didn't like the bun that much on my burger though but a huge piece of meat inside! They have this huge chalkboard beer pub menu and pair the food with it with great prices. Wonderful fun selections. For people that are sick of wine, this is a good change. They said they are changing their menu and adding a bunch more affordable food for non tourists such as their awesome Chicago hotdog that I used to get from the hot dog cart. The owner came over and we got to tell our opinion and they were all ears and want to make it a place for locals. I will be back again!
(5)Paul L.
what? a gastropub in Kenwood? with 16 beers on tap (including the Rogue 7 Hop IPA)? and HD t.v. with sports? and a compelling menu? and open seven days a week, until 10:00 pm? and an outdoor seating area where i can enjoy the beer & food? all of the above. count me in.
(5)Donna Y.
Had a great lunch. Also took home the deconstructed cheesecake. Yummy! Thanks Jeff the hamburgers were great. Recommend the blue cheese & bacon burger.
(5)J. G.
Group of 3, got truffle fries (amazing) to share, fish tacos, and a chili cheese dog. All amazing! And for desert, freshly baked cookie with ice cream. Super fun and cute place. Delicious food! Would come again in a heartbeat!
(5)Susan R.
We are locals and this is our favorite place in town. The pulled pork sliders are amazing. The wedge salad is great too. My husband always gets the burger - the regular one. The owners and staff are very nice and accommodating. If you want something a little different, just ask.
(5)Karen B.
I went to Palooza for lunch with some old friends. Great atmosphere, talked to the owners they have so many ideas for the menu. Amazing Beer collection. We ordered the wedge salad, great... amazing dressing. Their version of the BLT, it had locks and a cream cheese mayo. Sounded strange at first but it delish! We also shared their fish and chips. Fish had a bit of a bite to it that I really liked, not your run of the mill fried fish. Loved their home made Hibiscus ketch up. All in all a great lunch. Keep your eyes pealed for it, flying down the Sonoma Hwy it's easy to miss.
(4)Annette M.
Love what they have done for the town of kenwood ! I wonderful place to enjoy a beer 16 on tap cool!!!!! Food is amazing and the staff is well totally cool! Love them love palooza! Best hang out in town.
(5)Margaret B.
Fantastic!!!!! Dog friendly patio!!!!! YESSSSSS! Wonderful food! We had fish and chips, wedge salad, pork sliders---we all shared and all loved it! The chips are so crunchy good. Sons loved the beer and wine choices. We loved the relaxed atmosphere out on the patio, the pretty view of the hills, the super friendly service, and the choice of music they were playing---loved it so much! We will return MANY times!
(5)Jack S.
great neighborhood "gastropub." yummy reubens, burgers and fish n chips. tasty salads. wide selection of brews and local wines. friendly staff in a warm and casual atmosphere. live music on fridays. one of our favorites.
(4)Ashley R.
Palooza catered at Nakedwines.com in Kenwood a couple Saturdays ago and I was so impressed with their bbq! The ribs and chicken were delicious and I don't really gravitate towards meat. You know how some ribs are just covered in bbq sauce and that's all you taste? Not these ones.
(5)William M.
Love the new place, awesome staff and food. Its great to have a new place in Kenwood that's open on Mondays and open later!
(5)Candace G.
This place is the newest, greatest thing to come to Kenwood. I love the service, the food, and the ambiance. Palooza is a perfect place to enjoy good company and experience a thoughtful and creative menu. I have been here 4 times already. I have enjoyed every dish so far. I've ordered the calamari 3 times and it has been great all 3 times. The beef cheek sliders are a neat dish among many others. The kale salad is excellent, so good that I felt guilty that not everyone at the table had one. The wedge salad had a great dressing and presentation. The Niman Ranch vegetarian fed, antibiotic and hormone free burger was perfect. Tasty in every bite. I can't believe I'm the first to mention the awesome S'mores on a Stick dessert which everyone should try and the very fun, somewhat potent hops ice cream dessert. Palooza's menu choices compliment the setting here so well. Palooza is a great restaurant to share with friends, family or a special date. I am so happy to have Palooza here in Kenwood. I just hope the next time I come here there is a table open for us. I see this place rockin' all of the time. Come check it out for yourself. You will be happy you did!
(5)