The big news here…the biggest vote-getter in the reader-generated votes for Top Restaurants 2009 was “other.” That tells me there are a whole lot of restaurants out there that folks have personal affection for. I’ve added many of those you’ve requested, though adding them all proves almost impossible.
Voting will continue, but as of August 8, 2009 with more than 21,000 votes, here are the standings.
Other answer… 1844 9%
Osake (Santa Rosa) 1001 5%
Girl and the Fig (Sonoma) 782 4%
Willi’s Wine Bar (Santa Rosa) 638 3%
Cyrus (Healdsburg) 629 3%
Underwood Bar & Bistro (Graton) 597 3%
Willi’s Seafood & Raw Bar (Healdsburg) 568 3%
Rosso Pizzeria (Santa Rosa) 557 3%
John Ash & Co. (Santa Rosa) 537 3%
Farmhouse Inn (Forestville) 533 2%
La Gare (Santa Rosa) 500 2%
Syrah (Santa Rosa) 456 2%
Zin (Healdsburg) 447 2%
Sugo Trattoria (Petaluma) 436 2%
Zazu (Santa Rosa) 436 2%
Cucina Paradiso (Petaluma) 422 2%
Madrona Manor (Healdsburg) 410 2%
Sea Thai Bistro (Santa Rosa/Petaluma) 409 2%
Ume (Windsor) 395 2%
Mirepoix (Windsor) 392 2%
Ravenous (Healdsburg) 386 2%
Monti’s (Santa Rosa) 367 2%
Dry Creek Kitchen (Healdsburg) 363 2%
Santi (Geyserville) 359 2%
Cafe Citti (Kenwood) 325 2%
Stark’s Steakhouse (Santa Rosa) 306 1%
Applewood Inn (Guerneville) 292 1%
Ca’Bianca (Santa Rosa) 282 1%
Chloe’s French Cafe (Santa Roa) 282 1%
Central Market (Petaluma) 274 1%
Bistro Des Copains (Occidental) 264 1%
Mosaic (Forestville) 263 1%
Fig Cafe (Glen Ellen) 259 1%
Estate (Sonoma) 259 1%
Lococo’s (Santa Rosa) 254 1%
Scopa (Healdsburg) 246 1%
Bistro29 (Santa Rosa) 219 1%
Cafe Saint Rose (Sebastopol) 216 1%
Bistro Ralph (Healdsburg) 215 1%
Cafe La Haye (Sonoma) 204 1%
Charcuterie (Healdsburg) 204 1%
El Dorado Kitchen (Sonoma) 200 1%
Barndiva (Healdsburg) 196 1%
Diavola (Geyserville) 179 1%
Flavor Bistro (Santa Rosa) 170 1%
Bruno’s on Fourth (Santa Rosa) 159 1%
Restaurant Eloise (Sebastopol) 158 1%
Rocker Oysterfeller’s (Valley Ford) 155 1%
Sassafrass (Santa Rosa) 138 1%
La Salette (Sonoma) 134 1%
Glen Ellen Inn (Glen Ellen) 133 1% &nb
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French Garden (Sebastopol) 129 1%
Starlight Wine Bar (Sebastopol) 122 1%
Della Santina (Sonoma) 120 1%
Hana Japanese 118 1%
Saddles/MacArther Place (Sonoma) 113 1%
Josef’s (Santa Rosa) 112 1%
Cafe Europe (Santa Rosa) 102 0%
Harvest Moon Cafe (Sonoma) 98 0%
Cena Luna (Healdsburg) 96 0%
Manzanita (Healdsburg) 95 0%
Red Grape Pizza (Sonoma) 94 0%
Gohan Sushi (Petaluma) 89 0%
Riviera Ristaurante (Santa Rosa) 82 0%
The Duck Club (Bodega Bay) 81 0%
Doce Lunas (Kenwood) 78 0%
Peter Lowell’s (Sebastopol) 76 0%
Le Bistro (Petaluma) 71 0%
Nonni’s Ristaurante Italiano (SR) 68 0%
Bluegrass BBQ (Glen Ellen) 49 0%
Saffron (Glen Ellen) 47 0%
Carneros Bistro (Sonoma) 46 0%
Terrapin Creek (Bodega Bay) 42 0%
Sante-Sonoma Mission Inn 14 0%
Uh, it did on my editorial list.
Again, this is just a popular vote.
I still can’t believe K & L Bistro in Sebastopol didn’t make the cut
My choice is Mi Burrito by the Airport Cinema. Terrific shrimp burritos.
Can’t find where to comment on your blog anymore.
Just wanted to say……how can ANYONE SAY that the RED ROSE CAFE is worth going to?????
The food is TERRIBLE!!! Can’t say it enough. Terrible service….terrible food. The fried chicken wasn’t as good as KFC.
Thank you for letting me vent.
Wondering if theGreenGrocer is in the other category? Would anyone else like a pannini right now? Maybe some CK Lamb Chops with Fava Puree for just $18!
Pretty shocked how many people aren’t aware of the amazing things happening at Barndiva. OH well, more for me!
What strange responses to this post! Why on earth would anyone accuse your poll of being ballot-stuffed when the results are all over the place? If it were, wouldn’t there be a well defined winner instead of a very shallow slope of votes spanning the list (with “other” receiving the most votes!) I actually think the spread of the poll itself speaks wonderfully of the diverse selection of great restaurants we have here in SoCo. Also, to address the food comment above, great food should be the first on the list when considering a “best restaurant”, but remember there are many other qualities that go into the decision. (Ooh and now we can subscribe to comments, cool!)
You will be assimilated. Now go play nice with the rest of the Borg.
The only shame here, darling, is in your lack of creativity in the verbal abuse department. I expect so much more.
I think that this has got to be the most ridiculous list….EVER. Not only was your ballot stuffing list laughable…your ‘editorial’ list makes me think you know nothing about food and only mention those restaurants that scratch your back. Shame on you and shame on your ‘list’…complete garbage and you know it….but you’ll probably delete my right to this comment because you ‘control’ what you want us to read.
It is obvious no one who voted has ever been to Jack & Tony’s in Santa Rosa. I have eaten at those others and would prefer this place for food, price and service!! Check it out!!
I think most of your list is spot on. I’ve had a list on my fridge for years and update it occassionally. The constuctive comment I would supply is please include price range with these. No need to group them by price – just give us an idea before we go.
I read your blog all the time and Benjamin Backman should consider doing the same.
In an area known for its restaurants and cuisine, I am thankful that we have somebody like you to keep a finger on the pulse of the scene and put it out there for us to *consume*
Wow. Hi angry people.
This is the popular vote. I frankly find it fascinating, but yes…very strange in many ways. As I’ve mentioned too many times to count, this is a poll created by Poll Daddy.com which does have a number of safety precautions for ballot stuffing but is clearly not foolproof.
Which is why I created my own EDITORIAL list of restaurants that has absolutely nothing to do with this poll…which by the way was for fun.
Thanks for your constructive comments.
This list is completely inane and meaningless.
Obviously, quality of food isn’t being considered by the voters. Osake at top? Above Hana? Seriously?! Farmhouse Inn beneath Osake(!!!), Willie’s(!!!) and Girl and the Fig (!!!!!). LaGare in the Top Ten? THREE mediocre restaurants above Cyrus?!
I guess you’ve proven that Ballot Stuffing is Live and Well in Santa Rosa.
And, wow, you’ve made Zagat’s numbers look good; anything is better compared to your numbers above.
……. How in the hell, can your list mean ANYTHING! to anyone, Looking at the numbers (your numbers) can we think you have a rats ass, of knowing what the hell your talking about !! ….. Just maybe you should write about sports! …. I`ve been to Eloise …….. Please explain why anyone should read and listen to you ….. this is a very fair question ….. please reply….. thank-you