Described by the Chef as “Wine Country Eats”, as a girl who eats in wine country quite often, I would agree. I’ve visited Jackson’s Bar & Oven in Santa Rosa a few times prior to this visit for cocktails and sipped a lovely rose water based drink to remember.
The bartender at the Bar crafted seasonal and unique cocktails for an ever changing list of popular drinks and favorites of the Santa Rosa restaurant locals.
This visit we arrived at Happy Hour around 3 in perfect weather and choose a table with a nice window view of the cherry blossoms outside. The bar features floor to ceiling windows giving an open feeling to guests.
The high ceilings and colorful decor with the open style kitchen and fire brick pizza oven really add to the ambiance. We came at the right time because as I remember before, this place gets quite packed, standing room only in the evenings.
The restaurant in the back features two stories and a more intimate dining experience then the lively lounge area.
We decided we were hungry and ordered from the Happy hour menu due to the awesome selection of goodies and might I add, at a great price. Wine choice first.T
The restaurant had an impressive wine list at Jackson’s featuring local high end hard to find bottle faves like Kosta Browne, Papapietro Perry, Macphail & Trione (all local to Sonoma) but also featured a nice list by the glass as well.
I ordered the Gary Farrell Pinot Noir, Alex had a local beer and Aaron ordered a vodka press. This afternoon we were meeting with Aaron and Alex. Alex was one of the first people I met when I moved to Santa Rosa 12 years ago. He was in 4th grade at that time and he is 21 now.
He was once of the neighborhood kids that always hung out at my house and helped my little one year old with riding her go-cart, gardening, etc and his little sister who was in Kindergarten at that time was my daughters “bestie” even with the age difference. Alex was even the one who helped me teach my kids to ride their bikes. Epic young man.
These kids have been like family ever since that time. Even though we live on other sides of the city, we always keep in touch and I am excited to attend Heather’s graduation from High School this year with excellent grades might I add, Congrats Heather!
Aaron, my ex-husband, hadn’t seen Alex in over 3 years so I arranged a lunch to have these two catch up since I always chat with Alex. Fun times at Jackson’s and the two boys took off for Graton Casino after the restaurant. I also sipped on a glass of La Crema Pinot Noir after my glass of Gary Farrell. After a long week of work, I went home to rest instead and hang with my girls. Good to reunite the boys and I’m looking forward to having Alex over on Sunday for dinner.
Josh Silvers is the Chef Owner of Jackson’s Bar & Oven and Petite Syrah (formerly Syrah Bistro) in Santa Rosa. The menu follows a more modern way of dining. It features small to mid-sized composed plates ranging from about $5 to $16.
Jackson’s calls it seasonal urban wine country cuisine. The restaurant itself is centered around a wood fired oven with cool cocktails to match some all American favorites with the unique Silvers’ twist.
Our food choices included:
- BBQ Oysters Fire Baked
- Margherita Fire Baked Pizza
- Salmon Spicy Fish Tacos
- Truffle Fries w/ Aoili
- Fried Chicken Wings w/ Buffalo Sauce & Blue Cheese
As you may notice from the photos, the food was yummy. And that was an understatement.
Not only did it all arrive tapas style in perfect succession, it arrived quickly even though they had several people in the restaurant. Lovely plating and presentation.
The service style with several people attending to our table providing forks, accessories and plates was also well coordinated for a bar lounge at happy hour. I am hard to impress and I was very much enjoying myself and the kind staff.
The oysters were my overall fave, nothing new. I am an oyster fan folks. But I also really enjoyed the fish tacos with just the right amount of spice and a nice bite from the red onions. Fierce wine list as well. And yummy seasonal cocktails.
I would recommend this spot, but most folks who live locally would already have visited more than once. I believe I met the Chef and his lovely wife once when I was at a Kachina Winery tasting during Wineland this past year – Raising my glass to Jackson’s Bar & Oven in Santa Rosa, California and a lovely dining experience.
*Clink *Clink
Cheers until the next
Jackson’s Bar & Oven – Sonoma County Restaurant
135 4th St, Santa Rosa, CA 95401
(707) 545-6900