The Front Room — Restaurant in California

I met a friend at the Front Room at John Ash for early Happy Hour last Wednesday. I hadn't been there since it was purchased by Jackson Family wines. The Happy Hour menu is much more limited than in past years, and no longer a real bargain.

I ordered ordered a gin and tonic, and at $10 was nice and refreshing. I also ordered the truffle parmesean fries and the street fish tacos (3).

There was tons of grated parmesean with the fries but there was no cheese on the fries. None of the parmesean would stick to the fries as it was grated too large. Also, truffle seemed to be missing as I could find no trace of truffle "taste". The fries were cooked just right, though $12 for Happy Hour fries just doesn't seem right, especially since there didn't seem to be any truffle anywhere.

The Street Fish Tacos were a huge disappointment. There was no discernable flavor. No real flavor anywhere: the fish, the crema, the lime slaw, the tortillas. Bland. And if there was pico de gallo anywhere I sure missed it. Three very small tasteless street tacos were $16. They used to be my favorite. Not anymore.

Our server, Monica, was superb! She was attentive without being invasive. Monica was very professional, informative and welcoming. She exhibited a delightful sense of humor and sweet personality. Definitely a four-star employee!

I understand the new owners will soon be reimagining their menus. I'm looking forward to trying the Front Room (or whatever they might decide to call it) again in the...

This is the front bar at the delicious John Ash & Sons restaurant located at Vintner's Inn. It is a warm and cozy bar that serves the amazing food from John Ash. I've never been disappointed by the food or service here although occasionally the cocktails could be more upscale in flavors. But don't worry, there is a huge wine selection and being in Sonoma, you know you can't go wrong with that!

I would suggest you not sit at the table right in front of the fireplace as tempting as that may sound to do. There are a couple of recessed lights that some directly into your faces at that table, so best to tuck away on either side, and soak in the ambiance from an angle. This place is full lot ambiance that just melts away all the outside strife.

Enjoy a whiskey neat after a decadent dinner of risotto or one of their other incredible dishes and just bask in the comfortable big cushy seats and you laugh your evening away with friends or just repose solo in your own thoughts.

It's a beautiful place that will keep you coming back...

Great little casual bar and lower key dining option at the beautiful Vintners Inn. The bar is dark and very lounge like but beautiful and they have a front room which offers beautiful views of the gorgeous grounds. They offer a well rounded bar menu with several wonderful small plate options. We are there twice during our stay and the fish tacos were a standout. The burrata was good, but the bread came overly grilled and buttered and was very greasy. The atmosphere is wonderful in there and the wine options were great. The service was friendly, but definitely lacking when it stands up to other dining options in...