Redwood Cafe cotati — Restaurant in Cotati

I have spent hundreds if not thousands of dollars at this restaurant over the last 10 year, introducing my friends and family. Today was the last time I will set foot in the restaurant. I called to see if they had heaters and was told yes. It was a cold drizzly day but it was Valentine's and we are trying to support the local restaurants. There are two stationary small fireplaces in the back that provide heat to the people sitting at that end of two tables only. I ordered French Toast and a bowl of oatmeal. Twenty minutes later, after seeing large families that sat down after us be served their food, I went in to inquire about our order 91 and was told it was on its way. Another ten minutes goes by with not food (30 minutes from order point) so I go back in and ask for my money back - we are cold and tired of waiting - obviously our order was "misplaced". The clerk gave me my money back after consulting with the manager who was standing right there but made no effort to look at me, apologize or offer me anything else. As I went back to get my husband from the table they deceiver our food which we left. Maybe they are so busy making food to go they don't care about the customers waiting at their tables. Either way - the lack of caring or concern from management permeates all the way down the chain. Too many other restaurants right here in Petaluma that will appreciate my dollars so I won't be driving to...

Honestly, I'm not sure what Redwood Cafe is trying to be or really what I expected. Overall the restaurant is just... bland. Nothing was impressive about this place. All of it was, well, okay. Food, service, atmosphere, etc. But nothing impressed at all. Now, all of this would be okay except for a few things. Firstly, A LOT of their food comes from a sysco truck, meaning, I've seen the deliveries. A lot of it is previously frozen food you've probably eaten at other places before. Frozen sysco food is maybe Ike's Place or Papa Murphy's quality. Not quality for a place that prides itself(or so its seems) on being a down home town local diner/cafe. Overall the menu is just all over the place, far too many things. Makes me a little suspicious. I ate a chicken wrap with a cup of coffee. Totally... alright but the 'reputation' of this place combined with everything else I mention in the review just doesn't make me want to return. Overall, it strikes me as a place kept afloat by slightly expensive prices combined with a local 'reputation' and oddly loyal customers because its the local place. Seems to me a place visitors would suggest to try because it looks attractive to which I'd tell them the opposite and to avoid it. If you really want to go, go. And I'm sure the locals will disagree with me for the most part. But, I guess, don't say I didn't warn you.

Like Omelette...

Honestly probably not worthy of a true 1 star but the service was so bad I had to write something. My family reserved a table several days in advance for a table Friday evening (not necessary) for 6:30 and weren't told there would be a show or any special pricing.

Bouncer shows up and lets us know (half hour-45 min before the show) that it's $10 cover and that our party of 6 was in a popular spot. We offered to contribute $20 for the table even though we were there to dine and not listen to the band. "Oh I don't want to take your money." Figured that's that.

He lets us know again when the band started playing early (7:15 we were told it started at 7:30) that we should hurry up because they want to seat here. AGAIN, we were told leave at 7:30 because they wanted to seat. So in total we were approached 3 times within 40 minutes and we had the table for an hour.

Realize, there was NO LINE outside and no parties waiting to be seated. I don't know what their deal was. Maybe it's par for the course for Cotati.

Food was decent but as greasy as you'd expect from a place like this. Can't believe we were rushed when surrounded by empty tables, bouncer was clearly not a service guy and had no business...