Blue Heron Restaurant and Tavern — Restaurant in Guerneville

I've had a love affair with the Blue since its inception, and I haven’t always been drawn to it but the last few years, under the guidance of Tom O'Brien it’s morphed into a total delight - almost a sanctuary, a friendly roadhouse full of loving, albeit noisy people who all seem to be related to one another. Moonlight travelers who drop in are soon adopted by the attendant family and before long, feel at home. There are dinner specials on some nights, $10 Lasagne, $11 Meatloaf Dinners. And beyond the bar is an expansive and comfy wood-accented dining room. But what I like best is the live music. Usually four or five days a week local virtuosos drop by and thrill the room. These are often well-known musicians who know half the people in the room and it’s always free. In the warm seasons, there’s live music on the outdoor stage, beyond the dance floor which borders a patio with shade umbrellas and several long wooden tables. It’s a country roadhouse fantasy, beer and oysters on the outdoor grill, table service against a backdrop of green hills and cooled by its nearness to the coast. Family-friendly, casual and a very familial atmosphere. The staff and owner Tom O’Brien are friendly, helpful and focused. There are more good qualities but you may choose to discover...

We were having trouble finding a place to eat in Occidental. My family goes to the Blue Heron a couple times a year, and it is one of my favorite places around the Russian River. So I called the Blue Heron to see if they had table service and dining inside and to see when they closed. The woman said yes about my inquiries,, and as long as we got there by 8, they would serve us. So we left occidental at 715 and got there about 735. They were very crowded outside and at the bar, there was only one table with people at it nside. We waited about 10 minutes before we were helped. A woman said she could only seat us outside, I told her I had called and was told otherwise. A guy came up to us he said "Oh the kitchen is done." I told him I called and talked to someone before we spent 20 minutes coming out. He said well we are too busy to answer the phone. Like I was making it up. The chick said she could serve us outside. We walk outside, and there are people at every table. She tells us we can sit at this table or that, with strangers...We left. I was super disappointed with...

I really love this restaurant. The location, first of all, is so charming. Duncan Mills is a quaint little hamlet nestled in the hills amidst tiny dairy farms. The restaurant overlooks the Russian River (I think; I've only been there at night). Anyhow, it is a pleasant interior, with a perfect ambiance balance between romantic and casual. There is a bar attached to the restaurant from which live music is heard, which is sometimes good and other times bad. Now the food, at last: I have only gotten the fish and chips here, and it was by far the best fish and chips I have ever had! I imagine it's what you would get from the best places in London, even. The fries are very good, but the fish is of course what people order, and it is what's most impressive. So crisp and juicy, and not overly oily. It was just delectable both times for me. Don't go in expecting to be charioted away to heaven as you bite into it, though. You must bring in with you "the purple light" *, and then the food will be all the more transporting. As Charlotte said of her sister...