Applewood InnSuperbA wonderful experience all around. Great food, service and ambience.5/15/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food! The amuse withGreat food! The amuse with mushroom and crab was astounding - the best amuse I have had anywhere.The oysters were presented excellently as well.The entrees were great.The staff at all levels were engaging and friendly.Great job!5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMPoor valueVery small entre portions for the price charged, especially the black cod at $34.00. Coffee was $5.00 for one small cup (served in an individual container, but the beverage hardly filled the coffee cup). Herbal tea was also $5.00, served in a larger tea pot. The weekly Sunday price fixe menu had a few strange combinations of salad items for the first course; the entre was good, and the dessert was adequate. Service was very elegant and food was graciously presented. Parking is very limited.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfect in every wayApplewood Inn is a charming, hidden gem. You will miss it if you're not using a GPS, but well worth the adventure finding it. Amazing food, service and views. A perfect way to end a long day of river rafting on the Russian River, followed by wine tasting.5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMGood food and wine listA foodie place in the middle of nowhere. Definitely a good place to stay and eat.5/1/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had a wonderful experience.We had a wonderful experience. Great service, really delicious cuisine. The food was simple with complex taste. It was great to have a table in a private area for this event.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMProbably the best meal thatProbably the best meal that I and my wife have eaten since we moved to the bay area in 1979. Better than the French Laundry, Chez Panisse and Cyrus.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMSecond time we have been there.Second time we have been there. Two of the best meals I have ever had. Outstanding4/24/2013 12:00:00 AMThis was the best dinner we'veThis was the best dinner we've had in 20+ years! Service was impeccable. The food is beautifully presented and prepared with the best ingredients. A true gem in West County!4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMAWESOMEI think this was one of the most amazing dinning experiences I have ever had. Our waiter was BEYOND knowledgeable about both the menu and the wine list. WELL worth the money since it is a little spendy but I would so go back!4/18/2013 12:00:00 AMThe only reason why I am notThe only reason why I am not giving five stars for everything for this place is because the server and cooks did not know that farro has gluten in it.I have Celiac Disease, let the wait staff know this, and the server ensured me that the main course I ordered was gluten free and even said he asked the chefs to make sure. However, when I got my meal there was a huge pile of farro- a grain that is definitely not okay for me to eat. Everything else was perfect though. They gave us these delicious olives instead of their usual bread and were otherwise very helpful and accommodating. Their scallop appetizer was one of the best things I've ever tasted and the espresso gelato was awesome. My fiancé was equally impressed!4/12/2013 12:00:00 AMA Place to Return to!This restaurant is absolutely amazing! For the price and location I wouldn't recommend anywhere else. I would highly recommend staying at the Inn as well! The food in the morning for breakfast was amazing as well!
For starters we had the scallops (potatoes, uni and scallop) and Crispy Pork Belly which were both a wonderful blend of flavors and perfect size portions. For dinner we had the Cocoa Nib Crusted Rack of Lamb and the Miso Glazed California Black Cod, Crispy Black Trumpet Mushrooms. Both were perfectly cooked to order, were a nice portion size and were amazing in flavor! I will be coming back!4/11/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat night ouThe food and service were excellent. When your food was presented each item on the plate was explained. very comfortable surroundings.4/10/2013 12:00:00 AMArtful & delicious ApplewoodDelicious scallop appetizer, desserts are works of art,
Amazing rack of lamb & beef tenderloin. Pricey, but wonderful for
special occasion or for those who regularly spend $200/couple.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had an absolutely outstandingWe had an absolutely outstanding meal at the Applewood Inn. The food was some of the best I've had and our waiter Joe (and all the staff) were at the top of their game! I would definitely eat here again for the food and the "gem" experience. It is too bad it is off the beaten path, a bit tricky to find. Also, the parking is a bit of a bear, but it is all worth the wonderful food and experience.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMExceptional Meal-Nice SettingThis was our first visit and we opted for the Prix Fix menu. While some items on the menu would not have been something we would have selected on our own, the presentation and flavors were exceptional! The staff is attentive and professional. When our "medium-rare" meat came out too "rare" they immediately took it back to the kitchen and quickly came back with it done to our liking. The location and buildings (it has lodging too) are lovely, and while the restaurant is a tad formal the food is definitely worth having to dress up a bit more than usual.3/24/2013 12:00:00 AMThis was a wonderful restaurantThis was a wonderful restaurant ... from the time we spoke with a sweet lady by the name of Sandy through the dinner experience. It can't be better than this. The location was ideal, even though we had to drive close to 2 hours to get there, it was worth the trip. Sandy even came to our table to say hi.
The food was superb, basic yet presented so appetizingly. I had the signature dish, lamb chops and my husband had the halibut. We gave each other a taste and both entrees were excellent.
If this restaurant were in our neighborhood, we would go there more often, but since this is somewhat of a 'destination' place, perhaps a couple of times a year would be great to go and enjoy the delicious food and explore the Russian River area3/21/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had a lovely dining experience.We had a lovely dining experience. The waiter was very knowledgeabke and made it clear that the kitchen would accomodate any food issues we had. The food was very good. The setting is romantic. We also ate dinner there which was wonderful as well.3/20/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent food, although choicesExcellent food, although choices are limited: 1 beef, 1 lamb, 1 vegetarian, 2 fish. Some of the starters sound like they might work as smaller entrees. My beef tenderloin was heavenly.3/20/2013 12:00:00 AMCulinary gem hidden in the redwoodsThis was a real find. From the moment you enter the restaurant, the staff is attentive, knowlegeable, professional, and skilled beyond belief. The chef deserves more than one Michelin star. Don't miss this place if in Sonoma County!3/17/2013 12:00:00 AMBetter than the French LaundryI work in the wine industry and have been lucky enough to est at some of the best the Bay Area has to offer including the French Laundry, Meadowood, Chez Panisse and others of that caliber. I would have to say that Applewood Inn is right up there with the best dining in Northern California. If this is what a typical "One Star" Michelin restaurant is, then I need to dine at more of them. It was simply superb. Great food and service. A fairly compact menu and wine list, but very well put together with a range of dishes. The wine list was outstanding. Not too big, but it again had a range of styles and price points made all the more impressive by the emphasis on local wineries.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMJust great. A wonderful northernJust great. A wonderful northern California restaurant among the Redwoods.3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMWe tried the tasting menuWe tried the tasting menu and although the food was good, it wasn't great nor was it memorable. Should has just ordered the appetizer and main course.3/14/2013 12:00:00 AMRun, don't walk to this exceptionalRun, don't walk to this exceptional restaurant. Everything was so perfect. Nothing negative to report. This was our second trip here and we hope to always make this our special occasion place to go.3/9/2013 12:00:00 AM