The Bull Valley RoadhouseDelicious!The food is amazingly delicious; the BEST Ceasar I have ever had. My southern born and raised husband is tough to please with fried chicken, yet adored it here. The rib eye was tasty, too!
A few things to consider...no salt or pepper on the table (although my husband did not even need it OR Tabasco-high praise!), we needed to ask for a second round of drinks, and the whipped cream on dessert was whipped without sweetener and was close to tasting of butter(the children did not care for it and would have preferred vanilla ice cream on the cobbler).
Although it is a stitch pricy, my husband and I left already thinking about what we will order the next time we come here!5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMThis place rocks!This is a place that is so beautifully renovated ad has great ambience. We sat outside on the patio and was very cozy. However, you can relax here while dining on 4 star food. Loved some of the new items: avocado on toast appetizer and the ceviche.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMA fine dining experienceWe went to the restaurant for my wife's birthday. I couldn't really find one negative thing to say about our experience at the restaurant. The interior has some great antique furniture pieces along with some more subdued modern art pieces. The bar is beautiful, my cocktail was a delight. Our server told us portions are large. This was true. Our mussels came heaped in a huge bowl topped with French fries and aioli. We then had the rack of lamb. The meat was cooked a wonderful medium rare. The only thing I wanted but couldn't find was a nice hoppy beer on tap. But, perhaps you shouldn't be able to have everything you want at a great restaurant. I give it five stars.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMMussels to Die for...This is a great place! Love the energy, the staff, the food, everything about it. Had our second dinner there on Saturday night. The stand out for me was the mussels topped with a stack of French fries and a dollop of aioli. I've eaten a lot of mussels in my day and these have to be the best. The other stand out was the fried chicken. Tender, juicy, all that you'd want. Dessert was a peach cobbler. Y.U.M. Do your self a favor and zip on over to Port Costa for a fun evening. And if you spend the night, you can treat your self to the uber cool coffee house at the Burlington Hotel. They only serve coffee, tea, honey pound cake, sweet cornbread like you've never tasted before and bacon. What's not to love?5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMbull in the valleyreally love the location. nice vibes...a bit noisy...and in my view, about 25% over priced. food is very good.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AM2nd time was as good as the firstThis was our sencond time having dinner at the Bull Valley Roadhouse. We love the family style dining expierence and would recomend that everyone give them a try.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat expectations exceededWow. The upgrade of this long standing. Restaurant , complete with new name and signage....focuses on food, Served family style
With ample portions allows for sharing and a variety of tastes. The steamed mussels with French fries was the first clue things had changed for the better. The rack of lamb was also delicious, Next time we go we are bringing friends.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMFor Mother's day, was wellFor Mother's day, was well received by the Mothers. However the noise level was too high for conversation, especially with hard of hearing members of the party.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMEXCELLENTRun do not walk to the Bull Valley Roadhouse!! Really interesting appetizers: PEI mussels, Bone Marrow Bones ... YUMMY!!
Attentive but unobtrusive service, fully knowledgeable of the menu. EXCELLENT, original cocktails (try something new, for sure)!
Probably the best Rack of Lamb ever! Go there ... you won't be disappointed.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMWe loved it!Fantastic restaurant! My husband and I were there on Valentine's Day and returned this weekend with our daughters and friends. JJ, the server remembered us and where we sat.
Bull Valley Roadhouse has great food, service and ambience. Everything we ordered was delicious. Our favorites are the fried chicken (deboned) and ribs. The drive to the darling town of Port Costa is beautiful. Take an evening, enjoy your trip to Port Costa and the Bull Valley Roadhouse.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMwonderful!I had a delightful time at the Bull Valley Inn, enjoying the food and atmosphere tremendously. Earl and Samuel are lovely and have created a gem in a location that is a bit of an adventure to get to! Port Costa has a feel of the Wild Wild West that I hope will be lovingly preserved with the success of the Inn.5/9/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat FoodA truly unique experience- making the most of well preserved building and providing wonderfully creative food. The vegetarien risotto had so much flavor The family style serving allows for easy sharing.5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMWe really enjoyed ourselvesWe really enjoyed ourselves here. It was a little loud, but we didn't mind. Service was great. Food was great. We will definitely go back.5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMOut of the way unexpected gemWho would expected such a valiant effort to make very good meal down a long winding road?. The plates are served "family style" and sharing is encouraged. We started with halibut ceviche and a large bowl of mussels. Both were crazy good.I don't take a chance on ordering either of these unless I have a strong belief they will be prepared well. We shared the fried chicken which is a leap from the appetizers but we both that it would be exceptional and it was. The wine list is quirky but chosen by someone dedicated to a very good wine at a reasonable.. The staff is exceptionally attentive and cordial. They are all helpful and cheerful. We felt like were the only two people in the restaurant.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMA flashback in timeA great spot in a gem of a town. It's a flashback in time with all the modern flair and excellent service. Well worth a trip.5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat spot!We were pleased, and it was worth the drive, We had 5 people in our party, all with differing ideas about food, and everyone found something they loved. Our only complaint was the noise level - it was hard to hear each other at the table.5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat setting, great comfort foodWonderful place to visit; just a short drive from the freeway, down a winding road to the Carquinez Strait. The atmosphere of the restaurant fits the destination exactly. It looks like it was put together from items found at the original site. The service was warm and approachable. There were a number of favorite comfort foods to choose from on the menu -- from a whole roasted branzino to fried chicken with mashed potatoes, or a lemon risotto loaded with spring vegetables, making it hard to decide. We noticed too, that you could order from the appetizer menu and leave really full without spending all that much. Desert was delicious. The bar looked like fun and the specialty cocktails reinforced the unselfconscious nostalgia of the place.5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMThis was our second visitThis was our second visit to Bull Valley Roadhouse........it was even better than the first which I thought would have been impossible! Fantastic food.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMFun place, great food. GreatFun place, great food. Great value when sharing an entree (diner is served "family style" and the entrees are big and meant to be shared). Bustling dining room, busy restaurant. What a gem of a find in this area... We live in Martinez and this place is better than anything we have in our town. We'll definitely make this a regular dining spot. We loved it.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMHands down, the best comfortHands down, the best comfort food I've ever had!The menu is served "family style" so the pricey dishes are shared. We had fried chicken, mashed potatoes & gravy, green salad,creamed spinach, and a heavenly pot-de-creme! The old building has a cozy atmosphere..a little dark and noisy. We sat at a shared table divided by flower arrangements.4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMAll very good but very noisy.All very good but very noisy. Hard to converse with companions. All food served family style.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMThis is my 6th visit to theThis is my 6th visit to the new version of the Bull Valley. Earl and Sam keep improving the menu and the dishes coming out of the kitchen are better each time. The menu changes seasonally but there are mainstays. The mussels; I love mussels anyway but these are the best I have eaten and my husband even likes them and he tends to avoid shellfish. Though all the cocktails are super good, the Bee's Knees using Earls local honey are what I turn to for a starting drink. Asparagus is in season, two dishes, appetizer salad with leeks and the risotto with pancetta are excellent ways to enjoy this vegetable. The dessert menu is getting larger as well and the pot de creme with fleur de sel is what I am currently raving about.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was excellent asThe food was excellent as was the service. Family style and definitely want to do that. Very noisy. Cannot converse with each other. Tables are close together and tables for two are very small. Pricey drinks and food, but can bring your own wine and corkage is $20, which is a great deal. Would recommend, but don't expect a quiet, relaxed dinner, do expect interesting and good food.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMIt was a hit or miss diningIt was a hit or miss dining experience with more misses than hits I'm sorry to say. I am willing to chalk it up to an off night and go back again.4/14/2013 12:00:00 AM37 years of memoriesThis was my Venue for my Wedding Reception 37 years ago. It was a fantastic day. I know it closed and reopened several times over 37 years, but it only gets better. The atmosphere was the same, a few booths missing but everything else the same. I remember my brothers band playing in the court yard in the back. We celebrated with aprox. 120 guests, the food was excellent then and it's excellent now. We highly recommend this place if you want something unique.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMFood is AWESOME, Service the BEST!This place had the most amazing food!!! I highly recommend you listen to your server on the recommended dishes for your group size. (We were 4, ordered three appetizers, three entrees and two sides, which ended up being sooooo much of the best best food). Our server JJ was absolutely phenomenal, not only was my meal one of the top three meals I have ever had (if not the top), I can easily say the JJ was the best server any of us have ever had. I would recommend coming with a larger group just so you can try more meals on the ever changing menu, but it is great for just a couple too!4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMA must try!!!!Love, love, love this place! The food was excellent! Highly recommend the mussels and fried chicken!!!! The wine list is wonderful! Great service! My new favorite place to have dinner!!!!4/12/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food and characterThe Bull Valley has always had character and the added bonus of making you feel like your much farther from civilization than you really are. The new owners have used good food and drink to bring in the customers needed to keep this great location alive and well.4/11/2013 12:00:00 AMThe atmosphere was wonderful,The atmosphere was wonderful, liked all the dark wood and old photoes. We were seated very promptly. We were the only party of two, and our table was a little small, but adequate. The restaurant is geared towards larger groups who can share entrees. We had the fish entree, the green salad, asparagus, and the chocolate caramel "pudding". All of the food was just delicious, the fish was moist and perfectly prepared. The chocolate pudding was SO good, it seemed to melt in the mouth. I will definitely return!4/7/2013 12:00:00 AMThis was my first visit toThis was my first visit to Bull Valley Roadhouse and will probably not be my last. The food was outstanding. The meals are served family style and meant to be shared. At the suggestion of the waiter we ordered 2 appetizers, 3 entrees and one side for our party of four. The ribs were fall off the bone tender and the mussels were melt in your mouth. The mussels also came with crispy fries and a garlic aioli which was to die for. The fried chicken was moist and tender with a crispy coating, served with creamy mash potatoes. The pork stew was tender and spicy served on creamy polenta. The steak was served a perfect medium rare. The macaroni and cheese was out of this world. The only complaint is that the service was slow and inattentive.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMChallenging to get to andChallenging to get to and to park on a rainy Saturday night, but eventually worth it!. I think having local wines (Sonoma / Napa) on the menu is important.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMLittle gem in a funky little townWe had a table for four and thoroughly enjoyed our visit. My husband and I have been before and we usually sit at the bar to eat. Our friends had not been there before and was amazed with the whole little town and loved the restaurant.
will definitely dine there again.3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMThe BVR was a great diningThe BVR was a great dining experience! Beautiful bar with pre-prohibition era cocktails that are made with fresh juices and honey. I recommend the Bees Knees. Using fresh regional fruits and veggies, the menu changes regularly to compliment the season. We dined family style choosing to share appitizers, maincourse, and sides. The food was amazing... our wait staff was attentive, yet not intrusive. Whether you know the staff or not, you are made to feel part of their family. The place was hopping, there wasn't an empty table in the house. Port Costa is a beautifully quaint gem of a community, off the beaten path... When making the BVR a dining destination, be sure to make a reservation in advance~3/28/2013 12:00:00 AMSaw this in Sunset MagazineSaw this in Sunset Magazine and had to make a trip. I live about 30 miles from Post Costa and its the first time I've been there in years and never to Bull Valley. Its a fantastic, quaint restaurant with outstanding food and service. Now that I've found it, I'll be sure to return often.3/28/2013 12:00:00 AMWe were there for an earlyWe were there for an early family dinner on a Saturday night. Everyone from the hostess to the servers and wait staff were wonderful and helpful. Our 9 year old granddaughter ordered something to drink that wasn't exactly what she expected and the staff made sure she got something yummy to make up for it. The food was excellent. (Don't miss the green bean appetizer and the mussels!) We ordered the lamb pasta, fried buttermilk chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy and a fish dish. Loved everything, but the fish wasn't exactly what we expected. The polenta and Mac and cheese were to die for. Great original cocktails. Save room for dessert. The room was cozy and friendly. Wonderful location. What's not to like.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMFamily style portions of delicious,Family style portions of delicious, well presented comfort food in a historic town. Excellent service, waiters understand the food and are very helpful.
The tiny town is like stepping into the 1870's...but the food is on par with the best in any big modern city.
The hugely cratered parking lot in the dark is a challenge and probably dangerous for anyone over 353/23/2013 12:00:00 AMThe best in the WestThis was by far the best restaurant my husband and I have ever been to in all of our lives. And we are big foodies. There are wonderful choices for cocktails, appetizers, main courses, sides and desserts. The idea here is to have your meal served to you family style. That way everyone can share in the nice large size servings. In fact, our server tried to convince us that we should order an appetizer, an entree, and a side to share. But we couldn't decide and we ordered two of the appetizers and two main entrees. It was all delicious and we thought that the green beans, caesar salad, the buttermilk chicken and the pork stew was the best foods we had ever ordered. The dessert menu had a great selection. We ordered two of those as wel3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food in a in a fun oldGreat food in a in a fun old time building. Out of the way location, but worth the trip. Very good cocktails.3/21/2013 12:00:00 AMFood was great, JJ - the waiterFood was great, JJ - the waiter - was a lot of fun and I like old places like this.3/17/2013 12:00:00 AMFun place with excellent food.Fun place with excellent food. Hard to get to -- way off the beaten path but worth the trip. Feels like you're back in the gold rush days.3/17/2013 12:00:00 AMA Wonderful dining experienceVery gracious staff and wonderful food. Did not rush you with the service and definitely you should arrive on time and reservations are a must. Very good bar and excellent wait staff. Will definitely good back and bring our friends. A bit noisy but otherwise an excellent dining experience.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMA very warm and pleasant establishmA very warm and pleasant establishment in a most charming little burg in the Bay Area. Excellently prepared food, good-sized portions, and a very attentive wait staff. A great destination for a weekend afternoon walk in the nearby regional park, topped off by a charming dining experience.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMWORTH A TRY MORE THAN ONCETHE BAR IS AN ANTIQUE AND GREAT TO IMAGINE WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE BACK IN THE DAY! DRINKS WERE GREAT, OLD SCHOOL! THE FOOD WAS VERY TASTY AND REASONABLY PRICED!3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMMust tryThe best in the area and well worth the drive. Finally a place that offers sophistication without having to go into the City3/14/2013 12:00:00 AMFirst time. Food was amazing.First time. Food was amazing. Four of us had two sides, two appetizers and three main courses. Way too much food, which the waiter forewarned about. Of all those dishes only one was less than excellent. Service was excellent. Very cool out of the way restaurant.
Bar did not have some alcohol you might expect. Like no blended scotch, but multiple single malts. No tanqueray but other options. Was not an issue for us, the bar prices were very reasonable and my friends said the martinis were great.
Very cool out of the way restaurant.
We will be back and recommnend it with reservations.3/14/2013 12:00:00 AMFirst time here - what a delight!First time here - what a delight! Terrific atmosphere, great service, delicious food. We will return for sure though Port Costa is off the beaten track to be sure, but this is part of the charm. Was packed on a Thursday night.2/28/2013 12:00:00 AM