One of the saddest things about leaving D.C. was saying goodbye to Fireworks Pizza in Arlington. That and my primary care physician. And my favorite nail salon.
But I digress.
After MANY miles on the dusty road, I arrived in Petaluma with choyfriend (chef + boyfriend. this word combination is still under review. I recognize it isn't as good as "juit" or "suprenis"), only to be packed back into the car to seek sustenance in the downtown area with my aunt and uncle.
They led us through a quaint little mall to a black and red sign that promised rock and roll kitsch and pizza. Can you have one without the other?
A quick scan of their menu made it obvious that the east coast had a serious rival in this place. A list of great beers, cool cocktails, like my personal favorite, Sgt Peppercorn, and a solid variety of custom pizzas. A & U ordered the NFM, which, (sorry vegetarians) was a bit boring. Tasty, but the culinary equivalent of putting on some sweatpants. We ordered the Sweet Heat, and our taste-buds were rewarded for doing so. This taste explosion includes chicken, bacon, jalapenos (perfect combination of tang and spice), smoked gouda, mozzarella, and bbq sauce. Which we promptly covered in those dried chile flakes, because of course. My squirters went all squirty just thinking about it.
So we've gone back three times in the last three weeks, and ordered take out once as well. Their staff being awesome is a definite perk.
I'll reserve that 5th star until I've tried some other places in the area and can make a more educated comparison. In the meantime...we're probably eating there tonight.
This is my favorite petaluma pizza!!!! I recommend any of them with pesto and willie bird chicken!!!! YUM YUM!!! I go here on my date nights its a good price for great made pizza!!!
The bartender Ian is really cool and makes the environment very welcoming. making drinks with fresh ingredients! all the staff is nice and on top of it!
Our rehearsal dinner was held here, and we were blown away by the beautiful scenery, amazing food quality and delicious wine selection. Â The owner worked with my in-laws to ensure everything was perfect, and it was. If you are looking for an event venue, I would highly consider Brixx. Â Thanks for making our rehearsal dinner so special!
Review Source:Good place.
A bit dark in there, which reminded me of a Vampire-like setting, but that's not a bad thing! It's a pretty cozy, cool place :)
They have live music sometimes too.
I had The Wedge salad and it was DELICIOUS. My family also ordered two different pizzas-- the veggie and the one with chicken and pesto.
I highly recommend this place. Good atmosphere, good food, friendly people.
First time we went there was when we met our friend's boyfriend. Food was good but the music was a bit too loud.
Second time we went there was when the same friend married the man we'd met the first time, and they were having their wedding reception there!! Hurray!
Sassy joint in a cool old building.
Very friendly, down to earth/genuine owners
Yummy Yummy salad with (smoked chicken?)
And tasty tasty pizzas...Thin crust which is what I like for a change.
The band's volume was just right for the reception, so I guess it just depends who is playing. The band was the Dan Brown Band
Thumbs up to the restaurant, the owners and staff, the band and to our friends....
Cheers!
This is a high quality place. I love the food, drinks, and atmosphere, and on occasion I've had incredible, over the top service. On weeknights, the staff seems anxious to close the doors and get patrons out so they can go home. Â As someone who has worked in food service, I can understand this, but as a patron it gives me very mixed feelings. Â I think you will enjoy this place, try it at least once, don't go after 8, and good luck with the staff! Maybe if they closed at 8 this issue would be resolved?
Review Source:This place won me over the second I walked in the door. Really.
For one, the walls are red (I like red!) which goes beautifully with the lighting and decor of this awesome, unusual, pizza place and bar.
But that wasn't the best part, I walked in and there were a few people there (a quiet Wednesday, but I had the next day off and was exploring town) chatting with the bartender. He asked me what I would like and I threw him a curveball, Planter's Punch. He made me a delicious drink, but it wasn't quite right. He asked how it was and I told him it was excellent but not quite what I was hoping for.
"Well, that one's on the house, let me try to get it right with this one" and he made me another drink.
Sold!
Turns out he's the owner, bartender, and part-time chef. And man can he make a drink! Especially in combo with the spicy, savory thin-crust pizzas. It's a food/drink pairing unlike any other that'll rock your world!
I come here often, and consider each time a special treat. Stellar service, fantastic food, good ambiance, awesome bartender, live music on Saturday nights - love it!
Another of my favorite places, a well kept secret in Petaluma
That said, it's packed on weekends. And the music can be a bit too loud. My favorite time to go is on weeknights when it's quieter, or really late. They have an "open until it's closed" policy some nights that can make this one a little unpredictable. But when it's quiet you get the best one on one time with the bartender and really talk drinks!
Brixx is the best hole-in-the-wall place I've found in a long time. I say hole-in-the-wall because you have to be daring enough to follow the signs that say "Brixx" into a passageway that takes you down a long hallway, up some stairs, under some other stairs, and in the smack dab of an entire block of downtown Petaluma. It's a find! Red walls, tiny bar, restaurant upstairs, and great pizza. Not many beers on tap, but the pizza is fine and they people are finer. Thank you Noel & Jennifer for a great night!
Review Source:I've only been a drinker at Brixx, never an eater of their fine looking pizza pies, so my experience is purely of partaking in the glorious dim, underground, brick-laden den that makes Brixx such an ideal place to catch up with friends, sip some local brews (or wine, or cocktails...), and soak up the hearty energy that fills the room. There's a tangible buzzzzzz here. Can ya feel it?
They've usually got live music on the weekends (surprisingly hard to find in Petaluma), and once that starts your conversations cease. Clearly the acoustics were not designed for ambient noise (sound bouncing off brick walls...you do the physics). Â But if you want to zone out and let the rhythm do it's job, here's your spot. Or just arrive early to enjoy a more chat-able volume.
If your Friday night is feeling ominously dull, head to Brixx and perk yourself up. There's an upstairs level that's great for groups, and the service is shockingly attentive for such a happenin' spot. This is humble P-town character with all the right frills. As a homegrown Petaluman, I'm proud to see what Brixx has brought to the table.
LanMart holds both of my favorite pizza places, and they couldn't be more different. Â Brixx has the thin crust pizza perfected-great dough, great sauce, and the most creative topping combinations I've ever seen. Â Good service, good wine, beer and spirit selection, and the WILLIAM TELL salad, which might be the greatest salad ever to grace my table.
Review Source:Hidden in a passageway in downtown petaluma is a bustling bar and restaurant with red walls. While the food (pizza) is great, it's the atmosphere and the service that really stood out. This is clearly a locals joint, and we felt welcome with open arms. It kind of feels like a speakeasy.
We discovered Brixx while waiting for a table at a restaurant nearby. It's a great bar to grab a drink - totally down to earth, yet classy. After seeing a few pizzas go by, we knew where we'd come for our next meal.
Our caesar salad was perfect, served with optional anchovies. The pizzas are on the thin side, crispy while still doughy. The cheese to sauce ratio was perfect, and they seemed to be using extremely fresh, if not homemade, mozzarella.
If you're looking for a low-key place to eat with a great atmosphere, this is it. It's a vibrant gem in an otherwise sleepy town.
Absolutely glorious outdoor seating overlooking their garden. Â So fun to stroll around the garden and see what they're growing. Â Also some very romantic indoor tables designed for 2 so you sit sort of next to eachother. Â Very generous portions. Â Salad looked amazing, but I didn't get it because it looked so big and I wanted to order everything else. Â Chickpea panisse over English peas and Spring Onions was delicious - if a bit oversalted. Â Flounder was melt in your mouth delicious. Â Flatbread wild mushroom pizza was a bit boring. Â I prefer whole grain crusts, but nobody seems to do that. Â Overall, we loved our experience here. Â If the food wasn't perfect, the ambience certainly was.
Review Source:In a world of soggy crust and flavorless cheese, Brixx is a refreshing break with great pizzas and salads, good cheap wine, and good beer on tap. They serve individual or large sizes and have about 30 different kinds of pizza with really interesting toppings. Most have light cheese, or no mozzarella at all, which makes the flavors of the cheese itself, not to mention the other ingredients, come through. They also have some great vegetarian options and are willing to make any of their pizzas with no meat. Last time I was in I had the North Cal, and the NFM is an old favorite that never lets me down. I love their roasted beet salad too- great size and fantastic beets.
The ambiance is nice with high ceilings and a romantic little area upstairs for small groups or couples. We sometimes hang out at the bar for the good music and a pint, which I believe they have on Fridays and Saturday (the music).
I would highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a nice little family owned pizza shop that has a lot more to offer than your typical pizza joint.
My guy and I stopped here for lunch recently, on a trip from SF. Â It was in between lunch and dinner, and the only other people were 2 guys at the bar who seemed to know the bartender. Â They may have even been employees. Â We sat at a table, but then when I realized the three of them were watching 'Barefoot Contessa' we moved to the bar!
The bartender was super cool and we felt right at home. Â He even bought me my glass of wine after we had talked about the restaurant industry etc (I also work in a restaurant).
To be honest, I thought the pizza was only so-so: not bad, but just average. Â My boyfriend loved his sandwich and salad though, so I'm still giving 4 stars. Â I think I'm just hard to please when it comes to pizza.
The place has a great vibe and I would love to come back sometime when it's more crowded!
LOVED this restaurant.
Dark setting, live music, fully stocked bar, rustic decorations, good service.... and to top it all off, the BEST pizza I think I've ever had... at least the combination. The SWEET HEATER. Mouth wateringly good. Seriously, you have to try it to understand. The perfect combo of sweet and spicey I've ever had on a pizza. Not to mention the cheesey pesto bread.... wowiieee.
You won't be disappointed.
The food at this place is okay... not great but not terrible... good selection of drinks (full bar) and usually a decent glass of wine... if it is was just food I would easily give it at least 3 stars... but the atmosphere is just terrible... it is in a little hole in the middle of the Lan Mart building... it NEVER sees sunlight and you can feel it... dark.. loud.. and if there is music playing (which is great they have music at least... the only reason I ever go there) there is usually nowhere to sit.. and none of the seats face toward the performers (or almost none)
If these people were running the same business, same food, same philosophy, in a different location I would rate it much better and go way more often
I am giving thisplace three stars, because we only had one thing...so dont feel qualified to fully review. Â But we wondered acros Brixx while doing a little shopping and decided to split a pizza.... We had the smartachoke pizze and I totally liked it... it was very tasty and loved the thin crust...Funky fun atmosphere, and if in the area I would love to go back and see what else they have to offer...seems like it would be a fun date place....I am free friday night, any offers???
Review Source:We followed the William Tell salad with their "Go Figure" pizza special. Since the place is fairly dark-red-walls-in-your-face, I thought my review should be the same.
William Tell salad: Loud flavors. Aaaaaaaahhhh BACON. Cheese just didn't fit. Apples? Little cereal clusters. Seriously. Clusters of "candied walnuts" that looked like they came out of breakfast cereal. Overall, like an alien with three tastebuds went to the farmer's market. Endive! Arugula! To the rescue! No!
Go Figure pizza: Cracker crust. Like wheat thins. I love Old Chicago, but I can appreciate a good thin crust pizza with a variety of flavor. This is not it. Figs? Bland. Safeway figs? I don't know.
Waitress: too bubbly. Clearly disappointed that I didn't get a whiskey sour to go with my pizza.
Now I feel bad because this is my first Yelp review of a place that I wanted to like. I thought it was a cute idea - a thin crust place downstairs from the best thick crust place in the North Bay. But I just can't get behind pizza crust like that. Sorry, Brixx. Maybe it's just me.
On the up side they are masters at toppings. Â Great combinations and ingredients taste of quality.
That said. Â Our waitress was friendly but lame. Â We asked for an un oaky white wine and she said she'd ask the bar tender. Â Rather than come back with a rec or a taste she brought a bottle, opened it, and poured. Â We hated it. Â In fact all of their wines have that Safeway quality. Â In the wine country? Â This is not ok.
The pizza crust is nothing to get excited about. Â The crust quality does not match the toppings. Â We had two pizzas and shared, so there was much to taste and compare.
Hate the noise level and the closeness of tables. Â This was not a relax, talk to your friend, and have dinner place. Â We practically had to yell to be heard. Â Not fun. Â Not how I want to spend my time and money after a long day working.
This review is all about the beet salad.
Who knew that this little, dark, hidden pizza place could hold such a delicious treasure.
Beets are one of my most favorite foods in the entire world. I hated them one day, and then another I woke up and thought "I can't get enough of these purple (or yellow) tasty treats." Screw raisins, beets are actually nature's candy.
Anyway, I will order a beet salad anytime I see one, and Brixx has the best I have ever had. Period.
First is the quantity of delicious beets. Half a plate, not just 5 slices like many a "beet salad"
Second is the generous helping of goat cheese, the "milk" to a beet's "oreo cookie"
Third is the wonderfully dressed mixed green salad that comes next to the sweet and tangy beets. A perfect compliment.
Fourth is the endive. Like an edible spoon for the beets and generous helping of goat cheese!
And last, is the large and garlicky crustini that accompanies the entire dish, adding a satisfying crunch
This salad is heaven on a plate, and only $8 bucks. A steal.
The pizza is pretty good, too. And a full bar doesn't hurt.
Great pizza! Â I am usually not a fan of thin-crust, but this place is amazing! Â The wine list is tasty and affordable! Â They have many wines that are only $5. Â I didn't know that was still possible in Petaluma!
The best thing about Brixx is the ambience. Â It's a great first date place. Â It doesn't remind me of a typical Petaluma restaurant (and that's a good thing)! Â Â When you go there, try the sweet heater pizza. Â Also, the beet salad and the william tell salad are great! Â But, make sure that you save room for on oven-baked chocolate cookie with vanilla ice cream. Â Yummers!!!
Went for the first time with a few friends. We shared a salad i was a little leery of but a friend suggested it. And like always he was right and loved it. William Tell salad. I would suggest adding cranberry's to it thought. I had the Smarichoke pizza. I Love artichokes so it was fab for me. Even though it was the waitress first night she did a great job. Oh for dessert we had the cookie pizza. Split between 3 people. Not a dessert i would suggest eating along. very large and very good!!
Review Source:Went here one Saturday night w the bf and shared a small pizza. Â We chose Bricks b/c the reviews on Yelp say that there's live music on Saturday nights, but sadly, we were too hungry too early and by the time we were done with dinner, the band was just starting to move in and set up (probably another hour or two til they started playing) and the vibe was just not enough tokeep us there drinking at the bar. Â
Bf got a garden salad (and was disappointed by it - "Garden Salad" was literally mixed greens with a balsamic vinegarette on it - no other veggies to speak of!) Â And I got the famous beet salad - it was ok - a ton of chopped canned beets and and ice-cream scoop of goat cheese and a little bit of mixed greens and vinegarette... Â It was good jsut b/c of the sheer proportions of beets and goat cheese.
We shared a small pizza btw the two of us - half meatball and half feta/spinach. Â Surprisingly, the feta half had too much feta on it (and felt heavy b/c of it) while the meatball half of the pizza was actually the half that made me feel healthier eating. Â It was a good brick oven pizza, hug menu of toppings... Â And although we didn't have dessert, the cookie pizza sounded interesting.
All in all, good pizza. Â I'd go back to try other options; but it wasn't out of this world.
The beet salad is a must! Â I go about once a week and you can't go wrong with ordering any of the pizzas on the menu. Â Atmosphere is dark and cozy. Â With a full bar. Â You feel like you could hang for a while. Â Service is a so so but it isn't one of the places that you expect to have perfectly precise. Â Plus, it's worth it.
Review Source:Excellent pizza in this red-walled, down-home feeling joint. Â The "Sweet Heat" pizza I split with a friend was really good - a more or less novel combination of sweet BBQ chicken and other stuff with pieces of jalapeno.
There was a band playing a bit loud but apart from not being able to hear my friends I was really impressed with the ambiance here - warm, friendly, and very...familiar. Â or familial, maybe.
-1 for taking like 40 minutes to make our pizzas.
So far, this is my favorite restaurant in Petaluma because the food is good (pizza is dynamite, and I'm also in love with the Caesar salad), the drinks are good (especially the beer selection), I like the atmosphere (deep red walls, dark wood) and it stays open late. I also feel comfortable coming here alone and sitting at the bar with a book or a magazine.
Haven't had any problems with the service. True, it's not the fastest, but no one has ever been rude or mean. We even once sent a beer back because it tasted funny (like soap -- maybe the glass wasn't rinsed out all the way?), and they didn't say a word. Just took the beer back and got us another one, no problem.
My only quibble: I wish they delivered!
Tasty pizzas, strong cocktails, yummy salads, and whorehouse ambience....what else do you really need on a Friday night? I dig Bricks for all of these reasons, but it's the pizza that honestly keeps me coming back. It's got light, crispy crust and it's not too greasy, and there are lots of creative topping combinations on the menu (the Gropinator is vegetarian's nightmare - my husband's favorite!) It's the perfect antidote to Old Chicago upstairs, which has its place, but makes me hate myself in t he morning.
Review Source:Bricks is just a great place for salad and pizza. Â It's not the traditional New York pizza I grew up on, but it's like the ultimate in California gourmet pizza. Â Tucked deep in an ancient building that once was a brothel, it's a cool place with a bar and a stage. Â Last time we were there, we saw a 9 piece Japanese Ska band, complete with sax and trombone players. Â Who'd a thunk it, Â right here in Petaluma? Great late night eats.
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