If you are an open minded eater, go! Â The deal is that they excell with pork, and it's not commodity pork, but raised by the owner. Â And the deal is they harvest a pig every two weeks, so if you want that , you need to call and see where they are on their cycle. Â The menu is super creative yet rustic. Â Go whenever, it's not dependent on them having pork, but go early in the evening because it gets crowded. Â They have a happy hour with $1 oysters. Â Sevice is great.
Review Source:Fantastic! Â The food was excellent in every way. Â We had the grilled octopus, the butter lettuce salad, the seared scallops, steak, and the tuna. Â Service was kind of slow (long waits for water, etc) and they ran out of bread (??), but other than that, it was a pleasant and welcome surprise to find such a gem in Petaluma. Â We will definitely be back.
Review Source:This is a MUCH belated review.  Right after the restaurant opened, a friend took us to dinner there.  I cannot remember which entrée I ordered, but I didn't like the type of potato side dish that accompanied the meal.  When I asked the server if I could get the regular mashed potatoes (which accompanied another entrée on the menu), I was told, and I quote:  "We only make enough of each side dish to pair with specific entrees."
I didn't ask for something that wasn't on the menu.  I simply asked for regular mashed potatoes.  So, instead of ordering a $20 entrée, I ordered a bowl of soup and we've never been back.
This also happened at Vin Antico in San Rafael, where I was told, and, again, I quote: Â "It just breaks the chef's heart when customers ask for a substitution." Â (This establishment closed, but may be open again.)
Well, Mr/Ms Chef, get over yourself. Â I believe that the focus of customer service should be on the CUSTOMER, not your ego.
California/Mediterranean/New-American cuisine on an ever-changing menu, because they choose only locally sourced and seasonal ingredients.
The wait can be long, so be prepared. Fortunately, they will take your name and number and call you when a table is ready.
Ours was at the bar, which was a treat. Our waiter had such enthusiasm for the food, and spoke with pride how the pigs were raised by the owner.
I had a flashback to a Portlandia episode, and had to resist the urge to ask to visit the farm.
At the bar, we could see everything being prepared, which probably made us enjoy the food all the more.
The combination of flavors balanced out quite nicely on the various dishes. Scallops were seared, tender, savory. Beef was succulent. Pork ears were crunchy and spicy. Sand dabs were delicate and buttery. Each dish had a medley of flavors and textures. The wine selection is excellent.
The interior is warm and homey, at the same time airy and lively, making for a fitting bookend to a day in charming Petaluma.
My wife and I absolutely love this place. We have eaten here at least once a month for several years and have celebrated many birthdays, anniversaries, etc. Never been disappointed by the food or the service.
Some standouts: ANY soup, sweet gems salad, spicy lamb rolls, chicken bomba, flank steak, pork confit, and our favorite: the short ribs! Great desserts as well.
A Yelper raved about the crispy pork at Central Market, so I had to try it! Â It was not on the regular menu, but I was delighted when the server said it was a special.
DIVINE!! Â This time, it was served on beans with a small kale salad beside it.
The restaurant has a good vibe. Â There's an open kitchen, and the chef-owner occasionally makes a trip through the diners, telling them about how his property sources the pork and many of the vegetables.
Everything we had was absolutely delicious, and the desserts? Â Oh, MY! Â The very light butter cream filling in the REAL ALMOND macaroons made them something that should only be served in heaven!
Service is excellent, even on a busy Saturday night.
All in all, a fabulous experience!
Go here! Â This is some of the best food I've had in such a long time. Sometimes, I question the whole "farm to table" movement and what a difference it actually makes, but this place proves me wrong. Â We had the calamari; I sometimes don't like grilled calamari because it's too chewy, but this was incredible. Â I then ordered the trout crudo and the salad with bacon, egg and gorgonzola. I swear that I have never tasted eggs or bacon that delicious. It blew my mind. In the middle of our dinner, the chef came over and asked how everything was which was a nice touch. Â He told me the bacon came from "his pig", the eggs were from "his chicken" and so on. Â I also tasted the polenta and thought that was amazing as well. The bread was not extraordinary, but that was fine because it meant we had more room for the other delicious food. Â For dessert, we ordered the strawberry pie, "made with lard and butter", a la mode. It was good, but I think I would order the butterscotch next time. Â I will definitely be back to visit this place. Â A final note about the decor and atmosphere -- pitch perfect. Â I really love when the lighting is good in a restaurant, and this was perfectly dim. Â Keep it up Central Market!
Review Source:Visited a place in spring. Cheap looking interior, with brown paper covering the table, overpriced food for the quality, burned bread, fancy in description meals but when you try it - if you are a decent cook - you would not go to that place again. Had a Slow cooked angus beef shortribs with roasted new potatoes and fresh horseradish cream at the cost of $28. Were a group of 10, and only a couple people who ordered chefs special that day, did not have too much pleasure with their meals.
Review Source:I have been to this restaurant three times now, and didn't want to write a review until I was sure. The most recent was this weekend. The best synopsis is to say it is absolutely not worth the money you pay. Something is off with the food. Â Everything is very high quality, as in organic, and local, high-end ingredients, so that's why the three stars instead of two. But the execution of the food is off. Portions are incredibly small for the price, and it leaves you with the impression that a profit is trying to made in a big way on each dish. All the dishes seemed over worked or over thought and are tiny, tiny, tiny. And nothing is ever delicious, just okay, and again very small, and many main courses come with no starch, just veggies. At a high end restaurant when you pay these kinds of prices, you expect a sumptuous meal, not a little skillet with a dainty piece of fish and few little squished roasted tomatoes and yellow squash. That was sea bass dish last night. Another in our party got the lamb chops. After he trimmed the fat and cut out the bone there were just a few little bites of meat left, only two were served with a tiny pile of couscous with too sweet of a sauce and a loose glob of yogurt across the side that had zero flavor. The scallops were another entree one in our party got -- they were cooked well and tasted good, but were a small appetizer sized dish and only served with a handful of charred green beans under them. Â What a let down. Â We got the calamari appetizer, it was small and not that good, the relish it came with was better than the calamari, which was a scant bit of garbanzos and basil. We also got the empanadas, a small bite dish for a starter, it was just two little dry empanadas the size of half a pot sticker each. they were horrible. We all left hungry, and we all stated how disappointed we've been at this restaurant every single time we come. None of us will go back, and we've all given it several tries. When you go to a restaurant of this stated caliber, you expect a wonderful, well executed, sumptuous meal. we dropped nearly two hundred dollars there and laughed all the way to an ice cream shop later on that evening.
Review Source:This place just gets better and better.
Three of us had dinner there last night and it was divine. Â
I ordered:
For a starter I had the beet salad.. roasted beets, grapes, and blanched almonds on a bed of potato puree. Â mmm
Dinner was the fresh caught wild CA Sea Bass. Â It was done with fresh veg from their garden. Â Best sea bass I have ever eaten. Â
I love that this is a mile and a half from my home and so so so good.
This is by far the best restaurant in all of Petaluma, and if it were in the City, it'd still be one of the best restaurants around. Â First, the food is great. Â We loved everything we ordered. Â The service is exceptional. Â All the servers are super nice and friendly, and Chef Tony walks around talking to everyone. Â I also like the space and what they've done with it (really high ceiling, nicely decorated). Â It's a great dining experience all around -- awesome food, friendly staff, and an owner who makes you feel welcome.
Review Source:Love, love this place. But there is a caveat DO NOT sit by the pizza fireplace. The waitress that has the area.
Here's my experience. The last 2 times I sat there, the waitress will do anything to get a good tip. You decide for yourself. Â We walk in and we are about to be seated and out of nowhere, she uttered to my husband. "Let me take the lint out of your shirt.....really? But she screwed up my drink twice.
She had the need to get the "lint" out of my husband's shirt. REALLY?
And rubbing his shoulders of my husband, which made us both uncomfortable.
I believe this is INAPPROPRIATE. Â I have eaten all over the world, not one time did I have to deal with crap like this. But for her to do her real job, she cannot get it straight. Â She could NOT get my wine order correct. She should focus on her job and leave the other things to the wife. I was very uncomfortable with the situation. I did let go of the incident thinking it's a one off. Â My husband talked to her about the situation. After we spoke to her about the incident. And her answer was "well I have never had a problem before". Well that goes to show you the accountability and lack of decorum.
We came back a month later and there she was again, touching my husband again. Seriously? Be careful, the waitress will do anything for a tip or attention.
I called the and complained to the manager, but she said she will talk to her. I never got a feedback. I found out that the owner/chef did not know about the situation. Because we are good people, my husband gave her a 20% tip. Â When the owner/chef confronted her she said we never said anything to her. I think this is a way to save her job. But it creeps me out. Â
I have never heard of a place where the waitress is focus on the lint on my husband's shirt and not on the job at hand.
I love the restaurant, but I think that if you're thinking of a romantic dinner, you will never know what you will get with this particular waitress that did this.
The rest of the servers I never had an issue with. I don't want to paint all servers there with one brush, but I thought the reason you eat out is to enjoy the company you are with, food and whatever beverage you please, but not to be uncomfortable. And have the waitress have an agenda.
I did finally complain to the chef/owner, he did say he was going to give my 20 % x 2 back, but she ruined the restaurant for us for good.
Good luck!
Mike and I went to dinner last night for our 34 wedding anniversary at the Central Market in Petaluma. The food was delicious and plentiful. We shared a Chef's 3 course meal and added another entre, next time we will just share the Chef's 3 course because we were still full this morning! The food was wonderful, the service was outstanding. We were gifted and filled with gratitude for our special occasion dinner. We eat organic and this restaurant owns the farm, fresh and yummy. We believe in buying local, thank you for the great evening Central Market, we will be returning.
Review Source:One of my most memorable and delicious meal ever took place recently in Cuenca, Spain -- it was romantic with the most incredible and breathtaking views imaginable. It was the perfect meal with amazing ingredients including locally hunted venison. Why is this relevant you ask? Because the food my husband and I enjoyed at Central Market is up there if not better.
Our dinner at Central Market was truly fantastic. We were was in foodie heaven. The veggies they serve come from their own farm, most of the ingredients are locally sourced, the menu is seasonal, everything including the bread and desserts is homemade, they make everything from scratch, they have a wood-fire oven where they make pizza and other dishes, and their food is wondrously delicious. It's my kind of restaurant and now a favorite.
The mixed green salad with goat cheese we ordered was simply superb and bursting with flavor. The dish of the day was lamb. It was exquisitely prepared and perfectly cooked. Every bite melted in your mouth.
I loved my meal and was impressed with the food, the amazing service and the awesome wine and beverage list with mostly organic and sustainable wines and drinks. My husband loved his coffee, which was organic and he said, "one of the best coffees he's ever had." And he's the biggest coffee snob ever. I'm a big fan of Central Market now and deeply admire and appreciate the commitment of the chef owner to provide delicious, healthy food that is also sustainably raised and grown.
I've been to Central Market twice now. Â Both times OUTSTANDING! Â Service, food... Â in every way. Â Last visit I had pork that was home grown by the chef. Â Our dinner was simply amazing. Â Each time we've made sure that everyone at the table has something different so that we can sample more dishes. Â Butterscotch pot de creme for dessert is a must have. Â Have not had a bad bite of food here.
Review Source:NOT WORTH THE MONEY
Because of all the extraordinary reviews, we came here for our  wedding anniversary. We were expecting a meal with every detail finely tuned. To start with, our waitress had no personality and seemed disconnected from the whole, "Let me make this dinner wonderful" process.  I would have expected the bread to have been served hot. It wasn't. We had the lamb cabbage rolls and calamari as starters - calamari was very good. The rolls were overpowered by lemon. It could have been any meat in there, much less lamb. Main courses included the scallops - very nicely cooked and tender but the sauce was a little overpowering. The Magyu steak was very good but perhaps only 4 ounces - together with a handful of french fries is not what you'd expect for such an expensive entree. Deserts (the chocolate tartlet and butterscotch pudding) were very rich but we did not find them to be anything that special. When Tony, the owner / chef came over to the table, he looked bedraggled, almost unkempt,  wearing  shorts under a white apron - he looked more like a short order cook than a gourmet chef. He asked the requisite, "How was your dinner" but didn't seem very interested in the answer.
Maybe, with all these great reviews, the stars just didn't align tonight, but at these prices, we won't be back.
Amazing, amazing restaurant with fantastic food and service to match. Â We couldn't get a reservation until 8:30 but it was completely well worth the wait.... Although it meant they ran out of their butterscotch pot de creme, which we were dying to try!
We did get to have their crudo appetizer, which was phenomenal and innovative and perfect for four of us to share. Â I then got the stuffed trout, which really didn't taste quite right, but the waitress was nice enough to take it back and have a scallop dish made for me instead. Â The chef came over and shared some of his secrets for making perfect scallops... But I know I'll never get them quite like this. Â Three people at our table got the scallops, but everyone got to taste them and agreed they were unbelievably good.
I would go back every time I'm in the area, hands down.
We booked a table here on Memorial Day Weekend and knew it was a good sign when we checked into our hotel and when we mentioned it to the desk clerk he oohed and ahhed that it is probably the best restaurant in Petaluma!
Because of the busy weekend and not booking until the same day we had a late reservation. Â The place was packed when we arrived. Â Happily that they had our table ready for us. Â No waiting. Â I think it might have been the only table available. Â Good job!
The four of us began our meal by sharing an appetizer of sashimi halibut on spicy guacamole. Â Yum! Â It was a lovely amuse bouche to start the meal. Â For our entrees we ordered one duck, one trout stuffed with greens and two seared scallops with risotto patty and chili aioli. Â Both the duck dish and scallop dishes were outstanding! Â The duck was tender, juicy and mouthwateringly good. Â I had one of the scallop dishes and can not tell you how delicious it was. Â The scallops were seared to perfection and the chili aioli had just the right amount of heat and creaminess to accompany the sweet tenderness of the scallops. Â Unfortunately the trout was not at all to our liking. Â The seasoning with the trout was off putting to our palates and the potatoes that accompanied the dish were over done. Â Here is the bright spot though, no problem for the professionals that work here. Â They took the dish back no questions asked and replaced it with another order of the scallops. Â In addition to being so nice about replacing the dish they comped one of the three carafes of wine we ordered.
Unfortunately we were disappointed that they had run out of, what seems to be, their signature butterscotch pot de creme for dessert.
Amazing and unexpected food combinations. Â The roasted vegetable salad on tahini with local honey to start and the butterscotch pot of cream to finish were true stand outs. Â My partner had the pork confit special and really loved it. Â My pizza's crust rivals the best I've had. Loved that the chef came by every 20 minutes to see how we were doing. Â Only minus one star for limited vegetarian options and very few local wine options by the glass for a farm to table restaurant in Northern CA.
Review Source:We had a great time eating there. The food was great; a dash salty on two dishes, the potato tapenade under my filet of sole was yummy! The atmosphere was warm and inviting. Our server was perfect. She was hands on, available, did not hover and appeared to be having as much fun as we were. The owner or chef was in the eating area, and came around to ask if we had questions about the menu. The deserts were a real stand out; I tried 5 different types and the pot of butterscotch was amazing. I cant wait to go back.
Review Source:I don't understand how anyone could give this place anything less than 5 stars. If you are a foodie, you must make a pilgrimage to Central Market.
This is one of the best restaurants in the country. Even if it were not a farm-to-table restaurant which really sets them apart, it would still be right up there with Chez Panisse. The food is just that good.
Everything I tasted was exceptional, the service was stellar and the atmosphere was lovely. The chef came to check on us personally more than once. A heavenly meal, as good as anything I've had in the best restaurants in Paris (but a whole lot cheaper).
I got the tasting menu so I could try more things. The oysters were very fresh. My pork liver pâté (made from the pigs on their farm) was out of this world. The rainbow trout was the best I'd ever had in my life -- even in Idaho. LOVE that all their pie crusts are made with real butter and lard (from their farm). I also tasted the homemade pasta with fresh crab and it was fantastic.
The wine list was excellent. They have a number of organic, sustainable and biodynamic wines, and they have 6 and 9 oz pours which is perfect.
Chef Tony is truly a genius. I rarely come to Petaluma but now I will go out of my way to come back here, just for this restaurant, as often as I can.
My partner and I have eaten at Central Market several times and absolutely loved every minute of it. It has a cool, rustic, brick vibe with fabulous vintage art - and the food is incredible. It is 100% fresh, with a mixed menu that has something to cater to every taste. Definitely recommend. Perfect for that special night out.
Review Source:We were a group of 8 and had fabulous service, very attentive.
The food is really good- we were a steak heavy table but I enjoyed everything that I tried.
The blue cheese salad has HUGE pieces of bacon amongst blue cheese crumbles and a really tasty dressing- if this is your starter salad you should share it because it is pretty large.
The sorbet is amazing- I might have to go back for a little cup of sorbet and coffee real soon!
Awesome Oysters at Happy Hour. Â They got a five for them!
Simplistic presentations on Sirloin Steak and Scallops with Risotto Cake brought the rating down a bit. Â While not bad, Â just no wow factor like the perfect oysters!
We will be back though! Â Mostly for the oysters at happy hour.
The experience at Central Market is very typical of the farm to table movement in general. Cool, affable servers milling casually in an elegantly rustic dining room; a wine list that is woefully underdeveloped, and food that ranges from mediocre to passable, but never flirts with the true resonant flavors that indicate mastery.
The failings of Central Market are indeed the failings of it's guiding philosophy. So bright is the spotlight on ingredients and means of production of those ingredients, that balanced  and thoughtful techniques never really get introduced. The result is little surprise: broken sauces, cold accouterments, overcooked proteins and exceedingly high ticket averages.
Beautiful produce has its place; and in that realization the Farm-to-table movement of which this coast retains such fondness has scored a lasting mark on the restaurant scene of the nation. But that is as much as it seems to be able to offer. Many have already begun to incorporate the purchasing philosophies of Farm-to-Table with real technique to make beautiful plates.
It seems Central Market could join the ranks of real restaurants, but it's going to take a little less time spent on the farm, and a little more on what is on the table.
Highly Recommend.
We had an over the top experience on NYE at Central Market. Couldn't have asked for a better evening.
Fresh, local food prepared PERFECTLY. Ordered the Maine Lobster soup for a starter, SUPERB...Dinner: Fettuccine Pasta with 2 cheeses and walnuts, AMAZING. Chicken breast with Pumpkin puree and Pomegranate Sirrop...WOW! Never have we tasted a chicken breast so perfect. Dessert we had the Butterscotch pot of cream...Awesome finish to an outstanding meal. Ordered the Malbec Bodega Viramonte wine,,,YOWZERS...incredible.
Hostess was fantastic. We were not able to get in right away as we did not have reservations. We walked around downtown until our dinner time. She called us to ask if we wanted to sit up at the bar to get in faster. We still opted for the table. She called us to let us know our table was ready. Not typical for restaurants to do this anymore. But they handled it nicely.
Server was very knowledgeable and honest with questions we asked about the menu. Very well trained staff.
Even experienced the table next to us being concerned about her dish, and the head chef personally walked over to the table to explain the cooking method and that the food was more than fine. Something with the trout and the color of the fish. Customer was very appreciative and enjoyed her meal thoroughly.
If you are looking to support a fantastic restaurant and have a wonderful experience. Go to Central Market, you will NOT be disappointed.
Tony the owner/chef is amazing. Great food. in Fact freaking out of this world food. Paired with salads and soups and so many items it is refreshing to eat at a classy place...the whole experience was wonderful.
I like the high ceilings as well..it is open and aired out...You can watch the food being made and the whole experience unfold in fornt of you.
the service is mellow and top notch. They are right there when you want something but can leave alone to get lost in the conversation...
Have had three excellent meals at Central Market. Â
Simplistic, wholesome and solid food. Â Service has been great. Â
Highlights -
-Slow cooked lamb
-fried egg over asparagus
-blue cheese potato gratin
-Pork chop
Beyond local with their own farm. Â All other sourcing is done very well. Â Love this place.
Thank you Central Market!
Heading back from a North Bay trip, we happened upon Central Market after passing on other places in downtown Petaluma. Their front window's ambience caught our eye. Â Without reservations on a Sunday night, we weren't sure about getting a table, but eating here was meant to be! And I'm so happy we did.
The watermelon salad was refreshing with a lavender and honey infusion, as was the greens salad. Â I ordered the trout stuffed with spinach - the fish was perfectly seasoned and roasted! Â Our waitress was also kid friendly. Â I'll definitely be back!
Central Market is one of our "go-to' spots here in Petaluma. Â The menu is always imaginative and filled with lots of local, farm-fresh produce, meats and seafood from local waters.
This last visit, for my birthday, really sealed my support of this great local spot. Â My husband, Dave, is a vegetarian. Â There were a couple of choices on the menu, but none were really exciting him all that much. Â So, the proprietor, Tony, suggested "let us make you something special".
They came up with a delightful grilled vegetable plate, served over the yummiest pumpkin hummus! Â Dave was ecstatic! Â i was pretty darn happy too. Â I ordered a duck dish that was just delicious.
Umm... in case anyone hasn't figured it out yet from the frequency of my orders for duck, it's my favorite!
Central Market reminds me a bit of "Cheers" with really good food. Â You bump into your neighbor, chat with people at other tables, the chef/proprietor stops by to check on you. Â It's a really warm and friendly spot with consistently great food and nice ambiance.
Standing on the street staring at the menu  post brew tasting and in worn in hiking clothes on Mother's Day with no reservations seemed a bit hopeless, but then, out the door of Central Cafe bursts a chef proclaiming '"I just ad a booth clear!" ..
Wow! What a fantastic introduction to what turned out to be a really fabulous dining experience with friends. My friend & I both had the chicken bomb .. Which was 'the bomb' (sorry, pun intended) , hubby had the salmon which he says was one of the best he's had. Mind you, we are from WA State.
Our server Sarah was attentive and charming, informative, knowledgable and just a really great waitress. She had our boys eating from her hand in short order.
Dessert was the Strawberry Rhubarb pie for our friend, butterscotch pot for us. Two bites and a friend taste later, we knew we were going to want more! Another round of the shared pot because it was SO melt in your mouth good, like salted caramel was the waitresses description. There's no way for her to have known, but our friend had been seeking salted caramel ALL day!
Sold. I'd come back over and over if I lived here. I'd consider coming back on a plane just to eat one more butterscotch pot.
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