For all you people on jury duty and anyone just in the area, I highly recommend this quaint cafe. The people here are highly knowledgeable about their food and ingredients used. Not only this but they are as friendly as can be and they have free WiFi. I had the salad and sandwich combo and I was not disappointed. Will definitely come back!!
Review Source:A hidden gem. Would have never expected a restaurant like this in Martinez. One of the best meals I've had in a long time. A small place, four or five tables. We enjoyed a selection of their small plates - escargot, ahi poke, pulled pork sliders, mahi mahi tacos, watermelon gazpacho. Served by the owners.
Review Source:The Compass Star is a lovely little cafe in the heart of Martinez. Chef Rachael always puts together the most wonderful selections filled with her house-cured meats. She is so obviously passionate about what she does! She is eager to explain to you the way your food was prepared and what work went into it, as well as where every ingredient came from. I have never had anything less than amazing from The Compass Star and highly recommend it to anyone who finds themselves in the area. Try the charcuterie platter!
Review Source:We happened in here on a Friday afternoon, and what a wonderful find it happened to be! Â I had wanted a salad, and the sandwiches sounded great - but being unable to chew on one side of my mouth, I opted for the charcuterie plate or ploughman's lunch, and found myself in a state of bliss! Â A lovely board filled with beautiful house cured meats, crostini, Â a date mustarda and incredible pickled cherries was delivered along with a presentation by the owner, describing each delight on the tray. Â
My companions who ordered a chicken pesto sandwich and a tri-tip sandwich were also very happy with their choices, which inclueded heirloom tomatoes, and beautiful hand made rolls. Â They also enjoyed the home made potato chips (extra). Â Even the sandwiches were designed to savor, and we enjoyed it all leisurely.
It's easy to understand how a line could form outside this tiny cafe (maybe 6 tables inside, and 4 on the sidewalk patio.), we were lucky to have come on a day some of the county offices were closed, so there was no crowd, but a steady stream of people in the know, stopping by for what must be the best take out in the city. Â Even their prix fixe dinners are available to take home...and we will have to try dinner soon!
Had the pastrami sandwich and it was fantastic...very flavorful and juicy. I honestly have not found any place in the Bay area that offers up the quality of pastrami that they make at Compass Star. I chatted a bit with Rachael and she offered me some of her bacon that is made in-house which was so good I nearly changed my mind to get the BLT vs. the pastrami.
I think I'll go back tomorrow to try their BLT...
I love food and wine! Â It is a blessed day the day I happened upon the Compass Star on one of the wine blogs I read. Â What?? Â "Foodie Friday" and it's in downtown Martinez?
I'd just moved to Martinez from San Ramon, and was certain there wouldn't be any place nearby that could compete with The Vine at Bridges or the more approachable Wild Vine Hideaway in Danville. Â Martinez is cute, quaint, and I love it, but I wasn't under the impression it housed a hidden food/wine gem. Â Thankfully, I was wrong!
The first time I went there, the weather was perfect, so we sat on the patio. Â I quickly started chatting up Sean, one of the owners and a sommelier. Â While we were chatting, he suggested various small plates, and also made wine pairing suggestions. Â Very cool. Â Once he told me the other owner, Rachael, is a charcutier (a specialist in curing meats, making sausages, salumi, etc.), I was hooked. Â Hello?? House-made bacon?! Â
My first dish there was the butter lettuce salad with warm house-cured bacon. Â It was exquisite, amazing stuff.
In addition to spectacular food and a knowledgeable, friendly sommelier, The Compass Star also has salumi making classes, and food-and-wine events, such as the upcoming Wine and Swine. Â If I were to describe the menu items for the Wine and Swine event, I'd be a drooling mess.
So, if you work downtown, run in and grab a bite to eat-in or to go. Â You won't be disappointed. Â Better yet, when you're looking for a nice evening prix fixe meal or small plates with vino, go to The Compass Star, and eat on the patio (weather permitting of course). Â
Life can get crazy hectic, but I've noticed that when I move at a slower, more relaxed pace, life -- along with everything in it -- Â is better. Â It is during these times I seek out The Compass Star, when I know I'm in the frame of mind to get the most out of every delicious bite, every expressive sip.
Had a quick lunch with friends and was thrilled to discover this gem of a place. Â Have walked by it in the past and never knew that a classically-trained chef was preparing fabulous food at reasonable prices in downtown Martinez!
The tri-tip salad, perfectly paired with a glass of wine, made a lovely lunch. Â My dining companions had the meatball sandwich which was to die for . . . the word "meatball" doesn't do justice to this made-from-scratch savory delight.
We also tasted the charcuterie plate . . . heavenly. Â This definitely is a chef to keep an eye on . . . she's going places!
We'll be back!
Top notch pre-fixe dinner would cost 3x as much in any major city.
Amazing homemade chips and dip takes the superbowl snack standard of potato chips and onion dip to a level I never imagined I could enjoy
Happy and Friendly service.
What's not to love? I can't  wait to return and try more of the menu.
"Like" The Compass Star on Facebook to get the daily and weekly specials.
Truly, "As good as it gets."
I eat here about once a week for lunch, and every other week for dinner. Â At times, I have eaten here twice in one week for lunch and dinner.
Every week, they have several specials for lunch, and a $29 prixe fixe four course meal for dinner. Â Â
I have tried things here that I would never have tried before, thanks to the prixe fixe, and Racheal saying, you HAVE to try this.
In all the times I have eaten here, I have only had one meal that missed the mark for me. Â Sometimes I am not a fan of one particular dish in the prixe fixe, but 9 times out of ten, I feel the $29 was a steal. Â I have never had a lunch that I did not like.
I have brought most of my friends here, and most of them have fekt the same as I. Â All have been impressed by the concept.
I truly feel The Compass Star is a cut above 99.9% of the restaurants out there. Â The chefs are passionate about food, and about trying things out. Â
If you are in the area, make sure you stop by and try this place. Â If I could give them 6 stars, I would.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Compass Star.
This place is AMAZING!!!
We have been here a few times for lunch, which was great! Â The corned beef reuben was great!! Usually, I prefer pastrami, but this was really good!!!
Tonight we came for dinner and were not disappointed. Â We ordered many things off of the menu and were truly impressed with everything we had. Â The pulled pork sliders was one of the best pulled pork sandwiches we have ever had. Â To top it off, it was half off wine on wednesday, so with a bottle of wine, three sliders (felafel, pulled pork, sausage), the charcuterie platter, baked brie, a quesadilla (again in the top quesadillas we have ever had), chevre salad, and chips and dip, the total was around $75!!!! Â
This is some of the best food we have had in the area and some of the best food we have ever eaten. Â You will not be disappointed in going!!
The service was also incredible. Â It is a small venue, so the staff and owners were able to talk about how they came up with some of these items on the menu. Â
Thanks again for a wonderful meal and we look forward to returning!
I visited The Compass Star over the weekend while staying with friends and business associates. Â This has been one of the best restaurants I've ever had! Â The creme brulee was probably one of my favorites. Â I'm a very picky eater, but ventured outside of my comfort zone and indulged my taste buds with escargot (there's a first time for everything) wontons, and a pumpkin style ravioli feast! Â The wine, food, and atmosphere were truly amazing. Â I would LOVE to come back here just for this restaurant! Â I live in Southern California, but I feel a trip in my future very soon! It just doesn't get much better than The Compass Star!!!!
Review Source:OMG, OMG! I first saw this on Chow's best of 2012. So true. We stopped in for lunch to try the pastrami sandwich and the charcuterie. OMG! The pastrami has the proper fat cap on a nice marbled rye. Only thing missing was some coleslaw. I had the charcuterie plate; the fennel salami and the andouille was spicy and creamy and amazing. I could eat that for breakfast. We will return and return. Teensy place with six tables and mostly locals. Vundebar!
Review Source:I can't get enough of Rachael's food. She is amazing! The food is worth every dollar you spend. They make breakfast pastries, sauces, smoke meats, make sausages, everything that they can make from scratch they do--and they know what they are doing! SOOOO amazing.
Like this business on facebook to see their daily specials--they will make your mouth water. Mine is watering just thinking about this place!
I tried this place and it was expensive for the three plates and two cups of coffee. I was excited to have a homemade charcuterie platter so close to home. I feel that driving out to Berkeley, Oakland, or San Fran is worth the drive and same amount of money for house made meats is better. Sitting among all the bail bond offices in a maybe 5 table restaurant is not worthy of my money. This place is just out of place. If I visit again it will be to buy the salami to go.
Review Source:Woohoo! As good as it gets! Seriously, this place rocks.
Had to run up to Martinez to pick something up this evening, and I promised a good dinner to my wife if she would ride along with me.
Well, Yeh....... Little do I know.....
I did my Yelp research and this place looked pretty darn good.
We arrived at about 6pm this evening to find the place packed. It seamed packed anyways. Come find find out, it was only at 50% capacity. There were five of us in here. lol.... But don't let the tiny inside dinning room fool you. (btw, they do have outside seating as well)
Smelled spectacular in there, and we were warmly greeted.
Wow, where do we start. Soup du jour was potato with bacon, cheese and beer. Winner-winner huh? So of course I had to have a cup of that. Lauren ordered up the fried goat cheese salad. We love goat cheese, so this was a no brainer eh?
We shared a trinity of sausage sliders, one each of their Andouille, Bratwurst and Chicken Apple Bourbon (yes A.B.C.) And an order of the White Truffle Frites (fries) as well. OMG, this stuff was fantastic.
We had a couple beers with our meal. Nice (small) craft beer selection. And were feeling pretty complete (all is well) when the waiter (executive chef) stopped by to inquire about our interest in desert. He said they had a wonderful spicy creme brulee made with mexican chocolate. Okay, "we'll share of of those too" I stated.... (although my wife's reply was, "I'm so full". For the record, she had to problem pacing me on the desert.
We've eaten out quite a bit over the years. Have posted several "Woohoo! As good as it gets" on Yelp. But honestly, it's been a long time since we have enjoyed a meal like this. One of just a small handful of times actually, and I would say The Compass Star is "a cut above".....
It's not big, it's not fancy. It is owned and operated by folks who are passionate about food and the restaurant business.
Yea for them, and we who give it a try. Boo for all those who miss out. This is a "must experience place".
It's about an 75 mile round trip for us, and we'll definitely be back. Cant wait....
Wow. Where to begin? This place is amazing. The service was fantastic and the owners are extremely friendly. The restaurant is small, so don't bring a huge party here. The charcuterie is amazing.
I went with my family (2 people+me) and it was little weird when we first entered. We didn't know where to sit, but one of the owners pointed us towards a table. The menu has so many items. We ordered the charcuterie platter, the 3 sliders (andouille sausage, chicken and I forget the third one), white truffle fries, Kahlua pork fried dumplings and minestrone soup. They bring out the food one dish at a time. We got the platter first and it was amazing. I can't recall all the meats, but it was so good (they also put these homemade pecans on the platter and they were so amazing). Then we got the sliders and they were just so delicious. All the food was good. We got two orders of the fries for some reason. maybe the chef read the order twice. In any case, they were awesome. We also got both desserts: creme brulee and a cold bread pudding,
The are a few downsides, however. One, like stated before, the place is small. So small, that we had to have our food passed to us from the table in front because the waiter couldn't get through to our table. Two, it's very pricey. It came out to $80. But that being said, we did order a lot of food. The food does make up for the cons. I really do recommend this place to all foodies.
We discovered Compass Star's dinner menu a few weeks ago and plan to make this a regular stop. Â The evening wine bar, complemented by a small plates menu, is elegant and relaxed with a wonderful outside patio dining area. Â The food is fabulous. Â I am continually amazed at the delicious food prepared by Chef Sean Andrade. Â You have to try the escargot! Â We intend to make the escargot a regular item when we return to Compass Star. Â The pork wontons and sliders are scrumptious! Â We had Sean's rabbit sliders last night and they were awesome. Â Nothing better to finish your evening off with fresh pressed coffee and you really have to save room for dessert! Â Compass Star is our favorite place to dine. Â Make it yours. Â You won't be disappointed!
Review Source:I love this place. Great food, good people and close enough to make it a "drop in" location. We had the Wine Maker's dinner on a Friday night. And although I left reeling from the price tag, it was so delicious and well presented that we were entranced.
We WILL be back!
Pro's:
Location
Foodie-worthy selection
Ambiance
THE PEOPLE!!
Romantic evening out on a lovely patio in one of the most charming communities in Contra Costa County.
Immaculate dishes, service and glassware
Cons:
Price
Timing of Service (sloooow, kept running out of wine while waiting for paired food, etc.)
Nobody get's five stars. Finally stopped in for a Pastrami Sandwich & it rocked. They smoke their own Pastrami & cure their own Salumi. The Pastrami was every bit as good as Saul's & served on my favorite...Marble Rye.
Half price wine nights & special To Go Dinners for Bocci players to take to the courts.
Another solid addition to Downtown Martinez.
Come check out the vibe!
I was working from home and thought I'd go to downtown Martinez for lunch. Â I walked around and decided to come here.
The place was packed with people standing around and also sitting. Â I didn't see anyone eat though?
There was an open refrigerated case with misc. premade items in it. Â I was hoping to have a nice lone sit down lunch. Â Kind of like you would at a normal restaurant.
I walked up to the counter and read the menu board and ordered the Tri-Tip Salad. Â The girl working behind the counter pointed to the refrigerated case and told me they were over there.
"Oh?" I said. Â "You don't make the food to order?". Then a guy from the back says " Every things made the morning of". Â I may sound stupid, but I was so confused.
I thought this was a small cafe and some of the photos indicate people sitting down and eating food but I didn't see that happening. Â I grabbed my premade refrigerated Salad and started walking out. Â
At the same time the large group of people who were standing around got their to go orders and walked out behind me. Â The tables were all open but I was already walking to my car. Â
What were those people getting that wasn't premade? Â I'm seriously confused.
The Salad was good and fresh. Â The Red Pesto sauce went really well with the Oil & Vinegar dressing that was on the side. Â It's a little pricey but you're definitely paying for quality and freshness.
I just wish that I knew what was going on in the place. Â I had hoped for an hour away from my laptop but instead I ate in front of it again.
Compass Star is the newest Rising Star! Â Â and in Martinez?!?
Whether they realize it or not, the owners of Compass Star have almost recreated my ideal gourmet lifestyle niche. Â Beignets and pressed coffee for breakfast, homemade corned beef (reuben with the pickle) sandwiches for lunch and mixed salumi w/cheese and wine at the end of the day. Â All at reasonable prices. Â Now I don't have to visit a half dozen speciality shops to do it at home anymore, I can come here now.
While I'm giving the 5th star on faith, there is a some room for improvement. Portions are kinda small, for example the Ploughman's Lunch could do with a couple of gourmet olives, a fresh tomato or local fruit (plums, apples and nectarines/peaches are in season) figs later on and/or some more speciality cheese/bread for a few dollars more. Then it could be a perfect after 5PM plate (with a matched wine) as well.
Also the Reuben needs 'authentic' sauerkraut with a unique homemade sauce to match.
If Compass Star could just mix in CA specialty cheese, with a local olive, bread and wine partner they might just hit the big time! Rachael just needs to find a way to advertise her awesome sausage making skills and grow the business without compromising quality for quantity!
We stumbled upon their new evening offering in it's second week. Â Served and befriended by Sean, host of "The Compass Star Wine Bar" we sampled delicious fritas (fries), yummy caprizi, cool sliders, affordable wine, complimentary gazpacho shots, great coffee, amazing french donuts w/ "assaulted" carmel ice cream | to dine al fresco at a real foodie place, on the spur of the moment for under $30 = delightful.
Review Source:The restaurant is a cute place. Food and wine is excellent. Sean the owner has done a wonderful job. Everything is cooked fresh that day and the wine selection is the best I have ever had and drank. Very smooth. I am totally going back there again and telling all of my friends and family to go and try it out.
Review Source:Damn you Compass Star for being so addictive! You are all too good and too nice. My only compliant is that I am addicted to you and have to go to Compass Star Anonymous. You deal such tasty and delectable treats that I feel like I am cheating on you if I go anywhere else. You guys are too awesome!!!!! Stop being so good or I will have to keep on writing great reviews and will have to be a lifelong customer.
Review Source:My cousin and I headed off to Martinez for lunch. I know, Martinez usually brings images of jury duty or other legal activities. But with a high recommendation from a friend, off we went to The Compass Star.
We walked up to the register and look at the handwritten boards. I ended up ordering the Mediterranean Salad, a roasted rosemary chicken with kalamata olives, organic baby tomatoes, cucumbers, romaine tossed in a balsamic dressing with crumbled feta cheese on top. I also ordered a cup of their split pea and sausage soup. My cousin ordered their house-made, hot cured pastrami sandwich. After we paid, we found a small table in the teeny dining space and squeezed in. There are five or six tables inside, mostly seating two (the tall tables seat three or more), but there are a few tables outside beneath some market umbrellas on the sidewalk.
The sandwich looked amazing. Thick slices of juicy beef piled high on fresh marble rye bread. I did not taste her sandwich but she assured me that it was divine.
I know, I know, I'm at a restaurant known for it's charcuterie and I order a salad - but it hit the spot for me. The cubed rosemary-scented chicken and crunchy salad greens was lightly dressed in a delicious light balsamic dressing.
We finished up with an order of beignets served with a small ramekin of homemade berry jam, just enough to satisfy a sweet tooth before heading to the farmers market around the corner. After checking that out, we wandered down Main Street, poked our heads inside a couple of antique shops and walked off our overfull tummies before getting back in the car.
This little cafe is only months old but it has a bright future. They offer catering services and have a fantastic looking menu on their website. They also offer a wine bar on some evenings and other events to draw you in.
Go. Point your compass toward Martinez and navigate to The Compass Star. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.
Wow. That was the most amazing pastrami and corned beef I've had in possibly forever. I was skeptical, because usually pastrami is dried out or microwaved and leathery. To see this massive chunk come out of a steamer on the food prep line was like seeing the Virgin Mary in my rye bread - just a sign from heaven that this was going to be good. And man was it!
We had to wait a bit for our sandwiches due to an unexpected rush, but I think I understand why. Each sandwich was lovingly crafted and assembled, not thrown together. I'll admit at first I thought "Dude I'm hungry...let's move it along" and then I realized that if it were not for the TLC delivered with each precise placement of cheese or mustard my sandwich would've been as boring as Subway down the street.
I wasn't sure the $9 lunch combo would be worth it at first, I mean, hey-that's a good chunk of change just for lunch. But I've devoured the whole sandwich I said I'd eat only half of, ate the entire bag of homemade potato chips (which amazingly had NO grease on the bag), and inhaled the homemade pickle whose crunch rivals that of my favorite kosher dills. I don't think I'll be needing dinner. While I can't afford this every day, I'm more than happy for an occasional splurge here because I know it'll be worth it.
Their home cooked/cured meats show their quality easily and the rumors of tastiness have quickly spread thru the office. I think pretty soon we'll have a cult started and they'll happily drink the cool-aid if Compass Star starts to sell any.
We were fortunate to have Mothers Day at Compass Star. This is one of those hidden gems. We had th entire place to ourselves for a specil Mother's Day. There were about 8 of us. The place is tiny, so we packed it. The nice thing aboiut that is the attention we got from Rachel. She s very nice an gave all the mom's and Grandmoms hugs on the wa out.
And the food...
Wonderful Salumi, french toass that I would go to jail for...
All in all, Rachel ad he saff made it a very special experience for my family.
It was 2 o'clock, we hit the park first and I hadn't had lunch yet, so my friend and I went to Martinez to check out The Compass Star - I had been seeing my friends talk about Rachael's fabulous salumi on Facebook. I just HAD to see the place and try everything. Â I was so late that there wasn't much left, but I was NOT disappointed! Â The Tri-Tip salad was fresh, the lettuce perfectly crisp, the meat tender and flavorful (and plentiful). Â The dressing was not too strong and was a lovely accompaniment to the the meat without drowning the salad in it's flavor. Â On top was delicately pickled sliced onions, shaved cheese and a lovely pesto made of almonds and roast red peppers. Â The pesto was enough to make me stop talking. Â I couldn't pay attention to the conversation. Â We tried a couple of desserts - strawberries and cantaloupe with a lovely Greek style yogurt and honey layered and some delicious beignets with the most heavenly jam. Â (They were better than the ones I ate in New Orleans!) The food is incredibly delicious and the price is ridiculously low. Â Some reviewers have said the prices are a bit high, but I beg to differ. For the quality of food, it is a bargain. Â In SF you'd be paying twice as much for comparable quality food. Â I wish this place was close to MY work, because they are only open on weekdays. Â People who work in Martinez are blessed to have such fresh and delicious food right there. Â Oh, lest I forget, the wine is paired especially to go with their food. Â They have wines that you can't buy at Bev Mo. Â Incredible wine. We also sampled her Andouille sausage, Lardo, and something that looked like salami and another thin slice of what looked like prosciutto. Â It was so good that I shut up again. Â Anyone who knows me knows that it HAD to be good if it did that to me. Â I am going to order her platter for my parties. Â In fact, I ended up taking the Cobb Salad home for dinner and wasn't disappointed. Â I'm a pretty good cook and this was better than anything I have made.
If you want to treat your mouth to something divine and memorable, go in there. Â Go early. Â You'll be sorry if you don't have the full menu to choose from. Â Take a friend that will share. Â In fact, come up with some excuse to sneak out of work and go there. Â Get married, get divorced, pay your taxes in person... any reason to go to Martinez and eat lunch at the Compass Star. Â OK, maybe not divorce, but anything to give you a reason that doesn't put you in jail, you will not regret it. Â Another plus, parking is dirt cheap! Â A dollar for an hour. Â There, you have no excuse for not going!
Wandering down Main Street at the tail end of lunch hour, I saw a delicious-sounding quiche listed as the daily special in the Compass Star's window. Sadly, the quiche was gone for the day (it was 15 minutes before closing time), but the chef went out of his way to make me an off-the-menu, warm, vegetarian meal. It was one of the best sandwiches I've ever had, grilled provolone on sourdough with a special type of pesto sauce.
The taro root chips were also amazing. They have different chips on different days depending on which vegetables look best at the Farmer's Market. That's pretty neat.
Service was excellent; food was amazing; venue was clean and welcoming.
**The only reason I gave 4 stars instead of 5 is because I've only been there once. Need several good experiences to give 5 stars. But I'm sure I'll be back next time I'm in Martinez.
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