STARK’S Steakhouse, Stanta Rosa, CA

4forks

stark_logo

521 Adams St
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
(707) 546-5100

starkssteakhouse.com

Neighborhood: Sanoma County, north coast, wine country
Cuisine: Steakhouse
Cost: $$$ = Spendy $31- $60
Four Forks = Defines excellence in local dining.  Worth the investment

Hours:
Monday through Thurday 11:30AM – 9PM
Friday 11:30AM – 10PM
Saturday 5PM – 10PM
Sunday 5PM – 9PM

OPEN FOR LUNCH 
Sunday – Thursday 11AM-10PM
Friday – Saturday 11AM-11PM

HAPPY HOUR:
Monday – Saturday 3PM to 6PM
$1.75 – $5 Eats!
Happy Hour Cocktails & Beer specials

SPECIAL FEATURES:  Old steakhouse, classic feel with a fresh Raw Bar!

Handicap accessible: Yes
Parking: Street
Vegetarian options: Yes & Gluten-free
Kid friendly: No
Liquor served: Full Bar featuring signature and well cocktails and over sixty whiskeys.
Wine List:  A extensive list of local and international wines, many in half bottles.
Outdoor seating: No
Reservations: Yes

Complimentary:  Fresh pull a part bread, served in a heavy wrought iron pan and loaded with melted butter, oil, tons of garlic, parsley and fresh dill.

IMG_1245

One loaf is more than enough for two people, but you can surely ask for more.

IMG_1247

This bread was amazing.  It was super moist and it sat on puddle of butter, in case you needed more for dipping!  We had to refrain from over indulging.

Unique:  They feature sustainable seafood, Certified Angus Beef brand, Prime and Natural, in-house dry-aged beef, and American Kobe.  They also have private dining and banquet options available.

It was odd figuring out where the entrance really was, but we entered through a happening bar, eventually making our way through to a hostess station near another entry.

IMG_1054 bar

inside

The decor is classic but casually elegant with an upscale feel.  The service was good, but not exceptional.  Jason T didn’t seem to have a lot of experience or recommendations.  We did observe Stark’s serving up classic steakhouse fare table side with a modern approach to others near us.

table side tableside 2

Although the steaks are generous and of sharing sizes we thought that the portions of the other menu items were rather petite for the price.  Each of us had plenty, but we all agreed that had this been a restaurant located in the Midwest, people would complain and not see it as a value.  A big plus is that all of their beef is hand selected by owner/executive chef Mark Stark and served à la carte.

We started off with: Iceberg side salads with the Usual Suspects, $8

Bill and I ordered one to share with vinaigrette.  We appreciated that they served us each half, already divided without issue.

IMG_1248

Scott and Tanya did the same, but ordered theirs with blue cheese dressing instead.  The divided salads were not large, but fresh and flavorful!

IMG_1249

Entree’s: I ordered the classical Surf & Turf, $34 (with an add on of a flick of mushrooms & onion $39)

IMG_1254

6 oz Petite Filet & 1/2 Rack of Shrimp.  I think the presentation was something to be desired, and I didn’t care for the description of the shrimp, but the food was flavorful and cooked perfectly.  The sauces are by choice and I chose the Peppercorn, which was good.

Bill chose the Black & Blue Ahi Tuna Steak, $24.

IMG_1260

It was a perfectly prepared, decent sized fillet of Ahi.  It was charred on the outside with a perfectly rare in.  the onions were just ok, but added flavor.  The fish sat on a bit of blue cheese and he reported liking it very much!

Tanya went with the Arctic Char, Roasted Grapes, Capers, Almonds, $23

IMG_1251

She reported it to be flavorful and flaky, but it was really only about two to three ounces at best and I thought she was going to leave hungry.  What I find interesting and frustrating is that they charged her for the Halibut ($28) on the receipt! 

Scott went with the American Kobe Flat Iron 8oz, $31.

IMG_1255

Lonely and dinky, not much bigger than the mini-tea cup of the dipping sauce, he said it was good and cooked just right.

For the Sides:

We shared the Truffled French Fries, $6

IMG_1258

Just ok, not something any of us would order again.  They were limp, not crispy on the outside.  They did have good flavor, but were a bit on the soggy side.

And the Brentwood Sweet Creamed Corn, Marscapone & Chive, $8.

IMG_1261

Now this dish was to the best!  Each of us enjoyed a tad, while wishing we had individual bowls.  It was perfectly creamy from the cheese and the amount of texture from the kernels.  I wanted more.

Dessert:  We skipped it.

Bill enjoyed a glass of  Russian River Valley 2008 Pinot Noir, Halleck “Hallberg Vineyard”, $15.  Scott had a Captain Morgan cocktail, $7; while Tanya and I each enjoyed a tap beer @ $4.

We thought overall it was a decent option with a nice variety and we’ll be back!

Bon appetit!
~Chris

Related