Underwood Bar & Bistro

Great food! The lettuce cups were perfect for a light snack and the sauce is something I’ll crave!

I absolutely loved this place! We were immediately seated upon entering the restaurant on a Thursday afternoon. Our server was informative, friendly, fast and, most importantly, got everything right from her recommendations to getting our orders and bill correct. I had the Bahn Mi sandwich and it was so good! I’m usually not a french fry person but the Black Magic fries were also… magical. They were cut thin, crispy without being burnt, and drizzled with a slightly sweet sauce.

What a cute place to stop by on our way to Guerneville! I ordered a hot toddy (it was a cold, rainy day) and it was simply fabulous. The food was good bar food, the pizza — a single serving size — was really good and they messed up our order and brought us french onion soup instead of the pizza but they fixed it quickly and comp’d us. Great place to stop by if you’re in the area.

The Underwood Bar & Bistro in Graton is at the complete opposite end of the savory scale from Frank himself (HOC — Netflix)!
It is also VERY conveniently located to a few spectacular wine paradises, including Balletto (our favorite), Dutton Goldfield, and Mary Edwards!
We started by trying each of their 4 types of fresh oysters (Pinot pairing) and then moved on to their specials. I especially recommend the brined pork chop and a side of Chinese broccoli. YUM!
FYI — For morning breakfast or mid-​day brunch, just cross the street to the Willow Wood; equally scrumptious!

Frank is the best bartender. A real pleasure to be around. The restaurant has a great ambiance for where it is. You can dress up or dress down. Cocktails are great. The tapas are good. The Hamburger with gruyère and pickled onions was excellent, although when I go to a restaurant I feel like they should put all the fixings on the burger for me. Instead they serve it all on your plate and you have to assemble it yourself. Price is high but the portions match.

My first visit and not my last — yum.
A lovely bistro atmosphere in the tiny town of Graton. For lunch we had the poached egg frisee salad, the chinese lettuce wrap and spaghetti carbonara — we liked them all.
The service was good, the food came out quickly — all was fresh and beautifully presented. Lots to choose from — we will be back!

Our waitress was wonderful. We had a few nice cocktails and an appetizer. Our experience was amazing until a lady whom we’ve never seen before (short blonde hair) approached our table and rudely asked us who sat us and that our table was reserved…45 minutes after we sat down. We felt that was totally inappropriate and that it put us in a very awkward situation.

This place is always amazing!!! Lunch or dinner, it’s delicious. The environment is that of an old time, historic, comfortable restaurant. Today we sat at the bar and lunch was fabulous!!!
When I think about Underwood, I think class!

On a late November Sunday evening, it was relaxed and not very crowded.
Began with the tuna tartare, which was terrific. It was served like a cerviche with potato crisps (i.e. weave cut potato chips, which were a little weird and unnecessary), caper berries, olives, almonds and some sprouts. While delicious overall, the tuna got a little lost.
The entrees were:
Pork chop with kale and butternut squash, with chopped figs. This was an umami bomb. The broth was very flavorful and huge pork chop was well cooked.
The roast chicken was covered in pepper and coriander and served in a cinnamon harissa broth over chickpeas and potatoes. The dish was sweetened with apricots. Whoa, an awful lot going on this dish! While really good, it could have been a little more focused.
Ordered wines by the glass:
Dutton Goldfield Pinot — a little soft, but decent
Unti Barbera — good for tartare, but too light for the pork chop
Bella Zinfandel — a neutral zin, not too fruity and not too acidic
The rest of the menu looked good and we’ll be back to try more of it.

I have been to Underwood’s many times. The acoustics are intense and very challenging to hear people next to you or sitting at your table. People rave about the food but I find it to be average.
The last time I went I ordered lettuce wraps. The chicken had bone in it which caused me to gag. The fish sauce tasted like it had spoiled. I have had fish sauce all over the world including Thailand and Cambodia that never tasted like this. I wanted to send it back but we were friends with the server and didn’t want to make a thing of it but now here we are and I can’t forget how awful the last experience was.
We went back once since then but I didn’t order any food.
When they first opened I was so excited. The first few times I thought it was okay and that they’d pick up momentum and the food and service would get better but it hasn’t. The menu reads like an amazing line up yet when arrives doesn’t seem to match the words.
One night on a family member’s birthday we went to dinner and our bill was around $ 450 for 6 of us. I felt that was pretty high and had everything been superb I wouldn’t mention this.
Frankly, I am surprised reading the reviews. I would have rated them higher except that as I return each time the quality of everything continues down hill. I have been hear at least 20 times. Too many to return but most likely will if someone in our group really wants to go.
Parking is challenging and only one handicap. The woman next to me (20 something) used the handicap as she only had one foot. It meant any other handicap person would be unable to have dinner there that night.

Walked in on a week night and the place was very busy. Had a Moscow mule (yummy), the Serrano ham, Catalan fish stew & chocolate lava cake.
Service was very attentive.
Great atmosphere and lighting/​mood.
I would recommend this place, one of the best one in the Russian River Valley.

Underwood
We ate at the bar. Started off with some oysters and Cava (and a Mojito on the side). Yummy! Off to a good start. The menu had a great selection for Bar service. We ordered the Serrano ham and mancego cheese with caper berries (which was incredible, btw).
Unfortunately, this is when the service goes downhill. The bread, olive oil and vinegar arrived AFTER we nearly devoured the Serrano ham. Now, this isn’t the end of the world, we weren’t upset. We still managed to have two slices of meat left to fare with the bread. We just found it kind of weird how no one felt the need to apologize for this blunder. Perhaps I won’t feel the need to return to this establishment. Naw! JK… I’d give it another shot
In short, the food was delicious but it wasn’t on-​par with the service
Again, the oysters were awesome too. But this is Bodega Bay/​Sonoma country, that isn’t a hard feat to pull.

Great bar: good atmosphere with a great bar team making the best cocktails in West County. They have a mighty fine burger too (I like Gorgonzola on mine), and they found their way to my heart serving it with garlic aioli.

Stopped in for a drink after wine tasting and before our dinner reservation at a swanky restaurant. Had oysters, made small talk with the locals while sitting at the bar. Then we watched as patrols had their food brought out to them. That’s when we decided to cancel our reservation. Not only was the ambience perfect without prevention, but the food was incredible. How often can you say that about a chicken dish??? Chicken. No one orders chicken. But this was so flavorful, moist, and thoughtful that it blew me away. Kudos.
Come for the ambience and a cocktail, stay for the food.

Well it’s about that time of the summer ladies and gents! My boy Byrtholemew is breezing through G Town, fish van crew in tow. Hold on to your belt buckles, examine your zippers, and cinch up those drawstrings, because some oysters are most definitely getting ordered tonight! My mouth is watering and my pants are sagging just thinking about it! Keep an eye out for the boys, we’ll be the boisterous bunch taking it all in on the front patio. Yes indeed, The veranda is fine this time of year, and them oysters will no doubt have you eyeing our rear! Hope my man G-​Lynn is in the mixology mix tonight!
It’s Bunderwoods time baby

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A hidden gem in West of Sonoma, Underwood Bar & Bistro is located in the picturesque Sonoma wine country, sleepy town of Graton. About an hour drive from San Francisco, Graton is the geographical hub of Sonoma’s West County, nestled in the middle of Occidental, Santa Rosa, and Sebastopol.
Underwood provides classic dishes and local wines in a laid-​back bistro setting. It’s a happening spot for the locals and tourists alike on the weekend, and also offers a late-​night menu.
— Steamed mussels with pommes frites, was so good. I drank all the broth!
— Moroccan lamb sandwich, spicy grilled lamb sirloin, tomatoes, arugula, red onion, grilled flatbread, and French fries; that tzatziki, slightly aromatic garlicky spread made all the different. It’s a perfect sandwich to fill up before you continue your wines tasting adventure.
We sat the bar. The service was good. The cocktail we tried was strong. The wine list offers a lot of local wines. It’s bit out of the way. So if you drink, make sure to have a designated driver or Über.

After an afternoon with other Unilocalers, we were ready for somewhere warm and with food. … we are good Unilocalers, and followed what our app told us. After a short drive through who knows where, we arrived here at Underwood.
I was the first to get there, so I put our names down for a table… this is where I get a bad feeling. «Hmm» says the hostess. Like she didn’t know where to seat 6 of us. The ENTIRE restaurant was empty. Apparently, we got there just as the restaurant was open, and they were completely booked starting in 1.5 hours. She usually likes to give guests 2 hours for a comfortable dining experience. — We were still in and out within an hour.
Pro-​tip: make a reservation to avoid not being seated.

I was rolling with the EBC Dinner Squad. Porsche, Isabella, Jason, Christine and I .
We rolled to Underwood on Christine R recommendation. We found Street Parking really easy.
We rolled in to Underwood and it was half full a lot of Open Tables .
We asked to be seated at a Table, but were told it was reserved by the Hostess .
But she managed to seat us at a Table in the Bar area .
We were looking to have a Snack after Kevin Bs Stellar Event at DeLeoach Vineyard .
Underwood looks to be the Fine Dining Option in the Sleepy Town Of Graton.
We all decided to order off the Tapas Menu — Small Plates.
We Ordered :
Hoisin Glazed Baby Back Ribs — These were fall off the Bone Tender. Pretty Tasty
Harissa Fries — These were Spicy. Reminded me of Cajun Fries .
Chicken Lettuce Wraps — Diced Chicken mixed with Lemon Grass and Mint leaves — Nice Light bites good flavor.
Mussels –in White Wine Broth– Pretty Tasty and Earthy.
Mac and Cheese. Nice and Creamy and Cheesy I liked it .
Underwood is a nicely Decorated and a Classy establishment and would make a nice date joint.
We all kicked in $ 15 toward the Tab it even Covered a Nice Tip .
I would eat there again.
Its even out of Range of My Ankle Bracelet Yea!!!

Actual rating 3.5.
Advertised as the «honky-​tonk» brasserie in the sleepy town of Graton, the Dinner Squad dined here in the post-​event meal via a suggestion made by another Unilocaler.
VENUE: Looks to be the neighborhood restaurant. Seating arrangement reminded me of an ‘older’ version of the Rutherford Grill. Noise level is typical of any brasserie. Though they serve entrees, the emphasis here is on the Asian and Mediterranean-​inspired small plates.
SERVICE: The waiter gave us a bit of a cold shoulder as she refused our party of 5 booth space next to another group of Unilocalers as it was already reserved. Instead she had us sitting across from the bar, isolated from our party.
Our group (me, Eugene, Porsche, Christine and Jason) ordered from the small plates as we were already too stuffed from the event to even consider entrees.
— Harissa Fries (cilantro, scallions, lime), $ 8.75. My share. Harissa is a Tunisian chili pepper paste. Crunchy and slightly spicy though still somewhat plain, flavor is improved by dipping into one of the two dips. Aioli improved the fries somewhat.
— Hoisin Glazed Baby Back Ribs (napa cabbage and mango slaw), $ 14.75. Eugene’s share. The rib was adequately glazed with the hoisin and the rib meat literally fell off the bone. One order only contained four ribs so Porsche and Jason had to share.
— Chicken Lettuce Cups (rice noodles, cucumber, peanuts, mint,
lemongrass, chile-​lime dressing), $ 12.75. Christine’s share, this was a variation of lettuce wraps that is more like a spring roll. The chicken was minced and mixed with the dressing, lemongrass and mint. This was the last and lightest entrée, made for a good finish after eating all the heavier sides.
— P.E.I. Mussels (white wine, pernod, tomato concasse, shoestring potatoes), $ 13.50. Jason’s share, the pearly looking mussels had a silky smooth texture. White wine broth was a bit plain that was improved slightly with the shoestring potatoes. With the shoestring ‘fries’ this isn’t the small plates version of moules frites.
— Macaroni & Cheese (les coudes), $ 7.00. Porsche’s share. Cheese was oozing all over the macaroni though it was somewhat plain.
Total came to a bit over $ 60 for all entrees. I remember all of us split evenly at ~$ 15 including tax and tip and this was enough to cover all of our shares with more than 15% gratuity.
Should we stop by Graton after a day out in Sonoma wine country I would take a group here for small plates or take the No1DP here as a post-​winery dinner date.

Most folks root for the underdog. But after my lunch today, I’m rooting for the Underwood. The Underwood Bar & Grill, that is.
A co-​worker and I came here after a biz mtg. in Santa Rosa. Never in a million years would I have ever thought of coming to Graton for anything let alone lunch. But since my colleague is a North Bay native, and swore by this place. So long story short — I had to trust her word. And I’m SO glad I did.
The restaurant boasts a lively bar, covered patio, and an uncovered patio/​garden area. You’d expect a charming bar/​grill/​bistro like this in SF or the East Bay. But not in a Norman Rockwell-​ian town like Graton. Let’s face it — this town consists of a quaint Main Street, and that’s pretty much about it.
We started off our lunch with a few adult beverages (a margarita for me, and a Chardonnay for the lady). For lunch, my friend ordered the Smoked Chicken Cobb Salad ($ 14.50) — a generous mélange of spinach, bacon, egg, cherry tomato, avocado, croutons, blue cheese, with a creamy lemon dressing. It was just as tasty as it sounds. For my entrée, I ordered the Moroccan Lamb Sandwich ($ 13.75) — spicy grilled lamb sirloin, tzatziki, tomatoes, arugula, red onion, grilled flatbread, served over a bed of french fries. Holy moly! This was one of the best damn sandwiches I’ve had in a while. Every bite was SO full of flavor. The flatbread was a delicious alternative to regular sourdough or whole wheat. And the dish came with two zesty dipping sauces. I pretty much shamelessly licked my plate clean (yes — the sandwich was THAT good).
Service was super friendly (without being overbearing). Pricing was reasonable. The setting was relaxed and inviting. I want to come back here again. Underwood Bar & Bistro has made a fan out of me.