It takes a village to open a restaurant. Since last summer, legions of Facebook friends have watched the daily highs and lows as Patrick and Christine Tafoya open their first restaurant, P30 in Sebastopol. Some days were clearly rough going ("Opening night and no babysitter (flu). This is fun") while others ecstatic ("The restaurant is totally packed on a Sunday night....we are just so flippin' happy").
But through six months of choppy waters they found instant commiseration from a choir of 140-character cheers.
Now that the restaurant has officially opened, their virtual village are clamoring for a tableside-seat to the restaurant drama they've watched unfold online. With snap-happy opening in late January (Christine was rarely without her iPhone during the opening week, posing friends both real and virtual) the restaurant is already doing a brisk business even in the doldrums of the SoCo tourist season.
The "Why You're Here Dish" is Tafoya's signature Gleason fried chicken
with brown butter waffles and homemade strawberry jam ($14). There's
nothin' like it in the North Bay and likely won't be. Tafoya has long
been a devotee of the ranch (see why) and cuts into his own margins to
get this dish right.The Rest of The Menu: "Chic + Cheap Comfort Food" (nothing on the menu is over $15). Grassfed beef hamburgers with house made salted brioche buns, house made pickles and catsup ($11); grilled flatbread with St. Jorge cheese and truffled arugula ($8); biscuit-topped chicken pot pie ($12); mac & cheese ($7); hand-cut Kennebec sea-salt fries ($6); foraged mushroom and walnut ravioli; s'mores for two (served in a glass jar with melted chocolate ganache, brownies, marshmallow fluff and grahams, $10); root beer floats with homemade root beer and ice cream ($7). First-week-eaters take heart: Tafoya has reworked the fries, dialed in the s'mores and added a Meyer lemon meringue custard to weep for.
Why they already have so many fans: The former Duck Club chef is
bringing is haute sensibilities to affordable, everyday eats. Along with an unswaying in his devotion to small,
local purveyors (like Gleason Ranch), which for a deep-pocketed resort is one thing...but for a chef/owner an especially dedicated proposition. Says the couple: "(P/30 is)...unfussy and honest. We are serving
the kind of food we like to eat, in a setting that we want to be in." The Vibe: Inside, the restaurant has undergone a nip/tuck. The roadhouse spirit is intact, with a hip cut and color that's less East Village walk-up and more Brooklyn loft. It's also more kid-friendly, with crayons and butcher paper on the tables begging for scribbles and a "wee ones" menu of their own. Mindful of dietary restrictions, Tafoya's kitchen "happily" accommodates vegan requests. And means it. Beer on tap and wine available.
Join the village.
Restaurant P30, 9890 Bodega Hwy, Sebastopol, 707.861.9030. Open Wednesday through Sunday, 5pm to 9pm.View Larger Map
Recently ate at P30. The service was very good. The flatbread with arugula was exquisite; the chicken pie okay. However, when I ordered iced tea, the server said, "Oh...I can make you iced tea." She then brought a 4 oz glass of iced tea to the table (about two swallows). When I asked for sweetener I was told they only have sugar or honey. Note to owners: Not everyone can/wants to drink alcohol or sparkling water. Also diabetics cannot eat sugar. I will think twice about returning. Too bad, because it's a very nice space in a very nice setting.
Went to P30 the friday of Valentines weekend. We shared the endive salad,I had the chicken pot pie and my husband had the burger.Both were very good but the burger needed fat or mayo. My suggestion is order the fries on the side that comes with the aioli. The pot pie was very good and savory. Didn't look like much to eat but we were satisfied enough not to have dessert. Ordered the Moshin Pinot and they were out so the server recommended the Buena Vista that was only $25 and very good.Our tab was $60 before tip which I thought was great for a night out.
Tried p/30 first weekend...loved it so much went back the following weekend. Delicious, great vibe, great service, warm atmosphere, AMAZING desserts!
Make reservations! Drive out out on a stormy THursday night for dinner earlier than 6p.m. - no parking and a 45 minutes wait. Didn't stay! With the above reviews, we're considering not trying again. WHo know though! Will keep an eye on comments
Tried P30 for the first time tonight, and we had a wonderful time! The staff is wonderful, the decor is warm and inviting, and the food was excellent. A new favorite on our very short list! Thanks P30!
Our Visit to P 30, or how to nearly petrify free range chicken:
It was with some hope that we went to P30 the other evening. Been watching it change once again. The Review made it seem promising. Most in that location have become miserable.
The place has been redecorated and it looked far improved and clean inside. The wait staffs were cheerful and we were ready for a great meal from a chef given high praise, ready too for the “Cheap, Comfort Food” as the owners claim they like.
Sebastopol had a KFC franchise and they delivered on the promise of finger licking good! It was probably unhealthy food prepared by minimum wage help. Any culinary experts KFC had were working at getting a less unhealthy fat or a new recipe for the broiled version. Still, with a side of coleslaw it was ‘comfort’ food, cheap.
P30 delivered a tiny dry and stringy, salted for an ocean voyage on the Minnow, chicken for the cost of bucket of KFC. A waffle was broken in half on the diagonal next to the tiny leg portion connected to what seemed a torn out segment of lower breast. The meat was salty as if soaked in brine, and very tough. The fried bits were not appealing ether. Some rock hard and some with skin still on. I presume whatever the Bite Club reviewer was served (no pancake either) was not this.
My companion had the Chicken Pot Pie and some pieces appeared to be an unknown pink muscle which required serious attention with knife and then serious chewing. Her mere 5 oz. of wine at $8.00, served in a 12 oz. glass was not helpful. Backed up to cold, damp windows was hardly appropriate. Single pane is very 1950’s. Tables are rather close for such a 'loud' room and she had to cup her ear to hear over the noise.
KFC have long departed Sebastopol, and too bad as they have improved on their chicken offerings and the slaw is good.
The dried out waffle was not helped much by watery strawberry jam. I found evidence of a single eighth bit of strawberry to flavor that dry waffle.
If you want a veggie, the choice was Broccoli. It was a sprig in a weak sauce, and $6.00.
The dessert proved to be a runny custard with just a hint of lemon for $7.00.
Thus a tiny meal of chicken, a bloom of broccoli and a runny near tasteless custard and two rather soggy shortbread ‘cookies’ with a third of a glass of wine, plus tax and tip ($80 for two).
I'm glad someone found this better, but on 2/4 it was lacking. Water was free, bread and butter, or oil were optional too. Crayons were on the table. If there is any comfort here, it will be profits.
In the event you want some great Fried Chicken, or a good value when eating out, by all means visit Stormy’s Bloomfield (also reviewed by posting folks to Bite Club in response to suggestions. Think we will keep to answered questions as the reviews praising P30 just did not fit).
At Stormy's six of us were pleased and it was what posting readers said. I’m looking forward to taking friends again soon. Meanwhile a serious reviewer should take a second look at P30.
Hi Jerry,
Just wanted to see if you'd mind mentioning what you ordered for 80.00? Was this for 2 people? Was that just for food? Did you have any wine? Just trying to get a clear picture of why you were still hungry when you left.
Feedback is appreciated.
Thanks,
Christine
I heard from a few people, and agree after going there last Sunday. Nice vibe, decent food, but SMALL portions. The joke I heard was " yeah, just make sure Mambo's is open after you have dinner at P30". And they went a bit overboard on the FB opening-day bad iPhone pix.
Come hungry, leave hungry...Food is good, but to call it cheap is off base. The servings are very small. We spent $80, not including tip and were hungry when we left. When I hear the term "comfort food" I think of large portions that you can dig into....this is not the case. It felt more like tappas. Even the waitress opened up with a clarification of the servings being small and meant for sharing...Essentially you needed to double the portions to get to the normal of most other restaurants. The ravioli's were good, but 6 small ravioli's for $12 is not cheap at all.
I am so excited to try P30. I was thinking of taking my boyfried for his birthday...he loves fried chicken and waffles and hasn't found a North Bay location that satisfies. Are reservations recommended?
Hi Helen!
Wanted to let you know we've added veggies.
See you soon,
Christine
Went there last week. Quite good!
We had the chicken & the pot-pie....w/ the s'mores & banana tarte for desert.
But a request? Could you find a way to add some vegies? I found myself craving some. Whether a side dish or ??
P/30 is awesome! The food is delicious! We had a party of three and ordered four different dishes, (Lamb Stew, Hamburger, BLT and the Fried Chicken)all dishes were superb! "Meyer lemon meringue custard to weep for" I have been craving this dreamy dessert even since I had it! Looking forward to many more dining experiences at P/30! Great job Patrick & Christine.
P/30 is awesome! The food is delicious! We had a party of three and ordered four different dishes, (Lamb Stew, Hamburger, BLT and the Fried Chicken)all dishes were superb! "Meyer lemon meringue custard to weep for" I have been craving this dreamy dessert even since I had it! Looking forward to many more dining experiences at P/30! Great job Patrick and Christine.