Catelli’s
21047 Geyserville Ave.
Geyserville
(707) 857-3471
Italian Cuisine
Lunch and dinner Tues.-Sun.
Entrées (dinner): $12.95-$32
Full bar, nice wine list
In 2010, sister and brother Domenica and Nicholas Catelli reopened the restaurant their parents, Santi and Virgina Catelli, first opened in 1936 (originally known as The Rex). Today, they offer three generations of family recipes featuring local, seasonal, organic food. Domenica, author of Mom-a-licious: Fresh, Fast, Family Food for the Hot Mama in You!, has regular appearances as a judge on “Iron Chef America” and is spokesperson for a multitude of healthy, organic products. Nicholas has managed several restaurants in Sonoma County, and at Catelli’s, you often can find him behind the bar. The boisterous place draws in quite a crowd (even during the week).
Upon entering, you’ll see a long, full bar with exposed brick walls and a large dining room featuring an eclectic mix of seating options. The cocktail menu has both classic and original specials (we went for classic martinis—which arrived perfectly, by the way) while the dinner menu features nightly specials, pastas, burgers, sandwiches and fresh chicken, fish and meat dishes.
Our meal began with a beautiful plate of fresh burratta (triple-cream mozzarella) and San Danielle prosciutto, served with sliced, grilled bread (soft with crisp edges and a light toasting that gave it a slightly smoky flavor) and baby arugula lightly dressed in Dry Creek olive oil. The portion was generous and entirely delicious—plenty for four to share as an appetizer.
The organic kale salad was also impressive. Shredded into strips, it had Preston biodynamic walnuts (chopped), citrus segments, crushed croutons, shaved Parmesan and Dry Creek olive oil, which all combined to create an earthy dish with wonderful texture play and a hint of sweetness.
The flavor-rich wild salmon special (“West Coast Wild Fish of the Moment”) was a large, thick, juicy filet, grilled perfectly and topped with sweet, bright sun gold tomatoes and fresh basil, with roasted organic potatoes and grilled organic zucchini and yellow squash. It paired beautifully with a crisp 2010 Mill Creek Sauvignon Blanc. We also went for the housemade ravioli (also a generous portion) with classic three-meat filling (beef, pork and chicken ground with vegetables and herbs), topped with Domenica’s sauce (organic tomato, garlic and olive oil—with a “secret” kick), plenty of grated Parmesan and sprinkled with fresh herbs. The fresh, lively dish was expertly paired with a glass of 2009 Dancing Lady Zinfandel by Fred Passalacqua Family (lively, spicy and dark—I think it really was dancing on my palate).
For dessert, we enjoyed housemade strawberry mint sorbet (bright and tart) as well as a scoop of “brownie swirl” ice cream, made with Straus Family vanilla ice cream, big chunks of brownies and topped with swirls of caramel and hardened chocolate—and whipped cream, of course. It was a lovely way to end the day.
