The Locals
90 Mark West Springs Rd.
Santa Rosa
(707) 623-9505
American Classics
Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily
Entrées (dinner): $9-$21
Short but sweet wine list
The Locals is Mary and Dave Kenady’s (owners of Healdsburg’s popular Center Street Café) newest venture, which opened this past November much to the delight of the surrounding community. Its streamlined interior features dark wooden tables and chairs, chalkboard specials (including the beer and wine list) and large windows. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, its menu offers classic American items featuring fresh ingredients and fantastic flavor twists. When you visit, make sure you’re hungry because the portions are not for the wimpy.
We visited for dinner, which began with a crisp, toasty Sonoma Cuvée Chardonnay and a bright, floral Fess Parker Viognier. Next up were the sweet potato fries with maple mayo. Yes you read right: maple mayo. Let’s just say it’s one of those combinations that doesn’t sound like it goes together, but it does—and in a really great way. The fries were plentiful, perfectly crisp and salty/sweet. I wanted to eat the entire basket but somehow managed to control myself.
Next up was the glazed vegetables and polenta special. This rich, buttery dish had sautéed greens and onions, Jones All Natural Cherry hardwood smoked bacon (thick and delicious) and grated Parmesan atop creamy polenta—filling and comforting.
The restaurant offers daily specials for each meal served. We tried both soup specials: creamy mushroom (herbaceous and rich with chunks of mushrooms) and a thick, rich potato bacon beer (see what I mean about interesting flavor twists?).
The “Blue Ribbon” meatloaf is made with grass-fed ground brisket and chuck and, if you’re a meatloaf fan, will have you smiling (and full) in no time. Slathered in creamy mushroom gravy and served with buttery, garlic masked Yukon gold potatoes and rosemary roasted carrots, it’s moist, flavorful and hearty. But the entrée that truly won my heart was the Dixie fried chicken. I’m a big fan of fried chicken (one of my mom’s specialties when I was a kid), and this stuff reminded me of hers. Fried to a perfect golden brown with delicious breading and a tender interior, there were three pieces served with a mound of house-cut French fries and a side of greens dressed with tangy vinaigrette.
Not that I could actually fit much more into my beyond-full belly, our knowledgeable and friendly server, Tony, told us we simply had to try the caramel walnut bread pudding. How could we resist? Served hot and topped with English cream and drizzled with caramel and fruit sauce, it was wonderfully moist with plenty of walnuts—the perfect way to end the meal. Save room if you can!
