July, 2007 & September 2010

Rating: 8 out of 10

Tariff:  Dinner for 4

• 2 appetizers
• 4 entrees
• 2 bottles wine
• 2 desserts
• 2 coffee drinks
• tip
• $200

Cacti is an attractive dining spot situated in an old church, located in downtown Novato on Grant Ave. The main dining room features wood floors, high ceilings with exposed wood beams, a bar, as well as several alcoves, and open arched windows into the kitchen area hung with copper pots. A large outdoor covered patio is available for additional seating or private parties. Both the look and cuisine are southwestern.

Food

For starters we had the crab cakes and the calamari—always a hit here. I often have the crab cakes entrée. They are a nice combination of rich crab and seasonings. Served for dinner they come with veggies and a tequila lime sauce. The calamari are delicate, lightly battered and fried so as not to be too heavy, and served with avocado lime aioli and cocktail sauce. We also tried (and enjoyed very much!) the Roche Pinot Noir wine. For dinner we tried the lamb sirloin, served with rosemary demi-glace, potato, and crisp steamed vegetables. The sauce was light enough not to overpower the meat, which was tender and flavorful. The prime rib was a large portion served with a light horseradish cream sauce on the side and was cooked as ordered. It wasn’t the most tender or piece of prime rib I’ve ever had, but was better than average. The Angus New York Strip was reportedly excellent, and came with a chili herb butter, veggies, and potato. Note: Cacti’s sister restaurant in San Francisco is Harris’s and the beef is from Harris Ranch. Other dishes I enjoy at Cacti are the excellent Caesar salad and the pistachio crusted chicken. Another note: Try the margaritas here—they are usually very good and strong, too!

Service

Service is professional and our waiter this night was helpful with wine selection. He did forget our coffees but a different waiter quickly brought them—no harm done. On occasion I have dined at the bar with a friend and the atmosphere seemed friendly.

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September 2010

On a separate occasion two of us dined at Cacti. We each had a cocktail and ordered from the dinner specials. We tried the paella and the smoked salmon and pasta. Both were a bit disappointing, unfortunately.  The paella was nothing like the traditional version with saffron rice. Instead the rice and some seafood: salmon, shrimp and clams were served in a soupy, brown broth. The smoked salmon in the other dish were tiny pieces along with chopped asparagus stalks, mushrooms and bits of artichoke over angel hair pasta. The creamy broth was good for a bite or two and then the smoke flavor of the salmon began to overpower it. We cut our losses and didn't order desert. (Tariff with tip $65)

Paella Special	Smoked Salmon and Pasta Special

Cacti Grill
1200 Grant Avenue
Novato, CA 94948
415-898-2234
www.cactigrill.com