December, 2005

Rating : 6 out of 10

Tariff :  Dinner for 2

• 2 entrees
• 1 carafe wine
• tip
• $50

The Grant Avenue Bar & Grill, the night time counterpart for the newly reopened Golden Egg Omelet House, has a casual and comfortable appearance. Its padded booths, large round wooden tables, and floor tiles are in earth tones and it is tastefully yet minimally decorated. It serves American and California cuisine and while I thought the prices were a bit high, it delivers large portions. It is open for dinner from 5 - 9 pm. I noticed a range of diners from a couple with an elderly parent to a couple with very young children. Service was friendly and efficient.

Food

There is an extensive appetizer menu, so patrons could feel comfortable sharing snacks and drinks. My companion and I had two regular entrees: the seafood risotto and the filet of beef Wellington. Entrees come with choice of several soups or a salad. The risotto was a heaping plate of tender, flavored rice with some fresh seafood. It wasn't, however, Arborio rice stirred over an open flame until creamy and still al dente like an authentic risotto. The Wellington was beautiful to look at, with a light golden brown pastry crust dome. Inside were two steaks (not one thick filet?) and layers of pate and sautéed mushrooms. It was tasty, but not superb. This entree came with a good sized serving of garlic mashed potatoes and a nice portion of lightly steamed veggies.

Wine

We ordered the 3/4 carafe of house red and it was definitely a cheap wine, almost sour.... On the one hand you get what you pay for, but I would argue that a house wine doesn't have to be bad. Certainly here in California wine country there are some very good inexpensive choices available.

It was a pleasant dining experience, but nothing spectacular. I think I would go back to try several other interesting sounding entrees--the sesame crusted ahi tuna and the barbecued lamb shanks, or I might go for a selection of appetizers and desserts.

Grant Avenue Bar & Grill
807 Grant Ave Novato,
CA 94945
(415) 897-7707