Picazo Cafe Review: A Culinary Countryside Adventure
By Lauren Ferry
Sometimes a spontaneous adventure to the countryside is just what the doctor ordered. There’s nothing more recharging than filing your boisterous friends into your 1980 Mercedes and seeing where the open road drives your spirit.
While driving around Sonoma county, we spotted a roadside gem. Picazo is a charming, yellow cafe style eatery. Their lunch menu has an extensive selection of sandwiches, salads, burgers, and Picazo specialties. They put their own twist on the typical lunchtime favorites.
What’s even more refreshing, is this local joint cooks with ingredients straight out of their own garden. You can even picnic by the vegetables and herbs. Oh, and did I mention they have a creative beer and wine collection?
I tried The Puck.I hate to admit it, but I was sold by the graphics. It’s aesthetically pleasing label of some jovial folk inspired my palate. And it turned out to be delicious. This North Coast brew is a crisp, light petite saison. If you enjoy pale ale, give this beer a try.
When I envision a lazy afternoon countryside, I imagine sipping cool, breezy iced tea and relaxing in rocking chairs. Maybe Picazo didn’t have any rocking chairs, but one sip of their Passion Iced Tea with your eyes closed, and the experience is pretty close.
The Mahi Mahi Fish-n-Chips fall under Picazo’s specialties. The Mahi Mahi is succulent. The breading, a seemingly house secret, is airy and crispy at the same time. As a fish cook myself, I can always tell if my underwater friends are seasoned perfectly or not. This is my typical reasoning that I never order fish, but today I took the plunge, and this fish dish delivered.
The fish was delicately salted and peppered with a flaky crust. The homemade tartar sauce is made with fresh dill from the outside garden. The chips in this meal may not be what is expected, but skinny fries accompany the fish for a healthy change of pace. I was pleasantly surprised by the vibrancy of the accompanying coleslaw. This is a simple dish, and the fresh pop of color cheers this plate right up.
Don’s KaBoom is a house classic. An assorted toss of marinated veggies and grilled chicken is simple, but satiating. It is accompanied with a side of spicy Picazo sauce which makes the dish. The sauce has a zesty zip on the tongue; the flavor and texture similar to an aioli. The array of fresh vegetables included portobello mushroom, carrot, red onion, and zucchini.
Overall, my gypsy spirit was fulfilled with this miniature wild west road trip. The country air calmed the senses and Picazo Cafe was a pleasing roadside find that fit the essence of the day. They are open Sunday through Saturday for breakfast and lunch. Dinner is offered everyday except Monday and Tuesday. Give this fresh local favorite a try; you will not regret that you did!