Bistro Ralph
Healdsburg, CA 95448
Phone: (707) 433-1380
- Price:
- $$$$
- Hours:
- Mon-Fri 11:30am-2:30pm, Daily 5:30pm-9:30pm
Editorial Review for Bistro Ralph – by Citysearch Staff
The Scene
About a dozen linen-covered tables surround the sleek wooden bar. With one tiny room, it tends to be too noisy and crowded. A cement floor, white brick wall and pressed aluminum ceiling create an industrial backdrop for the towering arrangements of native grasses and flowers.
The Food
Chef-owner Ralph Tingle has created a popular upscale bistro in the heart of Healdsburg. The small but extensive menu changes weekly. While most dishes give a nod to France and Italy, don't be surprised to find starters like Szechuan-pepper calamari with a lemon-soy dipping sauce. Simple seductions like chocolate cake and sorbet make up the appealing dessert list, though creme brulee is the dessert of choice.
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Insider Tips
Wine and DineTingle sends no mixed messages about his preference for wines; he carries only bottles made in the Healdsburg area. Plenty are gems, including the fabulously silky 1996 Iron Horse Thomas Road Pinot Noir.
PlusesPatio dining is available but be sure to reserve in advance.
User Reviews for Bistro Ralph
04/08/2006 Posted by erikalange
stopped on thursday night at 8:30, only to find they were done serving for the night. but it looked intimate, we made reservations for saturday night. when we arrived it was packed; we were seated by the kitchen (fine). the lighting was much brighter than the night before, and the staff said the kitchen was closing. on the menu, lots of innerds, tongue, etc and my husband was hoping for a nice steak au poivre, like at any french bistro. the food was actually pretty good (he had the chicken), but the service (especially the bus-girl) couldn't wait for us to leave. rather irritating when you're trying to have a nice eveing. we all left with a bad taste in our mouths. there are lots of wonderful places to eat in healdsburg. try ravenous for less attitude and no hurried-ness.
01/02/2006 Posted by ebless
Typically I go to wine country twice a year and typically I like to hit Bistro Ralph at least once. Consistantly good food, great dinner rolls (as mentioned in the other review) great steaks and an excellent wine list. I don't recall corkage being too high so feel free to bring in a bottle you found tasting locally. Service has been alway professional and friendly. It's small so make reservations ahead of time. The outside tables do have heaters but are not nice as the ones inside. Finally the owners had opened an italian restaurant across the square, Felix and Louis, which is ok but not as good as Bistro Ralph's.
Pros: menu, service, wine list
Cons: small
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