I lived in Italy for six months when I was younger and have been back several times and the fresh pasta a this restaurant reminded me of several restaurants I ate at while in Tuscany. My adult son and I went here after a day of antique shopping in Petaluma and the food was amazing - as was the staff and the prices were very good. My son had pork chops and said it was the best he has ever had. I had pappardelle and it was so fresh and both were very large portions, we were stuffed (in a good way). We also had two glasses of very reasonably priced house wines - red and white and enjoyed both. We started with a chickpea appetizer that was also very tasty. We did not have room for dessert but the menu looked very good. We saw the chef doing rounds, he was very nice and our waitress was knowledgeable, friendly and attentive.
Melissa W.
This used to be my favorite restaurant in Petaluma, probably still is, but I haven't eaten at many new spots since I used to work downtown years ago. I love that the food is farm to table, so the menu usually changes often based on the season. Ate here for dinner with my family on a rainy Friday night. The place was still pretty packed! We made a reservation but got seated at a high top by the bar. No complaints, my mom just sometimes has trouble getting into high seats because of her back and she's just older now. The bartender/our server Laura is the best. She gets 5 stars in my opinion. She is super friendly, and she is super attentive even though she covers the bar and 3 high tops. She explained everything on the menu we had questions about and was extremely helpful. We shared the ocean trout crudo which was flavorful but definitely the "busiest" crudo I've had. It was on top of guacamole which is an interesting twist. Only complaint is that it comes with 3 pieces. Seems kind of small in my opinion. But it was fine since my mom doesn't like raw fish. 4/5. The winter salad was delicious with salami, pecorino, provolone, anchovy, and a lighter dressing. Super good mix of flavor. 5/5. The testarossa pizza was good but nothing crazy. 4/5. The pork chop is as tasty as I remember it years ago!! 5/5. The sea bass was cooked perfectly and so tasty. 5/5. My wagyu sirloin steak was a little tough, but it's a sirloin. Not exactly as good as I remember it but still good. The fries were lightly crispy but mostly soft...overall 4/5 dish. We were too full so skipped dessert this time. But Laura took time to explain almost every dessert they had that night. I can't express how great she was that night!! Also, they used to serve complimentary bread years ago and it was SO good. They charge $3 now for a basic baguette-still good but the bread isn't the same as what I remember. I think it used to be sourdough loaf style bread...but the butter is delicious. The bread wasn't served warm though. The place can get very loud since it's not a huge dining room. Something to look out for if you come with older people who have a harder time hearing. Overall, I'd say this place hasn't changed much, and I'm glad!
Central Market is consistently excellent in their cuisine and service staff. The restaurant updates their menus seasonally and is always a joy to sample new features on their menus. Central Market has a relaxing and enjoyable ambiance with parking nearby and available for walk-ins. I definitely recommend it.
AdamT
The pizza and pasta were delicious! They ran out of our first choice pasta, but the shrimp and bucatini were delicious as a second choice. Server was really friendly! Overall it was a lovely evening and I want to go back.
DianeT
I had the Wagyu steak which was FANTASTIC!! My friend had a number of small plates - each equally delicious! The buttercream stuffed macaroons for dessert were SO amazing!! Great service and ambience!
Excellent waitress. Although the daily specials list indicated what they were featuring for today's menu, when I ordered one of the specials, I was told it was no longer available. It was just barely 7:30, and it was no longer available, not good. The substitute was good, but not what they offered as being available, so disappointment.
NancyL
The special Mardi Gras menu was full of tempting items and we tried quite a few. Halfway through our meal a band came marching and snaking its way through the festively decorated restaurant and was met with cheers from the diners. A nice night in one of our favorite places.
GingerB
We are Central Market regulars because the food is always great. Tonight was Mardi Gras with a special Cajun influence menu. Fried okra, hush puppies, gumbo, catfish. Everything was wonderful. Always highly recommended.
Stacie Erickson
Love Central Market. The food in service are consistently excellent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Butterscotch Pot of Cream, Slow Cooked Angus Beef Short Ribs
Location and the environment seem to be inviting. Staff might be a little bit tired. Happy hour from 5 to 6 and the price for raw oysters is very good. Food in general is fine but not a place that I will remember the restaurant by the quality or the food that I had. One time experience is ok. Okay w me to come back.
SarahF
I had the farinata which is a wonderful gluten free sort of savory pancake - wonderful! I also had the excellent steak on skewers with perfect cole slaw. I'm going to get that every time. The roasted vegetables were very good but not a lot on the plate for $16. Best surprise of all - the butterscotch pot au creme with gluten free cookies. I'd go back just for that. Great service - very friendly place.
valdez3080
Nice atmosphere. Busy Friday night. Quality of food was good, serving size small for the price. Beer and wine only.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Nancy Cuneo
The young lady who was our servant was very sweet. the menu is delicious so hard to choose what to order. I ordered the tomato soup and yummy. I also ordered the Pasta with braized beef which had great flavor but the papperdelli? was overcooked in my opinion. I like my Pasta al Dante.And loved the butterscotch pot o'creme.I will definitely go back to try some more of the Menu
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Butterscotch Pot of Cream
Charlotte
Always enjoy a meal at Central Market. There were 4 of us and we shared starters. We all tasted each other's entrees because our meals were so good and we wanted to share. Also enjoyed an excellent bottle of wine. Desserts were excellent.
I lived in Italy for six months when I was younger and have been back several times and the fresh pasta a this restaurant reminded me of several restaurants I ate at while in Tuscany. My adult son and I went here after a day of antique shopping in Petaluma and the food was amazing - as was the staff and the prices were very good. My son had pork chops and said it was the best he has ever had. I had pappardelle and it was so fresh and both were very large portions, we were stuffed (in a good way). We also had two glasses of very reasonably priced house wines - red and white and enjoyed both. We started with a chickpea appetizer that was also very tasty. We did not have room for dessert but the menu looked very good. We saw the chef doing rounds, he was very nice and our waitress was knowledgeable, friendly and attentive.
This used to be my favorite restaurant in Petaluma, probably still is, but I haven't eaten at many new spots since I used to work downtown years ago. I love that the food is farm to table, so the menu usually changes often based on the season. Ate here for dinner with my family on a rainy Friday night. The place was still pretty packed! We made a reservation but got seated at a high top by the bar. No complaints, my mom just sometimes has trouble getting into high seats because of her back and she's just older now. The bartender/our server Laura is the best. She gets 5 stars in my opinion. She is super friendly, and she is super attentive even though she covers the bar and 3 high tops. She explained everything on the menu we had questions about and was extremely helpful. We shared the ocean trout crudo which was flavorful but definitely the "busiest" crudo I've had. It was on top of guacamole which is an interesting twist. Only complaint is that it comes with 3 pieces. Seems kind of small in my opinion. But it was fine since my mom doesn't like raw fish. 4/5. The winter salad was delicious with salami, pecorino, provolone, anchovy, and a lighter dressing. Super good mix of flavor. 5/5. The testarossa pizza was good but nothing crazy. 4/5. The pork chop is as tasty as I remember it years ago!! 5/5. The sea bass was cooked perfectly and so tasty. 5/5. My wagyu sirloin steak was a little tough, but it's a sirloin. Not exactly as good as I remember it but still good. The fries were lightly crispy but mostly soft...overall 4/5 dish. We were too full so skipped dessert this time. But Laura took time to explain almost every dessert they had that night. I can't express how great she was that night!! Also, they used to serve complimentary bread years ago and it was SO good. They charge $3 now for a basic baguette-still good but the bread isn't the same as what I remember. I think it used to be sourdough loaf style bread...but the butter is delicious. The bread wasn't served warm though. The place can get very loud since it's not a huge dining room. Something to look out for if you come with older people who have a harder time hearing. Overall, I'd say this place hasn't changed much, and I'm glad!
Central Market is consistently excellent in their cuisine and service staff. The restaurant updates their menus seasonally and is always a joy to sample new features on their menus. Central Market has a relaxing and enjoyable ambiance with parking nearby and available for walk-ins. I definitely recommend it.
The pizza and pasta were delicious! They ran out of our first choice pasta, but the shrimp and bucatini were delicious as a second choice. Server was really friendly! Overall it was a lovely evening and I want to go back.
I had the Wagyu steak which was FANTASTIC!! My friend had a number of small plates - each equally delicious! The buttercream stuffed macaroons for dessert were SO amazing!! Great service and ambience!
Excellent waitress. Although the daily specials list indicated what they were featuring for today's menu, when I ordered one of the specials, I was told it was no longer available. It was just barely 7:30, and it was no longer available, not good. The substitute was good, but not what they offered as being available, so disappointment.
The special Mardi Gras menu was full of tempting items and we tried quite a few. Halfway through our meal a band came marching and snaking its way through the festively decorated restaurant and was met with cheers from the diners. A nice night in one of our favorite places.
We are Central Market regulars because the food is always great. Tonight was Mardi Gras with a special Cajun influence menu. Fried okra, hush puppies, gumbo, catfish. Everything was wonderful. Always highly recommended.
Love Central Market. The food in service are consistently excellent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Butterscotch Pot of Cream, Slow Cooked Angus Beef Short Ribs
Great dinner with family!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Location and the environment seem to be inviting. Staff might be a little bit tired. Happy hour from 5 to 6 and the price for raw oysters is very good. Food in general is fine but not a place that I will remember the restaurant by the quality or the food that I had. One time experience is ok. Okay w me to come back.
I had the farinata which is a wonderful gluten free sort of savory pancake - wonderful! I also had the excellent steak on skewers with perfect cole slaw. I'm going to get that every time. The roasted vegetables were very good but not a lot on the plate for $16. Best surprise of all - the butterscotch pot au creme with gluten free cookies. I'd go back just for that. Great service - very friendly place.
Nice atmosphere. Busy Friday night. Quality of food was good, serving size small for the price. Beer and wine only.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
The young lady who was our servant was very sweet. the menu is delicious so hard to choose what to order. I ordered the tomato soup and yummy. I also ordered the Pasta with braized beef which had great flavor but the papperdelli? was overcooked in my opinion. I like my Pasta al Dante.And loved the butterscotch pot o'creme.I will definitely go back to try some more of the Menu
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Butterscotch Pot of Cream
Always enjoy a meal at Central Market. There were 4 of us and we shared starters. We all tasted each other's entrees because our meals were so good and we wanted to share. Also enjoyed an excellent bottle of wine. Desserts were excellent.