If you ever have the opportunity to dine at the Gatehouse Restaurant at the CIA you must! The best and most innovative food you will find. We have dined at Michelin restaurants and this was matching the experience. Our server Abby (student of CIA) was amazing. Personable, knowledgeable and professional.
Kyrstin “Kyrstin”
I used to work back of the house of the Gatehouse restauraunt before I withdraw-led from the CIA. I was able to taste all of the dishes. I do believe they have a nice harmony and fusion aspect. A lot of my former classmates had a large amount of knowledge on food and the kitchen and I believed this passion transferred to a lot of the dishes they cooked. What I do have issue with is the ethics of the instructors which I believe also translates in what the end product can be for customers.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 3
Brandy Owen
Outstanding! Please please go if you have the opportunity. Our server was exceptional and asked about allergies right away. I informed them of my weird stone fruit allergy and we ordered the 4 course which includes dessert. He promptly came back to the table and informed me they couldn't do the first course I requested because of my allergy and I ordered another. The food is so so so good. Truly outstanding. Get the Cordo. Amazing experience. Would go back tomorrow if I could.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kelly Chen
Plentiful choices of innovative dishes in a fixed price meal made by students of the CIA. The lobster cavatelli was a little salty and spicy, the striped bass was cooked both crispy and tender inside, the goddess salad had a good variety of greens/veggies and light sauce. Service was staffed by students, happy to support their work!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jose Contreras
Great food made by the students just before they graduate . Nice atmosphere and perfect service also by the students . A must when you go to
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Oksanna Kasoyan
I had a great experience and it was worth the drive for the price. The food was so delicious and beautifully presented. I will definitely come back again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
David
Service was wonderful! Drew and the rest of the team were very attentive and polite. Accommodations were made for my dairy allergy, I did not feel like I missed out on the experience at all. Went with the wine pairing, was very pleased. Will make it a point to dine here again, next time I visit the area!
tiger tastic
I quite enjoyed this hidden gem. The restaurant is welcoming and the staff is friendly. I found their service well done and appreciated the personal touch of each server having a chance to describe the dishes in detail, clear joy in their work, passion in their eyes.The food choices are creative, colorful, balanced, and tasty. From the menu I tried, I loved the lemon panna cotta with passionfruit and some citrus. Absolutely delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Darlene B.
Regretfully this was the most underwhelming meal we had in during our one week trip. We were lucky enough to dine at the grand former Greystone dining room years ago. Shame on us for not researching that it had changed to this new modest building. The previous restaurant was grand, and elegant, with the open kitchen. It made the experience more special. The food was hit or miss. Each course I ordered was great, but my husband's octopus dish was very spicy (which was not listed as a spicy dish), and his striped bass was salty. My short rib was tender and flavored perfectly. My porcini chocolate ice cream dessert was exceptional. In a weird twist my niece's 2nd course was served before her first. When we asked the server said, "The chef decided to serve them in this order because someone else at the table ordered the same thing and we are serving both at the same time". Not a deal breaker, but odd to get a cold salad after the hot second course. The service was friendly and attentive, and the students are wonderful to watch in action. If the meal had been great for everyone it would have been a good price for an extraordinary meal. For the total hit or miss nature of the meal, the cost plus 20% service charge felt overpriced. It either has to be right for the price charged, or student priced and inconsistent. Even so I do miss the old building. Shame.
Tiana D.
Incredible experience all around and a must stop if you are ever in the area - and honestly worth a drive if you are not. A five star experience in a very non-pretentious setting. Making a reservation online is a breeze. And the hour or so before our reservation, we were texted prompting us to let the restaurant know we were on the way. We were pleasantly greeted upon our arrival. Our reservation was for 12:45 on a Tuesday. We arrived a tad early and were able to be accommodated. There were a handful of open tables. Service was perfect. Our dishes came out at a great pace, our water glasses were never empty, dishes and silverware were promptly cleared and replaced, and our server did an excellent job checking in on us without it being too much. The food here is SO GOOD. Every dish is so intentionally put together and the flavors complement each other so well. It's not a cheap meal, but I've easily paid three times as much for the same caliber. My partner and I chose the four course option, but our server explained to us that we could have crafted the three course however we wanted. I ordered the steak tartar, crab fritters, garganelle, and panna cotta. My partner chose the salad, gnocchi, lamb, and chocolate cake. Every single dish knocked it out of the park, but I especially loved the lamb. It was so melty and delightful! Next time I visit (and there absolutely will be a next time!), I would love to experience the wine pairings.
The service and food are exceptional. The students' enthusiasm shines through, making dining here a delight. Meals are not only delicious but carefully crafted with attention to detail. Each dish is presented beautifully, reminiscent of the French Laundry style. Having visited multiple times with different friends for special occasions, I highly recommend experiencing it for yourself.
Cyril Oberlander
Excellent dining and customer service, very pleasant ambiance, fun place for fine
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Octopus
Everything we ate this evening was amazing! Our favorite was the short rib. Attention to detail is evident throughout the dining experience. A hidden gem in wine country! Will be revisiting on our next mom and daughter wine country trip
Shannon T.
Where can I begin...the food and experience we had here was amazing! I've been wanting to try Gatehouse for a long time after hearing they had a tasting menu, and it's all run by students! I made a reservation on OpenTable for an early anniversary celebration dinner with no issues. We opted for the $65 four course menu. I got the chicories salad, pulpo, striped sea bass, and into the woods dessert. I was amazed by the tenderness of the octopus and the pork loin that my boyfriend got. The octopus was not chewy at all, it was very easy to cut through. Our waitress told us they cook it in a sous vide. The pork loin was juicy and melted in your mouth. I remember reading a review on here that someone said their pork loin was dry, that was not the case here. I wish I got a picture but even looking at it you could tell it was tender! The striped sea bass was very fresh, caught from Mexico. It was flaky and not dry, and had a nice crispy skin. I think the skin was salted a little too much, however the couscous accompanied it well. For dessert, I ordered Into the Woods which is ice cream kind of with smores and a mushroom caramel. It had a subtle fungi flavor that complimented the graham crackers. We were also served focaccia and cheese bread accompanied with salted bread. All of it is made by the students. At the end of the meal we were provided a small little pastry but I forgot what it was called, but it was a cinnamon bread. Service was exceptional and you can tell each of the students really care about what they do at CIA and Gatehouse. They have a great future ahead of them!
nicolea
Loved the gatehouse restaurant. Small intimate unassuming place. This food was creative and delicious. We really enjoyed the ambience & the service as well. We have been out in Sonoma County for about four months and this is the best meal we have had thus far.
If you ever have the opportunity to dine at the Gatehouse Restaurant at the CIA you must! The best and most innovative food you will find. We have dined at Michelin restaurants and this was matching the experience. Our server Abby (student of CIA) was amazing. Personable, knowledgeable and professional.
I used to work back of the house of the Gatehouse restauraunt before I withdraw-led from the CIA. I was able to taste all of the dishes. I do believe they have a nice harmony and fusion aspect. A lot of my former classmates had a large amount of knowledge on food and the kitchen and I believed this passion transferred to a lot of the dishes they cooked. What I do have issue with is the ethics of the instructors which I believe also translates in what the end product can be for customers.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 3
Outstanding! Please please go if you have the opportunity. Our server was exceptional and asked about allergies right away. I informed them of my weird stone fruit allergy and we ordered the 4 course which includes dessert. He promptly came back to the table and informed me they couldn't do the first course I requested because of my allergy and I ordered another. The food is so so so good. Truly outstanding. Get the Cordo. Amazing experience. Would go back tomorrow if I could.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Plentiful choices of innovative dishes in a fixed price meal made by students of the CIA. The lobster cavatelli was a little salty and spicy, the striped bass was cooked both crispy and tender inside, the goddess salad had a good variety of greens/veggies and light sauce. Service was staffed by students, happy to support their work!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food made by the students just before they graduate . Nice atmosphere and perfect service also by the students . A must when you go to
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I had a great experience and it was worth the drive for the price. The food was so delicious and beautifully presented. I will definitely come back again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Service was wonderful! Drew and the rest of the team were very attentive and polite. Accommodations were made for my dairy allergy, I did not feel like I missed out on the experience at all. Went with the wine pairing, was very pleased. Will make it a point to dine here again, next time I visit the area!
I quite enjoyed this hidden gem. The restaurant is welcoming and the staff is friendly. I found their service well done and appreciated the personal touch of each server having a chance to describe the dishes in detail, clear joy in their work, passion in their eyes.The food choices are creative, colorful, balanced, and tasty. From the menu I tried, I loved the lemon panna cotta with passionfruit and some citrus. Absolutely delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Regretfully this was the most underwhelming meal we had in during our one week trip. We were lucky enough to dine at the grand former Greystone dining room years ago. Shame on us for not researching that it had changed to this new modest building. The previous restaurant was grand, and elegant, with the open kitchen. It made the experience more special. The food was hit or miss. Each course I ordered was great, but my husband's octopus dish was very spicy (which was not listed as a spicy dish), and his striped bass was salty. My short rib was tender and flavored perfectly. My porcini chocolate ice cream dessert was exceptional. In a weird twist my niece's 2nd course was served before her first. When we asked the server said, "The chef decided to serve them in this order because someone else at the table ordered the same thing and we are serving both at the same time". Not a deal breaker, but odd to get a cold salad after the hot second course. The service was friendly and attentive, and the students are wonderful to watch in action. If the meal had been great for everyone it would have been a good price for an extraordinary meal. For the total hit or miss nature of the meal, the cost plus 20% service charge felt overpriced. It either has to be right for the price charged, or student priced and inconsistent. Even so I do miss the old building. Shame.
Incredible experience all around and a must stop if you are ever in the area - and honestly worth a drive if you are not. A five star experience in a very non-pretentious setting. Making a reservation online is a breeze. And the hour or so before our reservation, we were texted prompting us to let the restaurant know we were on the way. We were pleasantly greeted upon our arrival. Our reservation was for 12:45 on a Tuesday. We arrived a tad early and were able to be accommodated. There were a handful of open tables. Service was perfect. Our dishes came out at a great pace, our water glasses were never empty, dishes and silverware were promptly cleared and replaced, and our server did an excellent job checking in on us without it being too much. The food here is SO GOOD. Every dish is so intentionally put together and the flavors complement each other so well. It's not a cheap meal, but I've easily paid three times as much for the same caliber. My partner and I chose the four course option, but our server explained to us that we could have crafted the three course however we wanted. I ordered the steak tartar, crab fritters, garganelle, and panna cotta. My partner chose the salad, gnocchi, lamb, and chocolate cake. Every single dish knocked it out of the park, but I especially loved the lamb. It was so melty and delightful! Next time I visit (and there absolutely will be a next time!), I would love to experience the wine pairings.
Restaurantji Recommends
The service and food are exceptional. The students' enthusiasm shines through, making dining here a delight. Meals are not only delicious but carefully crafted with attention to detail. Each dish is presented beautifully, reminiscent of the French Laundry style. Having visited multiple times with different friends for special occasions, I highly recommend experiencing it for yourself.
Excellent dining and customer service, very pleasant ambiance, fun place for fine
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Octopus
Everything we ate this evening was amazing! Our favorite was the short rib. Attention to detail is evident throughout the dining experience. A hidden gem in wine country! Will be revisiting on our next mom and daughter wine country trip
Where can I begin...the food and experience we had here was amazing! I've been wanting to try Gatehouse for a long time after hearing they had a tasting menu, and it's all run by students! I made a reservation on OpenTable for an early anniversary celebration dinner with no issues. We opted for the $65 four course menu. I got the chicories salad, pulpo, striped sea bass, and into the woods dessert. I was amazed by the tenderness of the octopus and the pork loin that my boyfriend got. The octopus was not chewy at all, it was very easy to cut through. Our waitress told us they cook it in a sous vide. The pork loin was juicy and melted in your mouth. I remember reading a review on here that someone said their pork loin was dry, that was not the case here. I wish I got a picture but even looking at it you could tell it was tender! The striped sea bass was very fresh, caught from Mexico. It was flaky and not dry, and had a nice crispy skin. I think the skin was salted a little too much, however the couscous accompanied it well. For dessert, I ordered Into the Woods which is ice cream kind of with smores and a mushroom caramel. It had a subtle fungi flavor that complimented the graham crackers. We were also served focaccia and cheese bread accompanied with salted bread. All of it is made by the students. At the end of the meal we were provided a small little pastry but I forgot what it was called, but it was a cinnamon bread. Service was exceptional and you can tell each of the students really care about what they do at CIA and Gatehouse. They have a great future ahead of them!
Loved the gatehouse restaurant. Small intimate unassuming place. This food was creative and delicious. We really enjoyed the ambience & the service as well. We have been out in Sonoma County for about four months and this is the best meal we have had thus far.