Off the Beaten Track on the way to or from Vallejo
Old-fashioned gas lamps. Sterling silver spoons. Serving up American fare and Pre-Prohibition Cocktails, Bull Valley Roadhouse transforms you with its Victorian décor and welcoming farm-fresh feasts! The service is excellent, as staff is totally dedicated to the success of this Port Costa restaurant.
And dedicated they are. “At a recent visit to Bull Valley Roadhouse, I heard about an incident that exemplified this employee dedication,” says patron Deborah Luster of Oakland. “During the latest storms, the creek in Port Costa rose and started moving down the street into the Roadhouse just as they were closing down for the night. The staff stayed on and worked all night and until the wee hours of the morning, moving water out of the restaurant and preventing the water from flooding the bar where all the electrical was located. Employees showed up the next morning to finish the cleanup.”
Bull Valley Roadhouse was born in 2012. Believe it or not – it all started with bees. Graphic designer Earl Flewellen and budding restaurateur Samuel Spurrier moved to Crockett from San Francisco in 2006 to escape the pace of city life and Earl started raising bees. He moved his work to Port Costa’s Bull Valley where the terrain and climate were perfect for beekeeping. One thing led to another and they opened a café in the town’s old Burlington Hotel, with honey playing a major role on the menu. The building next door became available and Earl and Sam asked chef David Williams (previously with SF’s Slanted Door) to join their efforts to create a fun spot for people to gather and enjoy excellent food. Their intent from the beginning was a menu that offered food made from local produce paired with exceptional wine and cocktails. This hidden gem is in a small waterfront town with a rich history dating back to the 1870s. Start your evening with the Hanky Panky and get in the mood! It is made with Anchor Juniper Gin, Cocchi Vermouth di Torino, Allesio Vermouth di Torino and Fernet Branca – an early twentieth century cocktail.
Lots of smaller plates. Rave reviews about the Grilled Caesar Salad, Crispy Fried Brussells Sprouts and the Wedge with a Roadhouse twist. Right now for larger plates they have a Smoked Llano Seco Pork Chop, a 13 oz Prather Ranch Ribeye, California Halibut, Winter Risotto and Crispy Buttermilk Fried Chicken.
“The place was slammed when we arrived,” continues Deborah, “and I heard they were missing a server. You would never have known. Everyone was so welcoming and professional. They made me feel like I was in my own home. The Halibut was delectable. And you can’t dine here without ordering the E. Guittard Dark Chocolate Pot De Creme with sea salt, caramel and whipped cream. Quite decadent!”
Bull Valley Restaurant is located at 14 Canyon Lake Drive in Port Costa. You can reach them at 510-787-1135.
Port Costa can be reached by car from I-80 through the town of Crockett and it can be reached by bicycle or by taxi from the Vallejo Ferry Landing in Vallejo.
Hours:
thur: 5-9pm, fri: 5-10pm
sat: 4-10pm, sun: 4-9pm
sunday brunch: 10:30am-2pm
Check out their varied list of local suppliers from bullvalleyroadhouse.com:
Bull Valley Roadhouse supports these local farmers and purveyors who use sustainable practices to manage their crops, colonies, flocks, herds and catch, and the generous foragers and gardeners in Port Costa and Crockett.
- Dirty Girl Produce -This Santa Cruz farm provides us with seasonal chicories, lettuces, tomatoes and strawberries.
- E.G. Flewellens Honey – The operation that started it all, right here in Port Costa.
- Full Belly Farm – The enthusiastic team at Full Belly rolled up with our first-ever farm delivery in 2013 and we’ve been friends since. They bring us seasonal vegetables of extraordinary vitality year-round.
- Iacopi Farm- Located in Half Moon Bay, Iacopi provides us with amazing brussels sprouts, shelling beans and greens.
- Marin Roots Farm -This is our source for beautifully manicured broccolini and other vegetables, chicories, and mint for our bar.
- Prather Ranch Meat Co. – We pick up these meats at the farmers’ market because we know the animals were well raised and cared for.
- Riverdog Farm – Riverdog supplies us with tomatoes, greens, carrots and arugula.
- Sonoma County Poultry – We love duck. This farm’s Liberty ducks are raised in Sonoma County with the care we seek in all our products.
- Stars Route Farm – This wonderful farm grows gorgeous arugula, nettles, lettuces and carrots for us.
- Water2Table – Buying from this sustainable seafood supplier guarantees that we’re not perpetuating poor environmental practices. Their seasonal approach also challenges us—every day, we learn more about our ocean and preserving its bounty.
