Peter Lowell's
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We love the idea of a gourmet-organic restaurant and, for the most part, Peter Lowell's does not disappoint. Unfortunately, on the day we went, we had the nuisance of horrible service, and this tainted out experience, but perhaps if we were to try it again it would be a different story. Either way, the food and ambience make it worth a visit, especially if you just want to go and have a relaxing, good-for-you meal. Try the Scone, Bennett Ridge Toast, and Pork Sausage.
Atmosphere
Situated right around the corner from busy downtown Sebastopol, Peter Lowell's is easy to miss unless you know what you're looking for. Once inside, a cozy culinary refuge appears, with bakery cases filled with rustic-looking treats and a long open kitchen. Overhead, large blackboards spell out the daily fare. The dining room is filled with simply-dressed tables on a bare brick-colored floor, backed by huge floor-to-ceiling windows, and elevated by very high ceilings, making the otherwise cramped space feel open and airy. Soft music maintains a cool, relaxed vibe. Outside, several more tables are situated on a self-made patio.
Service
I used to wait tables, and I know how painful it can be to be on the schedule for breakfast. I would sleep restlessly knowing that too soon the alarm would ring, a sound that still fills me with dread, and I would dress in the dark and walk my way through the streets of NYC in the snowy stillness to schlep eggs and pancakes for crabby, hurried diners who hardly ever looked up but needed endless coffee refills and left measly tips. And yet, as a server, I still understood that my very living was precariously and directly tied to my attitude, especially in the morning and, so, I made every effort to be cheery, accommodating, and prompt. I didn't like it, but I did it.
Unfortunately, the servers at Peter Lowell's have not been trained with the same message of cheerfulness and goodwill. And, as they shuffle around in the bright California sunshine (poor things) serving organic food to organically nice people in a beautiful atmosphere, I cannot imagine what in the world they would have to be grumpy about. But there they were, not greeting us, hardly serving us, and grumbling and fumbling every step of the way. Of course, one must notice that the service is part-counter and part-table, understood, but how about cream with the coffee, or butter with the scone? The server looked at me as if I were an alien. I think he may have mumbled something, but I couldn't tell. Sorry for existing, but could I get a coffee refill? Thanks. I still didn't get one.
The whole meal made us feel so uncomfortable and unwelcome that we wondered if we should be eating there at all. If there's one thing that ruins a breakfast more than a scone without butter or coffee without cream, it's a contemptible, lazy wait staff. The worst part? We were expected to tip upfront as we paid at the counter. Not!
Unfortunately, the servers at Peter Lowell's have not been trained with the same message of cheerfulness and goodwill. And, as they shuffle around in the bright California sunshine (poor things) serving organic food to organically nice people in a beautiful atmosphere, I cannot imagine what in the world they would have to be grumpy about. But there they were, not greeting us, hardly serving us, and grumbling and fumbling every step of the way. Of course, one must notice that the service is part-counter and part-table, understood, but how about cream with the coffee, or butter with the scone? The server looked at me as if I were an alien. I think he may have mumbled something, but I couldn't tell. Sorry for existing, but could I get a coffee refill? Thanks. I still didn't get one.
The whole meal made us feel so uncomfortable and unwelcome that we wondered if we should be eating there at all. If there's one thing that ruins a breakfast more than a scone without butter or coffee without cream, it's a contemptible, lazy wait staff. The worst part? We were expected to tip upfront as we paid at the counter. Not!
Food
Despite an unhappy service experience the food was quite good. A house-made organic scone was addicting and slightly sweet, with an earthy, cornmeal crunch ($2.5), though it would have benefited from a little butter and jam. In a dish called the Tummy Warmer, 2 Eggs with Beans and greens ($9.50), on of the eggs was grossly overcooked, but the dish had nice white beans with a strong garlicky flavor, and perfect broccoli rabe. A Basic Breakfast ($7) of 2 eggs, potatoes, and bacon was standard breakfast fare, except for the exceptional toast made with bread from the local Bennett Ridge Baking Co. A side of house-made pork sausage ($2.5) was delicious. French Press coffee ($2.50) was so watery and tasteless I ended up having to go down the street for a decent cup.
Cleanliness
Clean enough, though we had to clear a table ourselves to sit down. The bathrooms are outside and require a key. The kitchen is open and looks fine.
Pros
Nice, comfortable dining area with pretty backyard seating, Organic and local produce, Nice menu selection.
Cons
Clueless and fumbling service, horrible coffee.
