Flipper's flopped.

After eating there a few disappointing "so-so" times, with flip-flop food and service, we didn't go back.

The east side of Petaluma needs a great restaurant. It would be sad to see that location sit empty for months and months.

Mary's pizza shack would be great...

I think I would cry if Mary's opened there. East Side Grill had so much promise. It's a shame that the Rosens spent millions on the building but lacked the vision to hire a chef who could see past the microwave.

I'll tell you what would be great is if something like Central Market opened there. I'm not a huge fan of Central Market, but I think it has potential, and would do quite well in a area that lacks a single decent place to eat.

Mary's probaly would be great at that location. I do not like the location near cvs. I never go to that Mary's because of that location and also there customer service was not up to par. Oh well, there's plenty of great italian places to go to. With great food and service.

A breakfast place would be nice.

GonzoBuggs, I always enjoy your comments. I also eat a lot in Napa, Healdsburg and SF. Some of you suggestions I agree and others I don't, but I have the same feeling toward Central Market and am not sure why. I think there were a lot of family issues as well as Chef's at East Side. I'm just not sure what kind of restaurant that location will support. What would you think of Cafe Giostra? OSH center is too small and a terrible location.

Great one 5th, I like it. Can you let them know, I bet they could get a good rent there since the place seems to be turning a lot lately... I feel Central would not be a good fit there. Great place but that side would not support it in the long run..

I would love to see a restaurant go in there that makes better use of the outdoor dining area. We have few outdoor dining options on the east side. The space has so much potential with some nicer tables and plants that provide a better screen for the parking lot. Some ideas for places that might fit in that space and fill a void in the east side dining scene would be Mary's Pizza Shack (with a party space) or Black Bear Diner. Someplace great for families since it's surrounded by houses full of families.

quote:

What would you think of Cafe Giostra? OSH center is too small and a terrible location.

I haven't been to Cafe Giostra in a long time. I do remember it being very good, but they always seemed to be closed when I would show up. I'm not sure how it is with it's new ownership, but I think it would be a fantastic restaurant for that location.

As much as I come off as a food snob, I'm really not. I do enjoy fine dining, but don't expect a place like Mary's to match up with Cyrus or French Laundry. In my opinion, Mary's is just nasty. Low quality ingredients put together by poorly trained cooks. Have a look at who is running the kitchen and ask yourself if you're getting a good product.

I call places like Mary's, Cheesecake Factory and Chili's "Calorie Trough's". High calorie, high fat garbage that fills your belly. It all flies past your tongue at 50 MPH and straight into your belly. While dining should be all about the bite, it's all about filling your gut with these places.

It's not perfect, but I'd much rather see Pizzicato in that spot than Mary's. I think Cucina Paradiso would have been perfect for that location, but they've already found their way with their new building.

Check out Cafe Giostra. I think it is currently better or certainly as good as when it first opened.

Every time I've been to Cafe Giostra, the food has been very good. I'd definitely recommend it.

I hope it doesn't take too long for a restaurant to lease the location.

It does need some updating. The seats in the booths are so saggy and low. When you eat you feel like your chin is almost resting on the table.

The lighting is glary. Maybe tinted windows would help make the bright daytime glare a bit softer.