Golden Bear Station
Restaurant · Kenwood ·
Wood-fired pizzas, burgers, steak frites, pasta, tuna
Wood-fired pizzas, burgers, steak frites, pasta, tuna
"The gamberi alla 'Aglio at Golden Bear Station looks simple but transported me—the three prawns were cooked perfectly and bathed in a golden garlic oil that stole the show and sparked a memory of childhood seafood meals. It came with a plain pizzetta that served as a pure vessel for the garlic oil and prawn pieces; I pushed each pizzetta through the oil and enjoyed a solo dinner adventure in Kenwood. After trying both this and the pork chop, I'll be back with dining partners so we can order and share more dishes." - Dianne de Guzman
"We were speeding up the Sonoma Highway on a cold, rainy Friday night when Golden Bear Station materialized as a welcoming beacon; like its predecessor Animo, the dining room exudes effortless charm while the menu leans toward affordable, familiar dishes like meaty Bolognese, margherita pizza, and classic steak frites. A sashimi-style yellowtail awash in brown butter and piqued with white soy was a highlight, but my hands-down favorite was the aglio e olio pasta with the optional clam add-on: perfectly cooked strands of spaghetti enveloped in a lemony garlic-and-olive-oil sauce, with colatura contributing deep umami and tiny bivalves scattered around the bowl. Dinner ended with a massive sundae built on a brownie base smothered in hot fudge — the ideal dessert to finish a meal celebrating how worthwhile unfussy food can be." - Eater Staff
"From the husband-and-wife team who made Animo a Sonoma County destination, Golden Bear Station is set to open its doors soon." - Lauren Saria
"An Asian-influenced brasserie from Joshua Smookler and Heidy He situated in a repurposed filling station along Highway 12 that aims to be a weekly dining destination rather than just a special-occasion spot. The menu blends approachable items—Neapolitan-style pizza and a panko-fried pork chop served with dashi broth—with returning favorites like the Harlan burger (a dry-aged short-rib patty with caramelized onions, Taleggio, shoestring potatoes and kimchi mayo); despite the owners’ ramen past, ramen will not be on the menu." - ByKate Kassin
"I read that this is the Smooklers' upcoming restaurant and that they are encouraging reservations for a spot that will focus on Italian American food." - Lauren Saria
