Savvy On First

Great place, GREAT food and great staff. I’ve been here twice and both times I’ve had a great experience. Today, I had the «Huevos Rancheros» and they were delicious. Being that I am ‘Mexican’, I am usually hesitant about ordering Mexican food at restaurants. I love that home style Mexican food/​feel that is extremely hard to find at restaurants nowadays. That said, I have to give it to Savvy. I truly got that feel and taste when enjoying my food today. If you’re reading this review, I recommend you go and try the Huevos Rancheros ASAP. You’re welcome!

I was in bakery heaven upon entering with cookie galore, savory and sweet hand pies, biscotti, etc.
I perused the breakfast/​lunch menu — the prices are on the high side. Lunch order starts at 11 am.
I always rate a good breakfast restaurant if their biscuit and gravy passes the Carolina test. My go-​to places for breakfast are Colibri Grill, Hole in the Wall, Sam’s, Dierk’s, Jeffrey’s, and Hank’s. This should pass the test if I paid almost $ 14 for a plate. It definitely did, with flying colors. It comes with local Caggiano sausages, so delicious. Some places would put too much salt on their gravy. This gravy has low sodium content. It is served with top notch farm eggs.
I am impressed! I would definitely come back for their other entrees,
I read the other Unilocalers that service was lackluster. I did not have any complaint with their service. Staff are warm and friendly, you could tell they love what their doing,

White-​only restaurant?
We walked into Savvy on a Sunday morning around 9:00am. The restaurant was bustling and they were doing a very nice job of turning over tables. We were ignored by the older waitstaff. There was only eye contact by a younger waitstaff who smiled and asked us to wait.
The couple in front of us was asked if they had a reservation. They did not and were seated outdoors.
The people who came in *after* us were approached next. They were asked if they had a reservation. They did not. They were told they would be seated next.
Finally the young lady asked if we had a reservation. We did not. She told us she thought she could find something. There was a terse exchange with an older waitstaff and she apologetically told us to come back at 12:30.
I understand we, like the couple who came in before and after us, did not have reservations. What is unclear is why they were offered a table and we were not.
As a person of color I can’t help but wonder why we were initially ignored, passed over in favor of people who came in after us, and then told to come back 3 ½ hours later.

For the most part very good, but some issues… attitude of the owner probably at the top of my list. She needs to realize that customers pay her wage, and should be listened to. Ordered soup. chicken, tasted like it came from a can, quite a surprise because usually their food is quite good. I think stress is showing, when you tell her about what others have complained about and she says «I am the owner… and therefore» it suggests she is stressed out. helpful hint the customer is always right (even when they are not)

Fantastic Place!
I was a tad nervous reading the «we only like locals» reviews as an out of towner but we were treated so well.
Coffee is excellent and in a decent sized cup. Food was superb. They had no issues with a substitute item. I did giggle when the waitress did inform me there would be an up-​charge; the up-​charge was $ 0.25.
Lovely place, nice staff! I will make this a stop along my driving route.

Nice little pricy place that has a good Sunday Brunch crowd. Also bakery, homade soups.

Very good food and excellent service! I really enjoyed this place! I had the breakfast sandwich with a side of potatoes. I want to eat here again tomorrow.

Delicious food, great atmosphere and friendly service. They have the best breakfast in Sonoma County.
Worth the drive to Cloverdale.

I am sitting in Savvy on first as I write this. I have never written a Unilocal review before but this is the worst service I have ever had in my life. I feel the need to communicate this. We have been in the restaurant for over one hour and 15 minutes and I have not been served. Worse than that we are 6 people 4 of which were served after an hour of waiting. Two of us are still waiting. I still would have been fine with the situation if any of the staff had taken the time to communicate even once that they were running behind and sorry for the wait. They never came back to refill our water or coffee and averted their eyes from the table as they passed. The experience was the most awkward I have ever had. Sadly the food when it finally came was good. Too bad they just do not care.

Horrific does not even begin to describe the experience my family and I had at Savvy on First. The staff has a complete lack of respect for their patrons that are not local. It’s almost nauseating to watch how non locals such as my family were treated. We were sat after waiting at the front for 15 minutes with no acknowledgement to our presence until we stepped in front a member of staff and asked to please be noticed. Finally we were seated, than the real fun began! They took our order after 20 minutes of waiting. Keep in mind as we were waiting and being blatantly ignored the locals were receiving complimentary drinks from the waitstaff as an apology for waiting and locals who had arrived much after us were being served and treated like valued customers. We waited for an hour and fifteen minutes for our food. Four of our party was served at this time. Two of us were still waiting. By the time the four members of our party who had received food had finished, the other two in our party’s food came out about 5 minutes later. Not once in this entire experience were we asked how we were doing, could they refill our empty water glasses, or acknowledge the slow service. Many of the members in our party have been involved in customer service, we are also realists and understand that stuff happens that can delay service. However what is inexcusable is the lack of respect that the waitstaff had for their customers. The food was very good, but you could not pay me to go back there. I am so incredibly offended at the disregard this restaurant had for paying customers that are not locals and even more disturbed at how they can treat locals so friendly at the table next to us while treating us so disgustingly.
**keep in mind many of these good reviews are from locals with numerous check-​ins**

Everything is super fresh. Interesting different dishes. Excellent every time. Good wine list. It’s so nice to have a good place to eat in Cloverdale. Now if we could only get a good grocery store.

Sat at a table for ten minutes while the «server» took care of newer customers. Seeing the cook take off right when you open to run an errand/​smoke a cigarette is a nice touch too.
Overpriced. Didn’t dine. Left without being acknowledged.
Thanks for making Cloverdale better!

Was in town for business and I was looking at reviews online for a place to eat. Savvy on First had a special dinner menu for Friday nights and since I didn’t know if I’d ever pass through this town again, I thought I’d give it try.
The corn chowder soup was AMAZING, and the scallops were perfect. The service was very friendly and fast, and the glass of wine that they helped me select with my dinner was a great accompaniment.
Definitely felt like I treated myself that night.

What a terrific restaurant/​café/​bakery! This place has it all, gourmet baked treats, delicious, California-​style menu, fine selection of beer, artsy, chic design, excellent service; everything you want for a great night out, or an exciting breakfast to start the day, or a casual but nonetheless special snack!
Came here with some friends for dinner and had a lovely time. Everything we ordered was fresh, creative, and delicious! The space is a pleasant mix of modern aesthetic and rustic charm. Expect refreshingly hospitable service and lots of tempting delicacies to choose from!

WTH I have eaten all over the world literally. I have on occasion had a bad meal and when that happens the normal reaction is an apology followed by the manager asking what is wrong or can we get you something else. In this case it was totally perplexing. The fried chicken with the waffles was WAY overdone. Which made the chicken totally devoid of any moisture it may have had. Coupled with powdered sugar sprinkled on top you pretty much for a mess on your hands.
I understand when your busy the fryer can get away from you but in this case it wasn’t slammed at all. I’m afraid that the lack of any response or inquiry by the owner who was on site is indicative of the who gives a care what you think in the kitchen. All in all a bad way to start a sunday.

We were traveling through the area and stumbled across this gem! Not only is their music playlist dope, but their bakery and breakfast items are amazing! I ordered their breakfast sandwich, which is a large homemade buttery biscuit stuffed with bacon, spinach, over easy egg and cheddar cheese. Probably the yummiest thing I have ever had. Next time we are in the area we will be back most definitely!

This restaurant was excellent. My friend and I were traveling the area and came across this breakfast by accident. We looked up a quick place on Unilocal and this seemed perfect. The breakfast menu looked great and tasted as good as it looked. I had an egg and fruit and my friend had the breakfast plate and loved it. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a delicious meal!

Savvy is the answer to every «City Girl Who Moved North’s» prayers for a chic + adorable place to meet her girls for breakfast/brunch…seriously.
With it’s charming shabby-​chic-​esque décor, spot on menu, Taylor Maid organic coffee, slap your BFF fantastic homemade biscuits, and taste of summer homemade raspberry jam, it is the perfect place to have a leisurely and dare I say luxurious (great food+no rush service+Bellinis this far north= luxury to me) Sunday morning.
Must try goodies: the breakfast sandwich, the pumpkin tamales, raspberry jam, and the goat cheese scrambled eggs!
They also have the Château Miraval Rose from Brangelina’s Estate, which is surprisingly good – and I’m not much of a rose fan!
Bravo to the owner who is bringing a cool mix of urban foodie menu expectations and wine country warmth to an otherwise desolate food scene just south of the Mendocino County line.

5 Star Brunch! An absolute gem.
Located in tiny-​town Cloverdale (90 mins north of SF, 2.5 hours from SJ) and more likely than not that you’d come by this area if you’ve been Anderson Valley wine tasting or going to Mendocino for the ocean or wine. They are quite packed for such a small town, so make reservations, it’s worth it.
Service is great, and the food (breakfast served all day) is even better.
Huge serving of $ 14 biscuits and gravy. Amazing. Completely food coma filling and fatty, in a good way. Rosemary blend of gravy and sausage was really unique. Loved it, though I didn’t eat dinner that night. They also sell half portions of items, just ask for it).
The crab eggs benedict $ 16 was also good, their 2^nd most popular dish. The crab and rasberry type flavor was refreshing, not too filling, and cooked perfectly. Crab is a big part of the area, so always get it. The only problem was that it was lacking in crab.
My friends loved the $ 10 endless mimosas, pumpkin tamales with an amazing chile verde sauce, truffle fries (yum!), cobb salad (humongous), and more pastries. A true gem and a must if you’re driving through or near Cloverdale, CA.

Great atmosphere (you will think your in Healdsburg) that matches well with there small but exceptional menu. Coffee is to die for and the wait staff is by far better than most.
If you haven’t been here for brunch or lunch YOU ARE MISSING OUT!