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Starlight
The Starlight Wine Bar and Restaurant is a restored 1949 Southern Pacific Pullman Lounge Car in Gravenstein Station in Sebastopol, California. The Starlight strives to preserve the casual yet classy atmosphere of the original lounge cars of the 40’s and 50’s combined with some of the best food and wine to be found in Sonoma County. Step back in time to the golden era of post-war rail travel when trains such as the “California Zephyr”, “Santa Fe Chief”, “Overland Trail” and the “Hiawatha Super Domes”, streaked their way across the country.
The Chef, Thaddeus Palmese, hails from New Orleans and both Emeril Legasse and Ralph Brennan have employed his talents in the past. His culinary masterworks have a Creole flair and take inspiration from the original menus of the Southern Pacific dining cars. The Starlight is not to be missed when visiting Sonoma wine country.
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15 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Rating Breakdown 15 reviews
5 stars
(5)
4 stars
(7)
3 stars
(2)
2 stars
(1)
1 star
(0)
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- neighborhood gem(11)
- fit for foodies(7)
- romantic(4)
- special occasion(4)
- kid-friendly(1)
- late-night find(1)
Starlight Reviews List
Review 1 for Starlight
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Intimate and unique
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"I had read great reviews about Starlight so when we visited Sebastopol I was eager to try it. We were not disappointed. It is a small diner in an authentically refurbished train car. We only ordered entrees: Gumbo, Cajun-stule Catfish Jambalaya, steak. We were all quite satisfied with our meals. All were well-seasoned; portions are bountiful. It was a quiet afternoon and we enjoyed the ambience."
Dined on 6/05/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion, kid-friendly
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Review 2 for Starlight
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Dinner in the dining car
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"I wanted to love it but only semi liked it. The location in a 65 year old rail car is charming; perhaps more could be done with playing up the nostalgic aspect, including the table settings, the service. That aside the salads are good but I think pricey. A salad which isn't a main course is listed for $12. The nuanced and flavorful gumbo, clearly a main course is $16. Seems like odd pricing. One more word about the food...it would be good to have some less rich, vegetarian based dishes to choose from. The noise level can get out of control when there are 5 people at the next table sharing their thoughts on the world for the entire rail car to hear. The space is too small and actually intimate for a loud get together with friends."
Dined on 5/18/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 3 for Starlight
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
The service was lovely. It
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The service was lovely. It was pretty warm inside. The food was on the bland side. The Salad with the caramelized walnuts and blue chees was over oily and we had to search for walnuts as well as for the cheese.
The meat was rather tough, but tasted ok. The risotto was not done and had too much bite."
The meat was rather tough, but tasted ok. The risotto was not done and had too much bite."
Dined on 03/15/2013
2010
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Review 4 for Starlight
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Had seen very good reviews
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Had seen very good reviews about this restaurant and our dinner surpassed our expectations. Must try the New Orleans Barbecue Shrimp with its fantastic sauce for appetizer. Main courses were all terrific. Authentic Gumbo. The Chocolate Bourbon Brownie with Homemade Ice Cream and Caramel Sauce was as good as any version we have ever had at other restaurants"
Dined on 03/02/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 5 for Starlight
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
My boyfriend and I went there
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"My boyfriend and I went there on the evening of Valentine's Day. The menu for the holiday was Prix Fixe. There were two selections for dessert and appetizer and three selections for the main course. A family was dining there as well and the restaurant managed to scrounge up some pizza from their regular menu to accomodate the kids. I thought that the food was very nice. The restaurant is small and in an old Pullman car. There is a vintage feel about the place. We enjoyed it. I guess my only complaint is that a number of the chairs are high bar stools...some without backs. If you can avoid those, it is all great. Would like to experience the restaurant on a regular evening to try the regular menu."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2011
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Starlight
Based on the average of (10) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Food
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate