Walter Hansel Wine Bistro

4.9

1975 Reviews

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Make a reservation

2 people

Feb 17, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 6 times today

Good for special occasions
Charming
Neighborhood gem

We are located just 6 minutes from Coddingtown Mall and 10 minutes from Downtown Santa Rosa surrounded by beautiful vineyards with an onsite garden for fresh, farm-to-table vegetables and herbs.

"An impressive new Santa Rosa restaurant that's instantly one of our best"
Jeff Cox, renowned Wine Country food critic.

If you are unable to find the reservation you want, please call us directly at (707) 546-6462. Thank you.

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Contemporary American, Wine Bar, Tapas / Small Plates
Hours of operation
Wed–Sun 4:45 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
(707) 546-6462
Website
http://www.walterhanselbistro.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Saul Barragan

Location
3535 Guerneville Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95401
Neighborhood
Santa Rosa
Cross street
Willowside
Parking details
Private Lot
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

Bread and Butter$3.00
Cheese Board 26 / Single Cheese 16
Humboldt Fog Chesse, Delice de Bourgogne, Burrata di Estefano, Fig & Orange Spread, Marcona Almonds, Honey, Crostini
Royal Sweet Scallops$28.00
Pan Seared Scallops, Creamy Polenta, Mediterranean Relish, Parmesan Tuile, Chinese Chive Oil
Escargot a la Bourguignonne$18.00
Garlic-Herb Butter, Pernod
Burrata di Stefano$22.00
Persian Cucumbers, Vine Ripened Tomatoes, Crispy Prosciutto de Parma, Balsamic Glaze, Basil Oil
Tacos of the Week - Market Price
Yellow Corn Tortillas, Micro Cilantro, House Made Salsa

Soup & Salads

Lobster Bisque En Croute$26.00
Maine Lobster, Brandy, Tarragon, Puff Pastry
Roasted Beet Salad$18.00
Cabecou Goat Cheese, Marcona Almonds, Micro Arugula, Citrus Vinaigrette
Caesar Salad$15.00
Organic Hearts of Romaine, House Made Garlic Croutons, Shaved Parmesan Cheese, Tender Bocarones, House Made Classic Caesar Dressing

Entrees

Grilled C.AB. New York Steak au Poivre 10oz OR Beef Tenderloin USDA Choice 8oz$59.00
Marinated in Garlic and Herbs, Watercress, French Fries, Brandy Green Peppercorn Sauce
Beef Stroganoff$45.00
Pinot Noir Braised Boneless Short Ribs, Creamy Arborio Risotto, Button Mushrooms, Pea Shoots, Bellwether Farms Creme Fraiche, Parmesan Cheese
Chicken Cordon Bleau$36.00
Free Range Chicken Stuffed with Prosciutto di Parma, Gruyere Cheese and Breaded in Panko, Garlic Green Beans, Marble Potato, Savory Dijon Cream Sauce
Wild Alaskan Halibut$46.00
Potato Gratin, Spinach, Crispy Onions, Piquillo Pepper Butter Sauce, Micro Intensity
Morel Wild Mushroom Risotto$36.00
Creamy Arborio Rice, Tomato Concasse, Pea Shoots, 24-Month Aged Parmesan Cheese, Truffle Espuma
Poultry of the Week - Market Price
Ask Server for Details

Sides - 9

French Fries - Potato Gratin - Sauteed Spinach - Risotto - Garlic Green Beans

What 1,975 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.9

4.9 based on recent ratings

4.9Food
4.9Service
4.6Ambience
4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

San Francisco Bay Area
Contemporary American
Wine Country
Best Overall
Wine Country
Best Food
Wine Country
Best Service
Wine Country
Best Value
Wine Country
Contemporary American

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Walter Hansel Wine Bistro delights with "consistently excellent" food and service. Guests rave about the "innovative" menu and "perfectly prepared" dishes like halibut and beef stroganoff. The bistro offers a "true wine country experience" with "fabulous" wines, a cozy atmosphere, and attentive staff, making it a "hidden gem" in Sonoma County.

1,975 Reviews

OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The staff here is wonderful and will do their best to accommodate. Dined here on Valentine’s Day weekend and despite being short staffed the service was wonderful and they made us feel at home. The Lobster Bisque and Halibut were our favorites.
Is this helpful?
L
Lori
San Francisco
30 reviews
5.0
30 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I love the lack of pretentiousness and the relative quiet of this restaurant. Some of the dishes are outstanding (crab tacos, risotto). Some are fine but don't quite justify the cost (lobster bisque, chicken cordon blue). Seems like the French dishes are not really working as well. The small plates and appetizers are where they shine. I hope they find their wheelhouse and stick to that. But its a lovely place. And the Hansel wines are a good value.
Is this helpful?
P
Peter
VIP
Washington DC
12 reviews
5.0
12 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great staff and service, good job on Valentine’s Day!
Is this helpful?
L
Lawrence
VIP
Atlanta
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Valentine's Day so need to have patience. Service was great; food was excellent. This is a wine country gem west of downtown Santa Rosa.
Is this helpful?
J
Jodi
VIP
San Francisco
15 reviews
5.0
15 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food was amazing as well as the service! We will be going more often.
Is this helpful?
J
John
San Francisco
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on February 9, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Well executed with fresh ingredients. The beet salad was excellent. The duck entree outstanding. Service was very friendly, attentive, and accommodating. Great place - we will return.
Is this helpful?
M
Meadow
San Francisco
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on February 8, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
What a great find. Service was wonderful, very attentive without intrusive. Amuse bouche served by the Chef, wonderful touch. Wine prices were the big surprise; beautiful wines at a price I have not seen since pre-pandemic. We will be back!
Is this helpful?
J
John
Central Coast
18 reviews
5.0
18 reviews
Dined on February 2, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
The food is tremendous. The wine list is nice too. The service is really very good. It’s in an old building that has its own charm for sure, just not a 5 star place, which is ok! It’s therefore a touch noisy but nothing horrible at all. We will be back for sure!!
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R
Robyn
San Francisco
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on February 2, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We just love this place, always a wonderful experience! The food is absolutely delicious, the wait staff is spot on knowing when to come to the table, knowing when to ask if there is anything they can do or bring. Finally, the food presentation is always plated with care and expertise. Our go to when entertaining guests from afar, celebrating a B-Day or Anniversary or just having a neighborhood meal out!
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W
Woody
Chicago
14 reviews
5.0
14 reviews
Dined on February 1, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
It's a charming out of the way place that features dining at the higher end of the scale. Menus are delicious and the compact wine list has some surprising imported wines. It has a cozy "dinner club" style with a French flavor to it.
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FAQs

Walter Hansel Wine Bistro offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (707) 546-6462.

Walter Hansel Wine Bistro is rated 4.9 stars by 1975 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Feb 17, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 6 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Walter Hansel Wine Bistro

3535 Guerneville Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95401

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross street
Willowside
Neighborhood
Santa Rosa
Hours of operation
Wed–Sun 4:45 pm–9:00 pm
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Contemporary American, Wine Bar, Tapas / Small Plates
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Private Lot
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Saul Barragan
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.walterhanselbistro.com/
Phone number
(707) 546-6462

Walter Hansel Wine Bistro

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Caesar Salad

Chicken Cordon Bleu

Roasted Beet Salad

Appetizers

Bread and Butter$3.00

Cheese Board 26 / Single Cheese 16

Royal Sweet Scallops$28.00

Escargot a la Bourguignonne$18.00

Burrata di Stefano$22.00

Tacos of the Week - Market Price

Soup & Salads

Lobster Bisque En Croute$26.00

Roasted Beet Salad$18.00

Caesar Salad$15.00

Entrees

Grilled C.AB. New York Steak au Poivre 10oz OR Beef Tenderloin USDA Choice 8oz$59.00

Beef Stroganoff$45.00

Chicken Cordon Bleau$36.00

Wild Alaskan Halibut$46.00

Morel Wild Mushroom Risotto$36.00

Poultry of the Week - Market Price

Sides - 9

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does Walter Hansel Wine Bistro offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Walter Hansel Wine Bistro restaurant rated?

Is Walter Hansel Wine Bistro currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information