Sebastopol has been hungry for new restaurants for quite a while now, especially since the closing of Pizzavino 707 in August. Yet not only is one new eatery opening today, but two are debuting, and, coincidentally, both are taking over the former Pizzavino space.
Called Forchetta/Bastoni, the concept features southeast Asian street food and rustic Italian soul food, partnering in two distinct kitchens and dining spaces within the 6,000 square foot building fronting the Sebastopol Plaza in downtown.
The name is Italian for “fork” and “sticks,” as in chopsticks. Clever. And it comes from two restaurateurs, Steven Peyer and Jamilah Nixon, who are former Lucy’s Restaurant staffers. History note and a sense of deja vu: prior to being Pizzavino, the space was West County Grill and, before that, it was Lucy’s.
As is so popular and thrifty and earth-friendly these days, the interior designs emphasize reclaimed and repurposed materials, such as lighting hand made of old wine bottles, mason jars and sticky rice baskets; booths and tables fashioned out of salvaged doors; and a centerpiece chandelier made by Sonoma County artist Allis Teegarden.
Here are the eateries, deconstructed:
Bastoni – styled as a loft lounge with a bar, seating is on low sectionals made of repurposed shipping palettes topped with pillows covered in colorful Thai sarongs, or for less adventurous derrieres, tables indoors and on the patio. Guests are encouraged to sample and share, with plates priced from $6-$14 for dishes like bánh mì, Thai-style wet noodles, Vietnamese dry noodles, salads and a daily curry. On the bar side, we can sip cocktails handcrafted with fresh ingredients like kaffir lime leaf and Thai bird’s eye chile. And when can the crowds come in? Bastoni is open daily for lunch, dinner and late night bites (11:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. Sun.-Thurs., and until midnight Fri. & Sat.)
Forchetta – Pizzavino was revered for its wood fired oven, and it’s still front-and-center here, showcased in the open kitchen. Cranking forth are pizzas, bisteca, and the house specialty “soul greens.” Other dishes include antipasti, bruschetta, housemade pasta and risotto, priced in the $8-$28 range. Deets to eat? Forchetta is open for dinner Thurs.- Mon. from 5pm-9pm, and until 10 p.m. Fri. & Sat.
Just to add more to the geographical mix, there is also “Lucia’s Room,” a private dining area shared by both Forchetta and Bastoni.
Forchetta/Bastoni: 6948 Sebastopol Ave. (on the Sebastopol Plaza), Sebastopol; (707) 829-9500 or forchettabastoni.com.
