Owners Jen and Noel Milo set the homey, yet artsy tone for in the Lan-Mart building in downtown Petaluma. Like walking into a “Cheers” episode, if they don’t know your name, it’s only because you haven’t been there before.
The restaurant offers 21 thin crust pizzas, gourmet salads and oven-warmed sandwiches, as well as garlicky-good appetizers at reasonable prices.
There is a full bar with decent wine choices as well as an upstairs dining area that can be reserved for private parties. The wait staff, including always smiling Lisa, glamorous Thia and perky Neely, is uber-friendly and accommodating. Most employees have been there for years.
Me reviewing Brixx is sort of like a cop talking about his favorite donut shop. I go to Brixx so often I think I could have my mail delivered there. I love their Nor-Cal with pepperoni. I love it that they have Amstel Light. It cracks me up that it often feels like my personal clubhouse.
Brixx had a former life as Bricks, a stop on Petaluma’s Literati Triad, which included on art show nights and jazz club Zebulon’s for hip-shakin' nightcaps. With Zebulon's only a sweet memory, these days, Brixx and HeeBe JeeBe’s still energize each other with a new third stop, , offering quirky, Burning Man-style happenings. I’m surprised there aren’t grooves in the sidewalk; so many people traverse the triad in search of inspiration.
Brixx is reminiscent of the watering holes my dad used to frequent in the sixties with funny familiar names like The Library, or My Aunt’s House. You begin to think of these places as your place. My visits to Brixx are so regular, so comfortable, that rounding up a group of friends is a one-word text: Brixx.
Some people hear of Brixx but say they can’t find it by the address alone -16 Kentucky Street. It’s on the main floor INSIDE the building that houses multiple businesses including day spa on the Kentucky side and on the Petaluma Boulevard side. Just look for the red sandwich board sign.
If you’ve never been to Brixx, today would be a great time to go because Iowa bluesman Joe Price will be visiting with his equally talented wife, Vicki Price. Blues royalty in the Mississippi delta, they breeze through the county about this time every year and they will knock you off your seat with their authentic power.
Each Saturday night at Brixx there’s free live music by performers perched atop a small raised booth just to the right of the entrance. Because Noel Milo has a real knack for spotting local talent, Brixx was the first place I saw Hillside Fire, Jinx Jones and Whiskey Pills Fiasco.
Brixx Petaluma opens seven days a week at 4 p.m. with a Happy Hour from 4 to 6 p.m. It's also accessible to people with disabilities.
There is also a sister restaurant in Cotati at 8204 Old Redwood Highway serving lunch and dinner. It’s open seven days a week, from 11:30 am to 11 pm on Thursday through Saturday and 11:30 am to 9 pm Wednesday through Sunday.
