In a few short years Downtown Lodi has developed from a sleepy hamlet that rolled up its sidewalks at night to a popular destination. The first of several trendy restaurants that have set the pace for the transformation is Rosewood Bar and Grill. Rosewood is lively yet relaxing, pleasant, and fun. The dining room has large windows that let the diner enjoy the downtown ambiance on the outside while immersed in the character of the restaurant inside.

Rosewood has a full bar that is a renowned nightspot as well as being a good place to wet your whistle before dinner. Bartender Harry Coate offers a wide variety of libations including the latest trendy cocktails. Items from the appetizer menu are also available to bar patrons for their enjoyment. Always looking for the unusual, we discovered two popular specialty drinks, Tang and Raspberry Rikki, finding them to be a delightful diversion from the mundane. Genuine fresh squeezed juices make these drinks magnificent.

Rosewood is owned by Russ and Kathryn Munson who also own and operate the Wine & Roses Hotel, Restaurant and Spa in Lodi.

General Manager Rebecca Link leads the proficient staff at Rosewood. She has extensive experience in the dining business including positions in restaurant management with TGI Friday’s and Hilton Hotels. She and her husband also operated two upscale restaurants in the Southeast. Rebecca most recently served as General Manager at Le Bistro in Stockton.

As a young adult, Rebecca achieved personal acclaim in the music business as lead vocalist in the original Coca-Cola commercial singing, “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing”. She now has diners (including us) singing the praises of Rosewood.

As we arrived, we were introduced to our server Tanya. She recommended that we try Fried Calamari with house made cocktail sauce, lemon aioli, black tiger shrimp and white beans. The taste and texture of the Calamari and beans complimented each other very well. The Calamari pieces were very dainty and tender. The cocktail sauce has just enough horseradish added to add flavor without drowning the natural delicate flavor of the Calamari.

Rosewood utilizes a wood-burning oven in the preparation of many of their dishes. They used it to prepare one of their Appetizer menu items, a Rosewood Pizza ($14) with its traditional marinara sauce, mozzarella, special pepperoni, button mushrooms, and Andouille Sausage. It is made with a thin crust and tasted like a classic Italian pizza with a light smoked flavor. It’s a great place to go for an upscale beer and pizza experience.

Rosewood has four salads on its menu: Traditional Field Green Salad, Beet Salad, Caesar Salad and Fuji Apple Salad. We especially enjoyed the Fuji Apple Salad prepared with Romaine, candied Pecans, Bleu Cheese and shaved Parmesan pieces topped with Balsamic Vinaigrette.

The soup during our visit was Green French Lentil with Chorizo Sausage and Mirepon vegetables for garnishment. It has a zippy flavor that makes your palate get up and dance! Fresh bread is served to enjoy with your soup and salad.

In addition to its many bar specialties Rosewood also has an impressive wine list. Wines are available by the glass, half bottle and full bottle in a variety of price ranges. The staff will be happy to assist you to pair your wine selection with your entrée.

Restaurant Chef Justice Anderson came to Rosewood after working in the Bay Area and at Wine and Roses in Lodi. He offers diners about 12 entrées with a selection of beef, seafood, pork and pasta (Most $18-$28). Presentation of his dishes makes the food very appealing. Look for new additions to the menu coming in the spring.

Seafood gourmets will savor Grilled Sea Bass served with Spätzel noodles, wild mushrooms, porcini butter and root vegetables.

Grilled Kobe Flank Steak slices are marinated in soy sauce and served with ginger rice, grilled zucchini, yellow squash and eggplant. The meat is very tender and has a sweet taste that makes it exceptional. We think that this dish is their best-kept secret.

Their Pan Roasted Chicken is a breast stuffed with Prosciutto bacon, Brie cheese, Tarragon butter sauce and seasoning on the skin accompanied with garlic mash and mixed beans. This moist and cultured offering is yet another testament to the skill of Chef Justice Anderson at blending a variety of ingredients and textures into a gastronomic delight.

The paramount cut of beef is Angus Filet Mignon and when seasoned with Pancetta demi sauce it is impeccable. Bleu Cheese mashed potatoes laced with potato pieces provides a delectable hiatus from common mashed potato offerings.

The décor is classic and comfortable with black and white tile floor, cherry wood paneling, art deco light fixtures and linen tablecloths. The bar area is partitioned from the restaurant so that it doesn’t dominate the ambiance. Our server Tanya and the rest of the wait staff are knowledgeable and efficient. Rosewood features sidewalk seating for a more casual dining experience when it’s just too nice out to be indoors. At night the lighting on School Street adds a soothing tranquility to the lure of the outdoors.

Desserts are “a sweet six dollars each”, even the Chocolate Truffle Cake with strawberries and whipped cream. The bottom half is rich chocolate cake and the top half is rich chocolate that is nothing short of a celebration of chocolate. White Chocolate Cheesecake is a light scrumptious cheesecake topped with a mixed berry glaze and a chocolate cookie crust. Crème Brulee, Banana Bread Pudding and Seasonal Fruit Crisp are also offered.

Since our first review of Rosewood five years ago we have noticed that it has continued to enhance its position as a premier establishment in Downtown Lodi. It has made a significant contribution to the region’s increase in stature as a leisure destination. They have built their distinctive reputation by presenting spirits and gourmet fare with quality touches and ingredients that aren’t always seen elsewhere.

Rosewood Bar and Grill is located at 28 South School St. (corner of Oak St.) in downtown Lodi. They are open for dinner 7 days a week Sun.-Thurs. 5:30-9 P.M. and Fri. & Sat. 5:30-10 P.M. The bar opens at 4 P.M. daily and features live music Fridays and Saturdays. Reservations are recommended and can be made at (209) 369-0470. Visit Rosewood on the web at www.RosewoodBarAndGrill.com.