Hey Sisters! James Charles here and welcome ba—

I began writing this post before the whole James Charles vs. Tati Westbrook YouTuber beauty guru fiasco broke out (so controversial and so interesting for some unexplained reason), but here the title stays.

Also, I took a little break on my blog following my graduation from college because… Well, do I have to explain myself? But I’m back now and hoping to keep up this blog as regularly as possible!

Moving on.

On an unsurprisingly foggy Monday morning back in April when I was housesitting in Santa Rosa, I found myself on a solo adventure to The Spinster Sisters, which Yelp describes as “New American cuisine”, whatever that means. Even after reading the description of New American, I’m still not too sure what it is besides the fact that it’s a little pricy, yet delicious, fresh, and filling!

Despite the restaurant’s odd location tucked away at the foot of the 101 and Highway 12 crossover off of Santa Rosa Avenue by the not-so-glamorous Julliard Park, I was pleasantly surprised by the charming and welcoming environment it created.

I joined dozens in the crowded restaurant during the breakfast rush—far more than I expected for a Monday at 10:30am. I'm wholeheartedly convinced that the people in Sonoma County don't work traditional jobs--there are always so many out to breakfast, no matter the day of the week. Where do all of these people work? What are their hours? How do I get in on it?

Sitting at the busy bar, I watched the servers make coffee and zip back and fourth between the hungry and impatient restaurant-goers (people watching is one of my favorite activities) and I couldn’t help but overhear the conversations of those around me—it’s close quarters in there! Many were buzzing about the mountain lion who, earlier that morning, decided to call Santa Rosa Mall its new home (RAWR XD) before getting captured and returned to the wild. Apparently there was even a helicopter circling around. It's the little things that keep life interesting, right?

I ordered an almond milk latte which, to me, seemed to have a lethal dose of caffeine in it because I couldn’t sit still for the remainder of the day (what’s new—I don’t do well with coffee), but it was delicious nonetheless. For coffee lovers, I’m sure they would’ve had goo-goo eyes for how potent it was. I mean, good for them for being able to handle it, but yikes for me!

In addition to the killer latte, I ordered the Macro Bowl which had quinoa, chickpeas, beets, kale, pickled vegetables and mushroom broth, with a ginger miso dressing—basically all of my favorite foods mixed into one. Unpopular opinion: I really like kale. Shake your head in disbeleaf, I know. When my order came, I didn’t think that it was enough food to be filling, but as I ate, I was proven wrong as always, and reminded that my eyes are more hungry than my stomach… We’re working on it, okay?

I love the rustic yet modern feel the restaurant has--hey, maybe they're nailing the whole "New American" thing--and how personable the staff were when I was there. I felt taken care of but not harassed (you know that smothered feeling certain restaurants with overbearing wait staff give you) and my waitress and I made some tasteful smalltalk. Scary to some, I actually enjoy going to places by myself and discovering things on my own, so I had a great time at the busy bar-side taking it all in.

I'd like to go back and explore some of the other options on their menu, maybe for happy hour or for breakfast again to try their [expensive but probably delicious] chocolate donut holes. They also have a huge wine list which is right up my alley, so it'd be fun to go for an evening of drinks and shared plates.

So I say: grab you sisters and kick back, relax, stay a while--you deserve it. Or maybe you don't. Either way, it's worth a visit.