The Union Hotel is out favorite restaurant. We live in the Santa Rosa area and look forward to heading away to quiet Occidental and especially to the serenity of the Union Hotels patio with the redbud, lilac, and bubbling fountain. The food is fantastic piping hot (pizza dough) bread sticks arrive immediately along with the French bread in the bread basket. The polenta is so creamy (because its made with real cream). The shrimp pasta is loaded with prawns and the pasta is cooked al dente. The brushetta is the best we have ever had! The Friday night clam chowder (minnestone option) is creamy, buttery, and incedibly generous with clams. Portions are large. The chicken (organic) on the menu really is a full half of a chicken. Our last visit we tried panini from the panini menu (3 choices from a full page of fillings). We tried carmelized onion, roasted red pepper (sweet!), and avocado which was layered with crispy fresh arugula. And one of our favorite desserts is the tiramisu ...