Opened in October, 2007, The Sage Hen is fairly new to Susanville, so we were excited to be invited to sample their wares. We arrived on a sunny, lazy Sunday afternoon and the cottage-like front porch filled with flowers and fresh herbs seemed to beckon “come on in”. The tiny and lovely Mama of this family owned and operated eatery, Miss Rita, greeted us at the door with menus and a prize winning smile. Rita met owner and Master Chef, Serge Marchale after her sons Joey and Josh starting working for The Sage Hen. They soon fell in love and are now living happily ever after. Daughter-in-law to be, Bekah, and son Dustin, also help keep The Sage Hen patrons full and happy. What a charming bunch! Their heartwarming story spills over into the homey decor. Roosters of ceramic stand guard over The Hen high above the entry fireplace and several decorative ships that belonged to Serge’s father, along with carved wooden birds and swordfish, grace the shelves that line

the main dining room. Dark burgundy walls, lace curtains and candlelit tables with perfectly creased linen napkins round out the “make yourself at home” feel this family strives to create. The dining fare is all homemade from the freshest and finest local ingredients available, but I’m certain it must be the pinch of hope and dash of love they add that puts The Sage Hen flavors hands above the rest. The purely organic and hormone free beef in the kitchen is exclusively from The 5 Dot Ranch just outside of town. Shortly after we were seated and nibbling on the 3 flavors of wonderful fresh baked bread, 5 Dot owner, Tom Swickard, and his family arrived to enjoy dinner as well. It isn’t often one gets to dine with the fellow that raised your ribeye. Thanks Tom! More local treasures came to our table when Rita served the Insalata Salad ($7.50), vine ripened heirloom tomatoes from the local farmers market topped with fresh mozzarella, Fresca basil and extra virgin olive oil. Sooo yummy. Our second appetizer was the Tender Crispy Fried Calamari with a delicious spunky

Chipolte Aioli($7). Our wine was also native Californian from the Iron Stone Winery in Murphys. I enjoyed the lightly sweet white Symphony ($8 a glass $24 a bottle) and my companion sipped a glass of the special Red Reservean, Old Vine Zin ($9 a glass and $32 a bottle). We must have spent half an hour savoring the first course. One of Serge’s famous 5 Dot Ribeyes ($18) broiled to medium rare perfection with a stout Burgundy mushroom sauce served with creamy mashed potatoes and fresh green beans was my dinner date’s superb entree choice. He swears to return for another. I decided to let Rita choose for me and was served a tender, juicy, melt in your mouth Braised Rabbit Special($20) with the same Burgundy mushroom sauce, smooth Yukon Gold potatoes, red peppers and green beans. I couldn’t have chosen better myself. Next time I think I’ll try Pan Seared Alaskan Halibut with Portabello Mushrooms($16). Doesn’t that sound delightful? Josh, Joey and Dustin are the dessert masters of the restaurant and treated us to a sample platter of all their favorites. Oh goodness, I was already stuffed but social graces demanded I try them all. (It’s my story, I can tell it like I want). The Carrot Cake was super moist and packed with nuts and raisins, Chocolate Whiskey Cake and Chocolate Cheese Cake were the chocoholics dream but my favorites (I couldn’t pick just one) were Rita’s own warm and sinful Pecan Sticky Buns and my personal weakness the crispy, creamy treat of the gods, Creme Brule. Our gluttonous dessert was served with Rita’s signature Dessert Martini from The Sage Hen’s full service bar; a coffee flavored, liquor cocktail topped with sweet cream and floating coffee beans. Can you believe I didn’t explode? Desserts and seafood specials change daily at The Sage Hen so you will have to drop in on Serge, Rita and the boys and see what they are serving up next time you are over Susanville way. Reservations are recommended for parties of 6 or more. Take out and a casual dinner menu with the old burger and pasta stand-bys are available for creatures of habit but I suggest the main dinner menu and trying something new. Neither menu has anything over a very reasonable $19. With prices like that I say we all visit The Sage Hen at 2975 Main St., Susanville, for breakfast, lunch or dinner and try everything, one tempting dish at a time.

Bookmark to:

Sierra Sunrise - Greenville, CA

One of my favorite stops on the mountain roads of Plumas County has long been Sierra Sunrise Coffee House in Greenville. The small town atmosphere of Greenville’s Main Street takes you back in time. One may feel like they are visiting a simpler time and place of decades past. The beautiful mountain scenery surrounding this small town is for many reason enough to visit Greenville.

Right on Highway 89, in the center of Greenville, you will find locals perched at picnic tables, exchanging the morning’s news and views, in front of Sierra Sunrise. The scent of hot coffee and homemade muffins fills the air as we head in for a latte’ and a bite to eat. Much of the same continues inside as a group of local men share a table near the door. One more wanders in to join the group who appear to be regulars at the place.

Displays of art fill the walls of this coffee shop, with wide window views of the mountains beyond. Each day, they make homemade muffins of some sort and one popular menu item (which happens to be my personal favorite) is their muffin tops… you got it, the best part of the muffin adorned with its lightly sugared top! “Blueberry today,” she tells me. Who could resist? Since I would be sitting down to enjoy a meal today rather than my usual muffin top to go, I opted for the homemade cinnamon roll served warm. Yum! The fresh fruit cup with tasty melon and berries was hardly visible through the ‘optional’ whipped cream I couldn’t resist. We also tried their delicious biscuits and gravy which proved to be a hearty meal. They have an array of breakfast and lunch items including their famous breakfast burritos!

This small family business is located across the street from Greenville’s newly constructed Maidu Playground Park. Their small staff is full of personality and this quaint cafe’ is sure to please any appetite for breakfast or lunch. Stop and enjoy their full array of espresso drinks and smoothies while you meander through all of the great menu choices made fresh daily at Sierra Sunrise Coffee House. They are located right on Highway 89 in Greenville and can be reached at 530-284-6968.

Bookmark to:

By Melissa Wynn

I was recently reminded, by a cool delta breeze on a cloudless July afternoon, how fortunate I am to call this Mountain Valley my home. The outdoor thermostat read 77 degrees and we couldn’t find a single reason to do anything but savor every moment of that perfect Sierra summer day. Evening found us on the causeway just outside Chester, CA watching ducks and pelicans glide through the water as the sunset changed Lake Almanor from crystal blue to sparkling gold. I felt truly blessed and all seemed right in the world. The birds decided to call it a day and we decided to go into Chester and have a late dinner at the new Red Onion Grill. That turned out to be a decadent ending to a delicious day.

We were welcomed to the Red Onion Grill by cheerful owner Filip Laboda and seated at a candlelit table next to a glowing fireplace. The soothing atmosphere was enhanced by flickering candles that danced in the wall lanterns surrounding the room. The beautifully polished antique bar was made in 1892 and there is an interesting tale of its travels posted on the wall. This elegantly cozy yet casual little dinner house is located at 384 Main Street in downtown Chester and is open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week.

We began our delightful meal with the Red Onion Appetizer Sampler for Two ($12.95) which included golden calamari fritti (very tender), beer battered onion rings, deep fried baby bella mushrooms and the signature sprigs of sweet battered red onions. A divine lemon-lime roasted garlic aioli left the ranch dipping sauce untouched and lonely when our sunny and efficient server Sharon Booth took the empty platter away. She soon returned with fresh organic salads, one topped with balsamic vinegar and olive oil, the other with the house’s rich and creamy Gorgonzola dressing and a basket of warm, fresh baked, herbed foccacia bread. MMMMM! I was nearly full before my main course, of sinfully tasty Gorgonzola Chicken served with tender grilled summer veggies and the Sun Dried Tomato, Artichoke Penne Pasta of the Day ($18.95), arrived. All entrees come with your choice of house baked polenta, roasted red potatoes, french fries or the pasta of the day. My pasta choice was perfect since the dreamy Gorgonzola sauce on my chicken was also flavored with artichokes. I ended up taking half home for tomorrow’s lunch.

My companion enjoyed a thick, juicy, cajun spiced Filet Mignon which was offered at $28.95. It was served with a tantalizing and flavorful cognac-peppercorn sauce that had him closing his eyes and relishing every bite. We are lemonade and coffee kind of people but Red Onion Grill offers a wide variety of west coast wines including several local choices from Lassen Peak Winery in nearby Shingletown, Ca as well as Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and other local micro-brews on tap.

At our neighboring table, we met Linda Temple, Norm and Linda Stuart and Doug and Shirley Ralston. This friendly bunch escapes the fast paced life of the Bay Area, where they are spread about, to take it easy up here, reminisce and reunite for a bit of toned down”Mountain Valley Living” on an annual basis. The Stuarts are 5 year visitors to Bidwell House Bed and Breakfast in Chester which is also managed by Red Onion Grill owners Filip Laboda and his lovely wife Eva. Already familiar with top-notch Laboda hospitality, the Stuarts planned their visit to attend the grand opening of Red Onion Grill. It’s not a wonder, Filip, Eva and their wonderful staff anticipated and accommodated our every need of the moment. I guess the Stuart’s little secret is out. The entire evening was great fun and my compliments to Chefs Clark Tomlinsom and Steve Hatridge for an incredible meal. Chef’s picks are marked in the unique menu by little onions and I intend to return again and again until I have tried them all. With so many steak, chicken, seafood, salad, pasta and dessert choices it may take several visits. Join us for dinner at Red Onion Grill. Your taste buds will be greatly rewarded.

Bookmark to:

By Jan Cox

It was one of those beautiful, warm spring days when we arrived at Plumas Pines Golf Resort located just above Graeagle on Poplar Valley Road. We were excited to be able to visit this complex where you will find “something for everyone.” And we were delighted to know that a table awaited us at Longboards Bar and Grill. Named for the historical longboard ski races o

nce held on the nearby mountain, Longboards is a vital part of the resort and a true gem to visit.

We were first met by Mary Peters, the Assistant to the Executive Chef, who was excited to show us around. Longboards is located on the top floor of a circular building along with the “long” bar and a large banquet room that can also serve as a dance floor. Surrounded by windows and situated so that diners can look out over the beautifully green, well kept course and distant mountains, the luxurious dining room with its white table cloths was set up, ready for the evening. At the center of the circle is the kitchen of Executive Chef, Sean Conry, who graduated from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in New York and has worked here for nine years.

Before it was time to eat however, we were whisked downstairs to meet Brandon Bowling, the Head Professional of the Plumas Pines Golf Resort. When asked what he would like to tell us about this place, he talked animatedly about how they were meeting the motto of “something for everyone.” There are many package deals offered by the resort including: Golf and Dinner; Stay, Play and Dine; Golf and Brunch on Sundays; Junior Golf Clinics, held all summer; and Family Golf Afternoons. He also noted a junior golf camp in July and a nationwide junior program called Youth on Course. Information and prices on all of these can be found on-line at www.plumaspinesgolf.com. The par 72 course is open from mid to late April through the second week in November.

In this lower level, besides the large pro-shop with its competitive pricing, golfers can get an early morning breakfast before teeing off, a boxed lunch or just plain coffee and juice service. There is also a very large restroom to accommodate a bridal party readying themselves for a ceremony on the “Bluff.” As we rode their new golf carts out to see the Bluff, our hostess spoke of the beauty of holding an outdoor wedding overlooking the valley below and all the dining choices available for after the event. Longboards is geared to providing many different banquet styles including Chef Conry’s appetizer buffets on the deck, outdoor buffets on the Bluff or more casual dining and barbeques in the Grove. Reservations for weddings or banquets of any kind can be made well in advance including up to a year ahead.

Our tour ended back in the dining room where we were offered a table by the large picture windows and promptly waited on by our most efficient waitress, Jennifer Lacy. Having been guaranteed that the seafood was fresh and flown in from Hawaii, this writer chose the Orecchiette (Pasta) with Prawns—a dish that is always on the menu because of its popularity. With fresh oregano, garlic, white wine and cherry tomatoes it was superb meal for $22.00. My friend chose the Fresh Hawaiian Swordfish grilled with roasted fingerling potatoes, sautéed spinach and citrus butter at $26. Soup, salads and appetizers are also available. It was our pleasure to be treated to two delicious appetizers which included Duck Cassoulet with wild mushrooms, fava beans, tomato, and demi-glace, with truffled brioche bread crumbs. The second was roasted fresh asparagus with Chef’s Garden beets. Soup and salad can be added to any entrée for $5.00. We were also informed that Longboards makes its own raviolis and breads. A dessert menu includes cakes, Crème Brulee, and our delicious choice, Meyer Lemon Panna Cotta. Each dessert is paired on the menu with a dessert wine. Chef Conry has won several awards for the wines he offers. His choices are made based on both flavor and affordability.

As we completed our meal, the golden time of evening was upon us, reflected on the pined mountains across the valley. It was time to return to our room at Chalet View Lodge, just down the road a few miles. To get to Plumas Pines Resort take Hwy 70 to Hwy 89 turnoff toward Graeagle. Turn right on A-14 and go up the mountain to the Longboards’ sign. To make reservations for Longboards, call (530) 836-1111. For golf reservations, call (530)-836-1420.

Bookmark to:

It was one of the first evenings of the season when warm walking weather met the night time skies of Quincy. We walked a block from our downtown hotel to (once again) experience the town’s local cuisine. This time, after many recommendations, we were off to meet Gary at the quaint sidewalk cafe, Sweet Lorraine’s. The sun began to disappear slowly on our short walk as patrons began to gather on the sidewalks, heading to Pangaea, for what appeared to be a ‘jam night’. The evening would draw many to the downtown scene we noticed later, walking back, as several musicians had joined in concert, now visible through the sidewalk window. Tables were full as musicians had formed a circle with a variety of instruments, including the accordion and banjo. This local juice bar serves a healthy fare for lunch and dinner and many musical venues such as this add to the downtown Quincy experience. Sweet Lorraine’s two story cafe’ stood at the end of the block, nestled among the shade trees which hover over their quaint garden patio.

There are times when you cannot get a seat at this popular cafe, but that is not the case most of the time. Reservations are accepted and are a good idea. We were seated by Bea at a table near the window, a feature of most tables at Sweet Lorraine’s. A rustic wooden wine bar divides the kitchen from the dining room, beyond the fire crackling in the potbelly stove. Wide windows offer full views of the Downtown Quincy’s friendly backdrop and of their patio where a fire pit also crackles to warm guests.

Bea soon came along to describe the flavorful specials of the evening which included pork chops in a Bordelaise mushroom sauce with garlic mashed potatoes and fresh asparagus. She went on to describe a Scampi with salmon, shrimp and Mahi Mahi served over rice or fettuccine, with a light white wine sauce. We received recommendations from other patrons including Bill and Lisa Hopman of Quincy and their son Robert who said, “if you have a good appetite, the ribs are great.” It seemed most of the guests were regulars on this quiet Quincy Monday evening.

The soup, a chicken corn chowder, and the tastefully decorated salad were both delicious. I chose the bleu cheese dressing, one of many freshly made dressings.

On the wall, hung an intensely detailed pastel drawing of Sadie, the owners dog. Painted by his brother Michael A. Cerpovicz, this award winning photo speaks life into the room. It seems both brothers are very skilled artists. Gary Cerpovicz’ culinary art encompasses bringing the delightful flavors of fresh ingredients together for some really tasty dishes, each carefully presented with a bit of artistic flair for a fabulous end-result. It’s no wonder so many locals and visitors to the area flock to this place on a regular basis. Gary was chef at several fine restaurants including Gordon Biersch Brewery and House of Blues in Las Vegas where he also owned Sadie’s Cafe.

There were so many great choices on the dinner menu, it was hard to decide. From Chicken Parmesan and Tender Beef Stroganoff to Blackened Shrimp Alfredo, the ‘Pasta & More’ menu offered several tempting choices. ‘Off the Grill’ choices included Gary’s Blackened Center Cut Pork Chops, Sweet Lorraine’s Shish Kabob and several others including Fresh Catch of the Day offered Thursday through Saturday. Dinner prices ranged from $16.95 to $24.95 for their ribeye steak with six jumbo prawns. My appetite and I could not resist the recommended pork spare ribs and a big, tasty baked potato. My guest enjoyed the mouthwatering Bourbon Soy Ribeye steak. It was very tender, mighty tasty and perfectly prepared to order.

Lunch is also very popular at Sweet Lorraine’s and Friday lunch is a good time to have a reservation. This may have something to do with those fish tacos they serve on Fridays only. The lunch menu features incredible salads, pastas, burgers and more. Sandwich choices include chile crusted pork loin, a basil pesto chicken sandwich and their Panko Parmesan salmon sandwich among others. Their herb crusted tri tip hoagie is char grilled, topped with sauteed mushrooms, caramelized onions and melted swiss cheese, served on a toasted hoagie roll. Each menu item is created with a delightful bouquet of flavor and portions are plenty hearty too at Sweet Lorraine’s.

With eight differently delicious salads on the menu, you can pack in those healthy veggies with fabulous flavor! The menu allows for adding salmon, chicken, beef or shrimp (grilled or blackened) to any salad. The Hoi Sin Chicken Salad is a popular choice. This scrumptiously marinated chicken breast is grilled, sliced and tossed with bok choy, romaine, fried won tons, almonds, julienne pepper and sweet carrot for an amazing blend of flavors.

Saturdays from 10:30 am until 2:30 pm, Sweet Lorraine’s serves brunch. Bea told us how Gary had wowed everybody the prior Saturday with his amazing buffet of entrees. She said you can expect two to three breakfast specials, like his recent smash hit, a fresh spinach mushrooms, shrimp and Swiss cheese omelet. You will find a full array of buffet items including french toast, steak and eggs and Gary’s delicious biscuits and gravy on Saturdays.

Sweet Lorraine’s offers a quaint dining area inside, both upstairs and downstairs. Their garden patio offers plenty of shade too. Centered in the quaint walking district of Quincy’s downtown, the location is charming. The food was not only delicious; it was presented with fabulous flair, each plate sent out of the kitchen, a work of art. The art of blending unique flavors of fresh ingredients for fabulous flavor and delivering them with flair. The service was perfect. Sweet Lorraine’s is located at 384 Main Street and you can make reservations by calling (530) 283-5300. You may just wish to stay over in downtown Quincy to experience the shops and entertainment. The Feather Bed is a lovely B&B also located in downtown Quincy and one we hope to take a closer look at. Maybe we’ll see you there.

Bookmark to:

Every now and then I like to have a quiet night away from the everyday responsibilities. This month I grabbed a girlfriend and we ran off to the Main Street Dinner House in Greenville. Located inside the Sierra Lodge and Trading Post (our lodging choice and also featured this month) at 303 Main Street it was a cinch to find. This quaint and intimate little eatery with linen napkins and soft candlelight was just what we were looking for: a peaceful place to unwind with excellent food. The evening was quite chilly so we were very happy when our meal began with a piping hot cup of homemade Split Pea Soup with Ham. MMMM creamy, salty and one of my favorites. All Main Street Dinner House entrees come with soup, salad and warm, fresh garlic herb bread. Chef Silvia Garcia really knows her bread, so light and flaky and it just melts in your mouth. Knowing we still had the main course coming, we were almost sorry that we ate the whole basket. Almost. Owner Sharon Strecker says Silvia can also sling a mean Cream Pie ($4.00 a slice). I will have to go for coffee and dessert some time. Care to join me? My girlfriend decided on the Chicken Alfredo ($15.95) after struggling back and forth between that and the BBQ Beef Ribs ($15.95). I had to laugh when the waitress brought BBQ Ribs to the next table. I could tell she wanted to change her mind but it was too late and I’m sure the gentleman didn’t want to share. The Chicken Alfredo turned out to be an excellent choice as well. Rich, lemony sauce over a generous portion of thick fettuccine noodles and chicken breast is hard to beat. I chose the plump and delicate Halibut Fillet($19.95) from the seafood section that also includes Shrimp Scampi($18.95) and Calamari($15.95), just to name a few. Both meals were served with broccoli steamed to perfection, topped with a delicious herb mayonnaise. The veggies were so good that I never even tasted my huge baked potato. Main Street Dinner House offers a Prime Rib Special on Saturday nights with Full Cuts for $20.95 and Petite Cuts for $18.95. Their varied menu also offers several Chicken dishes including an old favorite Apricot Chicken ($15.95) that is hard to find when you eat out. Of course you can still get a juicy 10 oz. Rib-eye Steak ($19.95) or the ever faithful Bacon Cheeseburger with Fries ($9.50). Beer and several wines from Montpellier, Hacienda Wine Cellars and Salmon Creek Cellars give plenty of choices to compliment your scrumptious dinner fare. We had a very enjoyable visit with Sharon and her staff at Main Street Dinner House, so when you drop in for dinner tell her we said hello.

Bon Appetite’.

Bookmark to:

Wine Me & Dine Me

A TRIP TO MOON’S
Somewhere in Quincy

Old fashioned lamp posts reflecting on shiny wet streets led our way across Main and down a short block’s walk to Moon’s. It seems that place “somewhere in Quincy” is right in the heart of downtown Quincy, and it seems that once again it has taken me decades to find a fabulous restaurant right in my own back yard.
We approached the large stone building which was lit with tiny white lights. I opened the door to a warm ambience of rich, classic wood walls, soft lights and good music. We were greeted immediately by Nick who showed us to a table of our choice.
Having already known they are famous for their pizza, I was surprised to see such an elegant menu including steaks, seafood and fine wines. Perfect…. A fancy dinner in a warm and cozy establishment, perfectly detailed in rustic elegance…. My favorite!
A great selection of appetizers was offered, ranging from $4.25 to $8.25. Choices included shrimp cocktail, Broiled artichoke dip and fresh vegetable antipasto plate, a roasted garlic appetizer and Calamari strips among others.
The dinner menu offered several pasta dishes with half order portions also available. These come with their fresh and delicious, crisp diner salads or the soup d’ jour and Moon’s famous homemade garlic bread. Entrees included wild salmon and four chicken specialty dishes including Honey Almond Chicken at $18.95 and Chicken Monterey (my new favorite dish) at $19.95.
From the grill, they offer Ribeyes, Filet Mignon, New York steak and Steak Diane. Prime Rib is served Saturdays after 5 p m, and yes, the pizza is still a specialty of the house. Several are also packaged for to go orders each evening.
After tending to our drinks, our waitress Samantha brought us a basket full of their warm, garlic bread and two beautiful salads which were deliciously topped with their homemade dressing. Ranch, Italian, Bleu Cheese as well as Honey Poppyseed and Spicy Thai were offered. Ours were great.
Samantha brought out our dinners with perfect timing and …. Wow! The rib-eye was ‘melt in your mouth’ good and like I made sure to tell our talented chef Marie Stockton, her Chicken Monterey was the best chicken dish I’ve ever had. Perfectly sauteed, big, meaty prawns laid on top of the moistest chicken breast I have ever tasted. A delicious Alfredo sauce and a twisted lemon slice covered it all for an amazing taste. Entrees include your choice of homemade soup or a fresh green salad, with their famous garlic bread, plus baked or herbal mashed potatoes, or rice pilaf. I chose the baked potato. Our fresh, perfectly cooked to almost-crisp, vegetables were topped with a creamy aoili sauce. I finished every scrumptious bite of those.
We knew it was coming, and we knew we wouldn’t resist. Samantha described each dessert in detail. A chocolate caramel fudge cake was offered which is topped with a sort of Heath Bar crunch and more chocolate and caramel. Dutch apple pie with ice cream or cheese cake with raspberry sauce: who could choose! They offered ice cream sundaes and Samantha highly recommended the light and refreshing avocado Cream pie with graham cracker crust. All desserts were $5.50 or you could have a dish of ice cream alone for $1.00. We took apple pie, ice cream and a slice of chocolate cake back to our room at The Sporting Inn, just a block away. It was way too good.
We thoroughly enjoyed our entire trip to downtown Quincy. We greatly enjoyed our room overlooking Main Street and the many wonderful shops and restaurants we found within walking distance. As for Moon’s Cafe, I can say I will be returning often to this fine establishment which took me way too long to discover. The friendly service, warm ambience and spectacular food is well worth the drive to Quincy. The establishment is operated by Diane Irving and her daughters. They are located at 497 Lawrence St., one block from Main St., in Quincy. You can make reservations by calling 530 283-0765.

If you would like to recommend a great restaurant, email us at mountainvalleylivingmagazine@gmail.com or call us at 530 256-2800.

Bookmark to:

Wine Me & Dine Me

A TRIP TO MOON’S
Somewhere in Quincy

Old fashioned lamp posts reflecting on shiny wet streets led our way across Main and down a short block’s walk to Moon’s. It seems that place “somewhere in Quincy” is right in the heart of downtown Quincy, and it seems that once again it has taken me decades to find a fabulous restaurant right in my own back yard.
We approached the large stone building which was lit with tiny white lights. I opened the door to a warm ambience of rich, classic wood walls, soft lights and good music. We were greeted immediately by Nick who showed us to a table of our choice.
Having already known they are famous for their pizza, I was surprised to see such an elegant menu including steaks, seafood and fine wines. Perfect…. A fancy dinner in a warm and cozy establishment, perfectly detailed in rustic elegance…. My favorite!
A great selection of appetizers was offered, ranging from $4.25 to $8.25. Choices included shrimp cocktail, Broiled artichoke dip and fresh vegetable antipasto plate, a roasted garlic appetizer and Calamari strips among others.
The dinner menu offered several pasta dishes with half order portions also available. These come with their fresh and delicious, crisp diner salads or the soup d’ jour and Moon’s famous homemade garlic bread. Entrees included wild salmon and four chicken specialty dishes including Honey Almond Chicken at $18.95 and Chicken Monterey (my new favorite dish) at $19.95.
From the grill, they offer Ribeyes, Filet Mignon, New York steak and Steak Diane. Prime Rib is served Saturdays after 5 p m, and yes, the pizza is still a specialty of the house. Several are also packaged for to go orders each evening.
After tending to our drinks, our waitress Samantha brought us a basket full of their warm, garlic bread and two beautiful salads which were deliciously topped with their homemade dressing. Ranch, Italian, Bleu Cheese as well as Honey Poppyseed and Spicy Thai were offered. Ours were great.
Samantha brought out our dinners with perfect timing and …. Wow! The rib-eye was ‘melt in your mouth’ good and like I made sure to tell our talented chef Marie Stockton, her Chicken Monterey was the best chicken dish I’ve ever had. Perfectly sauteed, big, meaty prawns laid on top of the moistest chicken breast I have ever tasted. A delicious Alfredo sauce and a twisted lemon slice covered it all for an amazing taste. Entrees include your choice of homemade soup or a fresh green salad, with their famous garlic bread, plus baked or herbal mashed potatoes, or rice pilaf. I chose the baked potato. Our fresh, perfectly cooked to almost-crisp, vegetables were topped with a creamy aoili sauce. I finished every scrumptious bite of those.
We knew it was coming, and we knew we wouldn’t resist. Samantha described each dessert in detail. A chocolate caramel fudge cake was offered which is topped with a sort of Heath Bar crunch and more chocolate and caramel. Dutch apple pie with ice cream or cheese cake with raspberry sauce: who could choose! They offered ice cream sundaes and Samantha highly recommended the light and refreshing avocado Cream pie with graham cracker crust. All desserts were $5.50 or you could have a dish of ice cream alone for $1.00. We took apple pie, ice cream and a slice of chocolate cake back to our room at The Sporting Inn, just a block away. It was way too good.
We thoroughly enjoyed our entire trip to downtown Quincy. We greatly enjoyed our room overlooking Main Street and the many wonderful shops and restaurants we found within walking distance. As for Moon’s Cafe, I can say I will be returning often to this fine establishment which took me way too long to discover. The friendly service, warm ambience and spectacular food is well worth the drive to Quincy. The establishment is operated by Diane Irving and her daughters. They are located at 497 Lawrence St., one block from Main St., in Quincy. You can make reservations by calling 530 283-0765.

If you would like to recommend a great restaurant, email us at mountainvalleylivingmagazine@gmail.com or call us at 530 256-2800.

Bookmark to:

Dining at the Iron Door
By Jan Cox

Nestled on the side of a mountain above Graeagle, you will find the small town of Johnsville, founded in 1876. Located next to Plumas Eureka State Park and below the 7447 ft. Eureka Peak, this quiet town has only one commercial establishment called the Iron Door. It was first opened as a restaurant in 1961. The present owners, Bonnie and Chris David took over this restaurant in May, 2005 as the fifth owner in 48 years. My husband and I heard about the Iron Door when we moved to the Sierra in 1975 and have since made sure that we go there for a dinner date at least once each summer. It is a beautiful drive from wherever you are located.

Part of the joy of eating in this establishment is the history of the area. The building itself is 104 years old and was originally a general store and connected post office for the mining town of Johnsvil

le. At the outskirts of town, you can stop and roam around the state park display which informs visitors about the gold mining that has taken place here.
When we arrived, we met with the owner Bonnie David, who with her husband Chris, and son, Bill, also own and operate Gumba’s in Blairsden and the Frosty in Graeagle. We were shown around the restaurant with its beautiful wooden floors and bar. On the walls are many black and white photos of the buildings and people from days past. One of these photos is of a young girl named Macel Moriarty who died of rheumatic fever at the age of ten, when this was a general store.

Her gentle ghost then came to reside in the upstairs section of this building. When different owners tried to remove her photo, strange things happened in the restaurant. So whether you believe in ghosts or not, you may enjoy hearing some of the ghost stories that are so familiar to those who live or work in Johnsville.

This restaurant has a bar, an indoor dining room with lots of nooks and crannies for comfortable dining, and a brightly lit, closed in porch with many windows. We chose to remain inside and watch as Bonnie greeted all the guests who arrived, happy to be back after the winter break.

Our skilled waitress, Sandy Achter has worked with four of the five owners. Tonight she first brought us a scrumptious Creamy Spinach—Artichoke dip. Served with crispy baguettes for dipping, it was the perfect start to a wonderful meal at $9.95 and would easily serve 4 people. This was followed by a cup of delicious homemade soup of the day, my favorite–clam chowder. Next I was served a fresh salad with a delicious creamy cucumber/dill dressing while my husband had his favorite, bleu cheese. For the entrée, I picked one of the popular dishes of many at the Iron Door. Jaeger Schnitzel includes two breaded veal cutlets in an herbed mushroom sherry sauce accompanied by red cabbage, and mashed potatoes for $26.95. Another fa

vorite dish is their Pepper Steak Diablo which is described as a tender filet studded with crushed black peppercorns and mushrooms smothered with a brandy-crème sauce for $31.95. The menu includes these specialties plus steak, seafood, chicken, pasta and nightly chef specials.

For dessert lovers, Chef Chris Simone creates Crème Brule, warm apple crisp, a mud pie big enough to split with a group or their signature Johnsville Special—vanilla ice-cream with crème de menthe and a touch of OVALTINE and whipped cream. That has been our favorite over the years.

The Iron Door opens daily at 5:00 p.m. for dinner and is closed on Tuesdays. The snowy season dictates the restaurant’s opening and closing dates. This year, their season runs from May 7 through October 25 (the last Sunday in October). Each season ends with a fabulous closing night Halloween costume party. To get there follow Highway 89 from Quincy or Hwy 70 from Portola to the junction of 70 and 89 toward Graeagle. Turn on A-14 and go 5 miles up the mountain toward Plumas Eureka State Park. Then turn right into Johnsville. Reservations are recommended. Call 530-836-2376.

Bookmark to:

After a peaceful nights rest at

The Truckee Hotel, General Manager Tim Tonachella suggested we try breakfast at Smart’s Coffee Shop, 10080 Donner Pass Road. He said it was his personal favorite and I soon discovered why.

Dining at this unusual establishment is part extraordinary down home cookin’, part comedy side

show and part mountain history museum visit. Entering the building we were enveloped in the aromas of frying bacon and creamy gravy. Antique lanterns and cast iron skillets hang from the ceiling.

Simple woode

n tables are set with the basics. Traditional red and white checkered linen napkins are rolled and stuffed in a coffee mug. Several taxidermied head mounts decorate the walls along with antique license plates and old ad posters. One reminds us that Smart’s Wagon Train Coffee Shop always offers free beer tomorrow. Too bad our visit was on a “Today”. The old fashioned ice cream case and soda fountain at the entrance reminded me of the Mayberry Soda Shoppe on Andy Griffith. Mounted on the ceiling and running most of time, a model train chugs and whistles its way around the rustic and charming dining room.

The Smarts have owned and operated this family business since 1947 and the menu has remained virtually unchanged since opening day. Good old country food is all you will find , no soy, wheat germ or granola here. We were good and hungry after a long night out at Moody’s Bistro & Lounge enjoying some great jazz music. Some good old meat and potatoes was just what the doctor ordered. I started with a cup of hot coffee and a large orange juice as did the other 3 members of my party. I ordered a 1/2 portion of biscuits and thick sausage country gravy ($5.25) with a side of golden crispy hashbrowns ($6). That will cure what ails you. My brother-in-law chose an item on the menu called the Pig Pile ($11.25) that is a ‘bit of everything breakfast’ smothered in gravy. The Pig Pile has been on the menu for many years but has recently undergone a name change.The comical managing owner Siobahn Smart tells a very funny story of how the name change came about. You’ll have to ask to hear it.

Our final breakfast selection was the Western Omelet ($13.25) and a side order of 2 slices of thick fluffy French Toast ($5). The omelet came with country fried potatoes and toast so there was no way it would all get eaten. We ended up taking half of our order home in a little styrofoam box. My little sister isn’t big on breakfast out so she had the delicious Corned Beef Melt Sandwich ($11.25), from the lunch menu. All sandwiches at The Wagon Train come with fries and a trip through the soup and salad bar. Burgers, hot dogs and 2 tacos with the soup and salad bar are also on the lunch menu along with the trusty stand-bys like Tuna Salad and the open faced hot Roast Beef and Turkey sandwiches served with mashed potatoes and gravy. Most lunch items cost $11.25 and the quantity of food and quality of atmosphere at Smart’s Wagon Train Coffee Shop make it well worth it. The dinner menu is also brimming with American favorites. Deep Fried Chicken, Liver and Onions, Roast Beef and Young Tom Turkey, each for $15.00. Deep Fried Fish, Boneless Grilled Mountain Trout and the Grilled Fillet of Sole are also just $15.00. Of course you can still get a fresh, choice New York Steak for $21.00 and that is most expensive item on the Smart’s Wagon Train Coffee Shop menu.

We spent half our visit laughing and visiting with the staff. Grandpa Smart, who started the business in 1947, is now retired but he happened to be in for breakfast that day. He had us in stitches and is quite a character, a real people person. It’s easy to see why his business has survived for so many years. Several of the Wagon

Train patrons stopped to hug him and share a tall tale. They will never out do the old man’s stories but many keep trying.

By far, the best and funniest part of our Wagon Train adventure was the story of Siobahn’s visit to a political event last year in Lake Tahoe. She looks just like Sarah Palin, I’m not kidding.

They could be twins. That in itself was funny but we laughed until our eyes watered to hear of a case of mistaken identity at the Tahoe event. Someone in the crowd noticed Siobhan and thought she was Sarah Palin. This audience member raised a fuss and Siobhan soon found herself surround by the Secret Service.

They helped her make a quick getaway because as she said ” I refuse to have a you-tube mo

ment.” She didn’t get to see Mrs. Palin and is definitely not interested in an impersonation career, although she’s dead ringer and could easily pull it off . Hilarious! I don’t think I’ve laughed that hard in years. The staff is a group of wide open people all helping to ensure your meal is hot, your cup if full and your lips are smiling. You would be hard pressed to find a gloomy face here. It’s like an Old West Wagon Train ho down all day, every day. Don’t miss a chance to meet this great group of people and sample their tasty fare. Drop in Smart’s Wagon Train Coffee Shop in Truckee. Tell them Mountain Valley Living sent you; maybe we will see you there.

Bookmark to:

Alley Cat Café – A Place to Gather

QUINCY, CA

By Rick Barlupi

It is, after all, only a berry, encasing a double-sided seed. Yet coffee is the second most valuable exported legal commodity on earth (after oil), providing the largest jolt of the world’s most widely taken psychoactive drug. The 1980 edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the bible of the American Psychiatric Association, included “caffeinism” as a diagnosis; making the consumption of too much coffee a bona fide psychiatric disorder. To set ourselves in motion, we put gasoline in our tanks and coffee in our stomachs. Could we get through the day without our favorite “Cuppa Joe?” The tension of modern life, the complexity and tempo call for something that can perform the miracle of stimulating brain activity.

The Italians lay claim to this innovative phenomenon called espresso and the word barista. Barista is a name applied to a person, usually a coffeehouse employee, who prepares and serves espresso based coffee drinks with a high level of expertise. Espresso is a concentrated coffee beverage brewed by forcing hot water under pressure through finely ground coffee. The defining characteristics of espresso include a thicker consistency than drip coffee. As a result of the high-pressure brewing process, all of the flavors in a typical cup of coffee are amplified. For this reason, espresso lends itself to becoming the base for other drinks.
Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz brought Italian espresso to North America, where his company improved the quality of the beans, then drowned the result in milk for lattes, cappuccinos and mochas.

Coffee shops, cafes, java joints or whatever we call them, has assumed a social meaning that goes far beyond the simple black brew in the cup. In the large cities, coffee houses populate every mile, sometimes one on every street corner. But, in Plumas County, there’s no Starbucks and not a wide variety of java joints to satisfy our dependence for caffeine. However, the tiny, rugged, and gorgeous mountain town of Quincy, California, is the perfect stop for weary drivers to fill their travel mug and local residents to start their day. What makes a stop at the Alley Cat Café in Quincy so special? This java joint has a unique atmosphere and will please even the pickiest of coffee connoisseurs. Julie Hatzell, an experienced barista and co-owner with husband Bob, has been open since December of 2007, and she said that not much has changed since opening the café. The name for the café suits it perfectly with it being tucked in Grover Alley behind Main Street. “One day, while sitting in the courtyard alley thinking about what to call it,” recalls Julie, “ a cat walked up and sat down right next to me.” The name Alley Cat Café was born.

Julie, originally from the bay area, drew upon the cafes she and her husband once frequented for inspiration. When they moved to Quincy eight years ago, she brought the ideas from other cafes and designed her own. “I tired to raise the bar a little bit,” says Julie, who after arriving in Quincy noticed that there was a caffeine void and wanted to create a new café experience for the small town. “I wanted my café to be more than a place to get coffee; I wanted it to be a place for people to gather.” Julie loves that her café caters to all demographics; judges from the courthouse across the street, attorneys, people of all ages that come in to play chess, teenagers that spend time together and talk it up. And if your stomach is on “E,” focus on her daily menu board. The biggest selling food items are their paninis, grilled in a press and served hot. Delicious recipes!

Julie buys her beans from Bearfoot Coffee Roasters in Santa Clara, which she reveals are serious, happy coffee people; “real coffee geeks.” Bearfoot buys from “fair trade” farmers to ensure that they receive a sufficient price for their harvest that supports a better life for their struggling family in the developing world through fair prices, community development and environmental stewardship. Their mission is to bring the producer all the way forward to the final cup you hold in your hand. This empowerment model of direct, long-term contracts lifts small-farmer cooperatives from poverty providing them money for health care, education and economic independence.

In 1981, Charles Wetherall published Kicking the Coffee Habit, a book dedicated to unfortunate coffee addicts who were risking dozens of health hazards. Maybe caffeine is addictive, but a good jolt from your favorite coffee joint can turn the worst day tolerable, or provide a place to do business, meet friends, rekindle a romance, or just be alone. The Alley Cat Café on Grover Alley is definitely the type of place to enjoy a cup of joe where the owner is passionate about and dedicated to the art of the perfect brew.
We can only wish that this find would be around for a long time. “The future looks bright,” says Julie, adding with a huge grin on her face, “hopefully I will start getting a paycheck.” “Some days I wonder what I got myself into,” says Julie, who starts her day at 4:00 in the morning. “But on the whole, I love it. My café makes my heart happy to see the place we have created.”

Bookmark to:

Planning a visit to Mount Shasta, I surfed the web and decided on Mount Shasta Resort as the hot spot to make our dinner reservation. Turns out I made a very sweet choice indeed. The staff of this top notch resort went above and beyond the standards of excellent service before we even arrived. Mount Shasta Resort sits a few miles from the hustle and bustle of downtown; we set off in the dark, armed with only the address and no directions. Being unfamiliar with the area and not a champion navigator I soon believed I was lost. Imagine that?! I pulled over and called to say that I may be a minute late for my reservation as I was just a little lost. Believing only in impeccable hospitality, the hostess answering the phone remained on the line with me until she was certain I could see the lighted sign out front. Now that is customer service.

Entering the lobby, I was immediately impressed with the warm and tasteful décor. The glowing stained glass chandelier hanging over the staircase is just gorgeous. Just the size of it made me wonder how they got it up there. The first class atmosphere flows right up the stairs into the Highland House Restaurant. Each table was flawlessly set. Every cloth napkin stood at attention, perfectly creased. Soft amber candlelight and a rich wine colored carnation centerpiece set it all off with a subtle touch of class. The view from this second floor dining room is amazing. Two of the walls are dominated by oversize windows that offer expansive views of the ever changing vistas of the great Mount Shasta, rising above the sprawling lawns and upper lakes of Mount Shasta Resort’s own 18 hole golf course. Our server, Jill, told me it was like working in front of a different work of natures own art every day.An exceptional atmosphere for a fine dining experience is woven into every detail of Highland House Restaurant. It was perfectly relaxing.

Our entire trio started off with a piping cup of the dark house coffee, a real treat, having just come in from the cold. We arrived early and were offered both the regular dinner menu, and a Sunset Menu which is available daily between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. The Sunset Menu offers fine cuisine at happy hour prices. The Baked Brie Tossed Salad as well as the Spinach Salad with pears, blue cheese and sweet & spicy walnuts are both topped with balsamic vinaigrette and priced at $10.00. The traditional Chicken Caesar Salad is $11.00. There are five $12.00 choices including Pan Roasted Tarragon Chicken, Hickory Smoked Baby Back Ribs with onions, garlic and chipotle peppers and Spicy Thai Chicken Sautee with bell peppers and onion in red curry sauce. The Lone Ranger at $13.00, is a Grilled Top Sirloin with Onion-Rosemary Sauce. Six Tempura Fried Prawns or the Thai Chili Glazed Salmon are the $14.00 options. The highest priced and only $15.00 item is the Grilled Sirloin with 2 Fried Prawns. All Sunset Menu choices include choice of soup or salad, sautéed seasonal veggies and choice of rice or potato. So many great choices i’d found and I hadn’t even cracked the regular dinner menu yet. As we sat sipping our coffee and struggling to choose, Jill returned with a basket of thick sliced, fresh baked bread that smelled and tasted just like Grandma used to make. Right then I knew this meal was going to be a real treat. I don’t lightly compare my grandma’s bread.

I finally decided on the Coconut Shrimp with Red Dragon Sauce from the regular menu. Light and crispy, toasted coconut wrapped around seven jumbo butterfly shrimp…oh my, oh my. The Red Dragon Sauce is sweet, tangy and very hot. It tasted so good that I couldn’t stop eating it, even though my mouth was on fire. Served with a baked potato and fresh steamed broccol,i it was much more than I could eat at $24.95. An appetizer of this same dish with 4 shrimp is also available for $12.49. The evening special of Broiled Swordfish with a Chili Lemon Butter was also a mouthwatering dish served to our table. The fish was cooked to perfection and the spicy kick to the lemon butter was a superb compliment to this $21.00 special. The tender and exquisitely spiced Sirloin Steak for $19.89 wrapped up our order. This was a fine choice; it’s hard to beat a good juicy steak.

I was sorry I had eaten so much when we were presented with the dessert tray. Let me say when it comes to the goodies, Highland House Restaurant doesn’t mess around. Their signature dessert is called Le Bomb; a raspberry filled, chocolate glazed, chocolate cake for two. It looked sinful. Crème Brule’, Cheesecake and Bread Pudding with Brandy Sauce are just a few of the other delights offered at this splendid dining establishment. I sent my compliments to Chef Donnie Cottrell and his staff on the beautiful presentation.

Too full to waddle to the car, we opted for a second cup of coffee and a chat with the very friendly manager Suzanne Bently. She invited us to come again during the golfing season so we can share with you their lodging Chalets and on sight golf course. With such an elegant atmosphere, beautiful vistas and outstanding service, I eagerly anticipate our return to Mount Shasta Resort. If you get to see the Chalets before we do, drop a comment on our website at www.mountainvalleylivingmagazine.com. We’d love to hear from you.

Bookmark to:

During a recent stay in Truckee, California, we spent an exceptional evening out. Set in the warmhearted early 19th Century ambiance of the Truckee Hotel (our lodging choice for the weekend and also featured this month), Moody’s Bistro & Lounge smartly complements its fine dining with critically praised, nationally touring, weekend jazz acts. Moody’s is named after J.F. Moody, the original proprietor of the Truckee Hotel. The restaurant’s namesake was known for his extravagant hospitality. What more could I ask for just downstairs from my room?

We were greeted at the door by rich, savory aromas and a soft, toe tapping tune. The busy hostess directed us to one of two half moon, raised booths with an excellent view of stage. Bonus! I love jazz and didn’t want to miss a note. Moody’s stage is an inviting one. The rich red velvet curtain is perfectly partnered with the dark woods of Moody’s decor. Some of music’s most talented artists have played here, including Paul McCartney, who has stepped under the lights more than once. Quartet Minus One was the listening delight of the evening and this trio of young musicians put on an incredible show. I sat and swayed to the music from their first number until their last. Co-owner J.J. Morgan, Moody’s front of the house guy and the joint’s A&R man, knows his jazz bands. He spent years earning his chops at the Up and Down Club, his first club in San Francisco. He’s a camera shy fellow and I loved his hat.

Two steaming mugs of coffee and two generous margaritas kicked off what proved to be a delectable meal. The menu at Moody’s Bistro & Lounge offers several dishes out of the ordinary and the four of us vowed to try something new. Flaky, delicate dungeness crab atop grilled Truckee sourdough ciabatta toast with a lemony kick ($15) was just the first of 3 appetizers that occupied our first half hour. The crowd was quickly growing. I strongly recommend calling ahead for reservations. Obviously popular with the locals, most of the patrons seemed to know one another. The down home camaraderie makes Moody’s an exceptionally comfortable place to hang out and visit for hours, which is exactly what we did. We sat nibbling on the succulent sushi. Ahi Tuna, prepared 4 ways is $16. One is served raw and that a was first for two of us.

Mixed mushrooms ($10) on a bed of creamy polenta and topped with a sunny-side up fried egg was new to all of us and a very tasty combination I intend to try to make at home. I was already getting full before our Roasted Beet Salad arrived (offered at ($10). Now this was a choice that made me take pause until I tried it. The beets are not pickled; they are slow roasted to tender perfection. The flavor is very mild and the red wine vinaigrette dressing gives it the perfect tongue tingling bite. I was pleasantly surprised. I guess that’s the whole adventure in trying something new. I wanted to try the Potato Gnocchi ($14, $21 as an entree) with Point Reyes bleu cheese, apple confit and macadamia nuts, but I knew I would never be able to get through something so rich after all we had already eaten. I decided on the Broken Arrow Ranch Venison Leg Tender ($34), medium rare for my entree. Accompanied by potato puree, cipollini onions, fava greens, pancetta and huckleberry demi glaze, this juicy delicacy cut with my fork and was a mouth watering choice indeed. The Five Dot Ranch Fillet Mignon ($42) with a spunky béarnaise and spicy peppercorn sauce also graced our candle lit table. I couldn’t believe he ate the whole thing. After all those appetizers and the salad, it must have been delicious. The third selection enjoyed by our party was the evening special, a tantalizing Scallopini ($26) in an amazing wine sauce . Seasonal fresh veggies were the perfect side for dipping. Our final selection was the Hawaiian Opah ($25). This delicate cut of flaky white fish is one of the best. It was voted best new dish experienced on this journey, by our group, full tummies and smiling faces all around. The menu is full of rare surprises and old favorites. Chef Guy Frenette presented a dining experience none of us will soon forget. Charming and handsome General Manager Giancarlo Pelligrino keeps this busy jaz bistro in smooth running order and service, service, service is the name of his game. We never wanted for a thing: definitley an all around great time.

We also enjoyed admiring the framed show flyers from such jazz greats as Dizzy Gilespie, John Coltrane and Duke Ellington.

Enjoying Moody’s is simple: Bring a thirst for libations and a hunger for celebrated food created from the freshest, most honest ingredients. Come with the intention of releasing your inner music lover. Then sit back, relax and leave the rest to the handful of amazingly talented people ready to introduce you to the Moody’s experience. Too view the full lunch, dinner, dessert and wine menus as well as up coming musical guests and events please visit their website at moodysbistro.com.

Bookmark to:

Good friends, good food, good coffee and a relaxed atmosphere are my recipe for the perfect evening out. So a few friends and I headed for Mount Shasta in search of a kick back place to have a nice dinner and a few laughs. A sweet young man at local grocery store suggested a unique little place called Stage Door Cabaret. We found it easily at 414 N. Mt. Shasta Blvd. right downtown. A coffee house that also serves beer and wine and fine dining under one roof, my kind of place.

Hurrying in from the cold we were delighted to be greeted by the scent of fresh brewing coffee . A crackling fire burned in the woodstove of the front dining area. A couple was curled up on one of the sofas in front of the woodstove with their mocha lattes chatting about their day. It was almost like walking into a friends house for an evening get together. There is a shelf in the corner full of board games and several cookie jars full to the brim with an assortment of sinful treats. The cookies, brownies, muffins, cakes and pastries were all fresh baked and very inviting.

We started our evening meal with an excellent medium French roast coffee. Our menus came with fresh baked bread complimented by a sun-dried tomato, pesto, garlic butter that was just to die for. I ordered the Dungeness crab cakes as they are the house specialty of Chef Bryan Bailey. Served with a citrus aioli sauce on a bed of organic mixed greens this light, delicately crispy homemade sensation inspired me to eat myself way passed stuffed. Our table also enjoyed the chicken fettuccini alfredo made with local fresh pasta. The traditional garlic, nutmeg cream sauce was so rich and delicious that every drop got mopped up with the last slice of bread. Our third selection was the honey mustard pork medallions served with roasted red potatoes and fresh grilled veggies. The very tasty house marinade was sweet and tangy, perfect for the tender medallions you could cut with a fork. The price of each of the wonderful meals was $14.95. Stage Door Cabaret has excellent food at a hometown price. The most expensive dinner item is the filet mignon at $17.95. Marinara and alfredo pasta dishes start at $11.95. The Cajun pasta with shrimp, linguica, clams, tri-peppers and red onion with a light, mildly spicy Cajun cream sauce is $ 15.95. Being a seafood lover, I plan to try this spicy delight on our next visit. Several garden fresh salads, two Fusilli dishes and a couple stir frys offer plenty scrumptious healthy choices. The breakfast and lunch menus are also full of special treats such as homemade quiche with hashbrown potatoe crust and ingredients that change daily. Yummy. The Roasted Portobello Rueben, with melted swiss, sauerkraut and Russian dressing, was another selection I plan to try. A Panini Grilled Albacore Tuna Melt, A Wild Salmon Burger and Greek Wrap with feta cheese, hummus, tomatoes, olives, cucumber and organic spring mix of greens are just a few of the selections that offer something different from the every day. All lunches come with a choice of potatoe salad, corn chips or side green salad. No french fries at the Stage Door Cabaret but you can get an organic Prather Ranch Beef burger for $8.95. Sticking with a delicious and affordable menu lunch sarts at $4.00 for a cup of the piping hot chili or homemade soup of the day and tops out at $11.95 for the huge Club Sald packed with turkey, ham ,bacon and and a ton of fresh greens and veggies. The breakfast menu consists of all those wonderful baked goods I mentioned, Frittatas, a Breakfast Wrap, Bagels with a variety of toppers, yogurt with fruit and Stage Door Cabaret’s own homemade granola. Breakfast prices start at $1.50 for a plain Bagel and top out at $8.95 for the Frttatas with the works. For those of you who prefer the traditional American breakfast ham or bacon and eggs with roasted red potatoes is still just $6.95. Several dessert options were offered by Danielle, our lovely and bubbly server, including my favorite creme brule, but we were just to full to try them. Maybe next time.

Not only does Stage Door Cabaret have a New Age feel and great food they also have live entertainment regularly and open mic poetry nights. The back room has a professional stage and plenty of candlelit seating for the easy listening and poetry nights. When musical artists of the dancing variety perform the backroom transforms to accomodate those of you who like to cut a rug. Variety is the spice of life and Stage Door Cabaret understands that. Their events calendar really mixes it up. Please visit their website at www.stagedoorcabaret.com for upcoming guests and events. Check often as they update the events page regularly and you never know what or who may be coming next.

Owner Tom O’Hara is also an artist and several of his paintings are on display and available for sale. My favorite was a southwest scene that reminded of a place I once visited in New Mexico. Mr. O’Hara prices each one by request. There are several to choose from and each is drastically different. He is quite talented and also has a great eye for the unusual. The front dining room wall sports a print of a Tyrannosaurus Rex in pajamas and night cap reading a book of bedtime stories. All in all Stage Door Cabaret is a unique experience that is far more than just eating out. Next time you are up Mount Shasta way drop in and check it out. It’s like nowhere you’ve dined before.

Bookmark to:

Wine Me and Dine Me… At Casa Carmelita

By: Melissa Wynn

Cold winter weather often puts me in the mood for hot and spicy food to warm up the insides. After a chilly day of shopping in Portola, Casa Carmelita was an excellent choice for getting dinner with just what I was looking for.

We were greeted at the door by the wonderful cilantro touched aromas of Mexican cuisine. New owner Lena Dollard seated us with a friendly smile and a hot cup of coffee, (my hero). The look of adobe décor adds a true Mexican feel. Soft music and dimmed lighting create a relaxing atmosphere in this little hometown restaurant.

Our meal began with the traditional chips and a good hot salsa that was homemade by Chef Elena Garcia. Not only does Elena make a mean salsa, the creamy red sauce covering my Shrimp Burrito was like nothing I’ve had before. Spicy, delicious and priced at a very reasonable $13.95, this meal is a new favorite for me. Our table also enjoyed the wonderfully flaky swordfish steak. Topped with Pico de Gallo and served with wasabi mashed potatoes, green salad, beans and Spanish rice, this meal could have fed us both for a mere $14.95. I was surprised at how reasonable the prices were at Casa Carmelita. The food was beautifully presented and cooked to perfection yet even a 14 ounce rib eye steak with prawns cost only $19.95. The lunch menu which offers various beef, chicken and pork Mexican delights all served with beans and Spanish rice or salad as well as burgers and a BLT starts at $6.50 and tops out at $9.95. You can’t beat that. For dessert I had my all time Mexican favorite, the sopapilla. This cinnamon sugar dusted crispy fry bread is the perfect sweet for putting out the fire on your tongue. OOOO Yummy! Fried ice cream is another dessert option and no Mexican menu is complete without the flan. We were just too full to try anything more. If you are looking for an exceptional Mexican meal look no further than Casa Carmelita in Portola, .that’s the place to find it. Friendly hometown service at an affordable price, another bonus of mountain valley living.

Bookmark to:

Wine Me & Dine Me

A TRIP TO MOON’S

Somewhere in Quincy

Old fashioned lamp posts reflecting on shiny wet streets led our way across Main and down a short block’s walk to Moon’s. It seems that place “somewhere in Quincy” is right in the heart of downtown Quincy, and it seems that once again it has taken me decades to find a fabulous restaurant right in my own back yard.

We approached the large stone building which was lit with tiny white lights. I opened the door to a warm ambience of rich, classic wood walls, soft lights and good music. We were greeted immediately by Nick who showed us to a table of our choice.

Having already known they are famous for their pizza, I was surprised to see such an elegant menu including steaks, seafood and fine wines. Perfect…. A fancy dinner in a warm and cozy establishment, perfectly detailed in rustic elegance…. My favorite!

A great selection of appetizers was offered, ranging from $4.25 to $8.25. Choices included shrimp cocktail, Broiled artichoke dip and fresh vegetable antipasto plate, a roasted garlic appetizer and Calamari strips among others.

The dinner menu offered several pasta dishes with half order portions also available. These come with their fresh and delicious, crisp diner salads or the soup d’ jour and Moon’s famous homemade garlic bread. Entrees included wild salmon and four chicken specialty dishes including Honey Almond Chicken at $18.95 and Chicken Monterey (my new favorite dish) at $19.95.

From the grill, they offer Ribeyes, Filet Mignon, New York steak and Steak Diane. Prime Rib is served Saturdays after 5 p m, and yes, the pizza is still a specialty of the house. Several are also packaged for to go orders each evening.

After tending to our drinks, our waitress Samantha brought us a basket full of their warm, garlic bread and two beautiful salads which were deliciously topped with their homemade dressing. Ranch, Italian, Bleu Cheese as well as Honey Poppyseed and Spicy Thai were offered. Ours were great.

Samantha brought out our dinners with perfect timing and …. Wow! The rib-eye was ‘melt in your mouth’ good and like I made sure to tell our talented chef Marie Stockton, her Chicken Monterey was the best chicken dish I’ve ever had. Perfectly sauteed, big, meaty prawns laid on top of the moistest chicken breast I have ever tasted. A delicious Alfredo sauce and a twisted lemon slice covered it all for an amazing taste. Entrees include your choice of homemade soup or a fresh green salad, with their famous garlic bread, plus baked or herbal mashed potatoes, or rice pilaf. I chose the baked potato. Our fresh, perfectly cooked to almost-crisp, vegetables were topped with a creamy aoili sauce. I finished every scrumptious bite of those.

We knew it was coming, and we knew we wouldn’t resist. Samantha described each dessert in detail. A chocolate caramel fudge cake was offered which is topped with a sort of Heath Bar crunch and more chocolate and caramel. Dutch apple pie with ice cream or cheese cake with raspberry sauce: who could choose! They offered ice cream sundaes and Samantha highly recommended the light and refreshing avocado Cream pie with graham cracker crust. All desserts were $5.50 or you could have a dish of ice cream alone for $1.00. We took apple pie, ice cream and a slice of chocolate cake back to our room at The Sporting Inn, just a block away. It was way too good.

We thoroughly enjoyed our entire trip to downtown Quincy. We greatly enjoyed our room overlooking Main Street and the many wonderful shops and restaurants we found within walking distance. As for Moon’s Cafe, I can say I will be returning often to this fine establishment which took me way too long to discover. The friendly service, warm ambience and spectacular food is well worth the drive to Quincy. The establishment is operated by Diane Irving and her daughters. They are located at 497 Lawrence St., one block from Main St., in Quincy. You can make reservations by calling 530 283-0765.

If you would like to recommend a great restaurant, email us at mountainvalleylivingmagazine@gmail.com or call us at 530 256-2800.

Bookmark to:

Gourmet Dining Fun

ORGANIZE A DINNER CLUB

By Jan Cox, Contributing Writer

Life quiets down in the mountains after the Christmas season. The “Snow Birds” head toward warmer climes. Shovels stand by the front door ready for the next big snowfall, ploughs weave back and forth, mounding up the welcome white stuff, and many local restaurant owners take a well deserved vacation. Here’s an enjoyable way to savor gourmet delights.

About a year ago my husband and I invited four other couples to join us in a Gourmet Club. The first question these couples had was, “What is a Gourmet Club?” Because we had been in another group years earlier, we were prepared with the details of how to set up such a group. We were soon up and running, ready to enjoy our first scrumptious meal.

There can be several ways to organize a dinner group and the following guidelines are from the five couples that came together to form one of these groups. We decided to create our meals around a theme. This theme can include the recipes of a specific country such as, Germany, Russia, o

r even the Congo. Or it can include recipes from a specific area such as the Louisiana Bayou or a time period such as Colonial America. Finally it might include such themes as Christmas around the world, or a Spring Celebration.

To help this group work efficiently, we follow several steps. First we decide on a date that works well for everyone and choose a host couple. The hosts plan the menu of their choice. We find recipes in both books and food magazines such as Eating Light, Gourmet, Bon Appetite, or Sunset, or from the internet. Just Goggle “Gourmet Recipes” and see what comes up!

The menu is copied and distributed to the other members. Each couple is responsible for buying the food for their dish. The host couple usually prepares the entrée and purchases the wine or other beverages to complement the meal, while the others prepare the appetizers, soups, salads, veggies and desserts. To avoid an inequity in costs, members present a bill for their part of the meal and the total is divided by the number of couples participating. An average cost for an entire meal is between $12.00 and $15.00 per person. Where else could you get an entire gourmet meal from appetizer through dessert and beverages for that price!

Sometimes the food items called for in these gourmet recipes are difficult to find locally. But, we have discovered that many local markets either carry gourmet articles or will make a special order for us.

Because each couple makes only one or two dishes, preparation becomes fun and less time consuming. There is even time to decorate the table and plan those special touches that make the evening special.

I recently spoke to several other groups in this area. One group sets up its meals in a similar way but does not split the cost. Instead they chart who has made what part of the meal each month and make sure that they get a different part the next month. This group challenges themselves to make recipes that no one has ever made before. And they laughingly let me know they have only had two failures so far! In this group there are several male “chefs” who enjoy doing the cooking.

Another dinner group does things very differently but enjoys it just as much. They hold a progressive meal where they all move from the appetizer course served at the first house, to soup and salad at the next, followed by the entrée at a third and dessert at the fourth couple’s home. These couples meet every 3 months during the year, with each couple preparing a different part of the meal each time. There is no theme for the meal and no cost splitting done.

So, if you are a person who enjoys cooking and getting together with friends in an atmosphere of fun, relaxation, good conversation and fabulous eating for a great price, why not get a few of your friends together and start your own gourmet club. Bon Appetite!

Bookmark to:

MT TOMBA INN

Cromberg, CA

The Duke himself stands tall in a photo pasted to the wall overlooking the bar. Bright red tablecloths against wooden walls and floors set the backdrop for this quaint old establishment, famous for their hand cut steaks. The place is filled with John Wayne movie memorabilia and is indeed serving up meals that would satisfy even “The Duke.” Two fireplaces provide a warmth only found by a real fire, one in the main dining room and one near those wishing to ‘belly up to the bar.’ Owners Susan Terry and Levi England are both chefs at Mt. Tomba Inn.

Continue reading WINE ME AND DINE ME In Cowboy Style

Bookmark to:

Wine Me and Dine Me…Steak House Style

By Melissa Wynn

Every now then you get to craving a thick juicy steak, and nothing else will do. You

want to cut it with a fork and perhaps have it topped with melting herb butter. Is

that too much to ask? Not if you go to the 5th Street Steak House in Chico, Ca. It

is right there on the menu. I had the pleasure of dining in this fine establishment

at 345 W. 5th Street on a recent excursion to downtown Chico, and oh what a pleasure

it was. Continue reading Wine Me and Dine Me…Steak House Style

Bookmark to:

Café Q

By Jan Cox

Tourist and residents alike do not have to go far to find excellent food at Lake Almanor. Just outside the lower Peninsula gate at 449 Peninsula Drive you will find Café Q.

Continue reading Dining on the Lake Almanor Peninsula

Bookmark to:

Southeast Asian Cuisine
By Melissa Wynn

Wine Me and Dine Me

We struck fine dining gold while strolling through the historic railroad town of Dunsmuir, California just 49 miles north of Redding on Interstate 5. Continue reading Sengthong’s and The Blue Sky Room

Bookmark to:

Fireside Village in Hat Creek is a quaint little business at the corner of highway 89 and Doty Road. Our first stop there was to pop into the store/ bait shop for a roll of film for our visit to the Hat Creek Radio Observatory, just 4 miles down Doty Road. Once inside the store, I just knew I had to come back.

The store inside was like something you would see in the old west and leather works covered the walls and shelves. After our tour down the road, we returned to have lunch at the restaurant which is the other half of this family run business. Continue reading Dining in Hat Creek Lunch and Leather at Fireside Village

Bookmark to: