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Foothill Flavors
By Antoinette May Herndon The Sutter Creek Palace is one of those both naughty and nice places that everybody loves. You might say it’s what living in (or visiting) the Gold Country is all about. First of all, the restaurant is historic. Rising phoenix- like from the ruins of an awesome conflagration that destroyed most of Sutter Creek, the saloon re-opened its doors in 1864. That’s long ago enough to pick up a lot of history. Wait till you hear! Beginning about 1884, a bordello operated upstairs in the six rooms above the saloon. To make it even more convenient, upstanding city fathers who wished to be discreet could enter the bordello via a tunnel that ran from the American Exchange Hotel down the street to the basement of the building. The party boys came inside by way of a trap door leading to the ladies’ parlor which exists to this day. Today one enters the friendly, lively saloon more conventionally, but still immediately feels that Old West, “Long Branch” ambience we all expect (and love) around here. Foothill bars are real bars, packed with character and romance. Why, I expect to chat up Matt Dillon most any night. Moving beyond the bar, you’ll find several delightful dining rooms. Expect quaint but comfortable furnishings—lots of antiques. The walls and trim are white with |
hot pink wainscoting and myriads of naughty old west and turn of the century (the last century) art work. The place looks like a movie set but real people eat and drink there and perhaps a few who are not so real. That’s right. You read it here. The Sutter Creek Palace is haunted. The story goes that in the late 1940s Angelo Meve took over the saloon which he called, “Our Corner.” He is said to have died in the bordello upstairs. Perhaps that was Angelo’s idea of heaven because many believe his spirit remains there still. Staff and guests say that Angelo makes his presence known on a regular basis. One patron claimed to have taken a picture of friends standing at the Palace’s front door. Angelo appears to be posing with the group. But Angelo isn’t the only ghost around. An apparition of a lady in a long dark dress has been seen in the dining rooms on several occasions. I’m regretful to report that neither Charles nor I have seen either of the ghosts—yet. But we’ll be back. Even without a spectral companion, our last dinner at the Sutter Creek Palace was excellent. After a good martini in the historic bar, we were shown into your basic darling dining room which turned out to be none other than the former ladies’ parlor. I kept hoping to see an amorous male caller arise from the trap door, but was told that doesn’t happen any more. What |
did happen was a delicious dinner. The owners, Lana and Dan Walker, are dedicated to good food, good service and lots of atmosphere. Charles opted for a special that evening, ravioli stuffed with crab and lobster in a rich marinara sauce. ($16) With it came a choice of soup or salad. He chose the soup—a bowl of thick and creamy clam chowder. I went with the Cajun grilled salmon. Tender, flavorful salmon served with rice and veggies. ($16) I, too decided on soup. Though there was also a beef barley soup offered that sounded awfully good, clam chowder is a signature dish at the Palace and rightly so. Think lots of succulent clams. The customers around us were convivial and well satisfied—not a ghost among them. And a pretty flowered rug covered the infamous trap door. No amorous gentleman emerged in search of an obliging working girl. Still a sense of history prevailed, adding spice to a sparkling and varied menu.
VITALS: The Sutter Creek Palace is located at 76 Main St, Sutter Creek. Phone: 267-1300. The restaurant is open Friday through Tuesday for lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.. Dinner hours on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday are from 4 pm to 7, and on Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. to 9. All credit cards accepted.
PICTURES Lana Walker takes pride in her Sutter Creek Palace The Sutter Creek Palace is loaded with atmosphere.
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