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A New Face at the Rancheria

Ahhhhhhhhh-ooooooooooh!

Does that sound like a wolf howl to you? Perhaps it is a tax on one’s imagination, but think strength, presence, excitment. Think WOLF.

Then get ready for some good news. The Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort has reopened their flagship restaurant, the Lone Wolf.

The Rancheria describes its new bistro as a “casual steakhouse with a flavor for all,” but I think it’s better than that. The Lone Wolf is really rather elegant with well spaced mahogany tables and snug, intimate booths for couples.

The regal wolf den is located upstairs far from the madding crowd that remains well contained in the casino below. I promise you’ll never hear a single slot machine much less some goofy gambler shrieking “Jackpot!” at the top of his/her lungs. You can breath easy too because there’s no smoking in the Lone Wolf.

Expect instead a big fireplace that will probably look very inviting come winter, Currently the patio is far more alluring. It’s a perfect venue for sunset watching.

Charles and I decided to check out the Lone Wolf with compadres, Lila and Mike Moran, who already had enjoyed rave experiences at the Rancheria’s new seafood buffet.

Unlike the casino downstairs,

you can enjoy wine and spirits in the Lone Wolf. I promise you, they pour a fine martini there.

.For starters, all four of us were intrigued by the corn soup. It was tres elegant with swirls of green and golden yellow twirling around a thick creamy corn base. ($8) Happily, we discovered that it tasted just as good as it looked.

Mike tucked right into the House Smoked Ribs. ($25) They were a combination of beef and St. Louis style pork ribs served with bourbon barbecue sauce and potato frites. :

Charles opted for a grilled 10 oz. flat iron steak with potato frites, melted shallots and thyme ($26). He was well satisfied.

Lila’s choice was equally tasty—a six oz. grilled filet mignon topped with red wine onions, blue cheese cream, and olive oil; plus mashed potatoes and roasted asparagus. ($35)

I wanted something different and got it. I asked for the New Zealand lamb sirloin ($28) rare and it arrived baa baa baaing reproachfully. Actually, all of our entrees were cooked exactly to taste.

Chef Brett Thomas and Lone Wolf manager, Kurt Wagner, do an excellent job. Brett comes to the Lone Wolf from the Seven Sisters at Black Oak Casino where he was chef de cuisine. Kurt’s experience includes the 33rd Street Bistro in

Sacramento where he started as a server and worked his way up to general manager.

Let me remind you that the Lone Wolf is owned by the Jackson Rancheria Band of Miwuk Indians, a federally recognized Indian tribe. In other words, a sovereign government. What that means to us is no tax. That’s right, NO TAX. When the menu says $28 or $35, that’s exactly what you pay. Now, is’t that a nice surprise?

VITALS: The Lone Wolf is located on the second floor of the Jackson Rancheria, 12222 New York Ranch Road, Jackson. Phone: 223-WOLF. The Lone Wolf lounge opens at 4 p.m. with dinner service at 5,Wedesday through Sunday. Reservations suggested. Credit cards accepted. The Lone Wolf is one of four new restaurants that opened at the Rancheria this year. The others include: JoBo’s Junction, a coffee and pastry bar also offering specialty coffee drinks and sandwiches; the Rancheria Buffet with six live action cooking stations; and Pacific Grill, a quick service restaurant offering Asian and American cuisine.

Pictures:

Jena Valencia serves Lila Moran at the Lone Wolf in Jackson.

Corn soup is a delicious addition to the menu at Jackson’s Lone Wolf.

The interior of Jackson’s Lone Wolf bespeaks casual elegance.

Even the doggie bags are special at the Lone Wolf in Jackson.