Foothill Flavors

Enjoy those crazy, hazy days of summer NOW

By Antoinette May Herndon

Oh, it’s a long, long way from May to December and the days grow shorter when they reach September. We all know that one too well.

Who won’t miss the taste of sweet corn, ripe tomatoes and cherries, the fluttery, flattering summer dresses, the sunflowers reaching to the sky, or the scent of honeysuckle and roses? As the days dwindle to a precious few, here’s a reminder of some of the great outdoor dining possibilities from which to choose.

Go smell the roses at a few all time favorites that attest outdoor dining at its best:

The menu at Villa D’oro in tiny Twain Heart emphasizes Mediterranean style cooking and features fresh seafood, organically produced vegetables, choice meats and quality wines. The piazza (or patio) has a wood-fired pizza oven from Italy that sends the aroma of almond wood wafting throughout the tiny town

If a restaurant can be both casual and chic, Villa D’oro fills the bill. Add to this a little romanc. Imagine a trattoria in Italy or Greece. Then transport it to a Tuolomne pine forest Clearly this is a place where both localites and visitors gather to enjoy mountain vistas and fragrant pines. For a special treat, try the villa’s signature garlic soup. It’s the best I’ve ever tasted. ($9

VITALS: Villa D’oro Ristorante Italiano, 23036 Joaquin Gully Rd., Twain Harte. Phone: 586-2182. Open seven days a week. Full bar. Credit cards accepted.

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A little over a year ago, I went out on a limb by nominating Amador City’s Imperial Hotel as the most romantic eatery in three counties. I still feel

that way. Though a restaurant for all seasons, the Imperial is at its very best while watching the sun set from the leafy, lovely outdoor garden. Everything is good at the Imperial, but the Mexican shrimp rubbed with chlli and ginger in a lemon garlic sauced is fantastic. ($24) If that isn’t enough, a sinful dessert designed by prize- winning pastry chef, Ingrid Fraser is just one more reason to linger outside, (Try the chocolat hazelnut tart)

VITALS: Imperial Hotel, 14202 Old Highway 49, Amador City. Phone: 267-9172. Full bar. Credit cards accepted. * * * For a change of pace, try Pizza Plus. My husband, Charles and I, truly believe that this creekside pizzaria serves the best pizza in three counties. Try the All Meat which consists of cheese, salami, pepperoni, ham Linguica, bacon and sausage. ($11 for a medium size pizza) We love it! It’s always fun to go to Pizza Plus, quartered, as it is, in one of those tumble down buildings that add such charm to Sutter Creek. One of the bistro’s rooms is underground. A dungeon, maybe? A bank vault, perhaps? Oh, if those old stones could talk!

Better yet, try sitting outside by the creek where musicians play. It’ll be one of those dreamy summer nights you wait all year for. I guarantee it!

VITALS: Pizza Plus. 20 Eureka St., Sutter Creek. Phone: 267-1900. Beer and wine. Also pizza to go. Credit cards accepted.

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A sentimental favorite is balcony of the Hotel Leger in Mokelumne Hill. Charles and I played the dating game there, then the newly wed game, and still go there once or twice a week. The view of hills, dales, historic homes and orange trees is not to be missed.

Though I miss Tracy and Darryl Zeller, it’s fun to see owner, Jane Canty, back on duty.

The Leger’s highlight for me is the rib-eye ($18) which is tender, flavorful and cooked EXACTLY the way I like it. (Mooing reproachfully). Charles favors the hand-dipped fish and chips. Soups are also quite good here.

VITALS: Hotel Leger, 8304 Main St., Mokelumne Hill. Phone: (209) 286- 1401. Full bar. Credit cards accepted.

* * * Patio dining is always at its best at Jamestown’s National Hotel. Lots of trailing greenery, old brick and latticework. Menu highlights are the hotel’s signature scampi etoufflee (prawns sautéed Cajun style with scallions, tomatoes, mushrooms with white wine and herbs--$20.95) and spinach fettuccini with creamy parmesan sauce ($14.95). No wonder the restaurant enjoys the coveted Triple A’s 3-Diamond Award. The hotel also has a resident ghost, “Floating Flo.” Let me hear if you spot her.

VITALS: National Hotel, 18183 Main St., Jamestown. Phone: 984- 3446. Full bar. Credit cards accepted.

* * * Two other outdoor raves featured in the Lodestar this past month are Susan’s Place in Sutter Creek (267- 0945) and Mi Pueblo (532-3640) in Sonora. What are your favorites? Tell me quick. Let’s share them. Fireplace season will be here before we know it.

Pictures:

A leafy grotto awaits diners at the Imperial Hotel in Amador City.

A resident ghost awaits diners in the patio of the National Hotel in Jamestown.

Cocktails on the Hotel Leger’s leafy balcony are a summer treat in Mok Hill.

A moon shot from the balcony of Mok Hill’s Leger. Enjoy the rare blue moon Friday (Aug. 31).