Susan's Place

By Antoinette May Herndon

First off let me say that Susan’s Place is romantic and festive. Located on Eureka St., a tiny byway in the midst of “downtown Sutter Creek,” it’s that perfect restaurant to go with a guy you like. (I’m of the age that still enjoys calling men guys.)

But let’s not limit the eatery’s appeal to guys and dolls. The other night at Susan’s I spotted two women at a nearby table holding hands. I doubt they were mother and daughter.

Suffice it to say, Susan’s Place sheds dream dust on couples of all persuasions. Countless proposals have been murmured there, who can begin to imagine the volume of propositions?

It’s stylish, upbeat, a tad dramatic—the perfect setting for a private fete. The other evening I was lucky enough to dine at Susan’s Place with two guys: my husband, Charles, and Tom Johnson, our entrepreneurial friend from out of town.

We three had just put on a workshop well attended by an interesting, enthusiastic group of participants. Despite a horrific heat wave, they’d all gone home happy and—hopefully —knowing considerably more about desk top publishing than they had before. We were ready to celebrate and had come to the right place.

The sizzling day had turned into a balmy night. I sensed (rightly, it turned out) that this was truly the last night of summer. It was meant to be savored to the fullest.

Susan’s has an outdoor-indoor option. Naturally, on a gorgeous night like that we staked out a table in the lush,

still flowering garden. All about us twinkling lights vied with starry skies.

But on a chillier evening this same fairyland extravaganza can be achieved with heat lamps and partial canopies.

Susan’s indoor option is inviting too—chic and New Yorky. It’s easy to imagine an “applause applause” atmosphere as theater-goers and performers sweep in after local performances. Susan Carter, yes there really is a Susan at Susan’s Place, is well connected to the Main Street Theatre and other thespian groups.

For a celebratory culmination to our own event we three splurged on a bottle of Scott Harvey’s syrah. Very nice.

Home made soup started the evening for both Tom and I. He chose the tomato Florentine with white beans (great!) and I the cream of asparagus (delicious), each $6.

Charles had a romaine salad tossed with Susan’s signature Mediterranean vinaigrette dressing and topped with feta cheese crumbles. ($6).

Be sure to ask about the specials at Susan’s Place. There are always exciting surprises. On this particular evening Tom got lucky with a fabulous lobster sandwich that was not on the menu. The lobster was fresh, juicy and succulent, the sandwich a true original that tasted as good as it looked. ($14).

Charles went with an old favorite of his, meat loaf, but Susan’s Greek variation is a lot more than comfort food. This spicy blend was $14. A happy choice.

I opted for Susan’s signature Greek Pot Roast, a marvelous roast beef slowly braised and roasted for

hours in zinfandel wine, cinnamon, and cloves. It was served over polenta and baby spinach. This dish tasted every bit as good as it sounds, “just” wonderful. ($17)

Since, as I said earlier, this was a rather joyful culmination of a successful workshop—Tom had taught something, Charles had learned something—they celebrated themselves as well as their achievements by ordering totally sinful desserts.

Tom’s choice was a chocolate lover’s downfall, the chocolate truffle torte. ($8) Charles went with the lemon tart, as sweet and lemony as you get. ($7.)

Though I. the workshop’s gofer, had worked my tail off, I contented myself with luscious crumbs from their plates. (Still enough calories to blow a diet.)

It was a wonderful evening, scrumptious food, perfect service, good conversation and in the background nostalgic music played at just the right background level. Like the restaurant itself, it was the stuff of romance: “Where Or When,” “Dancing In The Dark,” “Someone To Watch Over Me.”

And, so appropriately: “That’s For Me.”

VITALS: Susan’s Place is at 15 Eureka St. in Sutter Creek. Phone: 267-0945. Open Thursday through Sunday for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dinner seatings Thursday through Sunday are from 5 p.m. on. Reservations are recommended. Credit cards are accepted but cash is preferred.

amherndon@sierralodestar.com

PICTURES:

The famous Susan of Susan’s Place

Karen Castle serves a satisfied customer, Tom Johnson

Outdoor dining is magical at Susan’s place. (2 pictures)