The Willow is a Jamestown Gem

By Antoinette May Herndon

It was our anniversary. Charles and I were more interested in creating our own memories than hearing someone else’s.

But then along came a pretty blond with a wild story to tell. We were celebrating at Jamestown’s picturesque Willow Steakhouse when our waitress, Kim Lorenzen, announced that the house was haunted.

“Someone—something—calls my name when there’s nobody there,” she confided. “All the staff have seen cups and silverware move through the air of their own volition.”

A brief history check revealed that the restaurant has enough history to stir up a legion of restless shades.

First off, the original 1862 structure was built on the site of a collapsed mineshaft that took 23 men. A series of devastating fires followed, then lynchings, murders.

One might think such a collection of stark tragedies would leave a dark aura about a place. Not so! The Willow Steakhouse is Charm Central.

The place oozes gilded Gold Rush ambience. Think oak wainscoting topped with flowered wallpaper, cozy oak booths flanking a row of tables with high-backed chairs. It’s easy to imagine the illustrious celebrities of the past who dined there: the gunslinger

Bat Masterson, the gracious Mrs. Robert E. Lee and the illustrious President William McKinley.

Impressive antecedents, but Charles and I were looking forward to making dining history of our own. First of all, great martinis are dispensed from the authentic old bar. Then, it seemed, things just got better and better.

First there was the fondue. What an inspired alternative to same old, same old bread and butter. It was a thick, lush fondue with a strong cheddar flavor.

I went with the crisp green salad with a creamy garlic-ranch dressing, ($1.95) Charles for a well-season New England chowder—lots of clams—for the same price.

Everything looked good on the menu, making choices difficult. I finally yielded to the temptation of New York Pepper Steak. It was covered with green peppercorns and a to die for brandy cream sauce. ($21.95)

This dish is truly great—the meat tender and cooked exactly the way I like it. (Mooing,) The only negative is that there is so much of it. The steak is very large and the sauce quite rich. More than enough for two people to share.

Charles went in a different direction and was equally pleased. He chose Stuffed Petrale Sole. With much cajoling (after all, this was our anniversary), I

was able to persuade him to share a few bites.

The fish was stuffed with shrimp, scallions and mushrooms and toped with a piquant caper sauce. This little bit of heaven went for $18.95.

Since this was a very special occasion, we went absolutely crazy and shared a dessert, a sinful strawberry shortcake. ($5.50) Very, very good. The service was good too and I’ve already raved about the ambience. Charles and I won’t wait for another anniversary to go back.

But in the meantime, (in about a month) I’ll tell you the true, unvarnished tale about the very real Willow ghosts. Yes, they do exist. I’ve known about them for a long, long time. And that’s another story.

VITALS: The Willow Steakhouse. 18723 Main St., Jamestown. 984-3998. Open Monday-Saturday for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday dinner from 4 to 9 p.m. and Breakfast from 7 to 11:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Credit cards accepted.

amherndon@sierralodestar.com

PICTURES:

The Willow Steakhouse, named in honor of the willow tree that once stood on the site, oozes old west charm. (2 outdoor shots)

The interior of the Willow Steakhouse in warm and inviting. (2 indoor shots)