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New2CA Apr 24th, 2012 08:43 PM

Dining in Yosemite
 
What are our Dining options while in Yosemite?
One of the days that we are there is our 30th anniversary so I was wondering which our choices are.

Suzie Apr 24th, 2012 08:51 PM

2 good places for a special meal are The Ahwahnee dining room or the Mountain Room at the Yosemite Lodge dining area:


http://www.yosemitepark.com/ahwahnee-dining-room.aspx

http://www.yosemitepark.com/mountain...estaurant.aspx

For all other dining options - nothing really remarkable:

http://www.yosemitepark.com/Dining.aspx

Tomsd Apr 24th, 2012 08:54 PM

Not necessary Anniversary faire - but the Pizza place by the Curry Village market is pretty good.

New2CA Apr 24th, 2012 09:15 PM

Is it worth the time to go to The Ahwahnee or The Mountain Room? I mean in terms of doing other activities down by Curry Market

Suzie Apr 24th, 2012 09:20 PM

Have a late lunch & a late dinner:

The Mountain Room Lounge is open from noon to 11pm. on Saturday and Sunday and 4:30 to 11pm. Monday through Friday.

Not quite as late at Ahwhanee:
Sunday till 8:30, Monday till 9:00.

MAKE RESERVATIONS! Or at Mountain room you will wait for a table unless you get there pretty late, in June may miss out on Ahwahnee without them.

janisj Apr 24th, 2012 09:28 PM

"<i>Is it worth the time to go to The Ahwahnee or The Mountain Room? I mean in terms of doing other activities down by Curry Market</i>"

Sure it is. You are talking about night time . . .

tbbeach Apr 24th, 2012 10:15 PM

Go to the Ahwanee It's spectacular and the food is good too. Of course you can always have a romantic picnic somewhere. If you are there on Saturday night in the summer, outside of the valley is the Wawona Hotel. The Wawona has a wonderful outdoor summer barbque on the lawn outside the hotel. google the wawona hotel

Michael Apr 24th, 2012 10:25 PM

For a splurge, the Eldeberry House in Oakhurst, south of Yosemite:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...57629150082574

janisj Apr 24th, 2012 10:29 PM

I agree Elderberry house is special. But it would be a 90 minute drive (each way) from Curry Village. Though only about 1/2 an hour from Fish Camp (where they are staying one night)

Michael Apr 24th, 2012 10:42 PM

<i>But it would be a 90 minute drive (each way) from Curry Village. </i>

Why not; there's not much to do in the valley after the sun goes down.

Suzie Apr 24th, 2012 11:25 PM

In June it won't get dark until well after 9 PM. If choosing Elderberry House, make it on the first night when you're staying in Fish Camp.

http://www.chateausureau.com/

janisj Apr 25th, 2012 07:12 AM

"<i>Why not; there's not much to do in the valley after the sun goes down.</i>"

Because it would be a 3 hour round trip . . .

That is why it really only makes sense from their Fish Camp stopover.

New2CA Apr 25th, 2012 08:25 AM

Is there not ranger programs offered in the evening?

Also, if I can get a nicer room for Sunday night, which is our anniversary is it worth changing rooms?

Rastaguytoday Apr 25th, 2012 08:36 AM

If you believe the Zagat Survey... out of a possible 30 for each category of Food - Decor - Service...

Erna's Elderberry House is a 27-28-27. East of SF, only Chez Panisse has a higher score in cuisine. EEH is first in service and second to the Ahwanee in decor.

Ahwanee is 18-29-21. Still very respectable, and a breathtaking view.

Michael Apr 25th, 2012 08:50 AM

<i>Because it would be a 3 hour round trip . . .</i>

We did it. But it could be at the end of an outing to visit the Wawona grove, which might make the trip more bearable for those who do not see a 90 min. ride and back to what I would consider a destination restaurant.

I found the Sunday brunch at the Ahwanee to be a better value than its dinner.

Tomsd Apr 25th, 2012 09:00 AM

Why leave beautiful Yo to drive 3 hours rt - to some restaurant? For all you know - the main chef might have the night off.

Rastaguytoday Apr 25th, 2012 09:10 AM

Tomsd - a restaurant builds its reputation on it's overall cuisine. A restaurant that uses Fred the dishwasher a couple of times a week as chef de cuisine, will fall flat immediately.

Erna's has been receiving rave reviews for many many years

Along with quality, there is consistency. Two main ingredents in building an excellent restaurant. Gunnar Thompson is the Executive chef, and is responsible for both quality and consistency. His job and the restaurant itself depend on that.

janisj Apr 25th, 2012 09:19 AM

"<i>Why leave beautiful Yo to drive 3 hours rt </i>

They don't have to . . . They are staying one night in <u>Fish Camp</u>.

(Where is 'Yo' BTW? Anywhere near 'Cali'?)

New2CA: Either Elderberry House or the Ahwahnee would be a really memorable dinner. Either Elderberry House on your Fish Camp night, or the Ahwahnee on one of your Yosemite Valley nights.

I <i>might</i> opt for the Ahwahnee w/ a lateish sitting so it is still daylight when you arrive and dusk falls. So you could see the views and then have the room in candlelight. Just an amazing space.

the food at Elderberry house is <u>amazing</u> - but I just think the Ahwahnee fits a bit better in your itinerary.

spirobulldog Apr 25th, 2012 11:41 AM

We enjoyed the Sunday Brunch too.

We enjoyed a meal at Wawonna Lodge as well. The pizza place in the valley is very good pizza(maybe because we were just hungry).

Before I drove 3 hours away from Yo(lol), I would pack a sandwich and have a picnic.

Michael Apr 25th, 2012 12:10 PM

It's not 3 hours away--implying one direction--but 3 hrs RT, let's not exaggerate.


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