Erna's Elderberry House
One of the top-rated restaurants in California. Excellent staff, European style who leave you alone but as soon as you need something, they somehow know!
Including tip and wine figure about $100 a person for dinner, but it will be an unforgettable meal and experience.    [03 Dec 1999 05:02:11]

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     ­Lisa   

Wonderful Experience
Whoa is that pricey. $250 for two when all was said and done. The food is wonderful, the service is complete and friendly. A real treat for a special occasion.
My wife and I took the 3 day cooking class, which is offered in the spring and fall. It was a highly rewarding experience seeing how a four star kitchen operates. We learned a lot and ate so well. We highly recommend it for serious cooks.    [19 Aug 2002 18:01:26]

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     ­Anonymous   

5 Star Restaurant
Erna's Elderbery House is the finest in the area, no question. I think the five-star rating says it all. This place is amazing and worth every penny. We have celebrated our anniversary here a few times and it is excellent. Attention to every detail and highly professional staff will leave you weeping joyous tears.
Oakhurst, you are so fortunate to have this place in your area.    [28 Jan 2004 17:13:08]

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Recommended Dishes: Tasting Menu

     ­Kim Carter, Carter Construction, INC   

Unbelievable...
Where else in this country can you be so quickly whisked away from reality and into a French country estate for a few hours. We drove from San Francisco unknowing the actual distance we had to travel and were a bit upset when we arrived (after calling twice for directions - it's in the middle of no where). As we walked up to the entrance we were surprised to have the door slowly opened by a very well dressed gentleman whom immediately greeted us with a smile. Figuring we were going to wait for a table as we usually do at restaurants of this caliber in the city. We were amazed that the gentleman escorted us to a wonderful table (not in what looked to be the main dining room, but to a quiet side room done in a beautiful lavender and gold art-deco decor) overlooking the twinkling lights of the little town below. Already it was worth the drive and we had not even seen the menu.

The same gentleman offered us a cocktail in which we declined due to the idea of driving home after dinner. He placed a small folded menu on our table and left a wine list that would rival a best selling novel. First the menu, where else in the world do you get a prix fixe menu prepared from local produce, the finest fish and meats available that day. Prepared by a Chef that if the name doesn't sound familiar to you this year it certainly will next year as it becomes a household name. Secondly the wine list, it turns out the same gentleman that brought us the wine list is the one who purchases and tastes all of the wine prior to selecting them. We asked him several questions that were answered in clear understandable english that made our decision on a wonderful bottle of French red burgundy (when in Rome do as the Romans do), I think it was a Echezeaux or something like that from 1992 or 1993 for just over $120.00. Yes, it looked like my husbands calculator in his head was working overtime, but it was easy to comfort him when the gentleman returned and eased him into the bottle of wine explaining the region, producer and vintage to him in what seemed to be beautiful poetry.

Soon after tasting what was one of the greatest wines that has ever touched my lips (I love Napa and Sonoma, but this was a different experience), a small piece of terrine made from foie gras and sweet potato was presented to us magically by two waiters without us even noticing them. Heaven!

As the courses continue to arrive, the service was nearly seamless, only once did our wine get close to going empty, but was quickly filled before the last little bit could escape into my mouth.

Now all of this would definitely earn this establishment four stars in our book, but something very special happened right before our entree arrived and we had finished our bottle of wine. The gentleman returned and truly looked saddened that we were unable to enjoy the wine we had ordered with our entrees. He told us he would be right back and reappeared with two new glasses and poured us about a 1/4 of a glass each of a wonderful local wine to go with our lamb. With a "Cheers and enjoy" he just earned Five Stars.

I could go on and on about this restaurant, but I will not ruin the plot for the rest of you. If you have enjoyed the French Laundry, Gary Danko's or Masa's - this is a must experience dining destination. If you want a quick jaunt to France - this is your destination. If you just want the greatest meal of your life - this is definitely your destination.

Thank you Erna and Staff for the most unbelievable Anniversary ever!!!!    [01 Mar 2004 15:21:35]

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Recommended Dishes: It doesn't matter - it is wonderful!

     ­Anonymous