Local Dining & Tasting Guide
Local Dining & Tasting Guide
Dining Out!
Your Best Options for Dining in the Motherload...
THE AQUATIC COW
A great new place to dine in nearby Amador City, The Aquatic Cow offers much more than just a catchy name. Owner and chef Dave Shevey has been delighting locals and visitors alike with his creative upscale surf & turf menu that tilts towards the seafood side. His approach is unique in that every seafood entree is prepared with FRESH seafood, flown in from its origins. Sacramento Bee Restaurant critic Mike Dunne awarded the restaurant 3 (out of 4) stars and described the cooking as "flamboyant and busy with a steady execution." The sauces and relishes that compliment the entrees give a whole new dimension to your dining experience. Steaks are USDA Choice, a full bar is available and the wine list is extensive. The decor is a modern art deco style that utilizes smoked glass panels across one wall and polished brass strips on the ceiling. Garden patio dining is an option during warm months. Dinner is served from 5 to 9 Thursday thru Sunday. Major credit cards accepted.14235 Hwy 49 in Amador City.
Taste is the most recent addition to Historic Main Street Plymouth. This well appointed restaurant sets the mark for fine dining in Amador County. Taste offers fresh seasonal innovative cuisine in a comfortable setting, reminiscent of the art deco and craftsman era. Taste is operated by Mark and Tracey Berkner, formerly of the St. George Hotel in Volcano. The Berkners specialize in delighting their customers consistently through the creativity of the chefs, and service staff working to do ordinary things extraordinarily well. Their entire staff is committed to making your dining experience full of everlasting positive memories.
TERESA'S ITALIAN FAMILY STYLE DINING
Founded as a gathering spot for weary miners and wayward travelers by "Grandmother Teresa" in 1921, Teresa's children & grandchildren have carried on the tradition of superior service and fine Italian cuisine. The menu is varied & extensive including tender steaks, veal, prime rib, scampi, and fresh seafood. Full bar & local wins including the restaurant's own private label. The decor is a gold-rush motif featuring old photos, lots of warm wood tones, plants & antiques. Spacious banquet room available. Teresa's serves dinner Mon & Tues, 5 to 8:30pm, Fri & Sat 5 to 9pm and Sunday from 2pm to 8pm. Lunch is served Mon, Tues, Fri & Sat from 11 to 2. Closed Wednesday & Thursday. 1235 Jackson Gate Rd.
MARLENE & GLENN'S DINER
This colorful fifties diner boasts Amador County's largest menu. Eight pages of exciting omelet's and 7 different varieties of Eggs. We asked the owner Karen to describe the new lunch & dinner menu. "Want lunch? Try our handmade patties, or one of our 4 different & unusual Philly Steak Sandwiches or one of 16 different chicken dishes. And that's just a start! For dinner, we offer all of the same selections that we do for breakfast or lunch as well as our large delicious dinner entrees, like fresh cut pork chops, big steak dinners, cut to order and smothered in our savory mushroom sauce (if you like), fresh salmon, several pasta dishes and seafood selections from prawns to scallops to calamari or a combination of your favorites! You'll find our menu is just a formality and that our diner serves up a 'plat full of food'. And remember you can order breakfast, lunch, or dinner ALL DAY! See ya at Marlene & Glenn's Diner-just a mile or so north of Shenandoah Inn-right on Hwy 49."
INCAHOOTS
Wine isn't the only destination point in Amador County. People with a hankering for BBQ travel from all points just to satisfy their desire. The destination they seek is the famous Incahoots BBQ restaurant! Located in downtown Plymouth at 9486 Main Street, the smells alone emanating from within the mustard colored historic building will entice you enter this unique establishment. As your taste buds dance with anticipation, so will your eyes as you move about the interior that resembles an antique store raised eight feet above the restaurant floor. The unique eatery has had many articles written about it's wonderful Santa Maria style BBQ. Incahoots BBQ offers a broad menu of tasty selections ranging from BBQ steaks, Tri-tip , Chicken, and Ribs to authentic Mexican meals. And we shouldn't forget a truly great selection of Pizza, Sandwiches, and home-made Soups and Chili. The Sacramento Bee Dining Review section recently published a very flattering two page review on this one-of-a-kind BBQ joint giving it a three-star rating for both food and ambiance. Incahoots BBQ items are cooked over an open oak wood-fired pit in their charming patio area. All items, including specials, are prepared fresh daily. For a flavorful eating experience enhanced by a broad selection of local wines, cold beer on tap, and soft drinks, be sure to stop by Incahoots BBQ. Incahoots is located in the historic town of Plymouth. Open seven days a week from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
AMADOR VINTAGE MARKET
This is a classic wine county marketplace providing the finest food & beverage, picnic supplies, knowledgeable wine guidance, and all your catering needs. The market is a full service operation, creating the best selection of fresh sandwiches, home-style salads, charcuterie, artisan cheeses and gelato. With specialties such as grilled garlic Dijon chicken breasts, balsamic roasted pork tenderloin and the season's offering of fresh vegetables, offering everything from a gourmet snack to lunch and offer complete dinner meals to go. The coffee bar serves "Thanksgiving" coffee & "Illy cafe" espresso drinks. Open daily 10am to 7pm. 9393 Main Street, Plymouth, CA 95669.
Tasting Rooms!
Established in 1970, Montevina Winery is located in Amador County's Shenandoah Valley, the heart of California's famed Gold Rush Country.
Long celebrated for robust, full-flavored zinfandels and barberas, Montevina carries on that tradition while exploring innovative winemaking techniques and exciting new varietals, such as Pinot Grigio and Syrah. Our recently built 64,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility towers above our 400-acre sustainably-farmed vineyard.
Montevina's visitor center is open daily from 10 to 4:30. Visit the winery and enjoy complementary tasting, volume discounts, and our lovely shaded picnic area. Turn right on Fiddletown/Shenandoah Road at the end of the small town of Plymouth, veer left at the fork then turn right again on Shenandoah School Road. Proceed two miles to the winery. Don't forget your picnic!
FRENCH HILL
This micro winery specializes in unique varietals. Owned and operated by the industry's well known wine label designer, Rod Ruthel, French Hill is famous for its Barbera. French Hill also produces a wide variety of smooth and delicious wines including Petite Syrah, Malbec, Tempranillo, Alicante Bouschet, Petite Verdot, Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese, and Port. The winery is the most awarded winery in Calaveras County considering it is only five years old. Located in the beautiful historic town of Mokelumne Hill. Open Tuesday thru Sunday 11 to 5pm. Located just 7 miles South of Jackson in Mokelumne Hill at 8032 So. Main St. (One block south of Highway 49) The winery also has a very unique/artistic gift shop.
Ancestors of the Deaver family arrived in the California gold fields in the early 1850's and by 1857 had settled in the Shenandoah Valley. For 100 years the Deaver family raised cattle, sheep and hogs and farmed grain, vegetables and orchard crops.
Among the properties the Deaver family farmed, were eight acres of Mission grape vines planted in the late 1850's by Ken Deaver's great grandfather and 14 acres of Zinfandel vines first planted around 1886 by John J. Davis, Ken's grandfather.
For decades the Deaver/Davis "old vine grapes" were dry-farmed (no irrigation) and sold exclusively to home winemakers. By 1960 prices for fruit, vegetables and nuts were so low that Ken Deaver's father turned to wine grapes as a potentially profitable crop. For the next several years Deaver planted Zinfandel grapes to sell to home winemakers.
Today Deaver Vineyards covers more than 300 acres and produces some of the most south-after Zinfandel grapes in Amador County. The first vintage of Deaver Vineyards' Zinfandel was bottled under the "Lakeshore" label in 1985. Since then, Deaver Vineyards' Zins have become increasingly recognized as some of Amador County's most respected and popular wines. In addition to Zinfandel, the Deaver Vineyards label graces a variety of red and white wines including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Orange Muscat, Sangiovese, Barbera, and limited bottling of Mourvedre and Syrah.
Deaver Vineyards is also recognized for its outstanding variety of port style fortified wines. Deaver non-vintage, Portuguese varietal, traditional style port has a reputation for unparalleled quality. Deaver also makes vintage Zinfandel Port", an Orange Muscat Port, and Golden Nectar which is a port wine made from the fruit of 150+ year old Mission vines.
Total production of Deaver wines ranges between 2,500 and 3,000 cases per year depending on the availability and quality of fruit.
Sutter Creek Wine Tasting is a unique tasting room featuring three family wineries: Le Mulet Rouge, Crystal Basin Cellars and Gold Hill Winery. Nestled in the beautiful historic town of Sutter Creek, your wine tasting experience is sure to include shopping, fine dining and activities for the whole family.
Sutter Creek Wine Tasting opened it's doors at 85 Main Street in Sutter Creek in March 2001 to rave reviews. Since that time, it has matured into one of the area's best-loved wine tasting venues. Due in part to the knowledgeable staff, wine tasting at Sutter Creek Wine Tasting is quite unlike any other place in the Sierra Foothill wine country. Humor abounds, interspersed with tidbits of wine knowledge that leave you informed without ever knowing you've been educated. If you are new to wine, don't be shy. Come on in, announce your wine "virginity" and the knowledgeable staff will gladly guide you through the wine tasting process.
Locals have made Sutter Creek Wine Tasting a favorite place to entertain out-of-town friends because they are sure to have a good time and experience some of the best of the Foothills lifestyle. Saturday afternoons often offer a shoulder-to-shoulder experience of fabulous wines, laughter and the opportunity to meet visitors from all over the world. You'll find that the gift shop offers an extensive collection of hard-to-find wine related gifts and wall art. If you are in need of a quick, unique gift our staff will put together a beautiful custom made basket while you wait. Peruse the store while enjoying our wide variety of wines or just sit on the porch and encourage passersby to try the fabulous wines inside.
Sutter Creek Wine Tasting is open seven days a week from 11 to 6. We offer "get out the cork free" passes to many local eating establishments are are happy to make your reservations as well. We invite visitors and locals alike to Sutter Creek Wine Tasting to experience types of wines you may have never tasted before, learn about their origins, or simply match wits with the staff.
Reserve Your Rooms at The Shenandoah Inn:
17674 Village
Drive, Plymouth, CA 95669.
Telephone: (800) 542-4549 or (209) 245-4491
Fax: (209) 245-4498
This guide is from the Shenandoah Inn Guest Directory published by Sierra Travelers Services.
