Saddle Peak Lodge
- Price Range: $$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Valet
- Attire: Dressy
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: No
- Takes Reservations: Yes
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: No
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Good for: Dinner
- Alcohol: Full Bar
33 Reviews for Saddle Peak Lodge
I ate here for brunch on a Sunday. I had the kobe chopped steak sandwich and it was the best steak sandwich I've ever had. It was a little messy to eat but I didn't mind. We also ordered the three game sausages. You have to try them, they are unlike any sausages you have ever had. I ordered the banana bread pudding for dessert and it was of course, delicious. I love the cozy cabin feeling and it's a nice drive getting to the restaurant. It is expensive but brunch is so much more affordable than dinner and just as great.
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I love this place. I've been coming here for over 10 years, and there's absolutely nothing that compares with this place in LA that gives a classy yet rustic outback feel...... and it's a great throwback to the days of pony express riders that stopped here.
I don't think you can compare the food here with places of the Morton variety... this place is simply different. What really sets this place apart in its food is that it is totally aligned with the ambience of a hunter's lodge.... and yes... there are stuffed animal heads along the walls, which some of the more fragile or sheltered city slickers will just 'eww' at, but for the type that love exotic vacations or safari trips, you'll definately appreciate it. The meat is 'wild' and gamey if you're going for the venison sausage or buffalo, yet they also have more of the delicate earthy foods like pumpkin soup and fresh berrie desserts.
I usually come here for brunch because I love sitting outside on the old fashioned swing sets made out of logs and just soaking up the atmosphere. It's quiet, classy, and romantic for those that appreciate this sort of thing. Definately not a place for those that are afraid to step out of shi-shi land or sterile valley.
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I have been wanting to go here for years and it will probably be, oh I don't know......NEVER when I go back. Where do we start? First off, I had no cash on me and they only have valet so I asked the valet guy if I could self park. He said sure but it is still $3.50! I said shit, you park i then! I also asked if he had an ATM inside and he said yes.
As we walked in and there were about 3 servers hanging around the hostess with the very large (you know whats) all trying to hit on her. I felt like we had to fight our way through to get a table. Since we came in at an odd hour I guess (if 3 pm is odd to you) they said we could have a seat in the bar but not order food.
I am a cigar smoker and the lady said we could carry our own drinks outside and smoke out there, just ask someone for an ashtray! Where is the service?
As we make our way outside, my wife takes a sip of her Chardonnay. This wine had been open for way to long and was bad so I took it back into the bartender and asked him if I could have another one instead. He then comes back and I quote "Here is the wine list, why don't you pick something you know because I just can't keep pouring you wines for you to try!" I KID YOU NOT!!!!
Now were outside and asked for an ashtray - the guys says we can't smoke outside! OMFG!
There is so much more to the story but I am bored and getting upset talking about it.
Please think twice about going there, you know I wouldn't steer you wrong.
Carnivore heaven!
If you are vegetarian or vegan, try Inn of the Seventh Ray. This is not for you.
Food: He had Elk that he couldn't stop raving about, I had Filet Mignon that was so tender it melted and the tyke had mac 'n cheese so good we ate off his plate.
Service: Excellent, friendly, helpful, attentive...everything you'd hope for. We saw so many smiling faces we actually got the warm and fuzzies. When a complimentary dessert showed up with "Happy Anniversary" written in chocolate my eyes actually welled up.
Decor: Some people don't like taxidermy. My grandpa used to bring home moose strapped to the roof of his truck. I don't mind seeing what I'm eating. My feeling is, if you can't look it in the eye, don't eat it. That said, not everyone will enjoy the one-on-one face time with their dinner's distant cousin, in which case, head outdoors. The tree-covered patio with a babbling fountain/brook is so charming it hurts. It was hilarious when our son pointed at a stuffed critter in the window and said "doggy."
Location: It's close enough that you're not starving when you get there, but far enough that it feels like a mini-vacation.
We were among the youngest people there, but that was a bonus as far as I was concerned. No loud talkers, no cellphones, no attitude.
We're definitely coming back.
PS: If you have kids, just let them know in advance. They have high-chairs and they're happy to accommodate. Just beware, Little Johnnie or Janie might freak when they see the heads on the walls.
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People in the know (as well as many in the culinary world) know that the Saddle Peak Lodge is one of LA's top 5 restaurants. While many other restaurants come and go, SPL has been around for many years in one of the most obscure locations anywhere.
My old roommate used to be one of the cooks there, and they pride themselves at being the absolute best at small game and meat dishes anywhere. I don't think anyone can argue that. The service I've had there as a guest has been impecable, the food perfect and you can't beat eating in an old hunting lodge.
the prices are high, but then again, you're in one of the finest restaurants anywhere around. Pay up and enjoy it. Live large.
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Living on its reputation! One big disappoinment! I have been wanting to come here for years now, I thought my fiance's birthday would be the perfect occasion to visit, seeing how he loves game. Anyway, I made a reservation and requested a nice table and let them know it was his birthday. I guess that part didn't register. We were sat next to a crying baby (not there fault, but wouldn't havent taken too much commom sense not to seat us there). My view was of the ladies room door with a bright florescent light shining my way. We could barely talk above a quiet whisper because of the atmosphere. We tried to let the table situation go.
My salmon reminded me that they were clearly having an off night. It was served luke warm at best. The salmon I got at trader joe's last week was more tasty than this pitiful 3 oz peice. I will say my fiance liked his elk.
We ordered dessert thinking maybe they could redeem themselves at this point. We could barely get it down. The smores themed dessert was worse than the something my 8 year old cousin bakes out of the box. The brownie in it must have been 4 and a half years old. Gross.
The Kicker and the reason we are giving it only one star: I called today to tell the manager about my experience because it was bothering me so much. (I didn't want to say anything last night because I really couldn't have wanted to leave more.) I told him how excited we were about coming and basically everything I just wrote. He was welcoming of the information but respoded with, "oh well next time you come in I'll buy you a dessert and get you a great table" . You are going to buy me a dessert. I just spent $170 on cardboard and cold fish and you are going to buy me a dessert? Your dessert sucks! I thought some sort of compensation other than another desset would have redeemed the situation and I definitely would not be on yelp venting about this place.
Anyway, I really think this restaurant is overrated. I really wish I had liked it! DONT GO!!!!
By golly eat outside! The hunting lodge feel inside is creepy, stuffed deer on walls are not conducive to ordering game if you ask me. You feel like apologizing to those stiff eyes that are staring down at you reproachfully. I was not impressed with the food. It was, unlike the bill, below average. How can this possibly be one of the best restaurant in L.A? But the patio outside is a dream and i love eating alfresco surrounded by beautiful mountains.
This place is like kryptonite for vegetarians. Apparently, it's over 100 years old, and used to be some type of a lodge where hunters used to bring their kill and enjoy their spoils. Anyways, I came here for yet another pharmaceutical drug dinner, which have been rather sparse as of late. In any case, this place caters to a very specific clientele. So if you enjoy vegetables, have recurrent gouty attacks, or value the lives of soft cuddly animals and don't enjoy seeing their heads mounted on walls, then stop reading now and move on. If that floats your boat, then this place is for you. The first thing that comes to mind is rustic. It feels like you've stepped back in time and gone to a log cabin somewhere on the Oregon Trail. I half expected to see Lewis & Clark stop in for a pint. Anyways, we sat all the way at the top of the restaurant at a gigantic table. So onto the food--the salad course wasn't that spectactular...some goat cheese thing with some tossed greens and a tangy dressing. I could make that at home. With my eyes closed. Things didn't get much better with the main course. The choices for entrees were somewhat limited, since we had the special menu. I got the tasting menu, consisting of elk, buffalo and squab. I expected, for whatever reason, large slabs of meat that would make the Flintstone's blush. Sadly, I was met with two small slices of the elk and buffalo, with a half a leg of squab. I'm no big fat bastard with a stomach the size of a small child, but seriously, that was pretty sparse. I guess they really meant it when they said, "tasting menu." Anyways, how'd it taste? Holy-tough-gamey-meat, Batman! The elk tasted like normal meat, but the aftertaste was so off putting I couldn't finish it. The buffalo was just a tad tough, so if you have loose teefs or fillings, steer clear. The squab was pretty good if not a bit on the rare side, and reminded me of peking duck, only without the crispy skin.
So would I recommend this place? Probably not. For one thing, it's far as all hell, almost in Malibu and up winding roads in the mountains. The food was meh, at best, considering that their specialty, supposedly the elk, was so damn gamey I couldn't stomach it. The only reason I'd go is for the ambience, though even that is questionable--I'd take modern and clean over rustic log cabin with animal heads any day. For some inexplicable reason, this place got a Michelin star, putting it on par with Cut, Matsuhisa, Ortolan, and other esteemed places around LA. I dont' think I'm being hard, it's just that for all the praise that's been heaped onto this place, and their four dollar sign prices, along with the aforementioned accolades, I just expected alot more, and not just rare cuts of meat that you couldn't buy down at Ralph's.
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So the missus and I went to Saddle Peak Lodge this weekend. Like everyone has already mentioned, it's a beautiful drive to the restaurant, especially around sunset. That being said, it sucks buffalo balls to drive all the way out to Calabasas for what was in my opinion, an overrated restaurant with mediocre service. I'm not one of those people who constantly complain about restaurants. Hell, just give me an alcoholic beverage and crayons and I'll entertain myself. However, I will ding a place if it indeed does not live up to expectations.
First off the good.....
The restaurant is gorgeous with an inside and outside dining option. If you don't like mounted deer and elk head watching over you, I'd recommend the al fresco option. It was a bit chilly when we went so we dined indoors.
The bar also makes a fantastic gin and tonic. I had two of these while deciding what to order and must commend the bartender on a basic, yet easy to screw up cocktail.
Now to the bad....
First off, we were shown to our seats and not given a menu until we sat there for a good ten minutes twiddling our thumbs. Mind you this was around 7:00 when there were only four other occupied tables so business is certainly not an excuse. When we finally got the menus, I dove eagerly into them only to find that the wine list was missing. At this point, I was like screw it, I won't order the $300 bottle of Caymus Cabernet that I had picked out when I reviewed the wine list online at the Saddle Peak website.
The waitress gave us a rundown of the daily specials and was asked by my girlfriend to describe the differences between the various game options on the menu. The waitress stared at her and then proceeded to describe the accompaniments that came with each game dish instead of providing description or even a comparison of the game meats to other meats (i.e., elk tastes like NY strip, etc).
At this point, the booze was kicking in so we decided to say eff it and order. She started with the butternut squash soup and ordered the game trio platter. I went with the foie gras and the braised pork loin/belly plate. The food itself was quite delicious except for the fact that the entrees came out cold.
At this point, we just wanted to finish up our meals and be able to soberly navigate the drive back as to avoid driving over the cliffside so we politely asked for our bill. When the bill came, we got charged for an extra drink that my girlfriend order, but what the hell, life is too short to complain about a $10 charge.
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If you like fancy restaurants and would like to try wild game you would love this place. The food is very good here. The ambient is a sophisticated hunting loge look. The service is good. I had ordered Butternut squash soup for my appetizer and the wild boar chop with mashed potatoes, apple cider-braised Napa cabbage for my main course, and a Granny Smith apple for my main course and for desert I had the Frozen mango souffl. It was very tasty. Be aware there a re a lot of animal heads up on the wall.
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We made the mistake of going here for Thanksgiving. First of all, they botched the reservation and only straightened things out when I complained to the manager. That should have been the red flag that sent us elsewhere. Anyway, the fixed price menu ($90 plus 18% gratuity) looked interesting, but was terrible in delivery. The portions were tiny, the service was awful. We had to pour our own wine. The waiter was either spaced out or had too many tables. Even the turkey entree was awful. My elk was so over-sauced that you couldn't distinguish the meat from a cut of beef. The only decent dish was the pumpkin soup. Folks around us were complaining as well. Many restaurants don't do holiday meals well, and this is one of them. Felt like we were taken to the cleaners. The pretty location id not compensate for the awful, overpriced meal.
Went here on a Saturday night to celebrate a birthday.
Ordered Foie Gras, Chef's Sampler and Seared Venison. Wow.
Everything was perfect and the wine was delicious.
The lodge like atmosphere was cozy and authentic and I have been craving this food ever since.
Highly recommended for a special occasion or surprise of any sort.
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I took my husband to Saddle Peak for his birthday. He loves his meat and he certainly had his fix. We went when Saddle Peak had their Chili Wednesdays and he was very happy with his meal - though he said next time, he would order the appetizer size since it was a bit too large a portion. The decor is filled with a lot of animal heads - it's a lodge, what do you expect? The floor we sat at had a fireplace and it was nice. It was funny though - that floor must have been the birthday floor because everyone around us was also celebrating a birthday. The desserts were very good too.
Get over the mounted dead animals peering over you, and this is one beautiful lodge set above the hills of Malibu and Calabasas. I especially love the outdoor patio where you can see the stars and hear the running creek behind you.
Buffalo - good. Elk - excellent! I've even had the rare pork with mac and cheese on the side. Rare pork sounds pretty disgusting but it's not that scary, I promise.
SPL is a looong drive for most of us, but it's worth it on a special night when you want a piece of meat in a beautiful, cozy, outdoorsy setting.
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I am a bit of a hedonist, and Saddle Peak lodge is there to oblige. You pretty much can't go wrong but I do recommend their Game meats because that is what they are known for. And if you have it in you..indulge in their Foie. My favorite treatment is with a delectable bing cherry and pork reduction served with toasted brioche points and a miniature bouquet of micro-basil. Their desserts are also quite divine. I have yet to have their brunch but I can't wait.
When you dine here it feels like you are a guest in someones home...but you don't really know the people and they have a wait staff... Dark woods, cozy nooks, plush chairs..very comfortable (mind you it used to be a hunting lodge..).
If you don't mind stuffed dead animals all about, a rather hefty bill, and at least one clogged artery for sure come check it out!
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As I recall...and as told to ME...this was a bordello long before it became a hunting lodge...and THEN it turned into a restaurant.
The firm I worked for in LA LA Land used to come here for our holiday party -- until our total staff outnumbered the available space. Then again, we also had a few vegans on staff who weren't too thrilled to see Bambi and Thumper listed on the winter menu!
but...if you love MEAT...and you crave the outdoorsy feeling whilst dining in...you will get a kick out of the Saddle Peak Lodge. The roads are windy and crazy...in day or night...so designate a driver if you plan to imbibe...
Not known only for wild game dishes anymore, Saddle Peak Lodge is really a celebratory destination. This serene and elegant restaurant is modeled after a hunting lodge, with dark wood architecture and living room feel to its many dining nooks. Just driving to SPL takes you way out of the city, so you have already left the cacophony of LA far behind by the time you reach this hidden mecca.
I am a game dish lover, so I would dive right into venison medallions, or buffalo three ways. In recent years, they have mainstreamed the menu to make it more consumer friendly. Mark Marillo has done an incredible job supercharging this menu, and there are still abundant game choices to choose from, but you will also find less scary meat. He's even added a couple of vegetarian dishes, something unheard of at a game dish restaurant. Usually, their version of vegetarian would be the pelt.
Seasonal and ever-changing, you will never see the same menu twice. If you are looking for a place to celebrate, or just a romantic setting far away from the city, this is the place to go.
Saddle Peak Lodge is probably my favorite restaurant in Los Angeles...Next to Fatburger, of course.
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Haha...I ate here with Bob C. And well...if you read my other reviews, you'll know I'm big on value. This place is good but the price makes it not as star-worthy.
Yes, I don't like when lamb is gamey...so eating crazy game is prolly not a good idea. But you could taste the grassy tart flavor in the meat of the elk and it was rather bloody. (I believe the waitress suggested rare because cooking elk too much makes it too tough or maybe not as tasty?)
The scallops were really good though... I keep picturing someone sea-diving in a diver suit and collecting those yummy little things. I'm sure we ate other things too but I just can't remember!
I probably wouldn't go back again but like Bob C. says...if you like trying unique meats...definitely come here. I remember reading they have things like wild boar and pheasant and various birds too.
It's tucked away in the woods of Calabasas but it's a pretty drive along PCH and Malibu if you're coming from the West/South.
Come here if:
- you are adventurous with your dining experiences
- start salivating when you hear items like venison, buffalo, or elk
- you don't mind spending gobs and gobs of money on eating
Do not come here if:
- you think that lamb tastes too gamey
- you are poor, or find it difficult to part with wads of cash for a meal
- are appalled by mounted dead animals overlooking you
Went here a couple of years ago with a friend. Had THE best giant wild scallops wrapped in bacon i've ever experienced. soo good. my friend, who's not nearly as adventurous as i, went ahead with the elk. knowing her, i decided to opt for something much less "gamey" - i forgot what i ordered, might have been some sort of freerange chicken or something. Just as i suspected, she did not like her dish and we exchanged plates. The elk was good, but "gamey" is the right word for it. and i stand corrected, i got buffalo.
I really want to go back and try more items, but right now low on cash and its sooooo far away.
It's good, but I'm not totally over the moon about it. A big part of the allure to SPL is the charm and nostalgia the hunting lodge dining room evokes. What's really a treat is to do brunch outside (preferably on Mother's Day as it makes moms very happy). Service is friendly and professional, as it should be.
Expensive? Yes it's expensive, but it's not every day that you schlep into the middle of nowhere to eat in some rustic cottage filled with dead animals.
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If you like game meat, this place gets 5 stars. Like me, if you only like certain ones...it's more like 3. I don't usually like to review places I hated. If the food was more my taste, I would take my family there for birthdays etc. This place gets mixed reviews, because I'm glad I went but just like Disneyland, I don't feel like I need to go back for another 5 years. (actually more like 10 years, and no I need a yearly Disneyland jaunt!) Things that the waiter suggested were things like partridge, rabbit,lamb, and the triple sample entree...elk, buffalo, and some other game meat I cannot remember...sorry. I do like all game meats, except for rabbit. The waiter , Darrin(?) was the best waiter I ever had. Also the best atmosphere...atleast unique. I sat beside what looked like a natural creek/fountain..it was like eating in total wilderness. The decor inside, you can read from other yelpers' reviews....it's llke a real lodge. Who were there? Couples celebrating their annversaries ( 2 tables with couples in their 60s with vases of red roses, and the table next to us were celebrating a birthday. Definietely a special occasion type of place. I thought about taking my mother for Mother's day....I decided it's not a good idea. Hanging out with friends ?...No way. Children? Forget it! The truth is ...it's not my type of place. I ordered my usual venison(with a sweet sauce) with sweet mashed potatoes and sweet edamame, and a pate for appetizer. They were both very sweet...tastewise. The pate had caramel and stewed carmelized cherries. It tasted more like flan custard than pate. My friend had ravioli that when you cut into it, had rare egg yolks inside ...with a sweet broth.
His entree was lamb shank and lamb ravioli...also sweet.
Dessert was bread baked with cream, eggs, banana...with ice cream. Very sweet. At the end of the dinner, I was ready to drink soy sauce with wasabi, or tabasco shots. I had kimchee and steak with horseradish flashing in front of my eyes. I think I had glucose overdose. I was even ready to stop by at tommy's for a chili cheeseburger and fries. I don't know if we just made the wrong choices...or if everything else would have been sweet.
My friend tricked me into thinking we were going to Cut, (which I was excited to....I was thinking "yay, I'm going to write a review on Yelp!" ) but then lied and said he changed his mind at the last moment. He had to lie, because I expressed total disinterest when he wanted to go to the Inn of Seventh Ray...a similar restaurant hidden in the montains or canyons. I do not like driving 40 minutes to go eat dinner on weeknights. My friend's excuse was that he had a great $600 red wine from 20 years ago. I gave it many stars, because I didn't feel like giving a few stars just because it was not the type of food that I usually crave. Others who like great service, beautiful scenery, and nicely presented exotic food might enjoy it. The bill? $120 per person, plus $20 corkage fee. Plus a few cocktails before dinner and the bill was over $300 for 2....without tips. I did see a $75 fixed price sampler dinner on the menu. I could see a tiny group of close friends splurging on a birthday or anniversary outside...just because it was like eating in a forest..calm and beautiful. Going with a friend who had promised me to take me to another place then kidnapping me to a mountain top ..? I would never go again.
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The chefs change here a lot, so this was my experience only. One of the most memorable restaurant in LA. I like that it is off the beaten path and it's country feel. It's cool to be able to get all that game in one place. I passed on the buffalo tartare. I got the mushroom tart, which was so flavorful, and the elk for the entre. It was light on the game flavor and very tender. The dessert came with a great Wild Turkey caramel sauce and surprisingly it wasn't gamey at all either.I still want to try that tartare. Service was great. The caramel cake with Wild Turkey sauce for dessert was not gamey at all.
Best dishes I had: mushroom tart, elk, blue cheese salad
My top pick for special occasion dining if you're out with the adventurous type. Think of Saddle Peak Lodge as a high end steak restaurant serving all of your red meat classics with farm-raised game. Our waiter was gracious enough to draw parallels for us, explaining that the elk is similar in texture to filet mignon and the buffalo, a NY steak.
If you can get past the thought of eating forest animals, you will be rewarded by the complexity and richness of the game meats. I also enjoy the accompaniments that come with the main dishes and still vividly remember my first experience with salsify here at Saddle Peak Lodge.
The intimate home is tucked away into the Malibu hills and decorated to make you feel at home. We sat in armchairs next to a floor lamp in the library. Quiet enough that you can still have a decent conversation across the table, but warm so that you still feel at ease.
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Masters of exotic game, the Saddle Peak has survived mudslides, TWO major brushfires (one nearly critically damaging the building)and has served carnivore choices of a very uncommon nature for over 100 years, all while high atop a canyon peak overlooking Malibu and the Pacific.
It's hard to add more than what the previous two reviewers touched on, but it's a stunning locale and a top-notch choice for dining off the beaten path (in many ways then one).
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Overrated, overrated, overrated. I come from a family that eats a lot of wild game and I'll take my mom's home cooking over this place any day. Both times I've been there I found a lack of attention to detail that's disappointing at any price point. Meat not cooked as ordered. Soups lukewarm. Once I even had my waiter spend the entire dinner pouring our wine into our water glasses. It's cozy and somewhat romantic, but that's about it.
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Nothing like it in Los Angeles let alone this end of the Valley, lots of game cooked to perfection, great service, wine tasting menu all with a perfect hunting lodge decor. The only thing more memorable than the food is the bill, but it's worth it.
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Saddle Peak Lodge is the best place to take someone for a special brunch. It's in the hills between Malibu and Calabasas, and the setting is amazingly beautiful. The lodge is beautiful inside and out. The food is absolutely top quality and the service is impeccable. If you want to take someone special out for a really nice treat, this is the place. This place will win you big points!
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It's a solid 4.5, but not quite worthy of that fifth. After I try their brunch, that may change.
I've only been to Saddle Peak Lodge for fancy super decked out dinners that begin with foie and end with me waddling back out to my car with a nice, quality wine buzz. If you need to check your bank account before coming here, don't bother because you're going to be throwing down some caaash for this one (if you are buying). The amuse buche varries in terms of blowing me away, but when they treat my pallet to their creamy winter squash soup, I almost wish that the tiny espresso cup it's served in would mutate into an oversized mug! One appetizer that stuck out in my mind was the Foie Gras Terrine (when I was there it was served with bing cherrie and port reduction glaze and brioche points). Keep in mind that Saddle Peak is higher end, which tends to change accompaniment items according to season. I've had the Elk Tenderloin twice. It's wonderfully gamey, and cooked perfectly. The meat is certainly not as tender as a fillet from beef though. Their wine selection is rather fantastic, the desserts are lovely, if you can get that far.
The atmosphere is very nice. It's set in an original hunting lodge, so the rustic look and feel is wonderful, but there's also a catch. If you don't particularly enjoy looking at the creature you are about to endulge in, Saddle Peak may be a little over the top for you. Their main dining hall is laden with heads and stuffed fowl basically in a 180 degree dome surrounding your head.
Thankfully, there are smaller rooms that you can request upstairs containing sparse amounts of stuffed fowl. Beside the decor, the lighting is dim and warm, the tables large enough for all the food you're about to eat, and the chairs oversized and comfortable for relaxing while you dine. It's a very nice place to visit for a special occassion.
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This place is nestled in the hills between the valley and Malibu. It is a really pretty drive. A very romantic place. A great date place, IF she doesn't mind looking at animal heads while dining....just something to consider. wink wink
Although there is a vegetarian meal on the menu, I would NOT recommend this restaurant for vegetarians. The veggie meal is very cheesy. They do have some delightful sounding veggie choices for appetizers, asparagus, butternut squash soup, and a few other veggies. It is true to it's "LODGE"; name with stuffed deer, antelope, duck & various other animals all over. It is interesting... like a museum.
I got the Halibut! on a bed of Lentils, a little potato and warm green grapes! Mmmm so yummy with a nice glass of Chardonnay! Mike and Gav got the Buffalo which I tried. Pretty Dang good! And Rick got the venison, also good, but the buffalo was more to my liking. Go figure! They have a nice website & the menu changes. It's an interesting place to visit & nice for special occasions as it is pricey. It's worth it though, the service is spot on & the food is 5 star. It also has a lot of history.
The Saddle Peak Lodge, nestled amidst the Malibu hills, is an actual hunting lodge with three tiers of dining. Moose heads decorate the walls, a fireplace blazes in every dining room, and shelves of old books line whole lengths of the room. This is a high class, romantic restaurant. Of course the lodge specializes in meat. However, it's not just your ordinary steak and potatoes. We're talking tender elk, robust buffalo, golden roasted quail, and ostrich. Here's a sampling of my feast: First Course tasting: "The Triple Teaser," which comprised of three silver spoons side by side on a folded linen napkin. Each spoon held a different morsel: foie gras, finely diced and seasoned mushrooms, and eggplant puree. Read more on The Ballyhoo: http://www.ballyhoo.us...
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Saddle Peak Lodge is probably the best source of game meats in the L.A. area. It is deep in the Malibu hills, and it an expensive (ballpark of $100 per person, all in), romantic restaurant with great views and excellent game dishes. They do quite a bit of vegetarian dishes as well (my vegetarian girlfriend was a fan as well). Their Elk is somewhat famous in the area, and justifiably so, it is tender like good filet, but with a gamy flavor for those (like me), that like that sort of thing. Also an excellent wine list, but be careful how much you drink before the windy drive back to the Valley or PCH.
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I went here a couple years ago with my mother, sister, and father, around the holidays. The food was fantastic, and service perfect.
Thinking about this place makes me miss the Wild Hare that used to be where Oak City now sits on El Camino in Menlo Park.
Even though it's a 40 minute drive, we go here for all special family celebrations. The service exceeds the food, which is superb. Someone in your group must order the elk.
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