Deetjen's Restaurant

 

0

16

Earl S.

Orange, CA

Incredible food! And great atmosphere, great service. I can't find a single thing to say bad about the place. I'm eating there every time I go to Big Sur, possibly for every meal!

It's certainly worthy of a spot on No Reservations.

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2

12

ellen s.

San Francisco, CA

One of my favourite places in all the world... Big Sur. It must've been that Henry Miller book that did it to me...

Deetjens is a charming, rustic little jewel nestled in a redwood grove with FABULOUS food. The atmosphere is amazing, almost magical... sitting on the front porch sipping a mimosa and slicing into a piece of raspberry grand marnier stuffed French toast.

ahhh this is my happy place.

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Elite '08

235

310

Miki M.

Belmont Shore, CA

I know there are many mixed reviews about Deetjen's Inn + the restaurant already, but I decided to separate the restaurant and give to this marvel it's own space on Yelp. Especially that, please notice, the phone number is slightly different. I am giving you the direct number that you should use in order to make (MANDATORY) reservations here.

This restaurant has a very unique, distinct atmosphere. Needless to say, you can immediately feel the long history and tradition behind it- to us, this was one of the most authentic old restaurants in America. Part of this effect is achieved through a great lighting- it is clear that whoever manages the restaurant has a great taste in that domain.

We made a reservation many days in advance. Even though we were visiting Deetjen's on Tuesday evening- not the most touristy out of all evenings- it was completely full! We stepped inside, and immediately got embraced by the cosiness & warmth. Divided in 3 halls with about 6-7 tables each, the bar / reception is situated in the middle hall.

We waited for at least 8-9 minutes to even get noticed... The cocky waiter - a late 50's or early 60's tall Caucasian guy with a short white beard- and his young Mexican lady-helper who assists with the water + cleaning up the tables, passed many times by us & asked me to move away. Once is fine, twice is OK... but gees! This turned me off a little bit. I was expecting somebody to usher us to the reserved table. It wasn't till the 9th minute (I was grinding a little bit already) that the second Caucasian gentleman, behind the bar, and also with a white beard, finally turned towards us & said "how may I help you"... "WELL it's about time, gees", I said inside my head, but what he actually heard was "my name is Miki and I have a reservation for 2 persons at 7:15 PM".

We were seated at an excellent table, which immediately improved my mood. Gees, why am I such as spoiled guy? I guess I am used to a very quick and quite servile type of service... Here, the waiters make you feel like you are going to be serving them? But like I said, I somehow succeeded to shake off the initial impression cus I wanted to enjoy and have fun.

Our table had a real candle that was placed in the appropriate height so it illuminated well the whole table. The table-cloths were in dark red color. A full set of utensils (not just fork and knife) were placed nicely and correctly around sparkling clean white plates. The bread that was brought to us was healthy (wheat) and very warm and aromatic. Yum. The spread that accompanied the bread was sort of similar to a Boursin cheese with garlic & herbs, but wasn't as creamy so we felt was slightly on the starchy side. But wasn't bad, and I ended up spreading at least half of it. My doctor will show me a red carton next time I visit, I am sure.

We ordered the Asparagus Soup and the Organic Mixed Greens salad with lovely blue cheese and appropriate amount of nicely-mixed salad dressing. I loved my salad, it was better than most other organic green salads I had lately (but also about 3-4 dollars more expensive... which is really justified, considering the exclusive Big Sur location!!!). The soup was, I thought, OK- my date was sweet enough to allow me to taste it, and I wasn't super impressed. I personally prepare a little bit better the creamy Asparagus soup at home. But anyway, it was still very decent. Maybe it wasn't the soup, it was me... I was still a little under the initial impression. You know, when I enter a place where they don't show me respect in front of my date, I get real scared as to how the evening will turn out... :D

My beautiful accomplice ordered their special: Sea Bass prepared with a sort of potato salad with shrimp and other small bits (great side, by the way, so yummy)- her fish was excellent. Priced "competitively" at 31 or 32 dollars, not too shabby. Again, consider the location please. My Lamb Shank was pretty amazing. I'd say one of the best shanks I've ever had here in America! Without any exaggeration.

Right around that time, we heard MEOWWW from the back. There were several families with younger kids, but they were all in another hall, so we had quite a bit of peace- but we thought one of these kids is MEOW-ing. But nope... It was a real cat. This cat had an excellent personality. By the way, he's very handsome, he's really clean, neutered, calm, happy, well taken care of Cat. His name is... Fabio. Umm? When Fabio showed up, most people tried to reach and grab / caress him... I didn't. I am a cat person, so I know that cats want to be respected, gees. Just like a human being. If you see a cute guy or girl, you don't just go there and start caressing or squeezing him/her, right? or you will get sued. Anywayz. Fabio looked around, sniffed, stretched, then hop, he jumped on the empty chair right next to me. Looked me lovingly in my eyes, said Meow, and fell deeply asleep.

To be continued!

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Elite '08

9

108

maylo h.

San Francisco, CA

When my husband and I were discussing where to eat, he let me know that he thought the food would not be "San Francisco" great. He'd never eaten there but that was his mystical prediction.
We were staying the night here so the easiest thing was to wander over to the cozy candlelit dining room, take a seat by the fire and give it a try anyway.
The vegetables were undercooked in both dishes. The hub thought the veggies were canned ,but I think not. The meat was so so. The menu not so great.
The warm chocolate cake was the biggest disappointment. Now, I've had the best warm chocolate cake ever..made by my friend Linda P. So I do have a high standard, but the whole point of the warm chocolate cake is that it is WARM, and the outside should be cakey and the inside a fantastic ecstatic flow of warm gooey chocolatey goodness. It was more like thick chocolate pudding.

Also - The waitress's vibe was rubbin me so up the WRONG way. Her manner was like a wife who's been pissed at her husband for 20 years, but never says anything.

Atmosphere - I love. Go have a drink here.

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