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Madrona Manor
Categories: Event Planning & Services Hotels Hotels & Travel Hotels Event Planning & Services Venues & Event Spaces Restaurants American (New) Hotels, Venues & Event Spaces, American (New) [Edit]
1001 Westside RdHealdsburg, CA 95448
(707) 433-4231
- Hours:
Wed-Sun 6 pm - 9 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Upscale, Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
92 reviews for Madrona Manor
Review Highlights
"Tasting Menu was wonderful."
(in 18 reviews)
"The wine pairings with each course were excellent."
(in 8 reviews)
"The Ice Cream for dessert was awesome."
(in 19 reviews)
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92 reviews in English
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Review from Terri B.
Petaluma, CA
12/12/2011
Thanksgiving 2011
I went there with a party of 7. We had an early reservation at 1:30 pm. We arrived early, sat on the outdoor patio that had been turned into a cocktail lounge. I had a lemon meringue cocktail - so darn good!
We usually go to John Ash for Thanksgiving dinner but decided to do the manor this year - good move on our part.
The menu was 5 courses. We had one vegetarian with us which - I didn't call ahead and it was not a problem for the restaurant as they had vegetarian options for the courses.
There was salad, soup, truffle risoto, gnochi, and turkey with the best dressing and mash potatoes. Desert was three different pie tastings.
Service was excellent, the food was divine. Make sure you have at least 2 hours to dine because it does take a while to get thru the courses.
We will be back for Thanksgiving next year! -
Review from Brian K.
Santa Rosa, CA
1/9/2012
We went for our 5 year anniversay. Is in an old victorian building and the decor is way outdated. Cheesy flower drapes and random pictures hanging all over the wall without any rhyme or reason. Also cheesy christmas lights too. The service was amazing. All the waitstaff was very informative and nice. We got our meal with wine pairing and there were tons of smaller dishes in between.
- Parmesan Reggiano churro with warm potato inside coupled with a small radish half filled with homemade butter and sea salt
- Rodoerer Brut champagne
- Turnip Vishiswa soup in a shotglass with a straw tipped with a block of chorizo gel
- Sesame tortolini filled with swiss char
- Spoon with guida clam and beet/lettuce
- Homemade bread roll and butter
- Butter poached lobster with shiitake mushroom, estate sorrel, dashi and paired with Hafner Chardonay
- Slice of Wheat bread and butter
- Yukon gold potato gnocchi with lobster, buddhas hand, chives and paired with a French white burgundy (Chardonnay)
- Alba white truffle risotto with estate pumpkin, parmigiano-reggiano paired with Copain pinot noir
- Seared scallop and pork belly with hedgehog mushrooms, artichoke, parseley root and paired with Dutton Estate pinot noir
- Lime Guava savignon blanc granita (pallet cleanser)
- Roasted Stone Valley Farm suckling pig with chanterelles, frisee, farro, butter braised turnips and paired with Margerum rhone
- Grilled beef tenderloin with cauliflower, red wine braised "langue", estate carrots, cabernet sauce paired with Mounts cabernet sauvignon
- Peanut Butter and Chocolate parfait with chocolate chip shortbread, toffee runch, milk chocolate sorbet and paired with Dows 20 year tawny
- Pear basque tart with calvados cream, estate pears, florentine, walnut streusel, pear sorbet, pear pate de fruit and paired with a Dry Creek late harvest savignon blanc
- Vanilla creme brulee
- mini pedifores and mini macaroons
- Carmel popcorn in a bag to go
the highlights were the truffle risotto (we paid $35 extra to make them white truffles from italy). the truffle was shaved over the top and it was so good. i had previously only had black truffle or truffle oil. the scallop and pork belly dish was my second favorite. perfectly cooked scallop and the pork belly was delicious. it was like a hearty cut of bacon but had a more robust flavor. the gnocci was also good. the suckling pig wasnt my cup of tea. not necessarily an ethics thing, but i just dont like young meat. i dont like lamb and i dont like veale. the meat is too soft.
overall i give it 4 out of 5 stars. the meal cost us $400 -
Review from Andrea B.
Vallejo, CA
11/19/2011
My friends took me to the Madrona Manor restaurant for dinner at the end of my bachelorette day. We spent the whole day exploring the Sonoma wine country, and they wanted to make sure we all experienced one of the area's best restaurants. The final choice was between Madrona and Farmhouse (which I visited later), and the Madrona won because they were open on Wednesday, but it was in no way a compromise.
There were five of us, always an awkward number at a restaurant, but our table was perfect. The wait staff was incredible - I think we met everyone working that night, and every person was perfectly attentive.
We started by having drinks at the tiny little bar in the sitting room area. Madrona won my heart in the first five minutes when I discovered they keep Lillet stocked. My champagne & Lillet cocktail was the perfect start to the night.
Like most restaurants of this caliber in the area, the menu is arranged around tastes and textures, and it did not disappoint. Unfortunately, I didn't record all my choices, and the menu on the restaurant's site has already moved on, but I can tell you this -- the lobster was exquisite, the gnocchi was precisely fluffy, and their macarons are THE BEST I've ever had.
Perhaps my favorite thing about this restaurant was their approach to the courses. They opt for slightly smaller plates of food, and make up the difference by presenting an amuse-bouché or mini course between every main course. We ended up tasting about double the flavors and textures we would have otherwise, and it was delightful.
I'll definitely be back! -
Review from Jl S.
Santa Rosa, CA
2/1/2012
We got married here in 1999 and have been back several times for dinner. Their food is INCREDIBLE! Wish it wasn't so high priced, or we'd go there every weekend. Fabulous food!!!
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Review from Dodi S.
Sacramento, CA
1/21/2012
This place is simply The Best in Healdsburg. Five Stars in every category!!!
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Review from Carol M.
Honolulu, HI
11/12/2011
Food 4 stars
Service 1 star
Maybe it was because we were with a tour group that our dinner service was so poor, although that should not be an excuse given the premium price we paid for the tour. Everyone in the group (doctors, lawyers, financial professionals, business owners) was exceptionally well traveled and potentially targeted prospective future hotel and restaurant clients of this highly touted restaurant. We were ushered into a back room and told to sit own before we could have any cocktails. We were also told that the seat we picked was where we had to stay seated. I suppose it was the attitude of the hostess treating us like grade school children that annoyed us. Then, we were served our meal and had to remind them that there were no utensils or napkins after the hor d'oeuvre was served. Pretty inexcusable.
The service took so long and they kept serving rolls. I guess they had to do that to keep us from starving.
The beef loin was fantastic but the overall experience was soured by the poor service. -
Review from Jamie W.
Santa Cruz, CA
1/9/2012
Madrona Manor was the very essence of luxury. I felt pampered from the moment I walked in the door. Our room was beautiful and luxurious, down to the smallest detail. We had drinks by the fireplace in their cozy bar before dinner, and enjoyed an amazing spread the next morning for breakfast. Everything tasted so fresh, you can tell they use only top quality ingredients. The service during our stay was so attentive, we felt like celebrities!
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Review from sasha h.
10/1/2011 3 photos
I rarely use the word value when talking about fine dining because it is counter intuitive to say "i spent $350, what a bargain". However, the restaurant at madrona, for as good as it is, actually is priced well. The 4-6 course ranges from $73 - $91 and the wine pairings are $48 - $64 and the wine is really good. This isn't bad pricing when you compare it to other michelin restaurants of its caliber. Everything i've had to eat here was good, not one bad dish for anyone i've been here with.
It is what you would of expect of a place that ends in manor. It's a a mansion and the dining room is old-style elegant with candle-lit tables and floral drapery. It has a cozy upscale feel without being too stuffy. There was a wedding finishing up outside as i was entering so the gardens were completely decked out, very pretty. If anyone is considering a small wedding, this definitely is a romantic place to do it and you'll have some really good food.
So the first time i went here was on a first date (don't ask how that happened, long story) but felt the need to go back after that given it was so lovely. Things i cannot forget:
-Tasting of beets - just the right amount of soft, juicy, will stain if touches clothing
-Foie gras terrine - they cook the foie gras really well, very tender
-tuffle risotto - i can't say no to truffles
-Sole- they have a gift for preparing dishes tableside here. there are only a few they do but get all of them because each is grand show
and the grand finale...DESSERT!
Get the cart "a glace" - they make ice cream in front of your eyes on this cart with nitrogen. It looks like an explosion, it was awesome and the ice cream itself is amazing. It comes with chocolate, almonds and cherries on top if you want it. I uploaded a picture, literally looks like steve urkel brewing in his basement (you won't get this reference if you didn't have family matters growing up)
i didn't really mention service but needless to say, like everything else, it was good. -
Review from Kelly V.
Union City, CA
12/17/2011
We went here last night for a friend's birthday dinner. I was a bit disappointed with the food but was very pleased with their service. They were very accommodating and informative. The decor was very cute. However, the drive here was very long coming from the east bay. At the end, we paid extra for a 5 course meal since it was a special event with entertainment.
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Review from Roger H.
San Francisco, CA
8/21/2011
Although it's pretty easy to drop some serious coin eating dinner here, it's definitely worth the money if you are trying to sweeten your loved one. The restaurant is memorable in many ways but I will never forget 3 things.
1. I ate one of the world's stinkiest cheeses (Epoisses) here. Like a hooker farted in a shoe.
2. Awesome service. Friendly, informative and flexible. Substitutions are allowed on the tasting menu. Not many places do that.
3. The ice cream presentation is like watching a science project. -
Review from Osgood F.
San Rafael, CA
12/15/2011
Much ado about nothing. I have been visiting Madrona Manor since Todd Muir was the executive chef and owner. I miss Chef Muir's artistry--cuisine that does not sacrifice its substance for the sake of pretense.
I had Christmas dinner here two years ago. For my entree, I ordered salmon. What I received was a cold piece of smoked salmon with capers thrown on top. Askanced, I asked the waiter if he brought me an appetizer by mistake. He sniffed and said,"No, that is an entree." Mind you, there were no side dishes, no potatoes, no vegetables. I left the restaurant with my stomach growling in concurrence with my temper--the internal monster had been stirred.
I know good cuisine, I have a refined palate, and I am at a loss as to why this restaurant keeps being lauded. I say the emperor is naked. -
Review from Teresa K.
Mountain View, CA
10/28/2011
Full disclosure: I'm very partial to this place. I got married there. It's a great venue -- fantastic food and wine, great service, beautiful setting. Instead of awful catered wedding food, we got Michelin star restaurant to serve our guests. I couldn't ask for a better wedding (or meal, for that matter).
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Review from El D.
San Francisco, CA
11/27/2011
We stayed here over Thanksgiving and loved our room. Fantastic room - due to weather, we were unable to really enjoy the large balcony but we look back to returning. The room was also very quiet - we stayed in the main mansion and loved it. Also - although no TV - the Wifi is superfast so Netflix works well.
Only down note and reason why it is not a 5 star review was the breakfast - it's nice, and great dining setting in the 5 star restaurant dining room. The frittata on the first day was very good, although lukewarm to cold, and the tortila-egg concoction on the second day was also, lukewarm to cool, and really needed to be served at least warm, which it wasn't. The baked goods and pastries are solid, but not as good as we've had in other top notch B&Bs. So our advice would be to skip breakfast and dine in town.
Overall, excellent excellent place to stay, and we will be back. -
Review from Melissa B.
San Francisco, CA
5/23/2011
I got married here last summer and have nothing but good things to say. We had a small, 60 person wedding, and it was like this venue was made for us. The property is unbelievable and the service is top notch. Highly recommend it for a wedding or any celebration!
If you're thinking of getting married here and have specific question, you can email me directly. -
Review from Darlene F.
Toluca Lake, Los Angeles, CA
8/1/2011
Super sophisticated without being 'stuffy' --service was impeccable and decor, old world... typical of a 'manor'. The only reason not to rate it a 5 is the fact the portions were unnecessarily tiny. The quality of the food, level of difficulty and, preparations were beyond this world. I had the 5 course with wine pairings...generous pours on the wine samplings.
Quite possibly one of my top 5 best meals of my life!!! It was a wonderful way to celebrate my 4 year wedding anniversary with the love of my life! -
Review from Michelle M.
San Francisco, CA
4/23/2011
I was sad to learn that this place had been taken off the best 100 restaurants in SF list. While quirky this place has a lot going for it.
The service is divine. They give you not only perfectly timed food, but make you feel as if they are honored to have you. (At Cyrus we felt a little like it was the other way around) The courses are so well thought out without being overwrought, and there are so many little surprises: an amuse here and there, and palate cleansers before the main course. I hesitate to write this review as I don't want to make the place more popular, but I figured it might need the boost after falling off the top 100 list.
Yes the decor is dated and the old mansion is a little musty, but the service and the creativity of the food is amazing. It's our new favorite splurge! -
Review from Kiesha R.
5/22/2011
My husband and I had an excellent experience here for his birthday dinner. Service was so friendly - formal, yet down to earth. And as others have mentioned, the timing of the meal was spot-on. So many times at multi-course seatings, I feel stuffed and miserable by the time I am 2/3 of the way through. But Madrona Manor times everything so that you can digest without losing your appetite. I truly appreciated every single course - not feeling like I just needed to "get through it."
It goes without saying that the wines are excellent, but the cocktails are phenomenal as well - mixed and poured old school. And it's a no-brainer to get the ice cream cart for dessert. I am sure the other desserts are delish, but the ice cream is truly memorable.
Bravo! -
Review from Alan W.
Honolulu, HI
6/5/2011
Well it has been over a year since I ate dinner at Madrona Manor and it remains the best over all dining experience of my life. For service, for food, for wine, for atmosphere I simply cannot think of anything better. The wine list is well priced. The menu is flexible and creative.
One of my biggest regrets in moving to Honolulu is that I am so far from this place and don't know when I will return. But I do know that every time I am in within 100 miles of this place I will return for dinner here. One of the highlights of my life in ever way. I continue to judge every restaurant in the world as a comparison to this restaurant. As good as it gets! -
Review from Danielle L.
San Mateo, CA
11/29/2010
Review for Restaurant:
1. Service: Pretty lousy service. They kept forgetting our table, forgot to offer us coffee or tea, OVERCHARGED us on the bill (nice going for a Michelin starred restaurant). When the chef did his walk around, he spent about five seconds at our table. Just because I mentioned the bug...
2. Food: If you like foam, and lots of foam...it was pretty good. Nothing too exciting though. Some of the courses in the tasting menu were lacking: I don't expect to find toro to be hard to chew, the beef was a bit overcooked and lacking in flavor...Also, there was a giant man-eating (or woman eating, in this case) bug that crawled out of the grapes on the cheese plate. I saw it. It attacked me, or at least thought about it. The staff then tried to say it crawled out of the flowers on the table. uhha. Nope. I picked up a grape, squeeked in shock, as this big ol bug crawled out from under it. They had forgotten to wash the grapes. The ice cream was good though. No bugs in the ice cream.
3. Atmosphere: It was FREEZING. We asked them to turn up the heat, and they did, for a bit, then turned it back down towards the end of the night. I know keeping it cold makes people eat faster, but it does not provide the proper atmosphere that the restaurant deserves. I was shivering, and very happy to go back to our room, where it was actually warm.
Review for room:
1. It was pretty. Me likey. Very Victorian, but not in the "this looks like your grandmothers house" sort of way. Comfortable, with lots of room.
2. Bed was pretty awesome too. Except for the large stain on top of the canopy. That, I could have done without. I mean, come on...clean up!
3. Toilet. It shouldn't take four flushes for one piece of toilet paper. Just sayin. Fix it.
4. Ice bucket: Don't write in the guest book that "you can call down for ice to be delivered to your room" if you have no one to answer the phone at 7 pm at night. We had to go in search of ice, and got some from the kitchen staff. You know, having someone available to answer the front desk phone *might* be a good idea? Maybe. Just a thought.
5. Another downside: Our room smelled like the kitchen. Especially in the morning. Which makes sense, as it was right above the kitchen. But for a high end place, I do not want my room to smell like a greasy spoon diner. Just sayin.
Total stars? 2.5 for the restaurant (bugs, overcharging, temperature). 2.5 for the room. Would be higher for the room, but the stains/toilet/service/smell brought it down. -
Review from Nicole G.
West Sacramento, CA
10/2/2011
Close friends of ours celebrated their wedding here. A beautiful setting, many gorgeous photo opportunities, formal and upscale dinner service, beautiful rooms. Disappointed with the wedding planner/coordinator. She didn't make any major errors but also did not do much to reassure the bride, groom, or bridal party that the details were handled. I thought that she could have done more ahead of time in terms of planning. She was asking the bride a bunch of questions within an hour of the ceremony. She asked questions during the rehearsal that should have been covered weeks in advance. Again, she didn't mess anything up, but when paying that much money for a venue, I would expect a top notch coordinator/planner. Perhaps she's new. Overall fantastic venue for a formal, romantic, intimate wedding and reception!
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Review from David D.
Walnut Creek, CA
9/22/2011
The dining experience here rivals any worldwide. With a California influence on haute cuisine, the dining experience was phenomenal. Sitting out on the terrace on a warm summers eve with a view of the flowers and garden made the perfect setting.
The wait staff was pleasant, well informed, and delivered at the highest level.
The fixed menus had enough choices to suit a variety of palates, and the accompanying wine pairings were mostly very good.
The fanfare of the cheese, coffee and ice cream was a bit much - but most of the people liked the spectacle.
We had a memorable meal for our anniversary, and wish we had discovered this years ago. An overnight stay at the inn completed a relaxing dining experience without the concerns of a late evening drive home.
Not for anyone in a hurry or on a budget. -
Review from rebecca w.
Palo Alto, CA
9/22/2011
Just enjoyed a great stay at Madrona Manor, a European-style hotel with like service that is somewhat off the beaten track but still within a reasonable walk of downtown Healdsburg.
My favorite part was the setting--it's just a beautiful property, with meticulously restored Victorian architecture, views, and luxurious landscaping. Feels a lot like a European hotel. The hotel is a series of buildings; I stayed in the main Manor house. Large room and bathroom, wonderful beds/pillows/sheets/towels. Big windows that open and fountains that tinkle. Delicious continental breakfast. Two chocolate cookies before bed.
Highly recommend! -
Review from Ches W.
Menlo Park, CA
2/7/2011
My companion and I had a great evening here. Food and service were far far above par.
Beautiful old house and grounds, very well maintained, on an unseasonably warm day, were lucky to happen upon this place.
The great part? We just walked in, no reservation (we were not guests at the Inn). They were able to seat us (we arrived right before opening), and they said they could seat us, no problem. After an hour there the place was packed.
I started with the Beat and Radish salad with Gorgonzola foam which was incredible. Followed by White truffle potato Gnocchi, while my companion had the Truffled oyster Risotto -- both were spectacular. I then had the Salmon, cooked perfectly. My partner had the fresh egg noodles, which she loved.
We were really impressed with the exec chef there, Jesse Mallgren.
We then had the cheese plate ("Madrona Manor Signature Cheese Course"), there were some discoveries there. The desserts were quite good. Then the pastry chef sent out some more, with his compliments. Then again. Enough with the desserts already.
All in all, fantastic dinner, very memorable. -
Review from Stephanie P.
Shreveport, LA
8/28/2011
I was married here and loved every single second of it! The grounds are beautiful, the staff friendly, perfect location and our suite was amazing. We stayed in the school house suite and hopefully we'll be repeating that stay every year.
The only thing that seemed a little fishy was the final bill. We didn't go over it at the time (lots of wine) but we definitely noticed a few charges that shouldn't have been there. There were more meals charged than people present. So check your final ticket very carefully! Other than that, things were perfect! -
Review from T H.
Sebastopol, CA
1/15/2011
"This was the best meal of our lives. We went for our 2nd anniversary because we had spent our wedding night at the Manor. At the last moment, while seated at our table, we decided to splurge and get the "Grande Dame" tasting menu. We were there for 3 hours but it was worth every moment.
The Onion Veloute with the 63 degree quail egg was amazing, as were the estate tomatoes with basil and I believe a tomato ice. The tableside ice cream cart where the ice cream was made with liquid nitrogen was something new and it was these little tableside services that kept the meal entertaining (the cheese course "around the world journey" was also delightful).
At $130 a person we won't go back for some time - but we will go back." -
Review from Angela L.
Newark, CA
7/5/2011
The Better Half and I ate at Madrona the night after our anniversary blowout at Cyrus. We absolutely loved it. Chef Jesse is a skilled Chef, and his use of juniper and other unique natural spicing in his cuisine made the meal so special. The service is delightful and the seating on the patio on a hot summer night was blissfully romantic. Though I loved all the bells and whistles (like the tableside ice cream whipped up using liquid Nitro) of the show, Chef J's food did not need a show to make it good. Deserves its star. Definitely try to swing by if you're in town on a food foray.
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Review from Kyle F.
Gardena, CA
12/30/2010
I was treated here by my aunt and uncle for a late birthday dinner. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was skeptical at first because of a bad experience at a similar restaurant in Beverly Hills a few years ago turned expensive and awful.
service here was fantastic. Went here for dinner and everyone working there was excited about there food. Each dish came with an explanation and between courses, they serve little tastes of whatever the chef is experimenting on. DELICIOUS. The extras that were served were interesting and really utilized the taste buds.
Their foie gras had to be the standout of the meal, oddly. every thing tasted fantastic though! -
Review from Amanda W.
Naples, FL
4/17/2010
I was escorted by two men for this fine dining experience,
you could tell they do a lot of large events We entered from the parking lot and i would recommend going Through the main entrance because it was not a grand or a memorable welcome but more of a industrial feel. the restaurant was very french classic around the corner
with any good meal it should not arrive at a speed pace and let me tell you it did not,
but when being entertained by the company that i had that evening there was not a splash of silence
I orders the duck and i had to send it back because it was dry i don't no how the fattiest bird alive could be dry but it was, and they kindly updated my new wishes but they do nothing in a pace that is fast so i just had them at that point put my entree in a Togo box and that was LAME. -
Review from Ramon M.
Santa Rosa, CA
3/22/2011
What an Amazing Place Madrona Manor is.
I like to go there at least once a year and usually wait for the Summer, as their patio is truly glorious, comfrotable and pleasant. But my cousins came from LA and we needed to celebrate a special birthday, so we decided to go to The Manor. Because there was 10 of us they gave us our own room wich was decorated with lit candles and fresh flowers from the garden. Along with the Victorian motif it really was like a fairy tale. Everything was not only delicious but was beautiful and flawless in presentation. We sat there for hours and hte service was impeccable. But one of the most wonderful ingredients at any Madrona Manor Dinner is the Maitre'd , Josef Bain, he truly has a gift for making an evening truly enchanted and memorable. His knowledge, poise and way with words truly sets the stage for waitstaff, wine and the magic that Chef Jessie Mallgreen so deliciously produces. My cousins & I had a fantastic time. And they were mesmerized by both the cheese course and the Nitrogen cooled Ice Cream !
I have to say thet the palate cleanser witht the basil seeds was absolutely fantastic. The Lobster was sublime! 3 hours later My cousins all agreed that that was the best meal they ever had. -
Review from Tom W.
West Chicago, IL
12/22/2010
Loved this place. We sat outside on a chilly evenining but the heaters worked quite nicely. The owner came by and gave my wife a shawl to use while dining to make sure she was warm. I think we had 7 or 8 different people wait on us and each one was fantastic. I appreciated that each course was briefly explained instead of just landing in front of me for us to figure out what we were looking at. Fine dining can be stuffy but everyone at Madrona made us feel right at home.
The food was probably the best I ever had. Everything was absolutely pefect. The chef came by at the end to thank us and ask how we liked the meal. -
Review from Chicago G.
Chicago, IL
8/4/2010
This review is for the restaurant only - Quite possibly the best meal of my life. Seriously. Every little detail in each dish was exquisite. Just unbelievably savory and delicious. Hubs and I went her for our honeymoon. While I was less impressed with the Manor itself (I can't help it, victorian mansions remind of me of old, dusty antique knick knacks), the food was spectacular. We had dinner there then had breakfast the next morning. Both were so very good!
I would give the Manor as a hotel only 2 stars. While it was nice they gave us champagne and warm cookies for our honeymoon, it just seemed a bit overpriced for a fancy old building ($400/night). At least the delicious breakfast came with... -
Review from Clayton P.
San Francisco, CA
6/29/2009
Dinner review
Hands down the best meal I have had in the last year. Possibly one of the best I have had since I set foot on this earth.
Impeccable service and Joseph the mater dei makes you feel like you are the most important and only diner in the place.
Three amuse bouce's to get going.
After that I had the chef's tasting menu with the wine pairing in addition to a 1/2 oz of the california estate caviar.
From start to finish every bite and every sip was all star delicious.
What really stuck out to me (and what still makes my mouth water) was the liberty duck two ways (roasted breast and crisp confit) paired with the 07 Rochioli Pinot.
You MUST get the cheese plate and have Joseph take you on a tour around the world.
And to finish it off it would be a mistake not to get the cart "a glace" . The Ice Cream Sundae hand "churned" tableside using minus 320ºF nitrogen. chocolate sauce, almonds, whipped cream, cherries on top.
The effect is like phantom of the opera steam spilling across the table while a delicious ice cream sundae is made for from scratch table side.
Such great food theater!
We dined inside and as we prepared to move onto dessert Joseph came over and took us out to a corner table on the porch. If I had to do it again (and it wasn't so hot) I would definitely sit out here and enjoy the lush grounds that surround Madrona Manor.
Before we got here we talked to a lot of local folks about Madrona vs Cyrus. The most common response we heard was that Cyrus is all about the food and always 5 star. At Madrona they said the food is out of this world good and the experience and environment make it an unforgettable experience.
I felt exactly the same way when I left and I cannot wait to go back.
(I had been at Acquerello two days earlier and Madrona knocked the socks off of Acquerello - and I loved my meal there).Listed in: Top Restaurants
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Review from Patricia H.
CA
8/27/2008
Madrona Manor is the perfect place for a romantic getaway with your sweetie. Unfortunately for me, I was on a company off site, not traveling with my hon of hons husband. No big woo - I could still appreciate the fabulousness of the place.
The main house and the several outbuildings sit on 8 beautifully landscaped acres - they have a big rose garden, a vegetable/herb garden that supplies provender to the on-site restaurant, sloping green lawns, gazebos, fountains and a nice-sized pool. The main house (the Mansion) is surrounded by a huge, comfortable porch with plenty of seating. A great place for a cocktail!
The rooms were varied in size and in decor, but they all were antique-filled and decorated beautifully, if a little fussy. We all had a few poltergeist moments in our rooms since they were hung with around 15 mirrors of different sizes. I kept catching glances of someone in the mirror as I walked by and it scared the shit out of me until I realized that blond bitch in the mirror was ME...oh, ok.
My room also had a huge deck with chaise lounges and table and umbrella set up big enough for four people. Aveda toiletries, lots and lots of big fluffy towels - mmmm......a fabulous king sized bed with lots of pillows and a great duvet. Perfect for sexing it up.
Maybe I do wish my HOHH was there?
Next time, I promise! -
Review from Naoko M.
12/28/2009
Occasion: Christmas Dinner
The food here was absolutely excellent. Well-seasoned and executed very nicely. Their crab salad w/ green goddess sauce and celeriac-potato soup were excellent starters to the night. My sister and I, however, opted for the truffle risotto (paid an extra $20 for this) which was fantastic. I've always wanted to try truffles and finally got my chance! The risotto was rich but not overly so, and the portion was just right considering all the cheese they put into (loved it!). Great start to the dinner.
My Christmas goose entree was delicious and flavorful, though I discovered I'm not a fan of parsnips (it was a puree). Not the restaurant's fault, it's just not something my tastebuds liked. The cod was cooked perfectly and had a crispy crust, which I believe was some shredded potatoe. The beef tenderloin was also the most tender beef I've had, possibly ever.
Desserts: I opted for the Christmas pudding which was my favorite of the 3 options. I'm skeptical of egg nog but the egg nog creme brulee was pretty good (even better if you really like egg nog). The flourless chocolate cake was light but still rich at the same time, not sure how they accomplished that.
The service had its highs and lows. The highest point was the wine our server recommended (Scherrer Sonoma Pinot Noir), which matched well with pretty much everything. We ordered a 2nd bottle.
The low was the beginning, where we sat completely unattended for about 10-15 minutes. I completely understand that they were busy that night, but another table who was seated after us was served before us, including receiving their wine and complimentary bread before we even got water. They also mixed up our orders (ie. gave entrees to the wrong people) and it took them 3 tries to actually listen to us when we said the beef went to my sister's boyfriend. (thus the -1 star).
After these small snafus, however, the service was very friendly and good.
A great experience overall, though. A cozy place with great food. -
Review from Bobby J.
San Francisco, CA
4/15/2009
Went here last week for dinner for the first and probably last time. I can't say it was bad, 'cause it wasn't, it just wasn't good. We were seated on the back patio - - quite a nice spot actually although in the unlikely event I ever went back I would choose to sit inside.
Items on the menu sounded much better than the actual food. Tiny portions too (and I never complain about portion size but gee), I see the plate but where's the food? Our waiter started out OK, but then seemed aloof after about 10 minutes. When silverware was replaced by a couple of the servers it was sometimes placed down on the incorrect side and service overall just seemed lackluster and slightly unprofessional. The one thing that stopped me from giving me this place *2 stars* was the wonderful, and I mean WONDERFUL, Maitre d' by the name of Joseph. What a great employee: charming, witty, knowledgeable all with that 'Continental' flair, and quite the story teller too. He seemed to have 'saved' the evening for us.
If you want fantastic food and you're in the area I would recommend 'Cyrus' - - a little more expensive but the food and professional service will usually knock your socks off. -
Review from Avitania B.
10/10/2009
One of the greatest dining experiences, ever. While the food is classically done and the dishes on the "safe" side (e.g. you're not going to get a palate-challenging street fight in your mouth), you'll find perfectly executed, French influenced food here.
We chose an a la carte tasting menu that included the tenderest lamb I've ever tasted, an heirloom tomato salad with a mozzarella burrata that knocked my socks off, a trio of foie gras (my favorite being succulently seared and topped with three perfectly round raisins) and possibly the best presentation of a cheese course by the most entertaining maitre fromager EVER. :) Pay attention to the amazing amuse bouches, too -- I've never been to a place that served so many! If they ever make that ravioli into a main dish, I'm making a special trip back just to bury my face in a bowl of it. It's that good.
Also... about the portion sizes. They're small. Of course they're small, it's a tasting menu, not the food trough at Applebee's. I was stuffed to the gills after 4 courses. (We had five, not including all the amuse bouche they kept bringing out! I practically had to be rolled out at the end of the 2.5 hour meal on a steel reinforced wheelbarrow).
The desserts are nothing to sneeze at, either. I had the tableside-prepared ice cream sundae, which was kinda gimmicky but... seriously, how often do you get to watch ice cream being made using liquid nitrogen?
My only regret is not making an earlier reservation in order to see the grounds. I can't wait to go back.Listed in: Oh, the Places I Went!
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Review from Diana E.
Sunnyvale, CA
6/28/2008
After a day of wine tasting, my date and I happen upon this place by way of recommendation. It is absolutely stunning. We didn't have reservations but, were pleased that they were able to seat us. The tasting menus were great. Since we had our own wine we did not order any here.
The service was good but, could have been better. I would have like to have seen more interaction from the wait staff. That would be my only compliment.
I look forward to coming back and spending a weekend. What I did like was the Maitre'd, upon learning we had never been there before gave us the history of the hotel.
If you're on a budget, this is not the place to go. That is for sure. :-) -
Review from david d.
San Francisco, CA
9/2/2009
A beautiful resort. The restaurant itself is easily summarized: lovely food, perfect service, and an incredible environment. I go with the tasting menu, which, considering the quality, is a bargain at the price.
After a series of nice amuses, the first course is trout sashimi treated to a blast of open flame from a small torch at the table. The pyrotechnics aside, and this place believes in these, the trout is subtle but nice. The same may be said for the second course of chilled lobster served over melon. At this point I was wondering whether the kitchen had a point of view. However, the meal built and each dish that followed became progressively more assertive and, to me, interesting.
Petrale sole with potatoes and zucchini was perfectly seared and well complemented by its sides. Duck breast was also perfect and its side of duck confit added texture to the plate. A bit of sweet apricot and you have a wondrous dish. The same may be said for grilled strip loin accompanied by braised short rib. Each of these courses had a sauce or jus added to the plate tableside.
For dessert more pyrotechnics. An ice cream base was churned at the table with some liquid nitrogen. Actually, the accompaniments added to the ice cream, chocolate fudge, cherries, candied almonds and whipped cream make the Sunday perfect. This dish reminds you why a properly prepared plate of ice cream is a stereotype and has staying power.
After some additional amuses from the chef I leave happy and well satisfied. -
Review from Lawrence T.
San Anselmo, CA
6/4/2011
I made a reservation for my wife's special birthday and when we arrived about a month later, I wasn't certain if I'd actually mentioned it being her "birthday" but they assured me they knew. After drinking a delicious martini at the bar, we were seated. The ornate but cozy atmosphere was delightful, as was the entire staff. We were lucky enough to be seated in a room all to ourselves, which we thought to be so romantic. The service was attentive, knowledgeable and kind. To my wife's surprise, the left hand side of the menu read "Happy Birthday" with her name. The food was delicious and not over priced for what you get. The desserts kept coming! This dinner/celebration was memorable, beautiful and quite frankly, more than we both had anticipated. We will definitely return.
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Review from Pura V.
Windsor, CA
12/1/2007
Nestled in the foothills of Healdsburg's Westside Road lies a very cool joint. From the Victorian ambience to the very comfy table with romantically dimmed soft lighting to the fanatically eclectic local wine list presented by Joesph, the Mannor's Sommelier we were impressed. This place made me feel like I was temporally drawn back into an ear of a different time. Glad I was wearing my corduroy.
Right, so what to eat... I had the pre-set five-course and she had the seafood courses... Amazing... every course was presented with smiles and pride. Gotta try the skate as it's one of the only places one can find this delicious member of the sting ray family.
Ask lots of wine q's, cuz the guy is very informative.
