Hotel Leger Restaurant & Bar

Opening weekend was great! Awesome vibe, great food, and good service. Prunes in bacon and brussels sprouts were very good, but my favorite was the Leger Burger with Brie and caramelized onions.
We got the blueberry beer which was light and refreshing, and really liked the Ukrainian mule - it had vodka with honey and pepper, really interesting but great twist on the usual mule!
Definitely recommend visiting and can't wait to be back.

Every thing was amazing! Food was fresh, service was outstanding and very beautiful surroundings, in small historic town, and hotel.

I hesitate to write this because I'm a strong supporter of small businesses, especially in our beautiful Gold Country. However, I feel this is a health and safety issue, therefore a duty to share.

A couple of weeks ago, my BF and I stopped to explore this small town. We spontaneously decided to eat at this hotel/bar/restaurant after seeing that they had a French dip sandwich on the menu (my favorite). We walked in, and we didn't know if it was open. It looked like friends were hanging out after hours with their dog sitting next to the table. But the bartender welcomed us in and asked if we wanted to sit at a table in the bar or in the dining room, which was through a door, closed off to the bar. We asked if we could sit at the bar instead, and she said yes. We couldn't figure out why she didn't offer the bar in the first place until we sat down.


Something was a miss. My BF ordered a draft beer, and I ordered a diet coke. We also ordered the French dip to share as well as the artichoke dip appetizer. We both have sensitive noses (we are chefs and own a food biz). He finally turned to me and asked, "Don't you smell an overwhelming stench of rat piss?" I nodded, and we sat quietly until I couldn't take the smell anymore. The place was nearly empty, so I asked if we could walk through the secret door and check out the formal dining room. We walked into a dark, musty room. A dining room with 100 year old CARPET. I could only imagine the kind of germs stuck in that carpet and the dusty curtains hanging from the ceiling. All lights were off, and no music was present. And remember, they offered us a seat in that dungeon.

We walked back to the bar and asked if we could take a seat at a regular table. * There were 3 tables and a pool table in the main saloon. The couple with the dog didn't help the fact that the place looked like it hadn't been cleaned since 1851 (the year the place was established, proudly displayed above the bar in stained glass).

Our food finally arrived. The French dip sandwich meat was absolutely horrible. The cut was chunky and hard to eat. Like leftovers from a week ago. It was marinated in about a gallon if liquid smoke. As soon as it hit my stomach, I felt sick, like i drank a gallon of salt. I didn't take more than 1 bite. The French fries were good. Obviously ordered from a food distributor. We eat our fries with Mayo and asked for a side. It was served in a non compliant dollar store plastic ramiken and tasted like miracle whip and had a film on top like it was prepped in advance and not covered. Gross.

The artichoke dip was a complete disaster. First of all, the bread was toasted on a dirty grill top. The black char marks made it taste like I licked a cold backyard BBQ pit. The dip was 80% cream cheese and tasted OLD OLD OLD. NO flavor whatsoever. It also made me feel like I was going to be sick. I ate 1 piece and was done. I was also grossed out because the 3rd customer that arrived also had a dog. I'm sorry, but dogs should not be allowed *unless trained service dogs* around food in a closed area. There are big beautiful windows in the place that should have been open. It was 72 degrees out, perfect weather. And the place was closed up like a horders paradise. Ewww.

I'm glad I stopped at 1 bite on each because my BF ended up with stomach issues for 4 days after we ate there. If the bar is full of rat piss, they allow dogs to run around, Could you imagine what that kitchen looks like? I'll NEVER eat there again. Thank God for the winery down the street. Their food is amazing. Eat there.

Lastly, the bartender was nice, but I felt like she was embarrassed to serve the food. Sad.

Where to begin. First, to the new owners taking possession on Thursday, July 9 - you should very seriously consider NOT rehiring/keeping on Debra the greeter/manager what ever her title or role may be, when you take over the establishment. (We were at the place on Thurs., 6/29/23 at the recommendation of many people who have been as well as our Air BnB host. Told later in a conversation with our server that the owners had sold and the last day would be Tues 7/4/23 with the new owner(s) taking over on Thurs. 7/9/23). NONE of this could or should be used to explain Debra's despicable attitude and lack of anything that could be construed as customer service in any galaxy.

We called three tines to get a reservation, left messages; one time there was an answer but we were hung up on. We took our chances they had our reservation request and went. Arrived earlier than our request for a 6 PM reservation. Bar tender said it would be a moment and we could wait in the hotel lobby. No problem. Lots of history, interior design, staircase, etc to look at. Then along comes Debra... "You want something?" We said we were waiting to be seated, had called in several times to make a reservation, left messages, no one called us back, so we just came. She said that they "always call back on messages" and we "probably had the wrong number" and "I guess you want an apology."
(What?! Who is this broad?) She proceeded to say she would "see what I can do" and if she could "find a server" for us. We should have left right then and there. But we have a diabetic in our group and getting back into a car and traveling somewhere else or a market and 30 minutes back to the Air BnB would not be a good option.

We got seated at approx 6:15 p.m. There was only one other table (a couple) in the room we were seated. We waited. Finally a server for beverages and we ordered two appetizers, mainly to get some food into our diabetic member (fortunately we carry snacks for situations so the need had not yet reached a critical point). Ordered food when server came back with water. Fish N Chips - sorry we're out. Salmon - sorry we're out. Okay, how about French dip (3 now that menu has become limited), a Grand Salad, and a pasta alfredo with chicken. Didn't see our server for a bit, but along comes Debra at 6:50 p.m. (At this point still have nothing yet but water). She asked if everything was okay, would we like to order any appetizers. When we said we ordered already with our server. "Fine." and she proceeded to give us a story on how the place had been sold, they only had one chef show up that night, they had BUNKO group in another part of the restaurant, a martini club in the bar. "We're busy. So if you're good, good," and off she went. (!)

Table next to us, party of four, seated maybe at 6:45 get their dinners around 7:30 p.m. At 7:40 we're still waiting for anything. Our waitress was super apologetic, very sweet, very pleasant. Everything should be out soon. Want drinks from bar, no charge. We passed.

Back comes Debra (Why? Maybe to be rude some more?) I asked if there was any way to expedite at least the appetizers as we had a diabetic in our group who needed to eat, had taken insulin in anticipating to eat at least maybe 45 minutes prior. "We're really busy" and walked away!

Our regular server returns; brought some bread, filled water and said everything should be out soon. One hour and 25 minutes after being seated - bread and water. Really we should have left, taken a chance with our family member's health, gone to market, make the drive back to the Air BnB.

At 7:50 p.m. we're asked if we want more bread. Oh, and sorry but they only have a half order worth of pasta left. Would we like a side of vegetables, a baked potato, mashed potatoes, fries? "It should be any minute. Chef is working really hard, she is all by herself." At 8:00 the appetizers arrive; 8:08 the main courses. One hour and 45 minutes after being seated. Two hours and 15 minutes after walking into the establishment. Food. Finally. (The other two groups in the room done and gone).

The food. French dip was superb. Really. One of the best I have had. All three of us who ordered agreed. Excellent; garlic pesto fries were good too. Pasta - not much pasta in the bowl and was a mix of fettuccini and spaghetti noodles pushed to one side of the bowl. The other half has some grilled vegetables of some sort. No potato ever came, we just let it go. There was no chicken on the pasta and the Grand Salad was missing its chicken as well. Asked, and chicken came on the side all dried out and "chalky." Ate what we could and left. Hope new owners fix. Please get rid of Debra to start. Not sure I could recommend this place. French dip to go, definitely, well maybe...

PS after reading a March review... Yeah there was an odor. Kept thinking what is that sour, vinegar-like smell. Now guessing probably rat piss as they said.

zero stars

Had Thanksgiving dinner at the Hotel Leger food and service was outstanding the new owners are on the right track to renovate the hotel, very special place to me as I work there as a young man glad to see it being brought back to life again

We made an 8 o'clock reservation and we were glad we did. Bill, the owner of the Red Robin B&B recommended this fine establishment. The food & the staff were outstanding!! Our server Autumn, a seasoned pro at only 25 years old, had no problem deciphering what I really wanted with a few succinct questions. Lol! The beer she recommended was better than the hard cider I thought I was craving. After that wonderful start it was easy to trust Miss Autumn Wonder-Server, so we went with her recommendations and ordered the "beef tips in cheesy grits" and the "beef stroganoff." The stroganoff was outstanding, but the beef tips just knocked our socks off!! A great dish of perfectly blended flavors with the cherry sauce delivering a savory triumph!!

I will certainly order the beef tips again, but I wonder what other delights Autumn would recommend?

Thank you to The Hotel Leger Restaurant & Saloon for having a wonderful wait staff! But, the kitchen staff, well I know who I would hire if I wanted some Excellent Beef Dishes on my menu!!!


Sincerely,

Ray & Janell

Great cocktails, great service, THE BEST fish and chips, and all at really affordable prices. We live about 1 1/2 hours away but we will definitely be back. Go here if you're in Mokelumne Hill!

We stayed at the hotel also - good prices, free continental breakfast every morning, definitely historic which means no TV but we love charming historic buildings (plus they've updated plumbing and added AC so in that sense you get the modern experience!) and they allow dogs in some of the rooms which is convenient for those who want to bring along their dog. About 6 minutes to a nice parking area with river access.

Great food, and service. Love the old wood, has a nostalgic feel. The steak was cool perfectly medium. Would definitely recommend this place.

Best Food in Moke Hill I love the Lemon Drop that only can be had here! FRom the over 100 year old lemon tree out back. I always have the shrimp appetizer

If I could give the Leger hotel a minus rating I would. On Wednesday August 24 we decided to dine at the Leger prior to the Music in the Park at Shutter Tree park at 6:30 pm. We arrived at opening at 5pm. We had made a reservation and decided to sit in the bar instead of the dining room along with other diners. There was only the one barkeep and server. She was not personable or outgoing. We ordered a Moscow mule and a martini with a locally distilled vodka from Hinterhaus in Arnold. Initially the server did not know if they had the vodka but knowing the producer I knew they had it on stock. We received the drinks and they were good. We ordered the Caesar salad and the black and blue filet steak. The salad took nearly 45 minutes. Apparently they had to make the dressing fresh. When it arrived the romaine lettuce was wilted and the dressing was see through. No taste of anchovy or egg or Parmesan. The croutons looked like dog treats rather tHan garlic croutons. We DID not eat them. They were shoved to the side. The blue cheese filet arrived at 6 pm. We had been there an hour. The steak dish was served and we were appalled. The steak was totally tough and gristly. The potatoes were artificial and the vegetables were grey and wilted. We took the dish over to the server and stated that we were NOT paying for this garbage. We needed to go down to he music event because I sit on the board. We hustled ourselves out of there to make our obligation at the event.
It's not like we are newbies at the Leger. We've eaten there since 2003 and worked for two solid weeks at the restaurant impossible redo. We used to come to the Thursday martini nights. The addition of the pool table in the bar area seems prohibitive of social gatherings. IM SO PISSED TO WHERE THIS PLACE HAS DEBASED ITSELF. BAD, BAD, BAD DORALEE AND COMPANY!!!