We happened upon Amador City on our way to Sutter Creek. I am so glad we stopped for lunch and to…read morecheck out the shops and museum. We truly love exploring Gold Country which is always rich with history. The Imperial Hotel is a hidden gem and I can't wait to come back. Built in 1879, but restored several times over the years the Imperial Hotel was a perfect place to grab lunch. We will definitely have to consider staying the next time we are up this way. We sat outside on the most perfect day that was a little breezy but with the perfect amount of sunshine! They have a great outdoor patio with fire pits for cooler days. We ordered the Buttermilk Crispy Chicken Sandwich with lettuce, pickled onion, aioli, and herb fries. Delicious! The chicken was really tender and the aioli was on point. We also ordered a harvest salad that had beets and sweet potatoes. It was also really flavorful. We ordered a Sauvignon Blanc and the Cinsault Blend. Both were wonderful and even better since we were able to try these local wines.

Occasionally, I run across a hidden gem that just sparkles. This is one of those places, not to be…read moremissed. It's located in a charming off the beaten path historic Gold Country town in Amador Co. that exudes charm in every direction. Amador City is rural and hasn't changed much in many years. The Imperial is a historic hotel with overnight rooms to rent and a dining room/bar. I came for dinner and am so glad I did. Although I made a reservation, it didn't seem necessary, but I would, just in case. The interior is so warm and cozy, and the historic elements make for a beautiful backdrop. We had a nice table for two against the brick wall that was intimate and yet connected to the ambiance of the room. Our server, a delightful woman, was friendly and professional. I started with a Pick Axe Freezer Martini with gin, and oh my gosh, it was a powerhouse of flavor and exuberance. It had a delightful wallop. It comes with a round cut glass side tray of things to add- olives, onion, etc. for one's individual taste. We had the bread service with warm, freshly made bread and a sun-dried tomato, basil, and garlic sauce for spreading or dipping. DELICIOUS! For the first course, I had a bowl of the clam chowder that was superb, creamy, delicate, and nicely mixed with bacon, carrots, croutons, etc, yet seemed devoid of clams. I won't hold it against them as the soup's consistency and taste were magnificent. There were two specials, a rack of lamb or a tuna poke bowl. I had heard that the scallops were very good, but they were substituting shrimp that day. I chose the lamb, and my dining partner had the poke bowl. Both were excellent. The lamb was fresh, nicely crusted, and cooked perfectly. The only criticism is a couple of times I tasted a small clump of salt, similar to Kosher salt. Since I use little salt in my own cooking, it really hits me when it's not well integrated into a dish and/or overpowering. Overall, the meal was excellent. It was relaxed, interesting, and an adventure into history, too. This place really has it down, and I highly recommend getting there for a very nice meal amongst the historical delights.

Had a great experience with the owner! The food was good and the wine was good overall just a…read morereally good experience at this establishment! Will be back again!

After a fun-filled day wine tasting in Amador County, my friends and I were in need for some…read morecomfort food to end our day. This takes me to the small community of Mokelumne Hill (which is in Calaveras County) where I got to check out "Renegade Winery". Don't let the word "winery" fool you as this place not only serves some delicious wine but is also a full-on restaurant that has some good old standard American food. Since I know this area quite well and have been to neighboring areas such as Jackson and San Andreas, finding this place wasn't too difficult. But for some, it might be a challenge. When arriving on Highway 49 (from Jackson), you have the option of making a left on Campo Seco Turnpike OR a left on Main Street. The business is directly at the corner of Main & Center St's while being across the street from the historic I.O.O.F. building which neighbors a blacksmith business. If you're into ancient structures, definitely check this place out. Going back to Renegade Winery, they offer a variety of red and whites from nearby Amador County. In addition to their wine selection, they also have beer and regular soft drinks for consumption. But the main reason why we came here was their food! This includes comfort classics such as bruschetta, a meat/cheese platter, and a few others. They also carry a nice selection of salads, wraps, sandwiches, burgers, and pizzas. Finally, I wanted to add that they even offer a brunch menu on the weekends including mimosas. My significant other and I split their pesto pasta w/garlic bread while our friends tried a quesadilla and Caesar salad. As far as the interior layout of this place, it almost has that old town saloon feel to it which is the perfect fit for the gold country. The amount of distressed wood is presented throughout while the large collection of wine bottles is quite impressive. The employees that work here definitely made us felt welcome as if we were in someone's home. I also wanted to add that the exterior seating area was equally impressive with an abundance of tables, hanging lights after the sun goes down, and even a small stage for live music. If it wasn't for the heat (it was around 100°F on 6/22/2024 at 3:45pm), we would probably eat outside. As far as our pasta, they give you huge portions and more than enough to feed 2 people comfortably. The pasta was cooked well while there was a nice amount of basil in the pesto. It wasn't over-the-top amazing that you'd find at an Italian restaurant in a big city but still quite delicious and affordable (at around $16). Even our friends' spicy quesadilla had 4 large slices that can be split between two. Considering that you get a mix of everything (winery, draft beer, and food), this place has you covered. All in all, "Renegade Winery" is a place that I highly recommend. Keep in mind that they are ONLY open for business Fri/Sat from 11:30am-8pm and Sun from 9am-4pm while being closed from Monday through Thursday. So if you're taking a trip up to Big Trees or maybe Twain Harte or even Yosemite National Park, this is a great stop with above average service and very decent prices. My rating, an above average four stars.

What a wonderderful surprise this theatre company was! We were going to be visiting for the…read moreweekend and my husband found this gem performing The Last Five Years.The theater is small and an easy walk from anywhere in Murphys downtown. The staff was SO friendly and welcoming, and the perormance was incredibly professional for such a small venue. We'll be going back soon for another show,

Saw a show here. Highly recommend this theater for a night of fun. Excellent local theater…read more Friendly staff and lots of parking.

The wine was awesome, the tasting area is super cool, and our bartender hooked it up with the pours…read moreand was super nice! 10/10 recommend

Every glass was amazing. Truly, I enjoyed the journey of their wines. My favorite has to be High…read moreCountry - it smelled the way you'd want your man to smell, leathery, warm, strong, comforting. It was devine. Johanna, the sommelier, was very personable and friendly, while pouring. I will be back.

Hands down, the best live theater in Amador! Professional production, great outdoor venue, bring…read moreyour own wine and picnic and dine al fresco prior the the show. Make sure to bring BUG SPRAY! If not, they sell bug wipes at concessions just in case. Many times, I thought I wouldn't like a show, but left having really enjoyed myself. I have been to all their summer performances since 2012, I have enjoyed every one!

Just a delightful theater group. The director of the play met us at entrance and gave us a little…read morebackground of the cast. We took our supper and ate with a great little group of people who love the theater, outdoors and being together. We'll go again and bring friends.

'FROGGY WENT A COURTIN' Historic powerful place! Love this town When froggy McNutt goes to Frogtown…read moreyou know it's always going down! When you ride all day and feel a cramp you know you shredded at Angles Camp! This is an amazing place to watch the legendary frog jumping contest every year. Great place to go race BMX or check out the races and bike show and swap meet and get signatures from some of the Legends! Great place to go sightseeing in a historic town

A very nice local county fair. Everything is on a smaller scale but just as much fun as larger…read morefairs you may have experienced previously. We did find the signage /directions to the fair to be a bit confusing but once there we were all good.

Awesome vibes and a great spot for dog owners! We sat outside with our dogs, enjoyed some wine and…read morethe Ham & Jammin flatbread, and loved it so much that we came back the very next day to try the Bolting Basil flatbread. Both flatbreads were delicious, the wine selection was great, and the outdoor space was comfortable and welcoming. As an added bonus, our dogs were big fans of the charcuterie board and were happy to help with a few dog-friendly bites. Any place that makes us want to come back the very next day is doing something right. We'll definitely be back next time we're in Murphy's!

Came to Murphys for the weekend and decided to try this place out as they offered a bottomless…read moremimosa event. We love a bottomless mimosa option!!!!! It's a cute little spot near the end of the street but it had a great seating area on the inside and out. The server was very nice however I wouldn't really call this "bottomless mimosas" ... it was like pulling teeth to get refills. Then I asked for no juice as the mimosas started to get a little sweet and they said no ... weird . They needed some fun music or something to go with it. But it was only $18 so we didn't complain. Overall it was good and the pizza was a hit.

Went fishing and was getting pretty hungry. It was super convenient that Tackle Box Cafe was at the…read morelake! Staff are always really nice and knowledgeable of fishing and where to catch certain types. I ordered the fish and chips and my cousin ordered the bacon cheeseburger. We both ordered garlic fries as well. Although it wasn't the kind of garlic fries you usually get at other places, it paired pretty well with the food. The fried fish was pretty good and I'm picky about my fish 'n chips. My cousin compared his burger to a backyard bbq type of flavor and that's absolutely all good! Those are the best! The prices were pretty decent and chatting with the staff about fishing was really cool. We were excited to get back out and catch some fish...which we did! The dining area was clean and well organized. There were so many other options on the menu that I'll need to try the next time I go back to the lake. They're only open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, but if you're fishing and didn't bring any food during a weekend trip, there's Tackle Box Cafe!

After a long day of early morning fishing or disk golf, a nice warm meal would be the most…read moresatisfying! Located within the vicinity, tacklebox Café is a great place to have a nice snack or meal. When you enter, you'll notice that this café also serves as their mini shop where can also purchase your fishing pass along with other things that you may need that you may have forgotten. The café has plenty of tables and chairs with cute table themes. The menu also has a good variety of food to choose from. We got the fish and chips, a patty melt, and a hamburger. They serve a generous portion and is made very well. The picture attached may look disoriented as we split some portions. We were able to choose our seats and got to sit by the window, which made it for a gorgeous lunch as our view overlooked the lake. Our server was nice, and very quick. We would definitely come back again to try different things on the menu. Side note: The bathroom is located outside of the same building just around the corner.