Nevada City recs?

[Tripeler]

Going to Nevada City sometime next month, and want to find a nice place for dinner.
Price desired would be about $50 per person before tax and tip.
Would like any kind of food, but would prefer locally oriented ingredients and styles.
Any great ideas?

[nancyhudson]

I know you're looking for dinner recs, but just in case - this is a great spot for breakfast (or lunch!)
http://www.southpinecafe.com/

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South Pine Cafe
110 S Pine St, Nevada City, CA 95959

[bennyboy1]

Might be Friar Tucks you are looking for. As of now it is theb best place in town. Clubby, romantic, kind of old school but great food. http://www.friartucks.com/

Also Matteos on Commercial street (where Country Rose was before) has some inventive cooking, great beers and is a very nice addition to the dining scene there. Dedicated to fresh. local organic foods. http://matteospublic.com/ More pub that anything else though.

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Friar Tuck's Restaurant & Bar
111 N Pine St, Nevada City, CA 95959

Country Rose Cafe
696 4th St Ste Frnt, Hollister, CA 95023

[CedarRidge]

I find Friar Tuck's very old-fashioned and not in a good way... Also had a bad experience at Matteo's but that was right after they opened. Terrible service, average food. Maybe it;s gotten better. I do like Sopa Thai but prefer Panoy in Grass Valley.

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Friar Tuck's Restaurant
5th Avenue Dolores, Carmel, CA 93923

[PolarBear]

Here's one place that has never disappointed over the past number of years:

Sopa Thai
312-316 Commercial Sr.
Nevada Ctiy, CA 95959
[phone]

[glbtrtr]

The NewMoon (Blue Moon?) was terrible - promised much, but delivered way, way under and not cheap either. Avoid.

[PolarBear]

When were you there? We had a mid winter feast with a large table, kind of last minute and they really came through. Hope this isn't a EDTDA (economic down turn downhill alert).

[glbtrtr]

NewMoon visit was about 3 years ago. Wish them well if they have improved but I see other comments also noting disappointment with this establishment. Good to ask when because all restaurants have their ups and downs. So my overall negative experience was several years ago. And this was in large part because of the hype of the place from the waiter on down. Menu looked tantalizing, assured by the waiter it would be exceptional, and it was just plain mediocre with fuss but no care. One place that really left a bad taste in my mouth .... literally as well as figuratively.

[BN1]

I have eaten at New Moon a lot over the years. When it was new many, many moons ago, it had good food and excellent service. It has maintained a steady downward direction since then. Our last experience with friends was horrible. I feel the wine list has declined and is over priced like the food. My wife’s special was served cold and inedible. When I asked for a box to take my leftovers home, the server threw it to me, actually through the air. Classy!! Sounds like PolarBear dodged a bullet, but then it couldn’t have gotten worse without poisoning people.

[glbtrtr]

NewMoon is one of those places where the whole is less than the sum of its parts. They put stuff together and it comes out worse than if they had left it alone. Don't bother with this place. McDonald's Fishsandwich meal is a better choice because you know what you are getting.

[CedarRidge]

I have always thought New Moon is overrated, but a lot of people love it. Just my two cents... I like Lefty's, although sometimes the service is weak. Something a little offbeat, but definitely using extremely local, organic, sustainable food: Ike's Quarter Cafe. Mostly Cajun. Another offbeat choice, probably better for lunch: The Fix, which serves raw foods. Their quinoa spring rolls and key lime pie are amazing.

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Ike's Quarter Cafe
401 Commercial St, Nevada City, CA 95959

New Moon Cafe
203 York St, Nevada City, CA 95959

[Tripeler]

Cedar Ridge, thank you for the suggestions.
Also, thanks to toodie jane for your "ask there" ideas.

[CedarRidge]

you're welcome. One other thought: an extremely cool only-in-Nevada City ambiance and superlative sushi restaurant is Sushi In The Raw, the best place to sit is at the front bar (for the ongoing party) or the back bar (to watch the chefs).

[toodie jane]

Don't think there's too much fine dining (ala big city) but here's an idea: call the local olive oil producer, and ask what their choice of dining out is. Their shop is downtown, so they'd know the best local restaurants. Or call The Chocolate God, Mr de Groot, and ask his advice. He is also in downtown. He makes superlative chocolates and pastries.

http://www.thetruffleshop.com/

floriosoliveoilco.com

good luck!

[BN1]

I think the lack of response is not because your post is being ignored. Nevada City dining has regressed during these hard times and I think it's hard to come up with a current recommendation. Good luck and please post about your experience.

[Tripeler]

Thanks for your response, BN1. I was in Nevada City about six years ago, and couldn't remember a thing about the dining scene. I was hoping there would be some new developments, but...