PANNING FOR GOLD - Camps Restaurant at Greenhorn Creek

PANNING FOR GOLD

Camps Restaurant at  Greenhorn Creek

Writing about my major birthday adventure in Mark Twain/Gold Rush country has taken longer than the adventure itself, but we had one more food stop to make before we headed out for home and hearth and what better place than a restaurant named "Camps?"  Full disclosure:  no relation to Richard with or without the "s."

On the other side of the golf course from our hotel, we were greeted by ol' Mark, himself relaxing on a bench reading a book.

Curious to see what he was reading ("Huck Finn"), we sat down for a minute to discuss the relevance of the book today.  Having just reread it in my Book Group, I let him know that we thought it was still quite relevant.  He seemed pleased and posed for pictures.
 

On to the restaurant...

 
... and the discovery of a Mark Twain library with copies of his books, memorabilia and quotes stenciled on the walls and ceiling beams.  No wonder he was hanging out out front.  If anyone had a question, he was there to answer it.

The large main room consisted of a bar/lounge and a dining room, divided by an impressive fireplace against the far wall.

 Rugs and artwork hung along a wall in the dining room alongside built-in display cabinets.

Through the glass doors was the terrace overlooking one of the golf course's beautiful greens.

We opted to eat inside.  Camps is a steak, seafood, burger place that serves mostly "manly" fare... its lunch menu included sandwiches such as a "classic" Reuben and a turkey club... entrees included fish & chips... "French Onion" dip w/ shaved rib eye braised in French onion soup, topped w/ jack cheese and sauteed onions... steak and eggs w/ country gravy and breakfast potatoes... omelets and caramelized apple French toast, but the menu also included hearty salads, homemade soups and "lighter" fare such as parmesan truffle fries and beer battered onion rings, flash fried calamari and fresh dungeness crab cakes.  None of these light dishes will help you stay light, but sounded oh so good. 

Did I mention the burgers?  There were a few listed on the lunch menu - a seared sesame ginger ahi burger w/ wasabi aioli and Asian slaw, a portabella mushroom burger, and Camps "CR" local 1/2 lb cheddar burger made w/ grass fed, free range local beef.  OK, since I'm always on the quest for the perfect cheeseburger, I had to try the "CR."  Nguyen decided to have one, too.  I can't say it was the "perfect" cheeseburger, but it came close.  Cooked to a perfect medium rare with enough melty cheese to fill a fondue pot.  Well, not quite, but enough to make me happy.

Richard had the Mahi Mahi fish and chips with tartar sauce and fries...  Of course, I had a bite.  Blimey it was good!  It was so good, it was gone before I could take a picture.

Bob opted for the toasted turkey clubhouse made with roasted sliced turkey breast, applewood smoked bacon, Swiss cheese, lettuce & tomato.  It's a club I might join the next time I eat there.

The dinner menu continued the hearty "manly" theme and had listings for "Grazings" that included flash fried calamari, ginger chicken spring rolls and wild mushroom pappardelle pasta w/ parmesan and white truffle oil.  "Salads & Soups" listed the onion soup, apple romaine salad and two caesar salads.  "From the Grill"  included prime rib, a variety of steaks and burgers.  "Cluck & Quack"  a roasted chicken breast dish and a pan-seared Muscovy duck breast.  And last, but not least, "Seafood" dishes such as broiled prawn &amp sea scallop skewers, pan-seared Mahi Mahi and seared ginger glazed ahi.  I wanted to stay a few more days and try everything.  They also have live music every Friday and Saturday night. After a few drinks, Mr. Twain is said to sit in for a few sessions. 

So... whether you're playing golf and stop in for a 19th hole "refreshment" or just tooling around Angels Camp panning for gold, definitely stop in for lunch or dinner.  The food does ol' Mark proud.


CAMPS RESTAURANT - Greenhorn Creek
676 McCauley Ranch Road
Angels Camp, California  95222
209-736-8181

www.campsrestaurant.com

PANNING FOR GOLD - Stevenot Winery

PANNING FOR GOLD IN MARK TWAIN COUNTRY

Stevenot Winery

Continuing to explore Calaveras County in the Sierra foothills, I decided to skip Mark Twain's jumping frogs and jump to the Stevenot Winery tasting room in the town of Murphys.  I had had a glass (or two) of their chardonnay the night before at my b'day dinner at Crusco's Ristorante in Angel's Camp and was looking forward to sipping some more of their wine.

The tasting room was a fun space with brick and stone walls...

... and whimsical hangings of lights, stars and tiny American flags.

Our lovely barista welcomed us (Richard, brother Bob, sister-in-law Nguyen and me) with a smile.

As she poured our tasting flight ($5 - though the fee is waived for wine club members and guests), she told us that the Stevenot family first came to Gold Rush country in the mid-1800s but that the winery wasn't established until 1978.  In 2010 Jon and David Oliveto (Oliveto Distribution, Inc.) bought Stevenot, keeping the name, and carrying on the Stevenot tradition of fine, quality wines.

Our first taste was the 2013 Reserva Chardonnay ($22), a lovely wine aged in French oak barrels leaving a light buttery taste.  Not too oaky.  Not too buttery.  As Goldilocks would say, just right!

The 2010 Sangiovese ($22) had a subtle cherry aroma and a pleasant ripe fruit taste. 

Sipping the 2011 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon ($26) put a smile on my face with its yummy hints of chocolate and blackberry.

As did the 2011 Reserva Petite Sirah ($26) hitting all the Sirah notes including black fruit and anise.

My favorite of the reds was the 2011 Reserva Barbera ($26) a jammy wine that teased the tongue with berries black and blue.

If you're hungry, the tasting room also offers a Tasting Plate of salami, asiago cheese, sharp cheddar, olives and chocolate for $10. 

So, next time you're in this part of Gold Rush country and want to enjoy some good wine, rush over to the Stevenot Winery tasting room at:

458 Main Street #3
Murphys, California 95247
209-728-3485
stevenotwinery.com