Post Ranch Inn
Highway 1
Big Sur, CA 93920
831-667-2800
www.postranchinn.com
The views at Sierra Mar restaurant at Post Ranch Inn (below) are so spectacular it's easy to overlook the food, but it's just about as delightful.
The restaurant at the widely acclaimed inn, known for its organic architecture and far-reaching ocean vistas, offers a four-course fixed-price dinner menu for $105 a person. There are about four options for each course, including one or two vegetarian choices. Those with smaller appetites can order a la carte.
Dinner began with a trio of artichoke hearts (above), each uniquely prepared. One was pureed and mousse like; another thinly sliced like pasta ribbons and complemented with morel mushrooms; and the third was in a truffle vinaigrette with garlic crumbs. All three preparations were done very well. Each one flaunted the variation in flavor that creative preparation can showcase, and each was sized to leave you wanting just a bit more, but by the third it was a good sized appetizer.
The soy-braised Shiitake mushroom salad (above) was an interesting melange of ingredients, including mango, water chestnuts and cashews. The individual parts didn't seem to coalesce into a complementary blending of flavors, yet this worked surprisingly well as each ingredient stood on its own and was overall quite tasty.
The mushroom stroganoff (above) featured freshly made noodles with a generous amount of morel mushrooms and fresh-shelled peas, making for rich texture and flavors. The mushrooms soaked up the sauce to give a nice flavor with each bite.Service was friendly, but relaxed and on the slow side. Courses didn't quite flow as they should have.
The wine list is large with an ample selection in a wide variety of prices.
Overall, Sierra Mar is a delight for dinner. To enjoy the view, be sure to make a reservation prior to sunset.
