La Foret

French restaurant · Santa Clara County

La Foret

French restaurant · Santa Clara County

4

21747 Bertram Rd, San Jose, CA 95120

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Highlights

Romantic French countryside dining with game & rich sauces  

Featured in The Infatuation
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21747 Bertram Rd, San Jose, CA 95120 Get directions

laforetrestaurant.com
@laforetsanjose

$100+ · Menu

Reserve

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21747 Bertram Rd, San Jose, CA 95120 Get directions

+1 408 997 3458
laforetrestaurant.com
@laforetsanjose

$100+ · Menu

Reserve

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Aug 30, 2025

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The Best Restaurants In San Jose - San Jose - The Infatuation

"La Foret is located in a creekside boarding house that dates back to the mid-19th century quicksilver boom in the hills above New Almaden. Game is always on the French menu—it’s one of the few Bay Area restaurants serving dishes like elk and wild boar—along with decadent wine- and butter-based sauces. Make a reservation for dinner on the stone patio, just across from the 4,000-acre Almaden Quicksilver County Park—you can go à la carte, or pick from one of three tasting menus. We're partial to the six-course option for its seared scallops in saffron herb cream and elk loin in a portabella cognac reduction." - shoshi parks

https://www.theinfatuation.com/san-jose/guides/best-restaurants-san-jose-california
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@infatuation

The Best Restaurants In San Jose

"La Foret is located in a creekside boarding house that dates back to the mid-19th century quicksilver boom in the hills above New Almaden. Game is always on the French menu—it’s one of the few Bay Area restaurants serving dishes like elk and wild boar—along with decadent wine- and butter-based sauces. Make a reservation for dinner on the stone patio, just across from the 4,000-acre Almaden Quicksilver County Park—you can go à la carte, or pick from one of three tasting menus. We're partial to the six-course option for its seared scallops in saffron herb cream and elk loin in a portabella cognac reduction." - shoshi parks

https://www.theinfatuation.com/san-jose/guides/best-restaurants-san-jose-california
View Postcard for La Foret
@infatuation

La Foret - Review - New Almaden - San Jose - The Infatuation

"La Foret is located in a creekside boarding house that dates back to the mid-19th century quicksilver boom in the hills above New Almaden. This place is all about rustic French food and wild game is always on the menu—it’s one of the few Bay Area restaurants serving dishes like elk and wild boar—along with decadent wine- and butter-based sauces. At dinner, you can either go a la carte or choose from one of three tasting menus, but we’re partial to the six-course option for its seared scallops in saffron herb cream and elk loin in a portabella cognac reduction. Request a seat out on the stone patio just across from the 4,000-acre county park and feel a million miles away from any Silicon Vally tech bro." - Shoshi Parks

https://www.theinfatuation.com/san-jose/reviews/la-foret
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Creekside fine dining in historic New Almaden, pairing classic French technique with California produce. Spotlighted by regional publications and cherished for milestone dinners, elegant service, and quietly romantic surroundings.

https://ediblesiliconvalley.ediblecommunities.com/eat/french-evolution-la-foret-returns
Best Restaurants in San Jose (2025)
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Vera Vera

Google
Even the food was good I give a one star just to get your attention. I made a reservation for 2 for my birthday and left the note that one of the guests (which is me) has celiac disease and we ask for gluten free options. When we arrived nobody had idea about my request. That is fine. I asked to guide me through the menu and got an answer that almost everything on the menu is gluten free except desserts and we shouldn't worry about. We got two different tasting menus and guess what? Already on second course I'm getting tartar with toasts on the plate. I asked if it is gluten free (I had concerned as I know how gluten free bread looks like and that baguette definitely looked like gluten. I got an answer that it is gluten free, but... they need to double check. And sure it was not gluten free. Each course was delivered by different people and was difficult to track if my request is actually went to the kitchen. Next was scallop with puff pastry and I believe that some sauces were thickened by wheat flour. Nobody cared. Now I'm suffering with the reaction and can't sleep. If I could give minus 10 stars I would. You can't do that to people! That is the worst experience i ever had at such level of restaurants. And why do you ask about occasion for reservation if nobody even said me happy birthday while i herad that there was no problem to say it to other guests? Service minus 10.

Bao Dang

Google
Service was great and our server took great care of my husband and I. The quail and the souffle dessert are absolute must-have when you visit this place! They also have a "I can't decide option" for dessert, which was extremely clever (I won't spoil the fun). I also appreciate the interesting variety of meat cut offered here (wild boar, elk, venison, etc.). If the meat portions were a little bigger, it would definitely be worth the price. Overall, I would label this as a classic stable and would come back!

Kimberly Threadgill

Google
This was my first time experiencing dinner at La Forêt. La Foret offers a very nice dining experience. Our group had varied offerings, including the tasting menu. Everyone enjoyed their meals. I had the prawns, and they were good. I also had the shrimp salad with butter lettuce. It was very refreshing. I also had the "I can't decide" dessert platter. I suggest skipping this and just choosing a dessert. The creme brulee was delicious. The restaurant is a bit off the beaten path, but it is a very cool concept. If you're in the area, I would suggest giving it a try.

Thao Ha

Google
Bread and butter was pretty mid. Cocktails are classic and the after dinner coffee was pretty mid. Entrees are filling and the meat is high quality. The rice pilaf was so incredibly salty and almost inevitable because of the salt . Service was just slow and they had forgotten two different drink orders at two different times. We had brought a cake and they lost our little toppers for it. Outside patio is pretty and romantic. I recommend getting a patio seat if possible. inside is nice too but can get a bit noisy.

James Lee

Google
My first time visiting La Forêt French Cuisine was a mostly wonderful experience. The service was excellent—attentive, warm, and professional. However, the pacing could have been a bit faster; our dinner took about three and a half hours to complete, which felt slightly prolonged. The entrées were the highlight of the evening. The elk was absolutely delicious and perfectly cooked, tender, and bursting with flavor. It’s a dish I would highly recommend to anyone visiting. Unfortunately, the dessert didn’t quite live up to the rest of the meal. The soufflé was just okay, with a flavor that was reminiscent of drinking wine but lacked the balance I was hoping for. Overall, La Forêt delivers an exceptional dining experience, especially with their entrées and service, though the dessert and pacing could use some improvements.

john wilkes

Google
Disappointing for the price ($500 for 2). I'd recently spent a week in Paris, hopping between bistros in the Marais, and was hoping to get some of that vibe here, too. But it was not to be: this felt like food from a few decades ago. As other low-scoringing reviewers have noted. the service was super friendly, and our waitress was the high spot in the evening. She was happy to switch some of the dishes around to avoid my seafood dislikes, and so we plumped for the 6-course tasting menu, plus a shared "tier 2" ($95) wine pairing. She was attentive and helpful - and dismayed when she found out that dishes were being dropped on our table with no more than "careful - the plates are hot" (they were indeed untouchable). But that wasn't enough to make up for the food. At this price level, I'd expect an amuse bouche or two - but no: we were brought some Veuve Cliquot champagne (all the pours were half glasses) and some underwhelming bread, and then left for several minutes until the first course arrived. That was tasty - but would have been good as course #3 or 4, not the first one: the heavy sauce overwhelmed the wine. Indeed, the wines were apaprently selected for their names - there was no attenmpt to explain why they might have been paired with the food. A slightly underwhelming butter-lettuce salad followed; this one got an description, but a couple of slices of radish was hardly worth the effort. The beef tartare course was the most subtle - although the meat was brown, and I couldn't detect any of the promised truffle. The elk was the high point: tender, bathed in a dark, rich sauce that the house style was well suited to. Australian rack of lamb was generous, but covered in a rich salty gravy, not a "natural jus", and accompanied by a brown rice thungy that was too salty to eat, a weirdly sweet carrot, and some slightly overcooked asparagus. (We were offered a replacement, but we decided that we didn't want to prolong things.) Dessert was a slice of chocolate tart, noticeable more for its weight than any subtlety. We were given a half-bottle of Pinot Noir ($31 at retail) to make up for things, but it wasn't enough. Other diners seemed to enjoy themselves. But we won't be back.

Keegan Sullivan

Google
I went out with a friend for a birthday dinner and we decided we wanted to try some fine dining. Some research led me to this location and we agreed to try it. Our meals were spectacular. Meats were cooked to perfection. Sides were presented amazingly and had taste to match. I’m not sure what I can really write to articulate our experience other than this spot would be a great date night spot, or for any special occasion. Have fun with it, dress up a bit. There is a decent chance I look to come back out here next time we visit the Bay Area.

april

Google
My first time having venison didn't disappoint..yummy ! The grilled shrimp appetizer was outstanding! I wanted to lick the plate. French 75 was mild and sweet the expresso martini was on point. The steak medallion dinner was very well seasoned and tender 😋 Cream brulee was very creamy and not too bad. Our waiter Alan was gave great recommendations and was very friendly. Looking forward to coming back and trying all the exotic meats they offer..
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Josselyn R.

Yelp
The most romantic restaurant I've been to in a while! When we first arrived, it didn't seem like such a great place as the restaurant is nestled in a residential area. Parking wasn't too bad considering we were there on a Friday evening. Once we checked-in, they showed us to our table (I had requested outdoor seating near a space heater) and this is when I was blown away by how cute this place is! It's placed right next to a creek and you can still hear the water flowing beneath you. The water isn't too close to you so you don't have to worry about mosquitoes which is nice. For our appetizer, we ordered the Tortellini La Foret, it was delicious! We instantly wanted more, and to be honest, their portions are kind of petite so we wished we had ordered more. Then we ordered our salads; I ordered the Salade Francaise, my husband ordered the Soup Du Jour and my best friend ordered the La Foret salad. All three of these were very tasty and well balanced. For our entrees, my husband and my best friend both ordered the Ribeye and I decided to try The Rack of Lamb... my goodness, was it delicious!! The red wine reduction sauce our dishes had complemented the meats perfectly. We all ordered medium rare and it was cooked to perfection. Hats off to the chef! My French 75 cocktail was delivered to me pretty quick and once I sipped it, I only wanted more. I wish I had taken his name down, but the older gentleman that walked us to our table had a great warm presence to him. Elondra, our server was very kind and attentive to our table and they were both friendly to us. I absolutely loved my dining experience. Thank you to the staff for making our evening special.
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Joellen C.

Yelp
Quite overpriced for what they offered. Definitely meets expectations but dishes were either a hit or a miss and even the hits lacked that extra umph in flavor, creativity, and cooking execution. Disappointing to spend this much when you could eat elsewhere and witness culinary art. Even the service here, although cordial, it lacked the Michelin esque of someone who craves fine dining. Dishes from best to least best -------- * Scallops appetizer (Sea Scallop, Light Saffron Herb Cream, Puff Pastry) - OH MY GOSH. The Scallops were cooked to perfection in tenderness. The Puff pastry was a little tough and not flaky not enough. The saffron herb cream sauce had hearty character and was such a clever but subtle savory blend. Could not get enough of this. Only 2 pieces but Best dish of the night. * Escargot - nicely done. Flavors were subtle but flavorful and well balanced. A hidden predictable hue. * El di mar - surprisingly a great smokey flavor. Seafood was cooked just ok. Good, one of the top entrees for what it was. Technically more enjoyable than the venison but the venison was definitely worth a try. * Elk - cooked to perfection. Great flavor highlighting the taste of elk as opposed to other flavor notes. Flavor was slightly better than the venison especially if you're not a sour cranberry sauce kind of person. However cook wise the meat was a bit tougher than I expected but still softer than the venison. Delicious mashed potatoes (that was a bit too heavily creamed but still delicious) to compliment the meat. The elk and the venison were both a close call but I think the Elk was done slightly better as a whole so I'd go with that. * Venison - was a bit turned off by the uneven cook. When I did get a bite of medium rare it was delicious but the other bites were quite tough and dry. The server even brought out a large steak knife for me to cut through whereas she said the other dishes were tender enough to not need a steak knife. The cranberry sauce was a bit too tart but if you only grab the cranberry fruits with the meat it was a good pairing. The wild rice hash was so bad I took one bite and couldn't finish the rest. Had a bad aftertaste. I wish I ordered this more rare than medium rare as the chef cooked it too tough on some portions of the rack. * Rack of lamb - not gamey. Cooked to perfection. I wish the flavor was a bit more unique in its pairings but still an excellent straightforward lamb cut with no sear. * Beef tartare - did not perfer this as much. Felt like it was puréed raw beef instead of finely chipping with spices. The accompanied bread was rock hard and it was not a great spread. Would not get again. * the desserts were so bad which was surprising for a French restaurant. I would not get these again but if you need to finish off a sweet note, then the sampler plate aka the I can't decide was perfect because it only gave you a tiny bite of each. The creme brulee was not as creamy or custardy the bruleed top didn't integrate with the custard and you could still taste the granular sugar that hadn't fully carmelized yet. The chocolate tart's crust was so hard that a spoon/fork couldn't break into it so the chocolate mousse part fell off as we were trying to dig into the crust. The cheesecake had such a different texture which was amazingly simple and light in its flavor if you line that kind of non sweetness. Overall there was no umph to any of it and the fruit were tart so it was probably more of just decor as opposed to intentional pairings. ---------- Overall a fun night out as the ambiance was beautiful but not "lavishly beautiful." There's still a long ways to go for this restaurant to be on the $$$$ tier but lack the finishing finishes of a true fine dining restaurant. Free parking lot in the back of the restaurant.
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Margaret B.

Yelp
I had an incredible experience here, all thanks to our server Sean, who was both attentive and knowledgeable. My partner and I visited on a Saturday night. We thought it would've been extremely busy so beforehand we requested for side-to-side seating since we would be able to hear each other talk better compared to sitting right across. When we entered, it wasn't really busy so we asked our hostess if they can move us to a nice quiet table next to the river. We were able to hear each other talk and even hear the water flowing through the river. Although it was a cold night, the heat lamps were enough to keep us warm. We honestly didn't want to order anything out of our ordinary nor did want to try something new that night so we didn't order from the course menu, just really here for the ambiance and experience. We ordered the ahi tuna as an appetizer which I honestly wish I ordered as a whole entree cause of how delicious it was. Everything served was quite delicious and made with love and delicate care which all that matters!
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Monica V.

Yelp
One of my favorite date night spots. I've eaten outside and inside..This time was outside and went around dusk. It was beautiful during the meal but be advised that the bugs come out quickly. During our meal, we had very kind servers trying their best with an area change. Our food got slightly delayed because servers didn't realize our table was added. The food itself was delicious. I usually get the ribeye and husband always gets the wild boar. Maybe one day he try something else but probably not. Till next date night.
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Deborah K.

Yelp
My husband and I have been fortunate enough to have dined at many amazing restaurants. This is the best meal we've had in our lives! We had the chefs tasting menu and the additional wine pairings. When you pull around the corner and park do not let the surrounding area throw you. It doesn't look like a street for a fine dining restaurant! The building is a historic building. It was a mining boarding house previously. Love the history. We also had fantastic service from Michael who was attentive and knowledgeable. After dining here nothing compares. Incredible!
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Diego G.

Yelp
A Lovely First French Dining Experience La Forêt was one of the first French restaurants I had the chance to try, and overall, it was a great experience. The ambiance was absolutely spectacular, even though we visited on a rainy day. We celebrated my wife's birthday here, and the staff went above and beyond--welcoming, attentive, and making us feel like part of the family. While the food was enjoyable, it didn't quite leave a lasting impression on me personally. That said, I'm still glad we got to experience it, and I can see why so many people love this place!
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Jamie B.

Yelp
Came here to celebrate my birthday. We made a reservation for a Friday night at 5pm. They require a credit card for a reservation as they are a nicer restaurant. They open at 5pm so when we were greeted and seated we basically had the restaurant to ourselves. Our host was very friendly and helped serve us a bottle of wine as well as open a bottle we brought with us. Corkage fee is $50/bottle which is a fair price if you're planning on doing a couple of glasses. We had the escargot, quail, boar, elk and a sampler of the desserts. We really enjoyed our time here. The staff is really nice and not snobby like you might expect. Parking is great and the bathroom is big and really clean! They even have a cute little bar area that you can do cocktails at. Overall it was a very romantic vibe and I would love to come back.

Brad C.

Yelp
Service was great and the dinning environment was great too. The food was meh. I am not even comparing to peer $$$ restaurants. * The bread - definitely not freshly baked, and I personally even prefer Trader Joe's bread. Yes, it is that bad. Not to mention the butter was rock hard * Sugar alert - their mocktail is tooo sweet. I didn't drink real wine because I had to drive * Ribeye - medium well tasted like well done. What is worse, they added too much salt and sauce. * The scallops were the only disk that was great * Prawns were ok, but not the highest grade shrimp and had cajun taste (from a French restaurant, btw I love boiling crab, and the same dish price can get you a full table of fresh and tasty shrimps!) Anyways, won't come back, very disappointed
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Elena N.

Yelp
4.5 STARS Date: Friday, September 6th, 2024 Time: 5pm Meal: Double Birthday Dinner Party of: 3 Reservations Made: via OpenTable about 2.5 weeks prior Tasting Menu 1 - Five Course ($115) *La Foret Salade *Tortellini La Foret *Quail *Tournedos of Beef Chanterelle *Creme Brulee Tasting Menu 2 - Six Course ($150) *Prawns Meuniere *Salade Francaise *Sea Scallops *Elk *Rack of Lamb *Chocolate Truffle Torte Tasting Menu 3 - Seven Course ($220) *Tsar Nicoulai Caviar *Beef Tartare *Ahi Tuna *Lobster Tail *Wild Boar *American Wagyu *Souffle Grand Marnier *Barrel Aged Manhattan ($19) *Jordan 2017 Cabernet Alexander Valley Bottle ($120) *Full Glass Bella Union 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon ($30) For my birthday this year, I was turning a very large increment of 5. I was originally going to do a solo dinner here, but my parents said they wanted to join, so we made it a family affair. Also, my Dad's American bday is the day after mine, so why not have a double celebration?! What I love about this spot is that they let you do different tasting menus. Most restaurants make everyone order the same thing, so it's awesome La Foret does not. We were able to try all three tastings. I'd say we tried about 80% of the menu because we did one of each. And they coursed it out really well. If I had to choose one tasting, I'd say the middle one is the best. The salad francaise was bright and fresh. The lamb was juicy and tasty. I actually enjoyed the torte, even tho I don't really care for chocolate. It was the best dessert out of the three. For the 7 course, I enjoyed the caviar and wagyu. The wagyu was not A5 obvi, but I don't like my steaks too fatty, so it was nice for me. Meaty, buttery, but still a slight chew. For the smallest menu, I think my fav was the quail. Nice flavor and texture. It's been a while since I've had quail. The menu reminded me of my dad's old french resto. He had buttery rich sauces which I don't see much any more. Overall, the dishes were pretty good. Most were a good portion and plated nicely. I did find most of the seafood heavy on the citrus. So there was a sour element to everything. To me, it overpowered the delicate seafood and sauces. The meat dishes all seemed to have a very similar brown sauce. I guess that would have been fine if we didn't order three different tastings. But it got a little repetitive since my fam shared everything. Dessert wise, the brulee was eggy and the souffle wasn't fluffy since it wasn't served in it's cooking vessel. A little bit of a bummer since these are two of my favorite desserts in general. Service was amazing. Our server was the sweetest. Friendly and attentive without being overly so. In fact, everyone was great. From the host to the sommelier. Made for a fun night. Although I'd give the food about 3-3.5 stars, the experience was lovely. And being able to order different tasting menus makes it a huge plus. So bumping up due to that. Definitely a nice place for a special occasion meal. REVIEW #3556
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Rachel F.

Yelp
Unfortunately very disappointed. Michelin prices without the Michelin experience. This restaurant has potential for an exquisite experience. The Occasion: We came to celebrate my partner's birthday. The experience: Upon arrival, 7:30pm, we were sat next to a table with a loud child. I requested to sit on the opposite side of the restaurant as we were hoping for a more intimate experience. The manager said, it would put us against a wall and suggested our current table. We selected the six course tasting menu with wine pairings. The pace of each plate and wine pairing was extremely slow. At the end of the meal we sat and waited . . and waited. We hadn't seen anyone in quite sometime. I had to go looking for our server or even a manager at that point to bring our check. The check: $768 - My partner and I left feeling very underwhelmed and disappointed.
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Lori W.

Yelp
Went here for my partner's birthday. We started with the tortellini app. He ordered the quail, and I ordered the veal. They also brought out a complimentary creme brûlée for his birthday and did not sing happy birthday, which he much appreciated lol The food was good but not outstanding for the price point. The ambience very nice and quiet, which made for easy conversation. The outside area looks like a little garden which added to the peaceful ambience. We were seated outside near a little stream, and the sound of trickling water was relaxing. There were some insects flying around but that's to be expected with outdoor seating and greenery surrounding you. It wasn't too bothersome but something to be aware of if you are sensitive to that. Service was very friendly and attentive. Parking was easy.

Yasmeen A.

Yelp
Everyone was so kind, always making sure we were comfortable and had everything we needed. It's truly such a beautiful atmosphere and the food was delicious. Definitely worth it especially for special occasions.
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Sheryl P.

Yelp
We went here back in August 2024 for our 13th year wedding anniversary and we have no regret. The food was sooo good. I been wanting escargot and I was so excited to eat it and was not disappointed. Like picture said we were happy with everything. It's such a cute place and intimate. Just a gorgeous restaurant. The service is amazing! Everything was just so good and perfect way to celebrate our wedding anniversary.
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Cam N.

Yelp
Date: February 8, 2025 Time: 7:30pm Party: 4 Reservation: Through OpenTable (1 week prior) I recently visited La Forêt for my grandmother's birthday. Here's how the evening went: Wait-time (2/5 stars): Our reservation was for 7:30pm, so we arrived early at 7:15pm to check in. Unfortunately, we didn't get seated until 7:55pm, which felt like a long wait. It was a bit frustrating, and my family and I even considered leaving. However, the servers were kind and offered us a complimentary drink--my grandmother enjoyed a glass of champagne as a nice gesture. Ambience (3.5/5 stars): The atmosphere was cozy and elegant, though a little dimmer than I expected. For the rest of my family, it was just right. Each table had beautiful flower arrangements and lamps, which added a lovely touch to the mood. The noise level was moderate--pleasant but not overly loud. Service (4/5 stars): Our server was friendly, attentive, and very knowledgeable about the menu. He described each dish in detail and gave thoughtful recommendations based on his favorites. He made sure our courses came out at the right times, ensuring all the dishes arrived together. We appreciated his efforts, though the meal did take about two hours, which felt a bit slow. Food (3.5/5 stars): We opted for the 5- and 6-course tasting menus, 2 of each, which offered a great variety of flavors. All the dishes were tasty and tender, though some leaned a bit on the salty side. The presentation was beautiful. Nothing that really blew me away. From the 6-course, the rack of lamb was the standout for my mom and me--it was perfectly cooked and flavorful. From the 5-course, the tournedos of beef with chanterelles was a favorite for my grandmother and sister, as it was more tender and less gamey than the other options. Both were excellent, though the rice served with the lamb was a bit too hard and salty for my taste. The desserts, particularly the chocolate truffle tart, were delicious, though it was a little firm towards the end of the night. Still, it was rich and creamy--a perfect finish to the meal. Portion Size & Pricing (3.5/5 stars): Portions were decently sized. Initially, I thought the portions might be too small, but by the time the entrees arrived, I was already quite full. The prices were reasonable for the quality of food. The 5-course tasting menu was $115, and the 6-course was $150--still pricey, but it felt worth it for a special occasion. Overall Experience (4/5 stars): Overall, La Forêt is a lovely spot with great French cuisine. It was a wonderful experience, even though the meal was a bit slower than expected. The service was excellent, and the servers were thoughtful and kind. If you're planning to visit, I'd recommend booking an earlier reservation to avoid a long wait time. Expect to spend around two hours enjoying the full experience. It's a great choice for special occasions!
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Valerie M.

Yelp
The ambiance is beautiful even despite being seated at a not great spot in a seemingly empty restaurant. The service was great however and our waiter made sure to explain every course to us, and check in consistently. For a multiple course meal a lot of these courses did not satisfy, the escargot was the only dish that I left feeling good about and I feel that is only because it was drenched in butter. I'm not sure if I see myself coming again.

Christabel H.

Yelp
The restaurant location is a bit out of the normal hustle and bustle. But it is charming. I have lived around the area for thirty something years and never been here! What a gem! My husband and I made reservations for our wedding anniversary dinner. We were seated at a cute little table,which was by a lovely window with a view of the trees and the creek. Our waiter, Alan, is very knowledgeable in the cocktails and was wonderfully funny. The tasting menus 2 and 3 were worth the price! Each course was its own entree! The scallops, prawns, elk, wild boar, American wagyu and rack of lamb were amazingly delicious. We will definitely return just to see Alan again!
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Bob N.

Yelp
I've eaten at La Foret a couple of times, and in my opinion it's a place that is living on it's reputation. The decor is dated and a little run down. The menu is classic French - no surprises. The food is very good, but I've yet to have a dish that really blew me away. Which brings us to the service. It is, in a word, terrible. It is very, very slow. On one visit, we wanted to get another round of drinks, and our waiter had disappeared. We flagged down another waiter, and he said he'd tell our waiter that we needed help. When our waiter returned several minutes later, he asked "How are you enjoying everything?" He clearly had not gotten the message. We gave him our drink orders, and by the time he returned, we'd finished our meals. The last time I was there, our waiter seemed annoyed when my friend had questions about the menu. La Foret isn't a BAD place... it's just not the really special place it pretends to be. And for the price, they should do a lot better.
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Amy V.

Yelp
AMAZING. From the ambiance and the view and the professionalism of the staff, everything was enjoyable. The only thing I was a bit confused about was that we had thought there was a dress code upon entry, but we saw a lot of people in casual wear and they weren't turned away. So I guess for a restaurant being upscale, they aren't too strict with your attire where they'll turn you away if you're not "dress to code." We had a fulfilling time in Alan's section, and he made recommendations I'm definitely glad I took the "risk" to try: VENISON! The scallops were so tender (I wish they were cooked a little bit more so that they had a bit of a crunch to it rather than having it soft/melt in your mouth). The prawns were delicious. And the sauce? Ohhhhhh the sauce... it tasted so good with seafood and with the protein dishes we had. I wish I had more. The venison (cooked medium-rare) was extremely moist and absolutely not gamey as you'd expect. The ribeye was superb (though I wish it was a bit less fattier) and so juicy. I LOVE dessert and couldn't decide which to get (and I still think about the deliciousness of it all to this day)... so we had the creme brulee, souffle, and chocolate torte. Do I regret my decision? ABSOLUTELY NOT. But I do wish they had a take out option where I can just order the desserts to enjoy :') Definitely a place for a "big" celebration, or just to try! You definitely won't regret anything.
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Tiffany M.

Yelp
Since this establishment describes itself as fine dining, I am going to be reviewing it based on such. My husband and I went during the the weekend after Valentine's Day, so they were still running their multiple course Valentine's Day meals. The place is stunning for sure, and the whole ambiance felt very classy. Our server was friendly as well. However, I have stars docked off because (1) The food really does not compare to other fine dining restaurants I've been to for its price, and (2) We stayed there for a total of 2.5 hours, which is a looong time... For the food, I actually had to stop eating the salmon ordered at one point because it was tasting a little too slimy to not trigger a gag reflex. I don't know if we just went on an off evening or what, but the food was not that impressive and this restaurant had one of the most ridiculous wait times ever for food to get to the table when the restaurant was not filled with customers. Not entirely sure if I would return again, as nice as the place was. I got some nice photos though !
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Gina L.

Yelp
La foret is my bestie favorite dating restaurant with her husband so she recommended it to me. I came here for celebrating my work buddy birthday. What i felt about this restaurant is Food 4/5 Service 3/5 Ambiance 3/5 The food here is absolutely delicious! From appetizers to desserts, this restaurant exceeded all our expectations. Only one dish I quiet doesn't like is tortellini la foret. My server of the night is very friendly and helpful. However, sometimes its hard to find her maybe she is too busy with other tables. The entire staff kinda ignore my table. We have to wait for our drink more than half an hour the food is more than an hour. Nobody came to our table for check in or refill water. It is very lacking of attentiveness. Ambience is alright. My table is very near to other table. And the family on other table keep staring at us the whole time and making us feel uncomfortable. All in all, i might give it a second chance for the food but I hope they improve more on the service.
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Alexa L.

Yelp
My boyfriend took me here for my birthday and everything was fantastic. I believe our server's name is Allan or Adam, but he was very friendly/helpful and even wished me a happy birthday once seated. We ordered the grilled Prawns Meunière, Tortellini La Foret, Pasta Fruit De Mer, Rack of Lamb, Caramel Custard, and Crème Brûlée and everything was well portioned and delicious! From the food, ambiance inside and outside, as well as the service, everything was great and I look forward to coming here again.

Lisa F.

Yelp
THANK YOU Alan and Sami for THE BEST fine dining experience I've ever had in the entire Bay Area!!! The venue and ambience were both super charming.... I felt like I was in a town in Europe This was a better experience than Village Pub. I've been to every Michelin restaurant in San Francisco, New York and many other major cities throughout the world, and I am VERY particular. Alan, our server delivered an immaculate experience. The prawns were absolutely decadent. We had two types of meat: Boar and Venison and they were insanely delicious!! The soufflé was WAY better than what I get at Gary Danko. You can tell that both Alan and Sami (the GM) live and breathe hospitality and do everything in their power to deliver a superior experience!!! YOU HAVE A NEW REGULAR....see you soon
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Valerie G.

Yelp
We went for our 37th Anniversary, special occassion. We arrived at 6:30, no wait, seated at a very nice table with a view . I love the atmosphere there wasn't a lot of people yet so it was very quiet. I had an appetizer, scallops w/ puff pastry and a shrimp salad for dinner and my husband had a seafood pasta dish. we enjoyed all the dishes but my husband noted the pasta seasoning / sauce was not quite what he expected, i tasted it and i didn't care for it. We will return and try different things.

Robin M.

Yelp
Oh what a night it was! We had a wonderful birthday celebration here last night for a very special friend. The restaurant was so so helpful in attending to our specific requests - table by the window, allowing us to bring in dessert, flowers and table decorations. The staff assisted us with the placement and the beauty. All attention is on detail here, from the exact placement of the napkins and aligning it with the menu, cutlery placed properly and those lovely lamps, which light in different colors. Beautiful Beautiful Beautiful. We started with a champagne toast, served so professionally by Alan (such a fun person) who took such great care of us ALL evening, constantly checking on us. He felt like part of our group. Among the group, we had the veal, salmon, lobster, lamb and elk. Everyone was so pleased with their choices. The starters of shrimp meneiure and the outstanding Le Feret salads were perfect. We also shared the very tasteful Escargot. We brought a cake with us w/o objection and Alan served it up nicely. A very, very special thanks to Sami, the Saint of all professionals in his field. He's managed the restaurant for over 40 years and he clearly loves his work and this business - it certainly shows. I called him several times, never being able to make up my mind about some of the details and he not once got annoyed with me. He ensured our requests were properly implemented once we arrives. He's a fantastic manager of the staff and the restaurant. Kudos over and over to him. Thank you for making this a wonderful evening, experience and a lot of fun. We'll be back Robin Evans
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Miami S.

Yelp
Be prepared to be impressed. The service was impeccable. The prices were to be expected to an outstanding restaurant of this calibre. Great waiters. Wonderful menu. We are certain there are dozens and dozens of five star reviews for this amazing restaurant. Recently dined there with another couple and were highly impressed with every aspect of the meal. Yes, tres cher.

Rachel S.

Yelp
My husband and I have been going to La Foret for over 25 years. The food and service had always been good. Except 6/21/25. We had a 5:00 reservation and sat outside. We were given water immediately, but it was almost 10 minutes until a waiter approached us. He was extremely nice and knowledgeable, and we got our first round of drinks, but after taking our order, which we ordered wine to accompany, we did not see him again. The food came and was delicious as always, but we did not receive our wine with the meal, and no one checked in on us, except to take our plates when we finished. Although the meal was delicious, we finally had to flag someone down to cancel the wine order and bring the check. Sadly, I wonder how long we would have sat there if we were shy. Definitely a bummer as it has always been our go to "special place."

C B.

Yelp
Visited La Foret for a special occasion and savored the lamb chop dinner. The ambiance and customer service were excellent. Housed in a beautifully preserved historic building, this quaint and romantic restaurant sits in a scenic area steeped in local history.
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Ron K.

Yelp
The ambiance at this restaurant is fantastic. It gives you the feeling of fine dining. The food is awesome and a great selection. I have dined here since 1969. Plenty of parking The staff is professional, knowledgeable and their recommendations are the best.
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Kay O.

Yelp
I will have to update this review later, but the server we had was the same server. My parents had on their anniversary night, and she was simply wonderful! Very understanding of my teenager son, who was semi bored out of his mind, but loved the menu!! Ambience felt really home and cozy and the food Was so flavorful I literally am salivating just thinking about it! I would also say that the seafood platters were beautifully presented, and the scallops I had tasted like butter! My son was not into the escargot. He said it tasted too grainy, or like a chewy pear, but the garlic butter herb sauce was simply divine with bread!! Also the area in which this restaurant is is gorgeous!! Beautiful, hiking grounds nearby, that I've actually hiked at and had no idea this restaurant even existed! I will definitely be back here again! There was also an array of different types of meats and seafoods for my carnivore family to enjoy! Sadly, my brother could only eat the mushroom ravioli since he's vegetarian. My mom and I are both pescatarian, so we quite enjoyed ourselves to see the least!
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Priscilla R.

Yelp
I absolutely love La Foret, it has become a staple for my family! We have celebrated countless accomplishments, birthdays, graduations, etc... and it has never disappointed. The food is always fenomenal! We have tried almost everything on the menu, including the tasting menu, which comes with multiple course. Everything is great! They have amazing drink options, and the bar can always make special requests. Desserts are also a must try, you really can't go wrong here. The service is amazing, I've only ever had pleasant exchanges with employees. Ambiance is also great, it's lively, friendly, and comfortable. There is a big parking lot in front of the restaurant, so parking shouldn't be an issue. There is indoor and outdoor seating, both options are great! Overall, I can not recommend this place enough!! Love it
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Kim L.

Yelp
I made a reservation at La Foret to try out the restaurant and celebrate our anniversary. We went for a late Wednesday night dinner which was not a very busy evening. It's located in the quaint Almaden foothills and is situated in a quiet area. After scanning through the menu and hearing their daily specials, we decided to move forward with the six course tasting menu, which came highly rated from our server, along with a tuna starter to share. We also got a suggestion to pair a Bordeaux with our meal rather than going through the wine pairing. Overall, the tasting menu is well balanced, nicely presented, and tasted great. Our server was wonderful all evening and a highlight of our evening. I would agree that La Foret is fine dining, though not terribly French. I would say it's upscale dining with a focus on local, California foods and fine detail. I would love to return to try some of their other items on the menu as we knew wanted to try more but simply couldn't fit it all in one meal.
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Michael J.

Yelp
We enjoyed a pleasant dinner here last Saturday night, the 18th. Food was delicious, especially the American Wagyu and Prawns Meuniere. Service was professional and solicitous. We were seated at a scenic window table overlooking the patio and creek.
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Kayvan S.

Yelp
Nice romantic dinner. Good food. A bit expensive but worth it. My wife and I enjoyed the food and ambiance
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Yoko O.

Yelp
My BF took me to La Foret for my birthday dinner. We did 7-course tasting menu. I would give "B" for over all experience. The place is very charming, especially with Christmas decorations. Our server did not provide any insight or recommendation how to go about food. The food itself, each component was very nicely cooked (perfectly poached lobster, perfectly cooked filet, nicely cooked wild boar). But everything was over sauced, over seasoned (frankly too much salt), and very heavy. Playing and presentation was lacking. A little thing like saucing the steak at table side or smaller plate for caviar (only two blinis on a large plate) would have elevated the entire experience.
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Leon L.

Yelp
Excellent place for a date night! The servers were incredibly quick to respond to any requests and the desserts were just the right touch of sweetness. I will coming back here for occasions to come.
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Wei Bing K.

Yelp
Food was delicious but for the most part I didn't get to enjoy it for reasons I will detail below. The cuisine seemed to be a fairly classic French style cuisine. The wine pairing seemed good. The tasting menu is well curated and the courses were well thought out with a good variety of game meat, seafood and wagyu steak. Wife took me here for my birthday yesterday and there was a big event in the patio and that might have caused the venue to be overbooked. When we came in there was already a table seated to our left that had 6 people and they were clearly already a little drunk. They were projecting their voices the entire night and the dining hall was too compact and their voices reverberated through the space. About 4 courses in, the table to our right left and is replaced by 9 drunker and louder people. The noise was so unbearable, my wife started to get a headache and I'm starting to lose my hearing exposed to that kind of noise level. We had to rush through our main courses because we didn't want to be there anymore. Literally did not care what it tasted like at that point. We were ready to go. The wait staff noticed that we were just not having a good time. They can tell the noise level was too much and moved us to the cocktail lounge area and it was infinitely better. But as it happened the drunk people from the first table came out and started harassing us saying we were in their picture that they were trying to take with their Christmas tree. All while we were still enjoying our dessert. Mind you they were absolutely impolite. No "excuse me can you move so we can take picture". They accosted us like they were the center of the universe. I've never seen such rude patrons before. Either way we ignored them and continued our final course. The service manager of the establishment felt terrible for our time there and comped us a bottle of wine. I think they felt truly sorry for our ordeal. Their wait staff is the only bright spot of the night and I'm usually good with names but I couldn't really hear a thing when they introduced themselves. Not sure what else they could have done but maybe space out the tables better and maybe stop serving alcohol to rowdy people.
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Karen R.

Yelp
Everything I've ever had here is amazing although the scallops are my favorite as they're always cooked too perfection. The ambience is pleasant and it's really nice to sit outside with the creek noise in the background.
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Bebe D'hala D.

Yelp
Food was .... Between a 5-7 out of ten. Appetizers are very small and almost like tapas size for around 20$ per a plate. Your view is creek ? Service was basic . The manager was nice. We ordered 5 dishes , they were all meh, the scallops did not smell or taste fresh at all. The asparagus soup with the best thing on the menu next to the mushroom ravioli . Everything else unfortunately, easily forgettable . Drinks were all 20-25$ for very simple drinks. I was extremely, underwhelmed. We ordered 5 appetizers and 2 drinks my bill was 225 with tip. Will most likley Not everyone back. Spend your money else where . Unless being underwhelmed and leaving hungry after 185$. Also decor is ancient
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Alyssa D.

Yelp
Let me start by saying that the 2 stars are for the food, not the service. Service was great and everyone was very professional and friendly. The place was beautiful, surrounded by trees and had a great vibe. However, the corner that we were seated at had a spiderweb + a spider, seems like it has not been dusted for a while. Tortellini came out way too fast- within 2 minutes of us ordering. The sauce tasted of burnt garlic and the pasta was dry and hard. We also ordered the pasta fruit de mer as well as the wild boar. The pasta- best part was the shrimp, it was well seasoned & cooked. The scallop was huge but was bland while the pasta itself was just heavily seasoned. The sauce, like the tortellini, tasted of burnt garlic. The wild boar- ordered medium rare but received it more well- done. It was the better tasting element of the night but the roasted garlic sauce on the plate also tasted of burnt. It was very nice of the restaurant to give me a plate of sampler dessert for my birthday- super sweet and I appreciated it! Unfortunately, overall it was very disappointing. It was definitely overpriced for the experience and personally won't recommend to friends and family.
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Amirhossein G.

Yelp
Food was good, service was great. I would definitely come back. The ambiance is good too. Different sitting rooms with different vibes.
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Evangeline L.

Yelp
Very charming and historic place. Food is quite expensive for what it is but the vibes here are really cute. Service is also amazing. Be prepared to drop a pretty penny if you dine here. I feel like there are better restaurants for the price point but it would still be a great dinner if you're into exotic meats. I'd really only go back for the ambiance if I had to go again. Their outdoor patio is so charming

Matthew V.

Yelp
Never been before. It was my Wife and I anniversary. We went with the 7 course dinner with wine pairing. Had some questions about the wine selection and got the ole "you're not educated enough to choose which wines we pair with the food" vibe from the waiter Alan. Mind you I am a second level Sommelier and used to be a manager at Pebble beach. One advice is never assume your customer. If I want to drink red with fish then that's my choice I'm freaking paying for it. Your recommendation is appreciated but I'm not paying damn near a grand for dinner for two to be insulted. Those days are over sorry to say. The day of the smug waiter and French style pretentious dining experience is coming to a slow death. The food was great I'll give them that. And as expected for a French style restaurant the sauces were on point. The pace was great until the main steak entree it seem to take awhile between the fish course and steak course which actually was a good thing because we realized how full we were getting. Going back to the start we sat at the bar. My wife ordered a glass of champagne and I ordered a whiskey sour. By the time I got my drink my wife's champagne nearly lost All the bubbles. Not busy at that time. We were the only two sitting there at the small bar with I'm assuming a bar back and bartender. Not a good start to the evening but it's ok. I understand. But what really sent me away disappointed was the fact that the busser just threw boxes at us when asked to box our last entee cause we could not finish. Like I'm paying $900 on this dinner your asses can't box my food for me? Alan the server was ok. Didn't care for him trying to educate me on my wine selection like it would a stupid choice to change things up because we liked other wines more than others. My wife and I went there last week or so. This week we went to Be.Steak.A. And sorry but Be.Steak blew this place away at a quarter of the price. In fact they boxed our meals and gave us a number tag to pick up at the host stand on our way out. "So we don't have to carry it around with us". Very classy touch. Price is never an issue for me. It's the experience. Coming from club 19 in pebble beach, Pacifics edge at the highlands, French laundry. I was hoping La Foret would be a bit more on par with that. When your server is in a full tuxedo YOU EXPECT THEM TO AT LEAST BOX YOUR LEFT OVERS FOR YOU INSTEAD OF JUST TOSSING YOU A COUPLE BOXES TO BOX YOUR OWN AT THE END LIKE TELLING YOUR DATE THE MONEY IS ON THE TABLE. All in all good was great. Service was dated and lacked the small touches. I always tip very well. AND I KNOW FINE DINING both being a consumer and working in the industry for 18 plus years. I've worked my way up from busser to waiter to craft cocktail bartender to food and beverage manager for very high end places. Don't ever assume your guest has no idea. Anyone reading this hopefully your experience is on par with the amount of money you're going to leave at this place. Give Be.Steak.A in Campbell a shot. You might be really surprised in the differences in the small details of service. Amazing food, the chef actually came out and talked to us. Nice touch.

Phillip T.

Yelp
Amazing services and food, can't ask for more from the restaurant. I really enjoy not only the food but also just being there with love ones

Thomas W.

Yelp
Amazing atmosphere and service and excellent food. Everything is top notch: greeters, food, atmosphere, and service. We have been dining at La Foret for at least 40 years.

Eva O.

Yelp
We chose this restaurant to celebrate my partner's birthday last week (5/7/25) and we were very disappointed with the customer service here. The bad service was from the host/waiter. An older man who was extremely rude and gave us very different treatment from the other parties there. He checked on every table upstairs and downstairs except for us, it started to get very chilly at night and we noticed he turned on everyone's heater outside except for ours. By the time he came to check on us we were already done with our meals. He asked if we never got cold.. I explain that we were definitely very cold but no one ever came to check if we wanted the heater on except 10min ago when we were already done with our dinner, he then says very rudely "I passed you guys 3x you could've asked me to turn it on then!" He only PASSED our table to get to the other parties there but never stopped at our table. Overall, very terrible and slow service, for the price they should definitely do better.
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Tim W.

Yelp
Our first foray to this venue. As noted it is tucked away in the outer reaches of Alamaden Valley in South San Jose, so trust the map algorithm and keep driving. The restaurant itself boasts that the building is historically the first two-story hotel ever built in California, circa 1848. The resulting ambiance is rustic, charming, quietly overlooking a verdant creek. The vibe is decidedly old-school, in a charming way that my wife fell in love with. Business casual dress code clearly stated on website (which may or may not be stringently enforced), and entree selections like Bison, Wild Boar, and Elk amongst more traditional options. I tried the Bison, my wife had the tuna. Both were wonderful (photos below), as were the escargot and salad before them. Topped off with a Soufflé Grand Marnier and Amaretto Cheesecake. And throughout the evening, service did a wonderful job of providing informed service, tips, and favorites without crossing the line to imposing or pushy. Just the perfect note. In warmer weather, perhaps we'd try the creekside, lower patio outdoor seating. But we will definitely return. Worth the drive, excellent food, great service, restful and peaceful vibe. Check them out if you haven't already.

April W.

Yelp
My first time having venison didn't disappoint..yummy ! The grilled shrimp appetizer was outstanding! I wanted to luck the plate. French 75 was mild and sweet the expresso martini was on point. The steak medallion dinner was very well seasoned and tender Cream brulee was very creamy and not too bad. Our waiter Alan was gave great recommendations and was very friendly. Looking forward to coming back and trying all the exotic meats they offer..

Steve R.

Yelp
La Foret has been on my list to try for years. For some reason it just never happened until yesterday. The food was amazing. Our wait staff was great, accommodating and attentive. It overall was a great experience. Nothing is ever perfect, but the only knock I could give was that our water glasses got empty a few times.
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Susan C.

Yelp
Special birthday dinner for my husband. We always wanted to try this place and finally celebrated with family to share the experience. The service was spot on and the atmosphere is wonderful. Located deep in Almaden Valley, so just follow your GPS and go with the flow. The restaurant was beautiful, the food was fantastic. The building is a historical hotel the first two story level built sometime in the 1840's. We had the escargot, cream of mushroom soup, torellini la foret, prawns meniure, rib eye and rack of lamb. Everything was very good and it was a wonderful experience. We'll be back for another celebration.