Lately I’ve been in the mood for fish
– lots and lots of fish. A couple of nights ago was no exception
as my husband and I journeyed toward the outskirts of Hollister to
The Cedar House for a quiet dinner.
Lately I’ve been in the mood for fish – lots and lots of fish. A couple of nights ago was no exception as my husband and I journeyed toward the outskirts of Hollister to The Cedar House for a quiet dinner.
We were seated at an intimate table for two nestled in a peculiar bay window with a picturesque view of the soft, rolling hills that surround Highway 156. A warm glow radiated from behind the mountains as the sun slowly faded behind them, setting a romantic mood.
After placing our drink order, our waiter was quick to return with our two iced teas as well as a basket of fresh-baked bread with butter, and a complimentary antipasto tray of fresh mozzarella and pepper jack cheese, fire-roasted red bell peppers, marinated sweet peppers and artichoke hearts, fresh melon and salami.
The tray made for a nice, light first course. I particularly enjoyed the fresh mozzarella and the bell peppers while my husband snacked on the warm bread and sampled the meats.
Salads, veal, chicken, pork, pasta and a large selection of beef steaks were listed on the dinner menu. Entrees ranged from about $15 for a Caesar salad with either chicken or shrimp to more than $30 for a large steak or lobster. I decided on the mixed grill of halibut, salmon and shrimp that was accompanied by wilted spinach and two-potato hash ($19). My husband, who usually orders a steak, surprised me by choosing the prawn fettuccini in a garlic cream sauce ($17).
We decided not to order an appetizer but to add soup and salad to our entrees for an additional $6 and $4, respectively.
As it turned out, we were both in the mood for fish. My husband’s cup of seafood bisque was wonderfully creamy and delicately flavored, and he ate every last drop. The house side salad included halved cherry tomatoes, cucumber and carrots on a bed of mixed greens. I asked for vinaigrette dressing on the side and no carrots (my husband says that I’m a waiter’s worst nightmare). But the salad arrives just as I ordered, and it’s crisp and tasty.
Just as we finished our soup and salad, our main course arrived. The presentation made our meals almost too pretty to eat. My mixed grill was vertically arranged on a mound of wilted spinach flecked with minced garlic – I asked to substitute extra spinach in place of the side of the potatoes that usually accompanies the meal.
Two sauces, one light and one dark, mingled on both sides of the line of fish. The halibut tasted as though it were marinated in the darker sauce, similar to soy sauce. The white sauce was a little rich for my taste and I wish I would have known to ask for it on the side, but the menu didn’t specify that sauces would accompany the meal.
The fish, however, was delicious. The salmon was moist and tender, as was the halibut. Two large shrimp were perfectly grilled, and the spinach was excellent. This meal definitely satisfied my craving for seafood.
My husband’s meal, fettuccine with shrimp in a garlic cream sauce, arrived in a huge bowl and was sprinkled with fresh minced herbs. The thick white sauce thoroughly coated every noodle and complimented the delicate flavor of the shrimp. We both couldn’t finish our meals, and our food was promptly wrapped up by a busboy for us to take home.
Throughout dinner, our attentive waiter refilled our drinks without being asked, and he checked in on us in an unobtrusive fashion. He even got my order right without writing it down, which included a few substitutions and omissions.
We were too stuffed to order dessert, which included several varieties of chocolate cake, fresh-baked fruit pies and ice cream. On a previous visit, I indulged in the creme brulee – a smooth, creamy custard served in a sizable ramekin and topped with caramelized sugar that gave each taste a pleasant mouth feel of smooth and silky perfection.
The Cedar House is a great choice for date night. The ambiance is inviting, the wait staff are friendly and attentive, and the menu and dessert list are appetizing. It is a great place to splurge a bit and enjoy each other’s company.
Linda Vista enjoys restaurants with healthy menu choices and nice views. To comment, email [email protected].
