419 Cold Canyon Rd. Bet Mulholland and Piuma Rd. 818/222-3888
I felt like I should have been smoking a cigar and slapping someone's back in this place, but you can't beat the service and the food WAS good even though they offer things like Ostrich, and well, everything except Squirrel (perhaps just not the night we were there). It's a valet/reservations/dress up situation, and prepare to be stripped of your savings -- it's about $50 a person.
The location is beautiful -- it was really a lodge dating back, well, a long time, and before you go, if you haven't seen it, you must go to the top and outside where you can see the stars shine bright and experience the natural surroundings into which the building was raised. You can actually feel the building built into the mountain as you climb the stairs. The downstairs is dark and foreboding, with a big cheesy weird Slab-o-Tree table at the center of the bar, where you can't really lay anything down (so don't if you value your nice dress).
The second story, where we ate, is like a library from a Brit visiting India -- books encased in the walls, manly wickery/bambooey furniture...
I had a really good salad, but for $9.75, you would think they could CUT the lettuce up. It's called "Hearts of Romaine", and they serve one large slab of it, with some delicious romano cheese sliced paper thin over the top. The caesar-like dressing was great too, but when the server left the table my Sibling and I shot each other a look and began laughing at the uncut slab. Other appetizers: Dungeness Crab-Filled Mushrooms ($10.75), Pasta of the Evening ($9.75), Homemade Country Style Game Pate (made with venison and duckling...)($9.75), and Grilled Quail ($10.75).
The entrees, as I scanned the menu: Saddle Peak Duckling, marinated in honey, sherry, ginger and soy iwth rice griddle cakes and black currant jam ($25.75), Arries Ranch Ostrich (sauteed, $28.50), "The Game Plate" (daily choice of game, $39.75 -- for this save an animal and go buy a new pair of pants at the Gap or something), Medallions of Venison (seared and $29.75), Tenderloin of Buffalo ($34.75)...and, then I stopped looking and ordered the salmon (cooked in a paper bag, and it works, $22.75), as did The Sibling. The serving was HUGE and quite excellent. They also serve Trout ($19.75) and Seared Scallops with Braised Belgian Endive ($22.75).
Steven ordered Filet of Beef (pan seared with cracked peppercorn sauce, $29.50). He sang its praises. It was a large hunk of meat. The veggies and round potato ball thingies were great.
The Paternal Unit ordered the #2 most offensive food item to me - Wisconsin Veal Chop ($29.75)(#1 will always be lobster -- gads, I couldn't do that to my worst enemy). He reported that this monstrosity was wonderful, served with creamy scalloped potatoes and wild mushrooms. But it was still a baby cow, kids.
Most hilarious menu item: Saddle Peak Kick-Ass Chili with homemade corn bread and all the trimmings. $16.50 -- very cool. Other Stern Meat Eating Choices: Flying Bar-E Ranch Pork Roast ($21.75), Prime New York Steak ($28.75).
Dessert was worth the visit. They have quite a tempting dessert menu: Creme Brulee ($6.75), Chocolate Taco with White Chocolate Mousse and Mixed Berries ($8.50), Poached Pear with Crimson Raspberry Sauce ($7.75 Our pick: the EXCELLENT chocolate souffle (order at the start of the meal because it takes 20 minutes to make) with a side of whipped cream and chocolate sauce. Don't skimp. It's so tempting that my father, who ordered the Apricot Souffle (never heard of it, but it was good!), began pouring the chocolate sauce into his newly-burrowed apricot-y bowl. The server ran over in a panic and practically bellowed "Sir! You'll overpower the taste of the apricot!" (NO! Emergency! Code Red!) My father shot the guy the appropriate "Is my hair on fire?" look, then proceeded with his choc-apricot doings. The terrified host crept away in horror. We were left laughing like a pack of hyaenas over a carcass. How appropriate.
If the idea of seeing a good friend or relative eat some formerly small, cute, furry friend, bag it (so to speak) and go to the Inn of the Seventh Ray instead. Unfortunately the folks at Saddle Peak won't let you just drop by for a dessert or slab o' salad and dessert, so...