Talk about an experience. We decided to try this place out for a friend's birthday and were able to get reservations pretty easily a few days prior. We had no idea a restaurant like this was out in Woodside. The unassuming cabin led to a rustic bar, which then led into a greenhouse room, surrounded by redwoods. Our friend and our toddler loved the views. Food itself was fantastic, everything was very well prepared and there were plenty of vegetarian options as well. I had the quail as a starter and the venison, as my entree. The quail was very well, seasoned and well cooked with very juicy and tender and flavorful meat. The crust was perfectly crispy and was flavorful as well. The venison did not taste gamey at all and was melt in your mouth tender, i really enjoyed this dish. Finally, I had the panna cotta as a dessert, which we confirmed with the restaurant was vegetarian without gelatin. Very light panna cotta without being too cloyingly sweet.I really enjoyed this one too. Everyone else really enjoyed their meals as well. And had nothing but good things to say. If you are looking for a unique restaurant for a special occasion, I would highly recommend this place. read more

See all

Been here five times. My issue is consistency. 1. Person poured my soup and left 1/4 of it in carafe - I was too shy to say anything but it was disappointing. 2. I always order the potato and leak soup. My gosh, this last time had way too much pepper. Way too much. Consistency. 3. Service was slow and sub par over last time. Consistency. I think for the price and type of restaurant, they need to do better at consistency. I'm guessing the staff has been there a while based on the type and location of restaurant. read more

Mediocre come to mind... the setting: the redwoods are dramatic, the interior has some charm but is also tired. The service: not good. The assistant waiter came to offer bread. I said " no thank you, no bread please" he then turned to my husband and asked "sir would you like some bread?'. I felt more than disrespected, it was rude the way he said it. The food: mediocre/B+. I HATE a pre fix menu, especially in a place like this. Get over yourselves- you are not pre fix material. I had the beet salad, my husband had the butter lettuce- the salads were fine but nothing wow. The mains: he had the pork chop, basically a high end schnitzel. I had the trout which was more like salmon. Again- it was fine but nothing to write home about. The desert: my husband had the pistachio cake (tiny piece) with what I like to call "lard" frosting (buttercream). That was a C+. I had the chocolate caramel torte (also tiny). It was a tasty little hockey puck. I struggled to eat it, a large steak knife would have helped. It was delicious but VERY hard to eat. The prices are very high for what you get. read more

Came here for the first time and it did not disappoint! First all, I love how remote the location is. Right in the woods over by Skyline so it makes the drive quite fun. Just look at the restaurant inside. It just surrounded by trees which makes it so warm and cozy. Such an intimate vibe that feels like you are in another world. We got the three course prix fixe which was delicious! Started off with the pan seared scallops and the Texas quail. The scallops were perfection honestly. It was very light and buttery at the same time. I honestly was close to ordering another one of them because it really hit the spot. The texas quail was very interesting, but the salad that came with this dish was the star. It paired really well with the quail. For entree, we got the grilled venison loin and their off menu special which was the 16oz New York Steak. The venison was amazing. It was medium rare and it was just so smooth when you cut into it. It mixed so well with that vanilla parsnip puree that was included. The New York steak was also just so good I could not stop eating it. The best thing was also the mushrooms that they actually forage here in the area. It was just another added bonus to the dish! For dessert, I got the panna cotta and their off menu dessert, the German chocolate cake. Just devine! The panna cotta was the best way to end the course. I left wanting more! And that chocolate cake, WOW. Just so rich and decadent. Service was amazing and each staff was so friendly and attentive. Tip: Parking can be difficult. You may be able to park in their small parking lot or may have to park across the street right on Skyline. read more

See all

A reward for relocation to new job, I made my way to Mountain House. Casual atmosphere, jeans clad attentive, cheerful servers from the host to runners. Very good service! First course of Quail was delightful! Crunchy and juicy. Lovely balance of flavors. The pork chop was dressed in a colorful mix of fresh veg. Both portions so plentiful I took half each home to enjoy. The only negative to the entire experience was the salted caramel desert. It was hard as a rock. Challenging to even cut a piece. I asked for a knife, and finally gave up and scraped off the chocolate ganache and left the rest behind. Overall, I would definitely return and try the Italian pistachio cake. Service was wonderful! Food on point! Well done. read more

When in the world did this place exist! I never even heard of it until my friend had her wedding there and I'm so glad she did! What a hidden gem. The best wedding food ever! Then my friend told me the chefs are ex Michelin chefs! What?! No wonder. The lobster roll and scallop blew my mind. Better than any I've ever had. And you can tell they know how to cook when the sourdough is made to perfection with the crunchy fall apart exterior and the soft chewy inside. Not to mention it's out in the wilderness so it's such a peaceful way to enjoy life. I will say getting there was a pain! I did not anticipate such a crazy windy drive. But I would suffer again because the whole experience was magical! read more

See all

This review is long overdue but I am still thinking about how incredible our experience was at mountain house. The restaurant is beautiful, the food was presented beautifully and tasted even better, and the service was phenomenal. We were celebrating our anniversary and our host and waiters went above and beyond in making us feel special. I especially appreciated that not only were there vegetarian options for each course, but the vegetarian options were actually delicious and unique! I find so often at nicer establishments like this one, the vegetarian alternatives are underwhelming, if they exist at all. Would highly recommend to anyone looking to celebrate or just enjoy a lovely meal! read more

The Mountain House - Summer squash soup - New American Near Me - Woodside, California

See all

We arrived to the restaurant about 20 minutes before our reservation and had to park right off the road as the parking lot was full. I dropped my wife off and parked. My wife was seated in the bar area and I walked in about 5 minutes later. We waited another 10 minutes and the woman who seated my wife came around and we order drinks. We got our drinks and another 5 minutes or so we were escorted to out table. My place setting was with my back towards the rest of the restaurant. I asked to be seated so the I could face outward. The person who seated us went over the menu and we mentioned the 5 course meal and she said our server would go over that with us. We waited about 10 minutes and finally we're served water. Another five minutes went by and someone who seemed to be the manager came by and we mentioned that we hadn't seen our server. He apologized and let us know about the specials. We asked for the 5 course pairing meal but we were told that they were transitioning to a different menu and only the 3 course was available. Our order was taken and my wife asked for a wine to pair with the main course. That wine was very good. We received each course in a timely fashion and i think our server finally came by after about 45 minutes. When we received our bill I noticed an added charge of a food item we received but did not request. The server did take it off the bill and I left a tip that was less than I normally would. Overall the food was excellent, the wait staff was very good, but the server was less than stellar for a high end restaurant. By the way we did speak with the server when they brought the revised check and she stumbled around for an explanation for the lack of quality service. read more

The view was amazing, I really liked the quail and how it went with the salad. It wasn't too heavy and not too light. I got medium rare (not a steak connoisseur but it was one of the top steaks I've had.) The portions were a good amount and I wasn't able to finish it all so I took some home. My boyfriend got the pistachio cake and I liked how it had a nice light nutty flavor. read more

See all

Amazing food always hits right. cocktails mixed to perfection, staff friendlier than a Disney greeter and don't get me started on the views!! read more

The Mountain House - Always on point!! - New American Near Me - Woodside, California

A really lovely experience. They have taken an old restaurant and completely reimagined it. You enter a small bar area beautifully decorated as a a cozy rural enclave with a fireplace and a row of antlers lining the ceiling. It looks like a locals bar with an upscale twist. The dining area in the back is a glass enclosed atrium showcasing the redwoods and the outdoor area. It was foggy the evening we visited but the back was quite visible and beautiful. Staff and service very friendly and accommodating without pretension. I feel like the dinner was so well priced for a prix fixe meal of this caliber. $92.00 for three courses with bread and chef treats as an appetizer and dessert add on made for a really fun evening. The ahi appetizer was delicious and a very large portion and the trout was beautifully seared with cubed vegetables and almond garnish. Owner has really done a great job in all aspects and highly recommend read more

The Mountain House is a restaurant that takes you back in time to a peaceful, tranquil setting in the forest among towering trees. It's a short 25 minute drive from Half Moon Bay to a place far different than the waves and sand below it. Set in the forest it makes its name with excellent service, a rustic environment, and food offerings of superior quality. We throughly enjoyed our cocktails, the bread with whipped butter that we absolutely loved, and a prefixed menu with options that we really found enjoyable. The quail - amazing as well as the heirloom tomato Burrata salad. The salmon, very nice and they kept the skin on at our request. The Venison, nicely done, great reduction sauce. The rib eye unfortunately was the only miss here as it didn't seem like a good cut or quality piece with far too much fat. The dessert was excellent, and we loved so many parts of this experience. read more

See all

Truly a magical wilderness experience. I felt like I was in a cottage in the woods but so in a castle at the same time. The dinning room was beautiful. When i went it was foggy so it felt like a bob ross painting. Overall I really enjoyed it. The food was also good. I had the vegetarian pasta option. The stew was a bit too smoky for me. Definitely a great date spot. Parking lot was good. Easy to find parking read more

See all

Having been here a few times, I can say the experience is consistently really good, mostly because the food is phenomenal when cooked correctly. Service can be hit or miss, its been a recurring theme usually a few things are forgotten and the servers need a gentle reminder that things are missing. Also some tables get checked on more frequently/often than where I have sat. Inside it can be loud the tables are close and some groups are louder than others, so it can be challenging to hold a conversation at times. The food is good, just seem to have difficulty doing a medium-well steak. read more

See all

Destination restaurant great for special occasions. Beautiful setting, attentive service and lovely ambiance makes the food taste even better. Love the special extras such as the amuse bouche, extra birthday dessett and parting sweets. Sourdough bread was fresh and delicious. Scallops were excellent and loved the flavor combinations. The mains (we had pork chop, short rib and butternut mushroom pasta) were flavorful and generous. The dessets (chocolate bombe, pistachio cake and cheese course) were lovely endings to a great meal. read more

See all

The Mountain House Review - 3/5 I'd give The Mountain House three stars overall. First, the setting is absolutely stunning. On a rainy day, the whole place feels even more magical--especially the glass house area. The ambiance is top-tier and honestly perfect for a date. It's one of those places where the environment alone already creates a memorable experience. That said, I'm not sure I loved the three-course fixed menu. The first course (Texas quail ) was actually very good--cleanly prepared, not too many bones, and easy to enjoy. That was probably the highlight for me. For the second course, I had higher expectations for the trout. Unfortunately, it wasn't handled as well as I hoped. There was still a noticeable fishy smell that the butter didn't fully mask, and the texture was slightly overcooked, making the fish a bit tough. As for dessert, I was really looking forward to it, but the chocolate tart ended up being too heavy. The caramel was overpowering and made the whole dish feel a bit overwhelming. On the other hand, the panna cotta was actually quite nice--much more balanced and enjoyable. Overall, I'd say come for the atmosphere, especially for a romantic setting, but be a bit selective with what you order. read more

This was the very last spot my husband and I had a date night at, when I was 9 months pregnant, before we had our baby. It was definitely a great date night spot, ambiance wise. Parking was a bit odd/tricky as the lot was really full and it was a bit hard to navigate and see properly. Food wise, I had the endive & pear salad, chestnut & tagliatelle pasta, and pistachio cake for dessert. The salad was good, the pasta was so incredibly salty and the dessert was delicious. My husband had the yellowtail crudo, the upcharged steak option, and the chocolate bomb. He enjoyed his meal but said it wasn't the best steak he'd had. Overall, it felt more about the ambiance than the food. read more

My husband took me here for dinner and we were both so impressed! The restaurant has a charming, welcoming vibe that makes you feel instantly relaxed. From the moment we walked in, the staff was incredibly friendly and attentive. It really added to the experience. To start, I had the caramelized scallops, which were cooked perfectly. The lemon jus that accompanied them brought a bright, balanced flavor to the dish and was absolutely delicious. For my main, I went with the braised short rib. It's one of my all-time favorite dishes and this version did not disappoint. Tender, flavorful, and served with creamy mashed potatoes and nicely prepared vegetables. Total comfort food done right. To finish things off, I had the blueberry tart for dessert. It was fresh, light, and the perfect sweet ending to a great meal. Highly recommend this spot for a cozy date night or special evening out. read more

I'm still dreaming about my experience at The Mountain House! Their tasting menu is delicious, with many options for each course that will satisfy any appetite. The chicken was cooked to perfection and the venison was the best tasting venison to exist. The fig panna cotta and pistachio cake were so rich and delicious, my taste buds will still bursting well after dinner was over. The views of the redwoods were a beautiful touch to the ambiance that made dinner even more magical. Our waitress was super attentive, as were the other wait staff. read more

See all

We had a great experience last night. I like the atmosphere and the service was great. I especially want to shout out our waitress. I forgot her name but she has curly red hair. She was great. Food was excellent and the portions were large. I highly recommend this restaurant. read more

I used to go to the Mountain House regularly years ago. I was very sad when it closed. Then I heard it was opening up again with new owners, so my wife made reservations. We arrived just as they were opening on Saturday. Unfortunately when we looked at the date it was the following week she booked. We asked the hostess if there was a chance for a table, she said they were pretty booked but would let us know. We then decided to sit in the bar area. The waiter asked if we were going to order food, but we told him we're waiting on the hostess to come back. After a half hour I asked the hostess again about a table, she said she was still checking and would get back. After waiting another half hour we decided to order in the bar. We waited still another half hour for the waiter to take other order, at which time I asked for another beer. It was around forty five minutes before our food came and still no beer. I ordered the steak ( which in most restaurants, comes with a Steak knife) that you really needed, not here. It was really hard to cut the steak with a butter knife! Finally the waiter came by and I asked if they had to send out for my beer? He said he forgot (3 times?). For a place that's only open for four hours is really under staffed. The only time the hostess came to our table was to drop off the bill. I was hoping the new owners would have the same charm I liked about the original one-no . Very impersonal, over priced. They are crowded due to the unavailability of other restaurants in the area. Parking is a challenge. Customers are parking out on Skyline which can be very dangerous to cross. Sad, but will not be going back. read more

The staff very attentive, and overall service was very good. Food presentation was beautiful. Food taste...highly disappointing. My wife and I heard of this place for many years and expected much better food. We are true foodies, and look for good match of environment, price and quality. Whether it's a dive spot that serves amazing street style food or Michelin star restaurants like Katana in SF. This however fell very short. Sad, as its reputation was not lived up to. read more

Five starts plus. The ambiance of the glasses room is incredible- nestled in the redwoods while the summer sky melts into pink. The staff was terrific. Attentive, knowledgeable and working as a seamless team. The prefix has something for every taste. The food was delicious and beautiful but accessible and not fussy. The ingredients were fresh and well prepared and respected. The dessert was delicious and well worth the calories. And the price - for the experience and location on the incredibly expensive peninsula, is quite reasonable. Perfect celebration (we saw an engagement tonight), birthday, anniversary and romantic date night place. One of the best places in the area. read more

Had an amazing 3-course dinner here. The stuffed quail was a fantastic start--super juicy and flavorful, especially paired with that roasted squash. The absolute highlight, though, was the venison loin. It was served perfectly medium-rare, incredibly tender, and had this unique, delicate aroma that didn't even need the sauces to shine. For dessert, the Panna Cotta was so refreshing with the tart blood orange. Also, a special shout-out to the fresh sourdough and the warm cheese puffs they serve--I definitely ate too much bread but it was totally worth it. They even finished us off with some homemade nutty chocolates. Great food and lovely service! read more

See all

So hit or miss here. First time (years ago), AMAZING. Next time, average. Most recent dinner, first course delicious, second and third course borderline inedible. Zero quality check on those dishes otherwise there's no way a chef with a conscience would have sent them out. But they've always got the beautiful redwoods to draw me back and test my luck‍ read more

My husband & I celebrated our 39th wedding anniversary here and loved every moment of the experience. In advance Kirsten of the Events staff was very helpful in providing guidance regarding suggested arrival time to snag a table in the "First Come" bar/lounge area. *Parking is very limited unless one chooses alongside the road. We arrived at 4:30pm before 5pm opening and were able to park in the unpaved lot, but watched others need to park nearby on the road. The greeters were very friendly and quickly led us to our table. The ambiance of the lounge is like being deep in a forest Hunting Lodge with fireplace ablaze and stuffed animal heads and historic photos dotting the walls. People dressed in everything from jeans and plaid to fine evening wear. The noise level is pretty high so babies & young children fit in easily. Our server, Elpeda, was charming and well-informed about the menu. She checked in on us without our feeling the least bit rushed. Our choices included creamy potato & leek soup, off-menu special of sweetbreads, plus entrees of crispy trout & vegetables and the short ribs. For dessert we shared the panna cotta. Of course our eyes were bigger than our stomachs, so we took home enough of the entrees for a second meal in a day or two! Highly recommend for a special occasion... but we also observed fantastic looking hamburger being served, so stopping in for just cocktails/beer and light evening snack is also recommended. Note: reservations seem essential for dining in the glass-enclosed and interior rooms. read more

See all

Service was attentive and courteous. Folks seated us upon arrival, brought up little appetizers and bread in between meals, refilled our water proactively, and even removed crumbs from the table. I enjoyed the fixed menu concept and short list of selections for the first course, second course, and dessert. Had a reservation for 5 pm and enjoyed a quiet dinner until folks started coming in around 6 pm. Food was delicious. Sourdough bread was warm/hot with a delicious crunchy bark. - pumpkin squash soup: okay, I enjoyed it but it didn't wow me - scallops: delicious with complementary flavors, citrusy, nutty, fresh - chicken risotto: chicken was nicely cooked and risotto had nice soft mushrooms in a creamy sauce. There were pieces of layered onion that were so sweet and delicious! - fettuccine: also delicious and much more creamy, contained lots of mushrooms These dishes were not the same but similar, if you love mushrooms you'd enjoy both. - chocolate ice cream: a little icy, nice rich chocolate flavor - mandarin/orange crème brûlée: not the best I had, sugar layer was too thick for my liking like 1.5-2 mm thick and I think the flavor pairing overall isn't my favorite Overall such a beautiful space. I'd definitely take folks here for a special occasion! read more

See all

We came here to celebrate our milestone birthdays. The drive to the restaurant is dark in the winter months and then out of nowhere this restaurant appears on the side of the road. Park wherever you find a spot, but mind the signs because some of the parking is for residents. You first enter into the bar area. It looks very much like a local hangout. It's very casual and intimate. You can choose to have dinner in the bar area or there is a main dining room, past the bar. That's where we dined. There is also seating in the glass, covered dining room, but there was a private event happening that night. That's where room looks great, as you feel like you are eating in a forest. The main dining room had a mix of people that were casually dressed and those who were dressed up. The night we went, the restaurant offered a three course menu, a five course menu, and an à la carte menu. We opted for the five course dining menu. We also opted for the wine pairing with each course. Our first course was the onion and caviar dip with potato chips. This was a great start to the night. The salt from the chips went well with the onion dip. The second course was bread and butter for the table. It was the chef's famous sourdough bread. It was delicious and the butter was salted just enough to add great flavor to the bread. It was hard to not eat all of it. Our third course was quail. This was well prepared. For our fourth course we got the mushroom and truffle pasta and the steak. I loved my mushroom pasta and my husband loved his steak. He said the steak was really well cooked. There was enough to take home and our daughter enjoyed it the next day. She said it was some of the best steak she had eaten. Our desserts consisted of the chocolate bomb and the cheese board. A crème brûlée was a nice birthday surprise for us. I loved the crème brûlée. It happens to be one of my favorite desserts. The chocolate bomb was great too. We took the cheese plate home to enjoy another time. Overall, the dishes were great and the wines paired really well too. The dish sizes weren't too big so we were ok doing the five course meal. It is definitely a charming experience and nice to do something different. Hopefully we get to dine in the forest room next time we visit. read more

Our second trip to Mountain House was unfortunately a disappointment...Starting off with a 30 minute wait past our reservation time to be seated and no server helping us for so long that the cook was the only one who would take our order. We also specifically booked ahead and indicated we were celebrating an anniversary, but on top of no service whatsoever, other tables were celebrated properly while we were seated in the farthest corner of the Forest Room and essentially ignored the whole night. It's hard to imagine we couldn't even get another plate of bread! It's not every day you drive deep into the woods for a nice evening only to end the night with a disrespectful experience. We appreciate the management team for speaking to us about this! read more

The Mountain House - New American Near Me - Woodside, California

See all

Had a wonderful time at The Mountain House celebrating a friend's bday. We sat in the forest room with greenhouse views of tall redwoods surrounding us. It felt quite magical with the fog rolling in. The servers were top notch, filling water, clearing plates, announcing the dishes, etc. The food was also very good. We had 3 course meal ... I picked the scallops, salmon and rhubarb tart. The scallops were perfectly cooked - not rubbery or overdone. The salmon was also good with mussels (out of the shell) in creamy broth. Skin on would have been nice but still tasty. My husband got the venison and I had a bite. It was not gamy at all. The rhubarb tart crust made the dessert that much better. They also gave us plenty of breads and little pieces of treats here and there. That was fun. I would definitely recommend The Mountain House for a special occasion. read more

Great food and great service I wish I could come back 100 more times. Of course -the forest room which has beau studio views of the redwoods (I'm pretty sure) the waiters were exceptional the wine was exceptional there really isn't anything bad to say about this place , parking might be a little tight but I was a terrific experience -3course, 5 course add ons ! Amazing. Cant forget about the soap they sell too , homemade read more

See all

This place is so good! Food and wine are outstanding! Very nice place for a date night or to celebrate at Birthday! Must try!

Came here for the first time for a friends birthday with about 10 people who grew up and/or still live in the area. I didn't make the reservations but i think we had a few people that flaked but we had two separate tables and they didn't give us a reason as to why we couldn't put the tables together so that was unfortunate so 4 of us had to sit separately from our friends birthday table. Our table of 4 got the following Three Course Prix Fix for $85: * Maple Brined Pork Tenderloin - Savory Pain Perdu , Wilted Escarole , Bing Cherry Jus * Seared Diver Scallops - Sweet Corn Succotash , Iberico Chorizo , Smoked Tomato Vinaigrette * Red Wine Braised Short Rib - Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes , Charred Baby Carrots , Sweet Peas * Spaghettini Pasta - Basil Pesto , Summer Squash , Blistered Tomatoes , Pecorino * Grand Marnier Crème Brûlée - Local Berries * Flourless Dark Chocolate Cake - Brandied Cherry Ice Cream Everything was delicious and came out in a timely manner. Decor was visually appealing. They do keep your table clean in between courses with clearing off the crumbs. I did notice that when one member left the table their napkin was folded but this practice wasn't consistent with everyone which isn't a big deal. The staff was nice enough to give our friend a birthday dessert so thank you! Parking looked a bit limited from what I saw but everybody in group was able to park somewhere. read more

See all

The Mountain House has been on my radar for a couple years now. We finally decided to go and didn't realize it was literally located in the woods. It seemed as though we travelled well into the forest to get to the restaurant since it was so secluded! Parking was a bit tricky but we were lucky enough to find a spot to the side of the restaurant. We made a reservation for the dining room where the only option is a 3-course prix fixe menu ($88/person). I initially wanted to dine in the forest room, and although we were seated there, there was a strong chemical scent (not sure if it was perfume from a fellow diner or cleaning supplies), but it didn't sit well with me. Staff graciously understood my complaint, and rather than having me suffer through the night, they were able to accomodate my request to move to the adjacent dining room. I'd definitely recommend the ambience of this once versus the forest room since there's not much to see come nightfall. The other room was a bit cozier with a fireplace and had a rustic cabin feel to it. Standouts for me were the scallop appetizer and truffle pasta. The scallops were well-cooked and not fishy at all, but the true winner was the truffle pasta. There wasn't an additional surcharge for the truffles and they smother the pasta with truffle shavings (unlike other high end restaurants that are stringy with the portions and charge an arm and a leg for it!). They also gave us a complimentary dessert for celebrating a birthday in addition to the desserts included with the tasting menu. Although service was stellar, my only complaint was that we were charged $6 for bread. It's not a big charge, but I would have appreciated being told that there would be an additional fee rather than be surprised by the bill at the end - especially since it's not the norm based on my experiences with other fine dining restaurants. read more

Loved it! Had to be rolled down the mountain because I over ate. They were super accommodating because of the cyber attack and adjusting the number for my reservation. Drinks were on beyond on par. Ordered the border which was the bartender monthly special... had two. Went back again for the second time and tried other dishes, still great! Lucky both times sitting in the green room. read more

We had a fabulous evening at the Mountain House, our server Robyn was a delight, and the young fellows running food were enthusiastic and clearly engaged in learning and honing their skills and knowledge in the restaurant business! The Forest Room is a special spot with beautiful views of the Redwoods, the Venison was cooked perfectly and melted like butter. All the dishes were seasoned correctly, not too salty as has become a thing in many restaurants. Thanks to everyone at The Mountain House for delivering an excellent experience and best of luck to the new owners. Thanks! read more

See all

This spot is magical and romantic. Definitely worth the drive. There is a dining room menu and a slightly adjusted bar menu. We have never gotten it to make a reservation and have always sat in the bar. We have enjoyed the food (on this visit, we shared the salmon entree, potatoe/leek soup, and a side of bread, creme brulee for dessert). 1) service: professional and very efficient. 2) ambiance: a lovely space with stuffed animals and good local characters in the bar. 3) know before you go: one star removed for "20% service charge" that was added to our ~$115 bill. This required gratuity is mentioned on the bar menu. BUT I found it awkward and disrespectful that a spot at this caliber found the need to include a forced tip. read more

The difference between a good business and a great business can sometimes only be learned when something goes wrong. A great business will do whatever it takes to make the customer happy. I've been to Mountain House several times and enjoyed it enough to recommend to several friends. Last weekend, however the waiter was caring a tray of drinks and not paying attention - need I say more! Several sugary cocktails landed directly on my wife. She was drenched in cold syrupy cocktails and I was sprayed. Of course they apologized to our party of four. But should they have done more given they are a high-end special occasion restaurant where great service is expected? I felt they could and should have. I was surprised they didn't comp her a drink or even better her dinner and she really was covered in a cold and sticky mess. read more

My husband took me here for Valentine's Day, and it was exceptional! I really enjoyed everything! The food was outstanding, our server was great, and the ambiance was very romantic and cozy. We sat in the main dining room, and there was a heated vent right by our feet. I loved that! For the food, it's a 3 course meal. For my starter, I had the crudo of ahi tuna. It was paired with citrus fruits and fried shallots. The quality of the fish was amazing, and it just melted in my mouth! I could find no fault whatsoever with this dish. For my main, I had the crispy skin trout, and it was seasoned so well! And the skin was indeed crispy! For dessert, I had the banana bourbon cream pie, and it was nice and refreshing. We had champagne with our meal, and it paired nicely with all of my courses. I would definitely recommend this place! You will not leave hungry! They also give an amuse bouche in the beginning and financiers at the end, such a nice touch :) read more

The Mountain House - Crudo of ahi tuna - New American Near Me - Woodside, California

See all

What a neat, beautiful spot! This restaurant is surrounded by tall redwoods that you can see in the glass-enclosed dining areas! The decor brings us back to the 1940s, classy and tasteful! Everything that we had was delicious! I appreciate that the tasting menu included vegetarian options. The butternut squash soup was of the best I've ever had. The gnocchi was soft and loaded in flavor. The pumpkin spice bread pudding was decadent. My date enjoyed his ribeye and loved his banana creme pie. When making the reservation we mentioned that it was for our wedding anniversary and our friend's 75th birthday - two very special occasions being celebrated. We wish that like other high-end restaurants that we had been acknowledged for it, or if those sentiments were written on our dessert. Otherwise very good experience, we highly recommend it to others! read more

See all