Ernas Elderberry House

[Mibrew]

I have had a few dinners their and the food was great, and service was excelent, but the cost was very very high, I say you should at least try it once, I think it work out to about a $100.00 per plate


Brew ~ : ]

[beautiful_mess38]

hi mike, erna's is great. its about $85. per plate. there is no menu. they serve a 5 course meal every night. you can call ahead or they can fax you what there serving that evening.
if your in to fine foods i do recommend it.

[Mibrew]

But thats not including drinks http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/wink2.gif if ya add the drinks then you get to be around $100.00

Ok you must know me since your using my real name, but do I know you???? http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/rolleyes2.gif

Brew ~ : ]

[beautiful_mess38]

i was refering to mikeagee, i always call you brew..but now i know its what....mike brew..hehehehe.. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/cool4.gif

[concerned]

There are people who make trips to Oakhurst just to dine at Erna's.

[Ironhorse]

Sorry, I just can't think of any meal worth $85/plate. That's outrageous.

“I know God won’t give me more than I can handle, I just wish he didn’t trust me so muchâ€� - Mother Teresa

[justme]

I haven't eaten at Erna's, but have heard from many people that you have to stop at Mcdonald's afterwards to get full.

[Mibrew]

I guess ya have to have expensive taste, its very elegant, and upperclass you'd have to say, there's are a lot of celebrities that show up there.

Named for the elderberry bushes covering the surrounding grounds,was the first phase of proprietress Erna Kubin-Clanin's dream - The Estate by the Elderberries, on the grounds of Château du Sureau. They seem to sum up the exquisite experience of dining at Erna's Elderberry House and the adjacent Château, where the vast culinary talents of Executive Chef James Overbaugh now reign supreme.

The restaurant, with its European country-estate atmosphere, is divided into three lovely dining areas, each adorned with antique French provincial furnishings, magnificent tapestries and original oil paintings. A stately terrace with a commanding view of the Sierra Nevada Mountains adds to the fabulous ambiance.

Erna opened this highly acclaimed restaurant in 1984 and served as the guiding chef and owner. Her daughter, Renée-Nicole Kubin, a renowned sommelier, designed the award-winning wine list. Then Erna decided to build on her dream and to open Hotel Château du Sureau, Sureau being French for elderberries.

[Ironhorse]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by justme:
I haven't eaten at Erna's, but have heard from many people that you have to stop at Mcdonald's afterwards to get full.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I was told the same thing by a friend of mine that ate there. Guess I'll remain a "hill"billy hick and stay out of there. Sounds to me like you are paying for a crap shoot to see a "celebrity". I know of many more elegant places that aren't quite so pricey and snooty. IMO

“I know God won’t give me more than I can handle, I just wish he didn’t trust me so muchâ€� - Mother Teresa

[MtnBreeze]

The food is very good..it is served french style and each serving is not only very well prepared but artistically placed on the plate....I have not eaten there for years because I can't afford it but it is very good....albeit...they do not load the plate with food but it is yummy.

Whatever you do, Enjoy it!! http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/grin2.gif

[Mibrew]

Here's meet the chef at the Elderberry house

Executive Chef
James Overbaugh

Chef James Overbaugh spent childhood summers in the vast
gardens of his grandfather, a horticulturist, who believed that vegetables are not fresh unless picked just before reaching the table. Today, Chef Overbaugh brings his passion for the freshest ingredients, together with an approach to cooking that draws on his travel experience, culinary curiosity and eighteen years of manning the stove.

Chef Overbaugh's career began with an after school job at a local restaurant kitchen at the age of 15. He knew he found his calling. Upon graduation from high school, he entered the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. Upon receipt of his diploma in 1989, he remained in Massachusetts to continue his training under three immigrant chefs. By 1992, he was awarded the position of Executive Sous Chef of the Stonehedge Inn in Tyngsboro, Massachusetts, and in November of that year he became the property's youngest ever Executive Chef. Three years later, he was invited to join a renowned California restaurant, Erna's Elderberry House, on the property of Relais & Châteaux, ExxonMobil 5-Star hotel, Château du Sureau in Oakhurst. Under his direction, the Elderberry House Kitchen maintained the AAA 5-Diamond award and was honored by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine. Chef Overbaugh's food was quoted "absolutely amazing" and its reader poll gave his kitchen a perfect score of 100 in the January 2001 edition. With over 750 hours of instruction under his toque, Chef Overbaugh is also an accomplished teacher. In February 2001, the Travel Channel's "Best of" series featured the classes he taught at the Elderberry House as the seventh best way to live out your fantasy vacation.

In April 2001, Chef Overbaugh accepted the offer of Executive Chef for New Orleans' 324 room Windsor Court Hotel. Under his leadership the hotel's famous Grill Room Restaurant received many accolades, including New Orleans' Where Magazine's designation as the city's best fine dining restaurant. Chef Overbaugh has twice been featured chef at the James Beard House in New York.

An unexpected opportunity for both Chef James Overbaugh and Erna Kubin-Clanin and her restaurant led to a reunion of their relationship. Since January 2003, after two years at the Windsor Court Hotel, Chef James Overbaugh is back in charge the the Estate's culinary program which is now also Relais Gourmand designated.

Executive Chef James Overbaugh's food is truly stupendous. The dishes of his nightly changing six-course menu burst with flavors and creativity, much to the delight of the guests and owner Erna Kubin-Clanin.

[Mibrew]

You also got to remember this place has a spectactular place to stay, its only about $2800 a weekend, but hey that includes a butler.

is a fairy tale Inn that has received some of the highest ratings granted a hotel. Since its opening in 1991, this magical destination has earned both the Mobil Five-Star and American Automobile Association's Five-Diamond awards as well as membership in the prestigious Relais & Châteaux organization. Located just miles away from Yosemite National Park, Château du Sureau is a romantic haven wherein the classic traditions of old Europe live today.

Proprietress Erna Kubin-Clanin first opened her award-winning restaurant, Erna's Elderberry House, in 1984 and quickly realized she needed an Inn to accommodate the many out-of-town visitors. She and builder Gary Browns started construction on the ten-bedroom Château, adjacent to Erna's Elderberry House Restaurant, in 1990. Named for the elderberry bushes that cover the rolling property, Château du Sureau was completed in 1991.

Wrought iron gates emblazoned with the Château's elegant crest open to reveal the stately 9000 square foot stucco Inn, complete with a stone turret, parisian balconies and shuttered windows, all on nine acres of meticulously landscaped park grounds.

Walking paths, fountains, a swimming pool, a bocce court and a life-size chess set add to the natural cachet and charm of the area. Once inside, guests are quickly enveloped in the Château's extraordinary European hospitality. It was Erna's desire to bring the traditions and hospitality of Europe's grand houses to the States and she has truly captured it here. Chambermaids, attired in black dress and white linen aprons, present baskets of refreshments and tea. There is no front desk, no check in, no credit card imprinting (only a hand written bill discreetly presented before guests leave) and no televisions in the guest's rooms.

In Erna's quest for authenticity, she traveled the world filling the Inn with fine antiques, tapestries and 19th century art. A stunning Grand Salon features a floor-to-ceiling fireplace and an exquisite circular Music Room with trompe l'oeil frescoes, a spiral limestone staircase and an intimate Breakfast Room. Each guestroom in this magical Inn is named for and decorated after the fragrant herbs and flowers grown on the Estate. Resplendent inside and out, all guestrooms have fireplaces, deluxe bathrooms with silky plush bathrobes, over-sized tubs and separate chambers for the shower and toilet. Each room represents nothing less than a delight to the senses.

The third and final phase of what can only be described as Erna's dream project, the private two-bedroom Villa Sureau, opened its doors on July 1999. Inspired by an elegant Paris Manor house, the Villa is furnished with Erna's impeccable style and taste. This secluded domain offers a private outdoor Roman Spa and is a heavenly haven for any traveler. It is accessed by its own secured gate entrance.

Enchanting experiences await every guest who visits The Estate by the Elderberries, where the transcendent accommodations and fine dining are in perfect tune with the unmatched quality of the pampering service.

[Sandman]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Mibrew:
You also got to remember this place has a spectactular place to stay, its only about $2800 a weekend, but hey that includes a butler.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

That's $2800 per night http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/grin2.gif

<FONT SIZE=-2>If you have any questions or comments, please email me: oo@oakhurstonline.com.</FONT>

[Mibrew]

Sorry Mathew, your absolutly correct, I guess you need to make big bucks to stay there over the weekend http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/smoking.gif

Brew


You also got to remember this place has a spectactular place to stay, its only about $2800 a weekend, but hey that includes a butler.
[/QUOTE]

That's $2800 per night http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/grin2.gif

_<FONT SIZE=-2>If you have any questions or comments, please email me: oo@oakhurstonline.com).</FONT>_[/QUOTE]

[Dodie]

Personally, we are lucky to have such a 5-Star restaurant in our midst. As for the stay, at the chateau or the villa, you can get good prices during the week and she offers special packages. Also, for those of you who do not know, she has a wine bistro where you can go and have a bowl of borst, a glass of wine, maybe a dessert. She also serves lunch on several days of the workweek, and brunch on Sundays. This restaurant is not nor has it ever been hauty to me or my hubby. Once or twice a year on a birthday or especially our wedding anniversary, it means a lot to us to celebrate it together in this famous restaurant. We have always been received with kindness by all the staff and we live in Mariposa. Dodie

[Kahlua Kid]

Can't wait to go to Erna's! My Branch Manager in Fresno say's its great food and a very special place.

This past month I way overshot a sales goal, more than double, so I told her I might hit a certain number and she said she'd take me and my husband to dinner any place we wanted to go... then asked, where I want to go...

I said, Erna's Elderberry House...

She told me if we go there, we're starting out at the top - what do I have to aspire to?

We're coordinating our schedules to go sometime in April! Have to let you all know after we get to go!

The grounds look beautiful - reminds me of Salzburg, Austria at the Royal Castle Monchstein (a 5 star hotel and restaurant in Austria).

[mtnspirit]

You will reach it K! I know you can do it! Anyone who has a midnight for a cat can do it!You go Girl!!!!

[Kahlua Kid]

Ok - we finally got to go to Erna's last night! It was a great experience - I felt like we were back in Salzburg at the Royal Castle Monstein - the same feel, attention to detail in the ambiance, grounds, food, service was impeccable!

It was WONDERFUL!!! The wine list was as thick as a novel - there were far too many choices.

Terry took his camera - I'm telling you if you ever want an absolutely
amazing place to stay or do a 5 star type dinner like you are in Europe -
Erna's Elderberry House and the Chateau d' Sureau is the place!
www.chateaudusureau.com (http://www.chateaudusureau.com)

The duck/fava bean entree was the first course and very good!!! (not a lot
of food each course, but enough to wet your appetite for the next one!)

Then we had our scallop topped with a fresh fuzzy almond (tasted like a
watermelon!)

Then, we had carrot top soup (green)... it was excellent

Then, the lamb chops served over wild rice/mushroom, etc with a red potato
slice, 2 asparagus and a small pile of spinach.

Then the salad of fresh baby greens and cherries

Then I can't recall... probably too much to drink by then!

Then the chocolate cake with liquid chocolate in the middle, raspberry
torte and pear sorbet

Then the truffle in a box to take home...

Very Very well done, beautiful place!

Well worth the long nights spent working the last 4 weeks~

[Newcomer]

Ya, nice to have the wife home early for once! Good thing her company paid for dinner - it was $78 + tax, tip and drinks.

I would have preferred more food - could have had a lot of lobster and steak for that money.

[New to Oakhurst]

OK, I've been watching this board for some time now as we're moving to Oakhurst in a few weeks (from L.A.). I know some of you hate new comers (not you Newcomer) and some of you are new comers, but my wife and I stopped by Ernas our last visit up there and it was beautiful. There are a places like that all over L.A. (I know Oakhurst isn't L.A.) but it's great that a business such as that can succeed in the area, whether it's your taste or not. Live and let live, and remember, those $85 a plate dinners, whoevers payin for them are payin local income tax http://oakhurstforums.com/icon/grin2.gif Nice to meet you all.

[Dodgergirl]

Where ya coming from? there's quite a few L.A. transplants on this board...

[Kahlua Kid]

We're from the LA area also - its an occasional thing for us to go out to a real nice dinner - but $25-30 per plate is usually our limit...

Fun to get to do Erna's for "free" (on my company!)

We've been to SPago's in Beverly Hills too - but on a certificate I won at an industry function - we probably would never have spent that kind of money on food!

Everyone has options where their money goes - I prefer it to go to things that will be here 5, 10 or more years down the road - just us! We're cheap on food!

But Erna's in my opinion is worth it for a very special evening out if you're not in to spending that kind of money on dinners.

We're from Ventura County originally (LA Area)...

[beautiful_mess38]

hi newtooakhurst,
orig. from redondo beach....with 3 kids i look at it as $85. is almost a weeks worth of groceries. and i do beleave in a occasional dinner out. the hubby when he spends that much on dinner he wants to make sure he leaves full.

[Kahlua Kid]

Finally have a moment to post some photos from Erna's. I'm sure many of you have already seen Erna's and they have a great Web site at www.chateaudusureau.com (http://www.chateaudusureau.com)

But for those who haven't... here are some shots:

http://www.luxuriesonline.com/epool.jpg

http://www.luxuriesonline.com/eoutside.jpg

http://www.luxuriesonline.com/elobby.jpg

http://www.luxuriesonline.com/edining1.jpg

http://www.luxuriesonline.com/edining2.jpg

http://www.luxuriesonline.com/eprivatedining.jpg

[Sandman]

Thanks for posting the photos! My good friend, Albert, is a server at Ernas. He enjoys working at Ernas very much and talks very highly of the place, from an employees point of view.

If you go to Ernas and see Albert, tell him Mat at Oakhurst Online says hello! Maybe he'll give you a little something extra. http://oakhurstforums.com/icon/grin2.gif

[Sandman]

[tocools]

Can't vote I have never had enough money to eat there hahaha

[tocools]

Can't vote I have never had enough money to eat there hahaha

[pops]

http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/applause.gif ok now
first of all i love erna's. such a beautiful restaurant, the food is great and it does stuff ya up! If money is an issue then dont go there!
but i love it there gosh im there like at least every other month. Erna is super nice and the servers are amazing!!!! http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/applause.gif

[pops]

http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/confused.gif dude this is boring!

[Choco-chick]

Originally posted by sharm pops:
http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/confused.gif dude this is boring!

Hey Sharm welcome to the OO forums. It is nice to see another person from Fresno posting. I used to work in Oakhurst but live in Fresno. I still live in Fresno but now work in Kingsburg.
Need to update my profile.
Anyway good to meet you and hope you look around here, there are games and other interesting threads, not boring most of the time. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/wave.gif http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/wave.gif http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/partysmiley.gif http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/partysmiley.gif

[pops]

whoa my first message, well yea thanks bunches http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/eusa_dance.gif

[49er]

Those are very nice pictures KK.
I like the pool and the front face of the house.

[Kahlua Kid]

Thanks 49r... I took those quite a while ago!

[monkey]

Originally posted by TriDevotee:
This was a staff member that got drunk. And everyone there knew this person was under legal drinking age, that is the really sad thing.
That's one reason I always have my staff parties off site and they must buy their own alcohol. Before I came to the NGI, staff parties were always held on property with open bar. Employees were given a free room, but I have heard stories of how drunk they got. It seems there is always someone who will drink and drive no matter what is done. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/sad3.gif

[Yosemite_Wolf]

Id prolly go to dinner at Narrow Gauge Inn before I ever went to Ernas. (No offence Erna)...... and wait, Yes.. i will go to NGI first http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/happy.gif

[monkey]

We'll be opening April 12 this year. I look forward to seeing you!

[Yosemite_Wolf]

im definately planning a dinner there... you guys gonna do venison and stuff like that this year?

[monkey]

Yes, we will probably have Elk and maybe Wild Boar (one of my favorites!) on the menu. The man that sold us the venison may be retiring this year, so I don't think we will have it on the menu, but have it as specials as long as it's available.

[pops]

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d45/sharmfonzo/eehimg3.jpg
SHE IS SOOO CUTE!
I LOVE HER.

[Nascar8Fan]

We haven't had the opportunity to go there yet Monkey. We are definately planning to come this season. Looking forward to it http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/wink3.gifOriginally posted by monkey:
We'll be opening April 12 this year. I look forward to seeing you!

[Nascar8Fan]

Looks like someone may need to post their own personal photo thread http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/wiseguy.gif

[Dawn]

I haven't been there... my boyfriend said he would take me, but I don't think I would like fancy places like that.

[pops]

should i take my photos out or somethin? http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/bonk.gif

[electroman]

Originally posted by Dodgergirl:
Where ya coming from? there's quite a few L.A. transplants on this board...

I was born in Los Angeles, grew up in Buena Park, had a few stops in the bay area (Concord, Foster City, Burlingame) then a 10 year layover in Phoenix before landing here in Oakhurst.

[Dodgergirl]

Originally posted by electroman:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Dodgergirl:
Where ya coming from? there's quite a few L.A. transplants on this board...

I was born in Los Angeles, grew up in Buena Park, had a few stops in the bay area (Concord, Foster City, Burlingame) then a 10 year layover in Phoenix before landing here in Oakhurst. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Wow, I asked that question about a year & a half ago... I didn't realize it was 10 years in Phoenix....

[Surfus]

There new Spa looks interesting.
We installed a gas fireplace in the SPA SUREAU
http://www.chateaudusureau.com/ssMain.html

[oakhurstleaf]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by electroman:
I was born in Los Angeles, grew up in Buena Park, ...QUOTE]

Electroman, I grew up right near where you grew up. Right next door, or township over. From birth to age 19 I lived in La Palma. What high school did you go to? I went to Kennedy...at least half the students there were from Buena Park. I used to work at The Buena Park Mall when I was a teenager too. Small world.

I've never been to Erna's, but I would really like to someday...that would be a real treat.

Alice

[electroman]

Electroman, I grew up right near where you grew up. Right next door, or township over. From birth to age 19 I lived in La Palma. What high school did you go to? I went to Kennedy...at least half the students there were from Buena Park. I used to work at The Buena Park Mall when I was a teenager too. Small world..

Alice

I went to Walker Jr High, but moved to SF bay area the summer before I would have gone to Kennedy. We lived on Valley View, near Lincoln in some condos by the Sav-On (when I was there, anyway)
Small world... indeed!

[Newcomer]

Originally posted by sharm pops:
should i take my photos out or somethin? http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/bonk.gif

There was no need to remove your photos, we all have many on here.

[oakhurstleaf]

Originally posted by electroman:
I went to Walker Jr High, but moved to SF bay area the summer before I would have gone to Kennedy. We lived on Valley View, near Lincoln in some condos by the Sav-On (when I was there, anyway)
Small world... indeed!

Electroman, that's so neat. I went to Walker too...I wonder if you were there when any one of my brothers (I've got 4 older brothers) were there. They range in age from 40-45. Do you remember Mr. Johnson, the eccentric art/jewelry teacher or Mr. Adonay, Spanish teacher? I used to live near Moody and La Palma, near Steve Luther elementary school.

[electroman]

Originally posted by oakhurstleaf:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by electroman:
I went to Walker Jr High, but moved to SF bay area the summer before I would have gone to Kennedy. We lived on Valley View, near Lincoln in some condos by the Sav-On (when I was there, anyway)
Small world... indeed!

Electroman, that's so neat. I went to Walker too...I wonder if you were there when any one of my brothers (I've got 4 older brothers) were there. They range in age from 40-45. Do you remember Mr. Johnson, the eccentric art/jewelry teacher or Mr. Adonay, Spanish teacher? I used to live near Moody and La Palma, near Steve Luther elementary school. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'm 44, so I was there with your brothers! Mr Johnson was WAY cool to me. He would give me 2 stones- emeralds, star saphires, star rubies, etc. and said I could keep 1 if I cut and polished the other for him. That was an easy A class. I was also in Mr Adonays class - I think he was a ***. Who was the teacher that thought he was reincarnated from a horseshoe? oh, was it Holloway? I think I remember everyone calling him hollow-head. PM me your brothers names, maybe we know each other!