Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [451]
Degnan's Loft
Yosemite Village. Main courses $4.25–$21. DC, DISC, MC, V. Daily noon–9pm. Shuttle bus stop no. D, 2, or 8. ITALIAN.
This cheery restaurant, with a central fireplace and high-beamed ceilings, is a good choice for families. The menu features pizza, calzones, lasagna, salads, and desserts. The restaurant is adjacent to Degnan's Deli and Degnan's Café (see above).
Mountain Room Restaurant
Yosemite Lodge. Main courses $17–$29. DC, DISC, MC, V. Daily 5:30–9pm. Shuttle bus stop no. 6. AMERICAN.
The best thing about this restaurant is the view. The food's excellent, too, with an emphasis on local organic ingredients, but the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Yosemite Falls are spectacular. There's not a bad seat in the house. We suggest grilled chicken breast, which is flavorful and moist, as are rainbow trout almondine and Pacific salmon. Meals come with vegetables and bread. Soup or salad is extra. There are also options for vegetarians, and an amazing dessert tray. The Mountain Room has a good wine list, and an a la carte menu is available in the Mountain Room Bar and Lounge (open 4–10pm Mon–Fri, noon–10pm Sat–Sun).
Village Grill
Yosemite Village. Most items $3.75–$5.25. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Daily 11am–5pm. Closed winter. Shuttle bus stop no. 2. AMERICAN.
This fast-food joint is a decent place to pick up a quick bite. It offers burgers, chicken sandwiches, and the like, and has outdoor seating.
Yosemite Lodge Food Court
Yosemite Lodge. Main courses $5–$14. DC, DISC, MC, V. Daily 6:30–10am, 11:30am–2pm, and 5–8:30pm. Shuttle bus stop no. 8. AMERICAN.
This busy establishment serves about 2,000 meals each day, and it's a vast improvement over the traditional cafeteria. Diners pass by a series of food stations, where they pick up their choices before heading to the centralized cashier and then to a table inside or the outside seating area, which offers tables with umbrellas and good views of Yosemite Falls. Food stations specialize in pasta (with a choice of sauces), pizza, deli sandwiches and salads, a grill (offering burgers, hot dogs, and hot sandwiches), meat-based and vegetarian entrees, desserts and baked goods, and beverages. There's also a hot breakfast station offering traditional American items.
ELSEWHERE IN THE PARK
Tuolumne Meadows Lodge
Tuolumne Meadows, Calif.120. ☎ 209/372-8413. Reservations required for dinner. Breakfast $3.55–$6.95; dinner $8.65–$19. DC, DISC, MC, V. Daily 7–9am and 6–8pm. AMERICAN.
One of the two restaurants in Yosemite's high country, the lodge offers something for practically everyone. The breakfast menu features the basics, including eggs, pancakes, fruit, oatmeal, and granola. Dinners always include a beef, chicken, fish, pasta, and vegetarian specialty, all of which change frequently. The quality can vary, but the prime rib and New York steak are consistently good.
Wawona Hotel Dining Room
Wawona Hotel, Calif. 41. ☎ 209/375-1425. Breakfast $3–$8; lunch $5–$10; dinner $14–$25. Sun buffets $9.95 breakfast, $16 brunch. DC, DISC, MC, V. Mon–Sat 7:30–10am and 11:30am–1:30pm; Sun 7:30–10am (breakfast buffet) and 10:30am–1:30pm (brunch buffet); daily 5:30–9pm. AMERICAN.
The Wawona dining room mirrors the hotel's ambience—wide open, with lots of windows and sunlight. And the fare is great. For breakfast, choose from a variety of items, including the Par Three, a combo of French toast or pancakes, eggs, and bacon or sausage—just what you need before hitting the golf course. Lunch features a variety of sandwiches and salads. Dinner is delectable. In addition to some exceptional entrees, such as brown sugar–rubbed pork loin with apple-onion relish and bourbon sauce, prime rib, and several seafood and veggie dishes, there are