The Ahwahnee Hotel

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1. j

   jenbrez

   San Francisco

   4 reviews

   3.0

   4 reviews

   Dined on January 2, 2023

   overall3food2service5ambience5

   This review is tough because there is so much to love about The Ahwahnee dining hall. It is majestic. It feels like living history. Our server was attentive and patient with all our questions and took excellent care of us. We enjoyed dining in the space and appreciated that most people took the dress code to heart. It felt like a special event meal. Now, I expect the food to be expensive when you are located in the Yosemite Valley, but you still need to deliver food that is a reasonable value for what you spend. The menu is a bit all over the place (and this may be because they are closing for renovation). Our table of four received four different dessert menus. There was no cohesive set of dishes that you might logically select as a first and second course. Most of the main courses didn't sound very interesting. I finally opted for a pork chop which was edible but just at the edge of being tough and hard to eat. The rest of the plate was messy and not too tasty. We also tried the arancini (not bad), a spinach salad (looked OK), prawns, and children's pasta. We did enjoy the creme brulee and thought the Awhanhee berry pie was solid. In total, we had a nice evening, but I wouldn't want to eat there again - mostly because the food wasn't great. I would love to come back and have spectacular food to go with the atmosphere and service.

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2. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   San Francisco

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on January 2, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   The Best in Elegance and Old World charm, that keeps you wanting more. The caring staff makes the experience approachable for all, in keeping with the service and standards set by years excellent service. The restaurant is closing for renovation, encouraging for patrons to revisit this cherished establishment for many years to come. Please keep this original and standard high as a valued place to experience old world charm and high standards of dining experience. Park’s Services please maintain consistent service standards and focus on long term staffing goals. Pick a back of the house staff and keep them!!! This place should be a high standard and sought after place to work for!! Thanks for a wonderful weekend and look forward to visiting there for many more years to come.

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3. B

   Brian

   Sacramento

   4 reviews

   5.0

   4 reviews

   Dined on January 1, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Quality of service and food for Sunday brunch was impeccable. Small nitpick on the brunch, for $56 pp it felt a little pricey for the traditional choices offered. But the experience of eating in that wonderful dining room listening to the pianist was bucket list stuff! It’s a must do if visiting the Yosemite Valley.

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4. CE

   ClaireE

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined on January 1, 2023

   overall4food4service5ambience5

   This is the nicest dining by a mile in yosemite. Unfortunately, the price and value reflect that. The prime rib was a ton of food and was amazing. The pork chop had wonderful tastes/sauces, but was a little over cooked and I was disappointed at the size. My boyfriend ordered scallops, and they were the best scallops either of us have ever had— but the “entree” consisted of three small scallops laid out on a giant plate, alone. It wasn’t enough food to be a meal. I’m the future, I think we’ll eat dinner somewhere else and then come to the ahwahnee for dessert/apps/drinks. The atmosphere is unrivaled and it’s such a special place, but I wish it were a liiiiittle bit better value for the money.

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5. d

   davidsf

   San Francisco

   3 reviews

   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on January 1, 2023

   overall5food4service5ambience5

   Prime rib a little dry.

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6. CH

   CheriH

   Los Angeles

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined on December 30, 2022

   overall4food3service4ambience4

   While the place is gorgeous and special, the food is highly overpriced for what you get. After our lunch we ordered dessert which was an apple cranberry crisp. When we received it , it was a peach crisp. We said to our waiter that we got the wrong crisp he said “ Jesus Christ!” And walked away. He came back and said “We just got a new Food and Beverage director. We’re out of everything and they keep changing things up on us. Do you want me to take the crisp back or do you want to enjoy your canned peach crisp?” Considering we had already took some forkfuls, we kept it. But we felt a bit let down by the food quality and service.” It doesn’t make me want to recommend this place to friends.

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7. PR

   PatrickR

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on December 30, 2022

   overall5food4service5ambience5

   Overall, exactly what we had hoped. very relaxing, pleasant atmosphere. Staff was outstanding and quick to meet our needs. Food was wonderful. Piano music added to the festive family holiday experience. A perfect addition to our holiday week in Yosemite.

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8. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Los Angeles

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on December 29, 2022

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Everything was spectacular! The restaurant itself is majestic and grand. The staff was extremely accommodating, Nicola our server was lively and hilarious, the food was outstanding, we were beyond pleased!

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9. T

   Troy

   Yosemite

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined on December 29, 2022

   overall4food3service3ambience5

   Absolutely beautiful! The ambiance and room are incredible. The wait staff were pleasant and professional, but understaffed, they did their best. Bit of a wait to order and for anything to arrive. The pianist made the wait enjoyable. It’s hard to complain about sitting in a such a beautiful historical space. Prime rib was amazing and the celeriac medallions were equally good. Unfortunately they were out of their famous sourdough bread. The onion soup was delicious, but not very warm. They brought out another bowl that was hotter after we told the waitress. This was my second time dining here. I enjoyed it, but I just can’t give this trip 5 stars. Still worth trying it.

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10. MN

    MichelleN

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 28, 2022

    overall5food4service4ambience5

    We were seated in the tower like area, 3 sided, with windows and views from every table. Extremely delighted to have such beautiful views while we dined. Menu is very reasonable and food selection is simple, yet tasty. The pie is to die for. Enjoy!

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11. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    17 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on December 28, 2022

    overall3food4service4ambience5

    seated 30 minutes late despite reservation, food buffet closes at 10 am and items were out.

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12. F

    Fourfoodies

    Los Angeles

    112 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    112 reviews

    Dined on December 28, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4

    We were celebrating a milestone birthday at the Ahwahnee. Our frustration was with the restaurant reservation process. Prior to our trip we tried calling for a reservation several times on several days but our message was never returned. Upon checking in at the hotel, we went directly to the restaurant manager to explain our dilemma. She was kind enough to schedule a reservation for us. The reservation was later than we ever dine, but we accepted the reservation as we had no alternative. When we arrived at the restaurant at our scheduled time, we had to wait another 20 minutes for our table. Unfortunately, this experience turned what should have been a very enjoyable, memorable occasion into a very stressful & upsetting experience. The restaurant however is lovely, and our waitress was wonderful. Unfortunately, I would pass on staying at the Ahwahnee in the future, no one wants to be frustrated and inconvenienced when on vacation.

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13. RA

    RobinA

    Tahoe

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on December 27, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Just beyond wonderful ambience! They only serve a buffet, which has everything you could imagine, just a little pricey ( but so worth it just to be in that iconic dining room)

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14. JR

    JenniferR

    Sacramento

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 26, 2022

    overall4food3service5ambience5

    The dinning room is stunning! The service is outstanding, friendly and efficient. I feel breakfast is their best meal. Lunch and dinner are fine, but not exceptional.

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15. CF

    CynthiaF

    San Joaquin

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 26, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The service and food were outstanding. Can't wait to come back for Sunday brunch!

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16. DH

    DebraH

    Yosemite

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 26, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Breakfast buffet the day after Christmas was nice. Price of everything in the park is high. Location, service and food quality were top notch.

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17. TG

    TristaG

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 26, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The best overall meal I've had in awhile. Going back for lunch today

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18. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 25, 2022

    overall2food1service5ambience5

    Service was good.. food not so much. Sunday brunch was a big DISAPPOINTMENT. Better off going to a Dennys which would have been better.

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19. R

    Robert

    San Francisco

    25 reviews

    3.0

    25 reviews

    Dined on December 25, 2022

    overall3food2service4ambience5

    Lots of money for a mediocre (at best) buffet at a great site.

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20. JN

    JoyceN

    Central Coast

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 25, 2022

    overall3food3service4ambience3

    I was very disappointed with the Christmas brunch. We had 8:00 a.m. reservations but still had to wait 20 minutes for our table. The table itself, for two, was situated between two server stations! Many of the tables for two were set up this way. They could have put the sever stations facing each other and placed the tables between the backs of the stations. In a restaurant this upscale and expensive, diners should not be sandwiched between carts of silverware and condiments! The food itself was mediocre. The hollandaise sauce on the eggs benedict was good, but the eggs were more soft boiled than poached, so no warm runny yolk to finish the dish. The carving station only had ham, no beef, and there was no salmon. The pastries were okay but not great. There were a few bright spots. The omelet station was good, with lots of choices for fillings, and the cook was friendly. The bacon was cooked perfectly and the fruit was fresh. They did have gluten free and vegan options. Our server was friendly. One of the biggest issues was that everything was lukewarm and underwhelming. The brunch I normally attend is about the same price but the food is much, much better. For the price and restaurant reputation I expected more.

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21. J

    abarcaJ

    Las Vegas

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 25, 2022

    overall4food3service4ambience5

    Went for Christmas breakfast. Would have preferred buttermilk pancakes instead of the egg nog pancakes that were offered. Got the buffet . It was still a nice breakfast.

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22. DT

    DianaT

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 25, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    It was a wonderful Christmas breakfast. Ingredients at the omelette bar were wonderfully fresh. Attention to detail was great.

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23. H

    Hawksfan20143

    Seattle

    5 reviews

    3.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on December 24, 2022

    overall3food3service3ambience5

    Great old dining room but the food has clearly dipped in quality over the years. Need a shake up of the dinner menu and focus on better quality ingredients. Pie was delicious but the 3.50 “scoop”of ice cream was super tiny.

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24. j

    jessiem

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 23, 2022

    overall3food4service1ambience5

    The resturant and hotel itself was beautiful. The food was good and priced fairly. Our server was not good, she had a bad attitude which was funny at first but then it just became an issue. Server started out complaining about how thin the soup was that day. We asked how the salads were, she replied with she doesn't eat cold food but she had heard they were decent. Then she neglected the table for 20 or more minutes. Luckily our server had an assistant who was helpful and very nice. Just a weird experience, but everything else was good.

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25. S

    Sanders6

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 22, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We had a fantastic brunch. Everything was wonderful. Our waitress was from Jamaica, sorry I cannot remember her name, but she was super warm and friendly! Gluten Free and Vegetarian choices too!

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26. TM

    TaylorM

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 22, 2022

    overall1food1service1ambience5

    The hotel is beautiful but the food was bland and not worth the money.

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27. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 20, 2022

    overall1food5service1ambience5

    We had a reservation but had to wait over 45 mins for a table, which meant that the buffet was closing by the time we sat down. There were a large number of people waiting and the checkin process was very badly managed. The table service itself was fine.

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28. R

    Roselaine

    New York Area

    6 reviews

    2.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on December 18, 2022

    overall2food2service1ambience3

    Food was average in comparison to years past. Slightly better than cafeteria food. Service was poor, at best. All the charm and elegance of the Ahwahnee dining experience is lost! I wish I had not spent my $600 here! It was an embarrassment to me to have brought my special guests to the “Majestic Brunch” .

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29. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Orange County

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on December 18, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The brunch was so lovely! Lots of great food options. Everyone raved about the prime rib. I love their salad. Lots of options for every kind of foodie. The piano player was an added elegance to the magical moment! Love!

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30. MV

    MaryV

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 18, 2022

    overall2food2service2ambience5

    For the price, we expected an amazing experience. And, we have eaten here twice in the past (many years ago) and have fond memories of our experience there. This time, however, our server was coughing incessantly. Though he was wearing a mask, it was still a little disturbing. He would bring our food out and set each plate before us while bending down with his face right over it. The mask also made it very heard to hear him speak to us. The prime rib was good... but the Bearnaise sauce was not anything like what Bernaise sauce should be. It was runny and thin, didn't have any taste of tarragon or butter. I think someone got the recipe wrong. The chicken was very dry and only about 1/3 of it was eaten. The sea bass was good, but hardly good enough to overcome the other dishes. Last, we were there a full two hours. It was painfully long, and would have been excused if the rest of the experience was amazing. Time to look at your operations to get back to the previous dining splendor of the Ahwahnee.

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31. SC

    ScubaC

    Denver

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 17, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    It is a beautiful dining room. The service is amazing and during winter has an amazing backdrop when enjoying the view through the windows.

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32. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on December 17, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    A very special place & food was fantastic!

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33. NB

    NobleBrown

    San Francisco

    32 reviews

    3.0

    32 reviews

    Dined on December 17, 2022

    overall3food2service3ambience5

    The food was okay, but not what we anticipated for the price. Also, hubby had ordered a special dessert ahead of time for our anniversary and they didn’t communicate it to the staff. He had to ask, and after arguing with him for a minute, the came back 10 minutes later to say, “oh! We found it and are working on it.” Five more minutes for a cupcake and some writing on a plate. Unacceptable.

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34. C

    Curt

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 16, 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    Great, except the specialty bread served to the table when seated has been replaced by a $12 small loaf of sourdough.

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35. EP

    EileenP

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 15, 2022

    overall3food4service5ambience2

    We were dismayed that the dining area had zero Christmas decorations and the live pianist only played 2 Christmas songs.

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36. D

    Daniel

    San Francisco

    29 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    29 reviews

    Dined on December 14, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Always a great dining experience! The service was excellent and all the waitstaff were friendly. The spinach salad was delicious as were the prime rib and lamb chops. Chocolate ice cream for desert was rich like gelato and was accompanied by biscotti and fresh berries. The setting is incomparable!

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37. L

    Lovetoeatandcook

    San Francisco

    48 reviews

    4.0

    48 reviews

    Dined on December 14, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience5

    For a romantic dinner in a beautiful setting, the Ahwahnee can’t be beat. We loved the excellent pianist who played pieces fro m classical to popular to Christmas. Food was very good: the scallops were some of the best I ever had.

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38. PH

    PaulH

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 12, 2022

    overall1food2service1ambience4

    We had two meals at this location on this trip. The first one was great but the second one was awful--poorly prepared food and the worst service I have ever received in a restaurant that took itself seriously. Definitely not up to the standard I expected.

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39. PL

    PatrickL

    Los Angeles

    6 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on December 12, 2022

    overall3food2service4ambience5

    The setting is/was incredible! The beauty inside and out is second to none. Unfortunately, the food was only so-so. The first night I had the pork, it was dry and not hot. The second night my wife and I had the chicken. Once again, ok but not great. The wait staff were very good. I strongly recommend the breakfast! Sitting in that incredible dining room with the spectacular view was amazing.

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40. TW

    TanyaW

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 11, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Best prime rib and scallops we have ever had. The ambience is amazing. The dining room is like Harry Potter meets Beauty and the Beast with all the iron candelabras. Just beautiful❄️

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