Frequently Asked Questions
Dining
Questions
- What is a Modified American Plan?
- What kind of cuisine do you serve?
- Do we need to make a reservation for dinner?
- What is appropriate dinner attire?
- Is lunch served on the property?
- Does the Alisal use organic food products?
- Do you offer vegetarian meals?
- Are the bakery items made on premises?
- Does the beef served in the dining room come from the Alisal Cattle Ranch?
- What kind of wood is used for the barbeques?
- Do you offer full bar service?
- Is there a corkage fee for wine or champagne brought into the dining room?
- Does the Alisal make its own wine?
- Can we get copies of the Tortilla Soup and Oatmeal Pie recipes?
Answers
What is a Modified American Plan?
Modified American Plan means that breakfast and dinner are included in the normal price of a room for two people. The additional guest charge of $85.00 per person per day includes breakfast and dinner as well.
What kind of cuisine do you serve?
Breakfast and dinner menus for the Ranch Room can be found on our Dining page. Dinner menus vary nightly and include at least 10 entrees.
Do we need to make a reservation for dinner?
Generally speaking, reservations are not necessary for dinner. We do recommend dinner reservations for parties of eight or more guests. You will be assigned a table in either the Ranch or Sycamore Room on your day of arrival and that will be your table for the duration of your stay. We also suggest that large families, particularly with young children, are seated no later than 6:30 p.m. In this way, you will avoid the traditionally busy 6:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. period during which service tends to be a bit slower.
What is appropriate dinner attire?
Men: Sport jackets are required to be worn by all men 16 years of age and older in the Ranch and Sycamore Rooms. Ties are not required. Dress slacks or chino-style pants are recommended. Jeans are not permitted at dinner.
Women: We recommend you dress as if you are going out to dinner at a fine dining restaurant.
Is lunch served on the property?
Yes, lunch is served daily in three different locations - Chuckwagon Grill from 11:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (poolside; during summer, holidays and most weekends), Ranch Golf Course Grill from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. and River Golf Course Grill from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. When the Chuckwagon Grill is closed, lunch is served in the Ranch Dining Room.
Does the Alisal use organic food products?
Yes. We try to use locally grown organic produce when available including tomatoes, peppers, and lettuces. The Scottish salmon we serve is also organic.
Do you offer vegetarian meals?
Yes, we have two vegetarian entrees on every dinner menu. We would be pleased to alter any of our other entrees to accommodate specific dietary requirements.
Are the bakery items made on premises?
All pastries, desserts, and many breads are baked by our Pastry Department on the Alisal premises. Sandwich breads, hamburger buns and hotdog buns are not baked by the Alisal.
Does the beef served in the dining room come from the Alisal Cattle Ranch?
No. We use Black Angus beef from Iowa and Nebraska. Due to FDA guidelines, we cannot use our own cattle.
What kind of wood is used for the barbeques?
We use a mixture of white and red oak for grilling and red oak and hickory chips for smoking.
Do you offer full bar service?
Yes, the Oak Room is open daily from 4:00 p.m. Live entertainment starts at 6:30 p.m. and plays until 10:30 p.m.
Is there a corkage fee for wine or champagne brought into the dining room?
Yes, there is a $20.00 per bottle corkage fee which includes tax and service charge.
Does the Alisal make its own wine?
Although we carry four wines with the Alisal label, they are bottled and produced by local winemakers.
Can we get copies of the Tortilla Soup and Oatmeal Pie recipes?
Yes. The recipes are available and can be obtained by asking any Food & Beverage Manager.