A common question at the Blackberry Inn is "Where can we find a good dinner?" We are fortunate to have several excellent restaurant choices in nearby Groveland, plus several more in Yosemite Valley.

For dining information and reservations, contact the following Groveland restaurants:

• Groveland Hotel Victorian Room, 209/962-4000. The small, formal dining room at this historic hotel is graced by outstanding California cuisine. This is the sort of food you would expect to find in the San Francisco Bay Area but wouldn't even hope for in the mountains. More kudos: this restaurant was awarded the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for its well-chosen wine list. Entrées are in the $15-30 range.

Iron Door Saloon

• Iron Door Grill and Saloon, 209/962-6244. Reputed to be the oldest operating saloon in California, the Iron Door is a tourist attraction in and of itself. But if you're interested in dining, not drinking, you won't be disappointed at the Grill's dining room. Located in a separate room from the bar, the Grill serves up delicious casual food such as steaks, burgers, salads, and sandwiches. Portions are big and the food is dependably good. Entrées are in the $8-15 range.

• Hotel Charlotte, 209/962-6455. The dining room at the Charlotte is always a bustling, happy place where locals and visitors mingle. You can wear your hiking boots here and nobody minds. The American/Continental cuisine is well prepared and priced right. Try the unforgettable Chicken Jerusalem or Shrimp Scampi. Entrees are in the $10-20 range.

If you would prefer a more laid-back meal, Groveland also has a pizza parlor, a coffee shop/café, and a Mexican restaurant. No reservations are needed at these establishments. We have sample menus for all Groveland restaurants at the Blackberry Inn.

Would you rather dine in the shadow of El Capitan? There are many dining options in Yosemite Valley, ranging in price from Degnan's Deli or Curry Village Pizza Parlor to the elegant dining room at the Ahwahnee Hotel. Although you can find food at many spots in the park without needing reservations, the two best eating establishments require them, especially in summer:

Ahwahnee Hotel Dining Room

• The Ahwahnee Hotel Dining Room, 209/372-1488 (or 372-1489). Just how grand is the Ahwahnee Dining Room? The room fills a space 130 feet long and has towering 34-foot-high ceilings. It contains dozens of wrought iron chandeliers and enormous picture windows that look out on Yosemite Valley. Bounded by massive timbered walls, and with seating for 400 people, the place looks downright medieval. The food is equal in style and substance to the architecture. The menu changes constantly, with entrées in the $25-40 range. Yes, it's worth it.

• Yosemite Lodge Mountain Room, 209/372-1281. You'll find classic American dining at this sit-down restaurant at Yosemite Lodge. Expect traditional entrées like steaks, seafood, and pasta dishes, costing $20-25 per dish. Try to get a table near the window (and show up for dinner before it gets dark!) so you can enjoy the spectacular Valley view. You can come as you are here; diners show up in everything from high heels to hiking boots.

Don't forget that you can always eat in Yosemite Valley at Curry Village, the Yosemite Lodge Cafeteria, or the Ahwahnee Bar without needing reservations. Or, in the summer months when Tioga Pass Road is open, you can get a meal at White Wolf Lodge (209/372-8416) or Tuolumne Lodge (209/372-8413). Dinners at these rustic resorts are much better than you'd expect, and the High Sierra scenery can't be beat. Entrées include New York steak, fish of the day, and a vegetarian dish. Reservations are a good idea, but not always necessary.

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Photographs  © 1997 - 1999 Tom Frazier Photography of the Sierra Nevada - tfrazier@elite.net