Ernie's Food & Spirits — Restaurant in California

My husband and I recently had the pleasure of visiting an extraordinary restaurant to celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary. This restaurant surpassed all our expectations. From the moment we stepped foot through the doors, we were greeted with warm hospitality and an ambiance that set the stage for an unforgettable dining experience.

The culinary journey began with a selection of appetizers that left an indelible impression on our taste buds. We had ordered the crab cakes and the seared scallops. Each dish was meticulously crafted, showcasing a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. The presentation was a work of art, with vibrant colors and meticulous attention to detail. The appetizers were the perfect prelude to an extraordinary culinary adventure that awaited me.

The main course elevated the dining experience to new heights. The menu boasted an impressive array of options, making it challenging to decide on just one dish. We opted for their Holstein 28 Day Dry-Aged USDA Prime Ribeye Flannery Beef 12oz, and it was nothing short of a gastronomic masterpiece. The ingredients were fresh and expertly combined, resulting in a symphony of flavors that danced on my palate. The portion size was generous, ensuring that every bite was a delightful journey to savor.

However, what truly stole the show were the side dishes - the mashed potatoes, truffle Mac and cheese, and crab rice.

Let's start with the mashed potatoes. Creamy, velvety, and bursting with flavor, they were the epitome of comfort food perfection. Each forkful was a heavenly blend of buttery smoothness and rich potato goodness. The texture was spot-on, and the seasoning was masterfully balanced, allowing the natural flavors to shine through. These mashed potatoes have undoubtedly set the bar impossibly high for any future mashed potato encounters I may have.

Next up, the truffle Mac and cheese. Prepare yourself for a symphony of flavors that will dance on your taste buds. The combination of the earthy truffle essence and the indulgent creaminess of the cheese sauce was simply divine. Every mouthful was a delightful journey as the truffle notes intertwined with the perfectly cooked macaroni, creating a harmonious and luxurious experience. This dish is an absolute must-try for all Mac and cheese enthusiasts.

Lastly, the crab rice. Brace yourself for a flavor explosion unlike anything you've ever experienced. The fragrant aroma of the crab-infused rice alone was enough to make my mouth water. Each grain was infused with the essence of fresh crab, complemented by an exquisite medley of carefully selected herbs and spices. The succulent pieces of crab meat added an extra layer of indulgence to this already extraordinary dish. The crab rice at Ernies Food and Spirits is a true culinary masterpiece that I would gladly savor again and again.

No culinary adventure is complete without indulging in a decadent dessert, and this restaurant certainly delivered in this department. The dessert menu was a tantalizing array of sweet creations, and I couldn't resist trying their Triple Chocolate Cake Served With Vanilla Gelato and Fresh Berries. From the first bite, I was transported to dessert heaven. The dessert was flawlessly executed, with a perfect balance of sweetness and texture. It was evident that the pastry chef's skill and passion were infused into every delectable bite.

The impeccable service at this restaurant deserves special recognition. The staff members were attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable. They went above and beyond to ensure that every aspect of our dining experience was exceptional. From the moment we walked in, we felt like valued guests. The waitstaff was prompt in attending to our needs, providing insightful recommendations, and accommodating any special requests. The attention to detail and genuine care demonstrated by the staff truly elevated the overall experience.

In conclusion, our visit to this remarkable restaurant was an absolute delight from...

Ernie's Food & Spirits is an oasis in the restaurant desert that is Manteca. My husband and I have lived out here for a little over a year, and because there is nothing but chain restaurants, pizza joints or Mexican food everywhere you look in this town I was really surprised to discover that we had this type of greatness practically around the corner from our house.

Discovered this place via the San Joaquin Magazine, I'm vegetarian and the rave reviews about the Vegan Wings prompted my visit. I was not disappointed!

We started off by ordering a few cocktails. I had the Truffletini (not as good as I thought it was going to be) and My husband had an Old Fashioned.

Next came the 5 Onion Soup and well, that was AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS! I can see myself popping in for that soup often! The soup also went perfectly with my St. George Spirits Breaking & Entering Bourbon. (B&E is my favorite, it's made in the SF Bay Area, and I usually can't get it outside of Oakland or Alameda)

Our Entrees were FANTASTIC! My husband had the special (Duck with Risotto) and I had the Seafood Fettuccine minus the Sea Food. (the Chef gave me perfectly cooked veggies instead) We ended our food fest with, in my opinion, the only dessert that ever needs to be served. Creme Brulee.

The service was fantastic! Thank You Laci for being so wonderful!

Highly...

Let me start off by saying the restaurant is beautiful. Great place to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, etc. The atmosphere is amazing, and the staff was great.

My husband and I ordered steak with Truffle Mac and cheese & crab fried rice.

The kids got Alfredo sauce with pasta and Mini Mac and cheese.

The Truffle Mac and Cheese that my husband and I got tasted great. The crab fried rice tasted like regular fired rice. There is no hint of crab. Crab fired rice should taste like crab, and I should be able to see it in the fried rice.

Secondly, the kids ordered the kids' Mini Mac and cheese, and the chicken Alfredo pasta, it tasted excatly the same because the same pasta was used for the kids Mini Mac and cheese, the chicken Alfredo. There was absolutely no difference in those two dishes. And to be honest, the same pasta and same sauce was used for the Truffle Mac and cheese. If we had known that those 3 dishes would have tasted exactly the same, we would not have ordered it. We would have chosen different.

The steak was delicious.

The dessert, of course, was delicious.

My husband and I agreed that we would visit again but would definitely not order those 3...