Best Contemporary American Restaurants in Glen Ellen

The lobster is the best we have ever had wish it was on the menu more. Great Place the couple we had with us from Denver said best meal they ever had.

We appreciate considerate and efficient service at the Rotunda. Our sandwiches were tasty and huge. It is such a beautiful setting and viewing the Union Square Christmas tree put us in the holiday mood.

What a find! Food choices were great- love the fact they are shareable as it's hard sometimes for my wife and me to try different things at a restaurant with individual/full portions. Quality was excellent as dishes are innovative, accurately described, and tasty. Don't pass on the caviar potato cloud (insider tip- order one for yourself instead of sharing)! And the drinks are also innovative and quite balanced in their flavor profiles!

The Grove at Copia is such a gem! Everyone needs to try it. It's located in the Culinary Institute of America. It's next to Oxbow Market, but honestly this restaurant is much more in my alley. You can walk around the CIA, there's a really cool museum upstairs open to public and a stunning gift shop. The food at the restaurant is made from their own farm (you can see if from the parking lot). Can't get any more fresh than that. The menu is curated by their students or upcoming chefs, so some of these might be ready for the next big coveted restaurant. The price point is so adorable!!! 4 course Michelin star like menu for only $90 and you will have leftovers! Honestly probably cheaper than whatever you'll end up eating at Oxbow :p This used to be Julia Child's test kitchen and many famous chefs graduated from here. I'm pretty sure they still donate money or are engaged with the institution. The quality of the decor, service, menu is top notch, but not in an uptight way. Our server Maryanne is just the sweetest! She gave us a history of the restaurant and you can just tell she is so proud to work for such a high standard institution. She was very attentive and gave us honest and good recommendations. She sat us right next to the farm so we could watch the sunset while dining for my husband's birthday. You're missing out if you haven't been to this restaurant. Also ask for Maryanne, she'll take such good care of you.

Four of us enjoyed a wonderful birthday celebration on the patio. Everything was exceptional, but the service from Alexa was outstanding. Her knowledge, guidance and kindness made for a truly memorable evening. We loved it all: Endive salad with fresh crab, fresh falafels topped with ahi tuna, tagliatelle pasta with fresh truffles, perfectly cooked Filet and NY steaks, and roast chicken. My only regret was that the four of us didn’t get to enjoy the prix fixe Egyptian dinner… Hoping that will stay on the menu until we return for another celebration!