As someone who dines out 4-5 times a week, it has become hard to surprise me and really really provide a unique over the top experience as I am regularly treated to such incredible service, food and wine. I guess that creates a challenge for restaurants every time they’re hosting food writers or media but Madera had no problem surprising, delighting and wowing me. My recent  dinner at Madera was one of the most memorable dining experiences that I have had in years and something both me and my dining partner and friend, Jackie aka the Birthday Girl will treasure for years to come!

The beautiful Madera dining room with stunning views of the resort’s stunning landscape and pool

Our dinner began with a champagne welcome from our server toasting to the birthday girl Jackie. Madera even wrote happy birthday on her custom printed menu. Talk about incredible service and making the guest feel special.

After settling in with our champagne we reviewed the menu and were torn. There were so many items we both wanted to try we decided we’d share a few in order to try as many goodies as we could. This was one of the first courses which was a soup with raw egg. It was super creamy and delicious!

The incredible beet salad we started with. I loved the bright colors plus the crunchy grains paired with the flavorful beets. Amazing.

Director of Wine Paul Mekis and I had quite a fun time reviewing his extensive wine list. After debating which amazing Pinot Noir to enjoy, we landed on the Calera which has significant sentimental connection to me as I met the legendary winemaker Josh Jensen last year at The World of Pinot Noir joining him for an evening where he was honored for a lifetime achievement award as a winemaker. Read my World of Pinot Noir event coverage here.

The Potato Gnocchi we split which was so creamy and yummy.

The fish entree Jackie my lovely date and birthday girl enjoyed

My entree of filet mignon with amazing vegetables and an incredible reduction

A little Madeira Port to pair with our desserts.

The most beautiful dessert presentation. This came and we thought this was the entire dessert, boy were we wrong there was a whole other course coming, this was just a dessert preview.

The amazing Chocolate Dessert. The presentation was stunning and the dessert was incredible. I loved the crunchy surprise below the chocolate mousse.

The lovely birthday girl Jackie getting ready to enjoy the amazing dessert.

A special thank you to the Rosewood Sand Hill Madera Restaurant team on this spectacular dining experience. This truly was beyond amazing and so memorable. I hope I get to return again and experience this spectacular service, setting, amazing food and wines.