Saddle Peak Lodge

(818) 222-3888

419 Cold Canyon Rd
Calabasas, CA 91302 34.07792 -118.69293

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SADDLEPEAKLODGE.COM

Years in business

Established in 1984

Hours:

Wednesday - Thursday: 6 - 9 pm

Friday: 5:30 - 10 pm

Saturday: 5 - 10 pm

Sunday: 5 - 9 pm

Sunday Brunch:10:30 am - 2 pm

Price:

$$$$

Last updated 4.04.12

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Diners Club, Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, Romantic Dining, Quiet, Special Occasion Dining, Fine Dining, Brunch, Private Rooms, Online Reservations, Fireplace

Cuisine:

Traditional American

What People Are Saying About Saddle Peak Lodge

Featured Review

Tara Lis

Contributor

In Short – Nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains just north of the Pacific Ocean, this rustic carnivore's haven is unique even among L.A. restaurants. First opened over 100 years ago as a place for hunters to bring their kill, it was transformed into a special-occasion favorite in the 1980s. The menu consistently provides gourmet spins on meat and fish dishes like poached line-caught Alaskan salmon, roasted elk tenderloin and mesquite-grilled black angus coute de boeuf.

Editor's Tips

Where to Sit:
Bask in the glow of Hemingway's favorite hunting lodge hearth by reserving table 5.
Look Good:
This is a "fancy" lodge--no sandals, sneakers or jeans.
Know Before You Go:
Holidays and weekends can book up months in advance. Reserve early to ensure your table.
The Extras:
A beautifully landscaped patio proves popular for weddings and parties; if it's big enough, they'll cancel Sunday brunch for your event.
ambiance
95.64999580383301% positive
  1. The hunting lodge atmosphere provides a romantic backdrop, and the food is truly a culinary treat.
  2. The food was excellent, atmosphere was great, valet parking was quick.
  3. My boyfriend and I had a lovely, romantic evening on Friday night.
  4. Rustic yet romantic.
  5. But when we got there, our dining room was practically empty, and despite the fact that my husband and I were there, enjoying a nice, romantic dinner, the staff (other waiters, hostesses, busboys) acted loud and unruly.
  6. The game dishes are delicious, not "gamey" and the atmosphere is fanTASTICly rustic/hunting lodge.
  7. somehow i thought the dead animal busts mounted on the walls would be distracting, but the candlelit, rustic ambience was the perfect setting for our anniversary dinner.
  8. What a cool place to go for a wonderful, romantic dinner.
  9. ... like chewing on rawhide but we did enjoy the wine over a nice atmosphere, however, that experience prompted me to never go back for a second try.
  10. The ambiance, food, and service were awesome; an incredible place for a romantic dinner.
  11. Overall, a great experience, and my top 'price-be-damned' location.
  12. this place has a wonderful atmosphere, a fabulous selection of game, meats, and seafood on the menu.
  13. the decor is that of a cozy cottage settled away from the distractions of the busy and bustling city of Los angeles.
  14. The location in the mountains and ambiance as a lodge is very good.
  15. The hunting lodge atmosphere was interesting.
  16. The food was absolutely amazing, and it had a cozy, welcoming ambience.
  17. The elk is wonderful, the atmosphere is romantic (i'm from Montana so dead animal heads on the wall don't bother me- in a sick way i'ts comforting being in that lodge- reminds me of home :)- ) My meals have always been fantastic there.
  18. They had great atmosphere and service, but they totally forgot the food.
  19. The ambiance is awesome.
  20. Saddle Peak has declined to the point where not even the lovely setting or interesting decor can justify a visit.
  21. ATMOSPHERE: Unique, fun and charming for a Sunday night dinner (animal heads on wall might be a little weird for some though).
  22. The atmosphere is great and the food is even better.
  23. wonderful atmosphere and food that you'll talk about for days, Saddle Peak is simply enchanting.
dessert
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. The main courses were bland and the desserts were awful.
  2. just spent $170 on cardboard and cold fish and you are going to buy me a dessert?
  3. My husband enjoyed his English split pea soup, venison, and apple pie (more like a tart, actually).
  4. The dessert came with a great Wild Turkey caramel sauce and surprisingly it wasnt gamey at all.
  5. The desserts (molten cake and a version of a s'more) were good as well, but, like the appetizers, not out of this world.
  6. and french toast- absolutely huge with a side of wild boar hash- tastes better than it sounds) and the dessert was amazing.
drinks
86.3599967956543% positive
  1. remember the wine being good, but the food was terrible.
  2. The wine list is mostly domestics, with some rare meritages and some great values in each varietal.
  3. ... like chewing on rawhide but we did enjoy the wine over a nice atmosphere, however, that experience prompted me to never go back for a second try.
  4. Things like opening a second bottle of the same wine, then pouring a taste in the previous wine glass (minor faux pas), then pouring the new wine into everyone's half full glass of the previous bottle (major faux pas).
  5. Folks waiting in the bar had the best seats for this extravaganza as it involved moving large arm chairs up and down stairs.
  6. The $90 a head Chef's menu sounded great, complete with wine selection.
  7. Delicious food, attentive servers and good wine make for an enjoyable evening.
  8. The wine list was impressive and the service was very good.
  9. ended the meal with the banana bread pudding and a nice coffee.
  10. The wine list is superb, and the staff attentive.
  11. was also intrigued by the wine pairings, and the wine pairings were absolutely fantastic.
food quality
90.43000221252441% positive
  1. had to ask at least three times for different condiments-water-and other beverages, the food was less than satisfactory the meat was chewy, the bus staff was slow.
  2. The sauces that accompanied both the meats were wonderful - very rich but not overpowering.
  3. We drank and stuffed ourselves silly - couldn't hold back because everything was so delicious.
  4. The food was excellent, atmosphere was great, valet parking was quick.
  5. The mushroom/duck in puff pasty appetizer was delicious and flavorful.
  6. The service was superb and the food was terrific.
  7. Once again a great meal and beautiful service, a must if you have the time.
  8. I've also eaten there for Thanksgiving and had a wonderful meal.
  9. Don't eat here, service is mediocre & the food is terrible for the price.
  10. had medium-rare elk with bacon-asparagus in a great sauce, with a duck/mushroom on a perfectly toasted bread of some sort.
  11. Seriously, the meat in the main course (buffalo NY steak, tiny portion, $44) was tasteless and extremely chewy.
  12. They had great atmosphere and service, but they totally forgot the food.
  13. The menu was small but there was enough options from steak, fresh fish, buffalo to pasta.
  14. Amazing food without the 'tude.
  15. ended the meal with the banana bread pudding and a nice coffee.
  16. My boyfriend and I just enjoyed a truly wonderful meal and experience at Saddle Peak Lodge.
  17. this place has a wonderful atmosphere, a fabulous selection of game, meats, and seafood on the menu.
  18. The salmon I got at trader joe's last week was more tasty than this pitiful 3 oz peice.
  19. The food was absolutely amazing, and it had a cozy, welcoming ambience.
  20. The hunting lodge atmosphere provides a romantic backdrop, and the food is truly a culinary treat.
  21. Game meats are incredible - service wonderful.
  22. mind paying for excellent food and service - which was not the case.
  23. the food was outstanding (a great place for game-lovers) and the service was impeccable.
  24. The service was very helpful, except for the recommendation of some blue cheese salad.
  25. The food was awesome.
  26. Great food, staff needs major etiquette training!
  27. The ambiance, food, and service were awesome; an incredible place for a romantic dinner.
  28. There are some really great game dishes for those who have a sense of adventure.
  29. My husband enjoyed his English split pea soup, venison, and apple pie (more like a tart, actually).
  30. got the mushroom tart, which was so flavorful, and the elk for the entree.
  31. the food was no less than genius and the service was literal perfection.
  32. The atmosphere is great and the food is even better.
  33. The food was excellent, truly the best meal I have had.
  34. The food was great.
  35. The dessert came with a great Wild Turkey caramel sauce and surprisingly it wasnt gamey at all.
  36. Great food
  37. I'm a big meat fan and this is one of my fav places in L.A.
  38. The food was nothing less than excellent.
  39. the meal I had there was fabulous.
  40. Tuna was great, quail was weird--it tasted like a minature chicken--a lot of work for such a small piece of fowl, the wild boar was horrible--it was part chop slices with a really strange and bad tasting meatball slathered with what I can best tell as Bul
  41. This is probably the best food I have had in California.
  42. FOOD: The food was absolutely delicious!
  43. and french toast- absolutely huge with a side of wild boar hash- tastes better than it sounds) and the dessert was amazing.
  44. Unfortunately the menu lived mostly up to my expectations = 2 disappointments, 2 good dishes, 1 wow dish.
  45. Delicious food, attentive servers and good wine make for an enjoyable evening.
  46. The food was a nice.
  47. The game dishes are delicious, not "gamey" and the atmosphere is fanTASTICly rustic/hunting lodge.
  48. wonderful atmosphere and food that you'll talk about for days, Saddle Peak is simply enchanting.
  49. The quail was perfect with a spicy crispy skin.
  50. just spent $170 on cardboard and cold fish and you are going to buy me a dessert?
  51. This place has amazing food.
  52. We started with the butternut squash soup and the fuji apple salad both of which were very good but not spectacular.
  53. We dined outside and the scent of summer evening was nice but when I walked back into the Lodge the smell of old food was heavy in the air.
  54. remember the wine being good, but the food was terrible.
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. The menu was small but there was enough options from steak, fresh fish, buffalo to pasta.
  2. The $90 a head Chef's menu sounded great, complete with wine selection.
  3. Unfortunately the menu lived mostly up to my expectations = 2 disappointments, 2 good dishes, 1 wow dish.
  4. We went for our anniversary, and even my picky husband was willing to shed his inhibitions to try the unique offerings on the menu.
  5. this place has a wonderful atmosphere, a fabulous selection of game, meats, and seafood on the menu.
overall
100.0% positive
  1. think they are by far the best restaurant in the country and i have been to French Laundry and Joel Robuchon in vegas and those two can't even hold a candle to SPl (saddle peak lodge).
  2. the food was outstanding (a great place for game-lovers) and the service was impeccable.
  3. What a great place to have dinner.
  4. There is a great big fire place in the main room, a library on the second floor and a nice terrace on the top floor, which is great for private parties.
  5. Wonderful every night, but the absolute best place in LA for Thanksgiving dinner.
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. ... like chewing on rawhide but we did enjoy the wine over a nice atmosphere, however, that experience prompted me to never go back for a second try.
service
71.14999771118164% positive
  1. SERVICE: The service, despite reviews below, was excellent.
  2. The waitress was slow and forgetful.
  3. They had great atmosphere and service, but they totally forgot the food.
  4. We went there last night for a friend's birthday dinner, so we kept the complaining to the staff at a minimum (did not want to spoil the evening), but this was a very mediocre experience with an extreme price tag.
  5. The ambiance, food, and service were awesome; an incredible place for a romantic dinner.
  6. Don't eat here, service is mediocre & the food is terrible for the price.
  7. the food was outstanding (a great place for game-lovers) and the service was impeccable.
  8. had to ask at least three times for different condiments-water-and other beverages, the food was less than satisfactory the meat was chewy, the bus staff was slow.
  9. The wine list was impressive and the service was very good.
  10. the food was no less than genius and the service was literal perfection.
  11. It's just one example of a night full of mediocre service.
  12. mind paying for excellent food and service - which was not the case.
  13. But when we got there, our dining room was practically empty, and despite the fact that my husband and I were there, enjoying a nice, romantic dinner, the staff (other waiters, hostesses, busboys) acted loud and unruly.
  14. The poor waitress we had, was serving 10 tables with parties of 8 or more.
  15. especially liked our service - none of the smarmyness of like-priced restaurants, and extremely attentive without being obtrusive.
  16. The service was superb and the food was terrific.
  17. Our waiter was great.
  18. Delicious food, attentive servers and good wine make for an enjoyable evening.
  19. asked the manager how long the waitress had been employed at the Lodge and his answer was many months and yes, she could improve - keeping an employee who is not cutting the mustard is just bad management.
  20. The service was very helpful, except for the recommendation of some blue cheese salad.
  21. Once again a great meal and beautiful service, a must if you have the time.
  22. The wine list is superb, and the staff attentive.
  23. Great food, staff needs major etiquette training!
  24. Game meats are incredible - service wonderful.
  25. Service from the valet to the servers were flawless, & prices were affordable.
  26. The service at every level is terrible.
value
75.0% positive
  1. We went there last night for a friend's birthday dinner, so we kept the complaining to the staff at a minimum (did not want to spoil the evening), but this was a very mediocre experience with an extreme price tag.
  2. Overall, a great experience, and my top 'price-be-damned' location.
  3. Service from the valet to the servers were flawless, & prices were affordable.
  4. and french toast- absolutely huge with a side of wild boar hash- tastes better than it sounds) and the dessert was amazing.
  5. The wine list is mostly domestics, with some rare meritages and some great values in each varietal.
  6. Don't eat here, service is mediocre & the food is terrible for the price.
wait time
25.0% positive
  1. asked the manager how long the waitress had been employed at the Lodge and his answer was many months and yes, she could improve - keeping an employee who is not cutting the mustard is just bad management.
  2. The food was excellent, atmosphere was great, valet parking was quick.
  3. had to ask at least three times for different condiments-water-and other beverages, the food was less than satisfactory the meat was chewy, the bus staff was slow.
  4. The waitress was slow and forgetful.
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

11/30/11

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5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/04/11

Perfect!

by jannyman

Sometimes my husband and I feel like taking a quick vacation away from everything, and that's when we go to the Saddle Peak Lodge. It's tucked away on the hills, and the place is absolutely lovely. While there it is easy to forget that we are still in L.A. It feels like were in some place out in Montana or Upstate NY. I usually have their seafood, which I like. I am not much of a meat eater, but my husband adores wild game, and he is particularly fond of their elk tenderloin.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

12/08/10

THE BEST!

by LuxuryGirl

I ordered the Elk and it was to die for! The wait staff is professional, knowledgeable, and friendly. They have a fantastic menu and the atmosphere is great!! I strongly recommend!

2 Star Rating: Below Average

08/27/10

Will never go back

by Northridge Gal

I have been going to Saddlepeak lodge for almost thirty years. I have gone on dates, had family celebrations and birthday celebrations. The last two times, however, have been disappointing to say the least. The last time I made birthday reservations thirty days in advance, specifically requesting downstairs seating by the fireplace (very romantic!). I called twice to confirm the reservation as the date approached and was assured each time that it would be no problem. (I made the reservation very early in the evening so my chances would be better.) Upon arrival, we had to wait half an hour to even get into the parking lot because they were having a wedding reception. The wedding booked the entire first floor of the restaurant. Now, no one mentioned this when I confirmed the reservation twice? No explanation whatsoever was given (I had to ask) as we were led upstairs to the "library", which is quite pretty but an entirely different atmosphere and, at that early hour, completely deserted and quiet so we had to whisper in order not to be overheard. Dinner was tasty, I have to say, but the prices have grown substantially over the last few years and the menu has shrunk. The bill arrives, and I hand over a $200 gift card (wedding present). The total was about $187.00, so I also handed over a VISA card so I could supplement the tip. This created a problem, the waitress had no idea what to do. What she did was come back to the table (after 15 minutes) and tell me that the gift card was only for $175. I produced the paperwork from the restaurant that came with the card that specifically said $200, which the restaurant had filled out and mailed to us. She had to go back and see the manager, who finally agreed (after another half an hour) to honor the $200 amount. Needless to say, not a very good ending to a largely disappointing experience. I don't mean to sound like I have so many sour grapes about the place, I used to absolutely love it and recommended it regularly to my family and friends. Not anymore!

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

09/20/09

The most charming experience in Los Angeles

by malibuprincess

Unique indeed. Beautiful. Top elegant service. Fantastic cuisine. Beautiful setting. Best wine list ever.

We loved it. You must go, located in the Malibu Canyon, 10 minutes from the 101 and 15 minutes from Santa Monica. AMAZING

  • Pros: Best cuisine experience in LA
  • Cons: None

The Details on Saddle Peak Lodge

Place Categories:

  • great food
  • great service
  • great big fire place
  • great wonderful atmosphere
  • wonderful experience
  • truly wonderful meal
  • romantic dinner
  • favorite restaurant
  • flavorful elk
  • good wine
  • great wild turkey caramel sauce
  • really great game dishes
  • forgetful waitress
  • awful dessert
  • cold fish
  • perfect quail
  • incredible game meats
  • delicious mushroomduck
  • very good butternut squash soup
  • bad nothing
  • wonderful country setting
  • not like animal heads
  • big disappoinment
  • great evening
  • very good fuji apple salad

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