Zachary Jacques, Pleasant Valley
Zachary Jacques in Pleasant Valley (Placerville), California
Mollie, our GPS, let us down at the last minute. Normally she gives us due warning that our destination is coming up, but not this time. We were right on top of Zachary Jacques when she said ‘destination on the left’ and we sailed right past. For the next mile we searched in vain for somewhere to turn around and eventually found a suitable place.
The restaurant is set a little back from the road with parking on a steep incline at the road side. A couple of tall pine trees stand in front. The exterior of the restaurant looks pleasing and rustic with a large metal rooster to the left of the font door. The chef owner is John Evans
The interior is fairly dark with low light. They also serve lunch and dinner here so I’m guessing it will be quite romantic later on in the day. We waited a few moments to be seated and were shown to our table by the window. It is a nice, comfortable place with a long, low padded seat to the left. The tables are made of a dark varnished wood and the chairs have padded seats. Draped net curtains adorn the sides of the windows and hanging lacy curtains cover the top half of the windows. Enya plays softly in the background – my favorite type of music but not Tom’s cup of tea.
Our server is very helpful and extremely cheerful. Tom and I studied the menu carefully. There was no oatmeal on offer but everything did look tempting. Tom ordered Duck Confit which was described as ‘duck with eggs and crispy potatoes’ ($11.50). He also ordered free range eggs for an extra $1. I strayed a long way from the straight an narrow and ordered Coconut Macadamia Nut French Toast, described as fresh baked macadamia bread dipped in coconut custard, garnished with coconut syrup and toasted macadamia nuts for $6.95. What the heck, I’m on (a mini) vacation.
Now for the decor. Around the walls were large paintings – one of a courtyard and garden, one a landscape with trees and a third of a couple sitting in a cafe with a large window behind them. There were a couple of smaller paintings as well. One right above my let shoulder was of a vineyard scene Behind me was a glass panel with raised purple grapes and green leaves across the top and down the sides. In the far corner was a dresser with ceramic jugs and other things I couldn’t quite make out from where I sat.
We were both really impressed with the food and the way it was presented. On Tom’s plate was a delicious looking piece of duck with a crusted outside two large pieces of herb roasted potatoes, a thick slice of toasted bread and two fried eggs which looked just how he liked them – over medium. My French bread was on a plate decorated with a swirl of raspberry coulis, two small slices of both oranges and apples. There were three thick pieces of nutty macadamia bread, butter with bits of macadamia nuts inside and s mall stainless steel bowl with the coconut syrup. It looked too good to eat.
But eat it I did and it was delicious. Decidedly decadent though and I dread to think of the calories I have just overloaded my body with but it was worth it. So, Tom, how was yours?
Mine was great. Duck is something you don’t have for breakfast everyday that’s for sure. I wish I had had some of their coffee but we stopped at a Starbucks in Stockton on the way up.
Of course I paid my usual visit to the restroom and it was better than a lot I’ve been in. The walls were sponge painted with a beige base and gold on top. There were four framed pictures which were all tapestries with a definite French feel about them, two featured couples in 17th century costumes, one was of a French chateau and the fourth and largest looked like Napoleon Bonaparte and the Empress Josephine. Over the sinks were two oval mirrors with silver frames.
I must say, we both really enjoyed our breakfast at Zachery Jacques. It was well worth the long drive. Would love to come back some time and try and few more items from the menu. It’s such a pity that it is such a long way from home. If you are within 100 miles, you really should try it out.
Zachary Jacques
1821 Pleasant Valley Road
Placerville, CA 95667
Related posts:
- Old Town Cafe, Grass Valley
- Daybreak Cafe, Penn Valley
- El Dorado County -Wineries of Pleasant Valley
- Mama’s Royal Cafe, Mill Valley
- Auntie Mame’s Cafe, Scotts Valley
August 10 2009 09:20 pm | Breakfast Log
M Stull on 05 Feb 2010 at 1:45 pm #
One of you (maybe both) is a fantastic photographer and I love looking at the pictures on your website. Thanks for sharing.
Margaret and Tom on 05 Feb 2010 at 1:59 pm #
Thanks for the complement. Tom takes the photos and Margaret does the writing. It’s a labor of love because we certainly don’t make any money at it.
Tom and Margaret