There’s a new “Road Less Traveled” in the Gold Country. The newly constructed Highway 49 bypass in Amador County lets the modern world sail by. The old route to Amador City now detours to the slow, historic Gold Country.

The Imperial Hotel in Amador City transports you to an elegant past where authentic lodging, dining and a full bar awaits you. The historic Oasis Bar and Imperial Hotel dining room represent a fabulous return to the glorious days when gold mining brought riches to Amador. The Oasis Bar dates back to 1879. Its rustic décor, high ceilings, brass bar rail, and spittoon on a wood floor that held gold dust create a unique ambience. We recommend a Long Island Ice Tea or Chopin martini. In the bar you can enjoy appetizers of Shrimp with red pepper ($11), Artisan cheeses ($13) and locally baked bread from Andrae’s Bakery.

In the classic, elegant dining room one of the owners, Susan Feist, will greet you. The Imperial Hotel and Restaurant is family owned. The other proprietors are Susan’s husband, Executive Chef Anthony Feist, and Jim and MaryAnn McCamant. The menu changes often. During your visit you can order a Pork Chop with maple brandy sauce, New York steak with mushrooms and cream, Filet Mignon, and Shrimp Scampi to name a few. All of the meat, poultry, and seafood come from farms, ranches, and fisheries guided by principles of sustainability. The New York steak is served with mashed Yellow Finn potatoes and Del Rio Botanicals arugula, as is the Filet Mignon with red wine reduction. The beef is well seasoned to allow the natural flavor through. The Shrimp Scampi ($22) features succulent shrimp with saffron rice and a flavorful sauce that makes this dish outstanding.

The dining room is spacious with high ceilings, subtle décor, elegant table linens and jazz on the stereo. For bucolic summer evenings dining is available on the secluded stone patio.

Ingrid Fraser’s elegant cakes and fine desserts provide a sweet end to dinner. A chocolate torte with coffee ice cream and almond butter toffee provides a rhapsody of flavors that end a meal with gusto. For a fruit dessert there is a Linzer Torte made with raspberries.

The Imperial also features Blue Bottle Coffee, recently voted the best coffee in San Francisco.

After dinner, guests can retire upstairs to a quaint room to enjoy the rest of the evening. Relax on the balcony overlooking tranquil Amador City while being serenaded by frogs from the distance.

After a restful sleep and gourmet breakfast guests can enjoy wine tasting and browsing in the local shops.

Once a month the Imperial hosts Winemaker’s dinners which feature a multi-course meal, wines from a local vintner and a 25% discount on a room at the hotel. The Oasis Bar stages Happy Hour on Wednesdays from 5-6pm.

The Imperial Hotel is the big brick building on the corner at 14202 Highway 49 in Amador City. They are open Wednesday to Saturday 5- 9pm and Sunday 5-8pm. Reservations are recommended and can be made at (209) 267-9172. Information about upcoming events, specials and menu information can be viewed at www.imperialamador.com.