The Prospector
23092 Fuller Rd, Twain Harte, CA, 95383
The Prospector Menu
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Address :
23092 Fuller Rd
Twain Harte, CA, 95383 - Phone (209) 586-1313
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :Closed
- Mon : Closed
Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street, Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : No
Categories
Pizza
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
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Brian S.
First the offerings in the area are EXTREMELY LIMITED, this place has ok pizza and some psycho running it. limited menu don't ask for anything but what you see or get told. If you heard great things about it, it is better to keep it in your mind then to experience the let down. downtown Sonora has pizza and other food but its about 20 minute drive.
(2)Ben S.
Wow! I love The Prospector. There really is no resturant like it any where. I am lucky enough to travel the world for work, and even with many trips to NYC, Tokyo, SF, ect this little local place is still my favorite resturant ever. This is not your typical pizza joint. From the wine to the pizza, pasta, steak or whatever else may be on the one night only menu it is all fantastic. Do not expect your typical dinner experience. Go with an open mind and stomach, and be prepared to follow a very different routine. Enjoy!
(5)Randy M.
Best food and experience possible. This is an amazing restaurant.
(5)Dream C.
Sweet little mom-pop shop with bomb thin crust pizza! Reminds me of the gourmet pizza places in SF. The "Prospector" makes the pizza in a brick oven and his wife handles the front. I get the impression that they change the menu every now and then, but the dessert we had, which was a pina cotta/banana/chocolate drops/ice cream thingie--bottom line is that we had no idea what it was, but it was sooo goood. The owner also let us try his homemade hazelnut toffee gelato, which was amazing as well. The service is wonderful and homely here--if you behave, that is! After ordering our pizza, my friends ran back to the hotel to get something. The owner saw this and held off on making our pizza until they were back so that it'd be hot and fresh when they returned! SO attentive. Now if you don't behave, like have a bunch of rowdy kids or try to sneak a party of 12 in their tiny restaurant, the owners will handle YOU. Their policy is to have parties of 6 or less to maintain the peaceful ambiance of the restaurant. Understandable that people on epic trips want their loved ones to try this great lil restaurant out, but for such a small place, we as consumers gotta consider how things are on their end.
(5)Rachel F.
This place was a fun little find, recommended to us by a local. Mellow, backyard vibe--patrons are meant to share tables and conversation. We got the four cheese pizza, which was dripping with gorgonzola (usually not seen on a four cheese but one of my faves!), smoked mozzarella, and a couple other sharp cheese. The crust was classic Napoletana style--bubbly with blackened boils, and perfectly crisp. It was delicious and gone in less than 10 minutes (we had hiked Vernal Falls in Yosemite Park earlier that day). The service is a bit odd here, in an intentional way. So I'll give you guys the skinny on how to go about getting your food: 1) Grab a table, or some spots at someone else's--they are bent on having you share your spot so you can meet others and carry conversation. 2) Order and pay for your food at the counter inside--they also hide the beer and wine selection there for some reason. 3) Watch it all happen at the brick oven right next to the seating area. Robert, the owner, seemed like a great, laid-back person. He was happy to take a seat next to us to see how we enjoyed our meal. We discussed how North Beach compares... The Prospector is a lovely small town treasure. Wish we had one here in San Francisco. And that's saying something!
(5)Ivana N.
Aww Chef Robert wasn't in the kitchen today. The pizzas were simple but delicious. My favorite was the dessert pizza. Mascarpone and truffle honey is pizza dough is a winning combo!
(4)Tim J.
Big deal! The pizza was good; not great. What is all this crap about "The Rules"?! God forbid you ask the "wrong" question,; order a wine he doesn't approve of; hold the toilet flusher down too long. This is no way to treat paying customers...especially in a tiny mountain resort town. Gimme a break. I wouldn't waste my money there again. It's pizza, dude. Relax.
(2)Laura C.
We live locally in Sonora and have for the past 7 years. Needless to say, we were embarrassed for ourselves that last night was our FIRST trip to the Prospector. Some of my local friends came into my store and couldn't stop raving about this restaurant, so my parents and my husband and I decided we had to go. The overall experience was completely wonderful. The pizza is OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD! It is unlike any other pizza you've every tried, and 100% authentic. The atmosphere is casual and relaxed... surrounded by nature :) We got to sit right near the oven and observe/smell the food being made. Not to mention, chit chat with Robert who picked the perfect wine for us almost before we could ask. (It was an incredible pairing by the way!) He shared so much of his knowledge with us. Ross was also cooking with him and he made an effort to chat with us as well. We ate more pizza than we could handle, but it's so good you almost don't want to eat again... just so you can savor the flavors. We all hope to become regulars at this neat little restaurant, and look forward to attending one of Robert's legendary specialty dinners.
(5)Deanna D.
Our family has a cabin up in Twain Harte and we wanted to try a new place for dinner. As we were ordering our meal we mentioned we may want to order a pizza to go at the end for my sick brother in law who stayed home. Upon hearing this, the owner rudely responded and said he refused to make a pizza to go! When I mentioned we were going to take some pizza at the end to my sick brother in law, he said he would not allow it and to go order a pizza from the Pizza Factory. If we had not just paid, I would have stormed out! Absolutely one of the rudest owners I have encountered! Will NEVER go there again!! No pizza is worth such rude and horrible service!!
(2)Kurt D.
The owner is very rude no dinner is worth the way this guy treats his customers. We were told to sit down and shut up if you want to eat.
(1)Jonas K.
Excellent pizza overall. Great flavors and texture. Great casual feel and self serve. Nice laid back porch to eat on. Service was friendly and accommodating. The host made a great recommendation for a wine pairing. Only knock is it is on the pricey side. But its worth it for a great Twain Harte experience.
(4)Teresa H.
If you are ready for a high quality meal in a relaxed atmosphere speaking to friendly locals while enjoying a glass of wine then you are in for a real treat. You might share your table,you pour your own wine and set your own table. You order at the cash register. The meal takes a little while to cook because everything is made to order. You cannot go if you are in a hurry, but if you have an evening to while away this restaurant is a definite jewel.
(5)David G.
If you're the type who is endlessly picky about their food, makes lots of alterations to whatever is on the menu wherever you go before ordering your dish, or would bristle at the idea that a chef might know what's better than you do, please, save yourself the extra drive into Twaine Harte and head to Applebee's on the main drag outside of town. If, however, you want to eat some of the most extraordinary food you'll ever have cooked by an extraordinary chef who cares deeply about the integrity of the ingredients in what comes out of his kitchen, and are willing to put your culinary life in his hands, you must, must, must come here - just be prepared to play by his (entirely reasonable) dining rules. It's a simple setup with a simple menu - a number of daily specials and about 10 pizzas, as well as a small but unique and thoughtfully chosen beer and wine list. But Robert (quite unfairly maligned by people who clearly fall into the category described above) is not only a masterful chef of the most ethereal wood oven pizza (when you get home you'll realize your clothes smell of the most delicious smoke), but a caring host - when he found out my girlfriend and I were vegetarians, he invited us back the next night offering to make something special for us. He did - it was incredible. He also sat with us and other customers while we ate to get to know us a little bit. If you show him that you care about food, he'll take care of you. If you consider yourself a foodie, if you think you've had the best pizza of your life, or if you just want to experience a new level of dining - please, do yourself a favor and come here. I promise it's worth the trip.
(5)Will P.
We moved to the area recently and decided to eat dinner here. My father's family is Napoletano and I have been back to Italy many times. I'll start off my saying the pizza was good; not the same as you get in Napoli but similar. I tried to strike up a conversation with the owner thinking they were also Napoletan but they were not and didn't appear to want to talk to me. Anyway, we were sitting there for about an hour and noticed 3 tables were served before us who had come in after us. We were given a wine which was the chef's recommendation for our pizza without any choice in the matter; that wine ended up being more than what we were willing to pay and was not a wine that I particularly enjoy nor believe is a good pairing. We also had to get our own glasses, plates and napkins. When they finally came with the pizza realizing the order was obviously lost they made no apology or concession. To summarize; the bill ended up being much more expensive than we were originally expecting to pay, the service was poor and you get no choice in the wine but the food is good.
(2)Briana S.
Twain Harte has been blessed with the awesome little place with unbelievable food. You will never have the same plate twice. You will love every bite that you eat...Pizza, Cheese platters, pasta, beef, vegetables, DESSERTS and so much more!!!! And you get front row view of the action in the kitchen. My husband and I have friends in Twain Harte that have taken us there and we are so so thankful!! I can't wait to go back! HOME MADE, HOME MADE, HOME MADE! You have to go and then post how awesome the experience was. I think you can also see Robert cooking online.
(5)Daniela P.
My parents are native Italians and my father was in the pizza business in NY for over 35 years. I am usually very very picky about pizza. I will be the first to say that I DID enjoy the pizza here. My review is more in regards to the service (or lack thereof) and management in this establishment. As other reviewers have indicated and is made explicit on the menu, there are unusual "rules" here. Essentially, you have to expect to share your table, provide your own silverware, accept whatever wine the chef selects for your pizza (like it or not), and do not complain about the food being slow. I appreciated that these rules are stated outright and I understand that it is all intended to create some kind of "an experience." Maybe I don't get it. I didn't think the wine was that good and frankly, I really struggle with understanding why service is as slow as it is. We showed up on allegedly a "busy" night, with all of 6 tables of 4. On the night that we came, they also lost our ticket and we waited even longer than the long expected wait time. I did not expect an apology for what is usual in the restaurant on a "busy" night, but an apology for the longer than expected wait time would have gone a long way. Despite these circumstances, I considered returning to try it again. However, when a member of my party called attention to these nuances via yelp, the owner's response revealed to me such an incredible arrogance that does not leave me wanting to return. You may read it for yourself. I do not know what his credentials are or why his preferences for wine pairings are somehow superior to the palates of his paying customers. I just know that I can make a pizza from scratch from start to finish in my own kitchen a lot faster than they can. I also know, like most people, that the customer is always right. I will not be returning to this establishment.
(1)Candice T.
We arrived late (after closing), but they were willing to accommodate us in our state of hunger. We ordered the Toscana pizza, which was one of the best pizzas we've ever had. The truffle oil made it sensational, along with excellent salami. We loved the character of the restaurant -- they insisted on choosing the bottle of wine for us to match the pizza, and we were very pleased.
(5)Leslie M.
Yes, the owner is rude and pompous, but quite frankly, I don't care. The pizza is phenomenal! I lived in Italy for 2 years and in the 4 years since I've been back, this is the best pizza. It was as if I was eating pizza at a restaurant in Italy. Therefore, despite the number of reviews about the rude owner, get over it and eat some delicious pizza you'll rarely find elsewhere.
(5)Faith D.
This is an excellent place for homemade pizza and a relaxing dinner. The food is delicious. The calzones are excellent because the crust is so good....and I'm not a huge crust lover. Everything I have had here is excellent! There are only a few tables so you need to get there early. The owner doesn't allow children and large groups of people....mostly because there is no room and parents with out of control children. He wants to provide a nice, relaxing dinner experience.
(5)Chelsea L.
I came here with a friend while staying in Mi-Wuk Village on a short weekend trip. We were happy to be seated (communal tables) at a table with two women who lived locally. Before going up to the counter to order our tablemates kindly gave us instructions on how to order and the "rules". Apparently this place doesn't allow take out, substitutions, parties of more than 6, or children...though there was a child seated at the table right next to us. She was well behaved though so maybe the cook and her are good pals? Honestly, I was turned off at first by the whole no children and no take out allowed thing. First of all, I appreciate family friendly establishments because I was a kid once and I think family should be valued...this coming from a woman who is not a mother. I can think of a dozen reasons people might give me to support the no children allowed argument. I don't like or agree with any of them. Children eat food and thus should be allowed in restaurants. Especially in cute little towns like Twain Harte, come on! People need to be accepting of human differences. Children are humans. blah blah blah. Secondly, I like ordering a bunch of things to try and then taking leftovers home. I live 2+ hours away and will most likely not be back in this area for a very long time. It would have been nice to order a few different dishes to try but I guess that's not an option unless you are one who likes to waste a bunch of food. I thought about going to the store and buying ziplock bags. Would the cook be ok with this? Honest question. With all of that said, our experience here was pretty good (reason for the 4 stars). I got the DOC margherita. It was good. It wasn't AMAZING but it was good. If I could change something about it (...I can't though, no substitutions!) I would get rid of some of the liquid from the tomatoes. As I was cutting pieces and eating I was thinking about how it was more like a saucy pasta dish rather than a pizza. The crust was really thin (thin is good) but maybe a little under done too. I'm not sure but it just didn't seem to hold up well. Still, tasty pizza! The two employees that I came in contact with, the woman who took our order and the man who brought our pizza out, were nice. I never felt disrespected or treated poorly like a few other reviewers have.
(4)Brandon L.
One of my favorite travel restaurant . I have never had a bad dish here. The chef has a different take on food which takes your taste buds for a ride. The menu changes every time we go so we are always in for a surprise. There is also a nice selection of Good craft beers and wine.
(5)Sam S.
I have lived in the Sonora area since 2000 but I only realized this place was around about 6 months ago. I had been dying to come here and try the food here based on what I've read and heard from others but I wanted to wait and share the experience for when my foodie friends came into town from Napa. God, am I happy I got to share this with them. It's a pretty cozy place with a "different" atmosphere based around self-service for silverware and fetching your own water glasses. Definitely fun to watch the chef at work with his wood fire oven. We ordered the Crudo pizza and the Fungi. Both were absolutely sensational!!! Stunning style of crust, toppings, and flavor on both. We devoured these easily as they were so tasty. Just when we though it couldn't get any better, impossibly, it did as we shared the chicken plate with its unique blend of spices growing with every mouthful. One of the people in our party has been feeling ill for quite some time now and remarked that this was the best meal she can remember having for a long time and it actually perked up the way she was feeling. Personally, I'm looking forward to returning here very soon indeed. I would love to have tried the Mango Creme brûlée dessert but simply ran out of room.
(5)Jim W.
I don't ever give 5 stars; but this is 4+. Starting to be my favorite food in the area. It is not fancy, it is not noisy, it is not crowded (tho it should be). It is VERY GOOD. Quality, slow cooked, fresh, original, changing menu, shareable plates, reasonable wines, comfortable, different. Tonight the duck breast was perfect (my wife doesn't like duck and she just kept taking it off the serving plate); prosciutto pizza wonderful, great rioja, Outdoor dining is still perfect. In Twain Harte - this is the place.
(4)Andrea G.
Words cannot describe how scrumptious my pizza was! The marinara so tasty...the mozzarella creamy and fresh. Sitting on a beautiful deck enjoying the gorgeous Twain Harte scenery. A few things to know before you come here...YES you can bring kids...but make sure they're behaved. ALWAYS ask the chef's recommendation for beverage before you order it. Let him know what kind of pizza you're having and he'll tell you what goes with it. Go against the recommendation and be prepared for an earful over it lol. NO special requests. Order exactly what is on the menu...no remove/add...trust the chef and his experience, you won't regret it. Best pizza of my life...and this is coming from an Italian girl!
(5)Mountain H.
This place isn't for everyone, but if you're willing to relax and eat a slow paced meal, this is the spot! Robert is an excellent chief, preparing all of the food from scratch! He takes pride in what he does, so if you show up to criticize, you won't be welcomed back. If you show up to experience (european style- slow pace), then this is your spot. He provides great recommendations on wine with your meal. Not a good spot for families with kids, though.
(5)Jim J.
This place has absolutely the best food and wine and without a doubt the worst attitude. Take a pass--no food can overcome the fact that the owner/chef truely is the pizza Nazi.
(1)Elena D.
I was going to just let this go until some woman (a friend of the owner) decided to private message & badger me about my review. My previous review was NOT for Prospector's food, but the over all unkind behavior. It is true that we did come in as a large group but the owner NEVER told us to leave a phone number and we waited it out. We weren't being pushy as he says, we simply asked if we could sit at a table of 4. A simple no would suffice if it were a problem. When we were seated I did swap out a very uncomfortable stool for a chair next to me that wasn't being used. He never said the stool I was sitting on was temporary. Little did I know that would set him off - my mistake. The group behind us was not a group larger than six, that's a complete lie. I was standing right next to them. We even ran into them after we left Prospector and they told us they left because of how he was treating us. So, when a reservation group came in and were to be seated at the table next to us, he realized I changed the chair & I was told "you can sit on stool like I told you!" I quickly put the chair back. At this point, a friend in our group was done with his behavior and got up to leave, which is when the owner said: "thanks for wasting my time!" Nice, we can't even leave without being scolded. She then got into an argument with the owner & we left. Again, I'm not trying to bash his food but relay his horrible behavior and share my experience with fellow customers. If I upset someone because of my honesty, then don't read my review. Simple as that.
(1)Melissa S.
Love the unique-ness of this restaurant. It's different than most dining establishments in that, if you need a place to sit, you park in an empty seat. Most tables seat 4 (located outside), I think I saw one that sat 6 people(indoor). They do not accept parties over 6 people. The Naples style pizza was wonderful and our wine (by the bottle -$26/each) paired perfectly. It was a warm night, would have liked the weather to be cooler, but overall such a great place to go with a small group. Would go there again, for sure.
(4)Brita H.
We are long time "Prospector Lover's". Had dinner there both nights this weekend and were able to enjoy Robert's latest creative way to prepare meat. AMAZING. He turned flank steak into what tasted like a tender filet mignon. Then a new take on a caesar salad made with butter lettuce. Fabulous flavors. Robert always picks out the best wine to accompany our order. But the best ever is his wife Ruth, who makes you fell welcome and right at home. A great dining experience.
(5)Mark M.
Well I have eaten here for 3 straight years when I go skiing at Dodge Ridge. The pizza is pretty good and definetly Italian style which means flat bread and not tons of ingredients but fresh and good nonetheless. I like the atmosphere with the wood buring stove and the pour your own wine (honor system). The only negative is the only dessert they had was pizza with brown sugar, cinnamon I believe and it was so-so but after 2-3 glasses of wine it was definetly edible.
(4)DJ S.
Apparently you either love Robert or you don't. I honestly do not understand any of the negative comments. Having read the Yelp reviews prior to going, we were prepared for whichever direction our experience might take us. So happy to report we are right up there with everyone else in the 5 star category! We went there for my birthday during a five night stay at a relative's cabin down the road. We ordered two pizza's; the Capricciosa which was absolutely delish! The second pizza we asked Robert to make whatever came to him and received a pizza with butternut squash, chicken and Gorgonzola. OMG! Understand we NEVER eat pizza out, as we find we are able to concoct far better ones at home. We went to The Prospector because of the reviews here at Yelp, both positive and negative. We felt at worst it would be an interesting experience, and at best, well the five stars it definitely deserves! We also left wine selection up to Robert. As a faithful primarily cab and zin drinker, it is often difficult for me to select less "bold" wines and enjoy them. Robert recommended a nice little Portuguese wine at $28. Considering we had given him carte blanche, we really appreciated that he didn't gouge us by bringing his most expensive wine to our table. We enjoyed not only the superb pizza and wine, but Robert's company as well. Those who have negative things to say about Robert and his pizza, well I'm sure they're plenty happy getting that Domino's delivery, or, going to local's where they can comfortably pontificate to the perceived minions who work there, without challenge or retribution. Had we not been on a strict budget at the time, we would have gone back the next 2 nights before leaving. We definitely look forward to going again, and I dare say that the culinary experience at The Prospector will be a large part of the reason for the journey back to Twain Harte.
(5)Rosie M.
Another memorable meal, finest dining experience in the 209, seated next to a regular, shared pizza and paella, looking forward to the leftovers for lunch tomorrow..doesn't get any better than this folks.
(5)Emma S.
I'm sorry I just don't like this place very much. The restaurant itself has a good vibe and is a cute place but I just don't like the food too much. I also don't like how you can't change or replace a certain thing on the menu. Maybe it's me, but I'm the kinda person who sometimes likes to change things or maybe I'm just not used to this kinda thing. This restaurant is quite busy, but maybe it would get more customers if you could change slightly an item on the menu. Also adding a few kid-friendly options would be nice. Then I will come back. But if you like a restaurant like this...go for it but its just not my thing.
(2)Bill W.
a fabulously quirky place run by Robert...chief cook and everything...fits right in with its location in Twain Harte CA...ate there twice in one 4 day span while visiting on vacation from LA retirement. Each time the food was great...and Robert was a pleasure to talk to during our time there. yes, the menu is limited, but thats part of the experience of going to The Prospector...if you're in the area, experience this restaurant...you won't be disappointed wish we had this restaurant in Pasadena!
(5)Pedro B.
What a great meal, can't be missed if you're in the area!!!
(5)Sarah C.
To say that our crowd was a little nervous of eating where the "pizza nazi" is supposed to reign was a little understatement. However... What a glorious smell as you walk in. Wood fired oven, pizza, garlic. wow. There were at least half a dozen pizza's that we all wanted to eat..and it was interesting to have the owner select the wine for us - in for a penny in for a pound. The wine was just spot on. The pizza wonderful and officially is now my number two pizza in the world (that the number one is in Italy, in a small ski resort and its been so long that its reached mythical proportions probably has something to do with here not reaching number one..). Pizza amazing, wine glorious - and do try the dessert pizza, with apple, cinnamon, brown sugar, ohhh, it was sublime, and paired quite nicely with an Australian Grenache, which strangely, worked (Robert knows his stuff..). We did have a conversation about dessert wine, he didn't have any, but Grenache worked well. Friendly chat with the couple next to us - table sharing is not only encouraged, its likely to be the only way you get a seat (although several people couldn't seem to cope with this idea and didn't stay) (fools!) The ambience, the food, the wine and the service was all just spot on and contributed to a most relaxed, enjoyable evening. We definitely have to nix the term "pizza nazi" This is seriously good food, seriously good wine and a fantastic atmosphere, we enjoyed a couple of chats with the owner too. Definitely one to come back to. And ok, ok, once I get back to the Tunnel in Courmayeur (if its still open, its been 6-7 years, I'm sure, the prospector will get my number one in the world pizza title)
(5)David S.
It never ceases to amaze me how many excellent little restaurants there are around Sonora, CA. My son and daughter-in-law highly recommended this place. (Actually, there are probably little gems around my house, but I never find them because I seem to stick with the well-known places...) The Prospector has great pizza, with interesting, fresh and flavorful toppings. Plus, this pizza is flat out authentic; go to Italy and this is the kind of pizza you get. Except the toppings will not be as eclectic...! The owner has a knack for mixing toppings on a pizza that you'd swear will never work ~ but they do. Lastly, if I had the talent and the means to open a restaurant this is how I would operate it too. Cooking seems to be more of a passion/hobby for this guy, and we were told he doesn't need to worry about customers. (The place was packed when we were there, and he could easily have stuffed a couple more tables onto his patio) So yeah, he sets some borderline picky rules ~ no kids, no parties over 6, no substitutions, no to-go or doggie bags, etc. But he's certainly nothing on the order of the famous Seinfeld Soup Nazi! (Although that might be fun..?!) And just FYI, the owner was nothing but pleasant and courteous to us.
(5)Lydia V.
Best dinner I have had!!! Even better than Stripesteak in Las Vegas. Very unique, different, and hole-in-a-wall place. "If you are in a hurry then come back when your not." Quoted from the menu, pretty much says it all. Owner is such an interesting person, you need to have a have a talk with him when you go. You might say it is pricey but it's worth it. No be rude or snotty or he won't like you. I would let him pick out you dinner for you, starting from the wine all the way down to the dessert. Hopefully this made you want to go and eat at the AMAZING place!!!!!
(5)Robert M.
I never heard of Twain Harte, California before but was just passing through. I looked for a place on yelp and found a few on a walking distance from my motel. This place did not look most inviting on the outside, mainly because the patio was not in use at this time, but the sign said something about 'enjoy a good wine' so I went in. There were just a few tables for 4 to 6 people, and the owner said hi... He gave me the menu, printed on two pages of plain paper... There were 4 dishes on the first page and some pizzas on the second. I just cook what I feel like the owner said. I liked the 'different' attitude of this place and sat down. I seems that the other places at your table are to be taken by other guest. So you get to meet other people too. The food was great, the wine was so and so were the people who joined me at my table. I traveled through all of the 48 continetal states the past few years, and I love good food and good wine. This place was one of the best and most surprising so far.
(5)Kimberly T.
After reading all the positive reviews, we decided to give this place a try. We got there early on a Friday evening a couple of weeks ago and were happy to see it wasn't too busy yet. We were going to order the lamb ragout and the beef short rib dish, but Robert let us know that was way too much food for the two of us.We decided to try the ragout and we let Robert choose the wine to accompany it. It was something new to us, but light and fresh... we enjoyed it! When the dish came out, all I can say is that it was a good thing we shared one dish. (see pic) The combo of tender lamb, meatballs (stuffed with pine nuts and who knows what all else) stuffed into huge mushrooms and having a wonderful smokey flavor from the wood oven, tossed with a pasta that again I can't remember because I've never seen it ( resembles thick spaghetti , but hollow...) was delicious! We managed to eat less than half of the giant bowl, but that's a good thing because as is the case with many foods it made an even better left-over meal the next day! :)
(4)Arja L.
I kept waiting for Anthony Bourdain to walk in and share a pint with owner Robert because this is his kind of place. The Prospector is one of the best kept secrets of the Mother Lode and of Northern California. The menu changes daily and seasonally and is Italian cuisine with inspiration from scientific French gastronomy 'stuff. It has a laid back atmosphere where you pour your own wine at the counter. The best gourmet pizza maybe ever? Locally sourced mushrooms that Robert hunts for himself growing in the beautiful surrounding forest? whaaaaat. This is not your typical everyday normal sit-down-and-order, family style restaurant. There are rules about dining here which make for a really unique eating experience. Definitely a restaurant that everyone must try within their lifetime. I will drive the hour to Twain Harte from Modesto just for dinner at the Prospector any day of the week. Truly one of a kind.
(5)Matthew W.
OK here's the deal with this place; it's one guy and he makes what he wants, in the order he wants to do it in. He's not your mom, or your servant. He's a guy who really devotes himself to craftsmanship of his food. If you go in with the idea that he's going to be like any other pizza joint, you may find your expectations being dashed. The comment that he's the "Pizza Nazi" is totally unfounded and unfair. When we went, we were the first ones of the evening. So that may have helped, because he got to our food first. But the salads were fantastic, and the pizza was awesome. Totally transforming experience. This is not American pizza. This is real Pizza Napoletana. Home-made sausage, which I loved because it was, for once, not too salty and full of preservatives. We really had a good time, and loved the close, intimate experience of talking, chatting with the man making the food. Other people who came in after we did, seemed happy to wait on his process and not act in a rush. I'm guessing that the locals know the deal and are happy for the experience.
(5)Rick R.
This is a great place. Don't think of this place as your everyday pizza place, this is an experience. The menu changes daily and the food is unique. It is not possible to compare this to your average pizza place because they do not serve anything like traditional pizza and you cannot order a pepperoni and olive pizza here. Think of it more like gourmet pizza made from all fresh foods. When I ordered my pizza I watched as he took out a fresh pepper and sliced it up and put it on my just formed pizza dough along with homemade mozzarella. Fantastic. I also tried the Copper River Salmon which came on a bed of rice - delicious and truly unique! We talked with Robert, the owner - he seemed like a nice guy and he was interesting to talk with as well. There are a few things to take note of: they do not serve groups of more than 6. For the summer they have their deck open which is great and they have an outside wood burning pizza oven. I think during July & August they do not serve anyone under 21 on Friday and Saturday nights - Adults only. This restaurant is unique, try it, but have an open mind, its worth it.
(5)Daniel J.
Five star!! and honestly one of only a hand full of places in the county that deserves more than 3 stars. This is a small area and word travels fast. it is no secret that some people don't understand the owners policies, but he is truly passionate about his food and he wants his guests to truly have a great dining experience. If you have a true love and respect for food and wine than this is the place to go.
(5)Dan S.
The food isn't that good and the owner is nothing short of psychotic. He has well earned the title around town as The Pizza Nazi. Wood fired.. big deal... nothing I can't do at home except there I don't have to deal with a rude, arrogant, and delusional person in the kitchen, can eat with children (that are not allowed in there.. he is just asking for a discrimination lawsuit) and can have whatever wine I want with a better selection. Stay away unless you want to pop in and have a few laughs at that theatrics of it all.. but I wouldn't recommend wasting your money there.
(1)John H.
Robert and Ruth do an amazing 5 star job. Roberts skills in the kitchen are superior. I hope that all of there customers appreciate the time and effort that goes into creating such an imaginative and flavorful cuisine. The food pairings are perfect. The time Robert puts into researching cooking methods, seasonings and cooking styles from around the world really offer the customers an exquiste dining experience. The Prospector offers a unique and very special dining experience that is unsurpassed. It is a rarity these days to have such a talented chef preparing and cooking every item ordered. No line cooks here. No preppers. No microwaves. Nothing but the freshest, and highest quality ingredients individually prepared by a master chef. All at very reasonable prices. Whether you have pizza or an entree of the day I think you will find it all very pleasing. We alway's have and are very thankful to have The Prospector to look forward to.
(5)Jean B.
Perfect night out! Loved the food, the staff and the charming ambiance. Every bit of food was delicious. Wish I could eat there every week. We shared a Quattro Fromaggio pizza, bison short ribs and creme brûlée and savored it all. Wines were enjoyable and sold by the glass. Thanks Robert & staff! We'll return next trip.
(5)Timothy F.
Pizza as theatre. A serious chef with distinct opinions which may not coincide with yours. Not the usual business plan-the customer is NOT always right but, if you can just relax and let Robert do his thing you'll be fine. Pizza is brick oven and wood fired. Wines by the glass are reasonable and unusual. Rustic(funky) ambience. You may have to share a table, maybe not. In the winter, there's a wood burning stove that heats the place-cozy. No take out(Robert doesn't believe in it) no children(Robert doesn't believe in them either). Kick back, have a glass(you pour it) and enjoy some of the finest food this side of SF. In the summer there are outdoor picnic tables. Go there before the free summer concerts in park next door.
(4)Petra L.
The best pizza I have ever had, And I'm a food SNOB! Self serve, get your utensils, serve your own wine. know what to expect and you will love the experience! Fantastic food and adventurous wine! Plus family style seating, you meet interesting people! A must in the area!
(4)Kathryn F.
We had the margarita pizza and the (second white pizza) in that section. They were both really really good. We sat outside on the patio and watching them stretch the dough and make the pizza. The owner came over to chat. He was very nice, no nazi as far as we could find. We hope to come again and again.
(5)John B.
Outstanding.My wife and I,along with two friends,had dinner there last night.We order almost everything on his main course menu and ate family style.We also had a pizza that was cooked in a wood fired oven.Excellent
(5)Anna T.
I took note sometime over the summer when reading through the AAA Via Magazine May/June 2011 issue, where the Prospector was mentioned "...and even in the tiny foothills town of Twain Harte, Calif., where Robert and Ruth Martin bake traditional wood-fired Neapolitan pies at the Prospector, located in an old cabin." I forgot until recently and saw all these great Yelp reviews and had to try! We cannot say enough about this little place... and how can I checkmark Dive-y and Upscale at the same time? Not fancy, very clean, casual and "self-serve" (you get your own water, silverware, and the bottle opener is in the cigar box). But the food and wine is absolutely exquisite. Yes, let Robert choose your wine according to your food order - he is a master chef and knows exactly what he's doing. There was a Cordon Bleu graduate and a Cordon Bleu apprentice working with him, so that tells you something about the quality of what you're eating! Pizza is DOC certified (Google it, but in other words this is REAL PIZZA). We ordered one with homemade sausage, marinara, cheese(s), basil, and garlic, and I cannot remember it's name but it was so good we could have each ordered one! House salad to split was very fresh and earthy. Then just when we thought it wouldn't get any better, we ordered the dessert pizza and shared the deliciousness with our table neighbors who were waiting for their dinners to come out of the oven. There is a method I'd never experienced, but certainly not Nazi. My husband, who is a former sommelier (same as Robert's background), offered him a taste of our wine (as is friendly custom in fine cuisine) and Robert chatted with us for a bit. Very quiet when we arrived, but even as each seat filled up everyone was so warm & friendly. Who wouldn't be in a good mood in a place like this? Cozy wood fireplace, soft jazz in the background, out of this world food, and carefully chosen wine.... and of course the love of my life! P.S. - Will try to remember to take photos next time!!
(5)Jennifer G.
Had an awesome dinner last night at The Prospector. We ordered the balsamic slow cooked pork with Marsala polenta perfectly paired with a nice bottle of red wine. We started off with the Cesar salad, the romaine was fresh and crisp, left whole to eat by hand dipping it into the best Cesar dressing I have ever had! A wonderful experience...we will be back!
(5)Tracy B.
While on vcacation this past week, my family and I were happily looking forward to a pizza dinner. As we were approaching the entrance, we were immediately told we were not welcome. Before we'd even hit the threshold, some grouch informed us that they don't serve parties of 6 or more. We told him we'd sit at two tables, his reply was "it's still the same to me..." really?? I've never heard of anything so preposterous! If the policy doesn't keep us away, the disposition of the staff will. Would not return--even with 5 or less people. The Pizza factory which is less than a quarter mile away is a better alternative.
(1)Linda B.
After reading all these excellent reviews, we decided to give a try. I have to say, I was extremely disappointed. Unless you want beer or wine, there is not much else to drink but water, coke and root beer. I was disappointed there were no pasta dishes on the menu, too bad because their sauce is really good. Our pizza had good flavor but the crust was so burnt it was inedible. Don't think we will go back.
(2)Kaitlyn V.
If you have ever worked in the service industry, then the rules at The Prospector will make total sense to you. All the guidelines in place help Robert run this little restaurant in as smooth a manner as possible (also note that he is usually the only one there running everything). So his rules about no substitutions, no big parties, and no hurries are there to help him keep his business going, and to prevent obnoxious customers from slowing the kitchen down with ridiculous requests. I understand wanting to go out and have a great night being waited on, but this is not the place to do it. You must come to The Prospector with a laid back attitude and be ready to spend some time there enjoying the food and some company (which is the way meals should be enjoyed anyway). Some of my favorite dining experiences have been here on nights where we split a bottle of wine, order 3 or 4 courses, and chat with whoever happens to sit close to us for a couple hours. As for the food. Always creative, always delicious. After I have said, "I'm stuffed and I cant eat any more" I usually order dessert.
(4)Madison O.
My boyfriend Ben introduced me to the Prospector nearly a year ago on our first date. Even though I live in the Bay Area and he travels a lot for work, we sometimes go once a week! The food is absolutely incredible. I have never once had something that I didn't love. Just remember, go when you have time to relax and enjoy the meal. One of the many wonderful things about this place is they believe in table sharing, which is a great way to meet some new people. Follow the rules and enjoy your time at our favorite place on earth!
(5)Chuck J.
The pizza is amazing. Got the diavolo that the guy said gets its heat from tiny Sicilian peppers. The chicken chunks in basil sauce tasted like Spaghetti sauce, but my 2 yr. old girl liked them. There are Neapolitan pizzas red pizzas, and white pizzas and salads. The biggest table seats six. No chair for little girl since she would be 7th person. Groups bigger than 6 are not allowed.
(4)George S.
Really pizza doesn't begin to describe the food. The best pizza (wood-fired oven), caesar salad, sausage, any of the four of us ever ate, and I could go on. The dessert pizza and gelato were divine. We were in the mountains for two days, and we ate there three nights. The next weekend Sharon and I were in S. Lake Tahoe, and we went down to Ebbets Pass and over just so we could stop again for dinner. The wine list is wonderful, and wines are sold at retail!!! Great beers and sodas, too. Robert, the owner/chef/fire builder is the only cook. There are just four tables and he doesn't serve parties larger than six. No take out pizza, but why would you want to leave? Go to the website, prospectorwines.com , click on the Bistro button, read the history, then click on the "Prospector Cam" button on the upper right. You can watch Robert make and cook pizza, and even text him questions and comments. Tell him George sent you. He's only open evenings, but if you ever are anywhere near Twain Harte at dinner time, do yourself a huge favor and go to The Prospector. We can't wait to go back.
(5)Robin K.
This place is very unique and definitely not for everyone. The owner is a very good cook, and the pizza he makes is AMAZING, but he runs the place in a very odd fashion. First off, he expects you to just know how to order, which is not clear. You need to go up to him at his oven, if he is alone, which he often is, and tell him directly what you want. Also, you go inside and choose you own wine or other beverages. He trusts you to faithfully report what you have chosen for the bill. Often, it takes awhile to get the bill and longer to pay it because he is occupied cooking. He is also chatty with locals, so that may distract him, too. But the pizza is worth it, as is the ambiance and charm of the surroundings. In the summer, he cooks outdoors, and it's lovely to sit on the deck and eat. Even if you do have to share your table with strangers sometimes. For those who get worked up about it not being the most efficient and fast place, my answer is, you're the one who needs to relax. :)
(4)William H.
If you want a quick pizza this is not the place to go to but if you are looking for a unique dining experience and a little adventure you will like the Prospector. Robert makes sure the menu is changing constantly and successfully pairs wine with exotic pizza combinations. Ask for his advice and take it! You join the staff as you bus your own water, utensils and wine - based on the honor system. We had chorizo with quince jam as our appetizer and a light thin crust shrimp pizza It's an eccentric little place but easily the best dining experience in TH but no one under 21 allowed so send the kids to the Rock and enjoy yourselves!
(4)Laura D.
First off, I can't really comment on the food since I wasn't able to get any. I have heard that it's good. Which is why I tried to go there one night. First off there is very little parking and a large tree in the lot which makes it very tricky to get in and out if there are more than a few cars. Once we were inside, we were told there was a wait. Ok, can we sit and have some wine while we wait? We were reluctantly seated in the foyer and told to self serve wine and then the lady disappeared. We waited for quite awhile before she came back and we asked about glasses since we didn't see any. Oh, the glasses are all dirty, we need to wash some she said. Ok, we'll wait some more. So half an hour goes by and still no wine glasses. Now, I was prepared to not be in a hurry but really? They couldn't find some glasses for us in 1/2 an hour? She looked at us like we were really getting on her nerves and how dare we ask for anything. She left again without giving us any glasses and since there was no sign of getting a table, finally we got up and left. I understand that this isn't fast food but come on, a good restaurant makes their customers feel important and we most definitely did not. We walked over to Lupita's at the Eproson house and had a nice meal and were treated well. They can keep their pizza.
(1)Sue M.
The pizza is the best I have ever had. Home maid sausage, Home Maid Tomato sauce, Home Maid Mozzarella, Handmade dough, which is killer. You must endure many insults to eat great food. The pizza master is some kind of secret society of excellent pizza makers. I don't know what it is...but if you ask him he will tell you all about it. The wine is nice to.....but ask the pizza guy, he will tell you, or if you pick the wrong one he will tell you. The parking lot is empty because he yells at everyone who parks in there, that they better be coming for pizza or they could move their car. The food level is so good that it is actually worth it to listen him to him pontificate about everything he knows......and beleive me....he know alot. As for the signage, there is something weird about that. In the bathroom there is a sign that tells you how many seconds to hold the handle down. 5 to 6 seconds. To avoid confrontation, I held it for approx 7. Doesn't matter.....go for the experience......it is the best pizza ever. Hands down. Just stick to the rules and you will be ok. Don't bring your kids.
(4)James K.
This place was amazing the Caesar salad is amazing. the pizza is also amazing as well tell her to believe that a place that taste is good with such good ingredients is out here in the middle of nowhere
(5)Sean T.
Visiting here from AZ and wanted to get some food before heading back to our cabin after visiting Yosemite. This place had good reviews and only 2 $$ so I thought this would be a good place.. First got there on a Thursday evening around 7:15, first thing I noticed was the very quiet nature of the place. Of the two tables occupied, nobody was talking or smiling or laughing with each other. So then we went to our table which was dusty. The owner wasn't there, and instead there were three high school/college age guys that weren't all that active. My family (of 3 people) ordered 2 sodas and 2 pizzas, with the pizzas being $22 and $24 each. The pizzas came out and were only about 12" and also somewhat burnt, but it was fine. The cheese seemed to be put on sparingly, and I actually measured a pizza slice to be about an inch of just crust, inch of sauce, then an inch and a half or two of pizza. The bill ended up being around $70 (including tax and a small tip) for three people, and we left far from full. Last but not least, when I went to the bathroom before leaving, there was 8 (I counted) live, moving spiders on the ceiling. Overall, the food was overpriced, the quality of service was dissatisfying, and the upkeep was very subpar. I had told my family that we should go there because of the good reviews, and left embarrassed to have done so. I would not recommend to anyone.
(1)Michael S.
Pretty good pizza, but expensive. There also is no service. You go up to order, and you get your own paper plates, which is a little strange. Broken bathroom... Still, everyone seemed nice and the pizza was good.
(3)Lisa J.
If I could give this place more than 5 stars, I would! Absolutely fantastic! The people are very friendly. Wine by the glass is pour it yourself! The pizza is PHENOMENAL! They're VPN certified americas.pizzanapoletana… Robert, the owner, is extremely friendly. I wish I lived closer, and could go all the time!
(5)David H.
I can live with the lack of table service. I can deal with getting my own water in a Dixie cup or eating my food on paper plates. I have no issue paying $20-30 for a good Neapolitan pizza any day of the week. Heck, I don't even mind the "perceived" reputation of the proprietor of this establishment which is probably more of a draw then a discouragement to patrons at this point. The Chef (Robert) maybe a fantastic cook and be certified whatever but I'll tell you, he isn't the one always making the pizza. During this last visit, the pizza crust was underdone. Maybe he hasn't taught the HS kids, he's hired, the proper techniques but I do know it wasn't him cooking the pizza in the wood oven. I know I could do better and have! And honestly, I don't get how some reviewers equate "rustic" to flat out dusty and dingy. Ant's crawling over me while I eat isn't a good experience and seeing the same old cobwebs, with trapped dead bugs in the corners, just doesn't call out "charm" to me. I think I've been here three times and I can say that I won't be coming back. The bottomline is the pizza I get here just hasn't been worth it and I do leave here still hungry each time.
(2)Gina L.
I honestly just don't know what to say. I just can't believe this place is in business. It is dirty, you have to get your own EVERYTHING (beer from a cooler), paper plates, paper napkins, etc. And the cups are are SMALL dixie cups. Now this is all just fine if you are at a snack bar etc. but we paid over $100 for a family of four and not only was the food completely bland but we we walked away still hungry. $24 for a pizza the size of a small plate. My 9 yr old blew threw that and was wondering what was next. And then the 'rules'....yes, this restaurant has 'rules'. They want you to sit, relax, and enjoy the food and the drink pairing. The WHAT? They only have 2 wines to choose from and again...you are eating off of cheap, flimsy paper plates and dixie cups. They want you to be quiet, no young kids, no parties bigger than 6, etc. Unbelievable.
(1)Bret H.
Always changing menu never disappoints. It's wonderful to watch the pasta for your meal being hand made fresh right before your eyes! Atmosphere and self serve attitude is a bit funky but the food delicious. Don't be afraid it's awesome!
(5)Marcus A.
The Prospector is a very eclectic restaurant in Twain Harte. It has somewhat a mythical stature in the foodie community given its remote location and unique food. We ordered a pizza, pork shank dish, and salad. All the food was excellent. The pizza ranks in one of the best I have tried. The pork shank was moist and tender served with tasty polenta cake. This is a very unique experience. It is a small restaurant, and I enjoyed smelling the aroma of the food and wood burning oven. Chef Robert was nice when I placed my order. But I can tell he has a somewhat 'moody' demeanor that may put people off. Based off the stories that I've heard he can be abrasive, which is unfortunate since most diners come in with the best of intentions and may not know his 'rules'. I look forward to returning the Prospector and trying more of Chef Robert's excellent food.
(4)Joe W.
Great place. My wife and I love the pizza. Especially the dessert pizza. In the summer you can sit outside and when it gets cold they have a small cozy room. They do table sharing when it gets crowded. It is fun to meet new people when this happens. The menu changes daily from what I can tell, so you can try something new each time you visit.
(5)Rishi G.
Absolutely the strangest call I have made to a restaurant. The person on the call was unusually picky about rules. They were super unaccommodating. Me: Can I place a to go order? Host: No, we are a sit down restaurant only. Me: OK, up to what time can I come in? Host: Last table is at 815 pm (sat) Me: OK, do I need a reservation? I am a party of six adults an three toddlers Host: We don't do parties larger than six. Please don't come! Me: Hmm. The three toddlers won't be eating. Host: We are a very small restaurant and we cannot do parties bigger than six Me: The kids won't be eating and they'll be sitting in their car seats. They won't occupy your chairs. Host: We have only one table of six and its currently occupied. Me: Oh its only 600 pm and I won't come in until 815pm. Also we don't mind being split up if that helps. Host: Please don't come. We will send you back. We will not let you split up your group. I cannot allow it else I have to allow it for everyone. We just can't make it work. Me: This is strange.
(1)Michelle D.
We came here to enjoy a nice setting and good pizza. From the beginning we were completely thrown off. There was no greeting from the start, nor how things worked, except for you needed to get up to order -- which was fine. The server placed the salad on our table and walked away. Had we known it was self serve to get our own utensils, paper plates and water we would have. But, she sat there and just looked at us until we asked. We let the staff know that we will pay for the salad but leave. The staff is completely unaware on how to run a restaurant. There seemed to be no one in control of the teenagers who were working there. For the price you pay, the rude staff and unclean restaurant....I would never recommend this place. When you open a business in a small town, customer service should be at the top of your list. It very unfortunate that a place with potential is lacking in many areas.
(1)Amanda S.
Maybe this guy has a rep... Honestly, I no longer care. The pizza is epic! I went in here noticeably nervous. Really I wasn't sure what I would do to piss this guy off, but after reading the yelp reviews... I knew I could manage to do something wrong. Yes, he is unconventional and dang this guy can piss customers off. But the pizza is worth it. Gourmet is Twain Harte?! I didn't expect it. You will actually taste the $$ he spends on these ingredients. I'll be back.
(4)Anthony B.
My wife and I went here last night for a late evening meal. We had never been here before and I had never seen any of the reviews. The parking lot is tight and there is a large front deck that the restaurant switches to at the end of May for outdoor dining only. We were confused when we went into the small, rustic dining room. Felt like walking into somebody's living room. There is a kitchen in the back with a large woodfired pizza oven. The small dining room has about six tables of differing sizes. There is a large steel drum that has been converted to a wood stove that is used to heat the place in the winter. It has a large brick hearth and is fairly unkept, adding to the rustic feel. The establishment is owned by a husband and wife. She greeted us and she runs the front of the house. She gave us a quick lesson on how to order. He was in the back, over seeing the kitchen, from a stool, with a beer in his hand. Don't come here expecting to be waited on hand and foot. This is definitely a restaurant with attitude. As my stepfather used to say about this best friend, who was a cross dresser, anyone can be normal. In this case, it's more like, anyone can own and run a normal pizza parlor. You serve yourself, as far as plates and silverware ago. There is only beer wine and self-service water. The wine is also self-service, with wineglasses with a line on them indicating to where you should pour. The winds are selected by the owner and change frequently. There is no particular wine list. I wanted a glass of white wine and got a southern Italian white wine that was crisp and very much like a Sauvignon Blanc. It went well with the vegetarian pizza that we had. The pizza was awesome and the atmosphere rustic, with a little Pizza Nazi attitude. Like I said, anybody can run a normal pizza joint. We will definitely be back.
(5)Wolfgang M.
So here I am again to give a flawless review of The Prospector. I'm always surprised at how early people start to pack it in at this cozy little restaurant. And then I take my first bite of the rustica pizza, and am reminded, just why that is. I've met the owner a few times and the guy really knows what he's talking about. He insisted I tried the white wine with the rustica, and he was absolutely right. After finishing my dinner, I wasn't sure whether to feel absolute contentment, or sadness for the fact that I live so far away from this gem in the rough. It's really a pleasure and honor to review The Prospector once again. Flavor is king. This is what the dining experience should be about. It will always be something for me to look forward to upon my return to Twain Harte. Bravo, Prospector, bravo!
(5)Athena W.
Since my first review we have been back many many times. It has always exceeded expectations and our dining experience is always memorable in the way that wonderful dreams stay with you. If you choose to go here please take into consideration that there is one man cooking for every person that you see in the restaurant before you. If you applied that to being in your own kitchen, cooking for others, it might focus perspective. Even more so if you consider that he is not cooking one dinner for twelve people, or something of that sort. He has a menu that lists several specials of the night, as well as fifteen or so pizzas. It is a ballet of timing and placement. He must look at all the orders on hand, and get to each table present staggered courses in a reasonable time frame. Each time I have been there he has done so beautifully. It is clearly stated he does not do "to go" food. It is on all the menus, his board outside the restaurant, and his website. Truth be told, the food is meant to be eaten fresh. It does not travel in the condition it was meant to be eaten in. He has a good reason for the policy, and while you might feel your circumstance is worth an exception, if he makes it for you, he must make it for everyone. That would be unreasonable. He is a business man that has set some guidelines for his restaurant. Not following them because you find them inconvenient, and arguing with him, are simply out of line. Should you chose to go to this establishment for the culinary experience that it is, with an open mind, you will be dazzled. The food alone is earth shatteringly good. The owner, while he might feel abrasive to some, is actually a wealth of information and stories. However, if he is busy, the stories may well have to wait for another night. Bring a healthy appetite, an eager palate, but most important, time for a relaxed and generous meal, and I think you will find this restaurant miles away from the norm, but so close to perfect that you cannot help but return again and again.
(5)Vix W.
This was probably my tenth time eating here so I figured its about time I reviewed it. My husband and I had the crudo pizza--so delicious (It's the crust and marinara that really stand out for me...) and finished with a Caesar salad at the owners recommendation due to the hubs wanting to start the dinner with wine and the owner said that wine and vinegar aren't a very complimentary combo... "Either get beer or save salad for last". The owner IS very direct but I've never felt like he was rude, always been super friendly/talkative when we've eaten here... But the five stars is for food, not service. He just uses such quality ingredients--love everything I've tried thus far (including a dessert pizza once which had honey, pears, apricots, mmmmmmmmmm!). Never had a bad experience nor a bad taste! :]
(5)Amanda F.
I do not usually write reviews, but this place deserves one. I also do not usually refer to a meal as magical, but again I did refer to my sirloin steak with kale and spaghetti squash as magical! Yumm. Wine was wonderful and the house greens with vinaigrette were delish too! We will go out of our way to come back in the future. It's quirky because you kind of serve yourself. Basically you have an amazing chef that started his own restaurant with an emphasis on good food vice good service. Also, come when you have time to sit and enjoy your food with good company for an evening. It's not quick, it's a different experience, and it's delicious!
(5)Nathaniel K.
Beware the 1 star reviewers! And beware those thinking this place is Applebee's, it's not!! The prospector is a small artesian pizza place right in the middle of Twain Harte. The menu changes daily and is built by the head chef and owner. Like I said this is not Applebee's so don't be that person that asks for a pizza with just cheese. This is artesian pizza and the owner takes much time and care into what goes on each pizza or dish he makes so it's an experience for you. Trust me it's worth it!! My wife and I shared a pizza and it was amazing! They had a great selection of beer and the owner picks out a few wines for each night that pare well with the pizza. I don't want to be rude but if Pizza Hut is your standard of pizza and service please take some time to go outside your box before you go to a place like this. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for great pizza and good drink parings!
(5)Faith B.
I agree this guy is a pizza 'Nazi'! We were given a death stare when we walked in. No substitutions allowed. We ended up not staying. He refused to omit olives from a pizza! Only go here if you are prepared to follow all the chef's 'rules'.
(1)Jesse D.
"The Pizza Nazi" Feel like ruining your night? Please, come on in and take a load off! Fondly referred to as "The Pizza Nazi", this wannabe European shames even the most humble of wood-firing pizza amateurs. This poor fellow, and his equally as abrasive effeminate counterpart, go so far as to actually put pour lines on their wine glasses. And since you have to pour your own glass, this ensures that you will indeed be charged double if you exceed their preset amount. I have personally seen this happen, to my utter amazement. If you enjoy the fresh, bitter taste of burnt crust, this is your place. Every pie I saw them pull out of the oven was blackened to carcinogenic perfection, which of course instantly justified the harsh $20+ price tag for that one acrid pizza pie. Feel like getting two pizzas, one for your partner, and one for yourself? Forget it. You must share the first pizza, and then, and only then, will they give you your second pizza! Feel like sitting at your own intimate table? Forget it! You must share your table in the unfortunate event that the "parlor" fills up with too many poor, unadulterated guests. Didn't finish your parched pie? Want to take the rest of it home with you? Forget it! This is against their "rules of conduct", and they will enforce this rule and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the pizza laws. If you are looking for excitement, good food, and a bit of squabble to heat up the night, then heed my advice and find another restaurant. Preferably a place where sharp objects are being thrown at your head while you try to eat before the timer reaches zero. I'm in for an adventurous eating experience for sure, but this place is a complete mummery. I would rather go hungry then hassle with these jokers. Bon appétit!
(1)Glenn G.
Sometimes combining Yelp with old habits can result in wildly exceeding your expectations. As pizza is the ultimate carbo, and I have perhaps the most severe pizza Jones on record, I've developed the habit of finding a pizza joint whenever I exit a cardo-intensive wilderness trip. A few weeks ago, I spent a couple of days hiking in Emigrant Wilderness with a friend and Teal'c, the infamous canine hiking aficionado. On the 1st day, after covering 8 or 9 miles, by the time we got back to our car my pizza Jones had gone into full-blown overdrive. I would have seriously considered eating at Little Caesar's (home of perhaps the worst pizza known to Man) rather than going without. I was saved from this culinary Fate worse than Death by Yelp and Chef Robert Martin's dream of a bistro. I have now visited The Prospector twice, and can firmly attest to the fact that this is NOT a pizza joint! It's a place with a casual atmosphere where wine and food come together without the usual pretenses of restaurants. The menu changes daily, as do the wines by the glass to match the daily fare. There are always some real Naples style pizzas on the menu, but what makes this place a truly unique and incredible culinary experience are the amazing wood-oven creations of Chef Robert. We arrived at The Prospector for the first time around 7:30 and looked around. Both the wood-fired oven and virtually all the half dozen tables are outside on the patio, which is beautifully situated and pleasant on a warm summer evening. Table sharing is utilized to optimize the limited space, and dish sharing is HIGHLY recommended to maximize the delightful culinary experience! After looking over the daily menu, we ordered our food at the counter inside, and it was brought to our table when it was ready. We ordered a Pizza Prosciutto (crushed tomatoes, prosciutto, smoked mozzarella, garlic, oregano, basil and parmesan) and the Risotto with prosciutto, fresh cherry tomatoes, arugula, basil and parmesan drizzled with white truffle oil. It was a really hot day, so I drank multiple bottles of sparkling Pellegrino to rehydrate, and a bottle of Wheat Whacker Indian beer to compliment the VPN certified Neapolitan pizza. When our food came, the first thing I tried was the pizza: it was fabulous! It may be even better than the pies at Pizzeria Mozza in SoCal, where I've had my most memorable Neapolitan pizza experience to date. The prosciutto, mozzarella, garlic, and fresh basil went together like rhythm and music. The sauce in particular was wonderfully tangy and zesty, a very strong note in a beautifully blended symphony of flavor! The crust was chewy and tasty, with the perfect amount of salt; evenly cooked, beautifully thin and crisp without being even slightly overdone. Next up was the Risotto. This dish was delightfully savory; the arugla gave it just a tiny bite, contrasting nicely with the creamy, melt-in-your mouth flavor of the risotto. Chef Robert stopped by our table. He wears a hat that says "arrogant bastard", but its intended with a smile; Robert has a very impressive gift for gab and he loves to talk about food! While he was taught an old school "customer is always right" approach to cooking, Robert soon got bored making the same menu items every night. At The Prospector he does things entirely his way, with different menus daily, and anyone who appreciates fabulous food will soon be a convert. I asked Robert what his meat dishes were like, and he wasn't satisfied to simply describe a dish - he whipped me up one! It was Sicilian meatballs blended with roasted onions and Farro. They were so incredibly fabulous I resolved to come back for dinner again the next day :-) The following evening we ordered three dishes: Miga - spicy tortilla stew with pork, chorizo, piquillo peppers, onion, garlic and smoked paprika sauce tipped with cilantro & feta. Robert added prickly ash to this dish to make it compatible with a Sangiovese (Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona). Onion farro with roasted tomatoes and eggplant with ricotta, basil and parmesan. Pizza Olive Nero - Crushed tomatoes, dry cured black olives, mozzarella, garlic, oregano, basil and parmesan. I was most impressed with the Miga. I love pork, and this was deliciously spicy without being overpowering; complex, and totally delightful! To my surprise, the prickly ash (a green Sichuan pepper Robert picked up himself in China) made the red wine pair perfectly with this dish! My least favorite dish that evening was the Onion farro; the ricotta and tomato flavors taken with the whole just didn't do it for me. The Olive Nero pizza was awesome, demonstrating that the amazing quality of the prosciutto pie was not a fluke. Whether it's pizza you crave, or some incredible, world-class gourmet cuisine, I totally recommend the five star experience you'll find at The Prospector.
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