A Fairytale Martini – Yosemite Ranch, Fresno
Before I begin to dissect my visit at this local Fresnoan restaurant, let me just begin by saying this had to be the most incredible womanly martini I’ve ever had in my life. I don’t even know how it got ordered because in all honesty I had my heart set on a nice dry glass of white wine. None-the-less the Lemon Chiffon Martini made it’s way to my table, later to my stomach, and was absolutely amazing. 
It had whipped cream flavored vodka and lemon juice. I’m sure you expected me to name a series of ingredients. Well you can put your smartphones back in your pocket and not worry about Googling the 19 rare ingredients you were anticipating me to name. It didn’t pack the overbearing sweetness of a cheesy Pucker-rich cocktail nor did it bare any sour mix or any of that filler jazz. It wasn’t screwface sweet, but instead light and smooth with a blatant zest of lemon. It was the beginning to a beautiful story of a girl who wanted salmon…
..and she got it, and was in bliss with a fairytale ending. No elaborate details, more like a kindergarten bedtime storybook. The dish was their Butter Braised Salmon served with fresh spinach pan sautéed over a wonderfully roasted filet of salmon in vermouth, atop some rich, creamy golden mashed potatoes. The mushrooms and shredded vegetables were a nice touch also. My experience at Yosemite Ranch in Fresno was very simple. Although the establishment was franchise-busy, it had a few calming trinkets to balance it out such as their indoor fire pit… 
Their waitstaff were pleasant, seasoned (no pun) and most importantly confident. I’m not sure which is worse, food that lacks flavor or waitstaff that do. Yosemite Ranch started my workweek in Fresno off right and I think I will have sweet dreams tonight. Goodnight kids.
