As my husband and I walked into the luxuriously appointed dining room, mustard-colored stucco walls, beautiful drapes, rough-hewn ceiling beams, dark blue accents, soft mood lighting and lush greenery met our eyes.

Large windows looked out onto a patio overlooking the lake, and fountains provided a soothing accompaniment to soft background music.

The south of France? An Italian villa? No – we came to enjoy dinner at Café Campanile, nestled in the El Dorado Hills Town Center. The menu offered several interesting choices from a list that, while not large, was full of variety. An extensive wine list also provided many beers and Champagnes.

We chose Crab Gratin for an appetizer. It sounded mouthwatering and did not disappoint. A hearty portion of Dungeness crab meat was smothered in a to-die-for brandy cream sauce. We sopped up the last drops with pieces of our baguette and moved on to the delightful Salade Maison. A spring mix of greens was lightly dressed with lemon olive oil balsamic vinaigrette and small slivers of Fuji apples – the perfect light touch after the decadent crab.

I chose the Steak Frites for my entrée. The ribeye was grilled with a porcini mushroom butter sauce and accompanied by the house pommes frites, which were delicious to say the least. The steak had a distinct smoky flavor, which isn’t usually my favorite, but this was very good. The portion was so generous that I took half of it home. My husband loved his Filet Mignon, and I agreed when he gave me a taste. The Niman Ranch beef tenderloin, accompanied by red potatoes and carrots, was served with a sauce du jour. It was melt-in-your-mouth rich, beefy goodness to the max! A Valrhona chocolate mousse provided the perfect ending. Its ideal consistency was not too sweet, with dark chocolate and a dollop of fresh whipped cream.

The luscious food, gorgeous setting and impeccable service made it a relaxing and enjoyable evening to remember.

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