01-07-2025
Charlie Palmer's Americana House, Pushes Lodi's Dining Scene Forward
Americana House interior
Americana House is helping put Lodi on the map as a must-visit wine country dining destination. The newly opened restaurant reimagines the historic Towne House space at Wine & Roses, now part of Michelin-starred chef Charlie Palmer's culinary-focused Appellation Lodi Wine & Roses Resort And Spa. Longtime owners Russ and Kathryn Munson partnered with Palmer and luxury hospitality veteran Christopher Hunsberger, now Appellation's COO, to help bring it to life.
Charlie Palmer & Russ Munson Ribon Cutting
At its heart, Americana House blends the Munsons' local legacy with Palmer's signature Progressive American cooking. Guests will find dishes that pull straight from Lodi's deep farming roots and the surrounding wine country. Starters might include crisp baby artichokes paired with creamy local goat cheese and briny olive tapenade, or tender sweet pea agnolotti nestled in a corn velouté (a silky classic French sauce) and crispy guanciale. For mains, seared scallops arrive bright with sorrel chimichurri, while Russ' steak au poivre, a peppercorn-crusted New York strip, lands rich and classic alongside golden frites. Everything comes together in a space that feels both refined and welcoming.
Russ's Steak Au Poivre
The design leans warm and unfussy, layered with oak, brass, and harvest-inspired tones that spill out onto a garden patio framed by greenery. A dedicated cheese aging cabinet matures house-made curds and ricotta alongside selections from nearby creameries. To keep local wines front and center, Americana House waives corkage on two Lodi 750 ml bottles per table, a small but meaningful nod to the region's growers.
Chefs Marco and Robert at the Appellation garden
Executive Chef Marco Fossati and Chief Culinary Director Thomas Bellec round out the kitchen team, working closely with Palmer to shape a menu that shifts with the seasons. Produce comes straight from the resort's expanded gardens, giving dishes an unmistakable sense of place. Guests don't just eat here, they taste what Lodi is growing right now.
Blueberry + Rosemary Cobbler
'More than anything, we want Americana House to feel like a hub where locals and travelers connect with the people who grow and make what's on their plate,' says Appellation COO Christopher Hunsberger. Charlie Palmer puts it simply: 'This is about shining a light on Lodi's bounty and the people behind it.'
The restaurant is designed to bring neighbors, winemakers, and visitors to the same table. Maison Lodi, a new bakery-café on the same property, adds to the resort's culinary lineup. Guests can pick up housemade breads, rotisserie chicken, and delicate pastries made in partnership with Healdsburg's Quail & Condor.
Maison Lodi Interior
Americana House may be part of a larger resort refresh, but the restaurant stands on its own as proof that Lodi's food scene is ready to grow. Every plate here tells a story about who grows it, who makes it, and why Lodi matters.
