🍽️ What is the Enchanted Forest Dining Experience
-
The Enchanted Forest Dining Experience is a family-owned, fantasy-themed restaurant located at 372 Main St, Placerville, CA.The concept: step into a “forest-like,” fairy/old-world vibe with whimsical décor, fairy-inspired touches, and an immersive atmosphere meant to make dining feel magical and memorable.
-
Their menu includes a broad and varied selection: crepes, fondue (meat, seafood, veggies), filets, lobster, and other hearty dishes. They also offer vegan and gluten-free options, plus drinks like mead, beer, wine.It has been noted as a destination — drawing locals and visitors alike — celebrated for its unique charm, suitable for date nights, birthdays, anniversaries, or just a fun meal out.
🔔 What Recently Happened — The Lease Crisis and Reprieve
-
In 2025 the building housing the restaurant was sold, and the new owner initially asked the restaurant to vacate — prompting an announced closure. Inedc+2
-
Their final closure date had been scheduled for October 12, 2025.
-
The news caused an outpouring of community support. After the story ran and people expressed how much the restaurant meant to them, the new landlord agreed to extend the lease — giving the restaurant a second lease on life.
-
The restaurant now says it is staying open — and is adjusting operations accordingly, including pursuing a full liquor license.
📝 Important Message from their Owners
HELP! SO MANY People think we CLOSED OUR DOORS…THIS is hurting us. PLEASE LET OTHERS KNOW WE ARE OPEN. Lease is being extended
First of all, a huge thank you to our amazing community! As many of you know, The Enchanted Forest was losing its lease and was due to close October 12. Our community really came out and expressed how much the restaurant meant to them in such a big way that it abSOULutely made an impact. Our new landlord, it turns out, has a pretty big heart. He went ahead and extended our lease for two more years. WE FEEL OUR COMMUNITY SAVED THE FOREST (Enchanted Forest).
The problem is that the news blasted out so frequently that we were closing that now most people think we are already shut down. This is greatly affecting our business to the point where it’s our second endangerment of not being able to move forward.
If anyone has ideas on how we can let people know that we are not shut down, PLEASE ADVISE.
Also YES, the new owner has other plans for the space that our Pasty Pie Shop was in (Pies of the World). However, you can still get sit-down meals of the pasty pies in our restaurant next door, AND you can get the pies as Take & Bake to-go.
🎯 Why This Matters: What Makes the Enchanted Forest Special (and Worth Supporting)
-
It occupies a niche: there are few — if any — restaurants in the region offering a fully immersive, fairy-themed dining experience with fondue, mead, and whimsical décor. For many, it’s not just a meal but an escape.
-
The mix of menu variety — from indulgent meat & seafood fondue to vegan/gluten-free choices — means many dietary preferences are accommodated.
-
It’s been more than a restaurant: over its six years of operation it gained a loyal following. For birthdays, date nights, family dinners, it became a go-to for folks who want more than just “food.”
-
By staying open, it preserves one of Placerville’s more distinctive and character-filled businesses — something valuable for the town’s identity and sense of community.
✅ My Thoughts — What You (And Others) Can Do to Help Spread the Word
Because you’re local, you could help in some simple ways:
-
Tell friends, family, neighbors in El Dorado County that Enchanted Forest is still open. Word-of-mouth can go a long way.
-
Maybe post on local community groups/social-media — a personal recommendation or memory from visiting can help dispel rumors of closure.
-
Suggest to the restaurant they share a clear “YES — we are open” message on their website and social media (if they’re not already doing so) — but from the community side, you could help boost visibility by resharing.
-
If you dine there again — leave a good review on platforms like Google, Yelp, or at Restaurantji — that helps raise their visibility and reassure others they’re operational.
