The Plumed Horse

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

The Chef Behind the Horse

Chef Peter Armellino started cooking professionally at 17 on Long Island, New York, shaped by the farmland and seafood of rural Suffolk County. After a decade sharpening his craft in New York City kitchens — including Gramercy Tavern — a self-described "master class" dining trip through Michelin-starred restaurants across Europe changed his direction entirely. He headed west to the Bay Area, working alongside Chef Laurent Manrique at Campton Place and then as Chef de Cuisine at Aqua, before arriving at The Plumed Horse in 2008.

That year, the restaurant underwent a multimillion-dollar transformation, creating a modern stage for Armellino's evolving vision of contemporary California cuisine: fresh, seasonal, and sustainably produced. The Michelin Guide has recognized the result every single year since — 2025 marks the 17th consecutive Michelin Star.

A Kitchen Worth Watching

The most sought-after seat in the house is the Chef's Table, positioned directly behind a pane of glass overlooking the kitchen. Guests there experience the full luxury of Armellino's Michelin-starred tasting menu alongside a reserve wine pairing. For the main dining room, the choice runs between a multi-course tasting menu and a four-course format — both expressions of his quintessentially Californian approach. The bar and fireplace lounge offer a more relaxed start or finish to the evening.

A Cellar That Stands Alone

The wine program is as decorated as the food. Wine Spectator has awarded The Plumed Horse its Grand Award every year from 2015 through 2024, placing it among roughly 100 restaurants worldwide to earn that distinction annually. The list spans American Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir across Napa, Sonoma, and the Santa Cruz Mountains, through Burgundy, Bordeaux, the Rhône, and beyond — available in half bottles and large formats as well as standard pours.

Elegant, Not Stiff

The dress code guidance — coat and tie always appreciated, but not required — captures the tone of the room well. The Plumed Horse is located in the heart of downtown Saratoga, a setting that feels unhurried and genuinely Californian, without sacrificing the polish that has kept its Michelin Star intact for going on two decades.