Mendocino area eats

[bong]

We are heading off to Elk( 15 miles south of Mendocino) this weekend, and would like to hear recommendations for good places to eat around the area. From my research so far, I have seen the following names pop up:

* Cafe Beaujolais

* Patterson's Pub

* Mendocino Cafe

* Queenies Roadhouse, Elk

* The restaurant at the Stevenswood Lodge

* Mousse Cafe

* Ardella's Kitchen, in Willits

* The restaurant at the Albion River Inn, in Albion

Any additions to (or deletions from ) this list would be most welcome.

Last, but not the least, any comment about the "Child Friendliness" (or lack thereof) about the places would be most welcome. We will have a 1.5 year toddler with us.

EDIT: to add the bit about child-friendliness...

Edited November 3, 2004 by bong (log)

[winesonoma]

Try 955 Ukiah St. one of my favorites. http://www.955restaurant.com/

[marie-louise]

I've yet to have a great meal around Mendocino, unless you count Victorian Gardens about 20 minutes south of there (it is in Irish Beach). It would be very inappropriate to take your child there. I had a terrible meal at Cafe Beaujolais a few months ago. Moosse's Cafe is a pleasant place to eat dinner-not great, but pleasant. I would think you'd feel comfortable taking your child there. There are also some nice fish places in Noyo Harbor-children would be fine there. I've had a handful of nice-but again, not great-meals in Abion River Inn. There were lots of older children running around when I ate there, but didn't notice any small children. I'd call & ask. I haven't eaten at your other choices.

[bong]

Thanks to both of you for your recommendations.

I am puzzled about Cafe Beaujolais though -- all of the other reports seem to be very good, except yours. I am wondering, marie-louise, if perhaps your experience was because of an off-night for the restaurant, an anomaly perhaps? Or does anyone know if the restaurant has recently changed ownership?

[marie-louise]

I think it may have changed hands a while back-or at the wife left a while ago (divirce.) Here's my review from another thread:

My entree was a muddled mess of way too many flavors-it was some sort of vegetarian Mexican stuffed peppers and polenta number-and worst of all, it had pinto beans that were so underdone that they were crunchy. Yuck!!! My husband had greasy duck with a too-sweet sauce. The hostess was rude (we arrived at 8:27 for our 8:30 reservation and she had the nerve to look down at her watch and then rudely tell us to sit down on a bench because our table wasn't ready. The bench was in full view of many empty, set tables.) We then got handed a ticket and sent down a dark path-unescorted- and up some stairs to their other room, which might have a nice view during the day, but was just a cramped little room at night. The waitress was oddly perky in a too-much-caffeine sort of way. It was one of the worst dining experiences I've had in a long time!

[ludja]

I agree in general with Marie-Louise' accessments of Mendocina dining scene--it is pretty middle of the road. Caveat being that I haven't tried Cafe Beaujolais and some of the other "places to try". That said, we've always had a wonderful time in Mendocino; we just do not expect the ultimate in casual/upscale dining-- compared to SF/Bay Area standards.

We liked Moose Cafe also, had a very good lunch there (the home made soup stood out) and specifically went back there another time for dinner which was good. The atmosphere is nice but seems to be laid back enough for children, especially at lunch.

Other place we ate at was McCallum House--we enjoyed our dinner but I'm not sure that I would go back there. It is located in a beautifully restored old house though and if you don't mind some inflation w.r.t. to price/food quality/sophistication; it could be nice. It is not ultra-formal but may not be right for toddler at dinner time... (lots of romatic couples dining with candles, etc).

If you go north a bit, you can check out the fish restaurants that Marie Louise mentioned in Noyo Harbor. Can also get good microbrewery pub food at the North Coast Brewing Co in Fort Bragg; definately kid friendly.

On a nice day, it's fun to catch breakfast with the locals and a scattering of tourists upstairs at Bayview Cafe (next to the Hotel Mendocino).

Edited November 3, 2004 by ludja (log)

[russ parsons]

i love mendo and go every year, but it's not a place you visit for fine dining. i've had some good food at mendo bistro in fort bragg. i really like the little river inn. dinners are ok to good, but breakfast is to kill for (the most unbelievable flannelcakes). i have to say that i've had good dinners at beaujolais. i do like to eat in noyo harbor, but it is fish as fishermen eat it, and they are not generally the greatest judge of cuisine (mainly broiled or deep-fried). i've also had good food at albion river inn.

mainly, be sure to visit the botannical gardens, which are one of my favorite spots anywhere and are absolutely incredible for kids.

[lmswartz]

I had an outstanding meal at Cafe Beaujolais in July. I hadn't been there in a couple of years, and found it to be even better than it had been in the past. Everything was spot on: food, service, and timing. I don't think it's appropriate for children.

We stayed at the Little River Inn on that trip. I agree with Russ' comments on breakfasts there: awesome! The one dinner we had there was very ordinary (not bad, not great, just kind of average and boring). It was rather expensive, too, but a fair value given the large portions that were served. Still, it's not a place I would recommend for dinner if you value quality and creativity over quantity. We had some really great nachos, and good drinks, at the bar on another night, though. The crispy homemade tortilla chips were delicious. The Inn and its dining facilities are very child-friendly.

We, too, liked Mendo Bistro in Ft. Bragg. The location and ambiance is a little funky, but the food is really good and well-prepared. It's fairly casual, and seems like it would be child-friendly.

We've stayed at the Albion River Inn in the past, and tried the dining room once for dinner. The meal was excellent, and the views were great, but the one thing I remember over everything else was how tightly crammed the tables were. They obviously tried to maximize the number of ocean views, especially from tables against the windows, but unfortunately it was at the expense of guest privacy, personal space, and comfort. Even though I really enjoyed the food, I wouldn't return for dinner unless they've improved the seating arrangements. I don't think it would be very child-friendly for dinner, either -- when we stayed there, both the Inn and dining room seemed to cater mostly to couples and groups of adults, many of whom were celebrating romantic things like weddings, anniversaries, etc.

[marie-louise]

i love mendo and go every year, but it's not a place you visit for fine dining...

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Sigh.. I thought maybe I just hadn't found it yet. I did find a great place to stay, though. The Packard House. It recently got written up San Francisco Magazine. It is SO refreshing to stay in a B&B without all that Victorian clutter everywhere. We stayed in the Chapman Point room -you can see the ocean from the bed. http://www.packardhouse.com/

I like the botanical gardens, too. And the beach in town, and the headlands walk. And a number of hikes in the state parks in the area.

[Squeat Mungry]

It is SO refreshing to stay in a B&B without all that Victorian clutter everywhere. We stayed in the Chapman Point room -you can see the ocean from the bed. http://www.packardhouse.com/

I like the botanical gardens, too. And the beach in town, and the headlands walk. And a number of hikes in the state parks in the area.

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Thanks for that link marie-louise! That place looks great. I love Mendocino. My ex and I use to go up all the time. We used to call it "Cutesie-ville" though, because of all the victorian frills and gingerbread and frous-frous everywhere!

I have to agree that the dining scene is pretty drab.

Cheers,

Squeat