We’re headed out to the coast for the partner’s Bday long weekend, and her hoped-for dinner choice, Luna Trattoria, is booked.
Looking for something nice-ish, but short of ‘fine dining’.
Any cuisine.
We have a few places there we love (Princess Seafood, Piaci Pizza), and there’s a new brewery she’s looking forward to. Any place in or around the Ft Bragg / Mendocino coast within an hours drive or so is ok.
I have heard good things from Friends about St. Orres Though tis fall way outside your “short of fine dining” there is Harbor House Inn
We’ve been going to Mendocino since the 70s, and it’s always a challenge to find places to eat. Some thoughts:
Trillium Cafe, Mendocino: My daughter and family went there last year and really liked it. We used to go there when it was the Mousse Cafe, but haven’t been to Trillium. https://www.trilliummendocino.com/
They also stayed and ate at McCallum House and liked it. We haven’t been there in years. https://www.maccallumhouse.com/
We’ve started staying at the Little River Inn and eat dinner there because it’s convenient. I wouldn’t recommend it. The food is kind of amateurish and wildly overpriced.
North Coast Brewing Company Pub: We’ve been there many times, although
not recently, and liked it a lot. https://northcoastbrewing.com/the-pub/
D’Aurelio’s Pizza: Fort Bragg: always fun and very crowded
Last time we were up there, we wandered into Los Gallitos in Fort Bragg and really liked it.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/los-gallitos-fort-bragg?osq=Los+Gallitos+Mexican+Cafe
We’ve also been to Casa del Sol in Noyo Harbor, and enjoyed it. https://www.fortbraggrestaurants.com/casa-del-sol
Absolute must visit: Cowlicks: Fort Bragg! https://www.yelp.com/biz/cowlicks-ice-cream-fort-bragg
Places I’ve wanted to try but haven’t yet: Sea Pal Cove, and Princess Seafood: Noyo Harbor, Taka’s Grill, FB.
I think the key to eating in the area is not to have high expectations, and you’ll be happy.
Too bad Captain Flint’s in Noyo Harbor closed. The food was mediocre, but we always had a great time there. It was especially exciting when the outdoor bathrooms got enclosed by the crew filming the movie Overboard there! 
The last time we were on the North Coast, we hit Asian Fusion in Fort Bragg. IIRC, I had cochinita pibil, and Mrs. ricepad had fish tacos. Looking at the menu it’s probably fair to wonder if they do ANYTHING well, but we both enjoyed our meals. I mean, when I see items as disparate as arancini, a Thai burrito, and a Philly cheese steak, I have to wonder, right? We would go back, though.
I’m impressed that you tried it. Those kinds of menus make me nervous!
IIRC, we were walking past it and were drawn in by the aromas. As Toucan Sam used to say, “Follow your nose!”
We got a res at MacCallum House for Monday night!
I really can’t talk up Princess Seafood enough. They do just a few things, do them EXPERTLY, and are the type of no-frills, casual place where you’re positive that they’re putting their effort, time, and $$ into the food quality, rather than fine tableware and atmosphere.
David’s for breakfast, in the Boatyard Shopping Center.
Thanks - forgot about them. We’ve been there and liked it.
We were going to go there the last time we were up, but they’d just had a fire and were only partially opened. I was really bummed!
MacCallum house story from centuries ago…I used to drink Drambuie, and we went to the bar at MH for an after dinner drink. I ordered a Drambuie, and the bartender brought me a large water glass filled to the top. He told me I’d probably want another one, and he didn’t feel like walking over to our table to bring it. It was enough for at least four drinks! (Of course I drank it all…) He only charged me for one.
One doz oysters…
… Look at the size of ‘em!
… and a cup of lobster bisque and 1/2 crab sandwich from The Princess Boathouse. They’re back at the cafe location down at the end of the harbor, but still with more limited seating. The weather is t great this visit, but they rented the deck and have those outdoor heaters going. Delicious as always. Will probably come back one more time before we leave.
Jealous!!!
Here are a bunch of reports for Fort Bragg and environs from a blogger I follow. They range all the way from very modest to very pricey. https://diningwithfrankie.com/?s=Fort+Bragg
Took me a minute to figure out who Frankie is. Great blog - I’m slowly working my way through it. Thanks for the post.
Most every town has that one local place that’s small and unassuming, does two things really well, and has no ambition to do more.
Piaci’s is that place in Ft. Bragg. Their two things are pizza (typical thin crust bar pizza) and EXTENSIVE beer selection.
Tiny. Dark. Full of locals in barn clothes and tourists alike. And decent music at not too loud a volume.
Pizza is nicely balanced on the crisp/tender scale. Pepperoni properly spicy and cupping. They have toppings both traditional and more refined (prosciutto, gorgonzola, arugula and pine nuts with a fresh egg!)
A+. Very tasty. Excellent value.
That’s the kind of place I like to find when I’m traveling: Locals’ hangouts.
Pork privilege panuchos from Mayan Fusion. Split it between two of us for a light lunch. A juicy, citrus/vinegar marinaded pulled pork w fried corn tortillas, beans, and the usual trimmings.
Something a little different than your standard Cali-max or Tex-mex versions you’ll find in most places.
Tall Guy Brewing is a new spot in Ft Bragg, and an alternative to North Ciast Brewing’s dominance of the area. It’s a block off the main drag, and distinguishes itself from North Coast by not being a full pub. Rather, they allow outside food, have worked a deal with a few local places to do free delivery, and host a wide variety of board games, dart boards, and a ton of comfy seating to encourage you to hang out. An excellent proposition on cold and rainy coastal days.
The beer:
The darks. I don’t drink but my partner is a beer and whiskey lover. She thought the darker beers were, except for the Marzen, just ‘fine’.
The lights, however:
She thought all these pictured were quite delightful and worth ordering again.
We’ll no doubt stop in here again on outr next visit. Esp if the weather’s bad.
Finally, the birthday dinner from MacCallum House. I apologize for the terrible photography. Dim lighting and I’m just not great with on-the-spot snapshots.
A ‘Season’s Greetings’ cocktail. Bourbon, lemon, bitters mixed with a house made huckleberry shrub. She pronounced it “delicious“.
I neglected to picture the house made sourdough with VERY tasty whipped butter for the table.
Cheese trio app. Humboldt Fog, Cowgirl Creamery double cream, and a dried, aged Jack cheese that was Parmesan-like in its nuttiness and complex umami notes.
Served along with truffle honey, apples, and spiced hazelnuts. The honey plus salty cheeses with that bit of truffle funk was delightful.
My entree. Med rare bavette steak with potatoes pave, spinach w bacon and onions, and a lemon-horseradish cream that was a fun change from the usual straight a sinus-killing horseradish sauce that usually comes with beef. Everything was great with the exception of the spuds, which were fabulous and crispy on top but felt a bit underdone on the bottom. The only off note of the whole dinner.
Her entree. House-made pasta with an Alfredo-like sauce made with the dried Jack cheese along with mushrooms, spinach, and grilled chicken. It wasn’t super heavy and gloopy. The mushrooms added a lot of deep richness. Really yummy.
Finally dessert. House-made choc. fudge brownie ice cream (blew the doors off Cowlick’s) and a chocolate budino w a hazelnut mouse and spiced hazelnuts.
MacCallum is going on our ‘spots to hit again’ when in the area. Really a lovely place, great service. Food isn’t super exotic or innovative but is executed really well.
