What probably is the best restaurant in Mendocino this longstanding quanit establishment is full of charm and exceptional cuisine. Four of us visited and we had a reservation which I highly recommend. We waited about ten minutes after arriving and a line of people behind us did stack up. The place isn't large and we got a cozy table in the center of the dining room. The menu is interesting and the wait staff was very helpful and professional. I started with some soup which was delicious. It was a corn based soup and perfect for the season. My entree was the black cod, which seems available in these parts, and it was prepared perfectly. So tender and delicious; seasoned just right on a bed of greens, mushroom, beets and a light emulsion sauce. I was quite pleased with my selection. Although the place is supposed French cuisine I would offer that it is more French influenced than traditional French. Overall it was a truly great experience with top quality food and great service in a pleasant, cozy setting. read more

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Cafe Beaujolais in Mendocino is a brunch standout, absolutely 5-star food across the board. The manager who greeted us was warm and welcoming, and the setting feels classic and charming right in the heart of town. Everyone at the table loved their dishes. I got to sample a few other items and everything was excellent. The huckleberry pancakes were rich, buttery, and incredible, and the eggs Benedict was perfectly done. The shakshuka was flavorful and a bit spicy, but really good overall. So why 3 stars...it was the service from our waiter, who was super grumpy and mostly monosyllabic, which was surprising given how good everything else was. read more

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The host was a bit shy and unfriendly, but our server made the night. She was always smiling and so sweet. I forgot what it was, but her farm supplies something to this restaurant. The food was also very amazing. They served some complimentary bread with a butter cup for each person at the start of the meal. Entrees: -Cioppino: $42. This one has a bit of everything if you can't decide. The tomato base was great. It's good for dipping the bread. -Pork & duck agnolotti: $32. -Duck breast: $43. Flavor was good. -Black cod: $43. Delicious. 10 out of 10 recommend. -Halibut (special): $45. Great char and crisp on top. Risotto had good flavor too. Dessert: -Panna cotta: $14. The name sounded better than the taste. This was a bit of a let down for me. Too many chia seeds and not enough orange and strawberry. -Ice cream (3 flavors): $14. Mint chip ("world's best"!), brownies & cream, pistachio. I highly recommend the mint chip. I think vanilla bean would have been really good also! Wifi available. Need to ask for password. Parking was easy to find on the street. This area looks very residential. Bathroom available. The restaurant is small so walking around felt slightly claustrophobic. There's foie gras on the menu, so I would try that next time! read more

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Lovely, historic fine dining restaurant in Mendocino. Vietnamese Prawns salad with Pork Belly was to die for. Duck Confit was magnificent. The hostess was friendly and provided great recommendations. Loved the Halibut with sun-dried tomato risotto. read more

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Such a great spot for a romantic dinner in Mendocino! We were staying in the area for a Valentine's Day getaway and came here for a nice dinner. The restaurant is set in a converted 19th century Victorian farmhouse and the ambiance is really cozy without feeling stuffy. It was a rainy evening but it still felt warm and relaxed inside. We got a bottle of local Trousseau Noir to share. It was a pretty light red and easy to drink which was exactly what we were looking for. We were served complimentary bread and butter to start and then shared the Wild Mendocino Mushroom Gnocchi and Braised Pork Cheeks for our entrees. Both plates were delicious but the pork cheek which was covered in a super rich pork jus stole the show and the sauce was just perfect on the creamy risotto. Service was lovely as well and we really enjoyed just taking our time having dinner inside on a rainy night. Would definitely recommend if you're looking for somewhere more special in Mendocino! read more

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Lovely small elite restaurant in Mendocino with a delightful and extensive wine list and supremely helpful staff. Our server Maritha was very knowledgeable and well timed so the meal flowed smoothly from one course to the next. Lovely polenta side and all vegetables were stand outs. The broccolini and the beets were amazing. The fresh local produce shines here. Pasta and a pork main were well presented and tasty. Maybe a bit too much butter (is that really an issue? Especially with such great bread) and some dishes a bit under seasoned. But this did not affect our enjoyment read more

We had an incredible, 5-star meal here during our vacation in Mendocino! The corn soup and fish of the day were out of this world. Waitstaff is fantastic. This restaurant is a true gem! read more

Cafe Beaujolais - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Mendocino, California

Well, in Mendicino for a friend's birthday and girls weekend, I dined here for my first time. The restaurant is cute and the server was wonderful. I had the duck confit. The table shared two scallop entrées as our appetizers, which were good, but they plated them together, so we didn't get two full servings of the risotto to share. I was looking forward to a cocktail with my dinner, but they only have aperitifs. Overall it was a nice dinner. read more

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Absolutely the best restaurant in Mendocino. We had the black cod and the cioppino . The cod had really nice flavors and great presentation. The cioppino was savory and had good portions of fish, shrimp, mussels and clams. They restaurant has a very charming, semi formal atmosphere. Servers are very friendly. Would definitely come back. read more

Friends , family, and strangers alike - if you are visiting Mendocino then you must make this part of your dining itinerary. Would recommend reservations. Started the meal off with their special of a meatball on top of a perfectly balanced polenta. Cleared the plate and then some. I decided on duck and my wife had the gnocchi. As a pasta connoisseur and someone who has traveled the Italian coast, my wife said this was some of the best gnocchi she has ever had. Myself? This duck, and I kid you not, was the best duck I have ever had in my life. To me, duck has either been any or just not good. This duck? 10/10. A beautiful crust and an even more beautiful cook and then treated with a smoky and sweet sauce - paired with perfectly cooked potato. No notes. *chef's kiss* Almost went there two nights in a row. The ginger molasses cake was superb. read more

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The best. Food, service and ambience were special. Bolonese terrific. Black cod was amazing. Great wine list.

A local recommended Cafe Beaujolais, and I'm so glad that we decided to have brunch here! Cafe Beaujolais accepts reservations; however, we didn't have to wait too long for them to set up a table for two. Inside is very cozy, and all the tables have white linen table clothes, which makes the rustic interior feel more elevated. My partner and I ordered the Tour de Mendocino and the Granola & Fruit Bowl with a side of sausage. I was really impressed with the food, and the bowl was packed with seasonal fruits including peaches, cherries, figs, and strawberries. My partner enjoyed the French toast and noted that the scrambled eggs were good too. This is a must-stop if you're in town, and I'd recommend making a reservation if you're planning to dine in. read more

Cafe Beaujolais - Menu - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Mendocino, California

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An excellent choice for an anniversary celebration dinner. All of our selections were top notch in taste, quality, uniqueness, and freshness. Service was superb and attentive. It's rare to have every expectation met on such an important day. Either we're lucky, or Cafe Beaujolais is just that good. Take a look at my photos. Every dish was impressive and our server was so wonderful. The employees here work as a well oiled machine and help each other out to make sure things run smoothly. There's a story about the restaurant origin on the front cover of the menu. Come visit to learn about their cool history. It's a small dining room and they pack a lot of tables. Even so, my hot date and I were seated at a three top and had plenty of space. We ordered a lot of food but it was served at the perfect time, never crowded on the table. There's a really clean bathroom located outside and down the stairs. I'm daydreaming about coming back soon. read more

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Nice vibes here, service was pretty good. The food was tasty and nicely presented. Star of the night was the mussels in wine it was so tasty with the bread. The 8 hour pasta was also tasty the meat sauce was rich but not too overpowering. Duck breast was decent definitely had better but still rich and fatty. Would like to try other things in future make sure to have reservations read more

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Must Try!! Busy Saturday with no room until possibly 8pm - BUT they had a little bar next door with drinks AND you can order food there!! We chose to wait for a table and had an amazing culinary experience!! We had the following dishes and they were all amazing!! Starters: Crab Cakes Main Course: Pasta bolognese Sides: brussel sprouts, beets, mushrooms Desserts: olive oil cake and cobbler read more

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Absolutely delicious restaurant. Try the pizza. Their crust is great, and the pizzas are so flavorful.

i visited cafe beaujolais in mendocino and ordered the gnocchi and cod, along with a zin and the carrot ginger soup. the zin was smooth and enjoyable, the cod was solid, the soup was flavorful, and the house bread was fresh and satisfying. the gnocchi, however, was disappointing--it came across more like a fancy mac and cheese than the dish i had hoped for. we didn't have a reservation, so we were seated in their waiting room. i actually preferred it to the main dining area; the space felt cozy and quiet, which made the meal more relaxed. overall, the food was good but hovered around average rather than exceptional, and for the quality and quantity, the prices felt high. read more

Cafe beaujolais resides in a Victorian house. The rooms are transformed into dining rooms giving that intimate setting. We were seated in the back dining room. The table for 2 was slightly cramped. Staff was friendly and attentive. Beef tartare - this was our least favourite dish. The tatare was served on warm bread, heating up the meat slightly. Overpowering mustard flavor, very strong balsamic tartness. The condiments stole the show and we couldn't really taste the natural flavor of the meat. Sweet potatoes agnolotti - creamy delicate filling in agnolotti, the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes were enhanced, delightful Braised pork cheek - fork tender pork cheeks pairs perfectly with creamy risotto, the sauce was slightly salty and felt one dimensional Duck breast - the absolute star of the show, crispy skin envelops tender meat, beautifully seasoned with five spice. The quinces are pleasant touches to the dish, each bite bursting with sweetness read more

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Had a glass of wine at The Waiting Room before I went in here without a reservation, they were very accommodating considering the holidays. They bring you house baked bread first which was average, but a nice touch. Foie gras was as expected, fatty and seasoned. One and done for me as the ducks are treated inhumanely. Not too many places serve it as this particular one was flown in from New York. The black cod was cooked perfectly. Agnolotti under the cod was a bit too al dente, but flavors were great with the beets. Paired with a glass of sauvignon blanc, it was pretty good. They have a nice space in a victorian house, and the place definitely filled up quick for dinner. Dishes were a bit too salty, but the flavors are there. read more

Intimate dining experience in an old house with French inspired dishes. They're happy to make your night special for any occasion including rose petals for an anniversary and birthday confetti. The service is sleek and knowledgeable. We ordered the heirloom tomato caprese salad, pan seared Hokkaido scallops, and the chicken mole and for dessert the chocolate pot de crème . All the food was delicious and we left full and satisfied. read more

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My wife and I felt that their flavors were off in essentially all their dishes. I had a lamb shank and my wife had the fish. Both were mediocre with an off taste. We had dined here previously last year and had the same experience. We tried it a second time hoping that the previous dinner was a one off, but it wasn't. We are disappointed to say the least. Two mediocre dinners, so we will not be coming back. The maitre de did not even know the history of the Beaujolais region in France. And did not know what a Nouveau Beaujolais wine was. read more

A new favorite breakfast spot of mine in Mendocino. So after going to Mendocino a bunch of times we've had to hone in on the breakfast options. After all, breakfast is the wifey's favorite meal. So we've been trying Cafe Beaujolais since it's usually near one of the Inn's we like to stay at, and my is it tasty. I like how it's open somewhat early too. 9:30 isn't too bad. The goal is usually to get to breakfasts spots right when they open so we can avoid peeps but even though this place usually fills up right as they open the doors, I do love the vibe. There is an elegance to it which goes with the name. But yet at the same time it does also have a homey feel like an old mom and pop breakfast spot in the Bay. For some reason out of all the times I've gone, theres always this older gentleman who seems like he's a customer but he's always just walking into the kitchen. Luckily he's never too loud or obnoxious. I just figure he's a regular who is close to the people that work here. Ultimately he always looks like he is having a good time. I mean when you think about it, the food can't be half bad if I continuously see this dude here... But the food is actually really really good. Ive come here a few times and the food always goes above and beyond. I really look forward to the breakfast every-time I go because I know it's always going to be a good meal. That's just how consistent they are. Recently I tried Benedict and I was super impressed. Both of the eggs oozed out the golden goodness when you put the knife through. The Hollandaise sauce was light, lemony and creamy. I loved the amount of Ham they give you too. Potatoes are scrumptious. The portions are pretty solid. Great service too. Everyone who serves us has always been good. I can't really think of anything that bothers me about this Cafe Beaujolais. I feel like this may be a place that flies under people's radar in Mendocino. It's definitely away from all the usual dining stuff downtown but I think people should check it out. It's classy yet homey at the same time. read more

Cafe Beaujolais - Beaujolais Benedict - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Mendocino, California

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Simply amazing meal, worth every penny. Every bite was scrumptious, butternut squash soup, is to die for. A must try for sure read more

I first dined at Cafe Beaujolais in 1980 and it was always one of my favorites. Great food, great service. I ate there on Wednesday and has terrible service, poor food with small portions and large prices. The staff was unfriendly. Our waiter "checked on us" for the first time after we'd finished eating. I will never be back as I heard later this was now common. read more

Items purchased: classic pizzaria chopped salad, smash quinoa, smash impossible. Food: A, Food was Fresh and came out the kitchen in a timely manner. Service: A, Cashier/ order taker greeted us and was polite and courteous. Cleanliness: A, outside patio / garden area was clean. Bathroom was clean and stocked. Value : A, Pricing was excellent, $10 Wednesday and Thursday special. Ambiance: A, Pleasant and Relaxed. read more

Came to Cafe Beaujolais for dinner on a Thursday and Brunch on a Sunday and while overall pleased, left with some thoughts. For brunch: I would come here again and again for their pancakes. I don't even like pancakes very much and I so rarely order them but their special had peaches and I'm a sucker for peaches... turns out I'm also a sucker for slightly crispy pancakes and Cafe Beaujolais delivered! Mine were delicious but I also had a bite of a blueberry pancake from a friend and I believe those were somehow even better! The eggs Benedict was so so. The flavors were excellent but the eggs were inconsistent (one was runny, one was overcooked). The sourdough was tasty but slightly difficult to cut/eat. For dinner: The octopus had an excellent char but was over salted. The tuna crudo was perfect. The duck was delicious The salmon was absurdly delicious. The strawberry rhubarb crumble was insensibly large and just fine (maybe they should call it a dessert for 2) The financier was also just fine. Some reviews say service is slow, I didn't experience that at all. Everyone was friendly and welcoming and the location feels homey and cozy. My key takeaways: Order pancakes for brunch For dinner: order entrees, skip dessert read more

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Weeknight spontaneous dinner as tourists from the Bay Area. We were lucky to snag a table with about a 15 minute wait. Vibes are romantic old cottage, special occasion dinner type so dress accordingly. We felt a little out of place not as dressed up, but we were hungry after finding out the Italian place next door was completely booked and so here we are. It's a pricey establishment, similar to NYC or more fancier SF restaurants. That kind of set some expectations before any of the dishes arrived. Thankfully everything was good, and as a party of 4 plus a baby; we tried a variety of food. Everything was plated beautifully. Flavors were above average, and can tell the kitchen staff know what they're doing. Even the walnut financier and berry cake for dessert were yummy and not your average 'i see this everywhere' type of desserts. The walnut flavor was there, and the financier had a slight hard crisp exterior while the inside was heavenly soft and warm. The berry cake was bursting with fresh berries, and was a very out of cookbook berry purple color (not yellow sponge cake layered w/fruit pebble type) so kudos to the dessert chef too! Service was very attentive and friendly. Only a minus star because the bill had an automatic 20% gratuity. Maybe I missed the fine print. read more

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I mean, it was all right nothing too crazy very small interior and the guy that made my coffee. Had a cool looking beard. Yeah go check out brick pizza next-door, though that place was Bussin Bussin Bussin Bussin, Bussin Bussin. read more

We had dined at Cafe Beaujolais in the past and decided to go back on our latest trip to Mendocino. The dining room is small, somewhat crowded and LOUD! We were seated near a noisy party of nine people (sigh). Despite this, we had a very good dinner, starting with the Puree of Corn Soup followed by the 8-Hour Bolognese, both which were excellent! Come here for the food, but bring your ear plugs! read more

Cafe Beaujolais - Puree of Corn Soup which - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Mendocino, California

We are in Mendocino for a week, and have eaten out every night. I've already reviewed the other restaurants we visited and some of them were given 5 stars, so if could, I would give Cafe Beaujolais 5.5 stars. The food was the best of all the places we ate at. I got the black cod and my husband got the cioppino. Both were very very good. The frangipane tart was excellent too! Our waiter was a bit on the serious side to start with, but seemed to loosen up as the evening progressed. But polite and helpful. The hostess was very professional. We probably would have been labeled "difficult" because we wanted another table that wasn't so tightly placed and in the corner and asked for another table. The others were not occupied but were reserved for other customers. She handled it all very well and didn't blink an eyelid or take it personally. And this is another reason for the 5.5 stars! We ended up waiting in the Waiting Room coffee shop/bar for about 1/2 hour. The bartender was especially friendly and very helpful. Well done, Cafe Beaujolais! I do have one more restaurant to visit tonight, but I think you get the prize for best of Mendocino from us! read more

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phenomenal service and hands down the best meal we have had! so unique and the price was worth every penny!! loved the intimate atmosphere and experience for our anniversary with rose petals and all! read more

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The food and service were both great. We had the halibut and the duck breast on the recommendation of the waitress and both were fantastic. The service was beyond the call of duty as we couldn't get an Uber so Ally offered to drive us back to our hotel! We will be back, a great overall experience. read more

If you're only having one dinner in Mendocino, this is easily the one I would recommend. Set in a quaint Victorian farmhouse, Cafe Beaujolais is perfect for a a quiet, intimate meal to celebrate an anniversary, birthday or other special occasion. Everything that we ordered was just superb: - Pan Seared Hokkaido Scallops (5/5): ideally seared with pistachio browned butter to achieve an ever so slightly crisp exterior with a heavenly soft interior and served atop a bed of quinoa and an exquisitely creamy but light cauliflower purée - ugh, chef's kiss~ - Liberty Farms Duck Breast (4.5/5): crispy medium rare duck served in a delectable kumquat gastrique flavored with five spice, served alongside the perfect potato pave (crispy on the outside, tender and buttery on the inside) - Passionfruit Creme Brûlée (4.5/5): as a fan of all things passion fruit, this dessert was so up my alley and briefly transported me back to recent Hawaiian vacays, absolutely scrumptious All of the ingredients are fresh tasting and locally sourced for that farm-to-fork goodness that epitomizes the Mendocino coast. Currently, Beaujolais is split into three eateries: the Cafe (dinner fine dining), the Brickery (casual lunch - think brick oven pizzas and smashburgers) and the Waiting Room (lounge with coffee, alc drinks, and small bites) to match whatever vibes you're in the mood for so make this a must on your itinerary while in town! read more

My fiancé took me out for an amazing birthday dinner at Cafe Beaujolais. They have a very interesting menu! I was surprised to see Vietnamese prawn salad and foie gras in the same setting, but it just ensures there's something for everyone here. We got to enjoy a few items: -prawn ceviche: one of their appetizer specials for the evening. Very good flavor, but boring. What I liked most about this dish was the chips that came with them. They were crispy and fluffy. If I could go back, I'd probably order their king salmon tartare appetizer, another special of the day. It just sounded more interesting. -pan seared Hokkaido scallops: an amazing dish! By far our favorite. The scallops were cooked perfectly and the cauliflower purée complemented the dish so well. -black cod: delish! The mushroom agnolotti had amazing flavor. -8hr tagliatelle bolognese: we split this and I'm glad we did bc it was very filing. Pasta was cooked perfectly al dente and the sauce was great. -dark chocolate cremeux: very rich dark chocolate flavor but not overly sweet. The shell was nice and crunchy. It's like having chocolate pudding in a tart shell. We really enjoyed our meal here and would recommend this spot for anyone wanting to celebrate something special--or if someone just wanted to eat well :) read more

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My husband and I made reservations at Cafe Beaujolais to celebrate our one year wedding anniversary. They do get booked up fast so if this is on your list of places to eat and you are going to be in the area, make sure you make reservations in advance. There is limited parking around the restaurant so most people opt for street parking. Depending on how busy it is, you may have to park a few blocks away and walk to the restaurant. We were greeted by the hostess when we got there. Unfortunately as our table was not ready at the time, we waited at the waiting room next door for about 10 minutes before the hostess guided us to our table. We were seated at one of the private rooms in the back of the restaurant. Space was very cramped though intimate. We got the table at the corner of the private room so that allowed us to enjoy the view at sunset. Service was attentive and the waitress checked in on us periodically to fill up our waters. Once ordered, our food didn't take long to arrive. The pace of the dishes were well planned out, giving us a few minutes between each course. For food, we ordered the following: Vietnamese style Dungeness crab cakes (5/5): this was one of the best dishes that night. Each crab cake was fully stuffed with crab. The sauce had a bit of a spicy kink to it. Flavors went well with each other and the crab cakes were deep fried nicely. Spanish seared octopus (3/5): huge portion on the octopus but the dish itself was too salty. Local black cod (2/5): portion size of cod was very small, bok choy was over cooked to the point that it was mostly burnt, the sauce and the duxelles agnolotti were very heavy. For a seafood dish, a lighter sauce would complement it much better because it brings out the freshness of the fish. Liberty farms duck breast (5/5): this was also one of the highlights of this dinner. Portion size was very reasonable. The duck breast was nicely seasoned with the five spices and cooked perfectly, crispy on the outside, tender inside. The sauce and every ingredient in this dish went well with each other. Highly recommend and just this dish alone will motivate us to come back. Coconut cream pie (4/5): just the right amount of sweetness and the perfect way to end a meal. The dessert is filled with fresh coconut pieces, and coconut cream. My husband got a glass of wine, very generous pour and price was reasonable. It went well with the dishes we ordered. A great spot to take a date, to gather with friends, or to celebrate a special occasion. read more

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This is about the POP UP* doing the menu & cooking SUNDAY & MONDAY nights til Mid December 2024: *FLOYD AND CONNIE cook delicious food! We had Eggplant Parmesan, deep fried Delicata squash rings, Fish filet sautéed in lemon garlic butter, escarole salad with sheep milk ricotta. Everything was superbly prepared. Nothing disappoints. Oh boy, you should eat there while you can! read more

Cafe Beaujolais - They cook at Café Beaujolais SUNDAY AND MONDAY nights til mid December 2024 - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Mendocino, California

We enjoyed a (slightly belated) birthday dinner here and were seated in the Annex at the corner table, which I highly recommend for two people. The food was excellent and the service immaculate. It was a little too dark to really enjoy the view looking into the garden but that was more our fault as we tend to dine late and arrived there at 8:00 p.m. Reservations are recommended as this spot is highly popular. I can attest to the fact that the chocolate pot de crème was not only delicious but is large enough to feed four people. More of a "Seau de Crème," if you get my meaning. Five stars all around. read more

We had a very nice evening here about 2 weeks ago. There are some important notes that would have made the experience 5 starts vs. 4. Please do not call an entree a "braised short rib" when it truly is not. True short ribs are taken from the plate or chuck section of the cow, but there are lots of different ways to butcher and label beef. Some places, like our experience here, likely used chuck roast (which is more like pot roast) and called it short ribs, yes it was boneless.... At $38, one would think that they were getting a short rib. I'd like to think that there was a lack of care or knowledge but this important point is the fact there IS a difference. The beef was good as a result of the sauce which accompanied but it still tasted like a pot roast. I love pot roast but didn't want that for dinner. Also ordered were the Hokkaido Japanese scallops which served a whopping 3 each at the price of $42. Very good but couldn't you have included one or two more? The wine we had with dinner was a Noceto Sangovese - delicious. We started out with a bottle of Roederer rose and opted to have the pea burrata as an appetizer (it was a main entree) with - that was $25. Very small portion and I would have been disappointed had it been my main meal. The service was friendly and casual. Overall with tip the total bill was around $220. Our experience was pleasant and with these comments and suggestions, I thought this feedback might be helpful. read more

Our first stop on our quick trip to Mendocino! I was honestly shocked by how delicious the food was here. I'm not huge on breakfast food but I was blown away. I ordered the dungeness crab omelette and it was so buttery and filled with a ton of crab, vegetables and mascarpone cheese. It was so good I want to attempt to recreate it at home! My boyfriend got the pork belly fried rice, which was also mind blowing. They used short grain rice and it was almost like a risotto, such a clever twist on an Asian dish. The host was also really friendly and sweet! read more

Cafe Beaujolais - Dungeness crab omelette and pork belly fried rice - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Mendocino, California

Had reservations as is a must for this place. It's small but super charming and elegant. Food was outstanding I started with the Butternut squash soup, then I ordered as a side the locally grown beets and potatoes, all delish! Our table enjoyed the Pork cheeks, and risotto which was rich and delish! Also had the mussels, other dishes at the table was crab gnocchi and Bolognese. We had a great bottle of wine and someone had a desert that looked great, no picture sadly. read more

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