Best option for fresh cuisine in Mendocino. Great attentive staff - down to the busboy! We were really impressed with the distinct flavors each dish offered. We started the night with Scallops - Followed by Gnocchi's and Flat Iron Steak. Perfect trifecta! (Paired it all with a Red Mendocino Blend). Lastly we finished the night with a Strawberry Tart. Not to sweet and just enough to share. When in Mendocino - don't miss out on Trillium!! read more

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Started off with the free bread. It was solid but nothing special. For drinks we got the Hugo spritz and the aperol spritz. Both were good. For mains, we got the pork medallions and the flatiron steak. Pork medallions were excellent. Crispy crust and tender inside. The steak was very solid... I would substitute the mashed potatoes for the baked potatoes. We also got a side of Mac and cheese which was just okay. Needed more seasoning. Finally, we ended with the chocolate cake. Again it was average. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Service and Ambience weee both very pleasant.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Trillium Cafe & Inn in Mendocino has a beautiful setting and the food really delivers...well-prepared dishes in a charming, relaxed atmosphere right in the village.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We enjoyed the meal overall, but the service felt a bit uneven. It seemed like our waitress may have been new and wasn't fully familiar with the menu or options, which made things a little slow and unclear at times. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Still, the quality of the food and the setting make it a strong 4-star experience and a place we'd happily return to.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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This review is for dinner. Hours are 5-8:30 PM, but we stayed until at least 9:30 or 10 PM. We were not the last to leave. They had local ceramics on sale next to the entrance. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The fireplace inside was burning and warmed the dining room. I liked that there was no strong smoke smell.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Reservations are highly recommended. The space is small, so there will be a wait without a reservation. Reviews were good, but my experience was not the same. I was surprised that the service was stiff and not hospitable. Also the food was just ok. -Soup of the day: fish chowder $8 for a bowl. Shareable for four. Server should have brought out bowls without us asking. -Grilled artichoke: $17. Server refused/did not know how to explain how to eat it -Scallops: $23. Menu should say how many scallops are in one order. Server did offer to ask the chef to include one scallop per person. -Sable fish: $43. Fair - menu warned about bones and there were plenty. Black rice needed seasoning or salt. -Flat iron steak: $50. Prettiest dish. -Pork medallions: $45. Not memorable. Could pass on this. -Rock cod: $43. Smallest portion size of the four. The only thing our server could say about the dessert was, "it's made by a pastry chef". Giving pretentious. Anyway I liked the COCONUT ALMOND CAKE because of the banana ice cream and the toffee sauce. I thought this was a great way to end the meal. It will be the only thing memorable about Trillium Cafe for me. The roasted strawberry tart was the worst. Too much cream and not enough strawberry. I would rather go back to Cafe Beaujolais to see our sweet farmer server again. read more

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Best restaurant in downtown Mendocino. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Located walking distance from the majestic coastline.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The indoor dining reminds of classic inn style dining.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The outdoors is spacious with beautiful landscaping and coastal views.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Noticed outdoor guests are provided blankets for comfort.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Our hostess Jen made us feel at home and the birthday dinner truly special. The special Morel Mushrooms appetizer with Polenta patty and asparagus sauce was exceptional. Loved the local farm fresh greens served with all dishes especially with the seared scallops and goat cheese croquettes. Warm coconut almond cake with Banana ice cream and dessert wine was the perfect finish. Will definitely come back here in the future :) read more

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This is the go to spot for a nice meal in Mendocino. The food is fresh and the flavors are tasty. The only complaint is the fish preparation. They do warn you about the fish bones, but as a home cook, many of them could have been removed as part of the preparation. The service is friendly, and [[HIGHLIGHT]]the atmosphere is of a chic cafe.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]However, the chairs could be a bit more comfortable to improve the overall dining experience.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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Elevated cooking There is a reason why this place is so popular and it was a step above all the places we had in Mendocino. Don't forget to make a reservations as we saw several walk-ins get turned away. The meal started with their complimentary focaccia, which was buttery and herby. We went for their miso marinated cod which was incredibly flakey and paired so well with the light yet umami laden sauce. We also tried their grilled steak which was perfectly cooked and topped with a rich gravy. Just the entrees were more than enough for two of us and we didn't have room for dessert! read more

Trillium Cafe & Inn - Steak - New American Near Me - Mendocino, California

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Spent new years in Mendocino so we made a reservation at one of the only places open on NYE. Although this place is rated pretty high, I can't say that I'd be back next time I'm in the area. The food was.. fine. It wasn't bad at all, but for the price tag I'd expect a little more value. The bread wasn't warm, so it was a little tough; the halibut was drowning in the soup; the pasta flavor was "interesting" with the poblano. I thought the service was great even on a busy night, but the food left me wanting more. Food: 3.5 Service: 4.5 [[HIGHLIGHT]]Ambiance: 4[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Value: 3 Marcels foodie score: 3.75 read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]We made reservations on a Wednesday night and arrived at 5:30 and were seated in the outdoor garden area which was very nice.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Our server was very friendly and attentive. I had the Tuna appetizer which was very nicely plated and very tasty. I did order a glass of wine and my wife had a wine margarita. I must say they are very stingy with thier wine pours I ordered the butter fish and my wife had strawberry salad with shrimp added. The fish was delicious but I wish I had known or advised that you have to remove the very fine bones. I would have opted for a different fish as It made the eating experience a little more challenging. My wife's salad was tasty but just a few shrimp that were added and the strawberry were very finely sliced and very sparsely scattered as if they were out of strawberries . We did opt for dessert which was very good and a nice way to finish the meal. Overall the food and service was good but the price was I feel way too expensive but you are in Mendocino after all. read more

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The food was delicious. A combo of very interesting flavors that came together very well. We had the soup (potato leek) excellent, the veggie gnocchi and the saber fish. All super good! read more

Great food, great service, friendly staff, beautiful out door eating area. Would highly recommend. Will be back forsure.

Let's start with the service - flawless. Our server brought samples of wine, knew the menu well, and knew just when to check in. We sat in the outside garden, and the atmosphere was relaxed and charming. The albacore appetizer had a perfect balance of tangy and sweet - and it complimented my missus' beet and strawberry salad. My sandwich just worked - a mix of carmelized onions, greens, avocado, and plump larger prawns with fontina. It's special and not a combo that is intuitive but it is! Wine was terrific - viogner - and a perfect pairing for the meal. I wish we had room for dessert as the choices were exceptional and unique. Next time... read more

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the quality of the food here is spectacular. We are in the area from S.F. and got take-away, scallops, veggie gnocchi and salad. The food traveled well and very high quality ingredients. Staff on the phone and in person was friendly, service was fast too. I can highly recommend this restaurant to anyone in the area or lucky to be local. A++ from me! read more

Enjoyed our dinner but really subpar on wine choices by the glass . I was really disappointed with such few choices and I'm talking less than 4 of red and white so I am supposed to purchase a bottle when I only want a glass ? Also very small pour ..not only mine but everyone the wine Stewart served. Be generous.. so your guests enjoy the experience.. even an ounce more looks better not so skimpy... especially at $15.00 a glass! read more

We were able to get seats for two as walk-ins on a Saturday, but seats were somewhat limited. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The inn had a lovely home vibe, friendly waiters, and delicious food.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I ate a lot but didn't feel disgusting afterwards--appreciated the balanced and healthy options! Got some complementary focaccia as well (though it didn't come with oil/vinegar for dipping). Hope to be back! read more

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This is our first time at Trillium and it was a very pleasant experience. The ambience here is old Mendocino cozy. By that I mean, the restaurant is in a Victorian building late 1800s building. There were also about six tables outside the main room under a plastic cover with heat lamps, allowing them to accommodate more guests. Service was friendly and conscientious. In the kitchen that night, there was a bit of a backlog, but attentive servers brought bubbly water to our table as well as fresh warm bread and butter, which staved off some of our hunger. We shared two appetizers: the onion tartine and the scallops. Both were very good, although the scallops were tepid. For the main course I had the seared black cod and my friend had the vegetable tortellini, both of which were excellent! Some dishes were at an expected price point for this level of service and quality, while others dishes, (like half a game hen) felt overpriced at $40. Overall, we had a pleasant, good quality experience. Reservations are strongly recommended. Ample Street parking but expect to walk a block or two after 6 PM. read more

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Trillium never disappoints. We ordered many dishes and fully enjoyed each one. The ingredients are fresh with a farm-to-fork menu. They have a full wine selection for fair prices. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I recommend sitting outside under the tent so you can enjoy the charming garden.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We will always come back to Trillium whenever we're in Mendo. read more

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This is NOT a fish restaraunt. Terrible service .... First course came after 45 minutes. The cook in the kitchen is NOT a chief! Please save your money and try another restaurant in Mendocino :( 1 read more

Gorgeous spot located on the main streets of Mendocino. A short walk to the bluffs. The service was nice and the outdoor seating area was lovely. We ordered the pulled pork sliders and the fries were hot and fresh and the sliders were sweet, but did the job. The tuna avocado toast was delicious and tasted super fresh and the mixed green salad was a refreshing side of California! Stop in for lunch or dinner or get a reservation for a guaranteed seat while after you're done exploring the shops, and galleries and views of mendocino! read more

Trillium Cafe & Inn - Pulled pork sliders - New American Near Me - Mendocino, California

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A group of friends and I were visiting Mendocino for a weekend getaway. Due to the highly praised reviews on Yelp for Trillium, I made reservations for four on Saturday evening to enjoy a delightful seafood dinner. ARRIVAL The restaurant was quite busy but not completely full. I checked in at the host desk, and we were seated outside (as requested) in the tent-shaded outdoor seating. SERVICE During our visit, we found the service was not up to par as we had hoped. Although our waitress initially checked on us frequently, we preferred more time to review the menu before placing our orders. It would have been helpful to receive some recommendations as well. Overall, we felt that the service could have been more accommodating and welcoming. The waitress was short with us from the beginning, which established an uncomfortable dining experience. ALCOHOL The restaurant has a beer and wine license, offering a good selection for wine enthusiasts. No liquor license. However, it's important to note that cocktails do not contain any real liquor, which was not clearly stated on the drink menu. This led to some confusion among our group until the drinks arrived. Although the waitress seemed a bit impatient when explaining this to us, she kept repeating to us multiple times that the information was on the menu. FOOD Appetizers * Sautéed Wild Scallops: The scallops were cooked perfectly, and the ginger lime crème fraiche paired well and was delicious! * Dungeness Crab Cakes: The crab cakes, unfortunately, didn't meet our expectations. When we tried to pick them up with a fork, they fell apart, making them difficult to eat. Additionally, the crab cakes tasted a bit too greasy, masking the natural flavors of the crab. On a positive note, the fresh horseradish remoulade was quite delicious and made the dish more enjoyable. * Raw Oysters: The oysters were decent, albeit a bit small. They were accompanied by a spicy citrus granita, but I felt that there was a shortage of citrus flavor. Additionally, I noticed that there were no lemon wedges provided. Mains * Vegetable Gnocchi: This entree is the only vegetarian and vegan option for a main course. My friend ordered this dish and it was quite visually appealing with vibrant and colorful presentation (asparagus, snap peas, pumpkin seed, kale, purple gnocchi, etc). The entree was delicious, especially with the perfectly cooked medium steak added for protein. However, the steak was a bit fatty. * Grilled Ribeye Steak: The main dish was served with a delightful combination of mashed potatoes, broccolini, summer squash, baby carrots, and a mint-pistachio-cilantro pesto. The steak was cooked perfectly to a medium doneness and was absolutely delicious. One small point of feedback pertains to the pesto, which had a rather chunky and rustic texture. Perhaps blending it more thoroughly would result in a smoother and more enjoyable flavor profile. * Grilled Alaskan Halibut: The entree included mashed potatoes, broccolini, summer squash, baby carrots, and a Fresno pepper lemongrass coconut cream. Personally, I felt that the dish would have been better without the carrots. However, the presentation was beautiful and everything tasted delicious. My only critique is that the halibut skin was unfortunately not crispy at all. I want to highlight the exceptional flavor of the mashed potatoes, which were a hit at the table. Overall, the experience was positive, with good food and a mostly enjoyable atmosphere. read more

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4 Stars for this one! Super cute patio area and if the weather is at all decent that would be my go to for seating! Staff was extremely friendly! The food itself had highs and not so highs. The veggie galette is so freaking delicious! That is a huge win for me! The steak however wasn't bad but wasn't the caliber I would have hoped for given the costs and atmosphere of the restaurant. read more

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We had a lovely dinner here during spring break. Nice service which we appreciated. Food was good, def not five star, but had some outstanding veges. [[HIGHLIGHT]]They are remodeling the outside area and it is a lovely place to eat.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

WOW FACTOR? Yes, really delicious food and very good service. Best food of the weekend. Most satisfying. HAVE AGAIN: Nightly fish was delicious (described as rare/raw, which I ok'ed but I needed to ask for a bit more cooking - my fault). Also delicious was the broccolini, carrots and potatoes. The potato/leek soup was delicious. The Meyer lemon pudding was really outstanding. NOT HAVE AGAIN: The chocolate walnut tart was good, but needed more ice cream to balance the drier parts of the tart. read more

Decided on this restaurant for my bday in Mendo. Food was good and fresh. Except my husband's ribeye was undercooked. Rare in some spots and not medium rare as ordered. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We got seated in a prime spot outdoors with a nice ocean view.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] However, the service was terrible. Our waitress seemed to be more attentive and chatty with other customers, primarily the yt customers. My husband is an easy man to please and he even said he was so disappointed in the service. I still tipped her 20% because I'm dumb like that. When making the reservation he noted that it was my birthday and they made no effort to say happy birthday or place a candle on my dessert. It was really sad! I just wish our experience was better. Service is really everything. They also didn't have a kids menu. read more

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That dessert still makes me think of Gilmore Girls... Trillium still remains one of the best restaurants in Mendocino. It seems like every time I come to this magical town, Trillium always delivers. From the great service to the cute garden atmosphere, what's there not to love. I do want to highlight one of the menu items in particular that we tried for the first time: The Seared Albacore Tuna. Super tasty. If anyone is a fan of sushi, order it. I guarantee you'll like it. Bonus points if you are a Tuna fan. The presentation of Trillium's dishes are always on point but this appetizer is no exception. Props to whoever plates these works of art. But back to the food. You'll love the tuna. I appreciated the micro greens not only for the presentation but for the fact that it gave me an excuse to put greens in my system. Your boy can always use the greens. The ginger and chili glaze really blow your taste buds in a tornado of glee. So yea...you should totally try the Tuna. Profiteroles...yes. They are good. You should try those too if you actually want a good dessert. I don't even eat dessert. But all I saw is Strawberry, Basil and Ice Cream. Yes. Somehow the flavors mix. You should try this too... Ahem. Ok commercial done. Prawns. They are HUGE. Do you see the pics?! They are huge. So not only are they big but whoever cooked them knows how to cook seafood. It's super easy to cook them too long and make them shrivel up to Cup of Noodles Shrimps. I over exaggerate but at the same time Im kinda not. I appreciate that the chef really took their time. Heck, everyone who works here just seems like they take extra care with everything they do. Ugh...I love this place. But yea Ive always wanted to try the prawns and Im glad I did. All the veggies are perfect as usual but mannnn...Can we talk about the sauce that everything sits in? It might as well be a Cioppino sauce. Pardon my language but it was so damn good...But then you discover that the mashed potatoes are slightly soaked in them...Eughhh...I see you Trillium. I see you!!! read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]Fancy food but casual atmosphere in the cutest coastal town that California has to offer![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Service is slower paced that you may be used to from chain restaurants - but that's sort of the point in coming to a spot like this. Great for an Italian style dinner where you have multiple courses, good wine, and a long excellent meal with delicious food and friendly conversation. They were able to accommodate a shellfish allergy with ease. Steak was perfectly done! read more

This isn't going to be one of those reviews complaining only about the exorbitant price tag, although that was outrageous. I want to warn any vegan friends, they have a single vegan dish, the pumpkin gnocchi, and it was NOT GOOD. It was fine to be generous, but the entire dish was absolutely DOUSED in oil! There is a time and place for oil, but the amount they used completely overpowered a dish that had so much promise. There were maybe seven different elements/ kinds of vegetables in the dish and they all tasted the exact same - like oil. For the almost $50 price tag for that single item I would've hoped they'd let each element shine on their own to create a beautiful cacophony of flavor, but instead it was single note and completely took away from the dish and the experience as a whole. The caprese salad was fine, but also felt like it was doused in too much balsamic. They get a star for the drinks which were pretty good, and the fact that they had a dog friendly patio. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The ambiance was okay but you kind of just miss the view of the ocean unless you're at the perfect angle.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The service was fine. Definitely would not eat here again, especially not at that price unless they seriously change up their menu - adding more vegan options that aren't just doused in oil. read more

$430 for 4 people. Food was average at best. I brought a 23 year old bottle of Cab from my collection, made it very clear to our server that it needed to be opened with care. Dime size pieces of cork in our glasses!! AND, they didn't waive the $25 corkage fee. Won't go back! read more

Had such an amazing experience! What a meal!! We ordered a salad to shake and split it without even asking. I loved that they had so many half bottle options for us to enjoy. The wine list was amazing We sat outside and it was so warm and enjoyable So happy we came here and loved the night! read more

Trillium Cafe & Inn - Steak - New American Near Me - Mendocino, California

What a great place! Delicious food, warm welcoming staff, relaxing ambiance- who could ask for better? We stopped in Mendocino for lunch and happened upon this place. We had fish tacos and albacore avocado toast. The salad dressing is AMAZING! I agree with other reviewers that it needs to be bottled and marketed! We topped the meal with the nectarine blackberry upside down cake and s'mores mousse. Fantastic! read more

Trillium Cafe & Inn - Nectarine Blackberry Upside Down Cake with Prosecco crème anglaise along with a s'mores mousse. - New American Near Me - Mendocino, California

We had a solid meal here a few nights ago. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The outdoor seating had heat lamps, was charming and dog-friendly.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The service was good and the staff was lovely. The food was solid - we shared a strawberry salad , some oysters, steak and pork chop. The steak was not medium rare as I would have liked but tasty. The pork chop was juicy - seems like it was brined. Dessert was a blackberry peach galette. This is a restaurant I would return to and recommend to others visiting Mendocino. read more

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Had a weekend getaway and decided to book a reservation at this cute restaurant. I had the halibut with the fried polenta and it was so good! My partner had the catch of the day with tomatillo sauce and veggies and it was okay. Def not the best and I'm so glad I didn't order it. Haha. Service was not the best. The young boys helping with water, bread, etc. were super sweet. Our server was not the best. It seemed as if she didn't really want to be there. Every conversation was forced. It really put a damper on our dinner. I'm not sure we'll be back next time we are in the area. read more

Enjoyed at great dinner at Trillium Cafe yesterday celebrating my wife's birthday. Menu is not deep but what on it is fabulous. Vegetable flatbread pizza was so fresh and tasty and pork medallions were excellent. They have one of the better wine lists in the area with many decent options. Our server Jamie was very pleasant and engaging. read more

Food portions were definitely on the small side, service could've been better... lamb burger was very good, chicken pot pie was plain and missing flavors, prices were quite high in comparison to the portion size, fries were good. read more

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We stayed in Mendocino for a week and ate out every night. MacCallum House, Little River Inn, Mendocino Cafe, Fog Eater Cafe and more. Food at Trillium was good, not at the top of the list, but solid upper middle. My husband loved the shrimp dish, and I liked the halibut. The Dubai bar was quite tasty too. The reason for my 3 stars is the lady who was at the hostess station. Note to the owners (or maybe she is the owner idk?): Can you not have someone greet and seat the guests who is welcoming and pleasant and can offer a smile? She appeared as though she was doing us a favor by letting us dine at Trillium! And it wasn't just us; we were seated right in front of the front door and she was this way to everyone. That aside, the evening was good. read more

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We were in Mendocino for Thanksgiving and booked Trillium as they had the most varied menu. We are not turkey lovers :) We were seated quickly and the vibe was low key but sophisticated. We sat inside, they do have seats outside but it was nippy and we opted for warmth. We had wild scallops and Dungeness crab strudel for starters, both very nice. The grass fed rib eye was incredible and the fall vegetable gnocchi was also super yummy filled with great veggies, pesto and gnocchi. We finished with some of the best desserts we have ever had - they were that incredible - the chocolate bourbon pecan pie was indescribably delicious. I am still dreaming about it. The Persimmon Sticky toffee cake was my wife's fave - light, flavorful - she loved it. They were so good we didn't even take photos lol Service was excellent - great recommendations from start to finish. We will definitely be back when in Mendocino again. read more

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Came back to Trillium and had a great time! Friendly service, decently attentive, and good food. The menu is short but well curated. The nightly fish was good with a healthy portion of veggies, and the ribeye was huge with delicious mashed potatoes. The artichoke appetizer was fine but nothing special. Dessert was the highlight -- the dubai bar dessert was fun and delicious. The warm cardamom cake wasn't particularly cardamom-y but still tasty. read more

Call ahead if you want patio like we did with our dog. Or reserve. They do get busy with both indoors and outdoor seating! They have a great outdoor space and heaters and offered blankets when they notice I was still a little cold. Service was quick, friendly and efficient. They also offered to get Momo (our Shiba Inu) some water which is always appreciated. Their bread and butter was a little salty. The grilled flatbread was PERFECT. Wish I had 2 of them! The crispy liberty duck was a little stringy, little salty but pretty good. The sautéed wild prawns were really good. We also got a side of mash potato which was also a little on the saltier side. We had to decline dessert, even though the dessert menu looks amazing, we were too full! read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]Excellent food, great service, and a warm, cozy ambiance.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We had dinner at Trillium on Friday and Saturday, January 16 and 17. Our first night, Havana was our server, and the second night, Jen was our server - they were both excellent servers and friendly. We highly recommend this restaurant. Price point for two of us was $275 and $300, respectively. read more

Sorry to report that tonight's experience at Trillium was an abject failure from the front and back of house. The maître d, server and our mains were cold to room temperature across the board. We were unpleasantly greeted, our server was seemingly uninterested in anything more than moving us along. Not once were we asked about our meal...which was pretty bad. The grilled artichoke seemed like it was from a can, the food sat before being served and was no longer hot. Under seasoned and everything fell flat. We were rushed out in less than an hour. For their prices, the food or experience should be at a certain level, but tonight the level dropped to 2 stars. read more