MENDOCINO Co., 8/23/24 — Last week my best friend from Indiana, Devon, visited me for a long weekend. She’s gluten-free (GF), and luckily Mendocino County has a growing number of restaurants offering gluten-free options. Here’s a few of the places we dined:
Rock Sea’s in Hopland: Chef Roxanne Hampl is GF herself, leaving my friend overwhelmed by the options. It’s one of the premier GF restaurants in Northern California. Devon was hankering for a hamburger and devoured Hampl’s creation – a thick juicy perfectly cooked burger made with Black Angus beef from Hampl’s ranch and served on a soft GF bun.
Princess Seafood Restaurant: Princess is a favorite of locals and tourists alike, so it was a must for our brief visit to Fort Bragg. Overlooking Noyo Harbor, Devon enjoyed a Dungeness crab sandwich served on a GF bun which she loved. I warmed up with a cup of lobster bisque. Bonus: We watched American river otters hunt in the water while enjoying our lunch!
Los Gallitos – We had margaritas and chips and salsa at Fort Bragg’s Los G’s. Devon declared the house-made tortilla chips the best she’s ever had. We loved them so much we had two baskets!
HarborView Bistro & Bar – Devon and I enjoyed brunch overlooking the Noyo River in Fort Bragg. Service was exceptional and the weather beautiful. We both had the HarborView Breakfast with eggs, applewood smoked bacon, chicken sausage and roasted marble potatoes. Each came with bread of one’s choice. I enjoyed the restaurant’s insanely good house-made English muffins and Devon had GF toast with hers. She was happy as a clam.
I was hoping to take her to the Noyo River Grill, also in Fort Bragg, which offers many GF options, but sadly our time was limited. Do note, we did not check to see if the above restaurants offer celiac-friendly dining.
I’m thinking of putting together a GF dining guide to Mendocino County. If you have restaurants that offer gluten-free and celiac-friendly dining, send me an email with your favorite dishes and any other information at sarah@mendovoice.com.
Elk Store for sale
Just as Elk is becoming a hot bed for dining along the coast, one of its most beloved establishments is up for sale: the Elk Store. Owners Sean and Elise Ferrarese posted on Instagram in July that the store was for sale. “This is bittersweet for us,” the couple posted in a short statement, “but we are excited to usher in the next chapter for the store and our family.”
The store opened in 1927 and has been Elk’s go-to spot for everyday essentials, deli sandwiches, gifts, and local beer and wine.
The past few years have been tough for the Elk Store. Pre-pandemic the store was gaining traction, especially as a hot spot on the coast for its famous tuna sandwiches and coastal-centric sundries. It was particularly popular with Bay Area techies, who flock up the coast to escape their workaday lives and enjoy some sea air. However, that ended with the pandemic stay-at-home orders, resulting in the store closing and laying off most of its staff. The Ferrarese’s pivoted, offering take-home meals and groceries curbside. By late 2022, the store was fully operational again when it was burgled, resulting in the theft of thousands of dollars of merchandise and damage. (Read more about the Elk Store here.)
The store is available for $975k, according to its real estate listing. It’s been on the market since July 22 and is a mixed-use property, with a manufactured home located behind the store. The purchase price includes a beer and wine liquor license, and all the inventory, equipment and the home in the back. The listing claims that there is a “steady stream of tourists.”
Let’s hope the right buyer makes the move and keeps the Elk Store the true institution it is, while making it economically viable and sustainable in the community.
Fort Bragg McDonald’s gathers donations for Grange Fire victims
McDonald’s employees in Fort Bragg stepped up in recent weeks to provide support for victims of the Grange Fire, which burned 90 acres in the Philo area in late July. Five structures were damaged, and one destroyed, impacting the residents that call the area home.
According to United Disaster Relief of Northern California (UDRNC), which is based in Ukiah and provides resources and services to wildfire survivors (among other disasters), McDonald’s employees accepted donations of requested items from the organization’s Amazon Wishlist from customers and employees. Donations range from non-perishable food to bedding. “We are thrilled,” UDRNC shared. “Their contributions, which include all new items from our Amazon Wish List, have made a significant difference in the lives of fire survivors during this challenging time.”
This is not the first time McDonald’s in Fort Bragg has contributed to UDRNC and its mission. “This act of kindness is just the latest example of the Fort Bragg McDonald’s team’s ongoing commitment to our community,” the group says, “Over the years, their support has been steadfast, helping us extend a helping hand to those in need.” UDRNC is accepting donations for direct services and their new brick and mortar location. Learn more about the United Disaster Relief of Northern California here.
Sage House at Coyote Valley Casino closes, reopens as Angelina’s Grill
Coyote Valley Casino’s attempt at a finer dining option must have not been a hit with its regulars. According to sources, the casino quietly closed the Sage House and flipped it into Angelina’s Grill, a grab and go-style eatery with fried chicken fingers, burritos, corndogs, pizza, salads, tacos, wraps and more. The Sage House opened in April 2023 and offered an elevated dining experience with USDA Prime steaks, seafood and pastas.
Members of Mendocino County Foodies, a Facebook group, posted their feelings about the closure. Group member Nerak Eloweird of Ukiah described the food as “great” and wished for another sit-down restaurant at the casino commenting “too bad it’s so hard for nicer restaurants to stay afloat in Ukiah Valley.”
North Coast Brewing Company receives coveted B Corp recertification
Fort Bragg’s North Coast Brewing Company earned its B Corp recertification. The brewery has been a B Corp since 2015 and is required to participate in an intensive recertification process every three years. The company met “B Lab’s high standards of environmental protection, social responsibility and leadership transparency,” it wrote in an email. “We’re excited to share that we have yet again (for the fourth time) achieved those standards and have been recertified as a B Corp. Visit northcoastbrewing.com to learn more.
In case you missed it: new documentary showcases Anderson Valley wine
A documentary was released in July focusing on winemaking families in Anderson Valley. The film, Anderson Valley: A Coastal Love Affair with Wine, is 25 minutes long and was produced/directed by Barbara Barielle. The film features Zac Robinson of Husch Vineyards, Ted Bennett & Deborah Cahn of Navarro Vineyards, Lulu Handley of Handley Cellars, Allan Green, founder of Greenwood Ridge, winegrower Brad Wiley, Norm and Teresa Kobler, founders of Lazy Creek Vineyard and wine journalist Dan Berger.
A press release from the Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association describes the film as “a bunch of hippies and wine lovers looking to find a more rural, off-the-grid place to raise their families, these pioneers grew an internationally recognized wine region that still retains its true rural character.” The film is available to stream for free here.
Tickets on sale for Bonterra’s Organic Harvest Dinner benefiting Good Farm Fund, Sept. 14
Organic wine producer Bonterra will host an exclusive dinner at McNab Ranch benefiting the Good Farm Fund, a nonprofit that provides grants to small farms in Mendocino and Lake County. The event features a garden reception with food and wine pairings and an optional vineyard tour, followed by a three-course locally sourced meal by chef Olan Cox. The dinner and wines will all be organic, aligning with Bonterra’s intense commitment to biodynamic, climate-neutral, and zero-waste wine production. Vegan and vegetarian options are available. Only 50 tickets available. September 14, 5:30 p.m., $200, ticket available here.
August register roundup at Ukiah co-op supports tribal-led land restoration
Shoppers at Ukiah Natural Foods can round up their purchases to support the Tribal EcoRestoration Alliance. The nonprofit’s mission is “to cultivate land stewardship, livelihood, and leadership skills that weave collaborative relationships between Tribal members and the community at large, for the benefit of all lands and beings.” Mon.-Sun., 7 a.m.-8 p.m., 721 S. State St., Ukiah, (707) 462-4778, ukiahcoop.com.
August register roundup in Willits supports senior center
In Willits, customers at Mariposa Market can round up their grocery purchases to support the Willits Harrah Senior Center. The nonprofit’s mission is “to assist Seniors within the greater Willits City area, to provide needed services to Willits Seniors including but not limited to nutrition, financial assistance, social inspiration and transportation and to promote the general welfare of Willits Seniors by providing a meeting place for social gatherings, education, and activities.” Mariposa Market, Mon-Sat, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun., 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 500 S. Main St., Willits, (707) 459-9630.
Join Mendocino County Foodies on Facebook!
My friend Serena Alexi and I started Mendocino County Foodies on Facebook to provide a place to share and learn about food and beverage culture in Mendocino County, including home cooking and recipes, wineries and breweries, favorite restaurants and farmers’ markets, and more. Join the conversation here.
Small but equally important updates
In Redwood Valley – Thai Tasty remains closed and will reopen on September 1.
In Ukiah – Cultivo is now serving an al pastor pizza topped with spicy tomato sauce, onions, pineapple, al pastor (pork) and cilantro. It’s a very trendy pizza nationwide right now.
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