COOKING WITH FRIENDS AND HANGING OUT IN MENDOCINO

This past weekend our cooking group of three couples got together at Arlene & Jim's house in Mendocino for another of our marvelous home-cooked meals.

On the way up, Jim and I made our usual pit stop in Healdsburg. We went back to our favorite the Flying Goat Coffee for pastries and coffee.




While I occasionally take home a pastry or bread from the Downtown Bakery & Creamery in Healdsburg, I've never before stopped here for coffee and pastries on my way to Mendocino, mainly because there was no indoor seating and only benches outside. Well, when we peeked in as we were walking to Flying Goat, we discovered that there are several long communal tables inside and that the menu has expanded to include prepared egg dishes and other breakfast items...maybe next time.



We got to Mendocino in time to have lunch with Arlene & Jim at the Café Beaujolais




where Arlene & I had their version of Eggs Benedict




and the Jims had the Cheeseburger and the Salade Niçoise.





Everything was perfection, including the Beaujolais's homemade breads (the seeded one was our favorite).



There was time for us to wander about Mendocino Village and do a bit of browsing and shopping for last minute ingredients for our dinner.



As always, it was a wonderful evening with friends.




Jim and Frank look a bit rigid here standing in front of the fire, despite having beverages in their hands...it was a bit cold and they were warming by the fire.




Then, Jim modeled some jewelry that Arlene & Jim brought back from their recent trip to Africa.



Our meal started with Colesie's mixed vegetable salad...it was as delicious as it was colorful. She served it with some puff pastry crisps.







Arlene & Jim's main course was a Southwest Pork Stew accompanied by Corn Bread.



And, I completed the meal with Fresh Figs surrounding a mound of Ricotta, flavored with almonds, pistacchios and other tasty ingredients.




We slept well after this satisfying dinner.

The next morning, Jim and I headed out for a walk in Fort Bragg along the beach on the path that starts at Glass Beach. We walked about three of its nine miles and then turned around, hungry for lunch. This path follows what was once a railroad right of way. The newest addition to the path is the trestle bridge by Glass Beach, where we started out.








Lunch was at Noyo Harbor, just south of Fort Bragg at Heron's.






Heron's has a new name and new owners but their fresh fish tasted just as delicious as ever. It was warm enough to sit outdoors on their wind-sheltered patio.

Jim had the Grilled Rockfish Sandwich



and I had Grilled Rockfish Tacos prepared Southwest style.



That evening, we dined with Arlene & Jim at the Little River Inn.



Arlene had one of the evening's specials, Meatballs.



Jim D had the Filet of Sole, caught fresh at Noyo Harbor.



And, Jim M and I both had the Barbequed Ribs.



Again, another lovely meal. The only thing missing was Colesie and Frank who had to head home that day.

The next day, after a swim at the new recreation center in Fort Bragg, it was time for us to head home.

Driving through the Anderson Valley, we made a stop at Greenwood Ridge Vineyards in Philo so I could take a picture of vineyards where there leaves on the vines were turning autumn colors.





Jim and I had been talking about his photography class and he thought these trees behind Greenwood Ridge's tasting room, growing on a diagonal, were the kind of subject that his teacher said created a visually interesting composition. I snapped several pictures.





By the time we got to Booneville, we were famished. Not having dined in Boonville in awhile, we decided to try the Boonville Café and Bakery, mainly because it seemed to be where everyone in town was having lunch.



We were not disappointed...freshly food, dishes made to order, big portions. We both enjoyed one of the day's specials, a Turkey Melt on Foccacia with a side of Sweet Potato Fries.



Our next dinner is scheduled for February. The friendship and regularly cooking together has kept the six of us together and in touch for more than 30 years. It is special.

TRAVELING TO & FROM MENDOCINO

Traveling to Mendocino a few weeks ago to cook with friends (see our earlier post about this meal), we stopped on our way in Healdsburg and on the way home, first in the Anderson Valley in Philo and Booneville and, then, in the Napa Valley in St. Helena.

Mendocino Village is about 180 miles from our house and from San Francisco. Healdsburg is our halfway point. I love the downtown plaza and the shops that surround it.



Our first order of business was coffee at the Flying Goat.



Most tourists like to flock to the Downtown Creamery for their morning coffee and pastries. But, we prefer the Flying Goat which is more the hangout for the locals. Also, Flying Goat has lots of cozy seating indoors, whereas, Downtown Creamery just has a few outdoor benches.

Doesn't this Flying Goat Pumpkin Cinnamon Bun and my pot of tea, look tempting? If you love coffee, Flying Goat roasts their own and in addition to enjoying a hot cuppa here, you can take a bag of beans home with you.



After our pastries and drinks, we strolled around the Plaza. There is always a new shop to at least window shop in. And, it struck me as interesting that this small village supports two independent bookstores, Copperfield's and Levin & Company.





Of course, we peeked into the Downtown Creamery while we were here.



We arrived in Mendocino Village at about noon, just in time to meet A & J for lunch at Café Beaujolais.




It was not until we got to Highway 1, a few miles south of Mendocino, that we found ourselves in the fog. It was a bit surprising because October is usually a fog-free time on the Mendocino Coast. This fog was more what is typical summertime weather on the northern California coast.

Although no longer owned and operated by its founding chef, Margaret Fox, Café Beaujolais continues to be an excellent and charming choice for a meal.



Our lunch choices were Bacon, Wild Mushroom, and Gruyere Quiche for JD,



Beaujolais Eggs Benedict for me,



A Cheeseburger on a housemade bun for J,



and the Shang-Hi Chicken Salad for A



After lunch, we walked around the village, visiting some of our favorite art galleries and shops and simply enjoying the beauty of the town...the church steeple and the many watertowers are some of my favorite things in Mendocino.



J always makes a stop at Out of this World, a shop filled with Science toys, games, books and more. If you are in the market for a pair of high-quality binoculars, Out of This World is the place to find one.



Sallie Mac is a shop I always visit..sorry, I was so busy shopping here that I forgot to take a picture. Sallie's shop features gifts and treasures from France and Italy. Be sure to ask for their complimentary gift wrap on all the gifts you purchase.

Mendocino is a dog-friendly village where many shops and hotels/inns welcome dogs.








If you are looking for a Starbucks in Mendocino Village, forget it. No chain stores/businesses are allowed in town. When we wanted an afternoon break, we headed to the Mendocino Bakery for our coffee and cookies.



We also checked out some of our other favorite restaurants, which include the Mendocino Café and 955 Ukiah.




The next day, we left Mendocino midmorning. Our first stop was in Philo at the Philo Apple Farm. This is the height of the apple season and we found several apple varieties from which to choose.




We stashed our bags of apples in the car and drove a few more miles to Booneville, home of the Booneville Hotel and Restaurant. Our mission here was to check out the relatively new Farmhouse Mercantile, a general store packed with decorative and functional items for the home.



There is a family connection between the Apple Farm, the Booneville Hotel, and Farmhouse Mercantile. Sally and Don Schmidt and their daughter Karen Bates own and operate the Apple Farm. Karen gives weekend cooking classes at the Farm and the Farm has four guest cottages that provide accommodations to visitors to the Anderson Valley. The Schmidt's son John owns the Booneville Hotel and is the chef in its restaurant. And, Karen Bates is a partner in the Farmhouse Mercantile. If you forgot to buy some Apple Farm Chutney at the Farm, worry not, Farmhouse Mercantile is well stocked with jars of it. Other Schmidt/Bates family members are also involved in these and other businesses.

Our last stop was for lunch in St. Helena, in the heart of the Napa Valley.

We had Mexican food on our mind and had hoped to have lunch at Ana's Cantina, said to have the most authentic Mexican food in the Napa Valley. Unfortunately, the kitchen at Ana's was closed for renovation; just the bar was open. So we walked across the street to Armadillo's, an other Mexican place that we have noticed for years, but never tried.



This cheerful restaurant was packed with customers out for Sunday Lunch.



We joined them, ordering a Chimichunga and Fresh Grilled Fish Soft Tacos. The fresh fish was Opa...both meals were delicious.





I drove over 400 miles on this two-day jaunt. Ideally, we should have spent a day or two more in Mendocino to truly enjoy the area. But, it was fun to make these quick stops coming and going and we fully enjoyed our two-day getaway on one tank of gas.