Hairy Putter
When my caretakers told me my next review was going to be a fine dining vegetarian restaurant that welcomes well-behaved canines as enthusiastically as their human companions, I must admit I asked myself, “How could there be such a thing?” Possessing as I do an adventurous disposition and being a lover of new experiences, I dutifully donned my bow tie along with my appetite and headed for yet another gastronomical escapade.
As one crosses Big River bridge heading south on Highway 1 from the village of Mendocino, you are first made aware of the presence of The Stanford Inn by glimpses of vivid scarlet flickering through the gentle sway of pine trees. As one makes the left hand turn onto the Comptche/Ukiah road (and entrance to the Inn) you are treated to the full majesty of this regal establishment. From its hillside perch, The Stanford Inn and its charming guest rooms offer travelers a commanding view of the beautifully maintained gardens. At the foot of the inn lies a farm complete with large black ravens perched on the fencing; I need not compete with Poe and say more about these beautiful and somewhat imposing creatures. The sun shining down creates reflections that ripple like glass on the shimmering Pacific Ocean. The gardens of the Inn beautifully entwine themselves into the natural landscape and are well worth a pre-dinner or after dinner meander with canine or human companions. Especially rewarding is the vegetable and herb gardens that provide a good portion of the seasonal array of delicious organic produce served in the Ravens Restaurant.
Gypsy and Murphy are Jeff & Joan Stanford’s official canine greeters. They met us outside the lobby, which also serves as the entrance to the Ravens Restaurant. They cheerfully welcomed us before they made their way toward home after a full day of extending their hospitality to the Inns’ guests. Walking through the Stanford Inn lobby to the restaurant is a treat in itself. It begins with a warm welcome by the front desk personnel, a stroll past the bounty of visual invitations calling one to explore a fascinating array of books, cards, local sundries and eclectic gifts on offer. Many are reflective of nature, relaxation, organic, sustainable and local interest. There is, of course, a wonderful section that is of special interest to all animal lovers.
Divided into two distinct sections, the main dining room at Ravens is reserved for humans only, while the spacious lobby bar invites humans and their canine companions to share their dining experience. We were invited to sit at a vacant window table, and I was quite pleased to leap into the chair I was proffered. (When dining indoors, my caregivers always bring a blanket to place on the seat.) My companions were given the dinner menus, and an extensive wine list and cocktail/beverage menu to peruse. A delightful bowl of cool water was brought to me upon request.
My dinner companions decided to begin their evening with a glass of Esterlina, 2007 Riesling, Cole Ranch, Mendocino County and a glass of 2007 Yorkville Rose de Franc, Yorkville Highlands, Mendocino County. Water flavored with fresh citrus and herbs was poured for my dining companions. Along with the wine came a steaming mini whole wheat baguette with a generous serving of Carrot & Cashew Pate. The pate had a delicate flavor and smooth texture that did not overpower the delicious yeasty flavor of the bread. I enjoyed this course very much and proceeded to nibble on the pate throughout the evening. The next chef offering brought to the table were slices of warm grilled Crostini topped with Pecan Mousse and decorated with tiny purple and yellow edible pansies. Again this met with my approval and I continued to enjoy several small little offerings during the course of the evening.
My companions decided to forgo the starters and opted to go straight to the salad course. The Roasted Beet Salad featured gold and red beets that had been tossed in Meyer lemon vinaigrette, served with a warm walnut lemon pate and edible nasturtiums. This eye catching colorful salad produced lots of human noises that I have learned to recognize as indicating they are well pleased with something. The other salad ordered was a Harvest Garden Salad. First the presentation alone produced a gasp of delight from my dinner companions along with lots more of those human noises I just mentioned. Baby spinach wilted in apple cider vinaigrette, topped with a oven roasted Bosc pear stuffed with an almond and pine nut “cheese”, then finished with a scattering of toasted pumpkin seed, thin slices of apple and garnished with an edible flower (See photo). This was a salad that truly was as good to eat as it looks.
The entrée choices of my dinner companions posed a difficult decision, as there were so many tantalizing options available. The Grilled Portabella Flatbread was one choice made. A char-grilled flatbread was filled with delicious portabella mushroom, baby lettuces, grilled sweet red onion and tomatoes, accompanied with house made lime ketchup that was deliciously tangy and smoky accompanied by a generous serving of rosemary roasted potatoes. The result was a meal that satisfied the taste bids and the stomach.
The other entrée ordered was the Sprouted Quinoa Wrap. Sprouted quinoa (a tiny whole grain) seasoned with spices indicative of southwestern cuisine are tossed in a cashew sour cream then wrapped in two generously sized romaine lettuce leaves and served with a mango salsa and avocado coulis. This refreshing taste sensation worked wonderfully to illustrate the beauty of mixing different textures and flavors that heighten the senses from the first bite.
Rounding out the meal the Bananas Foster was selected as the dessert to share between my companions. And what a choice! My companions have eaten Bananas Foster a lot, from its birth place in New Orleans and dozens of restaurants nationwide. That created and served at Ravens ranks in the top 5 my friends have ever tasted. The secret could be that the house made sorbets adorning the top of the dessert work in harmony beautifully, setting off the rum, brown sugar and natural sweetness of the banana in an explosion of taste sensations. This dessert perfectly rounded out a taste and texture journey of fresh produce and exquisite detail in food preparation, care, and presentation that makes this predominantly canine carnivore urge humans and dogs alike to strongly consider your own dining experience at Ravens. My companions almost forgot to allow me to lick the bowl!
Ravens delivers on its promise of a satisfying dining experience for canines and humans. The staff at The Stanford Inn were warm and welcoming. The other diners all seemed comfortable and approving of my addition to their dining experience. Service was attentive but relaxed, honest answers were forthcoming from the wait staff concerning suggestions and recommendations. Ravens does not have a special canine menu due to their concern for the sensitivity and unique diets of the canine dining guests, but there are plenty of human options we’ll want to share. Ravens and the Inn are more than willing to work with our human caretakers to provide us with appropriate food, especially if given advanced notice.
The ambiance throughout the Inn, restaurant and lobby dining is one of mellow relaxation. From the classical music and roaring fire to the tranquil setting of the Inn, life’s hustle and bustle melt away like the sorbet on top of the Bananas Foster, and leaves a pool of contrasting flavors and sensations that canine or human alike will want to savor again. Whether vegetarian cuisine is a standard of your diet or something you would like to explore further, Ravens is a wonderful way to enjoy the freshest ingredients, creatively and “conscientiously prepared” by Chef Barry Horton and his dedicated crew.
This meat and vegetarian loving canine gives Ravens at The Stanford Inn four Paws.
Four Paws
Ravens Restaurant
Stanford Inn by the Sea
Comptche-Ukiah Road
Mendocino, CA
www.stanfordinn.com
