February/March 2017 79 COURTESY OF VIAITMENDOCINO.COM; OPPOSITE FROM TOP: COURTESY OF MENDOCINO COAST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE; JAY GRAHAM; PREVIOS SPREAD: WILL PATTERSON On the premises is its coastal cuisine restaurant, led by Chef Stephen Smith. The fine dining haunt serves seafood, meat and poultry alongside delectable dishes that make the organic produce shine. Homeruns include lime grilled prawns, grilled filet mignon and bouillabaisse. And if you are a couple who relishes vino, note that the wine list of a whopping 550 labels and has received the Wine Spectators’ Award of Excellence for 19 years. The bar menu has embraced buzz-worthy beverage trends, including specialty cocktails, nightly scotch tastings and imported microbrews. Featuring azure waves on display via floor-to-ceiling windows, the candlelit dining room is a picture perfect place to pop the question. Five miles north of Fort Bragg, the Inn at Newport Ranch sits on a dramatic 2,000-acre private reserve. Opened in 2015, this working cattle ranch is adorned with splendidly original architecture and riveting design elements throughout. Explore the property with a one- to two-hour wild ATV romp past marine outcroppings, open pastures and into dense redwood stands. nishings. It’s a cozy place to read and relax or show off your wordsmith skills on the giant wooden Scrabble board. Wandering minstrels have been known to stop by and strum for their supper. If you're lucky, Guy might pour you a glass of Gewürztraminer from his own label, Fathers and Daughters Cellars. As you meander into the main part of Mendocino Village, an array of historic wooden water towers come into view; some have been transformed into restaurants, others repurposed as guestrooms and boutiques. During its heyday as a logging outpost in the 1800s, more than 100 water towers dominated the town’s modest skyline. At the MacCallum House, the three-story Water Tower suite houses a king bed and half bath downstairs, luxury bathroom with jetted spa tub on the second level and a queen bed at the top. This retreat is so high up that Rapunzel could let down her hair and still not hit pay dirt. Built in 1882 as a wedding gift from William Kelley for his daughter Daisy, MacCallum’s historic main house was constructed in Victorian “pointed cottage” style and is still the epitome of refined architecture and elegant décor. More than 25 cozy rooms feature Wi-Fi, flat screen TVs and DVD players, refrigerators and robes. Choose a cottage, suite, room in the Main House, or a room in the restored barn. The inn also rents three vacation homes if you need to sprawl and unwind. At sun-up, a hot breakfast on the enclosed porch is a treat, especially when Breakfast at The MacCallum House Inn. you have a newspaper or Harlequin novel in hand. By sundown, the MacCallum House Restaurant’s fireplace dining room, formerly Daisy’s home library, fans the flames of romance. Led by executive chef Alan Kantor, the kitchen talent handcrafts breads and pastas from scratch and transform products from local purveyors into dishes like Liberty Farm duck leg, roasted gnocchi, chanterelle salad and grilled Niman Ranch chops and steaks. Leave room for the signature soufflé with chocolate sauce and cabernet infused cherries. A short drive south of the village, the tiny community of Albion warrants a visit. Positioned on the oceanfront you’ll discover the 10-acre Albion River Inn, a string of New England-style suites and cottages that toe the rocky heights. The lovers’ destination opened in 1982 under the partnership of Peter Wells and local boy Flurry Healy. The Albion River Inn's 22 rooms and cottages showcase traditional interiors with aphrodisiac amenities including ocean view, wood burning fireplace, whirlpool tub for two and private deck. For those in need of digital detox, the inn’s TV-free policy offers a welcome respite. However, just in case you need to connect with the world beyond this sylvan hideaway, WiFi is available, along with in-room wine, coffee and teas, daily newspaper and bathrobes.
South Bay Accent - Feb/Mar 2017
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