At the deep end of Philo, virtually in Navarro, in the old Floodgate building, you’ll find one of the best fine-dining restaurants in the Mendocino area: the Bewildered Pig. It’s an unassuming stop – a little bit of straightaway known as TownsEnd on Highway 128 – but there’s a passion here for design, food, and hospitality that makes it a ‘must visit’ on any trip to Mendocino. It’s an Alice Waters-esque eatery in an unlikely location, with its own distinct flavor – you’ll find yourself talking about the dishes and creative uses of ingredients to friends when you mention your trip to Mendocino.
“We pondered our existence, questioned humanity, and wondered how we could contribute to the world in our way.”
Janelle Weaver, formerly of Peter Michael Winery and Kuleto Estate Family Vineyards, is the Bewildered Pig’s chef, and her partner Daniel Townsend is a passionate character who may wander over to your table to see how you’re doing between courses. Ask him about the succulents and cacti that dot the outside space if you want a crash course in botany and landscape design (they do an amazing job dampening the road sound). Chat with either of them for more than a few minutes and you’ll understand why the food is so darn good – there’s a genuine love of wild ingredients, of local foodsheds, and of elegance in food preparation that comes across immediately.
We love it all, but if you come on a weekend we recommend trying the Chef’s Tasting Menu, which does an excellent job giving a culinary tour of the best of seasonal local ingredients from Mendocino. And what the heck, you’re in the Anderson Valley, so add the $49 wine pairing supplement – you won’t regret it. The menu changes regularly, as there is a focus on seasonality – but the miso deviled eggs are always a hit, as are the cast-iron sides. We’ve never met a cut of beef or pork here that wasn’t impeccably prepared – whether sirloin, pork belly, or hanger – so don’t hesitate to go with a hearty main. And absolutely save room for dessert. These are desserts crafted with an obvious love of the genre – we’ve never had one that wasn’t pitch perfect. The absolute standout was the Celebration of Citrus, a multi-layered, not-too-sweet… well, celebration of citrus.
The Bewildered Pig is open for dinner Thursday through Sunday, with an added Brunch on Sunday. Parking is weird, but you shouldn’t have a problem finding a space (if you can’t, you probably can’t get a table either). It’s worth making reservations, since they do fill up, and the drive is long enough (about 40 minutes from Mendocino) that you wouldn’t want to get to the restaurant and not have a seat waiting. Also a great stop after a day of wine tasting in the Anderson Valley, of course – and you’ll already be in the neighborhood (a great stop after finishing the day at Roederer Estate, Phillips Hill, or Lula Cellars).
Great for Local Wine, Romance
The Bewildered Pig
1810 CA-128, Philo, CA 95466
(707) 895-2088
www.bewilderedpig.com
Thu – Sun, 5pm – 9pm
Sun, 11am – 2pm