A Culinary Road Trip : Mendocino (Part 1)
Welcome back to my California North Coast culinary and outdoor adventure! This was truly such a special trip for me, and each destination was perfect! This is a continuation of a short blog series I started about my first and most recent trip, with a detailed and perfect itinerary!
I picked my mom up from San Jose SJC Airport around 8:45am on a Thursday and we drove to our first destination: Mendocino.
I knew and chose where to stop in Philo and Boonville, but I had no idea that was in THEE Anderson Valley in Mendocino County. I’ve lived in St. Helena (Napa Valley) before which was marvelous, but this wine country was so beautiful and different! The towns and vineyards had such a quaint boutique feel to it - impressive and at the same time not trying to impress anybody. Just naturally wonderful and naturally gorgeous. I fell in love!
Our first stop was Jumbo’s Win Win. I’d asked a myriad of culinarians and locals for recommendations, but this one I found doing my own research! My mom was so excited about this one that she’d planned what she wanted to order weeks before going. Boy, it did not disappoint!
We really did order everything!
I got the onion smashburger, my mom got the chicken sandwich special, and we shared the handcut and sidewinder fries! I have a feeling the fries are cooked with beef fat, and they were soo delicious. We also ordered softserve cones (with Straus dairy - if you know me you know they are my holy grail of milk, cream and butter!) and apple handpies (not pictured). This was the perfect way to start our 5 day road trip!
Our next stop was The Apple Farm in Philo.
This place is actually iconic. It’s owned by the original owners of The French Laundry as a restaurant. I was excited that I got to purchase a signed copy of Sally Schmitt’s book.
After driving through this beautiful valley, I now know that I need to come back to make a whole trip just for the area! There are more wonderful wineries, restaurants, markets and farm stands that I know would be worth the visit. It’s mixed with vineyards, redwoods, and a kiss of coastal air! My two stops here were excellent - but Anderson Valley, just know I'm coming back for you!
