We went here for our anniversary dinner. A beautiful view, but the restaurant left MUCH to be desired! Right away the place was cold! I left my big coat on for the entire meal. At one point I had to leave the table to stand next to the fire. Flies bothered us continuously. My squash soup was also cold. The brussel sprout salad was almost inedible. Far too salty and the sprouts were hard and poor quality. My husband's pork was so fatty and unappetizing he left more than half of it on his plate. Very few vegan option. I called to speak to a manager, left a message and no one returned my call. Enjoy the view- skip the food.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
Face
The server didn't know how to pair our wine.... She knew zero about wine which isn't good for such a highly recommended eatery. Food was good but not 5 star....over rated we thought.... And staff sloppy and need either better attire and more training or overhaul.
Rick Harris
Before this restaurant was sold to the Swedish conglomerate it was a treasured local restaurant beloved by locals and visitors. No more. The food was abysmal and over priced to boot. Alas ARI is no more.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 3
BruceH
We have been many times and it never fails to impress us Overall, the food was very good. The menu has changed significantly so check it before you go. Service was outstanding, Haley was a kick.
LAND ROVER
Okay okay okay if you are driving down Highway 1 anywhere close to Manchester in Mendocino County stop here for the best breakfast on the California line my wife loved the breakfast sandwich that I believe his name was Cody don't mark my word on this and sorry my brother if I messed up your name but your service was Next To None the food was incredible and the view at breakfast was untouchable very good environment very quiet very comforting did I mention the food was off the chain when you finish your food take a walk outside out back and look at the beautiful Coastline right outside the window thank you very much guys we will be back
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
CarolJo
We went to Albion River Restaurant for dinner on Valentine's Day while staying in Mendocino. It was a special menu for Valentine's Day, which we weren't aware of ahead of time. It was quite expensive per person. But food was good and the ambiance was great along with the staff. All in all it was a nice dinner.
ZingBoom
The only minor quibble about our meal is that I let the restaurant know this was an anniversary event, and no one mentioned anything. Someone could at least have said “happy anniversary“ when we arrived.
John Michaelsen
The wife and I have been coming here for years and have had many exceptional meals and experiences here. Unfortunately, it appears those days are likely behind us.We arrived at the Inn on Sunday, only to find that many of the amenities we had once enjoyed here are gone (no newspaper in the morning, no welcoming half bottle of Chardonnay, no coupon good for a glass of bubbly at the restaurant bar). Turns out the facility is now under new ownership since last April (we were not advised of this until we got to the Inn - we had made our reservation the previous January). That tipped us off that perhaps we were going to be in for a rude surprise at the restaurant.When we arrived at 5:30 for our Monday reservation, the restaurant was virtually empty (there were two other couples). So we were able to get a good table up by the windows. Service was a bit slow, but still friendly we thought. We got a starter of mushroom toast and two entrees. The food was OK, but no better than that. When the entree prices are in the $40 plus range, I expect something a bit better than that. Portions were not generous (my $42 rockfish plate came with a small piece of fish and a few fricassee greens), and it felt like they were rationing out the bread (each table got exactly 4 pieces of bread and the plate was quickly whisked away once the bread was gone - there was no offer to bring more).This place used to have a great wine list with many interesting and reasonably priced selections. Not any more. It's now small with high prices (we ended up bringing our own wine, something that would have been unimaginable in the past). When I asked the front desk about the wine list, they indicated they were aware it was pretty lacking at present, but wanted to push through the old remaining wines from the old list before restocking. In fact, there were several white wines on the list I would have hesitated to drink given how old the vintage was.The new owners have been running things since April so you would expect them to have overcome any initial growing pains at this point. So unfortunately, it's unlikely we'll ever eat here again. As others have pointed out, there are plenty of other good restaurants in the area, so we'll go there from now on I guess. By the way, the restaurant has a parking lot and there's no longer any musical entertainment at night.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 4
Our dinner was excellent. The steelhead was perfectly prepared! The wine list was very extensive and the bar list was the largest I have ever seen! We had a window table with a stunning view of the ocean where we watched the sunset. Definitely the go to restaurant for Mendocino!
The steak is wonderful but be warned it's a small amount of meat. I recommend the restaurant charge 50% more and increase the amount of food. The ambiance is terrible. You'll be seated in an open room with several tables. There is nothing to make the space feel intimate or special. The lighting is the worst part. My table and the table beside us had to use phone flashlights to read our menus. Chicken was also quite dry but the restaurant kindly comped that plate. We ordered soup and two salads. They were all quite unique and very enjoyable. Service was kind and responsive as well.
Laura Lowell
Did not disappoint. We had a 5:00 reservation so we could enjoy the sunset…and it was amazing accompanied by lovely cocktails. They were out of the Persimmon martini which was a disappointment. We split an appetizer which was quite a large portion and delicious (the lamb in pastry…can’t remember what it was called). The chicken confit and the pork shank were both amazing and large portions. They were also out of the pot de crème which was equally disappointing which is why I give them 4 stars for service. It would have been better to have been told right away what they were out of. We had a lovely evening. Service was attentive but not rushed. The dining room was full on a Fri night. The background music was great. Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
LauraL
Absolutely lovely. The perfect sunset from our window table. Great cocktails and appetizer as we watched the sunset. Dinner was fabulous. We had the chicken and pork. Alas they didn't have the pot au crème I was looking forward to...but the decaf coffee finished things off nicely. Service was friendly and attentive but not rushed. Highly recommend.
SydelleL
amateurish cooking. watery tasteless mashed potatoes; overly salted broccoli; very small serving of hangar steak @ $42/ plate; boring amuse bouche; boring desserts. Very disappointed.
Simon Miles
A once very good restaurant has lost its way. Food and service were abysmal this evening. Desert menu doesn’t match the food menu. Many foods advertised they didn’t have. But the most pathetic thing was the food menu - they ran out of ink to print it but instead of fixing by buying more ink or photocopying to another heavy paper, they just went with something unreadable.If this restaurant expects to compete against the high quality and standards such as Ledford House they need to completely change.
Stunning view and delicious breakfast! Thank you!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We went here for our anniversary dinner. A beautiful view, but the restaurant left MUCH to be desired! Right away the place was cold! I left my big coat on for the entire meal. At one point I had to leave the table to stand next to the fire. Flies bothered us continuously. My squash soup was also cold. The brussel sprout salad was almost inedible. Far too salty and the sprouts were hard and poor quality. My husband's pork was so fatty and unappetizing he left more than half of it on his plate. Very few vegan option. I called to speak to a manager, left a message and no one returned my call. Enjoy the view- skip the food.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
The server didn't know how to pair our wine.... She knew zero about wine which isn't good for such a highly recommended eatery. Food was good but not 5 star....over rated we thought.... And staff sloppy and need either better attire and more training or overhaul.
Before this restaurant was sold to the Swedish conglomerate it was a treasured local restaurant beloved by locals and visitors. No more. The food was abysmal and over priced to boot. Alas ARI is no more.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 3
We have been many times and it never fails to impress us Overall, the food was very good. The menu has changed significantly so check it before you go. Service was outstanding, Haley was a kick.
Okay okay okay if you are driving down Highway 1 anywhere close to Manchester in Mendocino County stop here for the best breakfast on the California line my wife loved the breakfast sandwich that I believe his name was Cody don't mark my word on this and sorry my brother if I messed up your name but your service was Next To None the food was incredible and the view at breakfast was untouchable very good environment very quiet very comforting did I mention the food was off the chain when you finish your food take a walk outside out back and look at the beautiful Coastline right outside the window thank you very much guys we will be back
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We went to Albion River Restaurant for dinner on Valentine's Day while staying in Mendocino. It was a special menu for Valentine's Day, which we weren't aware of ahead of time. It was quite expensive per person. But food was good and the ambiance was great along with the staff. All in all it was a nice dinner.
The only minor quibble about our meal is that I let the restaurant know this was an anniversary event, and no one mentioned anything. Someone could at least have said “happy anniversary“ when we arrived.
The wife and I have been coming here for years and have had many exceptional meals and experiences here. Unfortunately, it appears those days are likely behind us.We arrived at the Inn on Sunday, only to find that many of the amenities we had once enjoyed here are gone (no newspaper in the morning, no welcoming half bottle of Chardonnay, no coupon good for a glass of bubbly at the restaurant bar). Turns out the facility is now under new ownership since last April (we were not advised of this until we got to the Inn - we had made our reservation the previous January). That tipped us off that perhaps we were going to be in for a rude surprise at the restaurant.When we arrived at 5:30 for our Monday reservation, the restaurant was virtually empty (there were two other couples). So we were able to get a good table up by the windows. Service was a bit slow, but still friendly we thought. We got a starter of mushroom toast and two entrees. The food was OK, but no better than that. When the entree prices are in the $40 plus range, I expect something a bit better than that. Portions were not generous (my $42 rockfish plate came with a small piece of fish and a few fricassee greens), and it felt like they were rationing out the bread (each table got exactly 4 pieces of bread and the plate was quickly whisked away once the bread was gone - there was no offer to bring more).This place used to have a great wine list with many interesting and reasonably priced selections. Not any more. It's now small with high prices (we ended up bringing our own wine, something that would have been unimaginable in the past). When I asked the front desk about the wine list, they indicated they were aware it was pretty lacking at present, but wanted to push through the old remaining wines from the old list before restocking. In fact, there were several white wines on the list I would have hesitated to drink given how old the vintage was.The new owners have been running things since April so you would expect them to have overcome any initial growing pains at this point. So unfortunately, it's unlikely we'll ever eat here again. As others have pointed out, there are plenty of other good restaurants in the area, so we'll go there from now on I guess. By the way, the restaurant has a parking lot and there's no longer any musical entertainment at night.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 4
Our dinner was excellent. The steelhead was perfectly prepared! The wine list was very extensive and the bar list was the largest I have ever seen! We had a window table with a stunning view of the ocean where we watched the sunset. Definitely the go to restaurant for Mendocino!
Restaurantji Recommends
The steak is wonderful but be warned it's a small amount of meat. I recommend the restaurant charge 50% more and increase the amount of food. The ambiance is terrible. You'll be seated in an open room with several tables. There is nothing to make the space feel intimate or special. The lighting is the worst part. My table and the table beside us had to use phone flashlights to read our menus. Chicken was also quite dry but the restaurant kindly comped that plate. We ordered soup and two salads. They were all quite unique and very enjoyable. Service was kind and responsive as well.
Did not disappoint. We had a 5:00 reservation so we could enjoy the sunset…and it was amazing accompanied by lovely cocktails. They were out of the Persimmon martini which was a disappointment. We split an appetizer which was quite a large portion and delicious (the lamb in pastry…can’t remember what it was called). The chicken confit and the pork shank were both amazing and large portions. They were also out of the pot de crème which was equally disappointing which is why I give them 4 stars for service. It would have been better to have been told right away what they were out of. We had a lovely evening. Service was attentive but not rushed. The dining room was full on a Fri night. The background music was great. Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Absolutely lovely. The perfect sunset from our window table. Great cocktails and appetizer as we watched the sunset. Dinner was fabulous. We had the chicken and pork. Alas they didn't have the pot au crème I was looking forward to...but the decaf coffee finished things off nicely. Service was friendly and attentive but not rushed. Highly recommend.
amateurish cooking. watery tasteless mashed potatoes; overly salted broccoli; very small serving of hangar steak @ $42/ plate; boring amuse bouche; boring desserts. Very disappointed.
A once very good restaurant has lost its way. Food and service were abysmal this evening. Desert menu doesn’t match the food menu. Many foods advertised they didn’t have. But the most pathetic thing was the food menu - they ran out of ink to print it but instead of fixing by buying more ink or photocopying to another heavy paper, they just went with something unreadable.If this restaurant expects to compete against the high quality and standards such as Ledford House they need to completely change.
Service: 1