Trillium Cafe & Inn — Restaurant in Fort Bragg

This was probably one of the worst dining experiences I have ever had in my entire life. My family (husband & two daughters; 1.5 and 4.5) asked if there was any availability to dine tonight at this establishment. Immediately the Hostess/Manager said she would prepare a table in the back room for us. Not necessarily the most welcoming vibe being told we would be sat in a “back room” but whatever, we had kids so our focus would be on them and enjoying our meal together.

After being sat, we ordered quickly as the girls were hungry. To keep them entertained, I read a book we just purchased from the book store on Main Street. As they enjoyed their Mac & Cheese meal, our 1.5yo exclaimed (albeit several times), “delicious!” and the girls chatted as they happily ate their food.

The Hostess/Manager then appeared at our table asking if “there was anything I could do to quiet the baby down as other patrons don’t want to be disturbed during their meal” with absolutely zero tact or compassion or even acknowledgment that our girls were happy.

Keep in mind, our daughters stayed in their chairs (they were not running around), they were not crying/screaming/throwing a fit, they were eating their food while we waited for our entrees. No loud videos are being played as we were having a family conversation at a table tucked by the bathrooms in a back room isolated with ZERO other tables nearby.

I immediately felt humiliated being spoken so curtly to and put a video on as I burst into tears due to how poorly we were spoken to. My husband asked for our food to go since we were obviously not welcome. At this point another patron approached saying she was so disturbed by the lady at the table next to her screaming about how children don’t belong in restaurants and should be seen and not heard that they wanted to come over and affirm how well we did with our daughters at a restaurant. She even said she could see us through the doorway and played peek a boo with our little one for a bit while we waited for the girl’s food.

We thanked her for her kind words but left the restaurant all the same and ate outside with our girls in the drizzle on the sidewalk.

My husband and I own a small business that is customer service oriented. While some customers are more difficult than others, it’s literally managements job to mitigate those situations and make ALL customers feel welcome. Instead, we were humiliated and dehumanized by a tactless and compassionless person who got an earful from a lonely, angry Karen and were alienated from a restaurant that we chose to eat at.

The Hostess/Manager was vile, hostile and rude. There was absolutely no reason to treat our family the way we were treated and it’s appalling that such a thoughtless, short sighted individual is the representative to the public of this restaurant.

RESPONSE:

Wow, I wish I could say that I was surprised at the audacity you have to lie in your response but due to the nature of our interaction Friday night I’m truly not. Upon discussing what happened with friends and family that live in the area, they were disappointed, but not surprised. Trillium has a reputation for being pretentious and rude to clients viewed as “lesser than.”

Our daughters were not screaming, they were talkative. ANYONE that knows me knows that I am overly attentive and careful when taking our girls out in public. We even had patrons from YOUR restaurant tell us that our girls were NOT in the wrong and that I did exactly what a mom should do. As stated, I was reading them a new book and resent your blatant lie that I would ignore a screaming child. That’s preposterous and untrue.

We were never asked to take our daughter for a walk or spoken to politely by your Hostess/Manager. The only person making the “whole restaurant miserable” was her since she is a bully with no tact or empathy as she watched a patron (me) in literal tears, humiliated, after being verbally assaulted. You should really be ashamed of the lack of customer service. I know how to act in public and am teaching my...

We were referred to Trillium for a dinner reservation by our photographers. We had come to Mendocino for the 1st time for our engagement shoot. We were told to deff get a reservation because they tend to book up and I highly recommend that for future guests.

They are located in a wonderful area of shops and small trails to the Mendocino Coast. So even if you came super early or had the time to stick around the area, it's worth hanging out for a while just to shop and explore.

They close their Cafe in between their lunch service and their dinner service so make sure you get your timing right. We ended up sitting on a curb out front as we waited for them to open and met some nice people who were locals to our home that we were from and had a great conversation before they opened up.

Let me tell you, their service is amazing. Their inside Cafe is emmaculant and clean and has a cozy vibe. If you can request their outdoor Garden Patio I highly suggest it. Super cute, and such a vibe. We sat on their upper deck closer to the inside entrance but wish I could have asked for farther down in the garden area.

Our waitress and anyone else assisting with food service were always attentive and friendly.

Now onto the food and drinks.

Their fresh Rosemary Bread and homemade butter is fabulous and we had ordered some cocktails and an old fashioned style coke that was so delicious. I also recommend their house made lemonade with muddled flavorings (I picked strawberry) for a refreshing drink that's non alcoholic or great for littles.

We ordered their Dungeonous Crab Cakes with creamy Dill sauce as an appetizer and it was really good. I'm a seafood beginner so that is a HUGE win for me to say I actually liked something with crab in it as I tend not to like crab. But I'm a huge fan of Dill so thought I'd give it a try and was really impressed.

Their entrées were exquisite and so delicious. Since we did a dinner service we did a heartier entrée but I saw on their menus they had some delicious salads that sounded so fresh and tasty. Next time we go back, I will definitely shoot for a lunch service to try those.

My Fiancé ordered the steak and I ordered the Chicken. Both were very good and cooked to perfection. After trying his with the wine reduction marinade I was so jealous I did not order the same and will deff be adding that to my next to try as well.

We ordered dessert which we don't normally do but it was our last special dinner in the area as we were driving home after our reservation. We had such a hard time deciding what to share as they had so many delicious options. We decided on the Lavender Marinaded Grilled Nectarine Cream Puff and it was extremely delicious. My fiancé also ordered a cappuccino and said it was so smooth and creamy.

All in all, it was the perfect recommendation for a trip that's so special to us and we have now added Trillium to our places to continue to come back to next time we're in the area. We left so full and happy and not ready for the 6 hour drive back home.

Such a cute Cafe hidden in a great location. We highly recommend next time you're looking for great food, service, and a great memory to add to your Mendocino trip.

We can't wait for the...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Trillium Mendocino and indulging in their remarkable Organic Chicken Philly Cheese Sandwich paired with a 2019 red blend wine. It was an experience that left me thoroughly impressed and eager to return.

The Organic Chicken Philly Cheese Sandwich surpassed all expectations. Every ingredient was clearly of the highest quality, from the succulent organic chicken to the carefully sautéed onions and peppers. The combination of flavors was a masterpiece, with the tender chicken providing a delectable foundation, while the melted cheese added a creamy richness that perfectly balanced the dish. The bread was fresh and toasted to perfection, offering a satisfying crunch that elevated each bite.

The impeccable sandwich was accompanied by a 2019 red blend wine, and what an excellent choice it was. The wine’s deep crimson hue and alluring aromas set the stage for a delightful experience. With each sip, the red blend unfolded layers of rich, ripe fruit flavors, complemented by subtle hints of spice. Its velvety texture and well-balanced tannins provided a luxurious mouthfeel that enhanced the flavors of the sandwich. The pairing truly harmonized, elevating the overall enjoyment of the meal.

Trillium Mendocino’s commitment to quality ingredients and exceptional execution shone through in this remarkable culinary creation. The Organic Chicken Philly Cheese Sandwich, combined with the 2019 red blend wine, was an exquisite ensemble that showcased the culinary expertise of the establishment. The impeccable flavors and impeccable pairing made this experience one to remember.

The attentive and knowledgeable staff added to the overall experience. Their friendly and professional service, combined with the welcoming ambiance, created an atmosphere that made me feel valued as a guest.

I wholeheartedly recommend Trillium Mendocino’s Organic Chicken Philly Cheese Sandwich paired with the 2019 red blend wine to all food enthusiasts seeking a wonderful enticing filling journey that will delight their senses. It’s an experience that showcases the pinnacle of culinary artistry and leaves a lasting impression.

Thank you Saul &...