"Their attitude is hip, but the food is serious and ambitious."
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With its liberal use of local produce, county-centric wine list and nice view of old Downtotwn Fort Bragg, chef owner Nicholas Petti's relaxed, big and barny bistro is well worth the short drive up from Mendo; offering more than just the famed crab cakes, the user friendly New American menu allows vegetarians and carnivores alike to create their own entrees (via a nice long list of ingredients, cooking techniques and sauces) while a staff of hustling hotties helps out

Excellent service, friendly atmosphere accompanies good tasting food.

"The town's sole hip restaurant."

Best crab north of San Francisco

"Casual local favorite"

"Visitors to Mendo should make a point to drive to this plain but nice bistro...where chef/owner Nicholas Petti, Crab Festival Poster Boy, delights in dishing up innovative Med-New American fare, proffered by a staff with terrific serving energy"

"Since it opened in 1999, Mendo Bistro has built a loyal clientele among the locals, from hotel operators and B&B owners to winery workers, schoolteachers and retirees. But for out-of-towners, it's still one of the coast's best-kept secrets, with a menu that offers hearty entrees -- such as a quarter free-range chicken, served with a starch and a vegetable -- for under $10."

Q: "What's the secret to your crabcakes?"

A: "My style of cooking is very simple, with the focus on the ingredients. The best thing I can do is stay out of the way of the ingredients. The food should be the star, not the chef"

"...lesser-known restaurants on the coast deserve your attention. At Mendo Bistro in Fort Bragg, innovative chef/owner Nicholas Petti makes fresh pasta, bread and desserts daily. He features a small wine list with regional choices like Jepson's 2000 Viognier and Claudia Springs' 1999 Zinfandel."