Creekside Restaurant

We got takeout when we stayed at the hotel and were really impressed with the special touches they put on everything.
We had shrimp pasta, seafood bisque, brie en croute, sauteed shrimp, and mousse. The sauces were all delicious although the bisque was slightly salty.
It sounds like they are closing with new ownership of the inn so I’m glad we got to experience them before we left!
They also don’t mark up their wine prices like other restaurants do.

I wish I could give this place more stars — in some ways it deserves it. I thought the ambiance was just perfect. Whoever built the restaurant took full advantage of the spectacular views of the ocean, and someone put in a gorgeous, coastal garden that just perfectly frames the view. The restaurant’s décor reminds me of a cozy private library in a luxury home somewhere. And I even enjoyed chatting it up with the three other guests who were also dining there as well as with our waitress. Everyone was friendly and warm.
And then, I decided to order.
My meal came with potatoes or rice, both of which give me allergies. I asked that they be omitted in favor of a bed of greens or some spinach. I’ve had allergies for years and have had to ask for accommodations at restaurants. I’ve never had a problem. .. until today. The waitress came back to tell me the chef said my only options were potatoes or rice; if I wanted anything else I would have to order a separate salad. Really!!!
Now, I wasn’t trying to be cheap or to get something for nothing. Both my partner and I ordered separate appetizers and we planned on dessert, so this was not some kind of cheap discount meal out of which I was trying to force the last drops of benefit. I also did not want yet another appetizer (salad). I just wanted my fish to land on something green — and they could save their rice or potatoes for someone else. No. «The chef makes the decision,» I was told. Alright then.
Left to myself, I would have paid for my appetizer and departed immediately; it’s hard to imagine that such rigidity, stinginess and lack of care for one’s client could ever produce good food. But my partner and I had been enjoying the experience up to then, and it was 9 pm so there was no hope of finding another Mendo restaurant still serving. I ate the fish — it was just ok – and my partner kindly exchanged her greens for my potatoes (which turned out to be terrible according to her).
The experience literally left a bad taste in my mouth and I will never eat there again.
(P.S. The next night we ate at a restaurant that happily replaced my food no-​no with spinach — no problem at all. Apparently, it’s not an aversion all Mendo restaurants share!)

The Inn at Schoolhouse Creek has been one of my favorite Bed and Breakfast places for a while now. I used to come here before the Creekside Restaurant was open and they would use the area as a common area for socializing and to serve h’ordeuvres in the mid-​afternoon for free! So when I found out they took that out, I was really bummed. In my recent stay there I had to try the Creekside Restaurant. Wow, I was surprised! Everything was first rate.
Seafood bisque — great flavor and lots of seafood.
Baked Brie on Croute — excellent combination of puff pastry and Brie. The fruits work really well to balance the fat from the brie and pastry.
Filet mignon — cooked very well and the pepper sauce is excellent.
Blue cheese and pecan encrusted lamb medallions — lamb is cooked very well. The exterior is crisped well, even the fat.
Crème Brulee — is okay
Apple pie with ice cream — is okay
Strong points are everything except desserts (which are only average).
I am a big fan, I will be dining at this gem every time I am in Mendocino now. Good Job, Maureen and Steven!

I always wait until I’ve dined twice at a restaurant before I comment on it. Now that I have, all I can say is that the experience here was awesome! The dining areas are very comfortable, the staff is always nearby and attentive and the food is outstanding!
If you’re looking for a place to have a romantic dinner on the coast, with ocean views, this is it!

Have nothing bad to say about this place, it is perfect for a nice, quiet, tasty, and very romantic dinner in a destination which is as equally perfect. We had pasta and the filet which were both done very well. They had a great wine list, the service was also very professional. I enjoy the small house like feel of the restaurant. This is a perfect place to end up with your date at the end of the day. I recommend the brie appetizer and the filet for your main course. Pair that with a nice merlot and you are set.

I don’t really want to give this place 3-​stars because it deserves better, but here is why
Pro
— Atmosphere
— Service
— Location
Con
— Food
It’s a very quiet, small restaurant with an ocean view. They even took care to put out seeds so you can see little birds and squirrels play outside as you eat. If you wanted a nice romantic dinner away from the noise of a full bar, this is definitely the place.
The service is very attentive and nice, although they seem new and unfamiliar with the menu.
For all those things, it probably deserves a 4 or 5 stars, but the food brings it down.
Have you ever seen an episode of Hell’s Kitchen, and the aspiring chefs would pass Gordon Ramsey a dinner plate, and he would taste it and spit then say something like «did you taste this?»
That’s kind of how I felt. The food was salty, or just not flavored well. The only thing I remembered that was «OK» was the pasta. I tried the Ribs, Salmon, and the Chicken.
I am not a chef, nor do I have a very discerning palette so I can’t give you more details than that. I really like the place, so its a shame the food didn’t agree with me. I wouldn’t go back.

What a GREAT addition to the Mendocino dining scene. A comfortable, warm and inviting setting; attentive, professional service; and well-​executed dishes by a chef with 51 (yes, 51!) years experience. Offerings are moderately priced and reflect a combination of classically executed (Sole Veronique), Innovative (Blue Cheese and Pecan-​crusted Lamb Medallions), and soul-​stirring (Slow-​smoked, dry-​rubbed baby back ribs) dishes. Sides include an amazing seafood bisque with cream and sherry. I dined with my wife and two friends. I sampled all dishes. There were no misses in the bunch. Come support this great little restaurant. I’m sure you will soon be singing it’s praises.