Spring is in full swing on the beautiful Mendocino Coast. At MacCallum House, a glorious Victorian in the heart of Mendocino Village, their lavish gardens are in full bud, with colorful daffodils cheering the spirits and showing that the season of renewal has arrived. Right on time, MacCallum House has fresh new spring menus in their award-winning restaurant, and they are offering whale watching excursions to accompany any visit.
New Spring 2025 Menus
The Chef’s Garden is abundant with herbs and flowers used to grace the plates at MacCallum’s house’s famed restaurant where Executive Chef Alan Kantor has introduced his new seasonal menus for spring. MacCallum House set the standard in the early days of organic and sustainable dining by focusing on using only the highest-quality foods from local farms and ranches and preparing everything by hand. Delectable items from their kitchens available now include starters like Grilled Asparagus and Prosciutto with Jammy Egg, Shaved Pennyroyal Farm Boont Corners Cheese, Toasted Pine Nuts, Balsamic Reduction, and Chive Oil; Duck Al Pastor Sope with Pinto Beans, Queso Fresco, Cabbage, Radish, and Grilled Pineapple Salsa; and the evening’s soup. Entrees feature delights such as Braised Lamb Shank with a Syrah Morel Reduction, Pappardelle Noodles, Arugula, Pistachios, and Black Olives; Grilled Painted Hills Steak with Low Gap Bourbon Spritz, Crispy Yukon Gold Potato, Sautéed Spinach, and Porcini Butter Sauce; and Olive Oil Roasted Cauliflower with Fried Dino Kale, Quinoa, and Ginger Snap Pea Jus. No meal would be complete without one of their craveable spring desserts, such as Poppyseed Beignets with Meyer Lemon Curd, Candied Zests, and Whipped Cream. Or diners can choose one of the decadent dishes made with their creamy house-made ice cream, like the Chef’s Chocolate Extravaganza – Tcho Chocolate Crème Brulée, a Mocha Kahlua Truffle, and Chocolate Pecan Praline Ice Cream; the Banana Split; or the Praline Cookie Taco, filled with five flavors of ice cream.
Another delicious way to experience Chef Alan’s cuisine is by indulging in the Spring Tasting Menu, prepared for the whole table (with a vegetarian option), which can be enjoyed with or without a wine or whiskey pairing. Selections to savor include Pacific Rim Oysters on the Half Shell, with Fire Roasted Jalapeno and Lime Mignonette; Pan Seared Liberty Farm Duck Breast with Garlic Fried Brussels Sprouts, Whole Grain Mustard Sauce, and Vella Dry Jack Cheese Fan; and a Field Lettuce Salad with Roasted Beets, Kumquats, Radish, Spiced Hazelnut, and Herbed Red Wine Vinaigrette.
The new spring artisanal cocktail menu features creations such as the Elderflower Martini with Cucumber Vodka, St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, Roederer Estate Sparkling Wine, Orange Bitters, and Lemon Juice; the Snake Oil with White Rum, Fresh Ginger and Lime Juice, Simple Syrup, Lemongrass and Thai Spice Bitters; and the Blueberry Basil Bliss made with Empress 1908 Indigo Gin, House-Made Blueberry Syrup, Fresh Lime Juice, and Basil. Non-alcoholic choices include the tasty Zida Special with Pineapple and Blood Orange Juice, Grenadine, and Soda Water. There is a rotating specialty cocktail on offer each evening as well.
Staying at MacCallum House means being treated to their complimentary, gourmet made-to-order breakfast. Staples to start the day include the Mac Benedict with Two Poached Eggs, Niman Ranch Ham, Sourdough Toast, Chive Hollandaise, Arugula, and Griddled Yukon Gold Potatoes; a Coconut Chia Granola Parfait with Toasted Oats, Maple Syrup, Cashews, Pecans, Almonds, Pumpkin, Sunflower and Sesame Seeds, and Fruit; or Cornmeal Pancakes with Blueberry Syrup and Lemon Zest Butter. To make breakfast extra enticing, diners can add a scoop of MacCallum House’s house-made vanilla bean ice cream to their pancakes.
Whale Watching Tours
Spring also brings the migration of the majestic gray whale along the Mendocino Coast. Guests of MacCallum House can take full advantage of this magnificent display by booking a Whale Watching Tour for only $50 per person. Anchor Charter Boats depart at 10 am and 1 pm daily, weather permitting, out of quaint Noyo Harbor to the north. Guests can call the inn directly to book or add on to an existing reservation.
About MacCallum House
A historic Victorian home nestled in the center of Mendocino Village, MacCallum House is a boutique hotel and restaurant that features luxurious accommodations and a chef-driven restaurant. Built in 1882 by William Kelley, as a wedding gift to his daughter Daisy MacCallum, this historic landmark is surrounded by lush gardens and expansive lawns. The main property houses nineteen beautiful and unique rooms but guests can also stay in suites, cottages, or barn rooms – some of them quaint, 1880s-era outbuildings that have been converted to charming, modern guest rooms. Many of these accommodations include fireplaces, private hot tubs, ocean views, and more. The renowned MacCallum House Restaurant, located on the main property, is one of California’s original farm-to-table dining experiences, featuring all that is local, seasonal, and fresh.
