Trillium opens in Mendocino

New Mendocino restaurant

TRILLIUM CHEF JEREMY BAUMGARTNER CONSULTS WITH SUPPORTER MARGARET FOX

The view from the Trillium Cafe in Mendocino, which opens March 15, 2014 officially.
The view from the Trillium Cafe in Mendocino, which opens March 15, 2014 officially.

Good news from our neighbors to the north: The Baked Alaska is back.

Granted, we’ve cherry-picked this Madmen-era dessert (ice cream and sponge cake covered with meringue, baked, and often set alight) off the forthcoming Trillium Cafe’s menu. But after perusing this new Mendocino restaurant’s menu, it’s indicative of the kind of classic-meets-modern dishes on Chef Jeremy Baumgartner’s sensibility.

To wit: This Baked Alaska is an olive oil cake with kumquat meringue and mint ice cream ($9). And as long as we’re thinking dessert first, how about bourbon cream beignets with maple glaze and candied bacon, or a butterscotch pie with caramel and Chantily cream.

At least you’ve been warned to save room.

“We know this is an often overlooked area…We feel strongly that diners who are paying for a Wine Country caliber meal…in a stunning location deserve not only outstanding food and drink, but…caring service as well,” said Trillium’s owner, Sandra McElroy.

Other tempting menu items: Spring pea arancini ($12), Dungeness crab strudel with capers and nasturtium ($15), rabbit meatballs and tortelloni ($22) with sunchokes, and pork loin and belly with heirloom beans ($26). Also available are several vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free items.
The restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner. And of course, dessert.

Trillium Cafe: 10390 Kasten St., Mendocino.