Had our anniversary dinner at Ledford last night. What a perfect blend of great food (cassoulet for me and duck breast W/ cherry sauce for my wife), service (Tony and all his staff are welcoming and attentive), and ambience. The sunset view always wows!!
We just celebrated my wife's 50th birthday at the Ledford House. The food was amazing and the staff was courteous. I had the lamb shank, and the meat fell off the bone; it was delectable. My wife had the cassoulet, which she thoroughly enjoyed. The bread pudding was a perfect and decadent final touch.
Returning to the Ledford House after 20 years felt like reuniting with an old friend--one that has aged gracefully, maintained its charm, and still knows how to host a perfect evening. Dining on Sunday, February 17, their last night before vacation, was a reminder of why this Albion gem has remained a beloved destination for so long. The ambiance was a seamless blend of warmth and sophistication. Nestled above the rugged coastline, the immaculate grounds were a serene prelude to the experience, with the sound of the ocean setting the mood. Inside, the dining room was cozy, welcoming, and just lively enough to feel celebratory without drowning out conversation. The staff? Simply fantastic--knowledgeable, courteous, and, most importantly, genuinely enjoying their work, which added an effortless joy to the evening. The meal opened with bread so good it deserved its own standing ovation. A mix of light and dark slices, it struck the perfect balance of crispy crust and pillowy-soft center. Even the green olives--normally not our first choice--disappeared from the table in record time, a testament to their irresistible flavor. But the roasted garlic appetizer stole the early show. Perfectly caramelized and swimming in olive oil and herbs de Provence, it paired flawlessly with crostini and chèvre, each bite a luxurious, finger-licking indulgence. The duck entrée transported me back to my time in France. Tender, succulent, and elevated by a dried cherry cabernet reduction, it was a masterpiece, expertly complemented by garlicky mashed potatoes and crisp, vibrant vegetables. Each bite was a harmonious blend of richness and refinement. Then there was the filet mignon, a showstopper in its own right. The blue cheese port sauce, touched with just the right amount of black pepper, elevated the already perfectly cooked steak to "très magnifique" status. For dessert, we opted for the house-made grapefruit sorbet with a lavender cookie--a brilliantly refreshing finale. The citrusy brightness of the sorbet cleansed the palate, while the delicate floral notes from the cookie tied everything together. Dining at the Ledford House was not just a meal--it was an experience, a reunion with impeccable flavors, exceptional service, and an ambiance that soothes the soul. If this was their last night before vacation, they certainly ended on a high note. Here's to hoping it won't be another 20 years before I return! 5/5 - A Must-Visit Culinary Gem on the Mendocino Coast
We are fairly new FT folks to the area, moving less than a year ago to The Sea Ranch and we have wanted to hit the Ledford House for dinner for a while now. Family was visiting so we had an excuse to grab a Sunday night dinner over a long holiday weekend and I'm certainly very glad we did. Lovely location, somewhat dated interior but nice and comfy looking and the service and food were excellent. Prices were also fair all considering what the cost of dining out has moved to in recent years. Most starters, like the cheese tart and snails were under $20/each and the mains, like the duck breast and cassoulet and mussels were all nice portion sizes and in the $30's each. The filet was about $45. Everything was prepared well, wine service was decent and price points also very fair. Corkage was $25 and waved if you bought a bottle, which we did as well. We will definitely return and perhaps during the week to take advantage of their daily changing $35 bistro special (salad, entree and dessert). Glad they are here and we will be regulars !! Tre bien !!
Yes I would definitely come back! The staff is super friendly here. We came for my birthday dinner and Tim was our server he was awesome! He had good suggestions for food and drinks. They took really good care of us! We were recommended this place by someone that worked at a local winery. He was right! If you can cook dinner around sunset. It was beautiful!
What a pleasure to be greeted at the door by Tony. He makes you feel that you 're a VIP every time. This evening he seated me in the room with the bar, at the very best table, in my opinion. A view of the ocean and sunset. And a grand surprise... my server was a friend I had met at a different locale who also serves at Ledford's. What a wonderful coincidence to have Joseph as my server. Bread with olive oil and olives to accompany my cocktail. The onion soup was a lighter, but rich, version of the traditional soup. I prefer this version. Then a lamb shank so rich and tasty that I couldn't finish it in one session. It was great as leftovers. The grand finale was a lavender sorbet so light and refreshing. Wow! Ledford House is worth more than one visit.
Had my fiancé's birthday dinner here. Looked at all the places around Mendocino & couldn't find a restaurant that had good food , amazing views & an intimate setting that wasn't super crammed . Luckily , I found this place. It's probably like a 12 min drive from Mendocino which was perfect . The food here blew my mind it was spectacular . We ordered the: Escargot : Wowww ! For some reason the herbs and the butter were phenomenal. I loved the aromatics of the herbs and the butter sauce at the bottom . It was exquisite. They give you complimentary bread & I'm not a big fan but we got seconds because it was soo soft & tasty . We also used the bread to soak it in the sauce. 5/5 Roast Beet Humboldt Fog Goat Cheese, Hazelnuts & Arugula Salad $16: I love my a simple salad ! Beets & goat cheese are the best combo . You get the sweet & savory 5/5 L A M B S H A N K Slow Cooked in Red Wine, Roast Vegetables, Herbs & Garlic Aioli $32: Wow ! This lamb shank was so tender and the meat melted in my mouth . There was so much flavor it was like it was cooking all day . Deelish . 5/5 POTATO GNOCCHI Basil Pesto Cream, Parmesan & Pine nuts $24: I still dream of this pillowy goodness ! This was literally the best gnocchi I've ever had in my life . The whole dish was executed to perfection . The pesto cream and the Parmesan and the pine nuts were divine . Loved the little crunch the pine nuts added . This with the lamb shank was amazing !! Defiantly get this combination 5/5 The dinner itself was good . The food was phenomenal which is why I'm giving this place 4 stars . We were celebrating a special occasion and I called numerous times to make sure they put that in the reservation. The whole night they didn't acknowledge my finance's birthday and didn't even do a candle or anything . I was disappointed especially since I requested that and they forgot which is pretty bad especially if they notated that for the reservation . Dispite this , I really enjoyed dinner and the food is why I would come back ! I love this place , I always crave their gnocchi ! Can't wait to come back for it . I just wish the service was a hit more attentive especially when you're celebrating a special occasion .
Love the Ledford House! The coastal view, the quality of the food and the service is outstanding! Thank you for the wonderful meals and lovely memories.
Everything (people, food, drink, location, decor, atmosphere) was simply top-notch! This was such an elegant dining experience, and the value of the $35 three course bistro menu was unbelievable. Their Bee's Knees cocktail was just perfect: not cloying, but tasty, strong and perfectly balanced! They have tons of drink options, including an impressive local tea selection. Definitely make a reservation, and enjoy a memorable meal! :)
Great French bistro style food. All the dishes were delicious. They have a good selection of daily specials, so always something new to try! Love that they give you 2 types of bread too! Highlight: Lamb shank- melt in your mouth. Great flavor Petrale sole- perfectly cooked, enjoyed every bite. The views from the restaurant, overlooking the ocean makes this a gem. Would def come back!