Michelin-Starred California Restaurant Offering New Lunch Service for Less Than Half the Dinner Price

**Harbor House Inn Launches New Lunch Service with a Sustainable Twist**

The renowned Harbor House Inn, a two-Michelin-starred establishment located along California’s picturesque coastline, has recently introduced a new four-course lunch service priced at £150 per person. This offering presents a more casual alternative to the restaurant’s signature 12-course tasting dinner menu, which is available for £350 per guest.

Executive chef Matthew Kammerer explained that the lunch experience is intentionally designed to be a more relaxed affair compared to the elaborate dinner service. Guests can expect a four-course meal served at a leisurely pace, providing a stark contrast to the dinner, which often takes three hours to navigate through its extensive menu. “Lunch is about enjoying a more casual environment, with dishes prepared that wouldn’t typically fit within the refined dinner courses,” he remarked.

Kammerer emphasised that while the lunch option may seem like a more economical choice, it offers a completely different dining experience. “The lunch may be seen as a more affordable option, but it still maintains the same level of ingredient quality and attention to detail. However, it lacks the full two-Michelin-star production, which typically involves a team of 17 staff catering to just 18 guests.”

The decision to introduce the lunch service was driven by a desire to widen the restaurant’s appeal beyond just its inn guests. Kammerer described this initiative as an effort to accommodate day-trippers and travellers passing through Mendocino. “This step makes practical sense for our kitchen,” he explained, noting that multiple meal services aid in the efficient use of produce and meats sourced from the restaurant’s own working farm.

Additionally, the restaurant’s commitment to sustainability plays a significant role in its operations. “The inn receives whole animals and runs a year-round farm, making it essential to have various meal services, from breakfast and lunch to in-room dining,” Kammerer added. This approach not only optimises the utilisation of their food supplies but also aligns with the inn’s overarching sustainability goals.

The new lunch menu showcases a delightful array of Japanese-inspired dishes, with a strong focus on vegetables and locally sourced proteins. Diners can relish offerings such as ranch cucumber salad, grilled traditional Japanese pickles, and house-made pork sausage, accompanied by rice and jus. The variety of sides includes sesame broccoli and a fresh green salad, while the dessert options feature decadent custard and a grilled zucchini cake served with buttermilk ice cream.

Though the lunch service was first introduced in 2021, it was not consistently available until now. The restaurant’s new regular lunch hours run from Thursday to Monday, with closures on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Notably, the venue maintains a 20-seat capacity and boasts breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. The restaurant also adheres to a specific policy regarding age, as it welcomes only patrons aged 15 and over.

Patrons are encouraged to embrace a casual dress code with the mantra “come as you are,” ensuring a welcoming atmosphere for all who wish to dine. The menu is subject to seasonal changes, reflecting the availability of fresh ingredients sourced from the local area. However, potential diners should be aware that the establishment cannot accommodate certain strict dietary restrictions, such as severe allergies to wheat, soy, or shellfish, due to the nature of its menu’s seasoning and structure.

The Harbour House Inn prides itself on creating a dining experience that is deeply rooted in local flavour and ingredients. “Our cooking style is heavily product-driven, tapping into the unique flavours of our North Coast environment,” the restaurant claims. By minimising external imports and focusing on cultivating as much food as possible from their own land and tidepools, the establishment promises a dining experience that is both unique and ever-evolving.

For those looking to savour exquisite cuisine in a beautiful seaside setting, the new lunch service at Harbour House Inn offers a perfect opportunity to enjoy its acclaimed dishes, all while championing sustainable practices. The combination of relaxed dining and high-quality food is sure to attract both locals and visitors alike, solidifying the inn’s reputation as a dining destination along California’s enchanting coast.