20604 Wed Jul 17 20:54:11 -0700 2002 5 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 71920 I am lucky enough to be going up to the Mendocino area this weekend, and I've heard that there is a lot of abalone up there--on the coast around Van Damme State Park. I've never tried it, but of course it's supposed to fantastic and I'm eager to taste away. I'm wondering if anyone knows a good local (i.e., around Mendocino or between SF and there) place to sample some fresh and tasty mollusks. Thanks in advance! Wed Jul 17 20:54:11 -0700 2002 0 Missy P. 1 71928 You can't taste it unless you can catch it. The law sez it cannot be sold. Suggest you use booze and snacks to trap a diver about dinner time. They should be sauteing the days catch. Wed Jul 17 21:45:10 -0700 2002 71920 0 Wylie 1 71943 Just got back from Mendocino - didn't have any abalone, but did have an excellent Seafood Menagerie (clams, mussels, shrimp, scallops, calamari, a few others) with polenta in a light garlicky sauce at 955 Ukiah Cafe. My husband had steak - okay, but nothing special. Either show up early or make a reservation. Also had some good fettucine with smoked mushrooms in tasso cream sauce - and good Pilsner beer -at the North Coast Brewery in Fort Bragg. Thu Jul 18 00:18:22 -0700 2002 71920 0 Barbara 1 71973 It's illegal to take abalone in the month of July, so there won't (shouldn't) be any divers coming out of the water with abalone. If you're up there again for the first weekend of August, there will be a large group of people up there having a ab party. There'll probably be hundreds of abalone with as many recipes. Thu Jul 18 13:32:26 -0700 2002 71920 0 Nathan Lee 2 71980 Oh, what a bummer! Thanks for the advice, though. I'll be looking for some other eats in town, then. Thu Jul 18 15:34:36 -0700 2002 71973 0 Missy P. 1 72006 while in the Mendo area be sure to go to North Coast Brewing ,in Fort Bragg (about 5 miles N on hiway 1). The food is real good "Pub" food but the beer is heavenly. "Old Rasputin" is the best Imperial Stout in the world having won many gold medals at the World's Brewing Championships. "Red Seal" and "old #38" stout have all won gold medals at the World's Brewing Championships. Norht Coast has been rated "best brewpub" by Beer Celebrator magazine and is rated #1 by beer "guru" Michael jackson. It is my fave place on the North Coast. Link: http://northcoastbrewing.com Thu Jul 18 19:40:00 -0700 2002 71920 0 bennyboy