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Categories: Hotels, American (New), Beer, Wine & Spirits [Edit]
30 Callender WayMon-Sun. 6:00 a.m. - 6:00 a.m.
Absolutely beautiful lodge with private cabins in the hills to run away to. You feel like you are in a different world. The cabins are so charming and cozy, its the perfect retreat in my opinion.
Very sad that they had a fire, I hope everything has been restored nicely, since it was such an amazing place when I stayed there.
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This place is excellent. I can't wait until they rebuild their lodge/restaurant so I can try the food as well.
Stayed in room 7 of the annex - there's a wonderful redwood hot tub on the deck that's completely private, as well as a lovely old bathroom with a waterfall showerhead and posh toiletries for you to use.
I love that the room was at once rustic and luxurious. We were welcomed with a complimentary carafe of wine when we arrived, and told that the fireplace had been set up for us to use if we wanted. There's an iPod hooked up to some well-hidden speakers so you can listen to some relaxing tunes that were pre-loaded onto it.
The room itself had a HUGE and comfortable bed that almost prevented us from checking out on time - I loved all the little windows and nooks and crannies that you can open to let in some clean coastal air. The hot tub was not big, but very DEEP! And hot - wonderful. We were told to fill it up with any water that we displaced - so nice to sit in a hot tub of water that's not eye-searingly chlorinated.
The breakfast that was delivered was so delicious - the best yogurt I've ever had (obviously homemade whole-milk yogurt) with granola and biscotti, fresh-pressed apple juice and huge thermos full of good coffee, with some sugar and cream if you want it. Simple, but probably the best breakfast I've ever had just because it was so fresh and delicious.
I will definitely be back here - it's so worth splurging (I'm not sure if I'd say the same for the $500+/night cabins, but maybe I'd change my mind if I tried them? It just seems a little crazy when I could stay in room 7 for about half the price!). Definitely recommended for special occasions and privacy.
Since their restaurant/lodge burned down a few years ago, they recommended that we have dinner at the Olema Inn (about 5-10 minutes drive away) and it was an excellent meal - great service, great local food, and great ambience.
Light a fire in the fireplace and relax in the huge leather chairs with a glass of wine and relax! That's what this place is all about.
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I actually never stayed at Manka's. I tried to, I had a reservation for my husband and me but due to an emergency MRI we had to cancel. The woman on the phone said she could give us a gift certificate instead. Never received the gift certificate and when I was able to call after a wrenching health crisis I was told the hotel had no record of the transaction. A medical bill with the MRI, the American Express bill with paid charges from Manka's was not enough to convince them. I was told they'd look into it. I've called 2x and have never heard back. Not nice people - people who seem to not give a shit about anyone. I paid for that room -$335.00 for a night- and got nothing in return. They should read this and be ashamed of themselves!
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Do NOT book stay with Mankas. I booked the Boathouse ($800 per night!) for my birthday and were told by their staff to call weeks in advance to give our dietary restictions for a dinner the chef makes on Friday nights. We called and left several message over a 3 week period and never got a call back. I called two weeks before the date of our stay and got the owner. She was the rudest person. She claimed to have never gotten any messages and that given the fact we wanted to know why we had not received a call back that she suggested we cancel our reservations because she was sure they would not be able to meet our service expectations. Beware of paying high dollar for a place that treats people like trailer trash. From what I see in other reviews, they are very inconsistent in their service delivery- buyer beware if you are spending hard earned dollars on this place!
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For a wedding venue:
Paradisical setting for a rustic, elegant wedding in the point reyes marshlands. They hold receptions in a fabulous renovated boathouse, with architectural details that belong in architectural digest. That enormous fireplace! That deck and pier! The library nook painted in rich cranberry! If my wedding party were smaller, say around 50, I'd hold my wedding here in a heartbeat.
What a disapointment! We stayed in #7. This was not rustic chic. It was rustic! The bed was lumpy, the bathroom looked like a gas chamber with it's concrete walls and floors, and the hot tub felt grimy. The hot tub was 91°. The check in person said she turned it up, but it stayed at that temp. It was not obvious how to control it from #7. The tub is automatically run from 7 am to 11 pm--so much for listening to the birds. Service? Forget it. As breakfast is served between 9-9:30, and we wake up early, we asked if we could get coffee earlier. Nope. When the coffee finally arrived at 9 in a retro thermas, it was cold. We were not happy campers!
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I just had to return to Manka's. My last stay was sublime. This time I decided to treat my man for his birthday, so I booked Manka's Cabin.
Manka's Cabin is a little gem, built in 1904. It was rustic and had a warm cozy vibe from the second we walked in.
We instantly lit a fire in the massive fireplace and sipped on wine. I brought my portable record player and plugged it in immediatley, I put on a Benny Goodman record. We perused the antique books, were mezmerized by the giant Elk head that hung above the hearth, and our breath was absoultley taken away by the view of Mount. Vision from the back porch. "WOW!" Was all I could say.
I had previously arranged for Chef Daniel DeLong to prepare a private feast for my hunny bear and I. "Private Chef Meals" are the only in room dining option mid-week. It's great because you can have a say in what chef comes up with. However, it is not "Cheap" by any means, but you do indeed get what you pay for. I put the word in that my man has a love of Indian cuisine. I was not sure what to expect, because last time I had a private feast, I kept my menu really simple. This time it was over the top!
Chef Daniel DeLong is a mastermind! I could not believe how decadent his dishes were. We ate so well that night, the BEST Indian food I have EVER tasted. My man said it was better than most of the Indian restaurants he frequents. The dessert was uber induldgent. Ahhhhh, I slept so good.
Although my favorite part once again, BUBBLE BATHS! & the outdoor shower was to die for. While I showered I gazed at blooming camelias and wild finches flitting about. It was like a mystical fairie wonderland.
Breakfast in the morning was superb! We chose to dine on the covered front porch. While we sipped on tea and coffee, we read the local rag that had been tucked into our breakfast basket.
I'm already dreaming of my next visit.....
For my birthday this year I decided to indulge myself in serene, luxurious surroundings. I normally… Read more »
Mankas burnt to the ground some time ago, and that's a real bummer for anyone who loves spectacular cooking. It was the best restaurant north of San Francisco. it no longer exists as a restaurant, but it is an outstanding B&B in a wonderfully wooded location in Inverness on a hill above Tomales Bay near the Pt. Reyes National Seashore. It has lovely cabins tucked away in the woods. Very romantic. They food they serve to their guests is still amazing.
All Hail the reining king and queen of West Marin Gastronomy. !Margaret Grade Chef/ Owner and Daniel De Long Chef extraordinaire have cultivated a quaint and utterly delectable niche in the wilds of West Marin. They areChampions of local produce, local foraged goods and protein.
One can find Mary mattos gugyeres with deconstructed caesar salad, a repertoire of Pork(ohhhhh the pork) from Mark Pasternak, Beef from H ranch, Lamb from Bill(neiman ranch) or deer from a 1,000,000 acre ranch in Texas.
Most meals start with an offering from the chef like the gugyere, then roll on to a soup then often something from the sea like exquisite oysters or Wood roasted crab with butter and paprika, lemon and herbs then a clearing course, the Main course(Chef De Long has a way with creating sauce or jous that ties meat into a quaint unfussy package of goodness) then the Cheese course which often features delights from Andante dairy and then finally the homemade ice creams and other luvy sweets that Chef Margaret creates will be a grand finale.
I have dined here often and while the service can be difficult at times I have always found Manka's to have an air of hospitality for those that are enthusiastic about the food and the scene.
The wine list reads of who's who of California oenology. The six page list will not only tantalize but is wholly relevant to their food: a simple tribute to the land and the people who make up west Marin.
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So much better before.
Here's the thing. We LOVED Mankas before the lodge was tragically burned to the ground. We had the most romantic weekend holed up on a very cold winter weekend. We only emerged to eat and catch a few sights. The lodge itself was great, very rustic, but warm and inviting. The food was fantastic, and the warmth from the fire while we eat was enough to put anyway in the mood for some lovin'.
After a return from our most recent visit and post lodge fire we decided we won't return until the lodge is back up and running. We had another great time but it lost it's luster without the lodge to hang around it.
Well wait for the rebuild and I'm sure that extra star will find it's way back to the top.
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Snooty snooty snooty. Maybe when they "rise from the ashes" they'll wipe a little attitude off along with the dust. I have never experienced worse customer service.
Even if you're in love with Ralph Lauren and his faux retro lodge decor, the rooms were ridiculously overpriced, and the service in the dining room was rude-iculous, with the food so-so.
2 stars for their Inverness location.
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Time moves slowly here at Manka's.
Here, you are brought to an era that the world seems to have forgotten altogether. That was the era when there were people who needed not hurry, and enjoy the moment and the surroundings.
The Arts & Crafts architecture is genuine, meticulously crafted by a skilled craftsmen. There is meticulous attention paid to every panel, every nail, and every detail. The real wood-burning fireplace, the comfortable leather chairs, the log bed, the redwood tub... everything seems to just have its place.
The only concession to modernity is the audio system which gives you access to a wide range of genres. For me, nothing compared to listening to Anne-Sophie Mutter performing Alban Berg Violin Concerto, then Bernstein conducting Aaron Copland.
We stayed in the Room 7, with an outdoor redwood hot tub on a deck overlooking the tree that fell and caused the fire that destroyed the main building in 2006. The room would be described as intimate and cozy, but I am not using these terms as euphemisms for small. Ok, were not big hotel rooms back in the 19th century, so don't expect a palace here. But appointments are of high quality, and very relaxing. With a loved one, why would you need or want a vast space?
The dinner, offered to overnight guests only at a rented house nearby is rustic, simple, but superbly executed. Vegetarians may not have much choice here (you might ask for such an option when making a reservation) but for those of us who appreciate and revere the gifts from nature, it's a triumph. Humourously described as "last seen grazing on the H ranch." the lamb that was roasted in the roaring fire place was pure poetry.
Then you retreat to your room, and enjoy a quiet night. Perhaps you might want to bring some fine cognac to enjoy by the fire place. Or, you go soak in the hot tub under million stars. Soon enough, the warm bed beckons, and you will enjoy the most perfect sleep in a long time.
The breakfast, brought to the room in a basket is a simple affair. Several pieces of toast, coffee in Thermos, and hand crafted jam and chesses. Nothing elaborate here either, but everything is of an extraordinary quality.
So, you will be disappointed if you expect today's definition of luxury and opulence, but the most precious luxury today is time. Here, you will have a chance to appreciate the moment.
Oh, by the way, if you have to ask how much a night costs, you can't afford it, though.
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(NOTE: We didn't stay here, so this is just a review of the restaurant)
You may not be able to discern from my reviews, but I'm a nasty combination of foodie and picky eater. That said, knowing that there would be NO choices at Manka's was making me understandably apprehensive on the approach.
Quickly, the ambiance put me at ease. Go for the early seating (7 vs. 7:30) those quiet moments during wine selection and settling in was my favorite part of the meal. Liked the leek soup, but we're into salty, so don't necessarily take my word for it. The bread was out of this world. My brother rates restaurants for their bread and salad (two things all restaurants have) and this was amazing, amazing bread. I liked that the portions were the reasonable size that I should be following anyway -as long as there are five of them. I wasn't wild about the idea of duck, but the duck was unlike anything I'd had before. We had huckleberry potatoes. Have you heard of huckleberry potatoes? Manka's is focused on using local ingredients, and the hp's are a good example of how well it works.
When I think about Manka's, the food is secondary. I focus more on the people watching-various couples had clearly come for an anniversary, honeymoon, etc, as well as some older couples that had been coming for years and years. It was the site of a great evening.
UPDATE: Fire on 12/27/06. Closed until further notice.
http://sfgate.com/cgi-...
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Love Manka's! We've eaten there twice and both times it was such a treat. They cook one dish and that's what you'll have for dinner. It's like been invited at a friends house. Unfortunately, not all my friends cook that good but they usually don't charge that much for a meal either ;-)
I also really like the creativity and ingredients they use for putting their menu together. All local ingredients that are fresh and sometimes unusual.
Unfortunately, we've never stayed their overnight but the cabins are supposed to be great too.
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I would have given Manka's 5 stars instead of 4 I am sure if I had made it here before the fire and that's only because I imagine it would have been nicer to have the lodge as it has been described to me. However everything was wonderful! The reception we received from them was warm and kind even though they are operating out of an Aerostream. Our cabin #8, in the annex, was adorable and very, very cozy. It had a lovely fireplace, a very comfortable bed and a nice update to the shower which is important to me. There were plenty of windows to take in the sun and the gorgeous smells of the surrounding woodlands. We had a very tasteful breakfast served to us in our room each morning, one was with homemade yogurt creamier than any I've ever tasted, granola, fresh fruit and good coffee. We opted for dinner served fireside in our room one night. The halibut and accompaniments were done to perfection by their excellent chef with a cheese course served afterward, Yummy! I thought everyone who cared for us here at Manka's was truly warm and intent on making our stay a pleasant one. We will be back!
The lodge actually deserves five stars, but the restaurant only two. Our log cabin in the woods was amazing. Secluded, with a fireplace, huge comfy bed, patio and PRIVATE HOT TUB. Yes, your own private hot tub.
The restaurant was another experience. Vhe food came out slowly with long waits between courses. For what you are paying, the meal was sub standard. The best part was the cheesy poofs at the beginning and the cheese at the end. The set menu was full of odd choices. Oysters bigger than your tongue, super salty soup, salad with waaaaaay too much bacon grease in the dressing (and I love bacon), over cooked dungeness crab, and so-so halibut. The wine list was the bright spot. They have some amazing American wines. 1993 Williams-Selyam pinot noir. Yummy!
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This is the tip top place in my world. No one hovers, things aren't perfect, but everything from the linens to the meals is pitch perfect for the get away from it all experience.
On the lodging portion of Manka's: It will cost you but it's worth every single penny (!!11!!!), especially if this is a romantic and unusual treat for you or a splurge. Be sure you plan with the hoteliers because some week nights dinner is nowhere to be found without going back to Marin.
Rough Hewn Elegance, Gorgeous, quiet, secluded, romantic. A quiet quality and it's worth getting a private cabin. Fab.U.Lous. If you're a full service hotel snob or you're going to be huffy about getting attention or flashy stuff to prove you spent the money, you'll hate it.
Be sure you have one breakfast in the lodge. Incredible meal.
On the Dining Experience:
I've eaten here on 3 separate occasions. Two holiday and one regular affair. I'll get to the details in a moment. Pick the later seating. (there are some cheap hotels nearby if you're only there for the food and need to sleep off the wine buzz without being able to afford their lodging)
The Valentine meal was **stupendous**. Quite literally an erotic, hedonistic, flavor adventure. We still talk about it 2 years later and I can still remember certain flavors and textures. We'd never had a "sexy feast" but holy cats it was thrilling. This is in the top 5 meals of my lifetime and I am an unabashed foodie. (I count the epicurean alongside the perfect burger, by the by)
If you are a control freak and want to direct the meal or pick each dish and can't enjoy it any other way, do not eat here. If you have difficulty with many ingredients especially game or seafoods, do not eat here. If you cannot enjoy the chef expressing their artistry through their menu in a long meal drawn out over time, do not eat here.
If you value high style farm foods fished, foraged, hunted, and gathered within a small radius of the location and planned out just that afternoon after a market run you will love it. But you must let the meal be what it is in the way that it presents itself, even if you don't like venison or know what the heck a quince palate cleanser is in order to enjoy yourself.
I tell you these things not because I'm a food snob but because I value spending one's oft hard earned dollars on the combination of quality, flavor, environs, and wine. I tell you these things because it may not be for you. Me? I swoon thinking about eating at Manka's and I just had a left over toasted cheese sandwich from two days ago and it was great. Do you feel me?
Environs & Waitstaff:
The dining room is dim, dark, rustic in a through the looking glass hunting lodge style. Mica glass and copper lanterns, stuffed animals on the walls, crackling fireplace, wild branchy mossy floral arrangements, and the chef's dog will probably wander past your table.
The wait staff is some kind of a David Lynch concoction and you must simply trust them and enjoy the quirk. Leave the wine choice in their hands but be very clear and specific if you do this and have a wine budget. They will offer you what is best, not what is affordable. Once you give them your per-bottle price range, you're golden (and they have a lot of splits).
Meal:
The menus are little trips though the underside of the pier, to homemade bacon (unholy goodness!) from the farm pig down the lane, and on it goes. The menu is set as is the price. You don't have to finish every dish, but you should still nibble even if you "normally don't eat oyster".
There is no salt, no pepper on the table. This is a GOOD sign. The dishware is heavy and rough, it all takes time, and yes they sometimes miss a mark on something but it's the passion and delivery of the entire affair that causes you to ignore the faux pas.
If you will only try this place once, Valentine's meal or one of the Saturday meals which are bigger affairs and peaker experiences for the food freak in you.
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Stayed for a couple of nights last week. Gorgeous rooms in a gorgeous location.
The reason for the two stars is twofold ( I actually would give it 1.5 if that was possible):
We ordered dinner in our rooms for the first night. Romantic, the whole thing. The first course was a Caesar style salad, a bit overdressed, with some nice steamed asparagus. The second course was pea "fritters" with steamed potatoes, sugar peas and a slightly creamy sauce. The fritters tasted OK but tasted like the chef had used a store bought falafel mix as a base (you know the one I am talking about). The third and final course was a strawberry shortcake with an extremely oversalted cake. How much you say.....try $60 per person. OUCH. WITHOUT WINE. Try the Olema Inn down the street. For the same price, you get wine and a really nice menu.
The next morning, we asked that our breakfast be delivered at 0900 instead of 0900-0930 and they said the chef couldn't get it to us that early.
For the price and rep of the hotel, one would think that they would be a bit more customer focused.
Called the hotel to voice my concern and they were not as concerned.
Live and learn.
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Update: 10-02-07: Breakfasts are bing served in room, accompanied by big thermoses of coffee or tea (if you're feeling really indulgent, ask for hot chocolate). Also, Mankas has closed M2 but is still offering their old lodgings of cabins, Boathouse, and cottages.
Update 3-30-07. Dinner is no longer being served, but picnics are available, to be eaten in room or on the deck. It's the same food, just packed to be eaten anywhere.
The building that housed Manka's as we fondly remember it is no longer with us. Since the Lodge building recently burned, and the restaurant along with it, all I have left are a few menus and memories. I'm lucky enough to have spent a few nights there, several years ago, and am happy to hear that the cabins, Boathouse, and some other lodgings are still up and running, with dinner being prepared by special arrangement with the chefs.
My stay was in October, 2002, and I understand that the rooms have become even more luxurious since then. Rustic, but elegant. There's nothing like curling up in front of a crackling fireplace at Manka's on a chilly evening after driving along the coast of Marin to the heart of Inverness. I highly recommend it.
Our dinner that night started with Colossal Tree Oak Shitake Mushrooms grilled in the fireplace atop local spring greens with a smattering of local Crescenza Cheese $9, and a bed of local coastal Garden Greens with Black Radish, toasted Pumpkin Seed and Bolinas Baby Carrots, local Feta Cheese and a Jalapeno Lime Vinaigrette $8. It all tasted as good as it sounds.
For my main course I chose Supper Ravioli stuffed with local Goat Cheese, Greens and Oregano served with a Roasted Garlic Sauce, Porcini Broth and shavings of local aged Pecorino Cheese. Pasta perfection. My companion had the House Cured Pork Chop grilled in the fireplace served with Lodge Mashed Potatoes, a wild Huckleberry Orange Marmalade and fire-grilled Zucchini and Peppers. Everything was totally delectable, especially the mashed potatoes.
Dessert was out of this world. Persimmon Cake (spicy, dense, full of flavor) with a housemade vanilla bean ice cream. And a warm Chocolate Souffle Cake with local dairy whipped dream (what the rest of us call cream, but this was sweetened with local honey, too; maybe that makes it a dream. It certainly tasted like one).
Service was what Americans sometimes call slow and what Europeans call leisurely. Certainly not rushed. If you're dining with someone you enjoy spending time with, who cares if the service is slow? The food was fantastic and the antique-filled hunting lodge setting like a fairy tale. Going back to our snug room in a row of adjoining cabins they call The Annex was the perfect end to a perfect day in sleepy West Marin.
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I've been to Manka's twice and both times, had a fun. The ladies running the burnt down lodge are down to earth, wonderful to get information from, and extremely helpful. The last visit we had there was over Thanksgiving break. Although, the restaurant is no longer, they hosted an amazing Thanksgiving feast up the hill at a neighbor's house:
Apple Brandy spiked Champagne
Carmody cheese puffs
Baked Drake Bay oysters (although I didn't get any)
Out of this world foie gras with quince paste
mussel soup (we had potato thyme)
watercress and pork belly (that melted in your mouth)
porcini mushrooms with garlic flan
meyer lemon ice cream
turkey, gravy, mash potatoes and stuffing (moist!)
walnut pie
spoonful of chocolate, blondies, and shortbread cookies.
Every morning we were delighted with home made baked goodies, tea, coffee, cheeses and meats. The last day we had a special treat of home made yogurt, that felt like eating ice cream! YUM!
The first time we stayed there, we were at the Fishing Cabin. I loved it, especially skinny dipping at night in the hot tub under the moon and trees. This last time we were at Room10. It was small, but not unbearable.
If you need a nice weekend away Manka's, Pt Reyes, and Inverness is a well needed change of pace.
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My wife and I ate here before the fire and I have to say it was the best dinner we ever had. The food, atmosphere and service were excellent.
We went to Gary Danko shortly after eating here and to be honest Gary Danko was a disappointment both in the sense of food (although it was still top notch) and atmosphere compared to this place.
We haven't been back since the fire, but I hope its still as good. I'd like to get back there again sometime.
I loved the whole experience of Manka's and the delicious local foods, even better than French Laundry. Yep. Thomas Keller went there on his birthday too...
Of course they can't duplicate the cozy historic atmosphere of the original structure, but I'm looking forward to the rebuild and reopening.
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Lived up to my expectations and then some. My girl told me her sisters had gone here and both said it was fantastic.
Funny thing... we went for a little hike before dinner in Olema and we met this peculiar, yet kind gentleman who was napping in flower-covered hillside. When he noticed us, he volunteered to take our picture and asked us what we're doing later. When we told him about Manka's, his face lit up and said he took his wife there on their first date and wished us luck. This encounter only heightened our excitement about the place.
Needless to say, the dinner was superb. Rich, earthy food was served with great care in a rustic atmosphere. The squash and apple soup was memorable and the other courses flowed smoothly together. The deserts were especially wonderful with THE richest ice cream I've ever tasted.
You'll end up paying more with the wine than the meal itself but it was worth it. We opted for the half bottles to try out different ones throughout dinner.
Plan a hike and enjoy the scenery beforehand and build up an appetite like we did and you won't forget it.
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The location and cabins (I've stayed in Fisherman's and the Boathouse) are unlike any other, hence the 3 *
The attitudes are ATTROCIOUS. A member of the staff (not the owner) told us the Boathouse would be ready anytime around 3 PM. We showed up at 3 PM. The owner told us it would be ready at 4 PM. We proceeded to make the best of the situation and grab some snacks at the market down the street. We head back to the makeshift office in the trailer to explain the situation and the owner ignored us COMPLETELY (she had locked the door and wouldn't come open it and we could see her in there) and proceeded to let us wait in the car for 30 minutes. 4 PM rolls around and we have to go back to the office. In the meantime, the owner has left without even acknowledging what is taking place or delivering the room key we'd been waiting an hour for based on showing up when her staff told us to.
I'm eager to try Nick's Cabins in Marshall on the other side of Tomales Bay. After seeing what they have to offer, I may have to re-rate Manka's lower.
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Manka's is a special place for special quiet moments. Don't go with the expectations that it will be like your standard luxury boutique hotel. The customer experience is that of being left alone to relax. That's what makes it unique and worth visiting. My first visit was in Feb. 2007. My partner & I booked at the last minute into Room #8 in the Annex. Though it didn't have a hot tub or bath, we were quite happy with the giant shower head. The bed was comfy and warm, the fireplace with a bearskin in front was just what we needed to get cozy and dinner in M2 was quite the feast. Service was slow, but I don't need fast service when I'm relaxing and enjoying myself. Breakfast was delish as well.
I've also toured the property to check it out for a company team-building offsite and think that all of the lodgings hold the own special charm. The Boathouse was my favorite, but it is too expensive for me. Actually, the place is definitely overpriced, but they seem to get away with it because it is so special.....
Returning soon for another weekend and will report back on the in-room dining option as M2 is no longer active.
I can't wait for the lodge to be rebuilt!
UPDATE 12/2008
Spent the weekend in the Annex Room #7 and it was wonderful. Dinner came to our room on Friday night. A hearty, rustic affair that began with a thermos of the best mulled wine I've ever had.
Again, I love this place more and more!
Very romantic. The restaurant is peculiar, though. Their menu is very rustic...they offer lots of things you might catch or shoot if you're a hunter, that sort of thing. But I loved the atmosphere. It's in the woods, so it's automatically charming. Worth a visit with your honey.
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I was so sad to hear that Manka had burned down (those densely wooded forests are highly flammable, apparently). I had a lovely dinner here a couple of years ago for a friend's half-birthday. Most memorably, they served fresh radishes, dipped in a bit of sea salt. I don't typically eat radishes (it's bunny food. and I can say that bc I actually do own bunnies.) but they were incredibly fresh and crunchy with just the right amount of bitterness. Amazing. The meal was really delicious, such a great wine list too. Too bad we had to caravan all the way back to SF....Ugh. Windy roads.
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Please read this review carefully.
As a dedicated Yelper, I know rants go over-looked. I accept that mistakes happen and simple errors are entirely forgivable, but a service establishment, when they know of an issue, should respond in a manner to ensure the comfort, enjoyment, and safety of its' patrons.
So we came here with another couple to celebrate a birthday. I brought a nice bottle of wine and a good champagne. I had checked the website for a wine list or corkage info and did not find anything. The dining manager seated us. She told me that they have a "one bottle maximum". After a long wait at the table, the soup was served. It was interesting, very rich and creamy, but it was lukewarm and extremely salty. I did not say anything as the small portion was almost gone. My friend piped up and asked if our soups were also way overly salted. We held our tongues. The rabbit sausage and chard was delicious. The crab was very nice. I asked how it was prepared and he hardly knew. About this time we had to start pouring our own wine. He was often elsewhere in the restaurant and had poor timing with regard to the wine and other details. The served a nice lemon sherbet intermezzo and removed the bread. Another bread plate re-emerged with the lamb main course, which was tasty. The table was cleared and the cheese course was brought out. We asked for bread to accompany, but we were told they ran out. "Do you have any crackers?" No answer. Dessert came and was also good. We got the bill, which was $88 per diner plus $35 corkage for the champers plus the bottle we bought off the list. I almost sat down the write the review that night, but it was late. The food when properly served was very good. But the service was way below par for a restaurant of this alleged caliber and price. My wife got a call the next morning from our friends. They both woke up sick in the middle of the night. Neither of them shared anything that day before the dinner. They each had a half of the same crab. My friend called to tell the restaurant. The dining manager contacted my friend and the response was that it must have been something they both ate. They have never had a problem in 12 years and it could not have been from the kitchen. They expressed no concern for my friends' welfare and the dining manager pressed my friend for exactly what he wanted. He simply asked them to do the right thing -- the dining manager has yet to call them back. Typical of the evening...
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I LOVE this place -- definitely a favorite. If you're in the Bay Area, the best way to get there is to hop into a fast 2-seater and take Lucas Valley Road. The drive will keep you exhilarated and give you a healthy appetite, ideal for your dining experience at this 'elegantly rustic' lodge. Let me first say, everything is extraordinary -- from the food to the accommodations, the overall experience. We've been going here for the past few years and have always had a great experience. Their meats are outstanding -- from their rack of lamb with meat so soft and tender, it gently slides off the bone to their wild axis deer grilled right in front of you in the fireplace and full of flavor. Ingredients are always found within a 15-mile radius, so it's all local and we love that! I don't need to tell you that everything is as fresh as fresh can get. Food is served on beautiful black Colombian Chambaware, which only enhances the unique experience.
Take time to read their menus, they have such charming descriptions: fronds of local frisee, warmed with bacon from the man in marshall, dappled with Inverness pear -- a cake of local sugar pie pumpkins, laced with pecans and white raisins, served with local dairy whipped dream (instead of cream, don't you love that?), ribboned with caramel. Tell me if you've read menus like this elsewhere, because I'd like to know. And, I love their signature font, it's so distinctively Manka's. Looks like Garamouche but might be something else. Weekday dining is reserved for lodge guests and menus tend to be a bit more whimsical than on the weekends.
The accommodations put you in another time and place. We love the Fishing Lodge, but all the rooms have a hunting lodge postcard look and feel with big log beds, Stickley rocking chairs, giant tartan quilts, stone fireplaces, claw foot bathtubs, etc.
Manka's is just a wondrous little place... it doesn't get better than this.
People thought this was:
Best $$$$ weekend getaway in the Bay Area. Book one of the rooms or cabins with a fireplace and private deck. Make reservations for dinner (both nights). And have the cook's breakfast at least one morning. By Sunday, you'll be thinking about cancelling that Monday meeting and staying another day.
People thought this was:
We stayed in Perch which is the 2 room cabin on top of the hill. Words that come to mind when trying to explain this place.. Magical, romantic, secluded, vintage... Think of the hunters cabin in a child's book where the wood fairies come to visit...
Just came back from a fabulous meal at Mankas. Totally memorable and all the dishes were delectable although the leek soup and the first appetizer was tad bit salty. Very tasty smoked duck and pork. The dessert trio was marvellous, interesting ice cream drizzled with olive oil and sea-salt, rum and raisin sourcream ice-cream with brown sugar with brioche and sauteed apples and the third dessert was orange ice-cream with fudge and candied pecans....mmmm. The menu is very nicely written and the food quotes outside the bathroom wall is amusing while you are waiting....
People thought this was:
you've got to escape your relatives and go here for Thanksgiving. We did last year at the last minute...10 courses served to perfection, perfectly synchronized for a 4 hour dinner (go with someone you really like to talk to..;)) and everything was spectacular. It's the perfect blend of rustic and elegant...cozy and warm...the best table is the "chef's table" i think that's what it was called (for a group)...but I think they were all good tables. They even had a prepacked take home bag (that wasn't actually your leftovers)- niiiiice touch.
People thought this was:
The ultimate gateway for a romantic weekend. The restaurant Mankas has almost 5-star quality. Food: Local delicacies, heavy on game meat Service: Usually a wait to get into the dining room, but service is great Ambiance: Woodsy, romantic, and relaxing Price: Expensive Wine list: Large selection http://www.mankas.com/...
People thought this was:
R.I.P. Manka's ;'(
Manka's burned down this morning (12/27/06) http://www.marinij.com...
Lodge: 4 stars ****
Get your checkbook out. Wait...better make that your credit card because this place is SPEND-Y (but the atmosphere is worth it). My smart boyfriend booked us two glorious nights in woodsy Cabin 125 (big cozy bed, wood-burning fireplace, private deck, redwood hot tub). Kiehl's bath products, too (love that). Minus one star because the heater had to be fiddled with to work, but overall, a great room which was only enhanced by the stormy night.
Restaurant: 2 stars **
While the lodge was lovely, the restaurant was foiled by crappy service and taxidermy squirrels! In SWEATERS!!! Yes, the food was delicious, but the portions were measly. And don't you hate leaving hungry after a very expensive dinner? *sigh* ...Le menu: An incredible pumpkin and cilantro soup (in a painfully shallow dish), followed by second course consisting of one tasty, crispy fried leek with a not so tasty pile of beets. Having to wait WAY too long between courses at this point, I requested some more bread. Nothing fancy, just bread. The waiter said he would see if they had any more but never brought any or offered an explanation or alternative! Growl. The third course: one solitary Dungeness crab claw. And the main course was a lonely lamb chop (but for the couple of fingerling potatoes). Dessert was a berry pudding that was slightly less miniscule but delectable. When the bill came three hours later, we were overcharged on drinks. Our waiter apologized and said he had lost count (yikes)! Thumbs down for dinner at Manka's.
People thought this was:
I just returned from a relaxing long weekend at Manka's..I can't tell you which cabin in the Annex I stayed in as I'd like to keep it all to myself...needless to say it was our little slice of heaven and just an hour north of home...service was seamless and quiet..my every need tended to without even knowing I had a need. Freshly chopped wood for the fireplace, gentle tunes on the iPod, old-fashioned wool blankets for the bed, homemade breakfast dropped at the door every morning, and an unbelievable in-room gourmet dinner (seriously, words cannot describe). Good news was that I got to bring the best part home with me..and we plan to go again :)
Its an absolute tragedy that the dining room is still closed after the fire. My meal at Mankas was truly memorable, and one of the best I've ever had. Each course was exquisite and well thought out. I've eaten at Chez Panisse, but thought Mankas did a much better job of creating dishes based on locally raised meat and produce The lodge/hotel seems to follow an American Gothic motif, but is also first class. I'm very much looking forward to the day when the dining room reopens.
People thought this was:
so the lodge is (still) burned down, however they still hold events at their boathouse, which is pretty amazing. it looks like a pile of wood from the outside, but inside is gorgeous and the view from and of the pier is awesome. it would be a great place for a small wedding and reception (less than 70 people).
We're waiting for you to rise from your ashes, Manka's.
Manka's is exceptional. We enjoyed dinner once before the fire, and it was outstanding. Very high quality, creative dishes. Since then, we've stayed in Cabin 125 and Annex Room 7. Both accommodations had lovely old hunting cabin style lodging, comfortable beds and furnishings, decadent Redwood soaking tubs on private decks, and cozy fireplaces. Manka's used to offer a delicious breakfast delivered to your room. Since the owners had twins this summer, they have discontinued breakfast - but now they are offering multi-course dinners in your room, which we can't wait to try next time.
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No more searching for those romantic little…
When I need my Marin fix, this is often where I…
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