Talk about a diamond in the rough! Fort Bragg’s Chapter and Moon restaurant is as unassuming as you can get – a plain, boxy, small space right at the edge of Noyo harbor.
Patrick found the place on our last trip up to Fort Bragg last year – he was kicking around the harbor while I was attending a weekend class in raw cuisine at Living Light Culinary Institute.
We went back for breakfast this weekend and once again I was impressed with the food and the presentation. But the big hurdle is having faith – I remembered how great the dinner we had a year ago was, and was excited to go there for breakfast (one of my favorite meals). Once we got there, disappointment and doubt started to set in when the breakfast menu was plunked down in front of me. A single half-page sheet with a half-dozen or so items, straightforward with no frills or hints of the wonders to come. I asked about the ‘omelet of the day’ and the waiter described something starting off with pork… not the way I wanted to start my day. I guess I looked disappointed because he hesitated a moment and then said “How about salmon, spinach and feta cheese then?” Okay!
The omelet was amazing – a nice filling of tender fresh spinach, salmon, sauted and green onions, just the right amount of creamy feta…
Patrick had french toast – beautifully presented with a touch of fresh fruit. A perfect opportunity for me to play with my new Canon ELPH in macro mode. Of course I had to work fast to shoot pictures as we were both ready to tuck into this wonderful meal.
For me, presentation is huge – you can make the most delicious tasting food, but if it is not presented well, it really loses a lot of appeal – at least for me. I want stunning and satisfying. Chapter and Moon Restaurant in Fort Bragg delivers on both accounts. -F&F
