Got a hankering for wood-fired pizzas on your trip through Mendocino? Slide into the town of Philo, CA, to indulge at Stone and Embers! Located in the heart of the Anderson Valley at The Madrones, a rustic Italian-inspired estate, this popular restaurant serves some of the finest cuisine in Northern California.
Stone & Embers is a fantastic stopover on any California road trip. The small restaurant was founded by Patrick Meany, formerly of Heritage House in Mendocino, Bouchon at the Venetian in Las Vegas, and Gary Danko in San Francisco.
Meany’s concept fuses farm-to-table cuisine with the undeniably unique flavors of cooking in a wood-fired oven. True to its name, Stone & Embers specializes in craft wood-fired pizzas paired with delectable wines from some of California’s finest wineries. Using oak firewood, the oven fires up to 650 to 750 degrees for the perfect combination of crispiness and fluffiness.
Looking for more ideas for your trip? Check out our California Travel Guide and United States Travel Guide for more recommendations on when to visit, where to go & what to do!
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Menu
Of course, if you’re going to pull up a chair at Stone & Embers, the first order of business is a wood-fired pizza! The variety is endless, all hand-crafted with only the finest local ingredients on an organic flour crust fermented for at least 24 hours.
It’s hard to argue with the classic Margherita, smeared with fresh tomato sauce, gooey mozzarella, and basil and drizzled with olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt.
For meat lovers, the “Fat Tony” should do the trick. It’s topped with Stone & Ember’s house-made sausage, Zoe’s pepperoni, and turducken. (Yes, turducken!)
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Or, for something a tad “heavier,” indulge in the “Fumee Blanc,” featuring a creamy Panna sauce, salami, fresh mozzarella, smoked parmesan, onion, and Calabrian chilis.
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Vegetarians will have plenty of pizza options here, too. Tuck into the “OG Panna,” smothered in Panna sauce and topped with fresh Mozza, Yukon gold potatoes, mushrooms, lemon, Grana Padano cheese, and oregano. Or opt for the classic “Grandpa John,” with its tomato-sauce base, fresh mozzarella, garlic, mushrooms, olives, and charred onions.
UPDATE: Stone & Embers is, unfortunately, no longer operational. Not to fear! There are plenty of other incredible restaurants and tasting rooms in & around Philo, CA, including Wickson, Drew Tasting Room, Goldeneye, Domaine Anderson, and Scharffenberger Cellars.
Drinks
Since you’re in the heart of Northern California wine country, it’s hardly a surprise that Stone & Embers offers guests an extensive wine list to pair with their wood-fired pizzas.
Local wineries are well represented, with entries from Roederer Estate and Mariah Vineyards. Or pour over wines from some of the top wineries in Sonoma and the Napa Valley, including Belden Barns, Schramsberg Vineyards, and Realm Cellars.
If craft beer is more your jam, there’s plenty here, too. Whet your whistle with favorites like:
- Blind Pig IPA: Russian River Brewing (Santa Rosa, CA)
- Schrimshaw Pilsner: North Coast Brewing (Fort Bragg, CA)
- Claritas Kolsch: Mike Hess Brewing (San Diego, CA)
- Fresh Squeezed IPA: Deschutes Brewery (Bend, OR)
- Boont Amber Ale: Anderson Valley Brewing (Booneville, CA)
Essential Information
Address
9000 Highway 128
Philo, CA 95466
Opening Hours
Thursday to Sunday; 12 pm to 8 pm
Amenities
- Pet-Friendly
- Family-Friendly
- Handicapped Access
