Mankas Grill
2522 Mankas Corner Road
Fairfield, CA 94534
707.428.1600
mankasgrill.com
Wednesday thru Sunday 11:30am – 8pm
Gracie goes on a field trip!
Not your great-granddaddy’s grill!
Mankas Corner conjures up all kinds of boozy memories from back in the day. Originally a major stagecoach stop between Berryessa alley and the Suisun City port, this location was named for Christley Manka, one of the original owners in 1853. Kyle and Jason Barraza, new owners since mid-2020 are also the owners of the Napa Deli, and have definitely kicked it up a notch or two. Imaginative seasonal menus with farm to fork specialties are featured. Summer is the perfect time to take a leisurely ride to this backroad restaurant. Larry’s Produce Stand is nearby, as well as several Suisun Valley wineries. Some Yelpers say this wine country, family friendly steakhouse and seafood spot is like finding water in the desert—you can’t quite believe how good it is. Such a rare comfort to find a local, high quality, non-chain bistro with warm ambiance and character.
Try the Bacon Jam Burger—seriously delicious.
Pork Belly Nachos, Prime Rib French Dip, throwback Lobster Bisque, and Gracie’s favorite: the Avocado Ceviche Tostadas along with the extraordinary Charcuterie Platter. The American Wagyu Tomahawk is legendary, bring a friend! The staff is friendly, upbeat and helpful. Vegetarian options available. Menu subject to change.
Indoor dining and a charming lighted, heated outside patio with fire pit. Happy Hour between 2 – 5pm, Wednesday through Friday. World class Bloody Marys and Moscow Mules, full bar. Wine list highlights the surrounding wineries. Reservations recommended. Limited take out menu. Only a scenic 23 miles from Benicia!
RIDE
Comedy/Drama
2014 – 93 minutes
Rated R for mild drug use
Streaming on Amazon Prime and Apple TV
Directed by Helen Hunt, starring Helen Hunt, written by Helen Hunt!
Luke Wilson also stars.
A fun, heart warming movie with a little bit of romance. It’s all about family and connection, good intentions and love. If, like us, you’re a fan of the classy Helen Hunt, this “surfing” movie will make you happy. Helen plays a mom whose college bound son is off to discover life and she’s challenged to let him go. Jackie (Helen) and her son, Angelo (Brendon Thwaites), are incredibly close. Brendon makes the trip from New York to Venice, California, to visit his Dad and then decides to drop out of college and settle on the West Coast. Jackie, a magazine editor, leaves her big job in the East and follows secretly behind. She’s determined to get a taste of her son’s new life by learning to surf—and somehow thinks that’ll be easy. Ha. Surfing…learning, trying, failing and flailing—fighting the waves leads us to the movie’s message of courage and heart.
Our Helen guides us through a story centered around a complicated, yet ordinary female protagonist that is unusual in current cinema. Luke Wilson plays surf instructor, Ian, and is dependably charming and relaxed. The rhythm and grandeur of the ocean dictates the pace and tone of this movie. There’s humor and poignancy, gratitude and greatness.
Escape into a feel good beach movie with a healthy slice of life!
Movie Magic gives RIDE 3++ Moons out of 5.
