Mendocino Flavors: Crab season ends, brewery and restaurant openings and closings, and more tasty news bites

MENDOCINO Co., 7/21/23 — Dungeness crab season officially ends on July 30. According to State Senator Mike McGuire, 21 million pounds of Dungeness crab was harvested along the California coast this season with an estimated value of $54.4 million. While fresh crab may not be available now, plenty of tasty dishes are still available at predominately coastal restaurants featuring flash-frozen Dungeness crab. 

One of my personal favorites is the crab sandwich at Princess Seafood Restaurant in Noyo Harbor. It’s a soft hero roll brushed with butter and mayo, filled with ¼ pound Dungeness crab, topped with two tomatoes and seasoned with Old Bay. It’s a heavenly sando that melts in your mouth and transports you into a crab-stuffed food coma as you stare out into the harbor and avoid eye contact with hungry seagulls. Pro-tip: if you want a taste of seafood heaven at Princess Seafood Restaurant, make sure you get there early to wait in line. Princess Seafood Restaurant is open Mon and Thur 11:30 a.m.-5 pm, Fri-Sun 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m., 32096 N. Harbor Dr., Fort Bragg, (707) 962-3046, fvprincess.com.