The Orchard inn is on the Old Redwood Highway between the River Road exit from 101 and where Mendicino becomes the Old Redwood Highway. It is an old "truck-stop" diner that has been renovated into a bar and restaurant. It is about 2 years old in this incarnation.
The food is best described as slightly German-inspired, hearty fare. It has some elements in common with The Peasant's Feast, although there is less choice in the menu and is not fixed price. I has a baked salmon with leek sauce; it was perfectly cooked, well complimented with cooked vegetables, and well presented, with orange and green colour scheme. Kay had lamb shank, which was carefully and thoroughly cooked to produce a meal that fell off the (huge) bone. Others had steak or the sausage selection (interesting).
The bar is well decorated and has an excellent atmosphere. It has some interesting beers, a mediocre selection of wines, but a poor selection of spirits and other alternatives: For instance, they had no tonic to put in Dubonnet, and no Pastice at all. The usual barman is a very pleasant fellow whose presence contributes to the atmosphere and the experience, but he was not there on Friday night when we went. They also have a waiter who comes around as a wandering minstrel on one night of the week (not Friday). That sounds awful, but it is done with a sense of humour and works quite well.
If there is a complaint about this place it is that it seems a little overpriced for what you get. Main courses are $10-15, and while they are delicious, they are more plain and less spectacular than the price might suggest for a place that is not in a high-rent area.
I think this place scores a 6, or seven with the barman and waiter in fine form.