Raven Haven: A Gluten-Free Bed and Breakfast in Mentone, Alabama

My husband and I recently stayed at our first bed and breakfast, Raven Haven, located in Mentone, Alabama. Mentone is located in northeast Alabama atop Lookout Mountain and is close to both Georgia and Tennessee borders. This charming community offers all kinds of things to do, including, fishing, hiking, canoeing, swimming, horseback riding, and shopping at antique galleries, gift shops, and local artisan shops.

We wanted relaxation, a beautiful room, and gluten-free food. Tony and Eleanor Teverino, Innkeepers at Raven Haven, promised all three.

We arrived late on a Saturday afternoon to Raven Haven's large rock house with a porch across the front. The acreage around the house is lush, green, and beautifully landscaped with a variety of flowers, bushes, trees and a pond where guests can sit undisturbed.

The resident cat, Running Horse, greeted us at our car. Rocking chairs and floral wreaths on the porch prompted feelings of comfort and relaxation.

I have to say that going into the house felt awkward. We didn't know what to expect. It felt like walking into a stranger's home. In essence, that's exactly what we were doing!

We entered a large great room with a rock fireplace all the way to the ceiling and comfortable country style furniture. A piano, a bookcase of books, angel wall hangings, and knick-knacks fill out the rest of the room. An adjoining dining room contains an elegantly set table. A beautiful glass divider separates the dining room from a large kitchen.

Our hosts, Tony and Eleanor Teverino, greeted us and asked us to sit down. After a few pleasantries, they asked about Celiac disease and my gluten-free diet. I explained that Celiac disease is an inherited autoimmune disorder, and the only treatment is adherence to a gluten-free diet. That means strict avoidance of wheat, barley, rye, and most oats. It also means that I can't eat other people's cooking, unless I am sure what's in it.

They assured me a delicious, gluten-free breakfast awaited me. Tony and Eleanor's website states their willingness to accommodate food allergies and intolerances. That's one of the reasons we chose to stay at Raven Haven.

They lived up to their word. The breakfast the next morning tasted delicious. They served grilled peaches with kiwi, stuffed mushrooms, sausage, scrambled eggs with cheese, stuffed French toast with strawberry sauce, southern-style grits, scones, juice, and coffee or tea--all gluten free!

We sat at the beautifully set table with another couple staying at Raven Haven. We enjoyed hearing about their recent honeymoon to Italy. We also compared notes about our rooms.

They stayed in the most expensive room, the Nautical Room. This room has an outside entrance, a balcony, and decor like a sea fairing-vessel. It's the only room with a T.V. and a balcony. The nightly rate for the Nautical Room is $130.00.

The Prairie Room's charming décor, including quilts and braided rugs, beckons weary travelers to rest. This room has an outside entrance. The nightly rate for the Prairie Room is $115.

We stayed in the Queen Ann room. This room, fashioned like an 18th century boudoir, contains a beautiful four-poster bed with a lace canopy. Antique furniture fills the rest of the room. This interior room has no outside entrance. The nightly rate for the Queen Ann room is $115.

The Casa Blanca room evokes images of a tropical island get-a-way. Guests with special needs enjoy its' wheelchair accessibility and extra-wide shower. This room doesn't have an outside entrance. The nightly rate for the Casa Blanca room is $115.

Tony and Eleanor couldn't have been nicer or more accommodating. When we arrived back to Raven Haven, after a dinner in nearby Fort Payne, we found scones and pound cake waiting for us. We took our dessert to the front porch and shared our crumbs with Running Horse, the cat.

They placed chocolates on our pillows and a note to sleep well. The following morning, soft, music-box music woke us for an 8:30 breakfast. The soothing music was a welcome reprieve from our blaring alarm clock.

The atmosphere at Raven Haven seemed like an odd combination of country and Zen. It's tranquil and relaxing and begs personal reflection. We enjoyed receiving VIP treatment.

I'll say that we felt accountable to Tony and Eleanor, much like a kid's accountability to parents. It was not Tony and Eleanor's fault. They were neither demanding nor intrusive. I think a feeling of accountability is the nature of a bed and breakfast.

For example, when we left to go to dinner, we wondered if we had a curfew! We didn't want to keep them up waiting at the door. They said the door is always open, but if we were extremely late to call so they would not worry. When we retired to our room for the night, we found ourselves whispering and a little uncomfortable. I guess it takes two or three stays to get used to it all.

They provided plenty of information about Mentone and the surrounding area. Brochures and menus helped us pinpoint our plans.

I give our hosts 5 stars for personal attention, good food, and a beautifully maintained property. We'll go again. Next time we'll stay in one of the rooms with an outside entrance.

Check-in at Raven Haven is 2 p.m. Check out is at 11:00 a.m. The hosts ask for a $100 deposit upon reservation. They have a 7-day cancellation policy.

Raven Haven 651 County Road 644
Mentone, Alabama 35984
(256) 634-4310
Anthony and Eleanor Teverino, Innkeepers