Archive for the ‘Marin Restaurants’ Category
You may not have heard about Outstanding in the Field, but it’s an exciting culinary adventure that I am just itching to experience. The creators have a mission to reconnect people with the food they eat. They call them restaurants without walls and set up long farm tables in unique places, like in the middle of a vineyard, on a ranch, in a cave, or right by the ocean. We just discovered this but it’s been going on for 20 years. The aim is to bring people as close as possible to the ingredients on their plate–literally so close that they may be grown just a few feet away.
Take a look at the schedule and see if there’s an event for you. Tickets run in the $200 price range and they have been selling out fast. If you missed the one you want (we missed the Michael Minna event at Devils Gulch – bummer!) then sign up on the email list so you are sure not to miss out next year.
Outstanding in the Field does many events here in California, but they also travel. How about dining in a vineyard in the Rioja region of Spain? Or sampling some Mahi Mahi, taro, and starfruit at an organic farm on the island of Hawaii? Honey, I think it’s time to plan a vacation!
Sweetlife Bakery & Café just opened a couple weeks ago in San Anselmo and it’s a fun place to have a casual lunch or dinner. Their pastries are super yummy and the kids will love the pizza. We went for lunch the other day and it was very busy, the food was very good, and the service was excellent. I love the light and bright design of the restaurant, and they have large windows that allow you to peak in and see the fresh breads and pastries being made. Looking through the glass is like getting a behind the scenes peek at Willy Wonka’s factory, without the Oompa Loompas…our kids loved it. They also have a parking lot and there is also a lot of street parking out front, a rarity in downtown San Anselmo. We look forward to many more yummy meals there.
Sweetlife Bakery & Café. 101 San Anselmo Avenue San Anselmo, CA 94960-2800. Phone: 415-456-4580 www.sweetlifebakerycafe.com
Stopped by Ponsford’s Place on Shaver Street in San Rafael for their Wednesday pizza night this week, where they had live music and super tasty and healthy pizza. They also make yummy breads and treats. The menu changes daily and they have cooking classes as well. More info at www.ponsfordsplace.com.
Here’s a chance to have some tasty food while supporting a great cause. Have a meal at one of the participating restaurants on Tuesday April 12th and a percentage of your check will go to support the fantastic work of Marin County School Volunteers, a group that matches volunteer tutors with Marin school kids. The list includes popular eateries such as Jason’s in Greenbrae and Pacific Catch in Corte Madera. For a full list visit the MCSV website. And if you’re looking for a regular way to give back to the community consider volunteering as a tutor!
Reservations are suggested and be sure to mention Marin County School Volunteers to make sure your meal will be counted as part of the event.
Sorella Caffe in Fairfax is one of our favorite local places to bring the whole family. The name means “sister” in Italian–appropriate as it’s owned by two sisters–and the food, ambiance and service are top notch. We eat here often and both sisters are always there to greet us. Using fresh, organic ingredients, the pasta and seafood dishes are excellent and you have to try the Mista salad with their homemade salad dressing–a secret recipe.
With a fireplace and live music on the weekends, the ambience is very relaxed and it’s a great place to bring the kids, who especially love the big block of parmesan cheese they bring to your table to start out your dinner and the big bowl of gummy bears and animal cookies they bring out for free after your meal. We’ve eaten here probably thirty times and the service has always been amazing. This is one of our favorite restaurants in Marin. Check it out and let us know what you think!
Thinking of dining out this week? Thursday, November 18th is a great night to do it for the 6th annual Dine Out to End Hunger which benefits Homeward Bound of Marin. Homeward Bound is Marin County’s chief provider of shelter and residential services for homeless families and individuals, serving approximately 1,400 people per year in 14 inter-related residential programs. 97% of families and 83% of adults completing Homeward Bound’s programs go on to stable housing.
Tavern at Lark Creek, Larkspur, California
Supporting the event is easy. Simply dine at one of the participating restaurants and twenty percent of your bill will be donated to Homeward Bound of Marin. The restaurant list has some of my favorite local restaurants as well.
Participating Marin Restaurants
Corte Madera Restaurant Partners
Larkspur Restaurant Partner
Mill Valley Restaurant Partners
Novato Restaurant Partner
Point Reyes Station Restaurant Partner
San Anselmo Restaurant Partners:
San Rafael Restaurant Partner
Sol Food, San Rafael’s hip, ultra popular Puerto Rican restaurant is opening a bodega next door to its “Big Place” location at 901 Lincoln Ave. The bodega will carry Puerto Rican goods like coffee, salad dressing and homemade hot sauce, and it’ll be the spot where they manage all of their take-out and deliveries. It’s nice to see such a great Restaurant doing so well. If you haven’t eaten there yet it’s really yummy! I love the Camarones Criollos, large prawns sauteed with fresh garlic and onions in a tomatoey sauce, served over rice, with organic salad, avocado and fried plantain. If you like chicken try the Pollo al Horno combo. Excellente!
Exploring by the Bay
Next stop: Sam’s Cafe!
With a gorgeous spring day and 80 degree weather, this weekend seems like a great one to spend outdoors. Looking to relax and enjoy the sunshine? You don’t have to go far! Visit downtown Tiburon and the landmark Sam’s Cafe along the Tiburon waterfront. This is one of my favorite spots to relax, sip a spicy bloody mary, and take in the sparkling waters of the San Francisco Bay and fantastic views of the San Francisco skyline and Angel Island. This place gets packed on a hot day with people coming over from San Francisco on the Tiburon ferry. Arrive early in the day if you don’t want to wait. The food isn’t Marin’s finest, but the awesome location and fantastic people watching make up for it. This is really the perfect place for a lazy Marin afternoon in the sunshine.
You can check out a live view from their sunny deck on Sam’s webcam.
Sushi is one of my absolute favorite foods to eat. We are so fortunate living in the Bay Area to have phenomenal sushi. I often pick up sushi from my local favorite gourmet grocery store, Woodlands Market in Kentfield.
When I am looking for fantastic sushi and a finer dining experience, I frequently head to one of my favorite Marin restaurants, Sushi Ran in Sausalito. Sushi Ran is located on Bridgeway in downtown Sausalito. The restaurant is pricey, but it is well worth the cost. It is truly one of the Bay Area’s finest restaurants. In October, Sushi Ran’s Executive Chef, Mitsunori Kusakabe, won the Sushi of the Year Award in London. The exclusive restaurant has also been awarded the exclusive Michelin Star.
Reservations can be tough to get at the popular restaurant but it does take walk ins. It is also generally easy to grab a table later in the evening on the weeknight. My favorite spot to sit is on the walk-in side of the restaurant on the covered (and heated patio). I love the warm, inviting atmosphere and the sushi is truly outstanding. If you haven’t been there, check it out!
- What: Sushi Ran
- Where: 107 Caledonia Street, Sausalito, CA 94965
- Phone: 415-332-3620
- More information: www.sushiran.com
Image courtesy of biskuit at Flickr.
I can’t believe I haven’t written about the Half Day Cafe in Kentfield before. The Half Day Cafe is one of my absolute favorite spots to meet friends for breakfast, lunch or brunch. Half Day is located on College Avenue just across the street from the College of Marin. It has been a Marin County staple for more than 20 years. The restaurant is tucked into a charming brick building built in the 1930′s. It was originally the Kentfield Garage. Half Day is bright and cheery with tall ceilings and huge windows. On a warm, sunny day, it has a great outdoor patio for leisurely dining.
I have never had anything I didn’t like on the menu. Half Day Cafe has phenomenal omelettes, huevos rancheros, and french toast for breakfast. Most of the breakfast options come with a choice of homemade pastry- their scones, cinnamon rolls and muffins are to die for! For lunch, there are many options. I typically go the lunch omelette route unless I am craving a burger and fries. My lunch companions often enjoy delicious homemade soups and tasty salads. Everything on the menu is fresh. The service is always good, and they happily oblige my coffee addiction with frequent refills. This restaurant is tops for me in terms of service and menu.
- Where: The Half Day Cafe
- Address: 848 College Avenue, Kentfield, CA 94904
- What: Breakfast, Lunch & Brunch