Indian-Californian-Mexican fusion…S’more pie… homemade lavender vanilla ice cream…coq au vin…warm lobster salad…chicken wings stuffed with crabmeat…sizzling fajitas…plantains done four ways…Michelin Star-rated sushi…house-made kim chee & sprouts. 

Hungry yet? We North Bay residents are a curious, open-minded, food-loving group eager to try all sorts of epicurean combinations and experiments. Many of us are also very health-conscious, and some of us have dietary restrictions. No matter – or perhaps it’s because of all this – North Bay restaurateurs have provided us with dozens of options. There’s Café Gratitude in San Rafael with their raw/vegan menu and such dishes as “I am luscious” (raw chocolate smoothie), “I am accepting” (sushi bowl) and “I am transformed” (taco plate). Avatars in Sausalito is best known for their pumpkin enchiladas and Indian-Mexican-Italian-California fusion. They also readily make gluten-free and diary-free accommodations. For those who simply love all things Mediterranean, Insalatas in San Anselmo combines and cooks up flavors from Italy, Spain, Turkey, Morocco, and Syria.

Punjabi Burrito. Photo by Jim

Tostanos (fried plantains) with rice  and beans from Sol Food Photo by Sharon

The list goes on and on for eclectic food choices in the North Bay. Whether you have a craving for authentic taqueria-style Mexican food, high-end French fare, macrobiotic food that makes you feel grateful or Indian flavored burritos, the options are aplenty.

Here are some other favorite locales for unique dining. What are yours?

Picco – Innovative California-Italian plates for sharing, in downtown Larkspur.

Avatars – They also have a sister restaurant, Avatars Punjabi Burrito in downtown Mill Valley.

Sol Food – Puerto Rican Cuisine, San Rafael. There’s a reason there’s always a line, and now two locations. As an extra bonus, they’re open late.

Taqueria Mi Pueblo, Novato – Home of the 8+lb, if-you-finish-it-it’s-free Abuelo Macho burrito.

For additional options, check out the Marin Magazine dining guide.

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

For Reason #50, we talked about how the North Bay is a model for sustainable farming and how easily accessible organic food options are. One local, organic food that we love is fresh-shucked oysters. These delicious sea-sweet treats are made abundant along the Pt. Reyes National Seashore in Drakes Bay and Tomales Bay. The extreme tides and cool, brackish waters create an oyster’s paradise; also nutrient-rich, the water produces what are recognized as some of the world’s finest oysters, unique in their mild and creamy flavor.

Drakes Bay Family Farms, Hog Island Oyster Farm (in Marshall, with oyster bars in Napa and San Francisco) and Tomales Bay Oyster Company are three options for satisfying your oyster cravings. These farms offer picnic spaces and shucking tools. All you need to do is pack a side dish or two and your favorite beverage, and you and your loved ones will be ready to enjoy a fresh, local feast.

A visit to one of the local farms, or nearby restaurants, also affords a scenic drive along some of the North Bay’s most picturesque roads, adding to the appeal of the outing. For the scenic route, cruise up Mt. Tam from Mill Valley towards Bolinas and then follow Route 1 to Olema and on to Pt. Reyes; or catch Sir Francis Drake in Greenbrae to head through Fairfax, Woodacre and Lagunitas. On either route, you’ll encounter rolling hills, clear blue waters and happily grazing cows.

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In previous posts, we talked about our wonderful local harvest (Reason #33) and delicious California wines (Reason #48) as reasons why we love living in the North Bay. We truly are spoiled here with the variety, quantity, and quality of the food available to us.

The North Bay is a foodie’s heaven - thanks in great deal to the amazing organic and agricultural communities that have their roots here. The picturesque North Bay landscape is home to over 50 certified organic operations, with many located in the bucolic communities of West Marin such as Pt. Reyes, Marshall and Inverness. Many models for sustainable farming, these innovative local purveyors produce everything from exquisite ice creams to award-winning cheeses to robust olive oils to delicious sea-sweet oysters.

A foodie’s heaven – and a Mecca for those into the organic food movement. In fact, Marin has been called the “hub of the organic movement” and became internationally known as a leader in organic farming when Britain’s Prince Charles visited Pt. Reyes and Bolinas in 2005 to learn about sustainable agriculture. The royal visit was organized by Marin Organic, an association of organic producers that work collaboratively to support agriculture in Marin with the goal of preserving county farmland and creating the first all-organic county in the nation. They have also taken on the battle of how to provide healthy and nutritious lunches to school-aged children by organizing a school lunch program that feeds organic, locally-grown foods to 10,000 students from more than half of Marin’s schools. (For a fascinating, eye-opening piece on eating green, the food movement and Marin Organic, click here.)

Looking for even healthier organic options? Marin offers dozens of ways to satisfy that need, including farmers’ markets, organic food box deliveries, organic grocery stores (Good Earth), and the many restaurants/bakeries/cafes and eateries (Fairfax Scoop – yum!).

For many, organic is not just a label, but a way of life – one that is valued here in the North Bay and enriches our health, lifestyle and economy.

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

After a long tour of homes for sale in Mill Valley I returned to Ross, exhausted. My clients are looking for a ‘deal,’ so my job is to eliminate homes that simply won’t work. If you know of some good deals … (20 Marin View was too much work but an amazing opportunity) … let me know.

The BIG questions are: When is the best time to sell a home in Mill Valley? When is the best time to buy? 

Before I get you to the answers, think back … You may remember early last week, with temperatures hitting 105 in San Rafael … so in the evening it was time to head south from Ross into the fog. Not. Mill Valley was hot, too!

My buddy Michael Whyte, one of the last independent book store owners still alive in the post-Amazon era, with Whyte Booksmith at 615 San Anselmo Avenue, joined me for a Mark Pitta Tuesday night comedy adventure at 142 Throckmorton in Mill Valley.

After a café dinner outside at Small Shed Flatbread, a quaint organic café around the corner from 142 Throckmorton… we shared a wonderful flat bread with figs, prosciutto, caramelized onions and blue cheese and I had an IPA, Michael had a pinot … yummy … the night began … and what a night it was … the 20th anniversary of a young, pranksterish Mark Pitta having been on the Johnny Carson Show …. an evening kicked off by Jackie Kashian, achingly funny female comic … followed by Steven White, intellectually stimulating, thigh slapping ADHD (attention deficit in HD) comic with a bit of history to relate … along with a long list of lusty women on his mind …and then … with the theme song from Mork and Mindy … the night got raunchy with Robin Williams … joined by Mark Pitta … they used a fan to blow the audience … I’ve skipped half of the cast of characters … and even clicked a shot with my cell phone but got busted and promised to delete the photo … so all that’s left is for you is to check out www.markpitta.com … which will guide you to the Throckmorton website. Best show in town. A $20 bargain! Get your tickets and have a blast.

And now the answer on when to buy/sell, a partial answer at any rate (click graphs to enlarge):

With the exception of June, sales of single family homes in Mill Valley average around 20, plus or minus, month in and month out. If you’re selling, hey, do you want to compete with 150 homes or half that many? Timing is the key. And if you’re buying, how does August stack up when compared to December? Pretty obvious.

The graphs are a partial answer because in August of ’09 in San Anselmo, there were 87 homes on the market … and 45 days later (in September) six closed escrow … which differs from what you’d think if you simply look at the graph.

Clearly I want you to call me so that I can straighten out the statistical picture, help you make sense of it and then list your home. As always, www.tomverkozen.com or (415) 257-2039 … and know that I do straight forward sales, short sales and foreclosures as well as auctions (the 20 Marin View was a bank-owned, auction sale house with great potential).

Long and short, you need a guide and I’m thrilled you need me to make sense of this amazing market … a market filled with potential good deals and some great homes for sale. Come on, call!

Posted by:  Tom Verkozen

The North Bay is known for being a food lover’s heaven – with world-class dining options in Marin and Sonoma counties including Michelin star recipients French Laundry in Yountville (the only three-star), Cyrus in Healdsburg, The Restaurant at Meadowood in St. Helena, and Murray Circle in Sausalito, just to name a few of the crème-de-la-crème. The North Bay also offers some of the most amazing scenery in the world – golden rolling hills and mountains, the sparkling bay and priceless San Francisco cityscapes. So it’s no surprise that there are also several dining options that bridge delicious cuisine with one-of-a-kind views. Whether celebrating an anniversary, birthday or milestone, it’s not difficult to find a place that will satisfy all your senses.

Once the site of US army barracks, Cavallo Point at Fort Baker is now a complete resort facility located at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge, offering captivating views of the Bridge, the bay and the San Francisco skyline. The restaurant at Cavallo Point, Murray Circle, also just happens to be one of Northern California’s top dining destinations – and the proud recipient of a Michelin-star rating. The dining room is elegant and inviting with large, paned windows looking out over the water. Outside, there’s porch seating for a more intimate view of the Golden Gate. You can also visit Farley’s Bar at Cavallo Point if you prefer to enjoy just a glass of wine or a cocktail while you drink in the view.

The town of Sausalito has several other restaurants which boast views, just head to Bridgeway for a sampling. Our other Sausalito favorite, however, is Le Garage, which is tucked off the main drag. Serving fabulous French bistro-style fare, Le Garage opens to an outdoor patio which overlooks the harbor. Who knew eating in a garage could be such an appealing experience?

Like Sausalito, Tiburon’s waterfront location serves up stunning vistas. Strolling along Main Street in downtown Tiburon you can choose from Guaymas, Caprice, Servino, and Sam’s Anchor Café, a local institution. Each of these restaurants overlooks Raccoon Straits and beyond to Angel Island and San Francisco.

For a more secluded, rustic feel, visit the Mountain Home Inn atop Mt. Tamalpais. This mountain lodge is described as a “bird’s nest” and boasts a large view deck where you can sit amongst the Redwoods. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and offering full bar service, you can pop in before or after a hike or make a dinner reservation for a quiet romantic evening.

For more fine dining options in the North Bay, check out the San Francisco Chronicle’s annual list of Top 100 Restaurants.

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

The North Bay is a foodie’s heaven. Outstanding restaurants, high-quality grocers, great local growers…and when you are ready to whip up that gourmet, organic, and, of course, yummy meal of your own, where better to go than one of our fabulous farmers markets? Fresh from the oven baked goods, organic fruits and vegetables, delicious cheeses, handmade tamales, fragrant flowers – you name it and you can probably find it at one of our local markets.

The most well-known farmers markets in Marin are the Downtown San Rafael Farmers Market Festival and the Sunday Marin Farmers Market, which is the third largest farmers market in California.

On Thursday night, with five stages, live music, great food, fun vendors and a small town feel in a big town place, the San Rafael Downtown Farmers Market makes for an event you can’t miss. On Sundays, bring the kids down to the Sunday Marin Farmers Market. Grab a cup of coffee while the kids enjoy the clown who makes balloon animals or the bounce house, enjoy a scrumptious crepe and pick up everything you need for dinner – and if you’re still there at lunch time, have a sausage sandwich. All in one convenient spot with the historic and architectural wonder that is Civic Center in the background. You can even check them out on Facebook.

Up north, Sonoma County has a multitude of markets, which should come as no surprise, including a wonderful twice-weekly market in Petaluma and the Santa Rosa Downtown Market.

A round-up of local farmers markets in Marin County:

Tuesdays: Tuesday afternoons are a pleasure with the Novato Farmers Market on tree-lined Grant Avenue adjacent to the renovated City of Novato building. Coming from Southern Marin? Head over to the Tam Valley Farmers Market 

Wednesdays: Visit the Corte Madera Town Center or Fairfax markets.

Thursdays: Head on over to the Ross Valley Farmers market at the blooming Marin Art and Garden Center or one of two San Rafael options: from 8 AM-1 PM, check out the Farmers Market at the Civic Center.Thursday night, looking for some night life? Head to downtown San Rafael for the 21 year old Farmers Market Festival

Fridays: Try out the Mill Valley and Sausalito Farmers Markets

Saturdays: Visit the Marin City Farmers Market at the Gateway Shopping Center or take a scenic drive to Point Reyes and have lunch at the market while listening to the live music – and don’t forget to check out the guest chef of the week.

Sundays: The Civic Center in San Rafael is the place to be.

Farmers markets are quite popular and we are fortunate to have such a bounty of local harvest grown in our area and made so readily available.

Photos taken by Brooke Gray

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The Depot in downtown Mill Valley

Tiburon, Mill Valley, Sausalito, San Anselmo… every town in Marin County has its own distinct “downtown” area offering a unique style and character. But whether it’s funky Fairfax or tony Tiburon, there’s one thing each town shares – if you’re a coffee lover, you won’t go thirsty.

Coffeehouses are a time-honored tradition dating back long before Starbucks made them mainstream. Since the earliest incarnations in 15th century Istanbul, coffeehouses have always been a public gathering place to socialize, share ideas, read, write and entertain or be entertained.

Today, that tradition continues and is embraced fully in Marin as coffeehouses are woven into the characters of our communities. And thanks to the natural beauty and moderate climate we enjoy here, many coffeehouses have outdoor seating. So whether you’re overlooking the bay or sitting in the shadow of Mt. Tam, sit back and enjoy your half-caf, two sugar, extra foam morning cup of joe.

Here are just a few of our favorite local spots. Let us know where you like to go.

Aroma Café (Fourth Street, San Rafael): This café is large and spacious, making it great for getting work done or reading a book. What’s more, they’re open late, and there’s something to be said for that in Marin. Also, check out the walls. They are decorated every two months with new works by local artists.

Depot Bookstore & Café (Downtown Mill Valley): With a great outdoor patio that spills onto Lytton Square, the Depot serves up great people-watching with its coffee. Bring your kids and let them play in the square, enjoy a game of chess, or take a seat in an old gravity car.

Doctor Insomnia’s (Grant Street, Novato): The impressive menu offers everything from blended coffees to smoothies to a variety of loose-leaf teas, but our favorite item on the huge chalkboard is still the freshly baked scuffins (part scone, part muffin, all delicious).

Emporio Rulli (Downtown Larkspur): Rulli is an Italian-style café and bakery with a delicious variety of delectable treats, especially the artisan cookies and Panettone Milanese. An outdoor patio and prime location on Magnolia Avenue make for a great meeting spot.

Fairfax Coffee Roasters (Downtown Fairfax): A great pit stop if you’re heading out for a ride into West Marin. It’s down home, comfy, and you can catch live music here. Also check out the sister shop in San Anselmo.

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

Trail leading to the Tourist Club, photo taken by Jennifer Yin

Tucked away on Mt. Tam and overlooking Muir Woods is The Tourist Club, a beautiful Bavarian-style lodge and the perfect place to stop and relax during a long hike. Upon arriving at the club your senses are transformed and you can imagine yourself on a mountaintop in the Alps, stopping at the local inn, complete with lounge decks, picnic tables, a bar, board games, and stunning views. Of course, there is also a wonderful selection of Bavarian and Belgian brews to quench your thirst. You can grab a pint and take it out on the deck where you’ll be surrounded by amazing scenery and tranquility.

Several hiking trails lead to the club. Our favorite route is to start in downtown Mill Valley and take the Dipsea Trail to the Sun Trail. It’s about 45 minutes uphill, but you’ll be treated to beautiful vistas along the way and you can’t beat the fresh air. The Sun Trail then meanders along the hillside before arriving at the club.

Overlook Deck at the Tourist Club, photo taken by Jennifer Yin

Now, before you throw on your hiking shoes and run out the door, you should know that the Tourist Club is actually a members-only club and the San Francisco branch of the worldwide Nature Friends organization. Founded in 1912 by German and Austrian immigrants, the Tourist Club was built by the founders themselves in the style of the old country and is the result of their desire to create a retreat outside of the City where they could enjoy and appreciate nature. The club still enjoys a communal culture and current members volunteer to staff it and participate in work days to maintain the facilities.

Though it is private, the club is open to the public during certain weekend hours (check their calendar before venturing out), as well as during three special Fests held in May (Maifest), July (Sommerfest) and October (Kinderfest). These Fests honor the clubs Alpine heritage and feature authentic German music, food, beer and dancing. Space is limited, so be sure to arrive early to get tickets, as they are only sold at the door.

The US doesn’t have a backpacking culture the way other parts of the world do, but if it did, the Tourist Club would personify that culture. It’s also just great fun to have a little piece of Bavaria right here on our own mountaintop.

Fest time at the Tourist Club, photo taken by Matthew Hickey	Tourist Club,  photo taken by Peter Butler

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Please humor us: with the Tour de France now taking place and the local cycling events coming up, we couldn’t pass up this second post on cycling. As we mentioned, cycling is a large part of the culture in Marin County and the North Bay. West Marin, in particular, offers cyclists unlimited trails and routes to enjoy. Whether a leisurely ride or something more ambitious, there’s a trail for everyone. One of our favorite routes is to take off from Fairfax and head to Pt. Reyes via Nicasio. You’ll get to take in rolling hills, fresh air and a variety of wildlife along the way. And if you need more of an incentive, go early and hit Bovine Bakery in time for their freshly baked morning buns, a deliciously decadent sticky bun. Their chocolate croissants are also to die for. A favorite hangout amongst cyclists, you’ll have to arrive early to enjoy your treat. And if you’d like a longer ride back to work off your sweets, from Pt. Reyes Station head out along Tomales Bay towards Marshall Wall before circling back home.

What’s your favorite spot for a mid- or post-ride treat? And do you have a favorite route or trail?

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

Photo taken by May Wong

The Bay area is terrific, as it offers a multitude of places you can get away to for a holiday or vacation. Within 3-4 hours you can visit amazing places like Lake Tahoe, Monterey, the Wine Country and Mendocino.

However, this year we decided to stay at home for the Fourth of July and forget all the traffic hassles. After looking around at local things to do we decided to take our vacation at Sam’s Cafe located on the water in Tiburon.

We sometimes forget the fun atmosphere and breathtaking views of Angel Island, Alcatraz, and the San Francisco skyline that are only a few minutes away from our home in Kentfield.

Sam’s has been around since 1920 and has been a local favorite of both people living in Marin and ferry riders from San Francisco. On this day, San Francisco was definitely taking advantage of the Ferry system and our wonderful Marin weather as the outdoor restaurant and bar areas were full of people laughing and celebrating the 4th of July holiday. There seemed to be a lot birthdays happening, too, as we must have sung Happy Birthday to someone on the deck at least three times that weekend.

A little known secret that has caught on is that you can check out the weather and what’s happening on the patio just by going to the Sam’s Cam. Go ahead, try it right now while you are reading this, and you’ll see what’s happening at Sam’s.

The San Francisco Chronicle has even named Sam’s The Bay Area’s Best Outdoor Restaurant. And it has been said that if you stay at Sam’s long enough, you’ll see everyone you’ve ever known there.

Evenings at Sam’s are especially nice to unwind with all your friends and a favorite beverage or two with one of the Bay Areas best sunsets as your backdrop. Then relax to a great dinner, and if you don’t live in magical Marin, you can always take a 30-minute ferry ride back into the city. If you have your own sailboat, even better, you can dock right at the restaurant, and sail into the sunset when you are finished!

Sam’s has a great variety of food for all tastes. This day I sampled the Chicken Pesto sandwich and onion rings, which I can testify are incredibly good and you won’t go home hungry. They have a full bar with just about any kind of libation, beer, or a top-of-the-line wine list, so I’m sure you’ll find your favorite beverage.

They accept dining room reservations, but nothing for the outside deck where all the action is. But, believe me, even on this highly packed day I waited less than a half hour while enjoying the beautiful weather and my favorite drink at the outdoor bar before being seated. The service is terrific, everyone tries to make you feel at home or on vacation, and the experience is a fun one.

So check out the action ….

I am so blessed to live in Marin County!

Posted by:  Rick Smith

Having lived in Kentfield for almost 15 years, we normally go out of town on vacation for the Memorial Day holiday in search of a beautiful place to visit and relax. This year, however, we decided to stay home and forget all the traffic jams and instead enjoy Marin County. Sometimes, when you have lived in one place for a long time, you forget the splendor and beauty of what is in your own backyard.

We decided to spend one day this weekend at Muir Woods to hike, lunch and enjoy the beauty of Marin. The majestic Redwood trees that have been there hundreds of years will probably outlive us all in this protected National Park.

For our hike we decided to trek on the Mt. Tamalpais, taking you along wooden bridges across little creeks and waterfalls. The trailside is graced with white and blue irises and hundreds of ferns. The weather is generally on the cool side throughout most of the year, but this day we didn’t need a jacket to make the climb to the top.

It’s great place to bring a backpack and a picnic lunch to stop and drink in all of the amazing beauty that God has put forth on this land. The hike through the redwoods will rejuvenate your soul and mind, as you take time to understand what nature is all about. This day, we didn’t bring a picnic lunch, but instead were rewarded with lunch at one of my favorite spots, The Mountain Home Inn.

Once you reach the parking lot at the top of the trail, you will find the Mountain Home Inn across the street, which is a small hotel and restaurant. Sometimes there can be a wait, but this day we were greeted promptly and taken to our table on the outside patio, which overlooks the other side of the mountain. Here you can savor sweeping views of Mill Valley, Sausalito, Angel Island, and the skyline of San Francisco. It’s always incredible to think that on one side of the mountain you have majestic views of open space and redwoods, giving you the feeling you are a thousand miles away from civilization, and on the other side you can see the sprawling city by the Bay, where hundreds of thousands of people live and work.

Lunch was outstanding. I had a terrific piece of salmon with a fennel salad and potato cake, all for only $18. Savor this with your favorite libation, and you have a perfect reward to a hike into the wilderness.

Take the time to explore the grounds of the Mountain Home Inn to enjoy the serenity of the scenery down below before returning to your easy trek back down to the parking lot.

Sometimes we forget that we live in one of the most beautiful places in the world: most people are envious and dream of living in such a glorious place as Marin. You just have to wake up and smell the roses, or in this case the redwoods, to remember to celebrate and enjoy your own back yard.

There’s no place like home, there’s no place like Marin County.

Posted by:  Rick Smith

There are a number of incredible gourmet-style food markets in Marin County. Off the top of my head I can rattle off Andronico’s, Paradise Market, Whole Foods, Good Earth, Mill Valley Market, United Market…not to mention the more usual staples like Safeway, Lucky and Albertson’s. But none of them really cater to our growing Latino community. Nor do they cater to Marinites who are looking for more diverse textures and flavors. One new market has sprung up – Mi Pueblo Food Center at 333 Bellam in San Rafael. 333 Bellam is where the old Circuit City store was located, so this is a huge building. And Mi Pueblo is unlike any other grocery store in the area.

We had some guests over to the house last weekend and my wife wanted to serve Mexican food, so we took a ride to Mi Pueblo. This was my first experience shopping there. The first thing that hits you when you walk in is the size of the building. Think of a really large Safeway and you’ll get it. Next is the cleanliness. Bright lights reflect on the sparkling glass and spotless floor. The best part of shopping at Mi Pueblo is the friendliness of the staff. Everybody is extremely personable and helpful, especially to those of us who don’t look accustomed to shopping in a Mexican market.

From the meat counter we ordered three pounds of pork and three pounds of chicken al pastor. The meat is prepared and marinated so it is extremely easy to fix. We bought freshly made warm tortillas in addition to a collection of different salsas, sauces, beans, rice and all the fixings for a great Mexican meal. Behind the meat counter there are long links of an array of different types of sausage. Additionally, the prepared food section is incredible. And better yet, the produce, bread and meats are all extremely fresh. You can view photos of all the departments here.

Take a ride down to Mi Pueblo for a different food shopping experience!

Mi Pueblo Food Center is a widely popular store, with 18 locations throughout the Bay Area. For more information, including Weekly Specials, visit: www.mipueblofoods.com

Posted by:Mark Machado

These days, most families need to watch their budget when it comes to eating out. My family is certainly one of those. We don’t eat out often, maybe once a week, and generally we will go to a restaurant that has great value and great food. One of our favorites is CREPEVINE, located at 908 Fourth Street, in downtown San Rafael. 

CREPEVINE is a casual restaurant where one orders at the counter and the wait person delivers the food to your table. Yes, they specialize in crepes, savory and sweet, but they do many other dishes and they do them well. The menu has a Mediterranean flair with healthy and flavorful choices. 

Our favorites include the EL PASO. The EL PASO is sautéed corned beef hash with bell peppers and onions served over potatoes with melted cheddar and topped with two eggs and a side of toast. If you’re ordering on your own, you can get a “to go” box beforehand because the portions are sizable. Better yet, share it – believe me, it’s enough.  At $9.95 you can feed two people!

Another favorite is the CANCUN salad. The CANCUN is romaine lettuce, corn, black beans and red onions tossed with chipotle vinaigrette, served on a flour tortilla and topped with a charbroiled chicken breast. Again, it’s definitely a shared item. As a family of four (two adults, a 16 year old and 10 year old) we can have a nice meal out for $30.00 to $40.00, depending on what we’ve ordered. It is more expensive, of course, if you enjoy beer or wine with your meal.

CREPEVINE also does sandwiches, pastas, scrambles, omelets, pancakes and French toast and a kids’ menu is available. Breakfast is served all day – so breakfast for dinner is always a treat for the kids. The food is fresh, tasty and reasonable. Next time you’re out and about in San Rafael, try CREPEVINE!  You won’t be sorry.

Find locations and the complete menu on their website: crepevine.com.

Posted by:Mark Machado

One of the great features of living in the San Francisco Bay Area is easy access to a wide variety of cuisines. Name it and you can get great quality somewhere close by. A couple of weeks ago, I took my family to a restaurant called Betelnut in San Francisco. Betelnut is located on Union Street in the Cow Hollow district.

The reservation was for 4 at 7 p.m., Saturday night.. We left our house in Central San Rafael and arrived in the “City” within a half hour. Union Street has a number of clothing boutiques and trendy stores; it was easy to kill 30 minutes by doing a little shopping. When we arrived at the restaurant the place was bustling. The bar was full of singles eating and drinking. The first thing you notice is the rich red textured walls and the dark wood stained beams, the feeling of being in the eclectic Shanghai of the mid 1930’s.

We were escorted to our table in the back; on the way we passed a large number of couples eating, drinking and enjoying. This is a great spot for a date! Loud, fun, and energetic with great food!

We started out with the lettuce cups and the chilli crusted calamari. My kid’s favorites are the “Jiao tze” dumplings and the “Little dragon” dumplings. The Jiao tze is covered in chili vinegar. If hot ain’t your thing, don’t order them! But they are delicious. My favorite is the oven smoked sea bass. The fish has a delightful sweet smoky flavor highlighted by a ginger-cucumber sauce. Linda, my wife, loves the Szechuan green beans. These are stir-fried in garlic and chili oil. Again, flavorful but spicy. The green beans and a cold draft beer are the perfect combination. I could’ve done without the grilled lemongrass beef with rice noodles; the rice noodles are not very flavorful.

All in all, a great food experience! Try the Mao Jito; it’s tasty and packs a punch. You can’t go wrong living in the Bay Area!

Posted by:Mark Machado

I’m thrilled it is in my neck of the woods in San Anselmo and it is jumping! Marinita’s has been open now for five weeks and is jam packed every night! This is Heidi Krahling’s new baby and it just what Marinites love… warm and wonderful decor… high energy and the feeling you’ve been transported somewhere else. It could be a balmy summer night in Havana with tropical, clubby energy permeating the space… and spilling onto the sidewalk (can’t wait until summer!) or maybe even Greenich Village… or Mexico… where do you want to be?

People were three deep at the bar… a certain edgy excitement in the air… attentive, engaging service (charming co-owner Pat Coll)… small plates, great food. Both times I’ve run into at least 10 people I know. Sounds like the place to celebrate! Hopefully, fickle Marin diners will make this a lasting recession-proof mainstay. I want it around for a long time in my backyard.

See for yourself… visit Marinita’s on San Anselmo avenue – you know, where Ted’s used to be and then it morfed into Eat for a while there. Heidi told me “We call this the fun house. You feel like you’re someplace else” When you’re at Marinita’s, there is no recession. Treat yourself to some fun! And, make a reservation.

Posted By: Patti Cohn