Our subjective menu meditation
Summertime is almost over here in Marin, which can only mean one thing—beach bodies are out, and eating for the holidays is in!
Sure, it may only be September, but fall and winter are creeping up closer on that calendar than anyone would expect. So, why wait for Thanksgiving when the best time to enjoy local food and those who make it is in the here and now?
With the fast-approaching chilly days of autumn just ahead, the only thing on this foodie’s mind is sweater weather and tucking into a big bowl of chili or clam chowder with a slice of bread.
Oh, and maybe adding a nice bottle of wine on the side wouldn’t hurt. Something bold and red with some spiced notes at the end. Or a crisp honey mead bursting with floral flavors reflecting last season’s flowers? It sounds like the bee’s knees, especially when paired with local, creamy brie cheese. And, as food writer M.F.K. Fisher said, one should consider the oyster…more like a dozen Tomales Bay oysters served on the half shell with a nice shallot vinaigrette.
But there’s no reason to stop there, especially when Marin County is chock full of locally farmed, fermented, baked, butchered, cooked and otherwise delicious bites and sips to savor throughout the season ahead.
Here are some hidden gems and obvious choices listed together to make eating well and locally a piece of cake.
Restaurants
Il Davide will carry locals through the fall and winter with the best selection of Italian food one could hope to find (unless one has connections to an Italian grandmother). But if there’s no nonna at home making ravioli from scratch with her house-grown and made San Marzano sauce…well, it may be best to make a reservation at Il Davide. For pasta and more, visit ildavide.net or 901 A St. in San Rafael.
Hog Island Oyster Co. is the place to go for all those who wish to get mighty selfish with local, delicious shellfish. Whether one wants to eat oysters out on the bay or take them home, Hog Island has it covered. Visit hogislandoysters.com or come visit in person any day of the week at 20215 Shoreline Hwy. in Marshall.
The Marshall Store’s waterfront view of Tomales Bay and their selection of oysters, raw and cooked, are almost too good for words. Add in the garlic bread and beverage selection, and it’s surprising that guests don’t have to be pried off their chairs like mussels are pulled off rocks. To grab a seat before others get the chance, visit themarshallstore.com or 19225 CA-1 in Marshall.
Sushi Ran is considered among the OG great eateries here in Marin. Though most locals know well the deliciousness served up at this establishment, so much so that including it feels redundant, leaving it off this list would be wrong. So, you know where to go: sushiran.com or straight out to 107 Caledonia St. in Sausalito.
Corner Bar in Mill Valley is a relatively new inclusion to the restaurant scene here in Marin, and it has some stellar bites. Those who suffer from seasonal depression and are seeking something to brighten up the months ahead, look no further than Corner Bar’s deep-fried duck wings for a guaranteed dopamine fix. For information on Corner Bar’s duck wings (and the rest of the menu, including drinks), visit cornerbarmv.com or 106 Throckmorton Ave. in Mill Valley.
Menya Shono has all the authentic, hot bowls of ramen one needs to get through the biting cold of coastal Marin’s fall and winter months. If noodles, broth and flavor sound appealing, this place won’t disappoint. For those who have never been to Menya Shono…oh no…fix this terrible mistake by visiting 908 4th St. in San Rafael.
Beverages
California Gold Bar in San Rafael provides impeccable cocktails, service, ambiance and some truly unique craft beers, and good all-around vibes and cheer. There’s even a fantastic non-alcoholic cocktail menu that’ll knock one’s sober socks off! Visit californiagoldbar.com or try a cocktail in person any day of the week at 848 B St., San Rafael.
Heidrun is a honey meadery out in Point Reyes that is abuzz with visitors every season of the year. With a rotating selection of wines based on seasonality (and the whims of the bees, probably), visiting Heidrun often is a good idea. After all, this fall, they could carry one’s new favorite bubbly. Visit heidrunmeadery.com or 11925 CA-1 in Point Reyes Station.
Mantra Wines caters to those who like live music, lively company, or just the ambiance and space to sit alone and muse to themselves. Whether those musings are existential or pleasant (or pleasantly existential), Mantra welcomes it all. And the assyrtiko pairs very well with both birthdays and identity crises! Visit mantrawines.com or come to 881 Grant Ave. and enjoy some wine in downtown Novato’s own Mantra.
Marin Kombucha is a local organic company with some genuinely great-tasting fermented craft tea. The pinot sage-flavored kombucha is something special, though the original oak and blood orange cardamom ones are just as good. Visit the website at marinkombucha.com or, for non-squeamish and curious readers, just look up the word “scoby.”
Ingredients, Bites & Misc.
Mill Valley Pasta Co. understands that pasta is a universal language of love. This is especially true of local, organic, small-batch artisanal pasta with all the sauces and accouterments. To learn more and order enough pasta for the cold months ahead, visit the Mill Valley Pasta Co. website at millvalleypasta.com.
Rustic Bakery has bread, which is reason enough to frequent this eatery throughout the cold months. If, for some reason, bread isn’t enough, Rustic Bakery also offers coffee, tea, pastries, sandwiches and all sorts of tasty delights. To view the selection and many local Rustic Bakery locations, visit rusticbakery.com.
The Marin French Cheese Co. is a well-aged institution here in Marin that has been slinging cheese since the 1860s. It may be cheesy to say, but don’t say “goudabye” to the fall without taking a trip out to 7510 Pt. Reyes-Petaluma Rd. in Novato.
Wild West Ferments (and The Culture Shop, by extension) is the best place to pick up various specialty fermented items. Whether one needs a jar of perfectly crunchy sauerkraut for a schnitzel dish, cured meats, cheese or even some hot chili sauce to adorn that cup of ramen, Wild West Ferments has it covered. Learn more by visiting wildwestferments.com or 80 4th St. in Point Reyes.
