Photo courtesy of Left Bank Brasserie

It's that time of year again -- Beaujolais Nouveau, the “first wine” of the harvest season is being fêted at Larkspur's Left Bank Brasserie November 20.  The celebration features Georges Dubœuf, Beaujolais-Villages, Nouveau, 2014 ($9.00 per glass, $27.00 per carafe, $36.00 per bottle), plus a celebratory $46.00 three-course prix fixe menu available for lunch and dinner in addition to the restaurant's regular à la carte offerings. The prix fixe price excludes beverage, tax, and gratuity and each course can also be served à la carte. The menu, with al la cart pricing as well is:

Appetizer

Terrine de jambon persillée, céleri-rave a la graine de moutarde

et croûtons à l'ail $12.00

herbed ham terrine, whole grain mustard, celery root salad, garlic crouton

or

Quenelle de poisson sauce Nantua $15.75

traditional baked fish dumpling, crayfish sauce

Main Course

Le bœuf Bourguignon $26.00

24 hour Beaujolais marinated beef stew with aromatic vegetables,

bacon, pearl onions, and mushrooms

Dessert

La tarte amandine aux poires et cassis, crème a la pistache $8.00

Burgundy style pear and huckleberry almond tart,

pistachio whipped créme fraîche

Left Bank Brasserie Larkspur

507 Magnolia Avenue

Larkspur, CA 94939

(415) 927-3331

www.LeftBank.com

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Best Kept Lil Secret

Did you know the Best Lil' Pork House in Corte Madera now has brunch on weekends? One day running morning errands I saw a big sign announcing brunch from the freeway and thought that "I've got to try this!". Turning around swiftly at the next exit, I headed back. 

I popped in the entrance and the friendly staff seated me right away and noticed that even in the morning there are trays of popcorn and peanuts waiting on all the tables. There are new pool tables in the bar area.

I chose the ham and eggs that day which is basically scrambled eggs with chopped ham and cheddar cheese accompanied by potatoes, fruit and well-buttered thick Texas toast ($11.95). The eggs tasted real (as opposed to hotel free breakfast eggs I've been having lately) and I was satisfied with this weekend morning comfort food. The service was prompt, the place was clean and the staff checked in with me at appropriate intervals. All in all it was a great start to my day.

There are now three locations, the original San Rafael, the Corte Madera, and later this month Alameda. The Corte Madera location is the only one serving brunch at this time.

Best Lil' Pork House
60 Madera Blvd.
Corte Madera, CA 94925
(415)927-RIBS

2042 4th Street
San Rafael, CA 94901
(415) 457-7675

523 S Shore Center West
Alameda, CA 94501

www.bestlilporkhouse.com

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Caviar & Champagne!

Sausalito's California Caviar Company will host a caviar and champagne tasting as part of the Sausalito Woman's Club Preservation Society (SWCPS) Harvest Festival from 3 to 7 p.m., Saturday September 27, 2014.  Guests will mingle around the communal table while SWCPS is pouring the champagne to complement the Caviar tasting at the same time as experts talk about the nuances and contrasting flavors of caviar. Among the caviars California Caviar Company offers is the highly coveted Premium Black Caviar, and their signature caviars include those that are infused with bacon, Bourbon, truffle and saffron.  

There is a choice of tastings:

$25 – Silver Tasting – One glass of MUMM Sparkling Wine and 3 tastes of caviar with the works (2 Signature caviars and 1 Premium Black Caviar)

$35 – Gold Tasting - One glass of MUMM Sparkling Wine and 3 tastes of caviar with the works (1 Signature caviars and 2 Premium Black Caviars)

There are limited seatings at different times to ensure the best experience for all.  For more information and to purchase tasting tickets, click this link:

 http://swcpsharvestfestival.weebly.com/tickets.html.

You can also purchase caviar for delivery at the event at the date you choose (think holiday parties).

The event is a fundraiser and general admission is $40.  Other local artisan food, beverage and wine purveyors will also be there. Enjoy meeting them while enjoying works of local artists and live music with jazz artist, Francesca Lee.

The event will be held at 120 Central Avenue in Sausalito.  Go to hswcpsharvestfestival.weebly.com for more information about the SWCPS Harvest Festival.

Find out more about California Caviar at www.californiacaviar.com.

Left Bank Larspur Celebrates 20

It all began in Larkspur 20 years ago with the original Left Bank.  It has grown to be a family of three restaurants in the San Francisco Bay area headed up by Propriétaire and CEO Ed Levine and Chief Culinary Officer Roland Passot.

From September 18 through 27 the celebration will showcase on the dinner menu classic from-the-past items: La Quenelle Lyonnaise with scallop and salmon mousse and a saffron cream sauce; La Tarte Lyonnaise (in the style of Chef Passot’s hometown), a leek and onion tart with applewood smoked bacon; La Bouillabaisse, a fragrant seafood stew from Marseille served with rouille croutons; and Coq au Vin, chicken stewed with red wine, pearl onions, lardons and mushrooms.

Many alumni who have taken a turn at the Left Bank are now names in the industry. A press release notes, "On the occasion of this milestone anniversary, Levine and Passot note with great pride the number of culinary luminaries who have able to propel their careers thought their association over the years with Left Bank. These include Richard Reddington, Proprietor, Redd and Reddwood; Shelly Lindgren co-founder, A-16 and SPQR; Todd Kniess, Bistro Liaison; Ralph Hershom, formerly Beverage Director with La Cirque and now at Ralph’s Wine and Spirits in Rye, NY; Erik Romme, Executive Chef Menlo Grill at the Stanford Park Hotel; Erik Oberholtzer, founder Tender Greens; Sean Canavan, Regional Chef Tender Greens; Michel Tersiguel, owner and Executive Chef of Tersiguel’s in Ellicott City, Maryland; Jim Vandercook, CEO of Eddie V’s; and Mario Vega, Managing Partner, Eddie V’s Restaurants, Inc. Levine adds, "I vividly remember the day in 1994 when the New York Times' Bryan Miller heralded the restaurant and then Focus Magazine ranked us the top North Bay new dining spot, ahead of French Laundry. Later that same year we were featured in Gourmet Magazine.""

Currently Chef de Cuisine Fabrice Marcon is responsible for the menu, with emphasis on seasonal, often locally sourced organic ingredients.  

The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday through Thursdan from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday brunch at 11 a.m.

Left Bank Larkspur
507 Magnolia Ave.
Larkspur, CA 94939
(415) 927-3331
www.leftbank.com/home_larkspur

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Bio- a little French twist in Sausalito

Bio started in San Francisco, and now its Sausalito location is not only open, but beckons with French hospitality.  The window denotes that its menu has an emphasis on crepes, and it is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Enjoy watching a French television channel while waiting for your order.  Bio is owned and run by Sylvie Krawec, who will greet you, seat you and do all the tasks, including cooking to bring you a meal which is local, organic, and with many gluten free options.

Sylvie is originally from Madagascar, although it's been 25 years since she's been there.  There has been a chalkboard sign outside touting the "Best Coffee from Madagascar" (usually $2, special price $1).  And it is really smooth, rich and delicious.

I think this is the only place in Marin to serve galettes, a buckwheat crepe that is gluten-free. The restaurant is also potato-free according to Sylvie.  The Galette with vegetable of the day ($14) has a choice of filling featuring chicken, jambon de Paris, duck confit or smoked salmon.  I chose the jambon de Paris.

I cut open the galette to find the filling also included a white cheese. The dish was accompanied by the vegetable of the day, a mix of finely sliced summer squash and red peppers which was sauteed in a little olive oil and herbs.

I also tried the "Natural Organic Berry Purée" ($4) which was made of organic strawberries the morning I visited.

I enjoyed the food, beautiful decor, and not to mention the French TV so much I had to return for a second visit the next day.  I changed it up by ordering a Bio  Croque-Monsieur ($8) with vegetable of the day. That day's vegetable was a ratatouille freaturing very finely sliced vegetables. Summer squash, zucchini, onions and I think eggplant that made a nice addition to the sandwich.  The surprise was that the sandwich base is a gluten-free thick slice of brioche, topped with ham, cheese and Béchamel sauce.

Bio is relaxing, inviting and the food is good too.

Bio

2633 Bridgeway

Sausalito, CA 94965

(415) 324-7080

www.biologiquesf.com

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BBQ n Curry House

Sausalito has its own Halal Indian & Pakistani restaurant in Marin City, the BBQ N Curry House.   Shahid and Sana Saracha have poured their hearts into making their offerings with care and giving friendly service.  Besides being Halal, where the animals are killed humanely, the dishes are prepared with whole herbs and spices for the most part, which means you get all the flavor, without stomach upset.  

The yogurt used in the mango lassi ($1.99), and other dishes, is house made and it tastes exceptionally fresh. 

The samosa ($3.99) was served piping hot and was crisp on the outside, tender on the inside.

This special dish - Aloo Keema ($12.99), roasted potatoes simmered with ground beef, onions, tomatoes, garlic, green peppers, ginger and special spices will get you hooked.  It is a very simple dish but elevated by the ginger and 'special spices'.  Half of this came home with me and shared with a friend that had dropped by, who kept making 'mmm.. mmm' noises as he polished it off.

This garlic cheese naan ($1.99) was addictive, and garlic was very much in evidence.

This plain naan ($1.50) was hot, buttery and had a delicious blistery quality.

Another tasty special is the Chicken Jalfarzi ($12.99)- tender morsels of  boneless white chicken pieces in a thick stew with red peppers, onions, tomatoes, garlic and special spices.  I've ordered this dish several times and it it consistently flavorful.

My friend enjoyed the fish biryani ($12.99), which he kept praising for several days after the meal.   

 The fragrant basmati rice ($2)  was the perfect foil for the other dishes as well.

The service was great and the owners were friendly.  If you want to catch a plate here soon, you'll need to show up before Shahid and Sana take a vacation from September 25 to October 13, reopening October 14, 2014.

BBQ n Curry House
160H Donahue St.
Sausalito, CA 94965

(415)289-0786
www.bbqncurryhouse.com

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Fleeting Hatch Chiles

Are Hatch Chiles on your radar?  

These beauties are only in season a few weeks each summer, and still available for a couple weeks at our bay area Mollie Stone's Markets. Hatch Chiles are only grown in the Mesilla Valley of New Mexico, and its season is in August and September.

I got my hands on some fresh ones and took them to a friend's house for a birthday barbecue.  First I split them so that the flat side would rest well on the grill.

Then these prepped chiles got a quick bath in a fresh lemon and olive oil mixture I whisked together.

With the oil marinade, it's not surprising that these flamed up a bit on the grill.

Nicely grilled, the Hatch Chiles made a nice addition to the summer's bounty of grilled vegetables.

There are other ways to preserve the experience year round, with dried Hatch Chiles, Hatch Chili powder and a peppy Hatch Salsa. Melissa's makes the Hatch Chile powder and the Hatch Salsa.  Melissa's also provides fresh Hatch Chiles by the case to Mollie Stone's. A Hatch Chile cookbook is available for sale at Mollie's as well, with 176 pages of Hatch Chile inspiration.

The Hatch Chiles I bought were pretty mild with only a slight kick.  The Hatch Salsa was a little spicier.

I brought the salsa to the birthday barbecue as well.  My friends gave it a thumbs up and it disappeared fast. Mollie Stone's is celebrating the season not only with roasts at it's various San Francisco bay area locations, but its delis and bakeries are including it in some seasonal dishes, such as twice baked potatoes with Hatch Chiles, a Hatch Chile corn bread, and I even saw a Hatch Chile Relleno Casserole in its Sausalito store. Celebrate the Hatch Chiles as part of the fleeting fall season. And if you need another reason, a medium-sized fresh Hatch Chile has as much vitamin C as six oranges!

Former Mill Valley Champagne Space to Morph

Enjoy Mill Valley blog reports that the former space of Champagne in Mill Valley is the intended home of a new modern Mexican restaurant "Playa".  Karen Goldberg, owner of Mill Valley's TamalPie has big plans for it.  Read more at Enjoy Mill Valley.

Off the path for breakfast

Anchorage 5 Restaurant is a favorite locals hang out in Sausalito. Located a few blocks off Bridgeway across from the Heath Ceramics outlet, it is not far from the harbor and quite a few boaters and live-aboards enjoy breakfast or lunch here. I'm posting from a couple of recent trips here.

The French Toast Sandwich ($10.95), is really a deconstructed one with the ingredients (French toast, one egg and three pieces of bacon) plated attractively. There is cinnamon added to the batter which gives it interest, as well as the maple syrup served on the side.

The "Sailor" ($11.95) has a hamburger patty, two eggs, grilled mushrooms and onions piled on rye toast with a topping of cheddar cheese.  This is definitely filling and indicated for those who need the calories to row the boat.

Service is efficient and cheerful, and if you want to catch the more laid-back local vibe, you won't go wrong with a breakfast or lunch at Anchorage 5 Restaurant.

Anchorage 5 Restaurant

475 Gate 5 Road

Sausalito, CA 94965

(415) 331-8329

Previously reviewed:

February 3, 2009

March 2, 2008

October 17, 2007

Find address/phone number/directions on Anna's Map.

Loco for Mole

Hungry after a work out at 24 HR Fitness at Marin Country Mart in Larkspur, I paid the neighboring El Huarache Loco a visit for lunch.

All the offerings are neatly listed on adjacent blackboards. I chose the Mole "El Huarache Loco" ($10). It is described as "Veronica's recipe for chicken mole comes from her family's restaurant in Mexico City". Veronica is the owner and started this in La Cocina in San Francisco, a nonprofit food business incubator. El Huarache Loco is one of its success stories.

The mole was deep, rich and very satisfying. I detected hints of dark chocolate. It was accompanied by rice and creamy beans as well as tortillas. The service was prompt despite a hungry throng in the restaurant.

El Huarache Loco

1803 Larkspur Landing Cir.

Larkspur, CA 94939

(415) 925-1403

huaracheloco.com

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Devoto Orchards Cider

Stan and Jolie Devoto Photo credit: Devoto Orchards

Next county north of Marin is the place where Stan and Susan Devoto started their 20-acre farm in 1976 with a diversity of crops, including more than 50 varieties of heirloom apples.  Grown on the Goldridge soil of Sonoma county, 6,500 apple trees form the basis of Devoto Orchards Cider, and new brand, Golden State cider. Currently, Devoto Orchards Cider is owned and operated by Jolie Devoto and Hunter Wade.

The semi-dry Devoto Orchards Cider is pressed and fermented in stainless steel to preserve its bright acidity of the fruit and the aromas. There are several opportunities in August to taste and enjoy hard ciders sourced from the Devoto's organic and heirloom apples, as well as meet the owners.

August 23: 3:15 to 6:15 p.m. on a 150-foot yacht during Seven Stills first annual "I'm on a Boat" event. There will be 29 breweries and catered bites for 370 guests on a 3-hour tour while also listening to DJ curated tunes.  Devoto will pour with sister cidery, Golden State Cider.  Tickets are $100 for General Admission and $200 for the VIP Whiskey Lounge. Purchase tickets here.

Photo credit: Devoto Orchards

Devoto Orchards will also be participating in the Taste of Petaluma same day, 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. August 23.  Devoto will be pouring alongside 40 participating restaurants and breweries. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased here.

August 24: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Santa Rosa's Farm to Fermentation Festival.  Devoto will participate in the cider and cheese pairing activities and libations lounge.  The event is at the Santa Rosa Finley Community Center.  Buy tickets here.

August 27: Golden State Cider, Devoto's sister brand, will debut with a public party start at 4 p.m. at the Southside Spirit House in San Francisco.

For more information about Devoto Orchards ciders, please visit www.devotocider.com or call 707-861-0595.   

There is a real Mary

Mary's Place in Novato highlights it's crepes as a speciality, the large sign at the top of the building reading "Mary's Place Crepes". Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner it is a versatile and friendly place with a real Mary who serves and oversees to be sure you have a good experience.  Although she didn't serve me this visit, I could see her watchful eye over my service and hot food coming out.  The house was not full, yet there were quite a few parties and it seemed that staff was on its game.

Crepes called to me that morning, so I had a breakfast crepe with home fries.

The crepe was dubbed "The Favorite" ($9.95).  It even looks better when you see the tasty filling. It contains sausage, mushrooms, spinach, scrambled eggs and Swiss cheese.  The home fries were dressed up with fresh and crisp chopped green onions. I enjoyed my meal and the thoughtful refills of my ice tea as I started my day with a fragrant and delicious treat. 

Mary's Place

819 Grant Ave 

Novato, CA 94945‎

(415) 897-9761

Previously reviewed:

August 4, 2007

December 5, 2009

Find address/phone number/directions on Anna's Map.

Chinese Valentine's Day

Photo credit:Vanessa Karlsson 

Do you know about Chinese Valentine's Day?  It is August 2, and Fang Restaurant in San Francisco is celebrating with a special one night only dish for romantics. Chef Kathy Fang is cooking up Heart-Warming Spicy Beef Noodle Soup for Two ($15).  The noodle dish features a rich, flavorful broth made from beef bones, short rib, aromatics, and peppercorns, and is served with rice noodles and succulent pork wontons. Couples who order the special dish to share will also receive two sets of beautiful, satin-wrapped chopsticks which symbolize romantic love and are often gifted to newlyweds in the Chinese culture to encourage fertility. 

The background to this day is a love story between the Weaver girl (symbolizing Vega) and the Cowherd (symbolizing Altair).  They were in love but because their love was not allowed, they were banished to opposite sides of the Silver River (Milky Way), but once a year, on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month, a flock of magpies form a bridge to reunite the lovers for one day. Thus a pair of magpies came to symbolize marital happiness and faithfulness. Currently in urban China people take the opportunity to buy flowers, especially blue roses symbolizing hopeful love as well as chocolates to gift their sweethearts.

Chef Kathy Fang is the daughter of Peter Fang, chef/owner of the famed House of Nanking. Growing up in House of Nanking's kitchen, Kathy found her passion for cooking and received her formal training at  Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School.  Blending her schooling, Cantonese heritage and cooking style with her own native San Franciscan perspective, as well as her global travels she has created a menu with equal parts tradition and inspiration.

Fang Restaurant

660 Howard St.

San Francisco, CA 94105

(415) 777-8580

www.fangrestaurant.com

https://www.facebook.com/FangRestaurant

Mill Valley's Toast to Close; Kitchen Sunnyside to follow

Enjoy Mill Valley blog reports that Mill Valley's "Toast" to close September 1 and Sausalito's Fred's Cafe owner, Steven Choi will open "Kitchen Sunnyside" after renovations later in Fall 2014. 

Vive la revolution!

Bastille Day cometh!  Whether you are French or not  have fun celebrating the French Revolution and the storming of the Bastille. On the day, July 14, Left Bank Brasserie in Larkspur will be celebrating in style with staff dressed in Moulin Rouge garb, as well as decorations in same theme, plus live music, and caricature artist Jon Casey will be available to sketch guests from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.  Live music will be provided by Orgue de Barbarie musician Michel Michelis who will play from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Besides the regular menu, celebratory al la carte menu specials will be served.  Selected menu items include smoked pistachio sausage wrapped in brioche dough with lamb’s lettuce salad and truffle sauce; herb rubbed Provençal roasted rack of pork with porcini sauce, green beans and baked potatoes; and Provençal fish stew with branzino, local snapper, mussels, clams and prawns served with garlic toasts and spicy aioli.

Left Bank Brasserie Larkspur 

507 Magnolia Avenue

Larkspur, CA 

(415) 927-3331 

www.LeftBank.com

Previously reviewed:

November 9, 2009

January 15, 2007

Get directions on Anna's Map.

Point Reyes Farmers Market Opens June 28

Joanne Weir making gazpacho photo credit: Mary Olsen

The popular Point Reyes Farmers Market opens June 28, 2014 with the opening bell and a toast at 9 a.m.

Caterer Missy Will brings on the appetizers for summer with her quick and easy recipes, among the items will be a strawberry treat wtih Pt. Reyes Blue Cheese and Molly Meyerson's Little Wing Farm strawberry.  She'll also make a BBQ shrimp dish paired with Wild Blue Farm's fresh basil.

Jack Corwin, farmer of Wild Blue Farm, sells organic produc photo credit: Mary Olsen

In the heart of the village, Toby's Feed barn will feature bluegrass tunes played by The Fog Belters.  In the KIDZONE Mrs. Grossman's stickers and new books will be distributed, with bilingual storytelling by Elivira de Santiago all morning with organic popcorn snacks.

Joining Golden Brown and Delicious (grilled cheese sandwiches) will be Donna's Tamales, a new hot food vendor.

Point Reyes Farmers Market is open every Saturday throurgh October from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Toby's Feed Barn, Hwy One in Point Reyes Station.

Bio is Coming to Sausalito

I spied a notice on the former El Patio location on Bridgeway in Sausalito.  The former Crêpe o Chocolat in San Francisco transformed into Bio, a French cafe in 2012.  Now Bio is opening a new outpost in Sausalito, and according to its website the new location will be open July 1, 2014.  Bio offers a gluten free menu with organic vegan and vegetarian options.  Lunch items include baguette sandwiches, soup and salads ranging from $5 to $8 at its San Francisco cafe.  Ooh la la!

Bio Sausalito

2633 Bridgeway

Sausalito, CA 94965

www.biologiquesf.com

LittleCo To Go

Sausalito's Friday night Jazz & Blues by the Bay is back and we have all summer to enjoy it.  Getting to Friday is an achievement, and getting out to a Friday night activity is some more effort. Sausalito's Copita Tequileria y Comida is making the effort way less stressful with its "LittleCo To Go" offerings that are just perfect for enjoying while kicking back and listening to the band.

For this summer, Copita has added some small plates and Mocktails for two to its already popular taco take out choices. From $5-10, the small plates include things such as salads, ceviches, and antojitos. The Cherry Margarita cocktail looks refreshing, and the El Diablo with cassis, ginger beer, fresh lime juice and ice look like an eye-opener.

Copita Tequileria y Comida

739 Bridgeway

Sausalito, CA 94965

(415) 331-7400

www.copitarestaurant.com