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

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