Stopped by for Nee Year Eve dinner. We were lucky to get a table, because the night it's booked…read more We started out with bread and butter. And a bottle of Chardonnay by II Fornaio. The Chardonnay is flavorful and crisps. We had fried calamari as appetizers, it was very delicious, the calamari is fresh. I had the parmesan chicken with spaghetti. The chicken was well seasoned, pairs well with the spaghetti. The seafood dish is delicious as well, all the ingredients are very fresh. The service is great, they are on top of everything. Our Server is excellent. The place is well decorated with Christmas/ New Year.

A big letdown! We went for Mother's Day and had a waiter who rushed us to order, had such a heavy…read moreaccent I could hardly understand him, he brought me the wrong varietal and then said that I didn't order what I said I did. We had Crostini with a roasted tomato spread, and some olives, it was very underwhelming. The olives had pits in them; they were not a spread. The roasted tomatoes in olive oil were flavorless. I thought the olives would be like a tapenade to spread on the bread. We both had pear salads, which sounded wonderful, but I thought the pears would be thinly sliced perhaps crisp Asian pears, but, they were cooked with a sweet sauce and soft, and then serve served with very sweet red grapes and a sweet pomegranate dressing and sweet candied pecans, even though it was on a bed of Frisse, the salad was too sweet. It was served with a couple little tiny pieces of Gorgonzola cheese that was so soft that I couldn't divide it up to eat it with the rest of the salad, that would've been a better spread for the bread! I had grilled mixed seafood misto that had been fried very lightly.. The swordfish was overcooked and dry and flavorless.. The shrimp and scallops were cooked fine. The salmon was a tiny little piece with a lot of fat streaks in it. The wedges of Yukon gold potatoes were roasted, but were drenched with olive oil. I could only eat the scallops and shrimp. The carrots were so al dente when my husband went to cut them they slid off his plate, I had to nibble on them by hand by the green tips. For dessert, my husband ordered spumoni which was sliced ice cream and very thin slices. Kind of like a bombe. The flavor was really great, but there really wasn't enough to share. I was very disappointed with the food quality and for the price of the wine-- it was marginal. It may have been better it I was served the wine that I ordered. All of this for $200 before tip. Not worth the price. The music was loud, it was set for the staff, I think, not older patrons and families--the ambience just wasn't nice or calm or celebratory for mothers. No special flower was handed out, not a dessert, not a glass of wine, not anything special for Mom. Oh yes, my husband's "special" fillet of sole was dry and was served on the skin. Not good. I was just so disappointed, it was supposed to have been the highlight of my day since my son lives far away, it wasn't.

We had super quick service when we came in for lunch and loved how they attended to the tables so…read moreour glasses of water were never empty throughout our lunch. My partner and I shared the mushroom and short rib pizzas, and both were super rich and creamy. I found the pizzas were way more filling than the margherita pizza that I've tried here in the past. I find that this mushroom pizza is heavy on that umami mushroom taste. In my opinion, the crust was perfection. The ONLY reason that it's 4 stars instead of 5 is because the pizzas were a little too rich for me.

After walking around the plaza, I wanted some lunch before heading home, so I decided to try Boca…read morePizzeria. Unfortunately, I didn't have a great food experience. When I walked in, the host was nice and asked how many were in my party. I told him one, and he seated me in a spot where I could see the TV, which I appreciated. I ordered the short rib pizza and a salad with salmon. Sadly, the pizza didn't taste good. It had almost no flavor. I was hesitant about ordering it but decided to try something different instead of my usual pizza choice. When I took a bite, the cheese and meat slid right off, leaving me with just the bread which was really disappointing. The salmon salad was okay. It came with plenty of vegetables, which I liked, but the salmon had a strange taste. I'm a big fan of salmon, and I was expecting it to be the highlight of the salad, but it just wasn't. Maybe I'll give this place another try in the future, but overall, I left feeling pretty disappointed.

Aw I just found out this place permanently closed :(…read more I came for date night a few months ago. Such a romantic spot. Food wasn't phenomenal but the the aesthetic was everything. Quaint, moody and sophisticated. Perfect for date nights. It will be missed.

From the 60's to about 10 years ago this place was great. But after the father died, the kids took…read moreover and downhill from there. So good thing it sold, just hoping this new owner makes it more like Westlake or North Beach Joes, but a little less corp. tasting. Also he needs to not bring back the rude waiters, which are about 50%. Oh, and how about being open for lunch too and at least 5 days a week !

Penne for Your Thoughts…read more Cal-Italian restaurant in the quaint town of Larkspur that's celebrating its twentieth anniversary this year. Picco blends the best of California with locally sourced and fresh produce with classic and modern takes on Italian dining. They are also Michelin recognized, as they've been Bib Gourmand winners ('21-23) in the past, and are currently "Recommended." The Good: * Reservations via OpenTable * Free street and City-owned lots available but there are time limitations, so check the signage. * They also run a pizzeria (Pizzeria Picco) literally right next door if you'd rather have a pie than pasta. * Outdoor dog-friendly seating * Waitstaff was fantastic and friendly. * Also has a bar if you just want to come in for a drink or three. * Local brews on tap, as well as a full oeuvre of alcoholic beverages. * They're known for their changing seasonal risotto, and after one bite, it was easy to see why! It was simply fantastic, as the rice was cooked perfectly and the fresh spring flavors in ours shone. * Carissa loved her King Salmon and veggies, as the fish was cooked perfectly. I ordered a daily special with house-made pappardelle noodles and smoked beef short ribs, and while it looked like a hot mess, it was fantastic. The noodles were thick and held up well to the assertive smoke and flavor of the beef--just a perfect dish in my opinion.. The Meh: * The Polenta-Crusted Artichoke Hearts appetizer was just OK. I liked the crunch and how they tried to present them as chicken wings, but they ate a little dry and the coating needed more seasoning. Fortunately, their concomitant aioli was able to save the day. The Ugly: * Not the biggest restaurant, and with the brick walls, it can get raucous in there fairly easily, especially if a large post-wedding party shows up to the bar to get sauced. Conclusion: Fantastic spot for a date night or any other occasion with great ambiance, service, and, most importantly, food. Highly recommended.

Our plans for my birthday weekend got cancelled suddenly so we had to quickly pivot. We ended up in…read morethis area for the night and we spotted Picco on the Michelin guide. We grabbed an early reservation on a Saturday night but we always eat early anyways so it was a win for us. The service was outstanding. And the food was excellent. I wasn't a big fan of the crispy polenta but I'm also not big on artichokes. John loved it. My salmon dish and the vegetables that came with it was so good. I couldn't stop raving about it. Larkspur is such a cute little town. Wish we had more time to explore.

The best pizza in Marin. I've eaten the pizza here probably…read more20 times. I always get Pizza Margherita. What makes this pizza better than everyone else is flavor and salt. A few weeks back we decided to try pizza hacker in MV bc I love sourdough. It was so flavorless. I can't understand the hype. I've also eaten at Hot Italian and it doesn't compare to Pico either. The salads are solid and the drinks are great. Always a yes for me to eat here.

I left Picco feeling confused more than impressed. Between Picco Restaurant and Picco Pizzeria, it…read morewas not at all clear where we were supposed to be seated. An employee tried to explain it when we arrived, but after we chose to sit inside, we were first seated in the wrong area and then moved to the back where the pizza is served. Not exactly the smoothest start. The food was good, but a bit pricey for what it was. We ordered the mushroom pierogies (which was misspelled on the menu) and a pizza. Both were tasty, but neither was memorable enough to make me feel the prices were justified. Service, on the other hand, was very good. Our server was friendly and attentive. The strangest part was the seating. We were placed next to a service area hidden behind a curtain, except the curtain did nothing to block the noise. We could hear all the conversations going on behind it, and there seemed to be a lot of unnecessary drama happening back there. It gave the whole meal an oddly uncomfortable vibe. So yes, the restaurant is nice and the food is good, but the experience felt weird enough that I left unsure I would return.

A real hidden gem that I wish I had discovered much sooner, Tavola Rustica is a family friendly…read moreplace with great food and a very convenient location. It's a pretty small spot, but if you make a reservation, you should not have a problem being seated. We were there during a regular weekend time for lunch, and there were two servers covering the entire restaurant. They appeared to share duties and both were equally attentive and helpful to us as we enjoyed our meal. They quickly brought kids, menus and coloring supplies as well as let us place in order for the kids first. We were very surprised that the Shirley Temple came in a very large glass. The bread was nice and warm and very fresh and the butter was room temperature, which is always the best. We loved the covered outdoor seating, which is a great way to get fresh air and still be protected from the elements. There were so many things on the menu that we wanted to try that we will definitely be back. Parking can be a challenge in downtown Larkspur, but we had arrived early and were able to secure parking, reasonably within walking distance. Overall, the experience was really great and definitely worth the value. We all enjoyed our food, though we did have to send back one of the pizzas because the sausage was raw in the middle. They were very professional about it and remade the pizza very quickly. We enjoyed the food, the service, and the ambience. Highly recommend for anyone in the area.

Such a cute little spot tucked away in the redwoods of Larkspur. I am in love with this area, it…read morefeels like I'm back in summer camp with the towering trees and the ease of stargazing in the night sky, there's little light pollution in the. My husband and I decided to give this spot a try after getting many rave reviews not only on yelp but on Eater SF (or maybe it was SFGate?). Anyway, we arrived around an hour before close, most places in this area close at 9pm btw. We were greeted by the host who walked in from near the kitchen area. We decided to sit outdoors since the weather was pleasant. We found a table for two near the projector showing a muted black and white film on the brick wall. The chairs had blankets over them just in case it gets chilly at night. It was very thoughtful. I decided to order their special 3 course meal including a white wine ($45!). It was like they had their own restaurant week specials like SF but I don't believe that exists in Marin. The 3 course meal included a beet salad, pasta (it was the screw shaped kind) with Bolognese and a tiramisu which was my fav of all 3. The white wine was a bit on the sweet side. My husband had the pappardelle pasta with oxtail. That was a treat! I liked his dish more than mine but all of it was so much we had to take half home! The complimentary focaccia really pushed us over the edge. I would definitely come back to try their pizzas!

LOVED the Red Curry Noodle Bowl with Sea Bass- delicious!…read more Wonderful SERVICE provided by Josue V. In Corte Madera. Fun evening - thank you Josie!

This is one of few places nearby with a menu that isn't all about carbs in one form or another, not…read moreas healthy as it might be but if you're trying to lose some travel weight the salads are tasty, filling and low nutrient density. Otherwise the food here isn't particularly interesting, and wouldn't have been worth writing about except that on a recent and particularly cold, wet evening I ordered a bowl of my ultimate comfort food, clam chowder. What arrived was such a major departure from the expected I had nowhere else to air the case, so now here we are. What arrived at the table was essentially a kind of thickened clam broth. Not flour & water library paste thick. but with the right pasta would have been an ersatz linguine alle vongole (less actual clams). Or adding potatoes would make it the soup of the day which I've been noticing more often on menus is termed "potato chowder". (about this last I'd like to take issue: how can a thickened potato soup rightly be called a chowder given that in traditional chowder recipes the essential ingredient is in fact potatoes (no? ask google). I figure to a marketing kind of mind calling this bland goo a chowder lends a certain cachet that mere "soup" lacks, for whatever that'$ worth) Where was I? oh yeah, i should add that neither potatoes nor pasta were in this clam soup, but to avoid a claim that the order didn't meet the "clam" description, it did include clams. However the clams were all in shell, half-open and floating or submerged in the broth. Not what I expected and definitely messy to fish them out. And of course, it's a chowder so where were the potatoes? But the clams were fresh and with enough sourdough to add the necessary carb load I decided on this cold wet night not to make an issue of this. So if you didn't complain, well you must have had no complaint... except I did. The bowl of clam chowder I was served looked nothing like the customer photo posted somewhere on your yelp page. I'll just stay with salads.

My go to for dinner, and sometimes lunch and always excellent: The service, the staff, the…read moreenvironment, the food, the cocktails. Stopped in late tonight after work. For me, a nice eggplant pizza and the chicken dinner for my wife which is a house favorite since they first opened. My favorite cocktail, the ADMIRAL and a beautiful, tasty nonalcoholic cocktail for my wife. Simply superb! The remodeled outdoor patio is really something to behold- it's a beautiful cozy setting, especially on a warm evening. For several years now this has been just about my favorite spot to go to in the bay area and certainly my number one Marin spot! Sometimes just to sit at the bar and have a nice exquisite craft cocktail is a complete joy. Or, if you only want a pizza, this is the best place to do it as the wood-fired pizzas are second to none and who doesn't want some pizza and good beer? With a price that's not out of line in comparison to the region. Check out the private dining area which can be shut off and secluded which is great for meetings, birthdays, bar mitzvahs, or graduation events. Oh, and let's not forget the succulent desserts. Be sure to take a stroll before or after dinner, and check out the captivating retailers at this charming shopping area known as the Marin Country Mart. There are even freestanding retailers in the various parking areas. Most assuredly, a good place to spend an afternoon or evening. ***Please note that I'm in two areas frequently southern California and Northern California. So I post my favorites in both spots.

I never been here before, but I really love this place. I am a big fan of everything they serve and…read morethe overall vibe of this place. As crazy as it sounds, I came here for some amazing beer and winter squash soup. I loved how this was a near total farm to table experience. The ingredients were fresh and flavorful, everything I wanted from my California experience. My friends had Meyer Lemon Pizza (to be cut with scissors), and it was a delectable balance of amazing flavor! I also appreciate that they had really thoughtful service, making a really busy lunch time a pleasant experience. The only one minor downer was yes, this is definitely on the slightly more expensive side, even for the bay area. Nothing crazy out of expectations.

Not bad! We usually go to the location in SF Embarcadero, but wanted to venture out this time…read more Was a Saturday afternoon during lunch hour; saw the lot was full and farmers market was going on. At first no one acknowledged me and the kids walking in and wasn't sure if we should seat ourself. Had to ask two different persons what to do to get a seat. A few minutes later I saw the host and she said oh yea we got a table for two adults and 3 lil kiddos! This is a pro (considering in SF you can wait up to half an hour!). Shout out to the chefs, Youssef- quirky guy, and Khephra- loved that she chatted w the kiddos! Sweet folks who were attentive, personable, quick to respond to whatever the boss babies needed! They even brought out slices of oranges since the kiddos were eyeing it in our Old Fashioned cocktails! Happy the food came out quick! Youssef even recommended dessert and brought out the bread pudding - never considered dessert but he knew this would make the boss babies happy (couldn't take a pic, was gone in seconds!). Overall, Hog Island is your go to for personable service, oysters, and the bread pudding *drool* .* Satisfied with the outdoor seating situation and how quick the drinks and cocktails came out. Can't wait for if and when we can get a closer location and hope to get this same type of hospitality.

Stopped by Hog Island since it was close to the hotel where I was staying. The restaurant was busy,…read morebut we were seated right away. It was cold and rainy, so the outdoor seating area was closed. The inside dining area was nice, though it did feel a little cramped. Our server was friendly and attentive. I started with the clam chowder, which was a bit disappointing. All the components were there, but it just didn't quite come together. The fried Brussels sprouts and fish sandwich, however, were delicious, and the portions were generous. I'm not a huge dessert fan, but when I tried the chocolate chip bread pudding with caramel and whipped cream, I couldn't stop eating it. Overall, I thought Hog Island was good!

This place is a "lifesaver" in that the area doesn't really have food food. My family and I were…read moresuper hungry and didn't want to drive to the other side of Corte Madera for food. It was the holiday season and parking was hard to begin with. There is Boudin's and I believe maybe cafe type food... but yeah, happy there were at least hot dogs. The menu has a variety of hot dogs and drinks/chips. Price is a bit pricey but at least they add the toppings for you. I guess compared to the other food around, I can't complain. Make sure to know what toppings you want when you order. There's plenty of seating and even though there is a line sometimes, it's pretty efficient. I enjoyed my hot dog.

Stang's is a food stall in the outdoor Village Shopping Center in Corte Madera, CA. They serve up…read morequality dogs and sausages. Ya know, the kind that snaps when you bite into 'em because of the quality casing. Delicious. The outdoor shopping center has high end retailers. The center can be seen off the Highway and easy enough to get to. I'm not a local and rarely shop here. Stang's is the only reason I make a stop. The stand is near Nordstroms. The dogs are $7/ combo $10.25. They offer 4 different kinds of sausage from $8.25/ combo $12.75. They even have a vegan sausage option. The dogs are stadium length. Combos include a bag of chips and a canned drink. I've had no issues with the staff, all great encounters. Stang's has a gated outdoor dining area. Since the stand is minimally staffed, they may not have the time to clean the dining area. Understandably so. Right next to Stang's patio, there are shopping center community tables. Those tables are maintained by the shopping center cleaning crew. Plus there are trash and recycling bins close by making it easier for folks to pick up after themselves.