What a great meal! The tasting menu was superb and at a great value. It easily rivals meals more than twice the price.

Our unforgettable experience was shared by 7 of us celebrating my husband's birthday. The 10-course tasting menu featured some of the tastiest, creative dishes I've ever enjoyed. The flavor combinations popped off the plate. Impeccable service from start to finish. Madcap provides an evening of enchantment for any special occasion. read more

I don't usually write reviews very often, but felt this restaurant deserved acknowledgement for the amazing job they do...we have wanted to try this restaurant for some time, having read about the chef and being very excited that something of this caliber has made itself to Marin. I was able to call in the afternoon this past Monday and get a 5:30pm reservation at the tiny table right by the door, which ended up being perfect for us! Deciding to go with the tasting menu, we were not disappointed. Everything was a symphony of flavors from start to finish. Being Bay Area "foodies", we felt that this meal was on par with meals we have had at Lazy Bear, Rich Table, or Petit Crenn...The combinations were unexpected, presentation was outstanding. It was a feast to the eyes and the palate. We loved every dish and doing the tasting menu allowed us to plan what we would order a la carte upon our next return (since we won't likely be waiting until the seasonal change of menu). We felt the servers were knowledgeable and friendly and clearly passionate about their job and the chef and his talents. While waiting for the restroom, I saw an older man approach the kitchen with a "thumbs up" for the chef. Apparently, he has a standing reservation every Monday evening. One of the kitchen staff (later found out was the chef's daughter) asked me if this was my first time there and introduced herself and was happy to hear we were enjoying our meal. I really appreciated this extra welcome and the community feel and the way they cared about our feedback and delight with each dish. To top it off, I asked about the possibility of renting the space for our wedding. Looking forward to an ongoing relationship with this Marin gem! read more

I echo the negative comment from the previous reviewer. We went in for a glass of wine and an appetizer, ordered the avocado roll (nine dollars) and received two less than bite-size pieces, typical of what restaurants giveaway for free as a mise-en bouch, at the beginning of the meal. Are you kidding? We looked around and saw the other dishes that looked terrific, but the small portions and high prices are out of touch. These prices are typical of the finest dining establishments in San Francisco, not in central Marin and certainly not for the amount of food that you receive. The owner should go check out Picco for comparison. We loved the atmosphere, lots of potential, but the value is simply not there. read more

Simply exquisite! A delightful experience every time. Incredible food, awesome atmosphere, and warm and experienced staff.

The tasting in menu was very nice. I would love to give this a five star but unfortunately my waiter gave me such poor service I just can't do it. read more

I've been a RS fan for years, delighted he's planted now in Marin. Like the venue and service, found the meal inconsistent. Had the following: Stone fruit salad... baby greens in a semi circle with 3 measly slices of peach and one mashed cherry, and plenty of chopped pistachios. But...the lettuce was bone dry..not dressed of any thing. For $14? My bad...why order salad in a place like this?? The nuts flew off the greens with each bite. Rabbit tortellini - absolutely delicious with every flavor of ragu outstanding and pasta lovely. The mushroom miso puree was heavenly. Corn Ravioli - wonderful coins of vege with a sweet corn sauce. Didn't see anything green on the plate. This was the best entrée of the eve. Halibut with lobster - looked great, server poured a mere tablespoon of lobster sauce over dish. Was underwhelmed as the fish looked great but was dry, the lobster piece no larger than my thumb, but most unwelcome was the winter veges served along side..roasted broccoli and cauliflower. In this season I would've expected snap peas or such, but this brought the entire dish down, alongside the measly serving of flavorful sauce. Chicken - really, where was the duck on the menu? If you have only 4 choices in a high end restaurant, this has no place. Desserts: the cheesecake and caramel pot de crème were both outstanding in flavor. All dishes had lovely presentation and dishware, but I have to ask, who was minding the stove? Failed to entice returning for the price point. read more

Madcap is amazing. It's an adventure in taste and texture. I took my boyfriend there for his birthday in May and it was our second time there and same for the tasting menu. It does not disappoint. I know where I'm going for my birthday!! read more

Outstanding food and service - hands down. Only gripe is the portions. Yes, I know that this is a fancy place that is more about flavors and presentation than portions, but even with that understanding, I thought they were too small. I was still a but hungry after an app, salad, entree, and dessert. read more

good food but skip the green salad - i've had better at home. service fine but i agree with some other reviews - there seems to be a lot of hype and some nervousness on the pedigree of the chef. a little disappointed with the lighting. the main dining area seems grey/harsh which makes things look a bit dingy. the lighting is better in the bar/booth area with warm red fabric and wood tones but it's a chilly on a cold night. read more

This is a place you should go if you wish to spend a lot of money for very, very small portions of food. The quality is fine, but when you spend $80 per person without wine and leave hungry, this is a problem. read more

Newly opened and we had trouble booking a table in this San Anselmo restaurant. Finally got our resie and upon entering we felt our tensions dissolve as the ambiance and art was so restful peaceful and interesting well how about the food? Amazing intense playful deep flavors eye candy. The wine list- great choices by the glass for those of us without drinking partners. The service-did we have a server or did the food just arrive quietly perfectly along with someone who joyfully but quickly explained what we were eating. Don't forget the desserts and the playlist fit right in. Kudos to this new restaurant which may just skip over the Michelin one star and get 2 as soon as Michelin comes to town!! read more

Went there on a Thursday and did the chef's tasting menu with wine pairings, here to reinforce some points already made: good vibe/unpretentious for fine dining - friendly staff - noticeably good music - main dining room is cozy - to drink, real standouts were extra brut rosé de meunier and Tedorigawa "kinka" sake - to eat, chilled corn soup, rabbit tortelloni, hawaiian kampachi. San Anselmo is a bit of a drive from the bridge(s), but, especially in the summer, it is well worth it. read more

Was very good but....not much better than it should be having a good review. Ambience is so so and location is not super duper and the food is...Very Good, but.....so many good places in Marin with sophisticated ambience and vibes and romance and special food to discover....... Jus sayin. Great if you're in the neighborhood. read more

We entered with trepidation and left awestruck. What kind of name is Madcap anyway? what does it tell you about this place? I was fortunate to be there last Monday and find myself recommending this restaurant to many that I've seen since then. food was nothing short of Exquisite service to match prices are very reasonable for the quality of food and service you receive I'm more than highly recommend finally a five star restaurant in southern Marin County! Madcap! it's a crazy world read more

Hands down the best restaurant in Marin and one of the best in the Bay Area. Everything we had on the tasting menu was delicious - exquisite ingredients, presentation, creative but not trying to do too much - simply amazing food and great combinations of tastes, textures, colors on the plate. We have no affiliation with the restaurant or chef - but have been a fan of Ron Siegel's since the 15 years we spent in San Francisco and meals we had at Mina and Ritz Carlton. Marin and the North Bay produce so much amazing food, it's great to have a world class chef using those ingredients and providing a completely accessible, friendly and yet sophisticated/memorable dining experience. Just wish the place was slightly bigger because there is no question reservations and walk in tables here will be in high demand. read more

Food was delicious -- bordering on the gourmet. Really 4.5 stars. Just not that extra special that deserves 6 stars. But everything we ate was flavorful and well made. read more

Finally there is an incredible restaurant in Marin! Some others are good but this is in a league by itself. Chef Ron Siegel is there every night, working with his family to create a truly wonderful experience. The raw fish dishes are so good and love the rabbit tortelloni and roast chicken. This is one of the best Bay Area food and service experiences I've ever had and we have high standards!! read more

Rom Siegel is a master. And, enjoy Madcap more than anywhere else he has cooked. His cooking is top notch with a more laid back atmosphere than where he's cooked in the past. The tasting menu is fantastic. Ron is a true artist. read more

Madcap is the bomb! Best restaurant in Marin!! I've been back several times and especially enjoy watching the expression on dinner partner's while tasting the first bite. read more

I have been to many other four and five star restaurants, but Madcap is the best of them all. Chef Ron Siegal uses a French cooking style and French flavorings coupled with Japanese and other Asian flavorings and ingredients, which makes his food complex, surprising, and incredibly satisfying. I did the chef's tasting menu on Sunday. One of the first dishes was fresh Uni on lemongrass gelatin that was amazing! We finished with a piece of rare rib eye steak, seared to a crusty perfection. There was no shortage of delicate purées and flavorings that blew my mind! Madcap is a must for any foodie, plus the ambience is elegant, casual and very comfortable. read more

I went to Madcap about a month ago and got the chef's tasting menu. I initially learned of this place since I follow Michael Bauer's recommendations of places to eat in the Bay Area and I always love a good excuse to venture up to the North Bay. The customer service here is on point. For example, we were trying to decide on a wine by the glass and our server brought out three wines for us to try before we settled on one. The tasting menu reads seafood heavy, and as someone who is not particularly an adventurous seafood eater, I still loved every single seafood dish. My favorite dish of the night was the celery soup (soup, I know, but it's really that good) - although picking a favorite dish here can almost feel like picking a favorite child! All of the purees and sauces that were on the dishes were insanely good. At first the tasting menu might feel like a splurge at $88/person, but once I experienced all 10 dishes I was blown away by the quality and presentation of everything I ate - at the end of the meal it truly felt like a steal. A tip for people who are particular about a restaurant's ambiance - there are two main rooms at Madcap. The front room feels a little more on the casual side since it has booths and bar seating, and the other main room has a more upscale feel. Depending on what you are looking for it might be worth specifying your room preference but bear in mind no matter where you sit you'll walk away feeling like you had an amazing dinner and were treated by an exceptional staff. read more

Madcap - New American Near Me - San Anselmo, California

Absolutely phenomenal meal! Soup was extraordinary! Chicken was fabulous! Very creative with blending of flavors and presentation. The staff and ambiance made this an experience for dining. read more

Yummy creative cuisine in a cool environment. The artwork is fun, and the food and wine are delicious. 5 Stars (but don't tell anyone, because it's hard to get in!). read more

YUM! Amazing. Chef Ron has done it again!! Can't wait for our next visit which will be for my birthday dinner treat as requested to my family read more

My wife and I went to Madcap to celebrate a nice dinner out and were excited to take the opportunity to experience a revered local gem in Marin. We reserved 6 weeks in advance and when we arrived, we were given the table closest to the front door in the front dining room. While not a great space, it was particularly problematic due to the cold temperature at that time of year. A space heater under the table was ineffectual and we asked to be relocated. We were moved one table further from the door, however, the space was still unbearably cold and most diners in the space kept their coats on. The couple seated after us at the same table we were initially sat also requested to be moved. The food was great, the service great, however, the experience was awful. In explaining my displeasure to the host I became disenchanted as he was unwilling to acknowledge the fact that the room was too cold that night to seat patrons. From an HVAC perspective, the space that evening was unable to maintain its temperature set point. The restaurant knew this and sat guests nonetheless. Great food, awful experience and unapologetic staff. read more

I've been to Madcap three times and it's been a downhill slide. The first time I got the fixed menu. I'd say half the dishes were imaginative and flavorful, but oddly the other half were flavorless. The second time I ordered off the menu. The celery soup is delicious with a sprinkling of sweet pine nuts. My steak was a little on the tough side but overall the meal was adequate. My last visit was a disaster. I took three friends. Three of us ordered the sole w/ lobster and risotto. One of us ordered the half chicken. I asked to have extra vegetables instead of the risotto and got three asparagus tips. The celery soup was good but luke warm. The sole and lobster was completely flavorless. With no sauce and apparently no spices, it was simply a piece of white, mushy fish and these little things that I think were the lobster. It was hard to tell because everything had the same bland taste. They were set on a tiny bed of roasted vegetables, that were undercooked. My friends who got the risotto said it didn't help the bland fish. The chicken was tiny but had some delicious sauces. The service overall is good except for the bald waiter that works the back room who we had to persuade more than once to leave us alone. He crossed the line from attentive to obnoxious early on. This restaurant is not cheap. $35 for bland sole is not my idea of fine dining. read more

For my husband's birthday I decided this was the place for us and two of our friends who also enjoy great food. Man of man ... we were expecting a great experience and were rewarded beyond our expectations. Marin has never had food this exquisite. Each and every dish ordered by the four of us was a work of art to the eye and and more importantly, the tongue. We savored every bite, often with eyes closed. Jack, our waiter/sommelier offered brilliant insight into the wine list as well as fun stories about going to the Johnny Carson show as young men back in the day. He also shares the resume of Ron Siegal, which includes names like French Laundry, Iron Chef and Masa's. Plan on spending about a hundred bucks per person for a 4 course meal with wines (+tip) for the full on experience of a culinary tour, the kind of experience you can find in NY, LA or SF and now we can find it here in Marin. A worthwhile investment. read more

Food was innovative but didn't really live up to the hype, and the service was pleasant but surprisingly disorganized.

Wonderful experience at Madcap. Ron Siegel has done it again! Fresh and innovative dishes. Ask for Jack - he was great!

Simply awesome. Welcome and needed addition to the Marin food scene!

5 stars for being in Marin. Probably 4 stars if in San Francisco. Nonetheless, very promising start, we enjoyed the 8-course tasting menu, which leaned towards fish/seafood. read more

Madcap is definitely a special occasion restaurant, although I went with a gal pal just to check it out. The interior is very dark, very moody and elegant. There are two rooms, we were in the second room under a beautiful crystal chandelier. The service was top notch! The water was never empty and the server knew when to be attentive and when to give us space. We both started out with the clam shot. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was a frothy miso salty read yummy amuse-bouche! A great way to start the meal. My friend had the salmon, sooo good and I had the avocado salad with pistachios which was so fresh. I followed with the sashimi and it was perfect. My friend had the corn ravioli and while she liked them, deemed them a bit too sweet. I had a bite and thought they were delish, but maybe better shared and with a savory second. We had the pot de creme for dessert - FABULOUS. We also had rose which was nice with all of our dinner. We spend a little over $200 for an excellently crafted meal. I'll go back, but maybe for a birthday or other milestone celebration. This restaurant deserves the Michelin star to be sure. Go, treat yourself. read more

Overall disappointing. Ron Siegel - Great Chef, great credentials and great talent...cute cozy restaurant... but, with few exceptions, we felt that generally, the courses that we ordered were either lacking in flavor, or the multitude of too many little items and nuances on a plate accompanying the main "attraction," contradicted, clashed, and detracted. Portion size was on the small side compared to the high prices. Charging for bread? New to us. I ordered the "Clam Shot'... I kept on waiting for the flavor of fresh clam to burst in over the heavy cream - never did. Rabbit Tortelloni kind of flavorless and boring. The small piece of Black Cod as a main course was outstanding but was under siege by all the little "doodads" surrounding it detracting from its tender delicate lushness. What were hard,chewy baby anise bulbs doing on the plate along with a little, thick, heavy, puddle of overly sweet creamed corn? The sweet corn ravioli sitting in a "tasteless broth," or maybe left over cooking liquid, was so overly "candy" sweet that none of us were able to eat a whole ravioli. I think we would have enjoyed the dish had it been savory. The Aji dish was excellent. Last point - Wine... Corkage at $35 per bottle is a little bit pricey. The wine list is very good but very high priced. Wine glasses! When I asked for Pinot Noir glasses, the server said that they only had generic glasses ... "one size fits all." I would expect that answer in a pizza joint, but not in a cushy, upscale, expensive,boutique restaurant with a famous experienced chef. When you are drinking high priced wines...shape matters. Overall... we expected a lot more than we got. read more

My wife was super excited about going to this restaurant having experienced the Salt and Pepper menu when Ron Siegel was at The Dining Room. One word best describes the tasting menu at Madcap: Underwhelming. There was about a 20-25 minute wait between each course and each course was just a bite so the cohesiveness of the menu was completely lost in the wait time. I'm glad I requested bread ($6 extra) so we could enjoy something between the long wait times. While a few of the dishes were flavorful, the others lacked flavor and were not that impressive. My wife decided to order the special lobster dish ($20 supplement) which was supposed to replace one of the fish dishes on the tasting menu. I decided to go with the regular tasting so we could try the lobster and standard fish offering. However when the lobster arrived, I got the rabbit ravioli dish...not a fish dish. Perhaps we caught the restaurant on an off night. I realize that the restaurant has only been open for a month, but given the pedigree of the executive chef I expected more. I am disappointed to have to have to give a bad review...but given the price..not impressed. read more

I will keep this review very short. My wife took me here as a surprise and I thought it was just great. They give you a menu that is really an a la carte menu. It's not really advertised but really the thing to do is to get the tasting menu. It cost $88 per person but included about nine courses. There are so many interesting things to try that I think it would be very difficult to really appreciate this restaurant if you just went a la carte. For the quality of the food and the beauty of the presentation I would expect this to cost twice as much in San Francisco. Including tax and tip two glasses of wine and a cocktail we paid about $300, which is not a small amount of money to pay for dinner for two. However, I would challenge anybody to find another experience similar to this one in Marin County at all, And considering the whole experience it was well worth it. We spent $900 for dinner for two at Manresa a couple of years ago. read more