What an exquisite time we have every time we visit. This review is for when we visited in March for a small birthday celebration. The food was amazing. I chose the Lamb Papardelle, which was earthy and savory with gloriously wide noodles. My companions had the grilled salmon and rigatoni. Jessica, the adjacent Speakeasy restaurant manager, made my custom cake. It was amazing. She made a gluten-free, fluffy chocolate cake with fresh raspberries between the layers--slightly sweet and tangy. Soooo delicious. She added red roses to match the roses on the tables. And they honor your celebration of birthdays and anniversaries with an adorable (Scrabble) sign on your table. And those exciting candles...feel free to check out the lovely photos. What an absolutely delightful memory we made for my birthday. The service is always accessible, attentive, welcoming, and friendly. It's a cozy space, so be sure to make reservations. The ambience is so elegant--at any point, you expect a member of the Rat Pack or some performer to be dining there. They have excellent live piano music I believe on Fridays and Saturdays. read more

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A bit of an overdue review, but we came here to celebrate Valentine's Day with a nice dinner. They had a 3-course pre-fixed menu with several appetizer, entree, and dessert choices. We ordered the truffle risotto and lobster bisque for the appetizers, and I thought they were both very hearty. Truffle flavor was there, and the risotto texture was great! For the entrees, we had to get the steaks. They were cooked medium-rare like we requested, and the meat was very tender. I would definitely want to come back to try a few things I've seen on their menu that weren't offered during the Valentine's Day special dinner service. Service was phenomenal and super friendly, even during the busy night. The live pianist and vibes added an extra touch to the atmosphere and made it a very pleasant dinner! read more

We went here from my wife's birthday. I heard some unusual things about the place like where it was located and what it was like inside. And it definitely didn't disappoint on the walk through the magic portal (front door) that lead from an ordinary strip mall with a donut shop next-door into this dark, secluded yet inviting little space. I can't believe the place can sit more than 50 people. It was actually a large rehearsal dinner crowd of about 25 or so people along one big table. That was fun to see. I definitely get the vibe they are going for as someone who grew up in New York City in the 1970s and 80s. I don't wanna knock them too hard because I can see how much they are trying to elevate the experience and the food, and believe me the dining in Marin needs elevating, but there were a few misses. We had the bread board, the brussels sprouts and the goat cheese tomato bisque appetizers. I would skip the bread board at seven dollars. The goat cheese appetizer was my favorite. A disc of baked goat cheese on a little bowl a very thick tomato bisque. It came with crostini. It's kind of a nod to grilled cheese and tomato soup I'm guessing. I'll definitely be making that at home. The miss was the bread. It was just soaking in oil. And it's already a very rich dish. For main courses my wife got the fillet and I got the short ribs. I may be wrong but pot roast is often being sold as short ribs in restaurants. It was delicious don't get me wrong but I think short ribs should be short ribs. If I'm incorrect please let me know. My wife's fillet was covered in a sauce. And to me you don't pour sauce over a filet mignon. Underneath, on the side, fine. The little pieces of broccoli on both our plates were fine but they were nothing special. A definite plus is the wine by the glass prices are very reasonable. There wasn't a single glass over $30. That's getting to be unheard of these days. Finally, and this was a big plus for my wife and I, there was a man Richard Leiter, playing the piano right behind us and it was one of the highlights of the meal for us. I would like to try it again. read more

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Great lunch spot! Service was attentive even though there were quite a few tables our 1 server was handling. Food was fresh and tasty with good portions. Steak & (Caribbean - warm water) Lobster were fresh and prepared well. Loaded baked potato side was great, too. Rigatoni pasta was super flavorful. We had cocktails too and the table favorite was "Respect Your Elders". I would certainly come back! read more

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Amazing service. Our server was so gracious and took such good care of us- Not to mention the amazing food. We also loved the amazing atmosphere. We will be back. read more

Wonderful experience. Service was amazing, food was great and it is a small intimate environment. I would highly suggest the Board Room. Also the best cheeseburger I've had is next door in the bar so don't rule out the Speakeasy. read more

The Board Room - Bread - American Near Me - Novato, California

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Initially I booked an Open Table reservation to take my sweet mother in law visiting from out of town here for a mother-daughter dinner date for her birthday. i wasn't up to it physically when it was time to get ready so I sent my husband and mother in law for a mother son dinner date instead. They already had several of these without me so this was supposed to be my special 1-1 date but whatever, my body does what it wants so I missed out. They went. She didn't like the crunchy green beans. She's from a generation where you eat what is on your plate even if you don't like it, she didn't like it yet choked it down. I felt bad about that. I was jealous because I liked the menu so I decided to place a carryout order a week later so that I, too, could enjoy the menu. It was a letdown. Sigh. My entree, the short rib was bland, the sauce as bitter, and the sides were not great, I tried my husbands seafood paella which was oversalted inedible. My mother in law did not like the pork chop that she enjoyed when she went in person. I asked for her green beans to be SOFT, ALMOST OVERCOOKED. They ignored that request. No one enjoyed their meal. I cannot compare the entrees to other restaurants I've had them in San Francisco but it's fair for me to judge against them especially if the latter as better. I love the location in a mall which vibes with the speakeasy concept. The food is what I am coming for and that was not great. Two stars because 1 star feels needlessly harsh for my experience. read more

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Awesome food fantastic food wonderful atmosphere service was perfect I do highly recommend this place! read more

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Their happy hour lasts until 6:00. The bartender makes a mean martini and a great old-fashioned. They make their own ginger pot stickers which can't be beat and have a really good pork tacos. They also offer escargot which I love. They have a goat cheese appetizer with a red sauce that is so good but you always have to ask for more bread. You can't beat the Speakeasy for quality and price. read more

S E R V I C E: My friend and I met up at lunch time here with a reservation, and despite it being a bit crowded, the atmosphere was really calm. Our server was very sweet and gave us plenty of time to make a decision and catch up. F O O D: I ordered their chicken ciabatta with fries, and it was delicious. I was surprised with all the flavors, and they didn't clash with each other. The fries were crispy and thick, which was an unexpected surprise! I also appreciated how they cut the sandwich up because ciabatta breads are hard to bite into haha. O V E R A L L: Food was great, prices were fair, a little dark but I get that it's supposed to be like a speakeasy. I wouldn't mind having that sandwich again! And possibly try out their sundae! read more

The Board Room - American Near Me - Novato, California

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How is it that I've managed to not review this place? Perhaps because More often than not we sneak through the hidden bookcase door and eat at the speakeasy next door... But if you'd like that same food, with a slightly more formal vibe, equally great service and a piano player classing your meal up, it's absolutely worth it. This place is a hidden gem. read more

The Boardroom highly recommended so we decided to try it. We made reservations for a birthday celebration and we enjoyed this place. Amazing food and service. A small cozy place that I would have never guest where is located but worth the trip. Love the ambiance, the food and the service is great! You have to try the cocktail selections. I really enjoyed the live piano music. Plenty of parking. Definitely coming back. Until next time. Chao! read more

Our party of 6 had reservations and we were promptly seated near the piano and the bathroom. The place is cute and cozy but the placement of our table near the bathroom is a bummer. Every 5 mins, someone is going in and out plus the bus boy dumps all the plates near the bathroom as well. Our server is great, she seems like the only one working there because as it got crowded, it was harder and harder to get her attention. Now the food. I really want to like this place but the food is mediocre. I got my pappardelle a little cold, it's been sitting out for a while. The mashed potatoes that came with the short ribs were also cold. The paella is full of seafood but it lacks flavor. I would not complain about the Cesar salad. Even if we wanted to get our food to be warmed up, our server was so pre occupied, it would have taken forever. I don't want to feel rushed at dinner but I also want the attention. Anyways, if you want a drink and just chill, the bar looks cool. That's probably what I will do next time. read more

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The best "fine dining" experience I've had in Marin so far. The room is small-ish and the lounge/Rat Pack theme is a little kitschy, but nonetheless there's a devotion to creating a swank experience that's pretty captivating. You can dress up--or not--and feel comfortable. The wait staff was great--friendly and efficient. All 3 of us had delicious entrees and I loved my cocktail. We were stuffed but couldn't pass up splitting a dessert. It was a pleasure to eat here and a cut above in terms of ambience and execution. read more

This restaurant is amazing and has a wonderful ambiance with a live pianist which automatically gives them a thumbs up for me. The steak was a perfectly medium rare just like i like it and my husband's was a true medium. Just a warning, it's not situated where you would expect this higher end restaurant to be in. It's in a small strip mall, near a questionable liquor store. We almost drove away but my husband convinced me to go in and just see. Great idea babe! We would've missed out on an excellent dining experience. read more

Fantastic food. It was my birthday, and we ordered lobster and baked potatoes. Superb!! Out off this world. I totally recommend The Board Room. read more

I fired up Yelp to see what the food scene in Novato might be like, and up popped this place. I was dying laughing at the two featured reviews: A 5-star review that someone used as a film noir creative writing assignment, and a 1-star review from one of those typical Yelp complainers who goes to a white tablecloth restaurant and whines about the prices. When I arrived to find the place in a run-down strip mall with a donut shop, a bar, and a gun shop I debated turning around, but my curiosity prodded me on. I'm glad it did. Inside I found a throwback to vintage dining, with the aforementioned white tablecloths, posters of Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe on the wall, and a real pianist in the corner playing a real piano. They serve splurge food, not cheap fast food, and the prices reflect that somewhat, but honestly it's much cheaper than a similar meal in San Francisco. Must be that cheap rent. I had the braised short ribs with mashed potatoes and summer vegetables. The beef was tender and flavorful, which it should be since it's hard to mess something like that up, but the pleasant surprise was the thought put into the vegetables. This was no tossed-off side dish, but something that had its own things to say. I treated myself to a New York cheesecake to finish up, which was excellent and well-presented. The pianist suggested the butter cake for my next visit, which I do want to try. (He's not there every night, but Andy made it fun to make requests. How often do you hear a jazz piano version of Pink Floyd?) You could have a lot of fun inviting a friend to dinner and, when they balk at the location, say, "Trust me" and open the door. read more

The Board Room - Braised Short Ribs - American Near Me - Novato, California

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You step inside and time slows down. Dim lighting. Crisp white tablecloths. The walls are lined with legends--Sinatra, Marilyn, the Rat Pack--watching over the room like they still own the night. A tea-infused cocktail appears, effortlessly cool. It doesn't need sugar or flair--it just works. Like everything else here. The meal begins with a tomato bisque that's smoother than a closing pitch, paired with pistachio-crusted goat cheese that lands like a velvet hammer. Then come the heavy hitters--stroganoff that's rich and unapologetic, filet mignon done exactly right, and a lamb shank so tender it might just forgive your worst mistakes. There's a piano playing softly in the background, like a secret only the room knows. The vibe? Intimate. Intentional. Every detail dialed in. And just when you think the night's wrapped, dessert hits the table--cheesecake that sings and a butter cake that could end a war. The Board Room doesn't just serve dinner. It serves a reminder: some things never go out of style. read more

We went there for our anniversary and had a lovely dinner. I really like the ambience in this restaurant. Love the low-key live piano music, the decor, the fact that you can actually hear the other person talk. Also, the most important things were great as well - the service and the food! I had the french onion soup (the best I ever tasted), the sourdough bread (warm and yummy) and the lamb shank, which was served with risotto and broccoli and was delicious. And we had to have dessert (I'm not sure why as we were both full but hey, it was our anniversary). I can't say enough about the flavor of their butter cake with the warm caramel sauce. Absolutely a fantastic finish for a wonderful dinner. Highly recommend! read more

This restaurant was outstanding! I'm not sure where to even start . . . the food was five star delicious. We had the French onion soup, the goat cheese appetizer, the pork chop and the veal. Everything was delicious, including the best French Onion Soup I've ever had - Including in Paris! The staff were exceptionally attentive, and the live piano player made this an incredibly romantic place - perfect for proposals, anniversaries or a special date night. The Board Room is not cheap, but it's right in line with a high-end, gourmet meal. Plan on spending $50 to $75 per person (More if having wine or drinks.) I highly recommend The Boatd Room. Check it out! I know I'll be back again soon. Especially for that French Onion soup! read more

Still 5 stars. We decided the best fine dining in the area. Our 38th anniversary and because 36 was so great, we dined here again. The Speakeasy for pre dinner cocktails, outstanding service and drinks. At our table we were greeted with a cute scrabble letter sign. For dinner, I had the lamb shank with pea risotto, a demi-glace and asparagus. The lamb was fall off the bone tender and so so good. The owner is a game hunter and one of the specials was boar lasagna, with bechamel on top. My husband ordered it. It was fabulous. Neither of us have had boar before. Wasn't sure what to expect, doesn't taste like pork or beef, but it was unbelievable. Not gamey at all, just tender and succulent. Missy, our waitress, was fantastic. Just go already! read more

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FIVE PERCENT SURCHARGE. They said this is to help pay for the kitchen staff. Hello? That's what menu prices are for? I don't care if you raise a whole dollar and that's more than 5% but getting billed more than listed priced plus tax and tip is just not cool. Can't believe there are still restaurants that take advantage of diners' good will to support the industry during pandemic times. This is my 2nd time here and both times I order a lot of food and drinks. I'm never coming back. read more

The Board Room - 5% surcharge in small font dim lighting plus tucked into a corner a bit. - American Near Me - Novato, California

I took a friend and both our mom's to dinner here. It is a gem in Novato with great food and a fun bar scene. My mom is a vegetarian and enjoyed the options that fit her dietary needs, but she noted that one more vegetarian offering would be great to try next time. read more

The Board Room - My mom's vegetarian main. - American Near Me - Novato, California

I'm gonna have to give it all five. I'll barely reach a little and call it a gem. The spot itself is super cool. In a little strip mall in Novato. Looks like nothing from the exterior. Opening the front door door reveals the secret. Right off the bat left me feeling like I was getting away with something. Love it. Well thought out decor.. good acoustics. I absolutely loved the vibe of the place. They nailed the speak-easy vibe of yesteryear. We landed on a Monday evening when our usual haunt was closed. We were immediately greeted by a friendly and very professional staff and shown our table. The service began right away. Our server was Tyler (sp?) and he was fantastic. On his recommendation I ordered the smoked pork chop. Ordering a chop at a new place is often dicey, but it was on-point. Flavor was great; right amount of smoke; cooked to perfection; dressings perfect.. you get two sides with it. I got the truffle fries and the creamed spinach. wouldn't consider myself a creamed spinach guy, but it was quite good. At the end of the day, the setting and service alone at this price point would bring me back. The entree was very very good, punching well above its weight-class; a great value. I look forward to trying more off the menu. I cant wait to go back. I'd definitely recommend anyone in the area stop in. @The Boardroom team - Bravo, guys. Thank you! read more

Excellence. A hidden gem. Delicious and inspired food and drinks in a luxurious environment.

I have wanted to visit for a long time. Made reservations for early dinner on a Friday night. We were seated promptly in a booth, which was private and very comfortable. A piano player added to the ambiance. Our server Missy was friendly and helpful, but a bit stretched as she was the only server we saw. While the restaurant is not huge, her being the only server made it difficult to get prompt attention. It was nice to not feel rushed at any point during our meal, but the service was slow, especially when we were ready to pay the check and leave. The brick pressed boneless half chicken was very tasty, cooked tender and moist. The Peppercorn encrusted filet mignon was disappointing however. Meat was chewy and couldn't taste the peppercorns. Not the quality you would expect from a $49 steak. The red velvet cake was a bit dry. This appears to be a very popular restaurant as all tables were full by the time we left. Perhaps steak isn't the way to go. However, I don't think a second visit is in my future. read more

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Good food, friendly staff. We like sitting in the bar, where they broadcast old black and white movies

Excellent Northbay Steakhouse located in Ignacio neighborhood of Novato, serving up prime cuts of steaks, seafood and pasta in a intimate vintage themed dining room with piano music and classy style. Lunch and dinner specials make this the go to place for an upscale meeting or special occasion on your calendar. Everything from starters, soups and salads and main dishes exemplifies the attention to detail and taste that Executive chef/owner Munther instills in his staffs preparation of this fine dining menu. All of the sauces and flavors are on point for every dish which is rarely achieved except by only the best restaurants. Be sure to visit the equally sexy Speakeasy lounge next door as you access through the sliding bookcase. There you can enjoy a nice array of delicious appetizers and drink specials during the midweek happy hours 3-6. Salud and mangia! read more

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We decided to give this restaurant a try because of the good reviews and it did not disappoint! From the parking lot you can't tell what a gem this place is but it is a wonderful place. Beautiful decor. Missy was our waitress and she made the experience even better! I have an allergy and she was very knowledgeable about what dishes I could have. We will be back! read more

The Board Room - Short Rib - American Near Me - Novato, California

The Boardroom is a hidden Novato gem. I often feel like Novato is a bit short of outstanding dining options - yes, there are several "good" ones. But how about a place that you can feel like you've enjoyed an outstanding dining experience? This "strip mall" ordinary looking location hides a beautiful dining room and high level attentive service, warm comfortable ambiance, a piano that sometimes is used during dining, and top notch food. There is also a "lounge" style bar attached, with its own neighborhood feel, quite welcoming as well. But this review pertains to the restaurant. I made a reservation, and on arrival, was led to my table, which had my last name spelled in Scrabble letters - a really unique touch. This inspired a level of organization and comfort, knowing that I will probably be very well tended to during my visit. I brought a bottle of my own wine for corkage, but enjoyed a glass of Scharffenberger sparkling wine, first from the menu, which was perfect for the evening. The corkage was a very reasonable and standard $25. First up was the Crispy Brussels Sprouts. Adorned with toasted almonds and goat cheese, this was a delicious start. Fresh bread was also provided and delicious. For dinner I ordered the rigatoni with filet mignon bites, mushrooms and a "stroganoff" style sauce. Rich and flavorful, this was delicious. The service was attentive and kind and welcoming. I strongly recommend The Boardroom Novato for a romantic meal, a family meal or your holiday gathering. read more

I tried the boardroom twice last week and it was delightful. Both times we sat in the speakeasy and had good service. So far, I've tried the burger, the paella and the tacos. Everything was delicious and I would highly recommend this place. read more

One of my favorite places in Novato. Its small, quiet and dark and it has a piano! The selections and service are top notch! I've been coming here since it opened and surprised that you can get such a high quality dining experience in the shopping plaza location that it's in. This is a testament to its owner/founder, Munther. You can tell he sweats the details and it all pays off. The ambiance is what you'd expect of a boutique steakhouse. It features icons of yesteryear and backs it up with top notch service that you don't find anymore. The soft piano in the background is a really nice touch and makes you forget that you are in a chaotic shopping plaza. The quality of meal is really top notch. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu. I've had their pork chop (amazing), Tomahawk (amazing as well but bring a date) and of course the ribeye are, you guessed it, AMAZING! I love their sides too. The creamed spinach is a wonderful treat, truffle fries, whipped potatoes and the roasted Yukon potatoes are killer. Dont forget the side of green beans! Anyhoo, if your in the South Novato area and want an unexpected fine dining experience, dont hesitate to look up the Board Room! read more

The Board Room - American Near Me - Novato, California

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As soon as I entered, I grasped the dark yet romantic and relaxed ambience of this place. I was also pleasantly surprised to find that I just happened to visit on one of the days they had a live pianist performing for us! I myself, decided to order the escargot and the filet mignon. The escargots themselves were good, but they were drenched in little pools of oil. The filet mignon was good, but I felt the intended flavor was felt only on the outside of the steak only, and not in the inside. Really nice, delectable peppercorn crust. The service was excellent, and of course the piano performance was amazing! Additionally, I ordered a glass of Schug pinot noir to complete the whole experience. Nice indeed! read more

The Board Room - American Near Me - Novato, California

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The location and outside of the building is nothing to write home about. But don't let that scare you off. Live music on Saturday night. That was great. Fun decor inside. Check out all the old pictures and posters on the walls. See if you can name them all. Food was fantastic. I had the filet mignon. Cooked perfectly. Good cut of meat. You will pay for the food here as it is pricey, but worth it. Service was prompt and attentive. No issues. I hope to be back. I hope they can survive the Marin restaurant scene. read more

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So good. Great price. Went for lunch. Steak and Lobster Delicious! I will be going back. I would highly recommend. read more

The Board Room - This Lunch also came with a delicious cup of soup. - American Near Me - Novato, California

We enjoy this as the best restaurant in Novato. We have been there more than 10 times. The food is always excellent and it has a nice wine list. The service is friendly and professional. It is located in a funky shopping mall and there are no windows to the outside. This is its charm. It feels very European, it's elegant, the seating is comfortable, and it's warm. Enjoy! read more

Love the Brussel sprouts here! All I order is delicious! I recommend this restaurant as a great small restaurant venue.

Great place, service good, parking easy, however the Ruben sandwich made me a bit sick. read more

The Board Room - American Near Me - Novato, California

Some friends and I celebrated my wife's birthday at lunchtime. This was a great experience from the decor to the service and the food. We had bread for the table. Entrees were a prime rib sandwich, two salmon salads and a rigatoni pasta (think stroganoff). We enjoyed a bottle of white wine which was reasonably priced. The service was great and we had great conversations. The restaurant has a full bar and at night also has a speakeasy attached. They also sent out a wonderful cheesecake and sparkler candle for my wife's birthday. The price for the meals is moderate but a value for what you get. I would definitely come back for a return visit, maybe for a special dinner. Cheers to the staff for making this a great experience! read more

The Board Room - C Birthday cheesecake - American Near Me - Novato, California

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We've been going to the Happy Hour here for a couple of years and have always been very happy w the food and drinks. Went recently and we were VERY disappointed. Most of the appetizers are now priced around $15.00 is pricey esp for HH. The potstickers were mini size, tasteless, a bit of chopped cabbage. The calamari seemed double dipped in greasy crumbly tempura, the small bits of calamari were tiny, dry, rubbery and flavorless. The mussels were so tiny I could barely find them in a heavy over flavored spicy sauce. Worst part was I got food poisoning and had symptoms for 3 days. The bartender is a rockstar, friendly and makes the BEST cocktails! For the price we paid we could have had a nice dinner out. I don't mind paying more but am saddened that the portions have been cut and the price can't support the quality and quantity. read more