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CORTE MADERA
BENISSIMO Italian
“Benissimo” means
“really, really good”
in Italian. Aside from
the daily 4 to 6: 30
p.m. happy hour, when
drinks are $3 to $5
and small plates $5
to $7, the menu offers
a large selection of
pizza, pasta and large
plates, like grilled
pork loin and pollo alla
marsala. 18 Tamalpais
Dr, 415.927.2316,
benissimos.com
BLUE BARN GOURMET
American The first
Marin outpost of the
S.F.–based Sustainable
Restaurant Group,
Blue Barn Gourmet
has proven to be very
popular. The menu
consists of customiz-able salads, toasted
sandwiches, soups
and more, prepared
with locally harvested
produce and proteins.
335 Corte Madera
Town Ctr, 415.927.1104,
bluebarngourmet.com
BOCA PIZZERIA Italian
Owners Shah Bahreyni
and Sam Ramadan’s
142-seat eatery features
Neapolitan-style pizza
topped with imported
San Marzano tomatoes
and fresh, house-made
mozzarella. Other
menu items (all made
with local ingredients)
include roasted leg of
lamb salad, beet salad,
a grilled eggplant sand-
wich and portobello
and porcini mushroom
ravioli. 1544 Redwood
Hwy, 415.924.3021,
bocapizzeria.com
BRICK & BO TTLE
California From private parties to catered
events, chef Bob
Simontacchi’s menu
offers seasonal selections made with local
ingredients. Enjoy
signature dishes like
orzo mac ‘n’ cheese
with smoked Gouda
and local favorites like
saffron fettucine and
tomato braised short
ribs. The restaurant
also hosts one of the
best happy hours in
town. 55 Tamal Vista
Blvd, 415.924.3366,
brickandbottle.com
CALIFORNIA PIZZA
KITCHEN California/
Eclectic An easy place to
bring the kids — Mom
and Dad can enjoy a
tasty Thai crunch salad
and a glass of wine
while the little ones
feast on basic, child-size
portions of pasta and
pizza. 347 Corte Madera
Town Ctr, 415.945.0401,
cpk.com
IL FORNAIO Italian
Sausalito’s Larry Mindel
hit a home run with
this upscale Italian
restaurant franchise.
Aside from the award-winning breads, pizzas
Parsnip Soup
• FAST FOOD FRANCAIS French F3 serves brunch, lunch and dinner,
all featuring “Frenchified” American comfort food. Sample a rotating
menu including items like the Luxe burger (Diestel turkey, brie,
lettuce and a fried egg topped with truffle aioli). Enjoy with a side of
Brussels sprout chips or pomme dauphines (tater tots). 39 Caledonia St,
415.887.9047, eatf3.com
AN INSIDER’S GUIDE TO RESTAURANTS AND GOOD FOOD IN THE BAY AREA EDITED BY MIMI TOWLE
Dine
