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Out & About / DINE
NOVATO
CHIANTI CUCINA
Italian This cozy eatery
features an array of
Italian and American
choices, including a long
list of pasta options; try
the house-made ravioli
cooked up by chef Chris
Harman. 7416 Redwood
Hwy, 415.878.0314,
chiantinovato.com
HILLTOP 1892 California
Situated on a historic
estate in Novato
with sweeping views,
Hilltop 1892 offers
classic favorites with a
California flair. Open
lunch through dinner, as well as Sunday
brunch. 850 Lamont
Ave, 415.893.1892,
hilltop1892.com
RICKEY’S
RESTAURANT & BAR
American Besides a
full-service restaurant
and bar (with banquet
and meeting rooms),
this comfort food bastion offers poolside
dining and a garden
patio overlooking green
lawns. Visit during the
summer from 6: 30 to
9: 30 p.m. for live jazz
to accompany your
meal. 250 Entrada
Dr, 415.883.9477,
rickeysrestaurant.com
RUS TIC BAKERY
California Organic
mouthwatering pastries, breads and
sandwiches are on
the menu here. Try
the Marin Melt —
Cowgirl Creamery’s
Mt. Tam and Point
Reyes’ Toma cheeses
grilled on honey whole
wheat bread, served
with dressed baby
greens and crisp apple
slices. 1407 Grant
Ave, 415.878.4952,
rusticbakery.com
SONOMA LATINA
GRILL Mexican The
menu includes standbys
like tacos, burritos and
enchiladas (all prepared
with local and organic
ingredients) plus a list
of favorites from the
original Sonoma location. In keeping with
the unprocessed theme,
tortillas are made by
hand with natural
and organic whole
grains. 5800 Nave Dr,
Ste D, 415.883.2662,
sonomalatinagrill.com
WILDFOX American
Perched on the hillside
off Highway 101, this
rustic eatery with a
mesquite grill features
a menu full of comfort
dishes, like seafood
risotto with butternut
squash. In the mood for
a cigar? The restaurant
has a lengthy list of
options. 225 Alameda
del Prado, 415.883.9125,
wildfoxrestaurant.com
SAN ANSELMO
BISTRO 330 French
Bistro 330 features
simple French cuisine — think steak
frites, mussels and
crème brûlée — in the
heart of San Anselmo.
330 San Anselmo Ave,
415.460.6330
COMFORTS CAFE
American This cozy
spot features local
favorites made with
local ingredients. Stop
in for breakfast, lunch,
weekend brunch and
offerings from the
delicious deli selection. Be sure to try the
Philly cheesesteak
and Chinese chicken
salad, both classics.
335 San Anselmo
Ave, 415.454.9840,
comfortscafe.com
INSALATA’S
Mediterranean
Award-winning chef
Heidi Krahling offers
Mediterranean and
Middle Eastern dishes
prepared with local
organic produce and
artisan meats. 120
Sir Francis Drake
Blvd, 415.457.7700,
insalatas.com
L’APPAR T RESTO
French Owners Bruno
Denis and Olivier
Souvestre of Le Garage
fame offer a menu most
Francophiles would
be proud of, complete
with items like roasted
bone marrow and cassoulet. 636 San Anselmo
Ave, 415.256.9884,
lappartresto.com
LA LOGGIA Italian
Inspired by an Italian
culture that celebrates
local, artisanal food
and wine, this cafe
and vinoteca is a com-
munity gathering place
serving delicious, fresh
food. Dishes include
ragu Bolognese on
polenta and braised
pork shoulder sliders.
500 San Anselmo Ave,
415.234.8698,
laloggiasa.com
MARINITAS Mexican
The sister restaurant
of Insalata’s, Marinitas
continues to flourish
as a bastion of creative
Latin cuisine in Marin.
It may not be as low-priced as most Mexican
restaurants in the area,
but this is not your typical south-of-the-border
spot. The festive atmosphere and funky decor
complement the excellent food for a classy,
lively experience. This
place gets packed, so
make reservations.
218 Sir Francis Drake
Blvd, 415.454.8900,
marinitas.net
VALENTI & CO. Italian
This bright and cozy
space is the ideal environment for a sampling
of authentic Italian cuisine from Chef Valenti,
a Milanese transplant.
Though Valenti sticks
to his culinary roots,
the dishes at his Marin
restaurant make use
of local ingredients.
A seat at the vinobar
offers a prime view
of the open kitchen.
337 San Anselmo
Ave, 415.454.7800,
valentico.com
SAN RAFAEL
AMICI’S EAST COAST
PIZZERIA California
The wide array of thin-crust pizza includes
the Siciliano, an enticing mix of mozzarella,
slow-roasted garlic,
sausage, broccoli and
crushed red pepper
flakes, sans tomato
sauce. Gluten free
crust is available. 1242
Fourth St, 415.455.9777,
amicis.com
ARIZMENDI BAKERY
California A worker-owned bakery,
Arzimendi prides itself
on using the freshest,
most local ingredients
available. Besides the
famous wolverines
and cheese rolls, it also
offers an assortment
of morning pastries,
artisan breads and
sourdough pizzas. 1002
Fourth St, 415. 456.4093,
arizmendibakery.org
FENIX California An
intimate live-music
venue in the heart of
downtown San Rafael.
Fenix features globally
inspired California
cuisine with a Southern
French t wist. Dishes
like fried green tomatoes or 72-hours
sous-vide short ribs
— accompanied by a
glass from the extensive
wine list — define the
experience. 919 Fourth
Street, 415.813.5600,
fenixlive.com
IL DAVIDE Italian A
large selection of both
Italian and California
wines by the glass,
along with the tiramisu,
have kept locals coming
back for years. Don’t
leave without sampling
• FLOUR CRAFT BAKERY
California Flour Craft is San
Anselmo’s answer to local
gluten-free needs: Artisan
pastries, fresh bread, desserts,
special occasion cakes and
lunch items are all gluten-and peanut-free. Customer
favorites include the Earl
Grey Chocolate Tea Cake and
Flourless Hazelnut Fudge. 702
San Anselmo Ave, 415.453.3100,
flourcraftbakery.com
Whoopie Pie
