›› ALL iN GOOD TASTE
Afternoon delights... ...and morning glories for Valentine diners in Marin by Pat Fu sco
Live Romantic Mariachi Music Sunday, February 14th „Ê Open 5-9pm (Music Starts at 6pm) Southwest Brunch Saturdays & Sundays 11:30 til 2:30
www.TacoJanes.com ★ 21 Tamalpais Ave, San Anselmo ★ 454-6562
“Where East Meets West in a Culinary Explosion of Taste & Sensations� LUNCH BUFFET $9.95
They’re breaking out the Brachyura this month at the Tavern at Lark Creek.
BREAK OUT OF THE DOLDRUMS In spite of the winter lull there is plenty of restaurant news this week. Woodlands Cafe is now open in KentďŹ eld where Willie’s Cafe operated for many years. The breakfast/lunch spot is part of the Woodlands Market family of businesses in the small shopping center near College of Marin; an extensive remodel has given it a fresh, appealing interior (complete with a ďŹ replace) while retaining its outside seating area. Ingredients are regionally sourced, often organic. Service is casual—order at the counter and food will be brought to the table... On Feb. 16, Iron Springs Pub & Brewery in Fairfax will observe its “Give Back Tuesdayâ€? by donating a portion of food and beverage sales to Marin Agricultural Land Trust. Known for hand-crafted brews and pub grub, it also has a menu for kids (415/485-1005)...The Lark Creek Restaurant Group is celebrating its 21st Dungeness Crab Festival, which means that its two Larkspur branches have some sweet treats in store throughout the month of February. The Tavern at Lark Creek is now serving seasonal dishes like crab salad with avocado, ruby grapefruit and crispy shallots, and crab cakes with fennel soubise as well as half or whole crabs (415/924-7766). Nearby Yankee Pier lists even more seafood choices with dishes like crab hushpuppies served with two sauces (415/924-7676)...Diners longing for zaalouk, merguez sausages, hearty tagines and couscous can ďŹ nd them at Cafe Trio (Montecito Shopping Center, San Rafael; 415/485-1404), where Moroccan dinners are featured TuesdaySaturday, 5:30-9:30pm. ✚ Contact Pat at patfusco@sonic.net.
Lunch: Mon-Fri 11:30-2:30 Sat-Sun 11:30-3:00 Dinner: 5:00-9:30
10% OFF All To-Go Food* From the Menu with Coupon Expires February 28, 2010
15% off Entire Bill (excluding buffet)
Dine-In Food Only – 1 Coupon Per Table Expires February 28, 2010
*Does not include Lunch Buffet
909 Fourth St., San Rafael U 459-9555 U dinebombaygarden.com
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7 DAYS A WEEK 30–35 Items to Choose From! + Mango Ice Cream OPEN EVERY DAY
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HOME-GROWN GOODNESS Could it be any more local? Cowgirl Creamery, increasing its production of seasonal cheeses, has introduced a winter beauty, Devil’s Gulch. Named for the wild ravine in Marin, it is made from Jersey cow milk from John Taverna’s dairy. It’s similar in flavor to the cheesemaker’s St. Pat and Pierce Pt. varieties and its rind is lightly dusted with sweet and spicy red flakes from peppers grown and dried by Janet Brown of AllStar Organics farm in Nicasio.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day At Taco Jane’s
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SWEETIE STRATEGIES Face it: By the time you read this, dinner reservations for Valentine’s Day will be impossible to score. Don’t be dismayed! Because it arrives on a Sunday, there are options available for dining out at less crowded (and less expensive) times throughout the day...Only you know whether your partner appreciates breakfast in bed. When that’s an option, go for it—otherwise, have a sit-down choice waiting, like croissants from La Boulange (Strawberry Village and Novato) or morning pastries from Emporio Rulli in Larkspur with fresh fruit or berries and great coffee. If bagels are more your style, be sure to buy fresh Marin Bagels and splurge on Nova lox with locally produced cream cheese...Brunch is a pleasing way to celebrate, especially at a place with atmosphere. Go Italian on the waterfront in Mill Valley at Piatti (415/380-2525) or at Il Fornaio in Town Center Corte Madera (415/927-4400). An alternative is to head for West Marin for cozy experiences at Two Bird Cafe in San Geronimo (415/488-0105) or Olema Inn (415/6639559, service starts at noon). A drive to Point Reyes Station will bring you to the town’s newest dining gem, Osteria Stellina (415/663-9988) for an early lunch...If the weather is ďŹ ne, why not go for a picnic with lusty foods and a bottle of something cold? If it isn’t, have an indoor picnic: Spread a cloth on the oor and capture the spirit...Instead of roses, bring the object of your affections a pretty basket ďŹ lled with the sweetest strawberries along with a bottle of properly festive bubbly (I recommend Gloria Ferrer Brut Rose, playful and pink and not too expensive)... The Smith Rafael Film Center is giving everyone a Valentine, a free screening of Casablanca at noon on Feb. 14. This could be part of a perfect date: one of the world’s most romantic ďŹ lms followed by drinks at a favorite bar, preferably one that has seductive little plates.
FEBRUARY 12 – FEBRUARY 18, 2010 PACIFIC SUN 21