ALICE in Marinland ing to provide the quality and freshness that Marin’s health-conscious want, in a product that was affordable and quick-and-easy to get, Greg opened his first High Tech Burrito on Fourth Street in San Rafael in May of 1986. People have since flocked to their unique combinations, including the “Cajun,” “Surf-n-Turf” and “Thai” burritos. Now the California-style taqueria has 13 stores in the Bay Area, with the first franchise opening in Australia. And Greg insists the growth has been methodical and organic, dedicated to continue delivering his high-quality products for good value in the proper locations. In the meantime, Greg’s introduced a new “Healthy Grill” menu of options under 600 calories and an updated menu meant to streamline the ease of ordering for his loyal, appreciative clientele. ----------------------------High Tech Burrito
484 Las Gallinas Ave., San Rafael 526.2188; 2042 Fourth St., San Rafael 485.0214; 118 Strawberry Village, Mill Valley 388.7002; 942 Diablo Ave., Novato 897.8083 www.hightechburrito.com. 2ND Grilly’s, Mill Valley 3RD Lucinda’s, Mill Valley
BEST CHINESE RESTAURANT As the benevolent and genial matriarch of Jennie Low’s Chinese Cuisine—an estimable 22-year culinary favorite—Jennie Low, now 70 years old, still enjoys her work. She admits that she thought about retiring at 58, then 62, then 65... “Now I just don’t say ‘retire,’” she jokes. “I just enjoy my customers too much.” And the feeling is mutual; her loyal customers—“extended family,” she calls them—return again and again for Jennie’s mango chicken, Cantonese noodle, chicken pot stickers and crab puffs, among other delicacies, the healthful cooking of which is diligently supervised in the kitchen by Jennie and her daughters. “This year when I found out Jennie Low’s won Best of Marin, I was overcome by emotion and deeply honored,” says Jennie, who confesses she was worried that she would lose some of her biggest fans after closing the Mill Valley location in 2007— not so, as they’ve popped up at both her Novato and Petaluma sites. “A special thank you to my Marin customers for their years of loyalty and support! As we look forward to the Year of the Tiger, my staff and I will continue to do our very best to be worthy of this great honor.” ----------------------------Jennie Low’s Chinese Cuisine
120 Vintage Way, Novato 892.8838 2ND Yet Wah, San Rafael 3RD Tommy’s Wok Cuisine, Sausalito
BEST DELI Comforts, a San Anselmo institution for 23 years, has found a successful formula 26 PACIFIC SUN MARCH 26 – APRIL 1, 2010
for keeping customers happy. Chef Glenn Miwa changes about one-third of the menu every day, much of it shaped by what arrives in the boxes from local organic farms. Paying attention to current trends, the Miwas have introduced gluten-free alternatives in the takeout case. Low fat and sodium and no refined sugar keep the “choice” items on the menu continuously popular here in fit-conscious Marin. Besides all the healthy stuff, they make a daily hash, baked-from-scratch breakfast goodies, as well as their classic coconut layer cake. Not in the mood for something sweet? Then order the Chinese chicken salad, a classic that never goes out of style. ----------------------------Comforts
335 San Anselmo Ave., San Anselmo 454.9840 2ND Mike’s Sourdough, San Rafael 3RD Perry’s Deli, various locations
BEST FRENCH RESTAURANT The authentic Left Bank Brasserie, housed in the historic Blue Rock building, hit adolescence and began to question its identity. General manager Jennifer Courtney says it found itself and is once again the place to go for enjoying a long list of outstanding brasserie classics in convivial surroundings (the bar is particularly lively). A facelift, lower prices and Chef de Cuisine Sean Canavan, who came on board a year-and-a-half ago, have hip French-food fanciers packing the place. Canavan’s seasonal menu—inspired by Paris’ famous Les Deux Magots—is fundamentally French, with a soupcon of California—locally available fresh ingredients—tossed in. He says health-conscious diners have led him to tweak a number of familiar French offerings, creating dishes that are lighter, but no less delicious. So it’s not 50 million Frenchmen, but could a majority of Marin diners be wrong? ----------------------------Left Bank Brasserie
507 Magnolia Ave., Larkspur 927.3331 2ND Le Garage, Sausalito 3RD Le Chalet Basque Restaurant, San Rafael
Staff pick BEST HONEST-TO-GOD DINER No, we aren’t talking about trim little postmodern coffeehouses with enokiarugula scrambles on the menu and vases of flowers where the catsup and paper napkins ought to be. When we say “diner” we mean Lundy’s, the sort of a place where a hack or a skirt can get an honest cup of joe and a platter of grub without emptying the pockets and forfeiting the rent money. Housed in the historic (1883) Mulberry Building, the place is rich with retro ambience. The long, narrow space is dominated by a polished-wood counter where you can watch affable countermen fry eggs, grill potatoes and flip pancakes.
< 25 Best of Marin 2010 Vintage photographs and Giants memorabilia decorate the walls along with handlettered signs listing the house specials, classics like biscuits and gravy, huevos rancheros, chicken-fried steak and cornedbeef hash (a particular local favorite). Other specialties include an Irish breakfast complete with bacon, sausage, grilled tomatoes and mushrooms; two dozen sandwiches (when’s the last time you had a Reuben or a Monte Cristo?); several big blossoming California salads; and chili, pork chops, waffles, milkshakes and other timeless rib-stickers. The stipend is minimal, the servings are bountiful, the doors open at 6 in the a.m. and owner Lupe Mercado makes everyone feel at home. ----------------------------Lundy’s Home Cooking
1143 Fourth St., San Rafael 456.7669
Staff pick BEST HOSTELRY There aren’t many hotels in Marin or elsewhere with the charm, ambience and away-from-it-all vibe of the Panama. Built a century ago as a private home, this bucolic Gerstle Park landmark has been catering to boarders, diners and travelers since 1926 and offers the relaxed atmosphere of an
old-school country retreat. A series of pastel buildings and a garden patio host a popular restaurant and nine singular accommodations, each decorated in a different style (safari, nautical, pueblo, Venetian, bordello and, of course, Lady Bracknell’s boudoir). Your room, suite or bungalow might have a wet bar, skylight, sitting room, clawfoot tub or bidet, and all feature a private patio or balcony as well as a refrigerator, cable TV and microwave oven. All in all it’s a comfy, relaxing hideaway to enjoy some yummy California cuisine, hear some live and lively jazz, blues and flamenco and get away from it all in classic Marvelous Marin fashion. ----------------------------Panama Hotel
4 Bayview St., San Rafael 457.3993
BEST ICE CREAM/YOGURT Going to Fairfax and passing up a cone at Fairfax Scoop would be like traveling to Agra and shielding your eyes from the Taj Mahal. This friendly little hole in the wall scoops up ice cream, yogurt and sorbet crafted in small batches from all-natural ingredients like Straus Family dairy products, Tomales Farms produce, evaporated sugarcane juice and a dizzying array of spices and flavorings. The constantly evolving menu might include chocolate-covered grasshopper, mate tea from South America,
+ Candy Mendell Rick’s Wine Cellar
The Caterpillar was the first to speak. ‘What size do you want to be?’ it asked.
+ Rick Mendell Rick’s Wine Cellar