MoreEats!

Get the scoop on Marin restaurants here!  You'll find listings with county health inspections, Yelp reviews and restaurant website and locations all in one place!

Bonne Bouche: Three ingredients, three simple ways

Bonne Bouche with Chef Elizabeth Howes

 I've been on a bit of a hiatus over the past couple months.  Life sort of took over in some cases and in another I was happily eating and drinking my way through beautiful Spain.   But, I couldn't be happier to be back at the beginning of the season that's all about comfort, warmth and deep, rich flavors.  I once heard autumn referred to as the season of "food hugs".  How appropriate.

Here are a couple simple, delicious ways to incorporate some of my fall favorites.  And, as always, don't be shy about sharing some of yours, too.

Living the Wine Life: Cold weather = unpredictable grape harvest

Living The Wine Life with Doug Levy-

In case you hadn't noticed, the Bay area's weather has been a tad chillier than normal this year. For most of us, that just means putting on a sweater or turning on the heat. But odd weather can wreak havoc on agriculture, especially for the oh-so-sensitive wine grapes. Nonetheless, the first grapes of the 2010 California vintage will be picked this week in Napa and Sonoma.

Dining with Danielle: Brick & Bottle

By Danielle Schubert-

Brick & Bottle had me perplexed for a moment after I walked in. I didn't see any brick, maybe it was hidden in the kitchen, or somewhere that didn't catch my eye. I did spot a plethora of bottles though- wine, bourbon and the like. I guess the title "& Bottle" was already taken, or just not really a grand idea. Maybe the word spreading throughout Marin telling tales of tasty pizza, (as in how they cook their flatbreads) was a teaser for delectables to come. As I said, I was confused, because I thought they cooked their pizzas in a stone oven. Still, I aimlessly searched for the brick.

Dining with Danielle: Dish

By Danielle Schubert-

Mill Valley mixes a lot of different type of people, and does it well. We all have different tastes. Some getting into their Ferraris with their sports clothes on, some getting into their Prius' with eco-sensitive clothing and a Prada purse. We're casual chic hidden in the trees of Southern Marin.

Sometimes it's tricky to find somewhere with good quality food and great service, that isn't too dressy to walk in without changing out of your havianas. Dish has found that niche in Mill Valley, and is serving up quality locally sustained organic food that's thoughtfully prepared in a casually upscale dining environment which is still kid-friendly. Yep, thats a mouthful, but it's true.

Sad news from Ross Valley Winery

Ross Valley Winery, a small, family-owned winery smack dab in the middle of Marin, has shut its doors for good.

Ross Valley Winery, which was profiled here as part of our Marin winery series, was a special place run by a wonderful character, winemaker Paul Kreider. The crushing economy was just too much for the vintner who began making wine in his garage back in the mid-70s. A post on the winery website pretty much says it all-

"Thank you for your support over the past 23 years but there are not enough of you during these tough times to cover our overhead, which became way too high. We tried everything I could imagine and if you have been following you know that there were some innovative promotions. I think it boils down to the fact that there a lot of pretty innocuous wines for sale at $6.00 which seems most important to people right now. And I understand that."

Paul won't just be closing down his winery, he'll be moving out of Marin and California entirely, and relocating in Washington to be closer to family. He promises to keep friends informed of his new adventures via his new website, Paul's Chronicles.

We wish him well and we will miss his wonderful space, but mostly his wonderful personality.

Dining with Danielle: Woodlands Cafe

By Danielle Schubert-

I find myself aimlessly searching the aisles at Woodlands Market, starving beyond belief, overwhelmed with all of the delicious organic produce and locally made products. Sometimes I just want to sit down and take a break in their wine aisle, tasting some of the California wineries best years, while putting my feet up on the airy shelves.

Sometimes I don't want to cook, but I do want to support local farmers and their artisanal foodie delights. Now Woodlands Cafe has provided me the perfect happy medium.

Bonne Bouche - Perfect summer recipe

Bonne Bouche with Chef Elizabeth Howes

For some reason, I had "summer fever" at the beginning of spring this year.  Maybe it was because of all the seemingly endless rain.  Or, it could be the allure of all the impossibly fresh, abundant, and vibrant food that arrives this time of year.  Either way, it's official.  Monday marked the first day of summer and my backyard is primed for incredibly festive parties with plenty of great friends, succulent wines and seasonal summer cuisine as the guest of honor.

Here's a great recipe featuring some of summer's best and freshest.  It's perfect for a romantic, al fresco dinner for two or as a feast for many.  That said, I know risotto can seem a bit intimidating.  And, there is an element of timing.  But, in its defense, you can create a big batch to feed even the largest, most ravenous crowd at the same time.  To add, you'll probably score some major points for "slaving" over a hot stove to prepare a celebratory dish just about everyone I know adores. 

Living The Wine Life: Napa-- plenty of room for wineries big and small

Living The Wine Life with Doug Levy-

One of the great joys for those of us who enjoy wine is discovering lesser known labels and sharing them with friends. At the same time, there is a lot to be said about larger wineries that make good wines consistently. I am especially grateful for the larger wineries when traveling, since artisan producers are less likely to have national distribution.

This past weekend, I had a great study in contrasts between Cabernet powerhouse Pine Ridge Winery which produces some 70,000 cases a year, and Corison Winery another outstanding Cabernet producer but one that makes only about 3,000 cases a year. That's a big difference. The beauty is that there is plenty of room for both -- and many others, too.

Best Bets: Sweet treats-- our top 5 bakery picks in Marin

The next time a craving for a flaky croissant, a rich, moist cupcake or a deep,dark chocolate cookie strikes, you'd do well to check out our bakery picks in Marin.

We've picked five bakeries that span the County from West Marin to Novato. Each bakery has something uniquely delicious, and different, to offer which has earned it a place on our list of Best Bets. 

MV welcomes Whole Foods #2

Farm-stand style produce displays in a bright, soaring and slightly industrial space greeted shoppers as Whole Foods opened it's doors Wednesday in Mill Valley.

It's not the first Whole Foods-- the township has another store just across town. But this branch, located in the former Albertsons in the Alto Shopping Center on E. Blithedale at 24,000 square-feet, is enormous-- much roomier than its predecessor.

More room equals more product and Whole Foods managers say this particular branch will be stocked with a lot of local produce-- from some 350 vendors from around the Bay Area. That gives it much more of a farmer's market style which should work well in organic savvy Mill Valley.

For those wondering what will happen to the Mill Valley Farmer's Market which has been held in the Alto parking, it will be moved. The farmer's market will set up next door at the CVS parking lot according to Marinscope.  

Buckets of basil? Tons of tomatoes? Share that bounty!

With warmer weather just around the corner (no, really!), Marin gardeners are preparing plantings in anticipation of a summer bounty of veggies, fruit and flowers. The problem is, what do you do when come harvest you're overflowing with baskets of butternut squash, bushels of basil and tons of tomatoes? 

Why you share bring it to one Marin Open Garden Project (MOGP) exchanges.

The exchange had its inaugural season last year (we profiled them), and they're back with multiple locations for backyard gardeners this year. The exchange works on a barter system-- what you do is bring what you've grown to share with others who've brought what they've grown. No money changes hands.

The MOGP has other programs including gardener networking (people with land let others grown on it), gardening events and gardening advice. Here are the locations for the exchanges--

• Mill Valley: Boyle Park, Saturday, June 5th, 9-10 AM
• San Anselmo: Town Hall Lawn, Saturday, June 5th, 9:30-10:30 AM
• San Rafael: Sun Valley Park, Saturday, June 5th,  9:00-10:00 AM
• Fairfax:  Sustainable Fairfax, Saturday, June 19th, 3:00-4:00 PM
• Novato: Location & Time to be announced shortly . . .

Wine Notes: Wine for warmer weather

Wine Notes with Stephanie Kerry-

Even though the weather doesn't feel like summer lately, warmer weather is around the corner. As summer approaches I begin to break out the "warmer weather" wines. These are wines that are traditionally served chilled and are a wonderful afternoon treat or a perfect pairing with fresh summer foods. Common summer wines are Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Pinot Gris, Riesling and the list goes on. The wine that speaks "summer" to me most is the Rosé. Unfortunately, the word "Rosé" conjures up thoughts of cheap, syrupy wines in many wine drinkers' minds. For me, the thought of a good Rosé hearkens my mind to French hillsides in the afternoon summer heat and bright, fruity flavors. If you go to Provence or the Rhone regions during the summer you will find a bottle of Rosé on every outdoor cafe table. It is quite popular in European countries and slowly becoming respected here in the United States. How did these poor Rosés get such a bad rap in the first place?

Food approved for controversial Sausalito waterfront location

Sausalito residents and visitors can expect the smell of pizza to waft down Bridgeway from a long-vacant waterfront building sometime this summer.

According to Marinscope, the Sausalito Planning Commission just gave the green light for a pizzeria to open at the small waterfront location which was formerly occupied by the Northpoint Coffee Co. The decision ended a year-and-a-half long vacancy, and controversy.

Last year, Peet's Coffee and Tea was denied an opportunity to open a branch there after the same commission deemed them a 'formula retail' business. Those types of enterprises are not allowed along the historic waterfront.

Although the pizzeria owners are also affiliated with other restaurants in the Bay Area, including a few in Marin, they are not designated as formula retail. 

Not everyone in town was thrilled to hear about the new restaurant. Another local pizzeria owner complained about the competition, but we feel there can't really be enough good pizzerias.

Bonne Bouche: Allergies? Trying stinging nettles

Bonne Bouche with Chef Elizabeth Howes

To the seasonal allergy sufferer, many times relief cannot come soon enough.  The itchy, watery eyes, runny nose and incessant sneezing make you feel as if you're under serious attack.  If you're anything like me, you've tried countless remedies without success and have resigned yourself to the fact that you will just suffer for a good portion of spring, if not longer.  But, what if nature has another answer?

I began incorporating nettles into my diet last year and have noticed a significant improvement in my, once hopeless, seasonal allergy symptoms.  Native to Europe and now growing wild in regions of North America and Canada, stinging nettles are famed for their ability to create quite an impressive rash upon contact with the skin.  The leaves and stems possess fine hairs that contain a host of chemicals which are released when they come in contact with the skin.  But don't let this scare you off.   The stinging feature is easily squelched with heat, either a quick soak in boiling water or in a hot pan with some olive oil.  With a little finesse, nettles are quite simple to prepare and full of health-boosting--and allergy busting--compounds.

Best Bets: Vino with a view!

Because the weather is getting good, we thought we'd debut our new column, Best Bets, by sharing our very favorite places to sip a glass of wine and enjoy a spectacular view. 

What could be better than a glass of cool, crisp Voigner or a smoky, satisfying Cabernet Sauvignon?

Drinking them while enjoying a view of course. And in Marin, we've got views. Here are our four Best Bets picks for the top places to enjoy a glass of wine, and take in a breathtaking view to boot.

Wine Notes: Store your stash

Wine Notes with Stephanie Kerry-

Summer is coming up faster than we know it. Soon, it will be here and the sun will be shining. Shining sun means warmer temperatures. Warmer temperatures mean warmer homes. Warm homes mean spoiled wine. That is, unless you know how to properly store your wines. Most of us are not fortunate enough to have a wine cellar or other controlled temperature environment to store our wines. Closets, pantries, garages and room corners serve as cellars for many people. How do we know if our wines are being stored at the right temperature, or in the right way?  Red wines need to be stored different from white wines and white wines need to be stored different from champagnes and sparkling wines. What are the rules?

Bonne Bouche: Driscoll's, the many secrets behind the berry

Bonne Bouche with Chef Elizabeth Howes

Attractive in shape and color, hardy enough to travel well, superior skin strength, resistant to disease and incredibly flavorful – all characteristics a Driscoll's berry must possess before arriving safely at your door.  The main goal in every last step it takes to produce this fruit is "to delight the consumer."  This is how Driscoll's has built such a vibrant, well-known, loyal brand- keeping the customer at the forefront in the many, often complex, decisions made when producing these gems.  There is no doubt these people possess ultimate passion for what they do.

Recently, I was honored to be part of a small group of food bloggers and writers invited to breakfast to learn the inside scoop into what it takes to produce the famous berries belonging to Driscoll's berry farm.  Cassin Farm, a gorgeous piece of property in Watsonville, CA is where it all comes together for this talented group.

Brand new Whole Foods throws open its doors in Novato

If you happen to be in downtown Novato today, you might want to head over to 790 DeLong Avenue to Whole Foods. The long awaited Whole Foods is opening for business. Doors open at 8:00 a.m. 

Novato's finest will be on-hand directing traffic and assisting patrons on directions. There is parking in the new Whole Foods building but most of the parking will be on streets surrounding the building. Police want to remind patrons that there are two-hour parking limits and they'll be strictly enforced. For more information on parking, Marinscope has put together a comprehensive article here.

Here are some last minute photos taken just a few days ago and we'll have some opening day photos posted here later.

Living The Wine Life: Wines outside of Napa and Sonoma

Living The Wine Life with Doug Levy-

Napa and Sonoma are not California's only wine-producing counties

The prominence of Napa and Sonoma among the world's wine producing regions stems from many factors that contribute to healthy vineyards, outstanding grapes, and excellent winemaking. However, California's wine industry has its origins outside of what we now consider Wine Country, and scores of wineries are emerging in places like the Sierra foothills, where wine grapes have grown in Napa's shadows for decades. While I am a long way from turning to Lodi or points further east for a rich Cabernet, there are many good wines -- and some outstanding values -- coming from the lesser known wine regions.

Bonne Bouche: Bring on Spring with this recipe

Bonne Bouche with Chef Elizabeth Howes

Like many people, I adore spring. Food at this time of year just seems to burst with color--and nutrients.  Here's a simple dish to pull together using any of your favorite seasonal vegetables.  It's quick, it's healthy and incredibly flavorful.  All you need is a crisp glass of white wine like a Sauvignon Blanc or Viognier and a sunny outdoor patio (hear that Mother Nature?) to shake those winter doldrums and begin the process of renewal.

Six Marin eateries on Bauer's annual top 100 restaurant list for 2010

It's no surprise that ever-popular Sushi Ran and Murray Circle made Michael Bauer's annual foodie bible, the top 100 Restaurants in the Bay Area. So did Poggio, Picco and it's sister next door--Pizzeria Picco. Those restaurants were all named on last year's list.

But it's especially great news for the folks over at Osteria Stellina (pictured in photo) in Point Reyes Station. They were added to this years list.

And off the list?  Nick's Cove and Buckeye Roadhouse were both dropped from the top 100.

For more info on these six big picks, check out MoreMarin's restaurant database.   (photo of Osteria Stellina courtesy of restaurant website)

Bonne Bouche: Tools of the trade

Bonne Bouche with Chef Elizabeth Howes

People always ask me which kitchen tools and gadgets they should invest in.  Really, it's a rather personal purchase, in my opinion.  What are your strengths and weaknesses in the kitchen?  What shortcuts would you like to make?  Or, what skill would you like to acquire?  Personally, I don't own a strawberry slicer, tomato corer or garlic peeler.  It would probably take me longer to finish the task with these gadgets.   I do know some people who would be lost without these tools, however. 

Besides my hands – always a cook's ultimate tool – here are a few tools I cannot live without in the kitchen.  In my book, a few very high quality, simple tools generally work best.

Whole Foods Market construction update

Anyone curious about the construction progress on the soon-to-open Whole Foods Market in Novato can get a sneak peak on the new space from some photos posted on their Facebook page. We've copied a few here to the right, and below. The store is scheduled to open for business on April 22nd and special events info is posted on their FB page.

As far as the new Whole Foods under construction over in Mill Valley, we promise we'll try and get some photos of that posted as well. It may be more of a challenge, though,  because we can't seem to find a Facebook page for that location. Additionally, a large fence has been erected in front of the store, so you can't get a good look into the construction site either. No word yet on that store's expected opening.   

Wine Notes: Irish isn't only beer

Wine Notes with Stephanie Kerry-

St Patrick's Day is just around the corner. It is a time when we get to eat and drink our way through the Irish culture. Restaurants and bars serve Irish fare from a full Irish breakfast to Irish stew to the traditional American-Irish dish of corned beef and cabbage.  At the restaurant or bar you will be offered the traditional pairing with these foods: Beer. 

Living The Wine Life: Local wineries = good wine

Living The Wine Life with Doug Levy-

San Francisco not only is the home city for many people in the wine industry, it is becoming a much more complete wine center, with multiple wine tasting rooms and even a few genuine wineries (although Crushpad has just relocated from Dogpatch to Napa.) One result is that a second annual wine tasting fundraiser for the San Francisco Public Library drew some two dozen wineries on a recent Sunday (Feb. 21.)

And we're not talking about garage-vintners pouring plonk.