In November, we shared some of the best places in Mill Valley to eat, drink, shop, stay and play. But, as there are so many wonderful establishments in this wonderful town, we felt this warranted at least a two-part blog series...and maybe more!
EAT
Bungalow 44
44 E. Blithedale Drive
Website: bungalow44.com
Bungalow 44's inventive California cuisine includes starters such as warm Brussels sprouts salad with grilled onions and bacon. House specialties include the Kickin' Fried Chicken, getting their feisty name from a hint of heat courtesy of cayenne pepper. Other Bungalow favs are the braised short ribs, and the succulent, grilled pork chop with a side of spicy baked black-eyed peas. And for dessert, the decadent butterscotch pudding is worth the indulgence!
Punjabi Burritos
15 Madrona Street
Website: enjoyavatars.com
Punjabi Burritos offers delicious Mexican-Indian-inspired lunch options. Even their simplest burritos feature curried garbanzo beans, basmati rice and chutney wrapped in whole wheat naan bread. Create your own custom burrito with fillings such as smoked eggplant and curried pumpkin.
Kitchen Sunnyside Café
31 Sunnyside Ave.
Website: kitchensunnyside.com
This retro diner offers an amazing array of breakfast items including their Sunnyside Hash, a giant pile of hash browns crowned with bacon, cheddar cheese, red onion, mushrooms and the kick of jalapenos. The lunch menu includes paninis, burgers and salads. Favorites are the Baja cheesesteak, bacon panini and wasabi chicken salad.
DRINK
Mill Valley Beerworks
173 Throckmorton Ave.
Website: millvalleybeerworks.com
Photo credit: Dorothy O'Donnell
Owned by brothers Tyler and Justin Catalan, Mill Valley Beerworks' serves up the charm of an old-world European tavern with modern touches. Their variety of craft beers and ales, many from their Fort Point Beer Company in the Presidio, makes this gastropub a popular stop for mountain bikers, hikers and other outdoor adventurers. Even if you're not a beer fan, you'll appreciate the innovative farm-to-table brunch and dinner fare. The menus change daily but always feature a selection of small plates. Larger dinner plates include a porcini-rubbed flatiron steak and a rainbow trout served on a bed of French green lentils.
Juice Girl
45 Camino Alto
Website: juicegirlmv.com
If you're feeling the urge to cleanse or are a fan of the energizing liquid meal, Juice Girl's cold-pressed juices and smoothies are sure to please. Flush out toxins with a Blueberry Detox smoothie (frozen blueberries, green tea, kale and spinach) or boost your immunity with a bottle of Mighty C (cold-pressed carrot, citrus and apple juice spiked with ginger).
SHOP
Mint
167 B Throckmorton Ave.
Photo credit: Dorothy O'Donnell
Website: mintdesignplay.com
Next door to Mill Valley Mercantile, Mint offers an assortment of unique clothing made from natural fibers in addition to accessories and modern yet whimsical home products. One-of-a-kind fashions include alpaca sweater coats knit on an antique loom in Peru from designer Lauren Manoogian. If you're a minimalist, you may want to scoop up a boxy, Japanese-inspired tunic dress from Black Crane. Throughout the store, shelves and tables are lined with Il Bisonte purses and wallets, Japanese glassware and pottery, and Le Feu de l'Eau candles.
Two Neat
111 Throckmorton Ave.
Website: twoneat.com
Photo credit: Dorothy O'Donnell
Two Neat is known for their cheeky greeting cards—some of them quite racy—as well as cards designed by local artists. It's also the place to stock up humorous kitschy tchotchkes and gifts.
PLAY
O'Hanlon Center for the Arts
616 Throckmorton Ave.
Website: ohanloncenter.org
Just down the road from Cascade Falls, O'Hanlon Center for the Arts features galleries and studios set on a hillside sprinkled with trees and sculptures. The center offers classes in art, writing and meditation as well as exhibitions showcasing the work of local artists.
Throckmorton Theatre
142 Throckmorton Ave.
Website: throckmortontheatre.org
Since 2002 when Mill Valley arts enthusiast Lucy Mercer purchased the theatre and brought it back to life, "The Throck," as it's often referred to, has been a mainstay of Marin's live entertainment scene. Plays, comedy shows as well as jazz and classical concerts and performances by well-known local and national musicians are events to be enjoyed in this Mill Valley theater.
