Have You Tried These 5 Mill Valley Restaurants?

We all have our favorite go-to places to grab a bite to eat but sometimes it's nice to expand our culinary horizons and try something new. Below are five of Mill Valley's best eclectic eateries.

Bungalow 44

Bungalow 44. Photo courtesy of Yelp.

Known for its bar atmosphere and impressive cocktail selection, Bungalow 44 is a hot spot for foodies and those looking for an enjoyable night on the town.  With an inviting ambiance and attentive wait staff, you can dine inside or, when the weather allows, bring your pooch and sit on the patio while digging into their top-notch burgers and steaks. Some of the most popular dishes are the Gorgonzola Gnocchi, “Harry’s Bar” Tuna Carpaccio, Warm Brussels Sprouts Salad, Braised Short Ribs, and Kickin’ Fried Chicken.

Address: 44 E Blithedale Ave, Mill Valley, CA 94941   |   Phone:(415) 381-2500

Avatar's Punjabi Burrito

Avatar's.  Photo Courtesy of 365thingsmarin.wordpress.com

The inviting aroma surrounding Avatar’s is a harbinger of the delicious food that awaits. They combine Mexican and Indian flavors and foods, offering up unique burrito selections and a variety of flavorful meals. Great food at an equally great price,  Avatar’s is the place for burrito-lovers. Try the jerk chicken and pumpkin enchilada for some serious flavor!

Address: 15 Madrona St, Mill Valley, CA 94941   |   Phone:(415) 381-8293

Muir Woods Trading Company

Muir Woods Trading Company.  Photo Courtesy of zmenu.com

Muir Woods Trading Company is nestled in the wilderness surrounded by gorgeous scenery. The café offers snacks and sandwiches made from organic ingredients, easy for a quick bite before or after a hike. The fresh food and thriving atmosphere make for a pleasant dining experience. The cafe's grilled cheese was featured on Food Network! Vegan, vegetarian and special dietary considerations are given to the menus, so there’s nothing holding you back.

Address: 1 Muir Woods Rd, Mill Valley, CA 94941   |   Phone:(415) 388-7059

Harmony Restaurant

Harmony. Photo courtesy of enjoymillvalley.com

With the “best pot-stickers in America”, Harmony Restaurant is an eatery with a homey atmosphere and reasonable prices. Renown for its Dim Sum and mixture of traditional and modern Chinese cuisine, Harmony uses seasonal selections of fine local ingredients, perfect to pair with their premium sakes and imported Asian beers.  Whether it’s comfort food or date night, Harmony is the perfect venue for any occasion.

 Address: 800 Redwood Highway, Suite 401, Frontage Road, Mill Valley, CA 94941

Phone:(415) 381-5300

Gira Polli

Photo courtesy of Gira Polli

Gira Polli has a quaint, Italian neighborhood-feel with a truly authentic menu. For a special occasion, try their Italian dining experience.  The prawn-smoked salmon or roasted chicken are both top sellers as is the cannoli with creamy ricotta filling. Gira Polli is ideal for an initamte date night and offers fast, friendly services in addition to its impeccable food.

 Address: 590 E Blithedale Ave, Mill Valley, CA 94941   |   Phone:(415) 383-6040

Break Out Your Craziest Costume for the 104th Bay to Breakers

On May 15th, thousands of runners and walkers will participate in the 104th annual Zappos.com Bay to Breakers. This 12K race starts at 8am at Main and Howard Streets in San Francisco and finishes with a festival at the Ocean Beach parking lot on the Great Highway.

Since its inaugural race in 1912, almost 2 million people have completed the race, many decked in wild and crazy costumes. In fact, Bay to Breakers has been voted among the top 10 most iconic races in the United States. Encompassing all that is wild and wonderful about San Francisco, Bay to Breakers is so much more than just a foot race. It celebrates culture, traditions, athleticism and individualism all in one. There are outrageous costumes (including birthday suits), quirky traditions (like the centipede, in which a minimum of 13 runners are linked together), tortilla tossing and live music. 

Image courtesy of San Francisco Running Events

Bay to Breakers, also known as Bare to Breakers for its large number of unclothed participants, is also renown for the significant number of bandits it attracts. Unregistered participants, bandits 'crash' the race and often significantly add to it's total participants. It is definitely something to see and an event that people participate in year after year, be they serious athletes or those who love don their favorite costume. All ages are welcome and discounts are offered to active military, veterans and their family.

The Expo kicks off on Friday, May 13th and continues on Saturday the 14th at Pier 35 located at 1454 The Embarcadero. Race packets can be picked up with valid ID and order confirmation number. Open to the public, the Expo features the latest in fitness technology, gear and nutrition.

Image credits: Dogomedia

Bay to Breakers was originally called the Cross-City Race and began in an effort to lift the city's spirits as it rebuilt from the 1906 earthquake. Eventually renamed, the race gained its first taste of fame in 1986 when it gained a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the World's Largest Footrace for having 110,000 participants, including the infamous bandits.

If you've never participated or seen Bay to Breakers live and in person, its most definitely something to add to your bucket list!

Warriors Arena-Breaking Ground in Early 2017

The Golden State Warriors have plans to construction a shiny new arena designed to seat 18,000 of its fans. The arena will be coupled with an entertainment center and office complex in San Francisco's Mission Bay district. Though there are a few lawsuits hoping to derail their plans, the Warriors are forging ahead.

Plans for the new arena were announced in May 2012. Originally, the Warriors new home was to be built on Pier 30-32 but that location was quashed. In April 2014, the team purchased a 12-acre parcel in Mission Bay, formerly owned by Salesforce.com. 

Rendering of the Warrior's new Chase Center area in MIssion Bay.

In April, the Warriors will host a meeting with potential subcontractors and they plan to officially break ground on the development in the first quarter of 2017. The $1 billion development, named the Chase Center in January 2016 as part of a 20-year naming agreement with JP Morgan Chase, will be driven by a joint venture between Clark Construction and Mortenson. If the projects begins on time, the doors should open in 2019. If the project is delayed, the Warriors will likely have to play their 2019-2020 season outside of San Francisco.

Initially established in Philadelphia in 1946, the Warriors have called the Bay Area home since the 1960s and have played their home games in Oakland since 1971. They have won 4 NBA championships.

Top Dog Parks in San Francisco

San Franciscans love their pets. In fact, according to SFGate, in San Francisco, pooches outnumber people, or at least the younger ones. Just like humans, our furry friends need to run, play and socialize.

Whether you live in the Presido or Nob Hill, whether your dog loves the beach, meadows or trails, SFist has compiled a list of the best dog parks in San Francisco to take your canine companion for fresh air, a rousing game of catch or an off-leash romp.

Click on each below to learn more and choose your next outing with your best buddy.

1. Bernal Heights Park

2. Crissy Field

3. Duboce Park

4. Fort Funston

5. Golden Gate Park

6. Huntington Park

7. Lafayette Park

8. McLaren Park

9. Mountain Lake Park

10. Ocean Beach

11. Pine Lake Park (Stern Grove Dog Park)

Click here to read the complete SFist article.

A Magical Experience: The Illusionists at the Orpheum

Mindblowing, a brain bender, jaw dropping...all describe The Illusionists, Live from Broadway, considered one of the most thrilling and sophisticated magic shows featuring the talents of 7 of the  world's master illusionists.

A show for all ages that wows with incredible acts of mind-reading, levitation, disappearance, illusion and water escapes, the 7 acclaimed performers combine the feats of past magicians such as Harry Houdini and meld it with modern illusion, theatrics and artistry for a show like no other.

The Illusionists-the world's seven top performers will leave you awestruck. 

The performers are:

Dan Perry, The Anti-Conjouror, specializes in shock illusions, combining magic with the macabre.

Yu Ho-Jin, The Manipulator uses mystery and elegant manipulation.

Kevin James, The Inventor is considered one of the world's most groundbreaking and innovative illusionists.

Andrew Basso, The Escapologist, conjours Harry Houdini in his life and death underwater escape performances.

Jeff Hobson, The Trickster and the show's host offers comedic relief, glamor and showmanship with amazing slight of hand.

Ben Blaque is The Weapon Master, performing dangerous acts of dexterity using crossbows.

James More is The Deceptionist, who uses fast-paced, high-risk illusions without the help of cameras or special editing: what you see is what you get. 

Considered a "high-tech extravaganza' by the New York Times, 'Houdini Times Seven' by the New York Daily News and 'Incredible, astounding, amusing, mystifying, perplexing and challenging...' by the Australian Stage this stunningly spectacular show is a definite must-see.

Performed in London and on Broadway and now on its world tour, the show is in San Francisco at the SHN Orpheum Theatre from February 16th through the 21st, 2016.

Wicked: Best Musical of the Decade at the Orpheum Theatre

Winner of over 100 international awards including the Grammy Award and three Tony Awards®, WICKED is the untold story of the witches of Oz. Long before Dorothy and Toto arrive, WICKED tells the story of two very different girls who meet in Oz and how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.

Declared “The Best Musical of the Decade” by Entertainment Weekly and “A Cultural Phenomenon” by Variety, WICKED is based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, has music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, and a book by Winnie Holzman. The production is directed by Joe Mantello with musical staging by Wayne Cilento.

This award-winning musical about the untold story of the witches of Oz will be playing at the SHN Orpheum Theatre from March 9th through April 16, 2016.

For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.

To learn more about WICKED and its cast, click here.

Mill Valley Film Festival: Get Your Tickets!

Sarah Silverman as Laney in 'I Smile Back.' (Broad Green Pictures) ( Broad Green )

The Mill Valley Film Festival first began in 1978, in support of independent and foreign filmmakers with a mission to expose films about education and art.  This is the 28th year of the Festival which features an enormous amount of work, over 200 films and begins on October 8th.  Actor Carey Mulligan, Meryl Streep and Directors, Tom Hooper and Catherine Harwicke are some of the luminaries featured this year.

You can preview the seasons most exciting films before the Academy Awards season is upon us. Running for 11 days the festival is not as hyped as Sundance and so has a more relaxed atmosphere.  Many attendees take advantage of the nearby hiking in the Tennessee Valley.

Sarah Silverman will be in attendance for her film "I Smile Back" about a woman battling mental illness and on Oct. 11th, Sir Ian McKellen will be at the the Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center, to accept a Lifetime Achievement tribute. Other featured actors are Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara in the 50's era romance "The Price of Salt" and Meryl Streep in "Suffragette".

Several of the films have Bay area connections like "Dogtown Redemption", a film about 3 people who make a living off recylcling and a few films have already won prizes at Cannes.  Check out the line-up, it's stellar and enjoy the festival!

When:  October 8- 18t

Where: CineArts@Sequoia, 25 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley; Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center, 1118 Fourth St., San Rafael and other venues

Cost: $15 unless otherwise noted

Tickets and additional info: www.mvff.com or 877-874-683

‪#‎MDSSF‬ (Million Dollar Smile SF) smile emoticon!

No wonder I fell in love with that guy on the right exactly 9 years ago! wink emoticon. Finally tuned in, since everyone said Franck was on it!  

August 6th, 2015, Franck Costa of The Costa Group was featured twice on Bravo TV's, "Million Dollar Listing San Francisco", while viewing a home listed for sale in San Francisco by cast member and colleague, ‪Roh Habibi. Way to go #Franckcosta!

..so, what does everyone think of Million Dollar Listing SF now that they are several shows in?!

The Ferry Building Marketplace on the Embarcadero

 5 Best Foodie Spots Here!

Ferry Building Marketplace on the Embarcadero

1.      Slanted Door 

Vietnamese restaurant that anchors the north-east corner of the Marketplace. serves lunch and dinner seven days a week, has a full bar with signature cocktails, and offers outdoor seating. The menu ranges from Vietnamese street food to complex meat and seafood entrees.

HOURS

Lunch: Daily 11am-2:30pm
Dinner:
Sunday-Thursday: 5:30pm-10pm
Friday-Saturday: 5:30pm-10:30pm

2.      Gott’s Roadside  

A different kind of burger joint, serving juicy cheeseburgers with thick chocolate shakes, but their versions of these American classics are made-to-order from top-notch, locally sourced ingredients.

HOURS

Daily: 8am-10pm
Soft Serve from Frozen Yogurt: 11am-7pm

3.      Marketbar

Mediterranean menu mostly sourced from fresh ingredients sold at the Marketplace and the weekly Farmer's Market.

HOURS

Monday-Friday: 
Lunch & dinner from 11:30am

Saturday & Sunday:
Starting with brunch from 9am

4.      Hog Island Oyster Company

San Francisco oyster bar and retail outlet for the Tomales Bay oyster farm of the same name.

HOURS

Open Mon-Thu, 11:30am - 9:00pm.

Fri, 11:30am - 10:00pm.

Sat, 11:00am - 10:00pm.

Sunday, 11:00am - 9:00pm.

5.      Bouli Bar

Bouli Bar is chef owned and operated using the finest fresh Northern California farm fresh ingredients and fisheries. Check out Boulette's Larder, their sister restaurant.

HOURS

Mon, Closed
Tue, 11am – 3pm, 8am – 10:30am
Wed-Fri, 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 9:30pm, 8am – 10:30am
Sat, 11am – 3pm, 8am – 10:30am
Sun, 10am – 2:30pm

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AT&T – Home of our SF Giants!

AT&T IS a big part of our SF community, enjoy the many sporting events on nights during the week. 

AT&T Park, located at 24 Willie Mays Plazz and 3rd/King Street, is the home of our San Francisco Giants.

For the third time in five years, the Giants have earned their title as World Series champions. Aside from their hard work, a big reason for their success is due to their loyal fans.

At the stadium, there is a Costa Group favorite spot, Public House, where you can grab a delicious beer, fabulous eats, and catch the game on the TV or go into the stadium with the purchase of a ticket. You can purchase tickets at sfgiants.mlb.com/Tickets.

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