Le Chalet Basque

"do you remember the... christmas tire?" this was wayne a few years ago. i had met him at a time,…read moredecades later, we termed our missing years... maybe you had some of those? days you can't account for, likely stuck somewhere because you chose wrong, turned down a backstreet and came to a deadend. nothing to do then but hope another bus comes along soon to get you out, and wary that your next move goes wrong, too. at such times, heed the advice given to weekend hikers: "if you get really lost in the woods, stay right where you are and wait... someone will find you". what isn't included in that conventional wisdom is the caveat: "sooner or later". all this came to me as i enjoyed the oxtail stew at the basque cultural center. I'd been curious about it for quite some time and finally decided to check it out. Basque restaurants have been one of my guilty pleasures since i made the wrong choice that lead to those missing years. since then I've sought them out when around Fresno, Bakersfield, Reno and smaller towns like Gardnerville and Los Banos: flat, grassy, agrarian places suited to sheepherding, which as far as I know was originally the main occupation for new immigrants from the Pyrenees where it's something of an artisanal career today. Since the 1800s Basque boarding houses were also in SF and LA, all gone now. Newly arrived Bascos heading to the country for work were advised to get off the train and look around for a place called, usually, the Santa Fe Hotel. The menu at the restaurant was then and is still basic: choose chicken, steak, lamb or pork chops as a main item and the rest is the same regardless (soup, salad, beans with ice cream at the end). There's also a preliminary dish, an "appetizer" that is essentially a separate entree in itself. this varies everyday, often oxtail or lamb stew. That's more or less the offering around today, and would have been all I likely ever knew except for my travels a few years ago to the Basque homeland in the Pyrenees. Basque cuisine is much more diverse there than you'll find at the Cultural Center, but you're closer to here than to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. Everything from the meat department is very good, but I suggest avoiding the fish entree unless it's the daily special. My favorite was the oxtail stew, reminding me of the same dish at the Santa Fe Hotel in Fresno, during the time when I lived nearby during those lost years, longer than I care to remember. In fact, as I enjoyed the meal I recalled my thoughts after wayne mentioned the "christmas tire". at first i completely blanked, what was my old friend talking about? then slowly it came to me, like a dim memory of something said or done during a particularly white and active night before, something so off-axis that the next morning your left eye looks funny and hurts. it was our second christmas in a small farmhouse near madera. i had stupidly purchased it... leave new york to live here forever? ever wanted to grab someone, someone also rootless, and just walk out the door, run away with less than a half-baked plan about what happens next? well that's exactly what we did, my runway model friend of the moment and i. by the end of the 70s we had developed a nasty habit quite common then, not a true physical addiction mind you but a very real psychological dependence. in the end we couldn't pay our "bills" and needed to be somewhere else, like now!, hard to find for awhile. at that moment a portal of change opened, deux ex machina!: a job offer in the middle of nowhere, relo expenses et al. i accepted without ever visiting madera, ca. i suppose after all this you might wonder what that tire thing was about? i, too, wonder. christmas was memorable in my early years but then something unforgettably sad happened, such that i've disrespected religious events since. for a time i took to making odd abstractions of what alternative forms a "christmas tree" might take. that particular year i covered an old truck tire with that canned "snow" you spray on trees to approximate a "white christmas." but this result wasn't a tree at all, instead the remains of one that had been cut down to be decorated elsewhere, leaving a snow-covered hole in the ground where the tree had rooted. That was the concept, merry christmas perhaps you can see from this that my creative energy in this period ran high... wayne and i spent many and regular hours testing various brandy beverages i was hired to develop. but the lovely Dierdre fell back on pricier habits we had vowed to leave behind when we left the apple. soon after she caught the next bus out of town in the form of a wealthy melon farmer. fortunately none of this mattered much after awhile. all that aside, i highly recommend the cultural center for its displays of Basque art and artifacts, a full gymnasium for Basque games, and of course its excellent traditional cuisine.

Service was great Waiter very personal…read moreRack of lamb was delish Glad they had mint jelly Brocolinni tough

Entrance

Duck with orange sauce $45

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Escargot $17

Bravas Bar de Tapas

4.3(1.6k reviews)

45.8 mi

Went with a friend to check the place out, I'm not normally a fan of Spanish food. However this…read moreplace has entirely changed my mind everything was absolutely amazing and so flavorful! Highly recommend patatas bravas and the goat cheese toast! I also loved that they had multiple flavored gin and tonic options perfect for summer. The service was phenomenal, our server Brenda was so thoughtful and had perfect recommendations!! Will definitely be coming back soon!!!

My favorite restaurant, food was incredible!!! We had the steak, sea scallops, and dungeness crab…read more The sauces that came with the dishes enhanced the richness and perfectly prepared dishes. Brava make me a taste tester; I'll rave on more items on your menu. Service was so quick, so nice, service with a smile, truly. I loved the eclectic decor, furnishings, and the color palette. No disappointment or regrets; my only regret was not trying everything on the menu.

Inside

Spanish omelette

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Long Cooked Pork Cheeks, Salsa Verde** - pork cheeks were very tender and tasty, awesome dish (04/2026)

Ficelle

4.5(226 reviews)

46.4 mi

This place is no longer open for business as a restaurant. I understand they have a food truck that…read morepops up here and there with their amazing food and sangria. I am going to follow them on Instagram so I can be ready ; )

Ficelle has been on our list for quite sometime to try, we were finally in Winters when they were…read moreopen recently. Cute little counter service restaurant serving tapas, we decided to start with the Sangria which was very tasty. For our dinner we ordered the sausage and chickpeas, which was absolutely delicious, the prawns which were tasty, the cheese bread and the cannelloni which was pretty tasty. The food came out fairly quick considering they were quite busy. We sat outside in the patio, which was enjoyable and we like the dishes we ordered, excited to come again and try more items off the menu.

Chili rellano

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Picaro

Family-owned & operated

Food was sooo good, my girlfriend and I ate here just yesterday, and we don't usually do reviews,…read morebut honestly the food and the service were so good, I just had to! Our waiter was so friendly and we had an altogether lovely experience.

revisited and had the chance to take photos this time - here is what we ordered: two shots of…read moreespresso, patatas bravas, jamon iberico, albondigas, boquerones fritos, croquetas de pollo, pulpo al ajillo, paella de carnes y mariscos. from that, I would get the the patatas bravas and pulpo al ajillo again. espresso was strong and smooth. it was super busy but the staff were very accomodating - didn't get our complimentary bread and salsa brava though :') but the food came out super quickly and the table was small so we did not miss the bread too much. the paella did not have a crispy bottom sadly, but i find that it seems hard to find a spot that does this in sf / la. ambience - it can get really loud in here! very jolly though. the inside definitely reminds me of the 2000s at a bar with its warm brown tables, benches, terracotta tiles, the blues yellow orange color palette inside. Parking (felt obligated to mention this as an la gal lol) i personally would not choose to drive and park here as metered/neighborhood parking is pretty limited during peak hours. Def train/bus in, it's very close to many bus stops and 16th/mission.

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Coqueta

4.0(2.8k reviews)

16.0 mi•Embarcadero

We were here last night and the space was crowded with people. The waiter was very nice to us. He's…read morevery informative. Even though the space is full, it's not overly loud so you can still talk. Everything that we got was just perfect! I love the salmon and the paella was really good. They serve it really fast as well even though they said it might take up to 40 minutes. It's not overly salty. I also recommend the pink sangria. It's definitely strong, but it taste really good and sweet. I recommend this place but make sure to get a reservation!

Great for drinks and outdoor ambiance. Attentive service. Maybe a drink and tapa would be better…read more We did several courses at dinner. Nothing remarkable. Outside dining was super windy and in direct sun. Otherwise would be cold; either way not pleasant. Inside was crowded and noisy.

Sampling of starters - mushroom ‍ quail egg sardines and goat cheese x

Salmon Ahumado

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The Championship 9/10

ZuZu

4.1(2.2k reviews)

23.7 mi

Spanish tapas done amazingly well! This was our second time here, and it did not disappoint. They…read moreget busy, make a reservation. Definitely order the black paella with squid ink and seafood--it's incredible! And if you're a gin lover, oh my goodness... they have a menu for you! So many great choices. The service was amazing, our server was amazing and funny. Absolutely delicious, beautifully done, and worth coming back for. Highly recommend!

ZuZu did not disappoint! Lamp chirps were perfection and the…read moreSeafood Paella was absolutely divine Service was very slow and the ambiance is loud, but the food makes it a definite repeat.

Heirloom tomatoes - delicious

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Strawberry Aperol was recommended and very good

Aioli Bodega Espanola

We came here on August 29, 2026 for an end of Summer Celebration with our favorite neighbors. Our…read morereservations were for 5pm. There was only a handful of people already seated so I'm not sure if reservations were really necessary. I'm a reservation kind of girl so if you can make reservations then usually I do. I have learned that not all sit down restaurants offer the opportunity to make reservations. Parking is tricky in midtown. When you do find parking it will be metered. Even on Sundays they charge for parking. We ended up parking down the street at 19th. Not a bad walk. Thankfully my husband dropped us off so we were exactly in time for our reservations and when he parked he joined us. Just a note, make sure you put plenty of money in the meter. For a us a party of 4 eating a leisurely dinner it took us approximately 2.5 hours. We never felt rushed. The menu is vast and there list of specials was as long as the mini menu they gave us. I wish they would write out the specials you can reference them as you decide what to get. A little computer print out would be perfect. We were a party of 4 and we all pitched in when it came to ordering. My two favorite Tapas was the stuffed giant tomato and Pulpo A La Gallegos ($16.95) . Octopus in adobo marinade, scalloped potatoes with pimento. I think I've had Octopus once before, but I can't recall exactly. This one was delicious. I'm glad Ed ordered it. It was tasty, tender, and not chewy. The tomato was stuffed with maybe a ham mixture, it was part of the specials menu so I didn't quite comprehend what it was exactly, but it sounded good so we ordered it. The Watermelon Gazpacho was also very refreshing and tasty. I would order a bowl if it was offered again. It was also one of the specials. We also ordered the Pechaga De Paso ($17.95), duck breast pan seared in a Sherry & fennel sauce with Swiss Chard. The Swiss Chard made a really nice accompaniment. I ordered the Colas De Brusseles (around $10). I am a trusted Brussels sport fan so I liked it, though not very exciting. We also ordered the Pan Y Aioli Julia's Blancas ($3.25) This bread service was a nice filler, but not as good as I remember it. For our Paella selection we ordered the Valenciana ($49.95) My favorite part of it was the tasty saffron rice. I found the chicken thighs and pork spareribs tasty too. The mussels, calamari, and shrimp were plentiful, especially the Calamari. We were worried that we should have ordered two, but with all the tapas we ordered one was plenty. I'd like to try their veggie one next time. We made a dinner plate of sword fish into a tapas for the table. It was also a special. It was virtually flavorless, just like I appreciate fish. I don't like the fishy flavor so many fishes give off so this one was perfect. It came with mini potato and tomato towers and a very tasty mango chutney that I really enjoyed with every bite. For dessert we had the Crema Catalina Con Naranja. ($8) My favorite part was cracking though the sugar and getting the piece of orange. We also had the Pastel Almendaras ($8). I was surprised it was made with almond meal versus almond flower. The almond meal made it meatier. I used to use almond meal to make a gluten free quick bread so I'm familial with the product. The cake was tasty and I enjoyed the honey and orange sauce topped whipped cream too. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating. The out door seating looked very cute, but we were weary of bugs. I'm not a fan of getting eaten alive. We wait indoors and surprisingly it wasn't too cold inside. The restaurant is ornately furnished. The calla lily light fixtures was really nice. The restaurant was well lit and as the sun went over head they opened up the outdoor window coverings. This is a great special occasion restaurant. A great place to take family and friends to celebrate. The bigger the group the better so you have the opportunity to try multiple dishes. We came as a couple and weren't able to try as many dishes compared to the 4 of us dining.

I visited Aioli Bodega Espanola in Sacramento, CA [1800 L St] on Thursday, 06/18/26, around 1:00 PM…read moreduring lunchtime. I came because, fortunately, I had a $12.00 birthday reward (powered by Toast Local) that was applied to the bill at the end. On the menu, I noticed that there was a lunch special called "Menu Del Almuerzo" that included a soup, an entree, and a dessert, priced at $24.00. For the entree, I requested the seafood stew. I must say that the soup and entree were both deliciously satisfying. The scoop of vanilla ice cream served at the end was a nice ending to the meal. As far as a beverage, I got the Nitty's Cider. It was a decent hard cider drink to enjoy. The server during my dining experience was Yolanda. I was appreciative of her hospitality, as it was beyond amiable and attentive. The service totally enhanced my visit. The restaurant had a lovely, inviting ambiance. It was a colorful, vibrant atmosphere met with amazing Spanish music playing. Overall, the entire experience was extremely positive from the food to the service. I highly recommend stopping by.

PAELLA DE HONGOS

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Paella Valenciana

Telefèric Barcelona

4.1(2.2k reviews)

44.1 mi

Absolutely all around lovely Spanish tapas restaurant to dine in. The food is 10/10, drinks are…read moregreat, service is great, and ambiance is upscale. Expect to spend 50+ / person but it is totally worth it especially on a special occasion. If you sign up for their membership, you get free churros. Definitely order the paella to share, it was a perfect split for three people. I really enjoyed the salmon tartare and the octopus for the tapas. I would have love for more options with vegetables since all their veges are fried. Make sure to make a reservation ahead of time as they are popular. Parking is very easy in the plaza the restaurant is in.

Wow this place is busy but the cocktails and paella are soooo worth it…read more My friend and I couldn't get a reservation so we joined the waitlist. We walked over 50 minutes later and were seated right away. Service was great. We got the Wagyu empanadas to start. Small bites but busts of flavor. The Barca sauce really stood out. We had the traditional sangria and the Carrot cocktail - odd but delicious. We shared the steak and lobster paella. Pricy at almost $200 but it was amazing. Enough to feed 4 so we both gave a second meal to go. The one small rub was the automatic 20% service charge. I understand for larger patties but apparently this is across the board. The should make it clear. Service was great and I probably would have tipped around that but was annoyed that there was no choice in the matter. Regardless I want to come back and try more tapas and cocktails. It was fun.

Gin Tonic Drink Refreshing Cocktail at Telefèric Barcelona

Grilled Salmon

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Salmon Tartare

Telefèric Barcelona - Walnut Creek

3.9(2.7k reviews)

26.2 mi

Love this place. I had a great lunch and the bar staff was so great. Raul is such a great…read morebartender, he made the fancy a carrot and it was great! Marta, the manager was super engaging as well. And Luis was good at recommending wines. I recommend this place.

Absolutely outstanding! The food was exquisite--every dish was full of flavor and beautifully…read moreprepared. The service was excellent as well: friendly, attentive, and welcoming from start to finish. A fantastic dining experience. We can't wait to come back!

Cocktail Gin Tonic

Spanish Bread with Tomato

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Crab Croquetas

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17 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Marianne L.

2 months ago

Le Chalet Basque is one of those rare places that makes you feel like you've stumbled upon a wonderful secret. We brought our son and daughter in law this past Saturday. By the end of the evening we were already planning our next visit with friends. From the moment we arrived, it felt less like going to a restaurant and more like being welcomed into someone's backyard for a family celebration. The patio is absolutely charming, with twinkling lights overhead, laughter all around, and a talented local musician creating the perfect atmosphere. It was relaxed, joyful, and exactly the kind of place where you want to linger over dinner. The food was outstanding. Every dish was beautifully prepared, incredibly fresh, and full of flavor. The menu has something for everyone, making it easy to find dishes you'll want to come back for again and again. The owner (I believe her name may have been Elizabeth) was an absolute delight. She was warm, welcoming, and clearly loves what she does. Hearing a little of the restaurant's history that her husband purchased it decades ago and that it's been a beloved local institution since the early 1970s made the evening even more special. Our servers were great too. Attentive but not overbearing. You can truly feel the heart behind this place. In a world of trendy restaurants that come and go, Le Chalet Basque has something much more valuable: genuine hospitality, incredible food, and an atmosphere that makes people feel at home. This wasn't just dinner, it was one of those evenings that has become a sweet memory. We can't wait to bring more family and friends here. If you're looking for delicious food, wonderful people, live music, and an evening you'll remember long after the meal is over, don't miss Le Chalet Basque. We'll definitely be back. read more

MIchelle B.

Elite 23

1 year ago

Last night, my friend and I decided to grab a drink and a bite to eat before heading to an event in the neighborhood. Our usual go-to is La Toscana, but we thought we'd mix it up this time--a decision I now regret. On the positive side, the bartender was fantastic, and the drinks were well-crafted. However, the food was a major disappointment. We ordered the pâté, a charcuterie board for two, and a Caesar salad with shrimp. Unfortunately, the pâté had an odd texture that was unappealing, and the charcuterie board was underwhelming--just four slices of stale salami, two small gherkins, two slices of unidentifiable cured meat, and two slices of prosciutto. It felt sparse and uninspired. The biggest letdown was the shrimp on the Caesar salad. It had clearly been frozen, thawed, refrozen, and thawed again before making it onto the plate, leaving it completely inedible. While the service and drinks were great, the food quality was severely lacking. Sadly, this was not the experience we had hoped for, and I wouldn't return for the food. read more

Maitexa G.

132

18 years ago

If you are looking for a family oriented restaurant than this is the place to be, Mr. Roger Minhondo, strait from Irissarry, France, and his youngest son Patrick Minhondo run this fine establishment and they work great together. The service you receive here is above exceptional. The food, oh god, the food there is so perfectly prepared, everything that you get is very fresh. If you've never been to the Basque country, this is almost like being there. Wonderful and hard working staff. You'll never leave there with a bad taste in your mouth, you'll leave nice and pleasantly full !!!! If you want to have a good laugh strike up a conversation with Mr. Minhondo and you'll leave crying in hysterics. read more

Mike L.

10 years ago

Terrible Service and attitude The waitress it was in hurry she almost made the decision for us what we will eat and how. After we told her why she is in such a hurry she said I am busy then 30 minutes later came and apologize with an excuse which it didn't make sense any way.She was in such hurry that she asked us if we want to drink something and then she left without even take the order for the drink. Terrible service it was my first time there and the last Nothing special about this place What a pity read more

Sean K.

14 years ago

One of my favorite restaurants to eat at in the bay area. The food is always delicious and the service is second to non. The owner Roger is a jolly man who greets all his clients and really seems to be a genuine guy. His son Patrick has taken more of the ownership role the last couple times ive been in there and hes is equally as great. The staff makes you feel warm and the food is to die for. Go with the rack of lamb or the duck! read more

Dario A.

14 years ago

Chalet Basque is great if you want gourmet food withought having to get a reservation a month in advance. The service there is extremely nice and friendly to everybody. Get the dinner entree and you will also get various kinds of soup and salad. there is usually a different soup every night but i am not sure if the salad changes. The main corse is always good no matter what you get. read more

Manola N.

14 years ago

This place is awful. Yes, the food is possibly "authentic" but it is so poorly prepared that it doesn't matter. Do yourself a favor, do not eat here. (Service was ok, and the setting is decent ... And probably better than decent at night when you can't see the surroundings too clearly.) I gave two stars to them simply to be charitable. Consider yourself warned :) read more

Mason Z.

13 years ago

I usually see the positive side of things but its hard to really recommend this place.... the food is lackluster, bordering on "why am I here" and the ambiance is um.... meh. However, service is lovely, and the whole restaurant bizarrely has a pleasant, fun vibe to it. I just felt "happy" here. So I won't be back, I don't think... but maybe its worth checking out :) read more

Taz L.

7 years ago

Was visiting the Bay Area and was recommended by a friend! The environment was amazing with such nice workers. Patrick was a great host and the bar was very inviting. The charcuterie board was delicious and definitely excited to come back next time we visit! read more

Emma F.

12 years ago

Whenever I come here, I can always expect to have both a great meal, and great atmosphere! Fun place with amazing food and a great staff!

Marcus J.

Elite 21

162

153

138

10 years ago

Enjoyable family style restaurant. Good steak. If you enjoy escargot, they do a very good job with it.

Caesar O.

12 years ago

Absolutely great food, Great service. Reasonably priced, I would definitely go back again..!!!

David D.

2 years ago

Amazing food, amazing service...such a great experience. I'd give them 6 stars if I could!

dsva d.

18 years ago

I LOVE THEIR SWEETBREADS!!!!! Hands down the best I've ever had. Nuff' said. read more

Jane S.

10 years ago

Excellent service. Quaint atmosphere in restaurant and outdoor patio.

Sam S.

7 years ago

Excellent, as usual, for many years, unfaltering, and never failing.

Duane H.

14 years ago

Great food and service.

Le Chalet Basque - french - Updated September 2026

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It's been a minute since we visited our neighborhood Italian favorite, La Toscana…read more It was a busy Thursday night, but luckily we made a reservation. Highly recommend a reservation. Juan S. was our server for the night. Very knowable about the menu and the dishes. We started with a classic Caesar salad that we shared. It was plenty enough for us. I ordered the Petrale Sole special and my husband had the Pollo Pomodoro with vodka tomato sauce. Both were excellent choices. The fish was fresh and perfectly cooked, as were the mixed veggies. My husband loved the pasta as well. For 2 entrees, 2 glasses of wine, 1 Caesar salad, 1 bruschetta and a cannoli for later, our bill was $152, before tip. Well worth it.

First I'd like to start off by saying, we made dinner reservations an hour and a half in advance…read morefor 8 pm on a Friday night and showed up to the restaurant at our reservation time, where we were forced to wait an extra 15 min because our table still wasn't ready-- which we would normally understand and be fine with, but we witnessed a walk-in customer come in and get seated before us. After we were finally seated and put in our order for drinks, appetizers and main dishes, we waited quite a long time to get our food served. Quality-- not sure if we ordered the wrong things or went in on an off night, but for some reason everything we ordered was underwhelming and lackluster, from the: -drinks (cucumber mojito and strawberry balsamic mocktails) -bruschetta was average -meatballs were sort of flavorless -spinach ravioli with pesto was bland -parpadelle was also bland and portion was oddly small Overall, the food and service was unsatisfactory for the price we paid for the bill. We were excited to come here to celebrate our anniversary and left the restaurant feeling super unfulfilled with our meals. Safe to say we won't be coming back to this establishment, nor will we be suggesting this restaurant to friends and family.

Cafe Villa

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I didn't know what to expect driving up to this spot, which is tucked next to an older motel near…read morethe freeway. Entering through the back, I passed a fully stocked bar and chose a table in the adjoining dining room. It is spacious and comfortably arranged--no sitting elbow-to-elbow with strangers here! The service is exceptionally warm and accommodating. I arrived at 5:30 p.m. for their Wednesday prime rib special, but they were already sold out due to online pre-orders. Luckily, they offered me an end cut. It was the most tender prime rib I've ever tasted--melt-in-your-mouth, soft, full of flavor and absolutely amazing. The clam chowder was just as spectacular. It was rich, creamy, and loaded with large clams and thick bacon instead of being padded out with cheap potato filler. I left full and highly impressed. Even the leftovers I ate for lunch the next day were just as delicious 18 hours later. I will definitely be back. What a great gem hidden in San Rafael!

We agree with all the other 5 star reviews. Food is a great value. Happy Hour, both food and…read moredrinks is likely the best in Marin. Keep in mind, it's not fancy décor or pretentious in any manner. Just a solid neighborhood Café that is attached to a motel. Pro Tip: The Prime Rib on Wednesday always runs out. It is wise to reserve your Wednesday table on Monday or Tuesday and indicate that you want the prime rib and indicate how many people in your party want it a portion reserved. That way, they will hold it for you. If you can't show, cancel so that they know to release your Prime Rib for others. Robbie at the bar and bar tables is solid.

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Located tucked away like a hidden gem unless you are a local to Novato, on the old Spanish style…read moreHamilton Air Force base across from the Unity of Marin church, is a kiss of fresh cafe fare! I had the blackened salmon salad with avocado and my friend had the Huevos Rancheros special with fresh jalapenos on the side with seeds! Both plates were delicious and prompt, the service was excellent and the searing was comfortable with a nice view and open air ambiance, Fernando the Chef must be pleased as the flavorings were memorable! I will be back for breakfast, and dinner!

I have been dining at Beso Bistro since it first opened and have always appreciated the excellent…read morefood prepared by the chef. My two friends and I recently had dinner there on Friday, May 29, 2026, and once again, the quality of the food did not disappoint. All three of us ordered the Shrimp Chef Salad, and each salad was fresh, flavorful and beautifully prepared. We arrived at 6:00 p.m. and were seated immediately. Unfortunately, the table service throughout the evening was unexpectedly slow. We ordered an appetizer that never arrived, and no one checked back with us regarding its status. At the end of our meal, we waited for someone to pick up our bill and payment at our table, as usual. But eventually we had to go to the cash register ourselves to settle the bill. What made the experience more surprising was that the restaurant did not appear particularly busy, especially for a Friday evening. While the outstanding food remains a strong reason to return, I hope the service issues we experienced were simply an off night and not indicative of a broader trend.

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Came for a late meal after seeing Sierra Ferrell at Outsidelands. Loved the setting and decor…read more Clean and crisp. The waitress was knowledgeable and helpful. We had 3 "lite" meals and one main course. Scampi, gnocchi, and some other scrumptious delights. Food - amazing Decor - crisp Service - attentive Highly recommend I'm David's if you're over in San Rafael area.

I had an errand in the area and found this restaurant online first. I was very excited for some…read moretruffle ravioli at what I thought was a reasonable price. Unfortunately when I was seated, I saw that the menu in person had higher prices than the online menu, and an additional 4% surcharge that was not mentioned at all. I'm never happy to see unexpected price increases and charges. I'm also seeing reviews from several months ago complaining about the same thing and the owner aggressively defends this practice. Clearly this isn't just a case of forgetting to update the online menu. It's a bait and switch tactic.

Cucina sa

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Perfect service and terrific food. Flavors were exceptional and wine was spot on. Looking forward…read moreto returning soon.

My girlfriend took me here to celebrate and while the meal didn't blow my socks off, for fast…read morecasual Italian food it's on point. Since we got there before the dining room/ restaurant itself opened we bellied up to the bar and enjoyed happy hour drinks and the meatballs. Once it opened we made our way inside to enjoy our meal. Both of our drinks were well balanced and delicious (I got a Liquid Love and my girlfriend got a strawberry basil Martini). We started with the Ahi tuna tartare with homemade chips. The fish was fresh, the avocado at peak ripeness and the sauce it was in was divine! That was followed by fried squash blossoms filled with cheese (a seasonal delicacy) swimming in a sea of red sauce and cream that worked so well together and while pricey very much worth it in my opinion. A pizza with multiple toppings, thin crust that was tasty but nothing to write home about. We ended the meal with tiramisu, heavy on the espresso but balanced out by the rich dark chocolate layer and the cocoa powder dusted on top. All in all a well rounded and balanced meal that pays homage to classic dishes but also takes advantage of seasonal ingredients in creative and delicious ways!

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(292 reviews)

I go there a couple times a week because the menu is so big and so many dishes are always goodread more

Came for dinner with some friends and found the same hospitality and good food I am used to…read moreexperiencing here! The place was rather busy on a Friday at 5pm, and that's always a good sign, especially in today's economy. People know where to go for good food and good value. The service was quick and efficent, with bread offered and drinks ordreed, and the big problem is always deciding what to eat! I opted for the hearts of romaine salad, a nicely sized salad, and started with a bowl (versus cup) of minestrone, a favorite comfort food here. Both were very nice, and just the right size for a dinner meal. And, for dessert, shared a tartufo limoncello, a tangy ball of cold deliciousness! Very tasty and just the right size when shared for someone who already ate too much! Our server, Lisa, provided a great experience and she is a longtime familiar face here. Overall, a great time!

Amélie Café and Wine Bar

4.5

(177 reviews)

My sons (6,8) love the escargot! Great flights of wines and the service is always so good! Have…read morebeen here many times and it is always top notch. My son actually made me write this review because he wants to go tomorrow after our hike at cataract falls.

Located in the heart of Fairfax, Marin, Amélie Café & Wine Bar was a wonderful surprise. My friend…read moresuggested we try something new, and I'm so glad we did. The restaurant serves French cuisine and definitely gives off French vibes. Having just returned from Paris a few weeks ago, I appreciated the atmosphere it reminded me of France, while still having its own unique style. We shared the French onion soup, escargot, mussels, anchovies, and a burger, and every dish was delicious. The service was quick, friendly, and attentive, making the experience even better. If you're in the area and looking for a cozy spot with great French food and wine, I'd definitely recommend giving Amélie a try.

The Board Room

4.4

(186 reviews)

Today we had lunch. It was excellent! I had the Reuben sandwich, my friend had the French Dip…read moresandwich. Both were seriously satisfying! The French Fries deserve mention also - they are perfection. For dessert the Butter Cake was another standout dish. Lovely ambience. Annie was our excellent server. Highly recommended!

Hmmm...I'm going to err on the side of overrating this hidden gem…read more Tucked away in a strip mall, it's very much how I imagine New Jersey Italian eateries frequented by made men. Food was decent but the emphasis was on meaty dishes, and I'm more of a fish and veggies gal. This normally would mean I'd order the eggplant parmigiana, but I went for the salmon, and it was okay... Decor is very TJ Maxx adjacent with lots of Sinatra velvet paintings. Would come back for martinis.

Bungalow 44

4.0

(808 reviews)

The food and service is really consistent here and they have a full bar. I love their burger and…read morefries, even though I can never finish them. Great wine selection and full bar. The vibe works with friends, family or hot date. The table and bar feel a little more casual than the booths so reserve accordingly. Outdoors is lovely if the weather is good. Note: try to make your reservation online rather than calling in when they're busy. Even though my reservation got lost they were still able to accommodate me, but I had to wait and didn't get the seating of my choice. I'd still come back though. The food and service is great.

Came here on a Wednesday at 5:30 PM with a reservation and had a great dinner overall. The interior…read moreis super cute and has a cozy, inviting vibe. We took advantage of the $1 oyster happy hour and ordered six. They were fresh, and I especially loved the mignonette. We also got the complimentary bread, truffle fries, Caesar salad, mac and cheese, fried chicken, and short ribs. The chicken is just okay. The mac and cheese and truffle fries were definitely the standouts. Our server seemed a little all over the place throughout the meal, but they were still friendly and made sure we were taken care of. Overall, the food and atmosphere made it a great experience, and I'd definitely come back.

Marché Restaurant

4.0

(229 reviews)