What’s New In Town This June: Perry’s Comes to Novato and HenHouse Brewing Co. Takes Over the Iron Springs Space

Plus, Ghirardelli’s flagship store in San Francisco gets an update and Encore Consignments finds a new home in San Rafael.

Although he’s lived in Larkspur for almost 50 years, Perry Butler only opened his restaurant there in 2015, 46 years after opening Perry’s on Union Street in San Francisco. In mid-May, Novato welcomed the newest Perry’s, Butler’s fourth eponymously named restaurant. Perched on a hill overlooking the 101 freeway, Perry’s moved into the former Wildfox space. A wide bar frames one side of the room where familiar cocktails, like a Buffalo Trace Old Fashioned and draft beer are available. Look for the signature blue-and-white checker cloth table linens atop which Perry’s pot roast and iceberg wedge and other familiar American dishes like a traditional Cobb salad and spaghetti and meatballs are are already right at home.

225 Alameda del Prado, Novato; 415.506.4212

Shop

Encore Consignments

After 58 years at 11 Mary Street in San Rafael, Linda Hensley moved her designer consignment business less than a block away to Fourth and Mary streets earlier this year. Known for high quality women’s fashions, including handbags, shoes, dresses and separates, the shop also carries swimwear, outerwear and accessories. Hensley’s bright and open shop boasts great parking, too. “I’m so happy to be in the same neighborhood,” she says.

401 Fourth St, San Rafael; 415.456.7309

Eat & Drink

HenHouse Brewing Co.

The self-proclaimed “West County Pub” opened its doors in mid-April where Iron Springs once reigned with a menu of small bites, handhelds and shareables that go head-to-head with an expansive beer menu. Pick your style — barrel-aged, IPA/DIPA, Belgian, stout — and enjoy it alongside hand-foraged mushroom toast, garden pickle melange “charcuterie” board or a brat-in-a-blanket at one of the long, beer hall-style tables (we are suckers for the ones with banquettes).

765 Center Blvd, Fairfax; 415.485.1005

Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience Store

The aroma of fresh chocolate, warm waffle cones and handmade hot fudge sundaes remains the same, but now the company’s flagship 1864 Pioneer Woolen Mill building has taken the first of three steps into the modern era — with a completely reimagined interior. Look for the Ghirardelli golden eagle in custom inlay work from Heath Ceramics, hand-painted murals and historic advertisements. The sundae, shake and coffee menu, however, remains the same. A larger renovation will begin in January 2023, with a pop-up on the square during construction.

900 North Point St., San Francisco

Wellness

X’Core Studio

Open since early March, a workout studio with branches in Oakland and Emeryville landed in downtown San Rafael on the second story of Metta Yoga. Owner Maren Bean, along with co-owners Elaine Pavich and Cora Wo, had moved to San Anselmo and sought a local spot to teach the brand’s signature xBURN and xBURN Basics classes, high-intensity, low-impact Pilates classes with a slow-resistance training methodology. In conjunction with Metta, Yogalates classes combine high-intensity Pilates and steady flow yoga. Specialized classes for runners and cyclists and community events are in the works.

835 Fourth St, suite C, San Rafael


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Christina Mueller

Christina Mueller is a long-time Bay Area food writer. She hails from the East Coast and has spent way too much time in South America and Europe. She discovered her talent as a wordsmith in college and her love of all things epicurean in grad school. She has written for Condé Nast Contract PublishingSunset, and the Marin Independent Journal, among others. She volunteers with California State Parks and at her childrens’ schools, and supports the Marin Audubon SocietyPEN America, and Planned Parenthood. When she is not drinking wine by a fire, she is known to spend time with her extended family.