The festive season of eating is upon us and local businesses have designed fresh ways to savor a bit of cheer. Though your get-togethers may be smaller than in years past, it is still a good time to celebrate life.
Mill Valley Boards
A passion for creating beautiful tablescapes led Mill Valley native Debbie Faubel to launch a business creating so-called grazing tables for everything from birthday celebrations to weddings. A Mini board is perfectly sized for one while the Large serves up to 12. Dessert boards are also available. “They are a beautiful way to relax and enjoy,” Faubel says. 415.640.5951
Le Comptoir
Stephen Bouillez and Susannah Dempsey, proprietors of San Rafael’s Le Comptoir bistrot and épicerie custom-cut slabs of Roquefort and Tomme de Savoie from giant wheels imported directly from France for each unique platter. Design your own French-themed groaning board with other regional delights such as jamon de Bayonne, Corsican coppa ham, or house-pickled chanterelles. “Bring in your board and point at what you want,” Bouilliez says. All he asks is a days’ notice. 415.454.5454
Cowgirl Creamery
The Good Neighbors: Victory Cheese Box from this well-loved Point Reyes Station creamery is designed as a celebration of the strength and resilience of our community. It includes a wheel of Mt. Tam and selections from other local creameries. Here! Here! 866.433.7834
Tomales Farmstead Creamery
Charcuterie boards and gift boxes feature butter and cheeses from the creamery in West Marin paired with bagel chips and jam from the other family business, Daily Driver, as well as Bay Area-made products. Pickup at Piezzi Provisions or the farm in Tomales or Daily Driver in San Francisco’s Dogpatch neighborhood. 415.852.3535
Fatted Calf
From pork crepinettes to Boerewors, a South African-style sausage, all charcuterie and salumi, mostardas and chutneys are made in house at this Napa favorite which delivers to Marin with advance notice. “We also provide an on-site set up and slicing service for parties and events,” says proprietress Topnia Miller. That is, when the time is right. 707.256.3684
Mission Cheese
Featuring two size options for holiday gatherings — for 4-8 or 8-12 people, this San Francisco shop and restaurant features American-made cheeses, including Valley Ford’s Estero Gold Reserve and Nicasio Square from Nicasio Valley Cheese with options to add meat/charcuterie or pair with wines. Deliveries to Marin are offered on Friday. 415.553.8667
How to Help
For more ways to support local businesses, go here.
For more on Marin:
- Politics in the Movies: Films That Channel Politics, Power, and Presidents
- 6 Great Recipes From Local Chefs to Elevate Your Parties
- Yosemite During Covid-19: Your Own Private Half Dome
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 Publishing, Sunset, and the Marin Independent Journal, among others. She volunteers with California State Parks and at her child’s school, and supports the Marin Audubon Society, PEN America, and Planned Parenthood. When she is not drinking wine by a fire, she is known to spend time with her extended family.
