It’s been a long year of road construction in downtown Mill Valley — just ask anyone who’s battled the traffic. Construction took an especially hard toll on the town’s restaurants which suffered as people avoided the chaos.
But now, rehabilitation projects, street paving, sidewalk and sewer improvements along East Blithedale, Miller Avenue and Throckmorton are finished — and downtown restaurants are celebrating with the Downtown Mill Valley Restaurant Rally, September 10–17.
“Everything is complete and it’s absolutely gorgeous,” said Peter Schumacher, an owner of Playa, Bungalow 44 and Buckeye Roadhouse restaurants. “We encourage people to come and rediscover Mill Valley. It’s a cool town and there’s a lot going on: shopping, galleries, a movie theater and of course, restaurants. It’s a one-stop town for a great time.”
The week-long Downtown Mill Valley Restaurant Rally sees seven of downtown’s favorite restaurants offering three- and four-course prix fixe menus for $55. Every night of the rally, one restaurant will also offer a Willy Wonka-style “golden ticket” with a $50 gift card toward each participating restaurant (a $350 value). A few will also offer a specialty cocktail for $8.
“It’s a great community event to celebrate all the wonderful restaurants in town,” said Felicia Ferguson, an owner of Coho and Piazza D’Angelo restaurants. “This is a great way to experience what each restaurant is about and try new dishes not normally offered on the menu.”
Participating restaurants include longtime favorites: Californian eatery Bungalow 44, Southern Italian Piazza D’Angelo and contemporary Mexican Playa as well as newer discoveries: seafood-centric Coho (opened in February), Modern American Gravity Tavern (welcomed a new chef last year), Sweetwater’s Latin and Southern-inspired The Rock & Rye (welcomed a new chef last year) and New American Paseo Bistro (under new ownership but around for 75 years — in the same spot!).
“We are hoping now that construction is completed, people will come back to rediscover this gem of a town and all the great local boutiques, restaurants and business that bring this city to life,” Ferguson said.
The Downtown Mill Valley Restaurant Rally is presented by Marin Magazine and the Marin Dish.
Bungalow 44
Mill Valley’s perfect place for a seasonal cocktail and the best burger or fried chicken in Marin, either at the bustling bar, or out in the gorgeous outdoor dining area.
Reservations can be made via phone (415) 381-2500 or RESY. Open Sunday & Monday 5-8p.m. (last seating 7:45), Tuesday – Saturday 5-9p.m. (last seating 8:45). 44 E Blithedale Ave, Mill Valley, CA 94941
Menu
$55 Three-Course Menu & Featured Cocktail
Starter: Halibut Crudo – Aguachile, Fresno Chilis, Citrus, Spiced Pistachios, Herbs
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Main: Macadamia Crusted Mahi-Mahi – Cilantro-Lime Cauliflower Rice, Heirloom Tomato & Mango Salsa
or
Main: Braised Short Rib – Foraged Mushroom Risotto, Roasted Carrot Puree, Bordelaise Glaze, Micro Celery
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Dessert: Berries & Cream – Mascarpone Ice Cream, Berry Coulis, Toasted Meringue Crumble, Mint
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Speciality Cocktail: Made in the Shade ($8) – Meili Vodka, Watermelon-Basil Shrub, Fresno Chili, Lime, Aquafaba
Coho
At Coho, land meets sea for a dining experience that celebrates the wealth of incredible ingredients the California coast has to offer. We strive to create a dining experience that’s thoughtful, intentional, and delicious.
Reservations can be made via OpenTable. Open Tuesday-Sunday 5-9p.m. 106 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley, CA 94941
Menu
Starter: Heirloom Tomato Salad – House made Ricotta Crostini, Arugula, Basil Oil
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Main: Petrale Sole – Green Bean Almandine, Steamed Rice, Shiitake Brown Butter
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Dessert: Mini Apple Pie – Chantilly Cream
Piazza D’Angelo
Named after our location right on the piazza of downtown Mill Valley, Piazza D’Angelo is an ode to Southern Italian trattorias — family owned, rustic neighborhood restaurants that serve fresh, unassuming, locally-sourced delicious food.
Reservations can be made through our website or OpenTable. Open Sunday-Thursday 11:30a.m.-9p.m., Friday-Saturday 11:30a.m.-10p.m. 22 Miller Ave, Mill Valley, CA 94941
Menu
Starter: Mixed Green Salad – Sungold Tomatoes, Pickled Red Onions, Creamy Basil Dressing
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Main: Rigatoni Con Zucchine – Housemade Rigatoni, Zucchini Puree, Roasted Zucchini, Zucchini Chips
or
Main: Braised short ribs with soft polenta
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Dessert: Cannoli Sundae – Ricotta Ice Cream, Candied Orange Peel, Toasted Pistachio, Shaved Dark Chocolate, Cracked Cannoli Shell
Gravity Tavern
Elegant and trendy atmosphere. Progressive cocktails. Sustainably-sourced meats and seafoods …all honoring the history of Mount Tamalpais and the Gravity Car.
Reservations can be made through Yelp Reservations. Open Friday-Saturday 12-9:30p.m., Sunday-Tuesday & Thursday 12-8p.m. and Wednesday 12-8:30p.m. 38 Miller Ave, Suite 1, Mill Valley, CA 94941
Menu
Starter: Summer Salad – Sonoma County Lettuces, Brentwood Corn, Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes, Sherry Dijon Vinaigrette
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Main: Surf + Turf – Petit Creekstone Farms Filet, Maine Lobster Tail, Grilled Asparagus, Bearnaise
or
Main: Anson Mills Farro, Gypsy Pepper Relleno, Salsa Ranchero (Vegetarian Option)
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Dessert: Flourless Chocolate Cake – Valrhona Chocolate, Gold Leaf
or
Dessert: Cheesecake – Lavender Cheesecake, Candied Almonds
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Wine pairings/cocktail add-on for $25/person:
Course one: Gobelsburg Rose
Course two: Turley, ‘Bechthold Vineyard’ Cinsault 2021
Course three: petite carajillo (dessert cocktail – espresso with licor 43)
Paseo
A California Bistro elevates the dining experience in Mill Valley by offering New American flavors, artfully prepared by exquisite culinary craftsmanship using locally sourced, naturally harvested ingredients.
For reservations call 415-888-3907 or book through OpenTable. Open Tuesday-Sunday 5-9p.m. 17 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley, CA 94941
Menu
Starter:
Hamachi Tartare: Crispy shallots, ponzu sauce, summer melon carpaccio, tomato chutney
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Main:
Maine Lobster Pot au Feu: glazed turnips and carrots, fennel puree, rich consomme
or
Akaushi Filet Mignon: Rosemary pomme fondant, summer vegetable melange, shallot-sherry emulsion
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Dessert:
No Bake Cheesecake: Goat cheese mousse, stone fruit compote, olive crumbs, Saba
or
Chocolate-Hazelnut Bar: Daquoise biscuit, Valrhoina Gianduja chocolate mousse, crispy “things”
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Cocktail Special ($12):
Maui Wowie Mule: Maui rum or vodka, liliko’i foam, ginger beer, lime
Playa
Playa offers a modern twist on traditional Mexican cuisine that taps into the vibrant mixture of the country’s various regions and cultures. Chef Michael Siegel creates dishes that are delicious and soulful, coaxing diverse flavors and spices by incorporating native chilies into moles and salsas. Working from an open kitchen that features a wood-fired rotisserie, a made-to-order masa station with a tortilla press, and custom molcajete (mortar and pestle) for the house-made guacamoles and salsas, our team prepares every dish onsite, by hand, to ensure authenticity.
Reservations can be made via phone 415.384.8871 or online RESY. Open Friday-Saturday 11:30a.m.-10p.m,. Sunday 11a.m.-7:30pm, Tuesday 4-9p.m., Wednesday-Thursday 11:30a.m-9p.m. 41 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley, CA 94941
Menu
Four Course $55 pre fix.
Starter: Our famous Guacamole with Chips and Salsas
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Main: Bay Scallop Aguachile – Heirloom Cucumber, Radish, Cilantro, Serrano Chile
Our favorite:
Main: Beef Birria Tacos – Slow Cooked Beef, Three Cheese Blend, Griddled Tortillas, Consomme
or
Main: Vegetarian Taco is also available
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Dessert: Flan de Queso
Dessert: Blueberry Compote
The Rock & Rye at the Sweetwater Music Hall
Indulge in sophisticated-rustic delights and seasonal favorites at the Rock & Rye. Weekend brunch, show night dinners, vegan options and specialty cocktails. Served on our weatherproofed patio year-round enjoyment.
Reservations can be made through our website or via RESY.com. Open Saturday & Sunday, Brunch served 10:30a.m.-2:30p.m., Thursday – Sunday Dinner served 5-9:00p.m., Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday (please refer to show calendar). 19 Corte Madera Ave, Mill Valley, CA 94941, (415) 388-3850.
Menu
for week of September 10-17, 2023, $55 per person
Starter: Mixed Green Salad – house vinaigrette, queso fresco (gf, vg)
or
Starter: Fried Brussels Sprouts – mushroom, black bean sauce, lime dressing (gf, v, vg)
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Main: Rock Cod a la Plancha – clam, shrimp, sofrito, creole sauce & chive oil (gf)
or
Main: Pork Chop – lima bean, sofrito, spinach, butter, chorizo & chimichurri sauce (gf)
or
Main: Lima Bean Stew – sweet potato, mushroom, tomato, pickled red onion & fava bean (gf, v, vg)
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Dessert: Tres Leches Cake – whipped cream, strawberry sauce (vg)
or
Dessert: Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding – chocolate gelato (vg)
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Optional Wine Pairing: Each Course paired with a 4oz pour of our favorite wines ($16)
Speciality Cocktail: The Sweetwater’s Rock & Rye ($8) – Sazerac Rye Whiskey infused with honey, apple, orange, horehound rock candy, clove, and cinnamon – a menu staple, featuring a season inspired house-batched version of the long forgotten classic American spirit, served in the form of an old fashioned over one big rock.
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