SCOMA’S, SAUSALITO
The Scoma’s boat, which follows the guidelines of the Seafood Watch Program, fishes for salmon and Dungeness crab seasonally, ensuring nothing but the freshest catch. Along with sweeping views and exceptional service, guests get tempting preparations from Gordon Drysdale, who has been the restaurant’s culinary director for the past three years. scomassausalito.com
BAR BOCCE, SAUSALITO
With Mount Tamalpais as a backdrop and a beach scene straight out of a J. Crew catalog, there are a number of reasons why this place is always packed. Other highlights include a large fire pit, extensive salad offerings, sourdough pizza, pitchers of beer and sangria, and of course the restaurant’s namesake bocce court. barbocce.com
THE CAPRICE, TIBURON
Since 1956, patrons have been relishing unobstructed Golden Gate Bridge views while feasting on the Caprice’s signature menu of American fare with a European flair. The location for myriad first dates and celebrations, the restaurant boasts an impressive list of specialty cocktails and is a favored holiday brunch spot. thecaprice.com
SERVINO, TIBURON
Servino offers a range of ways to enjoy its food, drinks and views. Music fans will find local acts playing jazz and blues every Friday and Saturday night; there’s also a large deck for sun worshippers, an upstairs private banquet room for large parties, and a lounge with a happy hour for the over-21 crowd. servino.com
PIER 15 RESTAURANT AND BAR, SAN RAFAEL
For the past 60 years, this restaurant has served breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week, making its crew among the hardest working in the county. A generous happy hour — daily from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. — and a build-your-own bloody mary and mimosa bar on Saturdays and Sundays make Pier 15 difficult to resist. pierfifteen.com
TERRAPIN CROSSROADS, SAN RAFAEL
Last year’s dust has brought this year’s grandeur at Terrapin Crossroads. Well, local grandeur to the tune of a kids’ playground, outdoor park, bocce courts and revamped stage. Water views and plenty of free parking are a draw, but perhaps even more so is the chance to hear bassist Phil Lesh play live. terrapincrossroads.net
NICK’S COVE, MARSHALL
On May 1 the Waterfront Lounge opened, marking the unofficial beginning of summer at Nick’s Cove. In a relaxed setting with outdoor couches and tables, guests can enjoy fresh meals and summer cocktails made with produce from the on-site farm and garden, the Croft. nickscove.com
Kasia Pawlowska loves words. A native of Poland, Kasia moved to the States when she was seven. The San Francisco State University creative writing graduate went on to write for publications like the San Francisco Bay Guardian and KQED Arts among others prior to joining the Marin Magazine staff. Topics Kasia has covered include travel, trends, mushroom hunting, an award-winning series on social media addiction and loads of other random things. When she’s not busy blogging or researching and writing articles, she’s either at home writing postcards and reading or going to shows. Recently, Kasia has been trying to branch out and diversify, ie: use different emojis. Her quest for the perfect chip is never-ending.
