Point Reyes Weekend

You Mon Tsang September 11th, 2008

At the Point Reyes Farmers’ Market, I’ve been too busy looking at produce and cheese to try out the grilled cheese sandwich vendor. Strange since I love grilled cheese sandwiches!

Luckily, the folks at Sunset gave it a try and declared the “best grilled cheese on the planet.”  Here’s what’s in it:

Two slices of locally-baked Brickmaiden wholewheat bread slathered with Straus sweet butter and pressed with Bravo Farm cheddar (available from Cowgirl Creamery), and—and, this is the best part—one Point Reyes Station egg, fried.

Next time I am at the market, you can be sure I will be on line.

Read the whole article…

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You Mon Tsang July 22nd, 2008

The Slow Food movement is defined:

Slow Food is good, clean and fair food. We believe that the food we eat should taste good; that it should be produced in a clean way that does not harm the environment, animal welfare or our health; and that food producers should receive fair compensation for their work, and that all people should have access to this good and clean food.

Given the agriculture and culinary experiences in West Marin, slow food proponents should love the Point Reyes area and indeed they do.  A huge Slow Food confab over Labor Day weekend will happen in San Francisco and two of the ten “slow journeys” will head to West Marin.

The Marin Creameries tour, which features cheese, oysters and wine (count me in!) is already sold out (oh no).   As of this writing, the Mysterious Bolinas tour, which features the wonderful and quirky farms of Bolinas still has some room.

• Food , Green , Slow Food , Sustainable
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You Mon Tsang June 21st, 2008

Today was the first day of the 2008 season of the Point Reyes Farmers’ Market.  This market is the all local, all certified organic produce market.  If you passing through the area, definitely stop and pickup some produce for home and lunch for a beach picnic.  You will find many local farms and artisans represented as well as a nice mix of local flavor and international visitors.

The 2008 Point Reyes Farmers’ Market takes place every Saturday (June 21 - November 1, 2008) from 9AM to 1PM (rain or shine).

Location: Toby’s Feed Barn, 11315 Highway One, Point Reyes Station, CA.  Click for a map with a photo of Toby’s.

Here is the calendar of the Point Reyes Farmers’ Market’s events for 2008.

• Food , Summer
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You Mon Tsang November 18th, 2007

[Read about Thanksgiving 2008 at Point Reyes]

Here’s what happens.  Thanksgiving was great, but you and your extended family were cooped up all day Thursday.  Your belly hurts from all the food.  Your head hurts from all the noise.  So get in the car and drive to the Point Reyes area! 

Spread yourself out on the many beaches (bring kites and footballs instead of a bathing suit).  Take a easy (or vigorous) hike on the many trials.  Bring your turkey sandwiches from home and grab cheese, bread and pastries (if you can stand to eat more) in downtown Point Reyes. 

In addition, local artists open up their studios for us to take in their terrific art.  To the right is a map of the open studios this year.  More information is available at http://www.pointreyesart.com

Food, fresh air and great art: I make a trip to Point Reyes over Thanksgiving weekend a tradition.

• Art , Beach , Food
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You Mon Tsang August 18th, 2007

Many people have been anticipating the opening of Nick’s Cove. After all, it is the creation of Pat Kuleto, who also created several San Francisco classics, including Boulevard, Farallon and Jardinière. In addition, the void left behind by Manka’s needed to be filled. The restaurant has been open about 5 weeks when I had lunch there recently.

I was a surprised by how casual it was. From the road, it did not stand out as anything special. Even the interior looked pretty ordinary at first glance. But I started to see, all around, many interesting, funny and thoughtful touches, such as a gorgeous open kitchen, stuffed animals of all types on the walls, a set of vintage condom packaging in the men’s room (no joke) and a beautiful family elevated table.

The food was mixed for my wife and me. We felt our soups were tasty but thin. Mary enjoyed her salmon very much but my hanger steak started to battle me with its toughness as I worked through it. Our sundae was tasty but nothing special. I should say this: I expected a meal that was special and exceptional. It was closer to very good.

Furthermore, the service was spotty (uncoordinated and unsure) and the music was a real distraction (80s pop-rock, including Bon Jovi, Brian Adams and Madonna).

But in the end, we had a pleasant lunch in the place with stunning views that will surely grow to be (if not already) a destination spot in West Marin. I wish Nick’s Cove the best of luck.

P.S. The cottages at Nick’s Cove are as cute as can be. They’ll run you a pretty penny ($350-$650 as of this writing) but staying on the water and looking at the Point Reyes Peninsula is truly special.

P.S.S. Check out other people’s reviews as well:

• “Nick Has It All,” from The Press Democrat
• Reviews posted on Zagat’s
• Reviews posted on Yelp

Sep 09 2007 update: The San Francisco Chronicle reviews the restaurant and the cottages.  The reviews are very positive.
Sep 10 2007 update:The Gourmet blog has a short and positive writeup.

Notes:
Location: 23240 Highway 1, Marshall, CA 94940 (click for map)
Web Site: http://www.nickscove.com (which includes a dinner menu)
Reservations

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You Mon Tsang July 25th, 2007

The San Mateo County Times has outlined a very nice eating trip from Point Reyes Station to the town of Tomales. It heads up Highway 1 on the east side of Tomales Bay. It hits many of the fun and tasty spots along the way, including:

• Saturday Farmer’s Market at Toby’s Feed Barn
• Tomales Bay Foods
• Bovine Bakery
• Tomales Bay Oyster Company
• Marshall Store
• Hog Island Oyster Company
• Tomales Bakery

Notes:
Great Tastes
Local Food
Tour

• Food , Tour
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You Mon Tsang June 14th, 2007

Read the 2008 Point Reyes Farmers’ Market Update

Point Reyes Outing.,
originally uploaded by _e.t.

Saturday mornings in the summer are special at Point Reyes Station. The Farmers’ Market is an intimate market of local farmers and merchants displaying their lovely and delicious wares. Live music plays in the background. Locals say hi to each other and visitors take easy strolls through the stalls of delicios vegetables and produce. Every few weeks, a local chef is featured at the market and produces some great bite-sized tastes of their food.

Point Reyes Outing., originally uploaded by _e.t.

organic food fit for a prince, originally uploaded by billmelater.

Notes:
Schedule of music and chefs at Marin Organic
Great Tastes
Local Food

• Food , Summer
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You Mon Tsang June 10th, 2007

[UPDATED] Barnaby’s is no longer there.  It is now a Thai restaurant called “Thepmonggon Thai On The Bay.”

You’re driving on Sir Francis Drake on your way to the beaches of Point Reyes.  You pass through the town of Inverness and about a mile later, you see Barnaby’s on the water side.  It looks interesting, a restaurant right on the shores of Tomales Bay.  You think about stopping but you’re anxious to get to the beach.  On the way back, you’re tried and ready to get home.

This has happened to me many times.  But once I did stop.  And my assessment is almost exactly the assessment of a very thorough review of Barnaby’s in the Marin Independent Journal.  Here are some excerpts:

Barnaby’s has potential, but needs work … As a place to hang out and snack, Barnaby’s is great. I love the feel of it. Mostly big glass windows, plain sturdy wood walls and varnished wood floors, it reminds me of the type of seaside eatery found on Cape Cod or Martha’s Vineyard… there are dishes I would return for happily: the oysters, the Gentleman’s Toast, the Caesar salad and that delicious jaegerschnitzel.

I would stop at Barnaby’s again for its location and relaxed atmosphere.  But like the MIJ reviewer, I’d the food to be more consistent.

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