Dine with the Stars, Michelin Stars

In my house, we have new rituals around ordering in, supporting the places we usually visit as a family after baseball games or for a change of pace from home cooking. But those restaurants differ from what I might choose for an adults-only date night with my partner or a special dinner out. For our next celebration–in, of course, why not, I thought, go full Michelin?

Restaurants at all price points need supporting, after all, if we want to visit them again when this shelter-in-place (SIP) is over and even those with recognition from the famous French guide have pivoted to takeout. As the SIP extends into a eighth week, with Mother’s Day and more birthday celebrations on the horizon, I am up for the delights of a celestial meal. I will set the table with my mom’s dishwasher-safe silver set, a nice cloth (the dry cleaner delivers), and stemware. I will feed the kids (pizza) ahead of time and put them in front of a movie in the back room. And then, I will pop a cork, pour Champagne, and DINE.

Marin’s Michelin-starred and Bib Gourmand Restaurants Doing Takeout

Madcap Marin

One Michelin Star chef Ron Siegel’s daily menus ­–like miso lemongrass soup with tofu and black cod with teriyaki glaze and shitake mushrooms– are slimmed down versions of his restaurant’s tasting menus, perfect for takeout and can be ordered up to a week ahead. Email info@madcapmarin.com to order for pick up Tuesdays–Sundays, 5–7 pm. 

Pig in a Pickle

The entire menu of this Bib Gourmand winner, including platters of beef brisket and pulled pork sandwiches, is available for ordering online. New weekly specials like pulled chicken tacos at dinner and a pastrami Reuben with homemade tomato soup at lunch are available for pre-order and reflect this restaurant’s barbecue theme. 11 am – 7:30 pm daily for takeout or order delivery via Dine-In Marin at 415.927.9007.

Insalata’s

Though temporarily closed, the Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant is raising funds to feed our community via the good offices of San Rafael’s ExtraFood. Find out more and donate here.

Playa

Mill Valley’s taco hot spot snared a Bib Gourmand in 2019 and is still turning out a full menu of tacos (carne asada is a favorite), soups and salads. New to the takeout menu are cocktails, including a Paloma and a Oaxacan Martgarita with mexcal and Cointreau. Call 415-384-8871 to order, 4–8pm Tuesday – Thursday; 12 noon–8 pm Friday – Saturday;  12 noon–8pm Sundays.

Poggio

With a GoFundMe for their hourly employees in place (contribute here), this 2019 Bib Gourmand winner has a slate of wines at half off and a full menu from their famous Negroni cocktail to pasta primi and pizze (the Salsiccia with Calabrian chili sausage and broccoli is a favorite) and seared local halibut with spring vegetables among other main courses. Take out daily, 6:30­–11:30 am and 4–8 pm. Call 415-332-7771 to order. 

Sushi Ran

A 2019 Bib Gourmand winner, Sushi Ran also has a GoFundMe for their hourly employees in place (contribute here). Their obento boxes feature complete meals of Wagyu beef, salmon, or chicken with vegetables and rice. Tempura and a complete menu or sushi and sashimi is also available. Takeout daily, 4-8 pm. Call 415-332-3620 to order or online here.

Village Sake

Bento boxes include favorites like miso cod and chicken or order a la carte pork belly skewers, negitoro, and miso soup. Menu posted Wednesdays or pre-order take out on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, 4:30–7 pm. Order online here and check out their entire bottle selection here.

Honorary Marin mention for Stockhome in Petaluma, which is turning out family-size meals with Mediterranean (kebab plate with garlic yoghurt, tomato sauce, with a choice of saffron basmati rice, pommes frites or  side salad) and Swedish (Swedish Meatballs, Mashed potato, Gravy, Lingonberry Sauce, House Made Swedish Limpa Rye Bread, Gravlax, and Swedish Pancake) flavors.

If you choose to dine with one of these restaurants, won’t you please drop me a note (and a picture!) here or on Instagram @EatDrinkThink and tell me how it goes?