Christmas Day: Cozy Bar, Bites, a Fireplace Maybe?
We planned to go hiking Christmas morning (probably somewhere north of San Francisco, around Marin), and then lounge around somewhere pre-dinner, maybe around 2 p.m..
The idea situtation would be a bar where we could have a cocktail and some bites--cozy atmosphere is necessary, and a fireplace is ideal (but not absolutely necessary).
The location should be in San Francisco or within a 20 minute drive north over the Golden Gate. Price is not important.
Any ideas? The only thing that came to mind was the Big 4 in the Huntington.
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Big Four
1075 California Street, San Francisco, CA 94108
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pane
Dec 26, 2008 12:04 PM
We ended up at Farley Bar at Cavallo Point; for future reference, both Pelican Inn and Buckeye appeared to be closed on Christmas (not sure if Buckeye opened later at night, but Pelican didn't have inn guests, so I don't suppose they opened for food).
Farley was exactly what we wanted--we snagged a seat near one of two fireplaces and were able to relax and watch the bustle of families dropping in for a cocktail before they ate at the attached restaurant.
The bar had an abbreviated menu of maybe 8 items. We ordered fries, crab cakes and steamed artichokes. The artichoke was steamed with lemon and served with mayonnaise and a sprinkle of breadcrumbs. I can't remember the price of just the artichoke (total was a bit over $50 for three apps plus a beer and a cocktail), but I was left with the impression that it was a bit dear for the simple preparation.
My friend liked her crab cakes very much, and it appeared they were much more crab than filler, fried a dark brown and mounted on halved cherry tomatoes. The fries were nice, very crisp, though I wish they tasted a bit more potatoey. Selection of alcohol was good, though the drinks were mixed too sweet for my taste.
Overall, I'd give the food a B, but it was worth it for the beautiful surroundings, and exactly fitting the bill for what we wanted: cozy bar, bites, and a fireplace definitely.
›2 Replies-
re: pane
susancinsf
Dec 26, 2008 12:22 PM
Thanks for the report back! adding a link...
also for future reference, I don't know if Buckeye was open later on Christmas either, but I did drive by there about nine pm Christmas eve, and it was open and hopping...
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RichInMV
Dec 22, 2008 08:13 AM
The Buckeye Roadhouse in Mill Valley would probably meet all of your criteria, though it can get a bit crowded and noisy. It's right next to the freeway exit to Stinson Beach (on the West side of the freeway). Bar snacks are decent - main restaurant food is homey comfort food with a bit of a steakhouse feeling.
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Buckeye Roadhouse
15 Shoreline Highway, Mill Valley, CA 94941 -
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pane
Dec 19, 2008 07:57 PM
thanks everybody!
pelican inn i forgot about--i considered staying there with my mother when she visited, but we ended up in point reyes instead. farley bar looks charming, and more interesting than big 4.
we'll check at least one of them out and let you know how it goes.
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Check out www.pelicaninn.com
This British style inn in Marin has been around for a long time and is highly regarded as a cozy place to stay and to eat.
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rworange
Dec 19, 2008 11:21 AM
Farley Bar in Sausalito?
http://cavallopoint.com/restaurant_fa...Murray Circle is serving Christmas dinner from noon to 9pm so the bar will be open.
Lark Creek has a nice bar and a festive atmosphere for the holidays, but the food is only eh and on my last visit (a few years ago) the service was kind of cold.
