Boca Steak: An incompetent, expensive wannabe.

[The Googler]

At the insistence of our teenage grand-kids last night was the 4th and final attempt at finding some redeeming reason for this restaurant's existence. It's success speaks volumes to the willing acceptance of pretentious mediocrity by Marin's dining population. In 4 visits and an extensive tour of the menu, I've never had a competent meal. On my last visit the overcooked Pork Chop was drenched in a sickeningly sweet sauce that masked the off-flavor of the pork. Pasta in the Linguini Tutto Mare was flaccid, the Calamari Fritte greasy and the steaks tough and if eaten without the 4 house sauces, without discernible flavor. Even the menu is a fraud, I asked the waiter to substitute the "Garlic Mashed Potatoes" that come with the steaks for the "Yukon Gold" that come with the Chicken and he said; "They're the same." Last night's overcooked dry chicken entree's (A "Half-Chicken" with no dark meat and a leather tough Milanese) , two tasteless Filet Mignon's, and a tasteless Caesar Salad put the cap on this place. Even the family finally gave up and asked if I knew a good steakhouse in the county. (Marin Joe's).

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Boca Steak
340 Ignacio Blvd, Novato, CA 94949

[Scott M]

How about El Paseo for steak? Has anyone been since TyFlo took over and changed it into a "House of Chops"?

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El Paseo House of Chops
17 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley, CA 94941

[Robert Lauriston]

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/778905
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/821761

[Waterboy]

Too true....I don't recommend Boca for anything.

[Civil Bear]

Gotta agree, I so want to like this place with its mojito's, choice of steak sauces, house brined pickles, and duck fat fries, but have walked away disappointed on both of my visits - most having to do with the cold steaks.

One can do better for less at Izzy;s in Corte Madera.

EDIT: Oops, it looks like Izzy's has closed!

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Izzy's Steaks & Chops
55 Tamal Vista Blvd, Corte Madera, CA 94925

[The Librarian]

Izzy's has been closed for quite a while. It's now Brick and Bottle. Haven't been, so I can't comment.

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Brick and Bottle
55 Tamal Vista Blvd, Corte Madera, CA 94925

[Sarah]

They have a great happy hour menu for pre- and post- Book Passage events.

[Rapini]

Is Marin Joe's the "incompetent, expensive" place, or is it the "good steakhouse" that you recommended? Not clear from the post...more likely the former, but hard to believe it's the latter.

[Robert Lauriston]

The link at the bottom of the post says Boca Steak.