The Bodessis took us out to dinner on Saturday night to celebrate Mrs. V’s 30th; after our fondue experience on our recent trip to Banff we decided to try the Melting Pot in Larkspur.  The restaurant is located in an historic old brick kiln just beside the water in Larkspur, the kiln’s smoke stack is visible from the freeway, I’ve often wondered about the building as I drive past each day on 101.  The factory was used to manufacture bricks during the 19th century for a lot of San Francisco’s most well-known landmarks, the Sir Francis Drake Hotel being one the them.  The atmosphere in the place was great, the restaurant is located in the kiln’s main oven and the lighting gives the place a fantastic ambiance.  The Bodessis had eaten at the Melting Pot a couple of times before and suggested skipping the main course to concentrate on just the cheese and chocolate fondue; we weren’t disappointed.  Spinach and artichoke cheese fondue, with a mix of dark and milk chocolate with melted caramel to finish off the night.  I’d hate to get a calorie count for the meal, but it was a great night.

We took a bit of an impromptu trip out to Marshall on Sunday, had a hankering for some of Tony’s (right)oysters.  As usual, we weren’t disappointed…  Last time we were out at Tomales Bay we noticed a row of people sitting alongside the water at the Marshall Store, some with bottles of champagne and BBQ oysters.  As if a couple of dozen oysters at Tony’s wasn’t enough, we decided we could do with another dozen and stopped off at the Store to sample their fare as well.  While Tony’s oysters are pretty killer, the Marshall Store versions were much bigger, and were cooked a little less so you could still taste the muscle.  And the Marshall Store sauce of BBQ, Tapatio, shallots and garlic…amazing.  I think we’ll be stopping at the Marshall Store first the next time we have a hankering for oysters!

 
Some picturesque vineyards in Marin County on Marshall Petaluma Road

We celebrated BK turning 28 on Saturday with Bronte, Danielle and Jane down in the city.  Ben got put onto an awesome little bar called Bourbon and Branch, situated right downtown on the edge of the Ternderloin.  The bar is an old speakeasy from the prohibition era, there’s no signage outside, just a door in the side of a brick wall.  You knock and are asked for a password, which you receive when you make your reservation, and upon furnishing the doorman with the entrace credentials you’re allowed into what feels like something out of a history book or Hollywood movie.  All the bartenders are dressed in traditional prohibition-era garb, with music playing to match the theme, all coupled with a very impressive spirit selection.  Todd would have been impressed with the Hendrick’s behind the bar, I had a couple for him… 

If you’re nor fortunate enough to have lodged a reservation, there’s a separate password to be allowed through a hidden door in the wall of the main bar to The Library, pictured here. 

A really awsome place, I’ll be going back for sure…

On Bob Anderson’s recommendation:

• Tres Agaves
• Bix
• Farralon
• Aqua
• Michael Mina
• Fleur de Lys
• Gary Danko