Beautifully presented and perfectly seasoned and flavorful. Pastry had been spread with Feta cheese, squash puree, and Turkish spices. Krahling does it all with ease. Service was almost perfect (they forgot one appetizer and one cocktail but it was for the best anyway! The crisp acidity and intensity make it a lively and extremely versatile grape. The recipe won a $10,000 prize, thereafter being listed on the Insalata Menu as $10,000 Lamb Stew.. DISCLAIMER: Menu items and prices are subject to change. Recently had dinner where we shared great starter salads (mista with prosciutto, fattoush with feta,) followed by a tasty (though a tad chewy,) bavette steak with perfectly grilled vegetables and a lamb aushak, (ricotta and eggplant filled pasta that was delightfully smoky, topped Cuisines: Asian, Mediterranean, Caterers, Greek, Family Style, Take Out, Fast Food, Italian, European, Middle Eastern, Continental, Kientz Hall - 625 San Anselmo Ave, San Anselmo, Julie's Hummus Bar & Grill - 1026 Court St, San Rafael, Kababbq Grill & Caf - 555 Francisco Blvd E, San Rafael, 120 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, San Anselmo, CA 94960, Valenti & Co. Ristorante - 337 San Anselmo Ave, D.G. To the left is the mezzanine dining area and to the far right is a large room that can be used for private parties.

Looking at them in all their sumptuous glory, I concluded that San Francisco artist Laura Parker must have been in love with the Mediterranean region when she painted them. "I like the richness and spice of the varietal. The Moroccan Lamb Tagine (pronounced with a soft g, tay-jean) was once called $10,000 Lamb Stew on the Insalata menu. "The list is big on wines with fruit and spice and some versatility," he writes via e-mail, "to complement and enhance the nuances of the menu." A local gin, earthy & infused with the botanicals that thrive on Mt. The tables are generously sized, the chairs are comfortable, and the murmur of dinner conversation flows around you softly. It would be hard to surpass enjoying the cuisines of the Mediterranean's southern shores at Insalata's. Copyright 2022 MICHELIN Guide. Selecting a wine was a challenge because the extensive by-the-bottle list covers the entire Mediterranean region of Italy, France, and Greece, while layering in wines from Napa and Sonoma Counties, Oregon, Germany, New Zealand, Chile, and Australia. Insalata is a gracious, comfortable restaurant that specializes in the genuine flavors and spices of the Mediterranean region. Chef-owner Heidi Krahling's Mediterranean fare is some of the most exciting in Marin County. OpenMenu is not responsible for the accuracy of the information provided. The flavors are complex and authentic, and they transport each guest to a warm, sunny, fragrant place. Read the article and see photos. The chick peas were smooth, comforting, and surprisingly flavorful. Insalatas interior strikes the right note in recalling the colors and romance of the countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. When dipped into their cilantro, cumin, and mint sauce, the Cigars were an unusual combination of crisp outer pastry accompanied by a spicy filling tempered by the mint sauce. Tam, Maker's Mark Bourbon shaken with lemon juice and sugar served over ice with a Syrah float, Aperol, Prosecco and a splash of soda. The big surprise that catapults the dining room from comfortable to extra-special is the huge paintings of sensuous plums, persimmons, and lemons that hang on the walls.

"This is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Viognier. At the same time that our glasses of wine arrived, our server placed a bowl of what appeared to be hummus on our table. Hours: At a restaurant named Insalata, how could we possibly skip the salad course? The open kitchen is at the back of the restaurant with the busy take-out counter. Please confirm that this restaurant at this location is permanently closed organic greens, prosciutto, pickled red onions, pinenuts, grana, balsamic vinaigrette, spring greens, fennel, toasted walnuts, manouri cheese, muhamarra croutons, with a choice of Hobbs bacon or Canadian bacon, home fried potatoes, toast, with chorizo, roasted peppers, spinach, manchego cheese, two poached eggs, chive scones with spinach and wild mushroom ragout, smoked pork loin and lemon hollandaise, crispy potatoes, with lemony aioli, endive and fennel salad, shoestring potatoes, topped with 2 poached eggs, Rancherai salsa and Cumin yogurt, strawberry rhubarb compote, whipped mascarpone, toasted almonds, applewood smoked bacon, lamb skewers on grilled housemade flatbread with lemony greens, tomatoes and cucumber sumac, cumin yougurt, Hobbs bacon, avocado, housemade shoestring potato, creamy lime-cilantro dressing, avocado, pumpkin seeds, manouri cheese, cabecou cheese, pistachios, greens, clementine vinaigrette, artichokes, chanterelles, pancetta, pecorino cheese, mint, hot chilies, filled with duck confit, chanterelles, butternut squash, Fromage blanc, lemony lentils, acorn squash, curried spinach, Turkish yogurt, couscous, Hobbs bacon, avocado, shoestring potatoes, zatar, lemony greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, sumac onions, cumin yogurt, sweet herbs, shallots, white wine, shoestring potatoes, on smash-fried potatoes, peppers, venetian pine nut relish, manila clams, tomato, chorizo, grilled bread, rouille, romaine, toasted pita, feta cheese, onions, cherry tomatoes, olives, cucumber, cilantro, mint, lemon vinaigrette, Cabecou cheese, pistachios, greens, Clementine vinaigrette, lemony lentils, acorn squash, curried spinach, turkish yogurt, couscous, chickpea stew, chorizo, wilted greens, cilantro, agrodulce, potato puree, cippoline onions, chanterelle mushroom sweet corn saut, crispy polenta, horseradish cream, bulgar and pumpkin pilaf, ginger pear chutney, chard, peppers, smash- fried potatoes, venetian pine nut relish, with Tahitian vanilla gelato, bourbon caramel sauce, Devils Food Cake, filled with whipped ganache, chocolate pudding, finished with bittersweet chocolate glaze, mocha, caramel sauce, white chocolate curls, with port poached forelle pear, sesame tuile, mascarpone cream, caramel sauce, pumpkinseed-ginger praline, French almond macaroons, mascarpone cream, tuile cookie, cornmeal-raisin, double chocolate-hazelnut, lemon-almond-fennel, Cranberry-Orange, Pear or Grapefruit-Compari with shortbread, with One Piece of Bacon and Crispy Potatoes (Sunday Brunch Only). Over ice with an orange twist, This is what a Mojito wants to be when it grows up! Check out the lists. The complex Mediterranean food of Insalata has been made from locally sourced produce, meat, and poultry long before locally sourced was a standard of excellence in the restaurant industry. The warm cake was more like a pudding than a dry cake, and was served in a bowl with a scoop of vanilla ice cream accompanied by spiced pears and a caramel sauce. I bring this up because of Insalata's, the San Anselmo restaurant. Named for Krahlings father, Insalata has received honorable mentions from the Michelin and Zagat travel guides, and has earned its title as a Marin County Neighborhood Jewel. Good food with wide selection for everyone. The 2002 Vionta Rias Baixas Albarino ($8.75/glass, $35/bottle) is definitely of the citrus variety, hints of grapefruit and lemon with a balanced acidity that makes it come alive.

Created by Audrey Saunders for the Pegu Club in NYC, Lucien Albrecht Brut Rose, Dolin Blanc Vermouth, St Germain, Grapefruit Juice. Suggest an Edit. ", Most unjustly overlooked wine: Albarino. Its spices meld seamlessly together; taste exotic with lamb; and result in sophisticated, wonderful comfort food. The rooms are spacious, with large, luscious paintings of fruits on the walls. Very tropical, a bit herbaceous with a touch of orange peel flavor in the finish of the wine. Dinner at Insalata is refreshing and relaxing as the knowledgeable staff will ensure that your wine selection will match the ambitions of Krahlings food. Copyright 2009 - 2022.

It was then rolled, hence the name Cigar, and fried. The dish looked good, and from the sighs of the guests it must have been wonderful. The takeout area in the back is stocked with salads, sides and sandwiches made with house-baked bread. Gone was the paste of our past and in its place was a truly delicious, spicy, silky, garlicky, and peppery delight. The staff loves to drink it, Current passion: Syrah. The restaurant information including the Insalata's menu items and prices may have been modified since the last website update. It's extremely versatile, the best wine to complement Mediterranean dishes. The Insalata dining experience is a creative interpretation of Mediterranean cooking.

Current staff favorite: 2002 Wirra Wirra Vineyards "Scrubby Rise" Australian White Blend ($29). Insalatas general manager, Jim Warren, worked at San Franciscos Square One restaurant for many years honing his encyclopedic knowledge of world-wines. My current favorite is from Portugal, which is not known for its Syrahs -- it's the 2001 Cortes de Cima Alentejo ($64), with rich, ripe fruit that marries up to your food really well. Check with the restaurant for accurate menus, menu items and information pertaining to the menu. I took cowardly refuge in a familiar glass of white wine, the Picas Negras Torrentes from Argentina, but in retrospect I recommend that you ask and explore Insalatas adventurous wine list. How does anyone navigate a list this complex? Well, just ask the staff. WINE: Refreshing and Crisp Ros Wines Perfect for a Hot Day. Strengths: The full Mediterranean package, from Gibraltar to Beirut, and the forward flavors of the Mediterranean from all points of the globe. Meeting spice head-on means tangy whites like Albarino and Pinot Grigio, and earthy reds from places like Portugal, Lebanon and Greece, in addition to Italy. The Moroccan Lamb Tagine is a complicated recipe with a spice list that includes ginger, curry, coriander, cumin, cardamom, saffron, and cinnamon, plus lamb and another dozen or so ingredients ordering this dish in such a restaurant is the preferred alternative to tackling it at home. The appetizer we ordered, Crispy Cigars, arrived with a little fan fare. See the recipes. It goes like this: The folks at Insalata entered a lamb recipe into a contest sponsored by the American Lamb Board. The walls are painted a soft butter yellow; the ceilings are high and supported by wood-clad beams; and the lighting is soft, while still enabling diners to both see their companions and food. MICHELIN-Starred Restaurants In California Wine Country, 50 The service was so attentive and the room was quiet. The wine has wonderful black cherry fruit, a bit of toasty vanilla with soft tannins. GAYOT presents the Wine of the Week, featuring tasting notes as well as history on the vineyards and winemaker.

Copyright 1996-2022 GAYOT All Rights Reserved GAYOT (pronounced guy-OH) The Guide To The Good Life - All Rights Reserved - Terms of Use - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy. A real dinner gem in Marin county. 10 Cane Rum, Lime Juice, Mint Leaves, Angostora Bitters & Mumm Brut Prestige, served up with a lime peel. ", Most underrated region: Sardinia. It was served on a bed of bulgur and almond pilaf, which was a robust complement to the heartiness of the chicken. Ask questions, see what the server is excited about and go for it. Guests are nicely dressed, and the tables are often made up of multi-generational families and friends. Mediterranean Cuisine. When dessert time approached, we took a look around and realized that we were surrounded by tables awash in plates of Smorsetto, which is the Insalata version of smores. Order Online Insalata's serves 25 wines by the glass as well; you can't get much more versatile than that. TableAgent.com. Insalata has always searched out good, local, food sources and the chicken was so tender and flavorful that it reminded me of how good chicken can and should taste. It was a knowledgeable blending of textures and flavors that seemed just right for beginning dinner. This bizarre fruit is showing up at Costco and Trader Joe's, LEGO is releasing a 'The Office' set with 1,000+ pieces, This 1,100-piece LEGO Vespa will transport you to Italy. Served on the rocks with a grapefruit pee, with Fresh Run Farms beets, blue cheese, fennel, sunflower seeds, crispy quinoa. The sheltered entrance portico is complemented with weathered wood benches and a sparkling carriage house lantern to welcome all guests warmly. In both of these wines, you can taste the proximity of land and sea on the palate.

USD It was flavored with the spices of the Mediterranean, transforming the Ginger Cake into a rich and luscious finale. This tasty and refreshing salad got us ready for our entrees. We tried the Syrian Fattoush Salad, just because I love to pronounce Fattoush. This was a crisp green salad that combined tiny cherry tomatoes, black olives, onions, and pieces of toasted pita bread (the Fattoush part) with herbs of cilantro and mint. We moved from the bar into the dining room and took a look at the wine list. It's just wine!

Also sample grilled lamb skewers drizzled with cumin-yogurt atop crunchy salad and flatbread. Served up with an orange twist, Charbay Grapefruit Vodka, Fresh Lime Juice, Agave Syrup. The staff at Insalata spends a lot of time discussing and solving the question of which wine goes with what food, and welcome questions. Krahling comes from a food-loving Italian family that emphasized food as a creative force. We werent charged.).

Served over ice with a Grapefruit Twist, Inspired from Tom Colicchio and Sons' Restaurant in Manhattan. It's just as likely that you'll find tagines and charmoulas on her menu as penne rigates and insalata mista. Over ice in a Chimney Glass. The charm of Provence right on your table. The green swirl that topped the hummus tasted of garlic with a subtle pepper after-shock. Copyright the food is exquisite: we had eggplant fries with a green yogurt sauce, lamb chops with a slightly sweet sauce and tzatziki, fantastic fresh fettuccini with porcini, fresh peas and spinach, and barely seared ahi in an heirloom bean medley. All Rights Reserved. The San Anselmo lifestyle focuses on relaxed, healthy, family life; and a stroll through the center of town is a somewhat nostalgic walk past family-owned businesses and restaurants that are situated along the local creek. Insalata has its own small parking lot and, should the lot be full, there is abundant free street parking within an easy walking distance to the restaurant.

", Most exciting wine by the glass: 2001 Ceja Sonoma County Vino de Casa Red Blend ($9.75) "This is a blend of Merlot, Pinot and Syrah, from third- generation grape farmers in Sonoma. Definitely will return here for al fresco dining. The small, central bar that divides the dining room into smaller spaces was directly before us. The building that houses Insalata is a nod to an earlier, gentler time.

", Wine chef has with her meal: 2001 Luna Pinot Grigio ($31). 120 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, San Anselmo, CA 94960 Owner Heidi Insalata Krahling became interested in food as a child in a food-intensive Italian family. "Heidi likes a full-flavored wine with a balanced acidity, like the richly textured wines of Friuli. (415) 457-7700 Website Parker used all of that canvas to paint no more than eight persimmons, huge in scale, and opulent in shape and color. Amid closures, SF tech company expands its headquarters, Alleged KGB spies used dead doubles to live in Hawaii for years. She has expanded her Italian cooking heritage to include the cuisines of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cultures, and it is a wonderful adventure to dine at Insalata. After we had ordered dinner, I absent-mindedly picked up a warm piece of pita bread and dipped it into the bowl. Over ice with an orange slice, Tito's Handmade Vodka Shaken with Fever Tree Ginger Beer over ice with Lime, St. George Botanivore Gin, Gran Classico, Carpano Punt E Mes, stirred and served up with an Orange Peel, Sazerac 6 year Rye, Peychaud & Angostura Bitters, seasoned with Kubler Absinthe and served with a twist, 209 Gin, Lemon Juice, Dram Honey & Chamomile Bitters. And order it you must, because it is delicious and unique. any two together: Panini of the Day, Chicken Fattoush, Soup of the Day, Roasted butternut squash, kale, pancetta, lemon & caciocavallo cheese, Pork shank and fennel sugo, wild mushrooms, parmesan reggiano cheese, thyme bread crumbs, lemony lentils, Japanese eggplant, curried spinach, turkish yogurt, tomato-pistachio relish, couscous, On a saffron corn chowder, haricot verts, fennel, basil and tomato chutney, manila clams, tomato, chorizo, grilled bread, rouille, lamb meatballs in spicy tomato shakshuka, manouri cheese, pickled chilies and housemade grilled flatbread, prosciutto, pickled red onions, pinenuts, grana padano cheese, balsamic vinaigrette, romaine, toasted pita, feta cheese, onions, cherry tomatoes, olives, cucumber, cilantro, mint, lemon vinaigrette, grilled baby artichokes, oven-roasted sweet 100's, arugula & tapenade, roasted butternut squash, kale, pancetta, lemon & caciocavallo cheese, pork shank and fennel sugo, wild mushrooms, parmesan reggiano cheese , thyme bread crumbs, of lemony lentils, Japanese eggplant, curried spinach, tomato-pistachio relish, Turkish yogurt, couscous, cannellini bean puree, pickled pepper relish, butternut squash, preserved lemon, shitake mushrooms, lime yogurt & pumpkin seeds, with quinoa corn cake, pistachio ginger skordalia, sauted kale & pear-quince chutney, with corn, jimmy nardello & padron peppers, maitake mushrooms & red wine jus, on a saffron corn chowder, haricot verts, fennel, basil and tomato chutney, on a lemon aioli with grilled squid, haricot verts, pickled trumpet mushrooms, croutons, pinenuts. RESTAURANTS: Best Outdoor Dining Restaurants. All rights reserved. Food-wine pairing: Braised Lamb Shank with Roasted Summer Pepperonata and Sardinian Fregola ($19.95), paired with 2001 La Carraia Sangiovese, Umbria, Italy ($24). But Italy is only a jumping- off point to the rest of the Mediterranean Basin, especially the farther reaches west and south: Sardinia, Southern Spain, and especially North Africa. If a person's name is a food, I assume that they're good at making it. So she literally had Italian food on her birth certificate. Templeton Rye Whisky, Antica Carpano Sweet Vermouth, Regan's Orange Bitters, Angostura Orange Bitters. The Yogurt-Marinated Chicken was topped with preserved lemons and watercress that tied the spices of the chicken together with the earthy flavors of the bulgur pilaf. Insalata Owner Heidi Insalata Krahling began her white tablecloth restaurant career at Joyce Goldsteins iconic San Francisco restaurant, Square One. Insalata is located in San Anselmo, which is a lovely residential community in Marin County complete with tree-lined streets, local merchants, hiking trails, and upscale food markets. Over ice, Patron Silver Tequila, Aperol, Fresh Lemon Juice. How could this be hummus? (415) 457-7700. this is a wonderful restaurant! Can scientists reverse Tahoe's worst environmental disaster? Nice (if not a bit dated,) interiors but always filled lively ambiance. The Yogurt-Marinated and Grilled Chicken was tender and moist with the crispest of chicken skins. The locally sourced products Goldstein used at Square One were a continuation of Krahlings family cooking experience and encouraged Krahling to seek locally grown elements when she opened Insalata. Cafe - 411 San Anselmo Ave #102 Suite, EV Lounge - R.H.Cheda building, 500 San Anselmo Ave. Boxed lunches are a fun, tasty convenience. Insalata's wine list takes spicy menu head-on, Jim Warren, sommelier at Insalata's restaurant in San Anselmo. "Some of the indigenous grapes are beautiful, like Nuragus, a delicate and refreshing white with a citrusy scent, or the more rustic Monica, a rich and earthy red. Toasted Panorama English Muffin Open Faced Breakfast Sandwich, Grilled Lamb on House-made Grilled Flatbread, Middle Eastern Inspired Vegetarian Platter, Mustard-Thyme Glazed and Grilled Pork Chop. Insalatas upscale setting is framed by lemon-yellow walls hung with grand depictions of natures bounty, setting the scene for an array of fresh and flavorful cuisine to come. The prevailing theme of the food is bold and rustic; generous flavors laced with earth-toned spices like cumin and coriander, and Jim Warren's wine list projects a kind of supple, elastic quality to match these immediate flavors. The restaurant has an ocher painted exterior covered with ivy. For this reason, Warren seems to have an inherent sense of how to match more exotic flavors.

Great service from waitfolks, bussers and host. Top 10 SF Marin County Easter Brunch Restaurants, Top 10 SF Marin County Heart-Healthy Restaurants, Top 10 SF Marin County Mother's Day Brunch Restaurants. CRAIG LEE / The Chronicle, San Francisco-based genetic tech firm will lay off 1,000 workers, California fire near Oregon border explodes amid thunderstorms, Rain reported inside Las Vegas casinos amid severe thunderstorms, Horoscope for Saturday, 7/30/22 by Christopher Renstrom, 55-hour full closure of Bay Area connector ramp starts Friday, Horoscope for Friday, 7/29/22 by Christopher Renstrom, Interior NorCal bakes in blazing heat with temps up to 113, Maps: Where the McKinney Fire is burning in Northern California, Ranking all 29 Durant trade destinations, from Warriors to Lakers. Wow! organic greens, prosciutto, pickled red onions, pinenuts, grana, balsamic vinaigrette, with Fresh Run Farm beets, blue cheese, sunflower seeds, crispy quinoa, with Skyhill Farms yogurt and seasonal fresh fruit, With crushed avocado, pancetta, fried eggs and chimichurri, two poached eggs, chive scones, spinach, wild mushrooms, smoked pork loin, lemon hollandaise, crispy potatoes, house corned beef, crispy potatoes, seasonal vegetables, two poached eggs, Dijon hollandaise, zatar, lemony greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, sumac onions, cumin yogurt, lemony lentils, Japanese eggplant, curried spinach, Turkish yogurt, couscous, sweet herbs, shallots, white wine, shoestring potatoes, buffalo mozzarella cheese, pesto aioli, housemade focaccia, potato chips, St. George "Terroir" Gin, Fresh Lime Juice, Diced Fresh Cucumber, Soda. "This wine is medium in body with rich, ripe cherry fruit, supple in texture with hints of leather and pepper spice that complement and seduce the many flavors of this dish, from the earth of the lamb and the bite of the peppers and eggplant in the pepperonata.". Chef-owner Heidi Krahling's father's name is Italo Insalata - a name that means Italian salad. See the list. Food was not your typical Mediterranean. Warren, 52, honed his wine skills at Joyce Goldstein's Square One in San Francisco for many years, another place that invoked all shores of the Mediterranean. "This white varietal from Spain and Portugal (where it's known as Alvarinho) is usually rich with apricot or citrus flavors. Clean and fresh. It's probably shortsighted of me, but when a restaurant is named after a food, I assume it's a specialty. ", Ratio: 56 percent domestic; 44 percent imported. This one's nice and forward, creamy on the palate with fig, pear and nutmeg spice. ", Advice for the adventurous diner: "Don't be intimidated! Having experienced our fair share of hummus-overload at friends dinner parties throughout the years, my dinner companion and I both had nothing but culinary scorn for hummus. DRINK: Escape to Saint-Tropez with these Ros Wine Cocktails. Sparked by Middle Eastern flavors, the kitchen's specialties include velvety smooth potato-leek soup made brilliantly green from watercress pure. My dinner companion and I stepped into Insalatas large open dining room and were welcomed by the enthusiastic staff. Bulgur is wheat that has been steamed, dried, and ground, and it has a slightly nutty flavor. Astonished, I asked our waiter and, sure enough, it actually was hummus. You are free to download the Insalata's menu files. 120 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, San Anselmo How lucky for diners that the art of the food at Insalata is equal to the art on the walls. San Anselmo restaurateur, Chef Heidi Krahling honors her late father, Italo Insalata, at this crowd-pleasing Marin hangout. This is a name I prefer to the more formal Moroccan Lamb Tagine, because it hints at a story. Take, for example, the painting of the persimmons, which measures roughly five-feet-high by fourteen-feet-long. The zucca-orange stucco exterior alludes to the Mediterranean air within. Krahling's cuisine has Italy at its roots. But having decided that we wanted something other than chocolate, we tried the Ginger Pear Cake.