Lark Creek Inn
- Price Range: $$$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Valet
- Attire: Dressy
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: Yes
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: No
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Good for: Dinner
- Alcohol: Full Bar
35 reviews
Bolinas, CA
"You'll feel like you're on the set of Deadliest Catch - lots of hippy/scruffy locals but some of the freshest, well cooked food to be found.…" read more »
69 Reviews for Lark Creek Inn
Lark Creek Inn appears to be a prime example of what Marin thinks it is: sophisticated, elegant, refined. I find this establishment to be none of these things. The food, while interesting, is not out of this world. Flavorwise, I wasn't massively impressed. The ambiance is stuffy, pretentious, and pompous. As for the service, well, that can go one of two ways: 1) you are treated rudely then ignored if you do not order a drink, salad, appetizer, entree, AND dessert or 2) you are never left alone for a moment to think because the server is always around. Take your pick, I find neither of these options particularly enticing. With such prices, even if the food is good, the other facets ruin the experience.
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I dined at Lark Creek tonight with my partner and a friend who was visiting from out of town. It was my birthday and I wanted something different -- not any of our usual places and perhaps something outside of the City. After seeing Lark Creek reviewed on "Check Please Bay Area" I thought, why not?
While the pre-fix of salad, pot roast, and butterscotch pudding was delicious and a good value, the entire experience fell flat for me. To its credit, the location among giant redwoods is beautiful and a refreshing change to the bustle of most city dining. But the place is a bit stuffy and pretentious and neither the quality of the food nor the level of service seemed to live up to the expectations the restaurant sets for itself. The crowd was mostly (if not all) an older 50+ crowd. I would have liked more of a mix. (Exclusively young and trendy bugs me, too.) The lack of diversity made the experience feel that much more, um, "Marin" Finally, there were two large banquet rooms of doctors receiving their infamous pricey dinners from pharmaceutical reps offering continuing medical education. Think what you may of that practice, but, in my experience, restaurants that do a significant business on banquet meeting events become small machines turing out OK food in an "expensive, refined" setting.
While the food was good, it wasn't earth shattering. The service was attentive enough but just OK. Considering the price and the distance from the City, I doubt I'll be back.
Should be 4.75....Pretty great.
Charming Charming Charming.
If you live in SF, this is a great little charming drive. The location is charming. The lack of SF type crowds is charming. The service is charming. The foods are charming. The atmosphere is 100% pure charming.
Don't go here with extreme expectations...just go here hoping to have an interesting experience, very lovely, with seasonal farm fresh fare and a great wine list with service that is very friendly and helpful.
How to make it better? Go during July 50% off winelist time. I thought for sure when I heard of this special that this place would be mobbed. It wasn't. It was devoid of the SF mobbed scene.
We had great food. Some of it was bland, but stick with the meats and the appetizers, listen to the server regarding wine recommendations. Stick to what you love that is in season. it is reall a great night out if you love little charming tucked in back woods places.
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Do NOT plan a small party here!!
We just had our "small" wedding (65 people) at the Inn. Throughout the planning process, the event planner kept dropping details that she had agreed to and acting generally uninterested in our wedding. She repeatedly complained about being busy with "huge weddings". I even sent her an email expressing my concern about her lack of attention to our small wedding. I couldn't shake the feeling that she was paying attention to a bigger party.
The day of my wedding I discovered why. They had planned two parties on the same day. Our small wedding on the patio and a huge party inside. We were not warned that this would be the case and it seemed to overwhelm the kitchen. The event planner was nowhere to be found for most of the day. Our guests were seated at 1pm for brunch...the first course was not served until 2!! I had starving guests and I finally had to go and hunt the event planner down and ask where the meal was...she ignored our schedule that she helped create such that we didn't even get to have the "cutting the cake" moment because we were overtime and were being shooed out.
In the end, to add insult to injury...we were overcharged and had to ask for a refund of hundreds of dollars.
The location is lovely and, despite my frustrations, the day was great because of my new husband and friends and family...but I will never plan another event there and wish that HereComesThe Guide had a "review this place" so that I could save brides planning a smaller wedding the hassle and disappointment that we suffered.
This is not the same Lark Creek Inn where I first dined 20 years ago. It's not even close. I've been there twice this month, because of the half price wine, but I don't think that I'll go back for the food. The french fries were soggy, my "chicken" sandwich consisted of in this order bread, tomatoes, bacon, lettuce and two tiny pieces of chicken breast that didn't even cover the bun. I can't really tell you how it tasted. All I could taste was bread. My salad was good. If you find your self at Lark Creek Inn, save yourself disappointment and get a salad.
I love this place! It's a former B&B that has been converted into a restaurant. It's a beautiful building. This places is perfect for a romantic rendevous. The staff was very friendly.
I ordered the Star Farms summer salad which consisted of fresh greens, cherry tomatoes, radishes, toasted almonds, greens, and a crostini. It was lightly dressed with champagne vinaigrette. The butter of the crostini was very buttery and delicious. The tomatoes tasted like they came right out of the garden! The almonds were nice and toasty. I loved this salad.
I ordered the duck confit, spinach, and morel risotto. The risotto was delicious. The rice was cooked to perfection, just a little past opaque, in a homemade chicken broth. The risotto was topped with blanched spinach that had a nice deep green color and tasted very fresh. On top of the spinach was shredded duck confit. The duck was well cooked and had the consistency of pulled pork. It was heavenly! The morels had a very nice earthy flavor and had a very nice texture. In addition, there was a generous amount of morels. The whole dish was topped with cheese (parmesan?) shavings. I would order this dish again and again and again.
The Scharffenberger soufflé was certainly worth the wait. The Scharffenberger soufflé was presented in a ramekin in on a plate with a malted sticks (like a malted meregue) and a small bowl of banana flavored ice-cream. The ice-cream was arrestingly delicious with an intense banana flavor. I loved it. The Scharffenberger soufflé was light and fluffy and had a beautiful crust.
I've been to Lark Creek on and off since they first opened and on occasion have had some really special food. In recent years I've gone only during July when the wine is 50% off, and the food has only been an afterthought. But tonight I'll have to admit the food was an equal attraction--as other reviewers have noted, things have improved greatly. We ordered a fabulous bottle of 2003 Silver Oaks Napa Cabernet, along with the little gem salad and a New York steak. The steak was perfect, with a garnish of eggplant coulis and olive oil mashed potatoes. For dessert, a half bottle of Pride Merlot and the chocolate souffle with vanilla yogurt gelato--a delicious finale. We sat outside and our server--Boutaina, from Morocco--was a delight. A thoroughly enjoyable evening. Nice to see a restaurant that is far from the cutting edge of trendy trying its best, and succeeding.
I had not been to the Lark Creek in years and went back in December. It was fantastic-great service, wine and a meal to remember.
We went back again this summer and it was terrible. The service was non existent and bumbling. It took 20 minutes to have our first drinks ordered. The manager was obviously serving us at least 2 times and no one came to ask how our food was. The food was good, but the experience so lowly we felt it left a bad taste.
It should when the prices are at a high level such as this. I won't go back.
The one last comment...It has become a place for a much older crowd and does not seem to attract a younger set. I think it needs to have more of a cross section of age groups to stay viable and be more vibrant.
If you feel like checking out Lark Creek Inn, you should do it in July as all the wines are half priced! It's a great deal and you can save a bit while trying out something new.
I prefer to dine in the bar vs the dining room, as it feels a bit formal to me, but in either case, you should check it out.
OMG! Bradley's Back!
Lark Creek Inn has always had a romantic, classic old school charm & elegance which we've enjoyed many times over the years. We wanted to celebrate our daughter's Sweet 16th Birthday there but were a tad hesitant after the lukewarm Yelp reviews of late. We are now Phelpsters (not Yelpsters-What were they thinking?) after a gold medal winning complete dining experience. The service was exemplary & we were treated like royalty. Dining on a Monday might have helped since it was rather quiet but that was perfect since we didn't want to wait in an over crowded bar or worse yet standing out on the sidewalk like so many newer places nearby. Their generosity of spirit & attitude didn't stop there. Unlike trendy spots who cater to the small plate mentality, LCI even serve their scrumptious salads on dinner size plates. We're tired of over sized prices for appetizers passing for dinner entrees. LCI delivered with delicious savory fare bar none! Everything tasted exquisite from the crisp freshness of local vegetables to the truly mouth watering explosion of unique flavors. The tender, moist duck collapsed as my fork & knife approached. Salmon wasn't even on the menu that night but as my daughter's favorite, LCI came up to the plate & served another one of their signature creations of salmon much to her delight. We had planned a special occasion location which would satisfy her Whole Foods/Farmer's Market appetite & she left chanting this was her favorite meal EVER! Considering our other choices that evening included Boulevard, Sushi Ran & any of Michael Keller's restaurants, we were absolutely delighted with Lark Creek Inn. Thank you Lark Creek Inn!
I used to love Lark Creek Inn, but haven't gone in some time. Then I read on Yelp that they've removed the trees and the food isn't quite as good. I'm so sad to hear that. I used to love getting my two-souffle meals with the cheese souffle app and the chocolate souffle dessert. If they still have those, it's worth the money and I'll go again, but I'll sure miss the trees.
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Lark Creek Inn is one of the most picturesque, beautiful and charming restaurants I've ever been to. Its a cottage/lodge type building nestled in a redwood forest along a babbling brook- have you ever heard of a more charming restaurant?!? The outside seating is a must. I've been coming here for years, initially because the quaint, romantic ambiance of the place drew me in. The food and service is what has kept me coming back, and now there is even more reason to go there with the amazing food and new chef.
We ate at LCI last night on a quiet Sunday evening when there weren't that many people in the dining room. The purpose of our visit was to try the food and the experience again after one of my good friends had a horrible experience the first time she came. Well, the GM contacted her via Yelp, inviting us back and promising a better experience. This gesture alone would have earned a great review by itself; I felt it was very courteous and generous of LCI to do such a thing.
First of all, I've always thought LCI was an amazing establishment, which is why I was shocked to hear about my friends initial terrible experience there. So, it didn't come as a surprise to me personally when we had an amazing dinner there last night; just another great experience at Lark Creek Inn. The food was so fresh, delicate and beautifully paired. The menu changes often, so I don't want to name specific dishes, but there are always great options...no matter what the season. The service was top notch and friendly- a combination I adore. And, the wine they chose for us was something all three of us enjoyed- a difficult feat. A great experience altogether.
Come here for a romantic date, or maybe a special occasion dinner- the ambiance here cant be beat...it really is a classic. I could see myself renting the place out for my wedding someday- thats how beautiful it is.
One more thing: GET THE BUTTERSCOTCH PUDDING.
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I've only been here once, for brunch on a recent Sunday, and it was amazing.
Beautiful atmosphere, attentive yet unobstrusive staff, and delicious food.
I went for a special occasion and I think the staff could tell--they were very sweet and patient (we were there for 2 hours and never felt rushed to leave).
It is freaking expensive, but you get what you pay for. The four of us got out of there for $160 (ouch!), but at least $60 of that was drinks (those grapefruit blackberry mimosas are wicked!). Plus, we got an appetizer (the incredible bread basket) and a dessert (the stunning butterscotch pudding), which people don't usually get at brunch, but hell, like I said, it was a special occasion (my boyfriend meeting the parents for the first time--let me tell you, were they impressed).
Thanks, Lark Creek!
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I visited the Lark Creek Inn on my birthday in January. I had not been to the restaurant in quite some time and wanted to celebrate in style. I must say that my memory left my mouth watering and my expectation high.
I was saddened to see that the giant trees planted in the main dining room were gone. The restaunt seemed austere and not friendly or warm. If I were to return I would recommend eating in the bar area.
There were mostly couple seated in the main dining room. The make up of the main dining room is interesting. The center of the room is empty. A grand piano is at one corner of the room and it sits on hard wood floors. The table line the hard wood floors and circle the main area. It seemed odd and not intimate.
The food was fair and I probably leave memory to memory and remember it as it was and not as it is. The meat and potatoes style cuisine was well prepared but lacked subtlty. The comp dessert was nice. The food took an intolerable amount of time to prepare and the host went table to table apolgizing about some kitchen issue. It was pretty pricey and with the other establishments around the corner why go there?
My hustand and I were there recently and they have a new manager - TJ - and it's clear that things have improved greatly -- the menu has been updated, the food was great and the service was outstanding.
I previously wrote a negative review and I have to say, I think they've REALLY turned things around for the better! Which is great, because it's a classic East Coast spot and a gem in Marin!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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03/11/2008
This has historically been a fantastic restaurant - my husband and I used to go 2x a month easily.… Read more »
This Icon sure has failed itself - dreadfully slow service by people who don't care - and that can't make up for the hum-drum food. It's lovely and looky - but not intimate, cozy or welcoming. And the waitstaff is overtaxed, undertrained, and disinterested. So eat in the bar where the service doesn;t really matter, and ignore the main dining room - for our family, we've crossed it off our list.
The wine list was great, the service was spectacular (we loved our waiter and he really knew his stuff and was so friendly) but the food was AWFUL and expensive. I was very, very disappointed, because I have heard so many wonderful things about the food. Our friends that came with us said it wasn't as good as they remember (they changed chefs).
I started with the Cesar's salad. The romaine was fresh and so green, but the dressing was too fishy. Usually the anchovies are subtle, but it was overpowering, plus they had too much cheese on top, made it too rich.
For dinner, I had the Pork Scallopini. Definition of scallopini= thin, sauteed meat This was thin but it was DEEP FRIED, heavy, and greasy. It was exactly like "schnitzel" not scallopini. To make things even worse, it was served with pan fried (I think) potatoes covered in paprika. The potatoes were heavy and greasy, possibly even fried. Hard to tell, my mouth was coated with grease. It would have been better served with creamy potatoes or polenta. My dinner tasted like a blue plate special at a diner, like Mel's. I am not exaggerating.
My husband had NY Strip steak. Instead of a steak, he got about 4-5 slices of steak, as if they took the piece of steak and split it between 3 people.
Dessert was scrumptious (butterscotch pudding). If you go, save room for the dessert.
I was so disappointed, I will never go back. There are so many better places for the money (we spent over $200).
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From the list of reviews I would agree that overall the place has slipped more than a little in the past couple of years. Long time diner here, probably have been here over 50 times. More recently I noticed a drop in the food, and to a lesser degree, the service quality. I as well ordered the NY strip thinking I would receive a steak only to receive the sliced steak strips as someone else mentioned. Not worth the money, many other restaurants would obviously serve the entire NY strip for that price. Wine is now almost over the top expensive. Areas in the restaurant are starting to show there age. I think they currently seem to be living off their past laurels. Having said all of this I will return. The setting is very nice, it is a "local" place for me, and I have had so many wonderful meals in the past here I feel that things will get straightened out soon.
We had a very good experience at Lark Creek last week. My husband and I were celebrating our 6th anniversary there. I had the prix fixe menu which included the pot roast, cesar salad and butterscotch pudding. All were excellent...the pot roast was fall off the bone tender and well spiced...the cesar had the true anchovy and lemon taste to the dressing that made it wonderful...the butterscotch pudding was rich and creamy. It was a great meal with a fantastic bottle of wine. I had a blueberry cocktail that fell a bit short in strange flavor but other than that it was very delicious and the service was great too!
Such a pretty restaurant. I love having brunch there so you can look out into the gardens, which are lovely. I've been to LCI several times, but am just reviewing this one time, which my family calls "the Pot Roast Post-It incident".
A sister was visiting from NYC, so a bunch of us went out to the LCI for dinner one evening. Much wine was consumed, many appetizers were eaten. Hilarity ensued.
Until the pot roast arrived. B, the sister from NYC, had ordered the New England pot roast. Upon first glance, the post roast looked to be plated beautifully, served as it was with baby carrots, unborn potatoes and a gingersnap gravy. However, something was amiss and we all tried to figure out what was wrong.
My hon of hons husband was the first one to spot it - A PINK POST-IT NOTE with a phone number written on it was sticking, quite jauntily, to the side of the New England pot roast. We began to discuss if this was the server's way of trying to get my sister's attention - was he trying to give her his phone number? Was it a note bearing that night's winning lottery number?
WTF WAS IT?
Turned out that the post-it floated off the door when the server was bringing it out of the kitchen, it stuck to the pot roast, and they didn't notice it.
Damn right they took it off the bill!
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I have never had a bad meal here. Sometimes the service can be slow, but you're supposed to be savoring the experience anyways. If they have the Hawaiian Opah on the menu, get it. I've never tasted it prepared that way - it was so freakin' good.
Is it possible to only give a rating for the dessert?
Well, after a lovely jaunt through Point Reyes National Seashore come to this restaurant. You will enjoy the surrounding area and the charm of this used-to-be hotel. The dinner will be forgettable but what you will remember for years and years is the butterscotch pudding. Holy crap this pudding is amazing! If you ever find yourself visiting the Seashore and are in need for a delicious dessert do not hesitate to enjoy the tasty, decadent, wonderfulness that is the butterscotch pudding at the Lark Creek Inn.
*Side note: They serve a mini version at Lark Creek in Walnut Creek.
I'm sure Lark Creek Inn doesn't really need a Yelp review from me; it's well-known as an excellent restaurant. But here's my two cents anyway.
I have come here with a big group for brunch a few times, and the long table under the glass ceiling is a beautiful place to sit. Even when it's raining outside, the sunlight pours over the table and lights up the room with plenty of natural lighting. As a dinner destination, the ambiance is not quite as amazing (cement floors are better for daytime use) but the restaurant itself is still worth the splurge. The tables are spaced far enough apart to give customers adequate privacy and the high ceilings and windows make the interior feel roomy and open.
Our waiter last night was extremely professional: attentive but not intrusive. He made great recommendations for wine pairings with our meals. The petrale sole was perfect with a sweet flavor (paired with a nutty Chardonnay) and the swordfish with artichoke was refreshing (paired with a Joseph Swan Pinot Noir). I thought the petrale with chestnuts was the better of the two. The food arrives in a pretty display, meant to be consumed at a slow pace, so that each bite will be savored and appreciated (according to me, that is). I notice that when I attend to each bite and sip, I enjoy the meal so much more. Lark Creek Inn is quiet, peaceful, and allowed us to savor our meal. Far away from the city and surrounded by trees, this feels like a little sumptuous getaway.
And the 12 year tawny port was excellent. So rich without being heavy, so sweet without being sticky. We almost ordered dessert but couldn't because of time, and I was actually very glad we didn't. The port was a perfect finish. We were also going to try the calamari appetizer but the chef used only a dressing with pork, but again I was glad. The entree was plenty of food.
This was not a cheap meal (about $100), but all together the experience was worth the price. It was a great way to splurge.
I am so sad about the changes at Lark Creek over the past years. This used to be my very favorite restaurant, where I would request to go for birthdays and celebrations. The last few times we've eaten there the food has not been up to their usual standards and there have been a lot of mistakes with service and reservations. I still like to sit in the bar and have an appetizer and a drink, but alas, it is no longer my favorite restaurant.
Let's see, really quickly:
The server was great. She was knowledgeable, convivial, and attentive.
The food was outstanding. One us had the pork chops - moist & tasty. Other had the sole. Beautifully done, light, moist, not overcooked. I had the pot roast prix fixe. Bleu cheese souffle - very nice. Pot roast - tender, dark, flavorful, delicious. Mashed potatoes - it was ok.. had a light dollop of horseradish. Butterscotch pudding - pretty good.
The only negative - long wait for the main course. Although our server kept us well informed and continued to be stellar, we waited what seemed to be 40 minutes between our drinks and our food.
The next time I go there, I'll be sure not to eat for at least 6 hrs before dinner. So as to savor it more..
BTW, 3 drinks, 1 dessert, 2 entres, 1 prix fixe, = $130.00
We love the Lark Creek Inn! This is where my husband took me on our first date. It is also where he proposed to me a few years later...sigh. Our most recent trip was a few weeks ago for my in-laws' 50th wedding anniversary, and it could not have been a more perfect dining experience. We were a party of 10, and they had set up a lovely table in the center of the restaurant for us. The food was superb. I enjoyed a beautiful perfectly prepared steak and a glass of red wine. For dessert I had butterscotch pudding, yum! Everyone truly enjoyed their food, which is a relief, because as we all know sometimes when you are in a large party the food quality can go down but certainly not in this case. The waitstaff was efficient, friendly, and wonderful. We will definately be back for more milestone occasions.
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Always consitiant
I will gladly drive from San Jose to eat here
Last time I stopped in was just before Labor day with my wife
I was not super hungry and this was a very early dinner (about 5 pm)
The place was empty and they were still setting up
But we got a table right away and the drinks were on the table almost before we sat down
I skipped the appetizers and went straight for the main course
I wanted to try something new
so I was ready to not be swept off of my feet
when trying something new i know there is the chance i just wont like it
I ordered the free range chicken roulade
it looked awesome and tasted better than what i had expected
the salty flan gave it just that little special something the plate needed
a solid 9 out of 10
we ordered the chocolate souffle but i guess they were some techinical difficulties, it took a while longer than usual so while we sat there waiting we were served a free desert
which was the butterscotch
It was pretty much a perfect 10
not to heavy and not too light
We also ordered the homemade raspberry ice cream
attention to detail is what makes this place platings near perfect all the time
the taste was a litlle bland but that might have been from just eatting the butterscotch
The chocolate souffle finally arrived and my wife pretty much was doing backflips great desert but a long wait 9 out of 10
a dinner for 2 under 70 dollars this place can not be beat period
We just had a fabulous Mother's Day brunch yesterday. Our food was great - view divine - service excellent. I have been here several times for brunch and have never been dissapointed. As for the review regarding the credit card charge - I was clearly told about this when I made my reservation and given the last day to cancel to ensure I would not be charged. This place is great for lovely brunches/afternoons out of the city!
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This used to be a restaurant that you could count on for consistently good food and service. It seems that Bradley Ogden's attention is consumed by Las Vegas and the Lark Creek Inn has become a sub-par excuse of an over-priced restaurant with mediocre food and awful service.
An Update:
Today (3/25/08) I received the following message from a "Jesse S." who I noticed also reviewed the Lark Creek Inn.
"Hi Christine:
I wanted to write to you and apologize for the gaffs on your meal at the Lark Creek Inn. We had started a new menu that evening and some of the dishes missed the mark. For that I want to apologize. We have a wonderful new chef. Her name is Erica Holland Toll. I would like you to contact me. I am the General Manager, T.J. Jacobberger. I would like you to try us again and would love to buy you a nice bottle of wine for your dinner. We will change your opinion of the food. Thanks for taking the time to read my note
T.J. Jacobberger
General Manager
The Lark Creek Inn
234 Magnolia Avenue
Larkspur, CA. 94939
415-924-7766"
I don't really know what to do with this...I am not Christine. But hey, Christine should go and get a bottle of wine...
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I've been to the Lark Creek Inn a few times and can honestly say that my food experiences have been fantastic since the latest Chef took control. We were celebrating a big birthday and were treated like royalty. Every bit of the meal was not only delicious, but perfectly prepared and seasoned. I'm a working cook and can easily get critical quickly. Not here. Love that the Chef is so dedicated to local, sustainable ingredients and knows how to work with them...we ordered almost everything off the menu on our last visit and all the dishes rocked. Run, don't walk there....well worth it!
Hidden away in trees, this wonderful, quaint spot offers much to be appreciated. I came here for my girlfriend's birthday, and we were wonderfully surprised by the warm decor and the cozy atmosphere. The food was very good too, and the service impeccable. We sat near the window and thus had a vantage point of the lovely outdoors.
We almost always have Sunday brunch here when we're in town. We find the setting in Marin very quaint and charming and the food above average. It's a great stop for chow when touring Sausalito and Tiburon, a little out of the way.
Unlike some of the other reviews, we've never had any problems with the service, even when we showed up w/ a toddler. We've always found the service attentive.
If you've never been and are visiting SF, this place should definitely be on the itinerary.
Always a consistently good meal. Excellent fish and a killer grean salad with herbs, not sure what makes it so good but it's a favorite and I don't like salads!
Really the butterscotch pudding is a must have.
I have been going to the Lark Creek Inn since they opened in 1989 and I can honestly say that the current version is without a doubt the best incarnation in years. They had some problems when Chef Jonathon Wright and Michael Otsuka were there. There new chef Erica Holland-Toll is amazing the food is brilliant and the service is so much better now. On a recent visit we had the Artic Char and the NY Steak and the food and sides blended together so well. The wine list is very good and reasonably priced. Service was good without being ostentatious. Good to see that Lark Creek is back in the game.
Barbara & I have enjoyed 5 dinners here. The food has always been excellent. On every visit the dining room ran like a well oiled machine. Last visit our young server was very knowledgeable about the night's menu and the wines. She & I debated wine pairings, she backed her cheerful suggestions with sample tastings. Cool!
This is very goo d quality American comfort food. They use top notch local farmer's market ingredients combined in playful recipes that intrigue your mouth and mind. Richly satisfying flavors, wonderful mouth feel. Meal portions are generous, more so than the usual high priced restaurants.
Dining room is a re-vamped large Victorian era wood house. Romantic at night with fireplace, low level lighting, & candles. Perfect date place. Lots of pretty fellow diners here. Most dress for the occasion.
I expected to empty my savings account to dine here. We ate plenty, drank well, had desserts, coffee. Bill = $130 with tip.
A bargain for such a good meal & experience.
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I'm disconcerted to read too many other 1 star reviews for Lark Creek. There must be a new front end manager on duty since my last visit in December. I've always enjoyed competent & friendly service.
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We used to love Lark Creek Inn. Been here for a splurge every few years. For my milestone b'day late last year I figured it would be the perfect place. (Well, second perfect--I really wanted to go to Boulevard but they were booked.)
We were hoping to avoid the restaurant's valet park, but the packed streets of Larkspur's business district left us no choice!
Staff from top to bottom was either condescending or had an attitude, or both. Maybe it was 'cuz we were just two people. They definitely have a thing for the larger groups (maybe 'cuz of that mandatory tip?).
It'd been a few years since we'd last eaten here, and developments in the culinary world had changed considerably in the interim. Oh, the food was still of the highest quality, but it was bizarrely pretentious. First example: One of the meat entrees was glazed in, I kid you not, a bone marrow reduction sauce! WTF? Second example: Following our Caesar salads, we were brought, as the between-course palate cleaner, shot glasses filled with diced salmon bits in a salmon gel, topped with pureed cauliflower in creme fraiche! That's just weird, like something out of Iron Chef.
Our main entrees were nice. I had an okay petrale sole with lovely sauteed mushrooms, brussel sprouts, and bits of other vegetables; R had the five-hour pot roast which had a wonderful burgundy glaze (containing no bone marrow!), with an equally lovely side of vegetables. It was just enough food to make us comfortably full. The wine we had with our meal, Tremani Pinot Gris, was smooth with a hint of pear.
The dessert menu was equally pretentious so we had only coffee, conspiring to stop somewhere in SF for dessert. (We ended up at Toy Boat for some awesome cake.)
In years past I would've rated our experience a 5. For this visit the entrees rate a 4, but the pretentiousness and weirdness bring it way, way down. Lark Creek Inn, Chef Ogden, what the hell happened???
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Came here for Sunday brunch and sat outside. The weather was perfect and the air is just so fresh up there.
I see everyone else's poor review about the service but I thought it was pretty good. We had reservations for later but since we were already in the neighborhood they were very nice about seating us early and outside.
The braised short rib hash is really great. Portions aren't huge but I thought they were cooked well. The brunch breads were only okay though. Rest of the party had the croque madame, eggs dish and french toast.
My cousin describes the north bay as verdant and boy was he right!
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Great food served in a classy, elegant setting. Excellent service and an extensive wine list. Great for a special occasion.
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A foodie's paradise, combined with an elegant dining experience make for a reliable dinner every time at Lark Creek. Bradley Ogden knows what the taste of Bay Area diners is, and delivers it to perfection. Whether it's the surprisingly good salads, the robust soups, the out of this world meat dishes, or the best butterscotch pudding in existence, the Lark Creek is an experience ever good food person should have.
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I have been eating at Lark Creek Inn for years and until my last visit I would have given it 4 stars. When someone asked me for a suggestion of where to eat along the 101 I used to say "Definitely Lark Creek Inn".
Now I would have to say "Umm, well, you could try the Lark Creek Inn - but be sure to ask not to be seated with Charles"
Charles. Wow. He was so ridiculously bad that his snippy attitude almost spoiled our meal. I am still not sure where his attitude came from, I speak restaurant (fluently as a matter of fact), we were dressed appropriately (more stylishly than most of the patrons), I never got upset with him or snapped back at him but he did he best to imitate the stereotype of a French waiter servering unilingual Americans.
Extra weird he was gushing, hyperattentive and servile with a nearby table of six - it was their first time there, they didn't order any bottles of wine (when you order big ticket bottles of wine you usually get a little extra attention from the staff) and they were dressed mostly in jeans and Gap oxfords.
Luckily I had great company and the food at Lark Creek Inn is excellent, but Charles should be waiting on tourists at the Cheesecake Factory in Union Square.
The food really is excellent and the environment very cute.
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