Toast - Novato

It's hard to believe that my husband and I recently discovered Toast in the last two years while living in Marin County for the last two decades.

It's a little further north from where we used to live but now there are no excuses!

We have been enjoying brunches there for the last five visits, and the quality only gets better and better. The restaurant is spacious yet inviting. The servers are friendly and listen to our every request with a smile. There are no long waits for a table and no long waits for our food. Here, the price is always right, compared to what you pay for at some places that won't be named in this review.

My favorite meal is Eggs Benedict done every which way. Whether it's traditional or California-style or with grilled salmon. In a word, DIVINE!

We leave with the smallest of leftovers in a container because we've eaten almost all of it there. I happen to like leftovers so I deliberately save some for later.

Now that we're retired, there's no stopping us from heading north to where good food matters.

A very large place with a correspondingly large menu. Although they are a breakfast, lunch, dinner place, we seem to come in for just breakfast and lunch. Open 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm.

Very clean and wait staff are pleasant and helpful. Go ahead and ask for substitutions.

Look for it around the Nave Ave exit of 101. It is in a shopping center, centered and tucked into the angle in the middle. Not flashy, so keep your eyes peeled.

Breakfast? You name it, they have it. Some unusual offerings include salmon hash and a number of Mexican dishes, like huevos rancheros and breakfast burritos.

Lunch? A ton of salads and sandwiches, like lamb burgers, Thai beef salad, salmon or ahi Niçoise salad, chicken watermelon salad.

Pizza and pasta are also offered.

Entrees? Braised short ribs, Ribeye steak with Whiskey Pepper Sauce, fish and chips.

I would be surprised if you could not find something you would like to ear.

Parking in the huge shopping center lot.

Four of us went to Toast for New Year's eve dinner. I was very disappointed in many aspects of this dinner.
We arrived three hours after opening and they had already run out of two items, both of which, all four of us were looking forward to trying, one of which was Paella and one of the appetizers.
When ordering our dinner, two more items were no longer available. We asked the service if there was any items that may run out soon and she didn't know. When waiting for our dinner to arrive, the manager told us that one of the dinners we ordered was no longer available. That person ended up ordering lamb chops. When it arrived, her lamb chops were well done, and the service person said that's the way they serve it even though she had ordered it medium rare.
My flank steak was partly well done partly raw. I asked for medium rare. The chimichurri sauce on my steak was very good. The visiting chef that was doing the meals was highly rated and we thought we were in for a nice surprise.
The flavors of the food that were served was very nice, but the communication between the service, and the kitchen was poor. The delivery was poor.
I don't expect miracles for New Year's Eve dinner but when you charge as much as these meals were, I do expect food cooked properly proper service proper management.
Ever since Covid, service has gone to hell food is very boring in Novato and yet prices in restaurants are increasing. I understand the cost of food and utilities is increasing, but at least serve quality food if you say you're going to.
I've gone to culinary school and have worked in the service industry for many years.

Haven't been to Toast in years. Heard it was under new ownership since I was last there so I decided to try it again. I'm so glad I did. It was amazing!! We were greeted immediately and our drink order was taken. We decided to split a Greek salad. It was excellent! Fresh and crisp. Next up was my chicken kabob. It was so flavorful and the chicken was tender and juicy. The saffron rice it came with was so light and was just great. The baked tomatoes gave the meal the perfect touch. My guy ordered the fish and chips and couldn't stop raving about it. It was fresh and tasty, and served nice and hot. We sat outside because it was a beautiful night. What a great time we had. We had excellent service and we'll be back soon!!

I finally got here for an early dinner when it was open (after several times showing up on days they were closed). There was only one other table with patrons in the cavernous dining room and the server was not very attentive.

The avocado toast was massive, simple, and fresh. The bread was great. The quesadilla however was not made with love. It tasted like something a college student would quickly scramble together for a study session with packaged ingredients.

So 50/50 on the food depending on what you order. Personally, I'd recommend Thai or super duper burger in the same mall instead.

Friendly staff, lovely atmosphere visible kitchen, broad menu options and lattes
We tend to stop in for a light breakfast or coffee but I would trust them for any meal time you find yourself wanting a place to meet with a friend or just take repose from it all

So... a little known fact is that a guest chef cooks on special nights at Toast in Novato (Sunday through Wednesday). Chef Guillermo, and his wife, Gabriella do an amazing Latin fusion menu and you will not regret trying it... in fact, if you do what I did, you will hire them for all of your parties. Chef Guillermo, and Gabriella catered my 60th birthday and will be catering my wedding. Their attention to every detail is fabulous!

ALL AREAS ARE REVIEWED 1-5, 1 being the worst and 5 being the best.

Parking-5-Easy parking for breakfast, pretty large lot outside with ample spaces on a Thursday morning.
Seating-5-Tons of seating, intimate 2 tops up to large party tables
Wait staff-4-Pretty good, not much interaction other than seating, delivery of food, and picking up check.
Speed of Service-4- Pretty average, not a long a wait but the place was not very full.
Food-5-Definitly great food, I had the French toast and it was great. The fruit seemed fresh, and the bacon was perfect (and by that, I mean crispy as ordered!)
Ambiance-4-It's a little overwhelming for a breakfast/lunch spot, there is a huge "box" suspended from the ceiling and corresponding decor throughout.
Price-3- A little high in my opinion, the French toast was amazing but not necessarily $17 amazing. Total for French toast and bacon was $25.65 with tax, opinions vary...
Overall-4- The food was great, the environment felt a little sterile, and the price was a bit more than I expected but again; the food was GREAT.
Shout out- to the wine-bottle full of water that the waiter brings when you sit down, it should last one person the entire meal. Great idea (but would have been nice if it was cold).

Had dinner at Toast this evening with 3 other adults and a toddler. Food really good and enjoyed by all even our toddler. Nice upscale casual setting. Great service.

Amazing flavors, ambiance and great portions! Would definitely go back! Quick service, friendly staff. Loved that they had a vegetarian friendly menu too.