How is Balboa Cafe - Mill Valley - Permanently Closed restaurant rated?

Balboa Cafe - Mill Valley - Permanently Closed, Mill Valley, CA

Balboa Cafe - Mill Valley - Permanently Closed

4.6

988 Reviews

$30 and under

American

Top Tags:

Located in the heart of Mill Valley, Balboa Cafe serves classic American bistro fare that is featured on our casual lunch, brunch and dinner menus. Diners can also choose from an extensive wine list and a terrific cocktail menu.

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Cuisines
American, Californian
Hours of operation
Lunch: Tuesday - Sunday: 11:30am - 3:00pm Dinner: Tuesday-Thursday: 5:00pm - 9:30pm Friday - Saturday: 5:00pm - 10:30pm Sunday: 5:00pm-9:00pm Happy Hour: Tuesday-Sunday 3:00pm-6:00pm
Phone number
(415) 381-7321
Website
http://www.balboacafe.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Catering
We offer catering services for off-site events throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Our experienced catering staff will work closely with you to create a memorable event for you and your guests whether in the comfort of your own home, the convenience of your office or staged in a specific venue. Services include: full service off-site catering, experienced catering staff, full service bar, event planning, rental coordination.
Private party facilities
Please contact the restaurant for more information.
Private party contact
Kara Mibach: (415) 381-7321

Location
38 Miller Avenue, Mill Valley, CA 94941
Neighborhood
Mill Valley
Cross street
Sunnyside
Parking details
Street parking available.
Additional
Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cafe, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Omelette of the Day$11.00
cage free eggs, smashbrowns, organic mixed greens, toast
Cornflake Crusted French Toast$11.00
brioche, caramelized banana, whipped cream
B.L.A.T. Sandwich$13.00
bacon, greenleaf lettuce, avocado, tomato, jack cheese, chipotle aioli with fries
Huevos Rancheros$11.00
eggs over easy, black beans, jack cheese, salsa fresca, avocado, stuffed red jalapeño
Chilaquiles$14.00
chipotle sauce, queso fresco, green onions, linguica, sunny eggs, avocado
Eggs Benedict$12.00
poached eggs, english muffin, canadian bacon, hollandaise, smashbrowns
Croque Madame$14.00
french ham, gruyere cheese, sauce mornay, pain de mie, two sunny eggs, choice of fries or greens
Braised Pork Belly Hash$14.00
potatoes, bell peppers, spring onions, two poached eggs
Steak and Eggs$17.00
8 oz. flat iron steak, two eggs, marble potato, caramelized onion, bacon, balboa steak sauce

Brunch Cocktails

$11

Aviation
bombay gin, luxardo, lemon juice, creme de violette
Cool Collins
square one cucumber vodka, lemon juice, simple strup
Doctor's Orders
bulleit bourbon, fernet, drambuie, orange flower water
The Specter Whaleman
blanco tequila, orgeat, lime juice, orange bitters, peychauds
Green Acres
st. george green chile vodka, domaine de canton, lime juice
Camparito
mint, simple syrup, lemon juice, campari, flor de cana rum, club soda
Corpse Reviver #2
ethereal gin, lillet blanc, triple sec, lemon juice, absinthe

Cocktail Alternatives

Kombucha$4.00
trilogy, gingerade, citrus
Raspberry Lemonade$4.00
raspberry syrup, lemonade, soda water
Tau Sparkling Water
- Small$3.00
- Large$6.00

Wines by the Glass

Champagne and Sparkling

La Marca Prosecco Italy NV$9.00
Roederer Estate Brut Rosé Anderson Valley NV$14.00
Canard-Duchene Brut Fance NV$18.00

White Wines and Rosé

Old Vine Colombard Y. Rousseau Sonoma 2014$10.00
Vermentino Tablas Creek Vineyard Paso Robles 2015$16.00
Pinot Blanc Donati Family Vineyard Paicines 2014$10.00
White Burgundy J. M. Boillot Premier Cru France$18.00
Semillon Foursight Anderson Valley 2013$12.00
Muscadet Domaine Des 3 Versants France 2014$9.00
Chardonnay Speare Central Coast 2013$9.00
Chardonnay Matanzas Creek Sonoma 2013$15.00
Sauvignon Blanc Kato Marlborough 2014$9.00
Sauvignon Blanc Speare Napa Valley 2013$10.00
Pinot Grigio Laird Carneros 2014$10.00
Rosé Bieler Pere Et Fils Sabine Provence France 2014$9.00

Red Wines

Carmenere Oveja Negra Maule Valley Chile 2011$11.00
Claret Basel Cellars Columbia Valley 2010$13.00
Malbec Trapiche Broquel Mendoza Argentina 2013$10.00
Petite Sirah Wild Hog Vineyards Dunniganhills 2010$13.00
Merlot Burgess Triere Estatenapa Valley 2011$10.00
Pinot Noir Balboa Cafe Central Coast 2012$10.00
Pinot Noir Saintsbury Carneros 2013$15.00
Syrah Meyer Family Cellars Mendocino 2011$12.00
Zinfandel Gianna Oakwild Ranch Russian River 2012$13.00
Cabernet Sauvignon Speare Central Coast 2012$9.00
Cabernet Sauvignon Textbook Napa Valley 2013$14.00

Beer

Draught Beer

Sonoma Springs Nomaweiss Wheat Wine$6.00
Anderson Valley Boont Amber Ale$6.00
Trumer Pilsner$6.00
Racer 5 Ipa$6.00
Mirror Pond Pale Ale$6.00
Anchor California Lager$6.00

Bottled Beer

Allagash White$7.00
Anchor Steam$5.00
Clausthaler Non-Alcoholic$5.00
Bud Light$5.00
Budweiser$5.00
Modelo Especial$5.00
Chimay Premiere Red$9.00
Deschutes Black Butte Porter$5.00
Golden State Mighty Dry Hard Cider$6.00

What 988 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.4Food
4.7Service
4.4Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

919 Reviews

OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
15 reviews
5.0
15 reviews
Dined on September 1, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience4
So sad to see the Balboa leave Mill Valley. The location just didn't do this fab restaurant justice. Hope they come back in a new bigger location.
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s
suzanb
San Francisco
14 reviews
vip
5.0
14 reviews
Dined on August 31, 2018
overall5food4service4ambience5
Saying goodbye to our neighborhood restaurant.
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V
Vicster
San Francisco
14 reviews
4.0
14 reviews
Dined on August 26, 2018
overall4food5service3ambience4
Great meal. Server was great but getting drinks and our food was so so slow.
Is this helpful?
M
Marbleguy
Tahoe
28 reviews
vip
5.0
28 reviews
Dined on August 25, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great place to eat with changing menu that reflects the season, happy hour is good with changing cocktails and apps that are tasty and good value. Service is always good and bar scene is vibrant. Noise level can get a little loud if a game is on and its a local team.
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G
benG
San Francisco
7 reviews
4.0
7 reviews
Dined on August 20, 2018
overall4food4service4ambience4
Expensive. However the main dish portions work quite generous.
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AZ
AmyZ
San Francisco
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on August 17, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience2
Great service! Good food . A little noisy but lively
Is this helpful?
L
Lovefoodie
San Francisco
15 reviews
vip
5.0
15 reviews
Dined on August 5, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful service, excellent food. Will definitely be back!
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B
Bcon
Central Coast
13 reviews
3.0
13 reviews
Dined on July 29, 2018
overall3food2service5ambience4
The service and atmosphere were very pleasant. The food unfortunately was nothing special. There was a petite filet that was tough. I found out it is not a true filet mignon but a "shoulder" cut...very disappointing. Overall it's okay...just not great. Too bad...I think it could be great if the kitchen gets a make over.
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l
lvalleygirl
San Francisco
40 reviews
4.0
40 reviews
Dined on July 27, 2018
overall4food4service5ambience4
When we lived in the City we went to the Balboa Cafe all the time. This location doesn't have quite the same ambience but it tries. We were among lots of locals, like us, visiting with friends and enjoying their afternoon. Cocktails were imaginative and delicious. We shared crab cakes, a salad and shrimp wrap--all yummy
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SD
SanDiegoMan
San Diego
76 reviews
vip
3.0
76 reviews
Dined on June 24, 2018
overall3food3service1ambience2
Had brunch. Eggs Benedict was good. Service was poor. Server was nice and friendly. But he was slow, and rarely around. The restaurant was only half full at 12noon on a Sunday. Should've been able to give better service. He didn't know what a Denver Omelet was when I asked to have them make that. Could be a better experience here if the staff was more attentive and better trained.
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G
Gerry
San Francisco
9 reviews
4.0
9 reviews
Dined on June 23, 2018
overall4food4service4ambience3
The food and service was very good. At times the noise level was high.
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SG
SamuelG
San Francisco
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on June 22, 2018
overall4food4service3ambience4
After a lapse in my visits of several years, I was pleased to find Balboa having made significant improvements. The dishes were more creative, better presented, made good use of local produce, and generally seems to fit the atmosphere of Mill Valley very comfortably indeed. It's upscale without being pretentious.
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R
Rhere
San Francisco
10 reviews
1.0
10 reviews
Dined on June 21, 2018
overall1food1service5ambience5
I was really disappointed during my last visit. The Caesar salad was really small and lacking; crummy croutons; shrimp was good. But for what they charged - the salad bar at Safeway is better. Friend ordered the Filet - which was the filet tail and tough to cut and sent back. The Wednesday wine was a buy but won't come back probably.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on June 11, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
Patio for our dogs.
Is this helpful?
a
anthonyh
San Francisco
57 reviews
vip
3.0
57 reviews
Dined on June 10, 2018
overall3food2service2ambience4
Waiter certainly wasn't overly attentive. Lobster Risotto was a true disappointment. Cold raw shelled peas in a warm risotto..never had that before. Not a fan. Excellent wines. Miso salmon was nice. Probably the third or fourth time we've eaten there. This is the first time it was a disappointment. Cold raw peas..amazing.
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d
denisec
San Francisco
18 reviews
vip
1.0
18 reviews
Dined on May 22, 2018
overall1food1service3ambience3
the hamburger ordered was not the requested temperature. it was sent back, at the insistence of the manager. the second burger was cooked exactly as the first one. well done. very disappointing.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
18 reviews
vip
4.0
18 reviews
Dined on May 21, 2018
overall4food4service4ambience5
Love this place! The food is always fresh and delicious. Great menu with so many items to choose from and really good wine list! We dine there frequently and they are always friendly. Super place for everyday or for a date night!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
7 reviews
vip
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on May 19, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
Lucas is great!😀
Is this helpful?
EW
EdfromWalnutCreek
San Francisco
5 reviews
4.0
5 reviews
Dined on May 13, 2018
overall4food5service4ambience4
We drove over from Walnut Creek for an early afternoon Mothers Day brunch, and it was well worth it! We dressed casually and brought our small dog, we sat out on the patio and had a lovely quiet family brunch. The service was good, although we asked three different people to turn on the heater above us and it never happened. Food was excellent - my wife got a special quiche and I got eggs benedict, my daughter (14) got a BLAT sandwich and my son (12) got the cornflake crusted French toast. Plus two starters - avocado toast and cronuts. Everyone was happy and stuffed. Not cheap but not outrageous either. We would (will!) definitely go back.
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m
melissa
Sacramento
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 13, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
Celebrated Mother's Day here. The food and environment were great! Everyone was nice and welcoming.
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M
Marinfoodie
San Francisco
34 reviews
vip
4.0
34 reviews
Dined on May 13, 2018
overall4food4service4ambience4
Absolutely love the burger here!
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m
mscrabtree
San Francisco
57 reviews
vip
4.0
57 reviews
Dined on May 11, 2018
overall4food4service5ambience3
Always a good neighborhood standby!!!! Food and service are always consistently good.
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R
Roadrider125
San Francisco
47 reviews
vip
3.0
47 reviews
Dined on May 6, 2018
overall3food3service3ambience3
The Balboa Cafe is just not a particularly good value -- okay food at inflated prices. My burger was small and the swiss cheese not properly melted. The mass of fries were limp and lacked the crisp texture that most restaurants can achieve. A disappointing experience.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
7 reviews
vip
4.0
7 reviews
Dined on May 6, 2018
overall4food3service3ambience3
Should remove the carpet and put hardwood floors. Yucky
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OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
4 reviews
2.0
4 reviews
Dined on May 6, 2018
overall2food1service2ambience2
The waiter was very loud and a bit intrusive it took about 10 minutes to get our first drink order even take them much less delivered. The Rizzuto was quite good but my tuner was overcooked and the dessert was very very good
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
7 reviews
vip
4.0
7 reviews
Dined on May 5, 2018
overall4food5service5ambience3
Server awesome! Thanks- and sorry his name slipped my memory. He is a nursing student at COM😀
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MM
MichaelM
Los Angeles
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 25, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our 2nd time and was as good as the 1st time. Will bring our family next time.....
Is this helpful?
4
46redhead
San Francisco
23 reviews
5.0
23 reviews
Dined on April 25, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience4
Love the Balboa, great crowd. Food excellent.
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F
Food4all
San Francisco
24 reviews
vip
5.0
24 reviews
Dined on April 24, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great lunch at Balboa Cafe after a hike in Muir Woods. Service was spectacular and food was delicious and presented beautifully. We will be back!
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l
lm2083
San Francisco
16 reviews
vip
2.0
16 reviews
Dined on April 22, 2018
overall2food3service3ambience3
Balboa Cafe in SF used to be the place to go in the 80s and 90s. Either drugged out haze made it better or they've gone downhill. Had 4 drinks between us at $10/each and they wanted to charge $1.50 when I ordered anchovies for my anchovy-less Caesar salad. Service a little weak and overall, only go here if you can't get into D'Angelo's.
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SU
SUSANM
San Francisco
11 reviews
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on April 14, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent in every way. We love going back to Balboa
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TS
TedS
San Francisco
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on April 13, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
We celebrated a special night here and were well taken care of!
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o
opentabler7
San Francisco
190 reviews
vip
5.0
190 reviews
Dined on April 12, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience4
Known for the omelets and burgers at lunch, dinner was truly special. Out of this world lobster risotto and 1/2 off wine bottles on Wednesday with purchase of an entree. Great personal service and large tasty salads.Drinks are always very good. Nice to have the S.F. based Balboa in Mill Valley!
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F
Firefly
San Francisco
8 reviews
vip
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on April 10, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
Love this restaurant!
Is this helpful?
k
kathleenn
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 9, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience3
Loud kids nearby, parents weren't doing a good job of controlling them. Unfortunate. Otherwise great experience. It was a Sunday night, maybe this is a family time?
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C
Ckh10
San Francisco
8 reviews
4.0
8 reviews
Dined on April 8, 2018
overall4food4service4ambience3
Food was good, we got a table in the corner but it was still difficult to hear until the early diners finished and left. Not the restaurant's fault. Mark was a great waiter!
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KC
KCCali
San Joaquin
2 reviews
2.0
2 reviews
Dined on March 30, 2018
overall2food1service5ambience3
Food was meh but staff was fabulous. I wasn't impressed with the lunch at all and probably wouldn't come back.
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t
toadtastes
San Francisco
34 reviews
vip
5.0
34 reviews
Dined on March 23, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience4
Celebrating a girlfriend’s birthday. The waitress offered a complimentary dessert which was lovely.
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d
doyle
San Francisco
22 reviews
vip
5.0
22 reviews
Dined on March 17, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience4
Excellent service. The best and most professional servers town. Thank you Shellen, Adolpho, Rene, Jennifer and mark. Five star all the way.
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DD
DineDontEat
San Francisco
43 reviews
vip
4.0
43 reviews
Dined on March 14, 2018
overall4food4service4ambience4
This was the first time we dined at Balboa Café. Food was very good. We will be back.
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FAQs

Balboa Cafe - Mill Valley - Permanently Closed is rated 4.6 stars by 988 OpenTable diners.

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

38 Miller Avenue, Mill Valley, CA 94941

Additional information

Cross street
Sunnyside
Neighborhood
Mill Valley
Hours of operation
Lunch: Tuesday - Sunday: 11:30am - 3:00pm Dinner: Tuesday-Thursday: 5:00pm - 9:30pm Friday - Saturday: 5:00pm - 10:30pm Sunday: 5:00pm-9:00pm Happy Hour: Tuesday-Sunday 3:00pm-6:00pm
Cuisines
American, Californian
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Street parking available.
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cafe, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.balboacafe.com/
Phone number
(415) 381-7321
Catering
We offer catering services for off-site events throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Our experienced catering staff will work closely with you to create a memorable event for you and your guests whether in the comfort of your own home, the convenience of your office or staged in a specific venue. Services include: full service off-site catering, experienced catering staff, full service bar, event planning, rental coordination.
Private party facilities
Please contact the restaurant for more information.
Private party contact
Kara Mibach: (415) 381-7321

Balboa Cafe - Mill Valley - Permanently Closed

Permanently Closed

Additional information

Starters

Seasonal Fruit Plate$12.00

Smoked Salmon$16.00

Salads

Caesar Salad$9.00

Heirloom Tomato Salad$13.00

Charred Broccoli$13.00

Balboa Burger

Balboa Cafe's Classic Burger$13.50

Sides

Applewood Smoked Bacon$5.00

Caggiano Artisan Ham$5.00

Smashbrowns$5.00

1 Egg - Any Style$1.50

Toast$1.50

Entrées

Omelette of the Day$11.00

Cornflake Crusted French Toast$11.00

B.L.A.T. Sandwich$13.00

Huevos Rancheros$11.00

Chilaquiles$14.00

Eggs Benedict$12.00

Croque Madame$14.00

Braised Pork Belly Hash$14.00

Steak and Eggs$17.00

Brunch Cocktails

Aviation

Cool Collins

Doctor's Orders

The Specter Whaleman

Green Acres

Camparito

Corpse Reviver #2

Cocktail Alternatives

Kombucha$4.00

Raspberry Lemonade$4.00

Tau Sparkling Water

Wines by the Glass

Champagne and Sparkling

La Marca Prosecco Italy NV$9.00

Roederer Estate Brut Rosé Anderson Valley NV$14.00

Canard-Duchene Brut Fance NV$18.00

White Wines and Rosé

Old Vine Colombard Y. Rousseau Sonoma 2014$10.00

Vermentino Tablas Creek Vineyard Paso Robles 2015$16.00

Pinot Blanc Donati Family Vineyard Paicines 2014$10.00

White Burgundy J. M. Boillot Premier Cru France$18.00

Semillon Foursight Anderson Valley 2013$12.00

Muscadet Domaine Des 3 Versants France 2014$9.00

Chardonnay Speare Central Coast 2013$9.00

Chardonnay Matanzas Creek Sonoma 2013$15.00

Sauvignon Blanc Kato Marlborough 2014$9.00

Sauvignon Blanc Speare Napa Valley 2013$10.00

Pinot Grigio Laird Carneros 2014$10.00

Rosé Bieler Pere Et Fils Sabine Provence France 2014$9.00

Red Wines

Carmenere Oveja Negra Maule Valley Chile 2011$11.00

Claret Basel Cellars Columbia Valley 2010$13.00

Malbec Trapiche Broquel Mendoza Argentina 2013$10.00

Petite Sirah Wild Hog Vineyards Dunniganhills 2010$13.00

Merlot Burgess Triere Estatenapa Valley 2011$10.00

Pinot Noir Balboa Cafe Central Coast 2012$10.00

Pinot Noir Saintsbury Carneros 2013$15.00

Syrah Meyer Family Cellars Mendocino 2011$12.00

Zinfandel Gianna Oakwild Ranch Russian River 2012$13.00

Cabernet Sauvignon Speare Central Coast 2012$9.00

Cabernet Sauvignon Textbook Napa Valley 2013$14.00

Beer

Draught Beer

Sonoma Springs Nomaweiss Wheat Wine$6.00

Anderson Valley Boont Amber Ale$6.00

Trumer Pilsner$6.00

Racer 5 Ipa$6.00

Mirror Pond Pale Ale$6.00

Anchor California Lager$6.00

Bottled Beer

Allagash White$7.00