[I:http://www.healthyeatingmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/GaryDiedrichs3.jpg]Sausalito, the historic town in Marin County, is famous for its waterfront views, houseboats and vibrant art scene. Now it has another stellar attraction — Murray Circle, an acclaimed restaurant that offers a unique and very green dining experience.
Where else can you dine in the former enlisted men’s barracks of a historic military post, with its lovingly restored tin ceilings, fine art photography and trio of toasty fireplaces? Or outside, on the historic porch, with its panoramic vistas of the San Francisco skyline and the Golden Gate Bridge? This restaurant is part of eco-friendly certified (LEED Gold) Cavallo Point Lodge in Fort Baker, the country’s newest luxury accommodation in a national park.
[I:http://www.healthyeatingmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/GaryDiedrichs4.jpg]Joseph Humphrey is in charge of the Murray Circle kitchen, and an amazing job he’s done. In his first year, 2009, he was awarded a coveted Michelin star for his efforts. Today Murray Circle remains the sole Marin County restaurant so honored. Previously, Humphrey headed up the culinary team at Meadowood, in the Napa wine country, where he similarly got a Michelin star. He’s also worked with acclaimed chefs in New Orleans and San Francisco.
Pastry chef Ethan Howard is another Murray Circle star. He honed his dessert-making skills at the iconic French Laundry, and was pastry chef at Bouchon; both are located in Yountville, a little more than an hour’s drive north of Sausalito, and both are run by one of the country’s most revered chefs, Thomas Keller. In 2008, Howard was chosen by the Gayot restaurant guide as one of the top 5 pastry chefs in the country.
The food philosophy at Murray Circle is straightforward: deliciously creative fare that springs from the organic, artisan producers of Marin and its environs. Eating local is all the rage now, but not many restaurants take it this far or this well. When that perfectly cooked Pacific cod arrives on your plate, you’ll already know what West Marin fisherman caught it — it tells you on the menu. Ditto for the local farmers and ranchers who raised the organic veggies, the meats and poultry.
Most Michelin-starred restaurants can be rather pricey. Murray Circle is quite affordable, compared to other Bay Area restaurants of note. You can get many dinner entrees for under US$20. Lunch is an even better bargain. You can order a tasting menu of 4 courses for US$25.
There are other ways to make your dollars stretch at this exceptional venue. Try Murray Circle for breakfast. No finer housemade granola, fluffy omelets or eggs benedict can be had in the Bay Area, and by sitting outside on the front porch, you get those unforgettable views, too. Or dine at the Farley Bar, which adjoins the restaurant, where a special bar menu features many intriguing choices at small tariffs. A sampling: rilettes of pork with housemade pork rinds in the Mexican style known as chicharrones…a local oyster po’boy sandwich…organic popcorn sprinked with truffle or chile-lime.
As you might expect, staff is well trained and knowledgeable about the menu. And very attentive. We asked for the cream and sugar to be taken away from our table (we don’t use it in our coffee), which it was. But then other servers tried to bring it back. Twice.
Great drink goes with great food. And here, too, Murray Circle does not disappoint. Director of wines Dan O’Brien seeks out small vineyards that use organic or biodynamic methods. From the bar, there are equally interesting options. You may want to try a house cocktail called a fennel sour. It’s made from house-infused fennel vodka. Among the non-alcoholic standouts is something called the tide turner. Its base is pineapple juice, freshly squeezed, plus lime and pomegranate grenadine.
Next time you’re in San Francisco, go green. Go Murray Circle.
There’s lots more to know about green gems like eco-friendly Cavallo Point Lodge? For unbiased reviews of the world’s best green travel, written by real travel journalists, check out Green Traveler Guides.
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