Fun food events coming up this summer in Marin
The Thursday summer concert series at the Marin Art and Garden Center in Ross continues through Aug. 29 with live music, children’s activities, boxed dinners, snacks, beer, wine and nonalcoholic beverages.
Novato catering company Classic Culinaire will prepare a selection of picnic boxes (if you’re not packing your own) for concerts on the Gazebo Lawn from 5 to 7 p.m. though Aug. 1.
Options include a local cheese and charcuterie spread ($14); grilled organic Mary’s Chicken cobb salad ($18) or sandwich with pesto ($18); spiced Moroccan tofu and rainbow quinoa bowl with veggies ($16); grilled portobello mushroom sandwich ($16); SunButter and strawberry jelly sandwich ($13); or macaroni pasta salad ($13).
Pre-orders close at noon Tuesdays before each weekly event; a limited number of boxes are sold on-site.
On Aug. 8, the music series moves to bench-style seating at the Redwood Amphitheater from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Beer from Pond Farm Brewing Co. in San Rafael, Lorenza rosé from Napa Valley, nonalcoholic beverages, snacks and San Rafael’s Fiorello’s Artisan Gelato are available to purchase at all shows. Outside alcohol is not permitted
The children’s area is hosted by the Garden School, a nature-inspired preschool program at the Marin Art and Garden Center, and the Pixie Park playground is open for all.
The Marin Art and Garden Center is at 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. in Ross. Advance ticket sales for concerts and parking ($20 and $10, respectively) close at 2 p.m. on show days, or purchase at the gate ($25 and $15). Youth under 17 attend for free. View the full schedule, order picnic boxes and find other details at maringarden.org/summer-concerts.
Films and food
Cinelounge in Tiburon is pairing classic films with Marin restaurant meals at its new Food & Film series.
First up is Caine & Curry at 6:30 p.m. July 24, a pairing of the 1971 film “Get Carter,” starring Michael Caine as a ruthless London gangster, and a buffet from Lotus Cuisine of India in San Rafael.
On Aug. 7 at Scorsese & Meatballs, get in the mood with an Italian meal (restaurant TBA) during director Martin Scorsese’s crime drama “Goodfellas” that delves into the operations and inner dynamics of the Italian American mob from the 1950s to ’80s in New York City.
General admission ($48) includes dinner and a movie ticket or is free for Cinelounge members. Beer and wine are available for purchase.
Cinelounge is at 40 Main St. in Tiburon. Find the link to purchase tickets at the Tiburon events calendar link at cineloungefilm.com.
Farm brunches and dinners
The Fork, a culinary and education center at Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co., periodically invites guests for a meal made in its state-of-the-art kitchen by executive chef Jennifer Luttrell. These are served on its garden patio overlooking the farm and Tomales Bay at the pastoral Robert Giacomini Dairy in Point Reyes Station.
Settle in for a locally sourced brunch from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Aug. 3, Aug. 31 or Oct. 12 ($125). This includes house-made baked goods, cheese and three courses of rustic California comfort food.
Four-course, family-style dinners crafted with seasonal ingredients will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. July 18, Aug. 23 and Sept. 27.
Reservations open 30 days prior to each event at pointreyescheese.com.
Visitors are also invited to reserve a table for an hour and a half almost any Friday or Saturday through September and indulge in a bounty of cheeses and assortment of house-made accompaniments ($45). Local charcuterie, unique grilled cheeses, mac and cheese and ice cream sandwiches are optional add-ons.
The Fork is at 14700 Highway One in Point Reyes Station. Plan a visit or order cheeses to ship at pointreyescheese.com/pages/about-the-fork.
Terrapin on the beach
San Rafael’s Terrapin Crossroads restaurant and music venue is no more, but the outdoor, all-day, family-friendly, mini-music festivals live on at Sunshine Daydream Volumes 3 and 4 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 21 and Aug. 18 at McNears Beach Park in San Rafael.
Fuel a full day of music by Phil Lesh & Friends, Stu Allen & Mars Hotel and Greg Loiacono & Stingray with veggie burgers from Amy’s Drive Thru, fried chicken and frozen custard from Respectable Bird, Ultimate Souvlaki’s Greek fare, American favorites from Golden Gate Bistro Restaurant and slices from Rocco’s Pizza.
A large selection of beer, wine, tonics and nonalcoholic beverages are for sale from Fieldwork Brewing Co., St. Hildie’s, Aplós, Deux Punx, Gundlach Bundschu Winery and more.
Lesh brings back Songs to Phil the Air in the Camp Terrapin Kids Zone, where there’s also face painting and games.
See the full schedule, purchase tickets and find transportation information at sundaydaydream.com.
Leanne Battelle is a freelance food writer and restaurant columnist. Email her at ij.lbattelle@gmail.com with news and recommendations and follow on Instagram @therealdealmarin for more on local food and updates on the launch of The Real Deal Marin restaurant search guide.