New in Town

Too Many Choicess

Chef Brandon Jew drops a restaurant in Mill Valley; Left Bank slides into Tiburon; an expanded archery range finds a new home in San Rafael; and the former Sir Francis Drake Hotel gets a makeover and a new name, among other openings in Marin and around the bay. CHRISTINE MUELLER

MAMAHUHU “I’m out running trails in the Headlands or on Mt. Tam at least once a week, and Mill Valley is frequently my start and end point,” says co-owner Ben Moore of his desire to open a restaurant in the city. Chef Brandon Jew (Mister Jiu’s) with third partner Anmao Sun are open-

NEW! ing an outpost of their no-frills, family-friendly restaurant (the first is in San Francisco’s Inner Richmond) in the former Mill Valley Beerworks space in mid-September. Nostalgic ChineseAmerican fare the chef grew up eating, like kung pao chicken and crunchy cabbage salad, are the menu’s focus, reimagined with an eye on individual and environmental health and sustainability. Rice flour batter for sweet and sour chicken makes it extra crispy and gluten-free; only honey and organic pineapple juice are used as sweeteners; and sustainably grown, certifiedorganic palm oil is used in the fryer. The vegetable-forward approach means sweet and sour cauliflower and mushroom ma po tofu are given equal billing and care. 173 Throckmorton, Mill Valley; eatmamahuhu.com

Mamahuhu

EAT & DRINK › Petite Left Bank

Chef Roland Passot is at it again, opening his latest French café and bistro in downtown Tiburon in mid-September. Executive chef Justin Minnich will bring to life classics like escargot en croute, salade Niçoise and beef bourguignon. A morning menu of composed plates and pastries is in the works, and lunch and brunch are expected soon after. 1696 Tiburon Blvd, Tiburon; 415.910.1010; petiteleftbank.com

Burmatown

After eight years at the original location around the corner, Jennifer Fujitani quietly opened in the former Benissimo space in early July. Though the menu remains largely the same (that tea leaf salad! Those bao!), a new grill means Fujitani’s mom, Jenny, who still runs the kitchen, can make kalbi ribs and smoked salmon collars or grilled shrimp on a whim. A new family meal menu is in the works, as is a plan to open the large patio for service. 18 Tamalpais Dr, Corte Madera; 415.985.5060; burmatown.com

WELLNESS › FitLab

San Rafael resident Val Harbidge opened a fitness center near downtown Fairfax with a cycle room and other fitness modalities, including Les Mills barbell classes, yoga, Pilates and a functional fitness floor with plentiful strength training options. 711 Center Blvd. Fairfax; 415.785.3026; fitlabstrong.com

Marin Archery

If you fondly remember Marin Archery’s small space along San Anselmo’s Miracle Mile, you’ll be thrilled to know that owner Scott Bullard has reopened with a full 12-lane, 20-yard indoor range, combining it with an outdoor range, wellstocked pro shop and a lounge, this time located on the grounds of the Marin Rod and Gun Club. 3815 Redwood Hwy, Suite B, San Rafael; 415.862.7769; marinarcheryshop. com

SHOP Heritage Mercantile

Owner Jennifer Bloch seeks out obscure, well-made goods and vintage found items, including grab-and-go floral bouquets and pre-made, curated gift boxes for her shop, opened in May in downtown Larkspur. Bloch is also at work creating a house brand — look for custom furniture, charcuterie boards and pantry items. 280 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur; 415.891.8739; shopheritage.com

Cast Jewelry

With a wish to inspire curiosity and discovery, cofounders Rachel Skelly and Eric Ryan opened a jewelry store at the Village at Corte Madera that evokes a kid-in-a-candy-store feeling in September. The boutique welcomes guests with a beverage and has a straight-forward approach to pricing: a product menu reveals details without any need to guess. The Village at Corte Madera, 1536 Redwood Hwy, Corte Madera; castjewelry.com

Neograft Hair Restoration

How Does It Work? Neograft Hair transplant technology harvests hair follicles from the back of the head and transplants it to the area that needs it.

Does It Look Natural? Yes. It is your hair, just transplanted to a different location. The harvest area at the back of the head is impossible to see after hair grows out.

What is the Recovery? The procedure requires the harvest area to be shaved to properly transplant the follicles. There is no scar, unlike other technologies.

How Much Does It Cost? The pricing is based on the follicles needed, and area to be treated. The best way to determine your needs is an in-person consult with our expert patient coordinator Julia and Dr. Douglas, available during business hours. Use code MARIN to receive a special offer.

Plastic Surgery Specialists 350 Bon Air Road #300 Greenbrae CA 94901 p. 415.925.2880

• Neograft Hair Restoration • • • • Laser treatments, • • • • Health & Wellness • Orbera Gastric Balloon • Testosterone Replacement • Hydrafacial or Diamond Glow • Viveve feminine rejuvenation

LEARN SOMETHING NEW

Abstract artist Wassily Kandinsky never touched a paintbrush until age 30; Julia Child was in her late 30s when she enrolled at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris; and Toni Morrison was 40 when her first book, The Bluest Eye, was published — all a reminder that, as it’s been said many times, it’s never too late to learn something new. Even if you’re not seeking fame and fortune, going “back to school” can be a rewarding, life-enriching experience. There are plenty of locally run classes (both in-person and virtual) to help you gain a new skill, pick up a new hobby or pursue your passions. Here are a few to try.

Embrace Your Artistic Nature

Helmed by Marin locals Nicholas Wilton and Terri Froelich, Art2Life offers an annual 12-week online painting course in January for both budding artists and established painters, along with sevenday destination workshops in locations near and far, from Sonoma to Marrakesh. From $2,400 for the 12-week online program, and from $3,000 for destination workshops; art2life.com

Habla Español

Jetting off to Latin America or Spain next summer? Prep for the journey by enrolling in the College of Marin’s beginning Spanish language class, offered through the school’s community education program. Two classes run October 17–December 3. $114; marin.edu

Nick Wilton, Art2Life

Cavallo Point Cooking School

Channel Your Inner Chef

Prepare (and devour) culinary masterpieces at the Cavallo Point Cooking School, where classes include Oyster Experience, Let’s Talk Fried Chicken, The Art of Fusion and Intro to French Pastries. From $125; cavallopoint.com

Become a Ballerina

It’s not too late to live out your childhood ballerina fantasy. Adults can learn the basics, from pliés to pirouettes, by taking beginning adult ballet classes at Marin Ballet, which has been “promoting the art of dance” for 60 years. $25 per class, or $22 with a class card; marinballet.org

Publish Your Prose

Book Passage offers in-person and online classes year-round for writers who want to get their work published. Upcoming courses include Self-Editing for Fiction and Memoir Writers (October 1); How to Write a Query Letter (October 8 and 12); and How to Write a Fiction Synopsis (October 22). $95 for classes listed here; bookpassage.com

- LOTUS ABRAMS