Food and Film
Meal Tickets Before the popcorn or after the credits, nothing beats a movie-perfect nosh. Here are six winning dining options close by. BY BERNARD BOO
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NIGHT OUT AT the movies is never complete without
a delicious meal, and luckily for Mill Valley Film Festival attendees, Marin’s food scene is as colorful and diverse as the festival’s film lineup. Here are a few local dishes that pair well with what you’re seeing at the festival, all minutes away from MVFF’s main theater venues. DRAMA Westy Braised Duck Leg, Mill Valley Beerworks Dramas have always been a staple at MVFF. Whether rousing historical dramas like The King’s Speech (2010), coming-of-age epics like Boyhood (2014) or deeply felt character studies like The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007), they’ve been emotionally moving viewers since the festival’s inception. If you find yourself with leaky tear ducts and craving a little TLC after a film, head over to Mill Valley Beerworks to try the soul-soothing Westy Braised Duck Leg. A rich, glistening duck leg that’s been braised in Fort Point Westfalia Ale is nestled into a king-size bed of chickpea spätzle, with seasonal fruit and tiny bites of duck heart that reinforce the leg’s earthiness. All the ingredients are locally sourced, and you can taste the quality in every bite. The dish is extraordinary as is but approaches perfection when paired with a pint of Westfalia.
MUSIC FILMS Carnitas Burrito, Puentez Taqueria For musicians and music-lovers, the humble burrito is the undisputed king of jam session foods. So whether you’re just coming out of one of MVFF’s many music films or getting ready to head over to the Sweetwater for one of the festival’s live music events, do yourself a favor and stop by Puentez Taqueria in San Rafael for their game-changing carnitas burrito. The pork is so flavorful and fatty that it coats your lips as you eat, the bean/veg/meat/rice ratio is spot-on, and the burritos are rolled perfectly taut (a woefully underappreciated culinary skill). As the gigantic sign over the outdoor seating proudly proclaims, this is the best burrito in town. VIVA EL CINE Enchiladas de Mole Rojo, Playa Viva el Cine is one of MVFF’s most popular ongoing initiatives, showcasing new films and filmmakers from Spanish and Latin American countries. In the same vein, Mill Valley’s Playa aims to transport you to Mexico, via authentic Mexican cuisine with a modern accent. Go see one of the festival’s Vive el Cine selections next door at the Sequoia, then pop into Playa for the Enchiladas de Mole Rojo, a simple, irresistibly pretty plate of two glorious beef cheek enchiladas doused in the elegantly complex house mole.
Clockwise from left: Duck legs at Mill Valley Beerworks, burrito at Puentez Taqueria, enchilada at Playa.
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MARIN MAGAZINE 2019 MILL VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL GUIDE
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