Leanne Battelle

California, San Francisco

Food Columnist at Marin Independent Journal

Founder, The Real Deal Marin restaurant search guide / Food Columnist, Marin Independent Journal

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Articles

Tiburon resident opens pizzeria in Bon Air shopping center

1 week ago | marinij.com | Leanne Battelle

What began as a dad perfecting deep-dish pies for his children has turned into Squared Pizza, a new addition to the Bon Air shopping center in Greenbrae. The Detroit-style square-pan pizzas have crispy, caramelized edges and a soft, pillowy interior, a tribute to Motor City style with a Bay Area edge. Owner and Tiburon resident Joe Garfola previously held high-level roles in tech and cybersecurity at companies like Google, Blizzard and 2K.
Bites and brews to enjoy at Mill Valley Music Festival

1 week ago | marinij.com | Leanne Battelle

The Mill Valley Music Festival returns this weekend with two full days of live music, local flavor and laid-back revelry on the expansive grounds behind the Mill Valley Community Center. Now in its fourth year, the family-friendly spring gathering has grown into a signature event that blends big-name talent with community spirit.
San Rafael’s Vin Antico changes name, menu

2 weeks ago | marinij.com | Leanne Battelle

A familiar downtown San Rafael restaurant has a new name, a new look and a new culinary team. Family-owned Vin Antico was reintroduced last month as Vin after a brief two-month closure. Although the storefront restaurant has been serving diners since its return, the changes will be made official with celebrations on May 9 and 10.
New San Rafael restaurant offers nourishing bowls

2 weeks ago | marinij.com | Leanne Battelle

Wholesome bowls packed with grains, vegetables and proteins are a convenient solution for health-minded diners looking for a complete meal on the go. Berkeley fast-casual restaurant Humbowl brings the concept to Marin with the opening of its new location in downtown San Rafael. The menu, which focuses on fresh, scratch-made combinations, is designed to cater to a wide range of diets, from carnivore and vegetarian to vegan and gluten-free.
Fun classes coming up at Sausalito cooking school

3 weeks ago | marinij.com | Leanne Battelle

Curious to take a closer look at classic beef traditions, one with roots in Argentina and the other from the world of American grilling? Cavallo Point’s Cooking School in Sausalito has two upcoming options among its demonstration and hands-on cooking classes. On May 11, explore Argentina’s beef-loving culture with signature dishes like empanadas and grass-fed rib-eye with chimichurri, plus cast-iron provoleta, grilled vegetables with burrata and dulce de leche banana pudding.
New butcher shop opens in Corte Madera

3 weeks ago | marinij.com | Leanne Battelle

Neighborhood butcher shop Zonda Fine Meats opened last month around the corner from Menke Park in Corte Madera, filling the void left by the 2021 closure of Belcampo at Larkspur’s Marin Country Mart and, 10 years earlier, Bryan’s Fine Foods at Town Center Corte Madera. Owner Alberto Lataliste, a Novato resident and native of Argentina, was determined to fill that gap when he signed the lease in late 2023.
New San Rafael restaurant offers sushi, sake, small plates

1 month ago | marinij.com | Leanne Battelle

Japanese chef Jun Takeda opens his first restaurant this week with MaruJun, a neighborhood sushi spot in San Rafael’s West End. The debut follows a brief soft launch as the small kitchen team gradually ramps up service. A Novato resident with nearly 30 years of experience, Takeda draws from the bold, ingredient-driven cooking of his native northern Kyushu to shape the menu.
Marin resident’s burritos land at San Anselmo wine bar

1 month ago | marinij.com | Leanne Battelle

Voyage, downtown San Anselmo’s natural wine and low-proof cocktail bar, introduced a new food partner last month, yet another reason to visit the design-forward corner space housed in the historic Cheda Building. Nicasio native Sam Neely of Sam’s Sonoran moved back to Marin last year after co-founding and operating Super Burrito in New York for six years. He introduced a Sonoran burrito concept at Voyage as a pop-up in January, and the positive response led to a full-time collaboration last month.
San Rafael restaurant celebrates South Indian cuisine

1 month ago | marinij.com | Leanne Battelle

A new addition to downtown San Rafael brings the bold, aromatic flavors of South India to the local dining scene. Suvai Taste of India, which opened in late November, showcases a broad menu of rice-based dishes, lentil stews, dosas and coconut-forward curries drawn from the region’s rich culinary traditions.
Herring festival returns to Sausalito

1 month ago | marinij.com | Leanne Battelle

Gather with local chefs, maritime enthusiasts and environmental advocates from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the 12th annual Sausalito Community Boating Center’s (SCBC) Herring Festival. This year’s dinner fundraiser takes place at the Sausalito Center for the Arts at 750 Bridgeway in Sausalito. Savor small plates of ocean-sourced, sustainably minded cuisine from The Caviar Co., Copita Tequileria y Comida, Bar Bocce, Barrel House Tavern, Le Garage, Ditas, Angelino Restaurant and Liquid Events.