The Lighthouse name is a familiar one in Marin. Husband-and-wife team Annette and Gerner Andresen, along with their son Kenneth, are the co-owners of Lighthouse Cafés—serving Sausalito since 1992, Corte Madera since 2013, and Mill Valley’s Strawberry neighborhood since 2015. Their newest Sausalito outpost, which opened in the former Seafood Peddler space, introduces a bistro-style menu with a seafood-forward focus alongside a steak program built around USDA-certified 100% Angus beef.
Chef Fidel Chacon and Sous Chef Jose Viera oversee a lunch and dinner menu that spans American classics—from an iceberg wedge with Pt. Reyes blue cheese and crispy onions to ahi tuna tartare with pear, mint, and a habanero-sesame drizzle—alongside a towering burger. Other highlights include a Maine lobster roll, and Danish-style Wiener schnitzel with pan sauce.
The steak program holds its own: cuts are wet-aged for a minimum of 28 days, ranging from an 8-ounce filet mignon to a 32-ounce tomahawk, with accompaniments like twice-baked potatoes and classic sauces including béarnaise, bordelaise, peppercorn, and mushroom cream. A full bar complements the menu, featuring cocktails such as a barrel-aged Old Fashioned and a Strawberry Aperol Spritz, alongside a thoughtfully curated French-Californian wine list with producers like Silver Oak and Kathryn Hall.
As for the space, they’ve buffed, and burnished the warm wood interiors, bringing renewed life to the restaurant’s natural charm.
“We’re a modern take on Italian food,” says California native Esther Wence, who oversees Sapori’s front-of-house, while her husband, Jaime, leads the kitchen. Since opening in February, the restaurant has quickly earned a reputation for its seafood-forward menu.
Standouts include Zuppe di Vongole—clams sautéed in white wine and chile, Fried Calamari served with red and white sauces, and hearty entrées like Pasta Pescatore—linguini with clams, prawns, and calamari in a lightly garlicked sauce—and Salmon Piccata.
Pizza is a cornerstone of the menu, showcasing a California-inspired approach. Jaime crafts the dough from high-gluten flour (with a gluten-free cauliflower option), using a 24–36 hour fermentation before baking it at 620°F in a Montague stone oven. The Margherita is a favorite, with the Artichoke Spinach close behind. Pizzas can also be made as calzones and pair well with Italian and local beers and wines, with non-alcoholic cocktails coming soon.
The space is bright and inviting, with whitewashed walls, raffia-style lighting, woven chairs, and leather banquettes that lend a contemporary, coastal feel. The evolving menu will introduce additional vegetarian pastas, including a reimagined eggplant Parmigiana, alongside dishes such as shrimp Louie and strawberry chicken. While the team awaits the arrival of an espresso machine, house-made cannoli, filled with cream delicately flavored with Mexican vanilla, offer a compelling finale.
Above Fifth Rooftop Bar & Lounge at San Rafael’s AC Hotel is back for the season—reopening on April 24 and ready to reclaim its spot as one of Marin’s most scenic destinations for sipping and unwinding.
As the rainy season fades, the action moves upstairs, where a wraparound rooftop bar delivers sweeping Mount Tam views from every seat. The space pairs laid-back lounge vibes with thoughtful comforts—umbrellas and misters for sunny afternoons, plus fire pits to take the edge off those cooler evenings.
The refreshed menu strikes a balance between casual and elevated. Fan favorites like the Point Reyes grilled cheese (made with local ingredients and Bordenave bread) and house hummus remain, joined by new additions including charcuterie boards and expanded salad offerings. For heartier appetites, expect upgraded options like ribeye steak, ahi poke, and a broader selection of seafood.
Behind the bar, the cocktail program mixes returning crowd-pleasers with fresh seasonal creations. Signature sips like the Smoked Old Fashioned, Sunset Colada, and Espresso Martini are back, alongside newcomers like the Blush Breeze, Golden Hour mango cocktail, and the subtly spicy Midnight Mezcalita. An updated wine list highlights producers from Napa, Sonoma, Paso Robles, and beyond—ideal for pairing with sunset views and a long, leisurely evening above it all.
Repairs to restore the building’s structural integrity after a car crashed into it in 2025 may be the most visible updates to this legendary Larkspur dive bar—but we’re betting the new bathrooms and upgraded beer taps will get plenty of attention when it reopens.
Co-owners Max Perry and Conor Flaherty—who also own Sam’s Anchor Café in Tiburon—are committed to preserving the bar’s spirit, keeping it as authentic and unpretentious as ever. Like before, “the Peso” remains a go-to for a shot and a beer, a well-made cocktail, and easy conversation. Classics like martinis, Manhattans, and margaritas are as reliably dialed in as the lineup of tap and bottled beers.
Inside, the iconic piano (rumored to have been played by Janis Joplin) still holds court, alongside the signature open-beamed ceilings. Upgraded televisions buttress a renewed emphasis on sports and gaming, either to watch on the TV, or to play at a pool table, shuffleboard court, or on one of the pinball machines.
“It is a bar by the community and for the community,” says Perry. “Conor and I, along with property owners and co-investors Tommy and Shannon Lamanna of Larkspur, share the same vision of ensuring the Peso thrives for decades to come.”
