Thirty years in the restaurant business is a testament to owner David Haydon’s care for what goes on the plate as much for the guests seated in his restaurant. Important for any business meeting, this attention to detail benefits everyone’s lunch, softening a client’s edges, perhaps, or elevating a client’s impression of your taste.
You can’t go wrong with any of the pastas, such as ravioli filled with porcini and shiitakes, or pappardelle with sausage. Though it may splash on your shirt or blouse, the cioppino is classic. A safer-for-your-shirt bet is sauteed scallops in a black truffle sauce (molto elegante). The patio is a bit more casual than the dining room, and a bit quieter for private conversations.
Don’t miss: Gnocchi with Short Rib, Linguini with Clams; Caesar Salad
For over 40 years, Piazza D’Angelo has been a beloved cornerstone of Marin, serving up authentic southern Italian flavors with a side of warm hospitality. Nestled across from Mill Valley’s charming Depot Plaza, this cozy trattoria is always buzzing—especially at the bar when American football or the Italian national soccer team takes the screen.
Looking for a more intimate spot? The back room or covered patio offers the perfect setting for a relaxed business lunch or meal with colleagues. Speaking of lunch, don’t miss their unbeatable weekday special: a two-course meal for just $20 or three courses for $26. Choose from fresh, seasonal starters and satisfying mains. Pair a house Sbagliato or classic Negroni with a crisp salad or creamy burrata, then dive into one of their handcrafted pastas, wood-fired pizzas, or fresh seafood dishes.
Don’t Miss: Carpaccio Veneto, Spaghetti alle Vongole, Tiramisu
Is sitting at the bar overlooking the Bay and Mt. Tam the proper business lunch vibe for your crowd? If so, Piatti’s the place to do it. The bar wraps around the center of the room, a magnet for diners who seek out its corners for close-up conversations and quick access to a Piatti Spritz or glass of vino.
Start a meal with Italian breads like focaccia and ciabatta with garlicy dipping oil, then transition to pizza and a chopped salad with mustardy vinaigrette. To keep the conversation going, sip a digestif of one of the many amaro along with an affogato al caffe. Because no Italian meal is complete without an espresso.
Regardless of the time of day, Piatti offers an inviting setting for a date... whether business or pleasure
Don’t miss: Mortadella Panino, Margherita Pizza, Bucatini Cacio e Pepe
A staple on the list of white linen-draped Italian classics, this upscale Italian chain with 16 California locations is known for its well-spaced tables and elegant vibe (perfect for "talking shop" and negotiating big deals).
The wood-fired oven still produces perfectly charred Neapolitan-style pizza and calzone, the arancini is delicately scented with saffron, and the veal scallopini still arrives with spinach and lemon-caper sauce. There’s plentiful booth seating and the outdoor patio is shaded and quiet, a mini-getaway from the bustle of the adjoining mall. There’s even setteveli, a chocolate sponge cake layered with hazelnut cream, a reminder that Italian desserts needn’t be tiramisu to be delicious.
Don’t miss: Roasted Cauliflower with Rosemary Oil, Ravioli Zucca, Branzino Livornese
Perched over Richardson Bay with impeccable views of San Francisco, the restaurant named for a large, three-cornered sail is known for Golden Hour cocktails and American seafood.
Here, a Caesar is topped with Bay scallops and shrimp and lunch combinations include a cup of clam chowder – they’re known for it – or the soup du jour. We’re happiest eating bouillabaisse and petrale sole with beurre blanc sauce but pasta, chicken and steak options are available for clients who favor land-based proteins. Seats on the patio with a city view are tough to get but luckily, every seat in the house has a view. Wash it all down with one of their Golden Cadillac Margaritas. Don't worry - we won't tell the boss.
Don’t miss: Dungeness Crab & Avocado Appetizer; Clam Chowder; Shrimp, Clam and Avocado Clubhouse Sandwich
Three separate dining areas mean three opportunities to choose the colorful Mexican décor you wish to dine amidst. Locals flock to the patio on warm afternoons for business meetings, but the vibiest spot (other than the ceramic-tiled bar) is the main dining room, where Day of the Dead statuettes, olla sculptures, and colorful paintings cast the warmth of the Mexican sun on diners.
You can’t go wrong with any of the tacos for lunch, but if you need something a little less prone to drips on your suit, go for a mushroom quesadilla scented with thyme and epazote or steak fajita torta, piled high with griddled peppers and onions.
If you're really intent on closing the deal, treat your client to one of Mamita's mouthwatering margaritas. Works like a charm!
Don’t Miss: Margarita Sampler, Quesabirria Taco, Enchiladas
