Point Reyes Station (West Marin, Part 2)

The Food and Wine article that I mentioned earlier was of great help in finding a few local check-it-outs in these parts. We took its advice in the town of Point Reyes Station and dropped in for a light lunch at the Pine Cone Diner and a little afternoon treat at the Bovine Bakery. At the diner, we ordered the soup-of-the-day, a sweet corn and squash soup, which was simple and hit the spot. We also scoped out the Caribbean Chicken Salad. The salad's ingredients (spinach, mango, dried cranberries, coconut and wild rice) were all harmoniously there, but I found myself avoiding the chicken. Had it been grilled or tended to with more loving care (it was just boiled), it wouldn't have lacked the flavor and firmness needed to make the salad really come together.

Locals rave about the Bovine Bakery's offerings, but I had little chance to experience much of the charm save for a stunningly beautiful teenager who worked behind the counter. (Are people actually allowed to be that pretty in real life?) The blueberry-plum crumble we tasted was nicely done. The fruit was bursting with flavor but the crumble part of the treat was a bit soggier than I usually like it. Had there been room enough in my stomach to sample more, I might have gotten a more distinct impression of Bovine's unique style, too. As it is, I think I'm spoiled by the deluge of fine bakeries in North Berkeley and in the City. (Afterall, I've got plans tomorrow morning for Tartine.)

Unfortunately, the Tomales Bay Foods building (housing the famous Cowgirl Creamery and the Indian Peach Deli) was closed on the Monday that we rolled into town. We used the extra time to loiter around and ducked into a bookstore on the main drag. Upon entering, the first table to our right was filled with books expousing the growing and cooking of local, organic foods as well as other pro-food movements, such as "slow food." There were also fliers for a Marin farmers' market, touting itself as the only all organic market around.

While E browsed for a good summer novel, two 9-year old boys came through the door and asked to be put on the waiting list for the Harry Potter event. In just a few days, the bookstore would be sponsoring a sleepover in the store, entertaining giggling boys and girls before the strike of midnight, when each of them would finally be allowed to open and devour their copies of the new novel. After the hubbub involved in disseminating the books, I imagine the children retreating to their sleeping bags, the room completely quiet but for the sound of turning pages. The man behind the counter just wanted to make sure the kids were aware that they would have to purchase the book to be able to come to the sleepover. One of the kids politely answered "yes" while the other blurted out an emphatic "duh!" E & I chuckled and repeated "duh!"