Julia S.
Yelp
If you've never been here, you're missing out. Mill Valley Kitchen combines an absolutely beautiful space with excellent drinks and an exquisite dining experience.
I started with the mushroom tart, which definitely made me do a little happy dance. There were several varieties of mushrooms that were all cooked perfectly. There were a few beautifully browned bits that provided some Maillard magic. This plus the Gruyère and perfect crust gave each bite a lovely salty umami. The grilled scallion mustard was an absolutely beautiful companion that perfectly bridged the tart and its accompanying salad of mushrooms and frisée. The salad's simplicity allows you to appreciate not only the individual flavors and textures but also the taste of the ingredients in the dressing.
I also snagged a bite of my mom's salad--the watermelon and tomato. It's early, but I'm calling it--this may be the salad of the decade right here. Lush watermelon (sweet, dense, red, and exactly how watermelon is when you dream of it), gorgeous heirloom tomatoes (sliced thin enough to feel almost like a vegetable carpaccio), pickled rind that had bite from chilis and depth from allspice(? clove?), a lovely bath of feta dressing and basil oil, and a tasty sprinkling of pistachios. This salad is the kind that makes you happy to eat it but kind of sad to know that you could never create it.
For my main, I enjoyed the special vegan entree, a Jamaican Jerk Jackfruit. If you haven't tried it, jackfruit is a fascinating meat substitute. It's texture is reminiscent of pot roast, but it absorbs the flavors of its preparation. This dish is GOOD, y'all. The coconut creamed corn is easily the best corn I have had in my life, and when you get a bite with everything on it--the jackfruit, the corn, the crispy plantain, and a piece of the micro cilantro--you will have a moment of joy. You will. The textures and flavors come together to make a smile.
I don't usually like dessert, but after a meal this stellar, I had to look at the dessert menu. You guys, they have micro desserts! They come in shot glasses, so it isn't too much, and they're delicious. I got the tiramisu, which was exactly what I have always wanted tiramisu to be (but usually found that it wasn't). This tiramisu is rich and creamy, and it has a gorgeous layer of soaked ladyfinger. The sweet, the creamy, the slight bitterness, and the crunch of nuts made for the perfect end to a beautiful meal.
We had excellent service across the board as well. We all loved Tiana, so if you're making a reservation, see if you can be seated in her section!