Ora

The 5÷13÷08 Marin IJ says it’s closed
It seems like the owner likes to run a lot of different restaurant concepts through this location.

I’m not sure why our waiter seemed not to like us, but the food at Ora tonight was **awesome** — super-​tender calamari chunks in a bowl with some sort of delicious sauce and incredible, not your usual butternet squash dumplings/​ravioli that have like four simultaneous textures and are NOT heavy and buttery as they so often are, followed by a mild but nice-​to-​have for contrast jicama and green papaya salad and the pan-​roasted scallops — also excellent. Since we didn’t stuff ourselves we even had dessert: the mini molten chocolate cake and a butterscotch pot-​au-​crème. The bartender somehow «found» an extra two glasses of the sake we had ordered a bottle of, and so we ended up pleasantly giddy and very satisfied.
The friendly tan guy who welcomed and said goodbye to us _​seems_​to work there, but it was hard to tell for sure. He did say that he «works out a lot» though, which, you know, is good to know.
Killer food, and if you’re lucky, there will be a table of three blonde not-quite-MILF’s talking about their pre-​nups at the table next to you too!

Mmmmmm. Ora, how do I love thee? Let me count za ways.
— Butternut Squash dumplings that literally melted in my mouth
— Exquisite tempura green beans with an outstanding citrus pozu sauce
— Tempting and tasty Coconut Curry Bisque with Crab and Mango
— Sultry duck made two ways with chestnuts and quinoa
— Scallops the size of my fist in a fabulous stew of yummyness.
–OMG, and that sexy molten chocolate lava cake that made me drool. On the ground.
— Fabulous ambiance, fireplace, cool artwork, glowing warm walls, Asian décor that is elegant and sophisticated.
I’ve been to this place twice to celebrate friends’ birthdays (and neither of them live in the area either!), it’s worth the trek for a special occasion since it has that ‘sleek and seductive’ vibe, plus the food is outstanding. Great wine list and you can score a bottle of cava like we did for $ 17! All in all, if you’re not ravagingly hungry, it’s not too expensive, the three of us split two appetizers, two soups, two entrees, bottle of wine and a dessert, and the tab was less that $ 80! Split two ways it’s stnadard, but for three of us, it was quite the deal and we all left satiated and blissful.
PS: My friend who isn’t a drinker was very happy to see a sassy non-​alcoholic cocktail menu which is a nice touch for those who don’t imbibe or are nice enough to be the D.D. for the evening.
PPS: I love that this is is an Asian fusion restaurant that’s actually run by an Asian chef! Hooray for folks of color representin’!

*3.5 stars* This restaurant space has been taken over so many times. Ora is the latest incarnation. Jeff and I went to dinner here to try it out because I love Asian food and the chef here is Vietnamese. I found the décor beautiful and the food interesting. Jeff thought it was good, but an expensive experience. The food servings are super small so you kinda have to keep ordering if you want to fill up. If you want to get more bang for your buck, this place is not it.

I love how when you enter this restaurant, you can’t help but feel something special will happen. My husband is in architecture and he always tells me that the entrance to a building (whether house, restuarant, office, etc) gives the entire body character, especially since it’s the first thing you see and feel. Aura and aesthetics were fantastic: warm, welcoming, cozy. Perfect for just the two of you or a small group of friends. Not too loud, but not too quiet.
I had the pan fried scallops as my main dish. Best scallops I ever had! Every time I check out scallops at other places — it just doesn’t compare. For dessert, I had the chocoloate mousse. YUUUMMMMYYYY! Heavenly.

Ora was a nice surprise.
Service was attentive, at times overly attentive, but we’re not complaining.
Okay I will complain about something… ;)
I was carded! I may look young, but HELLO? I was dressed up and with people who were obviously over 35 and I was carded. I know, I know, in 20 years I’ll wish I was carded, but this was just… well, funny. The best part was that I’m sure I’m more than a few years older than the girl who carded me.
Ora serves Asian-​fusion fare in an unpretentious way. Presentation and pairings of food were done really well. The fish dishes (halibut and black sea cod) were phenomenal.
I really liked the décor and vibe in the house. If Ora was in my ‘hood, it would be my hang out.

What a great little find. Tonite was our second visit back to this restraunt. I can’t believe that it was so empty. I found the food and service better the second time around. The ambiance was very cozy, the portions very generous and the prices reasonable. We enjoyed the sake flight slightly more than the pinot flight. The dishes were generous portions and the prices very reasonable. Parking was very eay and location easy to find.

We had butternut squash raviolis to share, and I had the duck two ways.
The raviolis were perfectly cooked with a nice Asian fusion twist – pot-​sticker style dough and a fresher sauce gave this dish a completely new identity though its origins (ravioli zucca, the crispy and decadent italian dish often served with crushed amaretti on top) shined through in a nice way.
I have to say, I’m usually very dissatisfied with duck in restaurants because a particular friend of mine cooks it so well at home, but this is the first time it’s been GOOD (I keep trying it despite prior problems because I love it so much when it’s done properly… mmm duck fat). The chestnuts, dried cherries, and other accompaniments were harmonious. The duck breast was cooked perfectly, and the confit was not greasy or tasting old (as it often does in restaurants).
Dessert was also fantastic, a warm chocolate cake with vanilla gelato. We ordered bracchetto but they didn’t have it anymore, and while we refused our waiter’s knowlegeable attempt to subsitute something else, he brought us two mini glasses of the stuff just for fun (comped), which was wonderful.
And lots of points for having falanghina by the glass!!!
I was incredibly surprised by how much I liked this restaurant.

Living in the City, even in the Inner Richmond, I think I sometimes forget about how close Marin is. An easy 20 minute drive got me to Camp Mill Valley — look at all those big trees in the middle of town! Nice to walk around the ‘hood before or after dinner.
The restaurant is cozy (and I don’t mean cramped) since it’s a series of rooms or alcoves. Looks like it was a private home at one point. Comfortable seating, good lighting, lively, but not noisy. Service was very attentive, but not intrusive. Just the way it’s supposed to be. Wine is fairly priced, and you’re given advice in a very un-​haughty way, should you even ask for it. The food ranged from very good to excellent. The pork ravioli were closer to a high-​class pork gyoza (dumpling) with a delicious, more complex soy sauce-​based sauce, but it was a very good execution nonetheless. The roasted rack of lamb was *amazing*, and the «shaking beef» was excellent, too. We shared the bread pudding for dessert. Nothing earth-​shattering, but solid.
And all of this without the attitude and prices you might find at some similar restaurants in the City.

I went to Ora expecting good things. I came out having experienced great things. Atmosphere is cool, candlelit and unpretentious. Totally friendly waitstaff, if not a little flirty! But you go places with my friend and this is what happens.
We made early reservations for the pre-​fixe menu. Oh yes, get there before 6 and in exchange for $ 30 bucks you shall receive 3 courses of the finest Asian infusion you will ever endulge upon.
We chose the curried crab bisque, which the waiter let us share so as to feast on more appetizers, the almond crusted prawns, and the calamari. I would happily eat them all over and over again. Spicy chunks of calamari with peppers, crispy prawns with tangy dipping sauce and a coconut-​sweet bisque with a curry overtone that hits you right there.
Second course: the miso cod and Alaskan salmon. This was salmon to put all other salmon into hiding, change their name and pretend they were carp. The cod was elevated to such a level that one would never believe that the same species is used in your everyday fishstick.
Dessert was the daily special of butterscotch pot de crème. I ate, I loved.
In Mill Valley I’m sure you get your share of snobbery, but this place didn’t have a hint of it. Great from start to finish. They have nothing to improve upon!

Good food & close drive for those of us North Bayers!
I’m going here for the 3^rd time tonight & my mouth won’t stop watering.
My first time to Ora was for my winter birthday, so I thought the special night may have made Ora’s food & ambiance a little brighter, so I tried it for a second time with another date a couple of months later.
My date & I had a duplicate of my first time’s dinner. The Kung Pao Calimari was again a super yummy surprise to my taste buds. The spice was just enough without being overpowering. The cocktails were an infusion of many fun flavors without being girly. We were tipsy off one & both my partner (one of many — in food) & I can hold our liquor. Miso Glazed Black Cod was a favorite the second time around & the Som Tum or Green Papaya Salad was so fresh & tasty we were sorry we didn’t order two!
The wait staff & sommeliers have all been friendly during both visits. The screen playing old movies & cozy seating by the fireplace makes this place feel like any good restaurant should. I’d recommend Ora for a special date or dinner as it’s something that can’t be afforded by just anyone too often.
I can hardly wait for tonight!
here I come!
UPDATE: After tonight’s dinner, I had to bump this place up to 5 stars. We arrived for the price fixe menu (which runs until 6pm by the way!) a few minutes late & the fabulous waitstaff still honored our reservation time. The food really is excellent & I can’t think of anything negative. We’re so lucky to have Ora!

The nitty-​gritty: Great place for a romantic dinner. Very elegant but unpretentious. Excellent food. Excellent service. Reasonably priced.
I have been there twice now for dinner. Their almond crusted tiger prawns are a must have for appetizer. Their Belgium Endive Cups are pretty good as well. But I’m not too crazy about their Calamari «Kung Pao.» For the main course, the duck confit is a newfound favorite. They have a pretty extensive wine list, plus some interesting mixed drinks. Will definitely be back for a 3^rd time.

We went here for our anniversary. I am a vegetarian and my dishes were amazing. I ordered several so we could try them– I did not know they would be so big! We did 2 flights of Sake, then had two bottles of our favorites.
We closed this place down– the staff was great, they replayed the Cirque de soleil video for us, and they were cool about us being there late drinking.
Great food. Great service.

Delicious. The seared sesame ahi tuna dish was so yummy and so was the shaking beef and dont leave without having the chocolate bomb. This place is perfect for a party of eight bc you can sit on the floor with a bunch of pillows! 3 thumbs up!

I had a pleasant meal at Ora, then I walked past the back of the restaurant and saw the nastiness. Disgusting, open barrels of oil in the open. Trash all over. Eeewwww!
I won’t be eating here again

I just ate dinner here tonight for my mom’s birthday… I didn’t eat one dish that wasn’t impressive and flavorful! The spicy eggplant was delicious and surprisingly not too spicy. The cod was hands down the hit of our meal. We actually ordered two of these, and for some of us who aren’t huge fish fans, we raved about it. It was like butter and melted in my mouth! It reminded us of Chilean sea bass… !! Definitely order one of the 4 types of rice they offer. The unanimous favorite was the black rice. I also happened to appreciate the Anais flavored rice… it was very different and smelled faintly of black licorice!
The Petaluma chicken dish was tasty, but nothing mindblowing. We expected a whole chicken, but it was actually diced into very small pieces and sort of fell short of our expectations. Of all the dishes we ate, it was the least impressive.
For dessert, try the banana flavored bread pudding. DELICIOUS!

Okay, so Mill Valley is dominated by Italian eateries and it seems those are the only ones the restauranteurs can get right. The whole aura of Ora is hip (in a trendy, already-​been-​done-​a-​hundred-​other-​places way).
Unfortunately, the scene is the best thing about the place.
We ordered two different hot teas (camomile mint — $ 3,50 and lotus blossum — $ 6). The camomile mint was nice and came in a little tea pot. The lotus blossum, which I was told by one of the waitresses was supposed to be mild green tea with a jasmine essence, was served in a wine glass (horrible for pouring into my tea cup) and actually very tanic … for SIX F-​ING DOLLARS?!? A wine glass full of too strong tea?
It just got worse from there.
Our shrimp dumplings arrived and we each popped one into our mouths. Biting down we looked at each other quizzickly because the centers of the dumplings were cold. We notified another waitress, who seemed to have taken over for the first, and she whisked it away. When she came back she explained that the steamer had just been repaired and wasn’t steaming as hot as the chef was used to. Now he would use the Wok.
Okay, I understand. Thanks.
Five minutes … ten minutes … «I’m sorry it’s taking so long. The Wok takes longer. They’ll be right out. Fifteen minutes … at last they arrive. Mmmm. We’re hungry.
I bite in and promptly burn my tongue … now they’re TOO F-​ING HOT!?! Get it right buddy.
After warning my wife and taking our time with the other two — they tasted fine, though nothing special — we began our wait again.
Ten minutes … fifteen minutes … twenty minutes (I’m trying to get the attention of everyone who works there after about the twelve minute mark to make sure our order hasn’t been forgotten) … twenty-​five minutes … (finally getting the attention of our latest waitress) «the other dishes will be right out. There was just a big rush and the kitchen is small.»
No sorry. No ‘can I get you something else to drink’ like maybe the waters we asked for when we sat down. Just this LAME-​ASS excuse.
Now my ‘happy I’m out to dinner’ mood is completely wrecked when our dishes arrive, all at once. The spicy Japanese eggplant was good — if too heavy on the onions and scallions — well heated, and spicy. Still no waters, though …
The tempura green beans were well cooked, but very bland and the dipping sauce didn’t exactly make them shine. The salmon was good too, but not warm enough.
«Are you enjoying everyhting?»
«Can we have some water please?»
«Two tap waters … yes. Right away.»
Ahhh, FINA-​F-​ING-​LY, cool liquid.
Wait, what’s that? A shattering glass behind me. How relaxing. A perfect top note to such an exquisite dining experience.
Scarf, scarf, scarf (we were starving by the time our food arrived).
«Are you all fini-​«
“Check please.»
«Did you enjoy your meal?»
«Not really.»
«I’m sorry.»
«Me too.»
(Rings us up.)
«I took care of the dumplings for you tonight.»
«Thanks.» Translation: «Damn straight! You should’ve taken care of a lot more than that! No tip for you!»
«Have a nice evening.»
«Uh-​huh. You too.»
Now this raises a question: where do you Unilocalers stand on the tipping issue? I personally believe that if the meal and service at least meet my expectations I leave 20%. If the service is good, but not the food I leave 15%. If the food is good, but not the service I leave 10%.
And, if, as was the case at Ora, the food is mediocre and the service abysmal … 0.00%

Update ¹²⁄₂₂: Due to the lack of enthusiasm from other patrons, Ora no longer serves Sushi. :(
Having just moved to Marin from SF, I am in complete bliss to know that a place like Ora exists in sleeper nation, AKA Marin. First of all, I have to say that I am deeply impressed by the simple fact that the food is as good as their menu is prolific. Most places that boast as many choices usually fall short on their amibitons. NOT so with Ora. Their sushi was just as good as their small plates. Try the Cod — its buttery flavor and lobsteresque texture will melt in your mouth. The garlic noodles were sublime (you say: how can anything garlic be ‘sublime’ and I say: ‘shush up and just trust me on this! You will stick them in your mouth and think ‘sublime’), and the toro was perectly fresh. The slices of fish were huge AND fresh, a nearly extinct concept in an affordable restaurant. The only setback was that I kept envisioning the building’s previous lives — prob a mobile law practice at one time, and maybe a Door Knobs Unlimited or Key World at another. Anywho, the movies on the wall make for good dinner conversation, and their chicness scares away Marin parents who think bringing children anywhere is ok. At least there is one retreat in Marin for child hatin’ foodies, hip hip!

Ora brings a chic pan-​asian elegance to the sleepy hollow that is Mill Valley. When most people think of Mill Valley, they conjure up strollers, mountain bikes, lonely housewives waiting for the UPS man and happy retirees, not a hot soju singles scene that could be downtown SF or for that matter NYC. The bustling yet seductive atmosphere is perfect for a first date or a large fun group as the food is share friendly. The asian approach to California cuisine makes for a happy marriage, and happy diners. From high quality to sushi to perfect, yes perfect, short ribs will leave you nourished and with a grin on your face.
We went with the medium sashimi assortment, the Jumbo Shrimp and BBQ Unagi Spring rolls, the Steamed Shrimp Dumplings, and the Painted Hills Farm Hoisin BBQ Beef Short Ribs. This was a great mixture of healthy and lean and rich and delicious. The Fess Parker Syrah was a nice bold companion for the ribs.
For dessert, we went big and did not regret. The Banana Split Royale and the Profiteroles were epic. Classic american desserts done right, the profiteroles filled with a delicious banana gelato and the split topped with strawberry marmalade, pineapple compote and a chocolate ganache. This was paired off with a twenty year old port that was off menu and highly recommended. It did not disappoint. I’ll just say that people turned their heads in envy and then followed suit and dittoed our order.
I’ll finish by saying the $ 5 toll and 20 minute drive was a small price to pay for the great meal, service and ambiance that makes Ora a surefire return.

It’s Saturday night for a couple of city slickers like my pal Phil and I, so what do we do? Hit Rye, Bourbon & Branch and then Slide? Check out a hot house party in Potrero Flats? Hob nob at the Fairmont? Nah, we decide to head to Mill Valley to have dinner at Ora.
I guess we had both decided to take it easy — it’s tough enough being Weekday Warriors on the social circuit — and just wanted to catch up over a great dinner.
Not being San Francisco, we were able to get a table fairly easily, and in a way that’s a shame because Ora deserves to be packed at all hours. In fairness, it was quite busy, but I suspect we were amongst the only people who drove over the bridge to get there.
The menu is I suppose Asian Fusion and we found the best way to enjoy it was by sharing. I can easily recommend the dumplings and the spring rolls, both fresh and filing, but just right to tease you onto the next course.
We decided to go with the Chef’s selection of Sashimi, which turned out to be a wise decision. We paired the fresh fish with two glasses of white wine that our server recommended, and both played nicely.
For an entrée, we decided to split the short ribs, again on our server’s suggestion. Wow, I consider myself a rib connoisseur but was truly blown away by these ones. Meaty and perfectly sauced, melt in your mouth meat, oh yeah. We split a half bottle of Fess Parker that — after some breathing — hit the spot.
At first we were debating not getting dessert, but then went full circle and order both the profiteroles and the banana split — two classic choices down extremely well here. It didn’t hurt that we enjoyed the sweet ending with some 20 year old port.
All in all, a fantastic experience. Ora is a great place to have dinner with a hot date, just as much as with a good group of friends. When the weather is nice, being able to sit outside just might make this as good as it gets.