Olema Inn & Restaurant

So sad to hear this place closed/​changed owners. The neighborhood nights were incredible, including the beautiful Adirondack ‘family-​style’ wood tables and live jazz music. They also did local businesses justice by purchasing local and sustainable organic foods while the chefs were on par showcasing it.

Oysters, …

I would visit this comfortable yet elegant restaurant in this little town again.
Friendly and full service.
We ordered:
Appetizers —
Oysters — tried all four selections, though the cooked oysters were tasty, the raw ones were divine.
Pâté Plate!!! My favorite of the night… though some innocent imagery can come to mind, who knew rabbit sausage can be so good? Paired with their thin crisp wafer crackers and sweet dates (I believe) jam!!!
Starters–
Soup — it was soup of the night, nothing too special…
Entrée–
Tuna dish — delicious and beautiful plate. great combo of mushrooms, wild black rice and asparagus. Nothing too extraordinary, but delicious none the less.
Steak dish — The beef was a little on the blander side, though the sides with it was nicely cooked.
Dessert — Rhubarb cake with lavender ice cream — the cake was alright, they were definitely skimping on the lavender ice cream!
More like 3 and ¾ stars for me, but I would come back here mainly because of their oysters and pâté plate! and not to mention their elegant atmosphere…

Known for their consistant great service, innovative cuisine and inviting, but sophisticated décor, the Olema Inn and Restaurant do not let down their patrons.
The air smells of herbs and flowers and the natural beauty of the area add to the experience of being in Marin.
Their food is fantastic and they can accomodate different dietary preferences and tastes.
The rooms are adorable and filled with antique furniture. This is a great place to spend the weekend away from The City.
I recommend spending some extra sunny days here during the Marin summer.

Review for winter dinner only!
To the perspicacious one who once even told me about this beautiful turned farmhouse from the 1900’s that has the most elegant-​rustic-​homey interior, and whose meals are sure to satisfy — -THANK U!
Though my Chinese ‘brother’ chef has departed last year for the City at a new place in SOMA, I still appreciated the wonderful meal shared with friend most recently.
Chilly winter evening, warmed with the following in our bellies: Agniolotti with sqash, a beet app three ways, trio of mushrooms side, sweet potato fries, and a fish entrée that I couldn’t capture a good picture of.
The combination of history, charm, being by the water and nestled in the forest, as well as dining inside a rustic house, added to the experience of having great, great food. The newish young chef even came to tableside to ask how the food was. It is always appreciated when one takes the time out to do that.
i believe, consistently both in the Michelin guide as well as Zagat rated. $$$

I just called Olema Inn to try and reserve some of the rooms for our upcoming wedding and the lady was a complete hag before I could even get any information from her. She was very rude for no reason at all. I guess they don’t need the business.

Lobster risotto fritters (served in a flowerpot — love it) and the warm chicory salad to start. Both perfectly done. Beautiful combination of ingredients in the salad (bacon, blue cheese, dates)– just lovely.
Veal was nice, though reportedly not knock-​your-​socks-​off.
Duck, on the other hand, was outstanding. Perfectly cooked breast, set atop glistening little cubes of root veggies. Just gorgeous.
Dessert was the Mexican Chocolate plate — two mini churros with chocolate, chocolate cake with dulce de leche, and chocolate chili ganache. The ganache was just right. Cake had a beautiful crumb and went well with the dulce de leche. The chocolate could’ve been chocolatey-​er, but still nice.
Service was attentive and warm. Absolutely loved that the chef came out to speak to all of the evening’s guests, and genuinely took time to hear feedback and talk about the dishes.
Overall, a splendid dining experience.
(Thank you, bloomspot, for squeezing this into our price range.)

The oysters were FANTASTIC!!! All this is according to my husband & he doesn’t rave about oysters often so this was an incredible treat!
The atmosphere was lovely for a super-​rainy day. The white walls and cheerful service went a long way on a dreary trip out of town. Our waiter — Robert was 100% reliable when it came to recommendations for the two of us. Starting with local sparkling wine & oysters, ending with an AMAZING fig pudding.
We will be back to sample more in the near future!!!
Oh — and the best part is me in my blue jeans, my husband in his sweatpants (seriously!!) still received the best 5-​Star treatment as the couple next to us in formal wear. Incredible!
On a clear day, I would imagine this would be a fantastic experience for a wedding or reception. We didn’t get to explore the outdoor area, but I will be back to see & sample more of this fabulous restaurant.

Hubby and I took a stay-​cation in Point Reyes Station and made the drive out to Olema Inn and Restaurant for dinner one evening. It’s about a 10 – 15 minute drive along backroads. Parking at the inn/​restaurant is very easy as they have their own private lot.
Dinner was great! We ordered the oyster appetizer (8 oysters, prepared 4x different ways — 2x cooked and 2x raw) — as you should expect this close to the shore, the oysters were deliciously fresh and cold. The oysters would have been great on their own, and the toppings just added. We had one oyster with grated/​minced kumquat another with a mignonette, one with bacon and leeks, and another that was basically oyster rockefeller. i wish there were more than 8!
Then for dinner, Hubby ordered a wagyu ribeye and I ordered a house-​made fettucini with truffles and fresh foraged, wild mushrooms. MMM delicious! Hubby said that it was the best steak he had in a LONG time, and he didn’t even need to use the steak knife to cut it! He just used the butter knife at the table! The fettucini was delicious! Filling without being too heavy, and the mushrooms were amazing — had the taste and texture of meat. So good!
Easily one of the best meals we’ve had in a long time!
Only reason not a 5 star review — service was good but not spectacular.

Came here for the holiday menu. Lovely rustic décor. Really enjoyed the lobster fritters and the crab salad (not an actual green salad).
My dining partner’s foie gras came with a curly hair. Gross! They offered to replace it, but we didn’t want it anymore, so they took it off the menu. When we told the manager (?), he denied that it was a hair, and my dining partner had to pick up the hair for him to agree that it was indeed a strand of hair! Gross again. It would have been nice for them to offer us something special instead of just taking it off the bill.
On the flip side, our waiter was very attentive and the black truffle pappardelle was tasty. Dining partner did enjoy the duck very much though. Dessert was fig ice cream with some type of cake that was pretty dry. Giving this place a 3 star is generous considering we found a curly hair in the food!

Stayed here for the night with my boyfriend and our 2 dachshunds.
While the drive was a bit harsh, the destination was rewarding. Olema Inn is definitely a hidden treasure.
The staff were pleasant and kind. Our room was perfect. We didnt expect luxury, and the details of our room were cute and unique. The bed was amazingly comfortable. The table outside our room held a variety of magazines, and that was a surprising treat (since we both decided to turn off our phones).
And speaking of treat, their food was the best my mouth had tasted in a long time! I ordered the eggplant, and he had the steak. That evening, I couldn’t get over how savory my plate was. Don’t let the portion size fool you. Quality over quantity! Their dessert was also full of flavor. Their on the house, breakfast was delicious!
Things to do: It really helped that we brought our dogs. We drove around and stopped by nearby beaches and hikes. They were beautiful :)
I reccomend looking at their website first to check out what rooms you prefer sleeping in.

Charming 9-​room Inn and Gourmet Dining
This was our weekend to overnight in West Marin. We had driven by Olema Inn several times, and decided to make a reservation for one night at the inn as well as dinner.
Owners John and Carol are pleasant, professional, responsive, and engaging. They really made our visit special, recommending wines in the bar area as well as close by day hikes.
Room 5 is ample size with a queen bed and well appointed bathroom (w/​shower, not tub). Noise level we experienced was low, especially after the kitchen closes for the evening.
Dinner was a big surprise. We were expecting something good, but we were overjoyed with the menu selection and food preparation. The Niman Ranch hanger steak was perhaps the best I’ve had. The halibut was prepared with fresh sweet corn and mushrooms, and was cooked just right. The wine pairings complemented the meal nicely. Service was prompt (perhaps a bit too prompt) and attentive.
Breakfast is included in the room rate and is a full menu. The avocado omelette was prepared just right with the fresh ingredients. Coffee and tea service are available at the bar beginning at 7:30 for those requiring pre-​breakfast caffeine.
Overall experience exceeded our expectations, and we plan on booking another weekend at the Olema Inn soon.

ENTREES:
— Fish and Chips: Fish of the day was black cod. It was panko crusted so there wasn’t as much breading as I would have preferred (when it comes to fried food, I probs have the palette of Homer Simpson), but enough to give it a crunch. Apple slaw on the side had a nice and clean taste and the parmesan fries came out colder than I would have liked.
— Roasted Baby Chioggia Beets: Includes fresh Belgian endive that had a vibrant purple color, goat cheese, hazelnuts and hazelnut vinaigrette. Portion size was perfect for a starter.
DESSERTS (not all to myself: P):
— Apple spice cake: Light and fluffy with diced apples. It was served with salted caramel ice cream and caramel sauce. The caramel sauce was thicker than I would have liked and hardened quickly on the plate.
— Pumpkin Bar: Way too sweet. It had dense layers of chocolate ganache that were a little too much for me.
— Mushroom cap crème brûlée: We were intrigued when we saw it on the menu. It actually had a mushroom cap in it, but the crème brûlée was still sweet and didn’t taste like mushroom at all. Good crème brûlée, but the topping was too salty for me.
— Chocolate Molten Cake: Meh. Really small in size and kind of dry.
DRINKS:
— Mint Ginger Lemonade: More tart than sweet, but I love tart lemonade so I enjoyed it.
— Joyce Vineyards, Monterey County, 2007 Pinot Noir: We ordered this since the birthday girl shared its namesake. Good wine and everyone liked it.
Our food took awhile to arrive considering we were pretty much the only ones there, but the restaurant is pretty small, so I’m guessing the kitchen staff is proportionate in size. As for décor, there was a wall of old fashioned egg beaters, which was pretty cool to look at and adds to the cozy, homey feel. All in all, fresh ingredients and good food.

Nice outdoor ambiance. Quirky server.
Stopped here for lunch, had the chicken pesto sandwich which was pretty delicious. Tried some sorbet too, and it was great. Espresso drinks were reported to be really good, though my drip coffee was nothing I couldn’t make at home better.
They tried everything to make our lunch pleasant, and it turned out fairly so. Not entirely sure if it’s worth the price, but if I happened to be driving through the area again, I might stop by again. There’s not much else nearby…

I have to say that Olema Inn made my 4^th of July weekend. It came highly recommended from my boss, who has excellent taste. He had spent three nights here at the end of 2009, and once I heard that he stayed there, I didn’t look anywhere else.
Our first encouter with John the owner was Sat evening: My boyfriend and I were hiking in Point Reyes and we took a wrong turn on the trails. So, we ended up about 7 miles away from our car! At the ranger station, we were asking people for rides, and the rangers even made an announcement over the loudspeaker. Not only did John come to the rescue, he was such a nice guy, super laid back and saved our weekend!
When we arrived at the B and B, the architecture and attention to detail really made us feel at home.
The room was exceptionally clean and cozy, along with the comfortable mattress and clean bathroom. We slept well that night.
The restaurant has beautiful reclaimed hard wood floors, large windows, and antiqued items everywhere. The classic oysters were amazing, along with the Halibut and Steak. Key Lime Pie was fabulous.
For Brunch the next morning I had the avocado and cheese omelet which was about the fluffiest thing that I had ever seen. It was fresh and delictible.
The Olema Inn left me wanting more, and we were so sad to leave. What a gem, and hospitality made us feel so at home!

The oysters were so fresh they came out of the bay just a few hours earlier. It’s a great line and oh so true. We just drove to Hog Island Oyster farm and an hour later we were trying them along with 2 very interesting sauces and seaweed salad.
The wine selection is adequate with a little bit of everything and something for everyone palate. The beautiful setting was a perfect ending to a very fun day. It’s great to happen upon a lovely site as this old white farm house with the wrap around porch. It is beautiful inside with the only thing missing, a fireplace inside.
My friend loved the location and setting. I enjoyed the wine.
The service was spotty on this slow night with only one midweek server. It was a very nice experience. The ahi tuna was prepared perfectly and my guests duck was nice. The duck had a generous portion of heavily seasoned accompaniment. Save this location for a special night with a friend. It’s best for a rainy night location and plenty of time.

One of our new favorite restaurants, we had a nearly perfect meal here. I can be fairly critical but we loved the service, setting, and food here. Outside of a slightly dirty spoon our dinner was flawless. The branzini was magnificent. The quail was creative, inspired and flavorful. The fresh melons were a unique way to add flavor to a fantastic dish. The pear salad with balsamico dressing was bursting with flavor. Our appetizers were brought out quicker then we could have imagined. The wine was a little pricey, but the décor was authentic and relaxing. The mixed berry sorbet was amazing. The service was spot on, attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable, their training clearly showed. This is how a restaurant should be run.

The Olema Inn Restaurant used to be one of my favorites, and is still very good at what it does.
* The service was adequate. I appreciated my waiters helpfulness, and had split feelings on how informal he was.
* The food fresh, local, and some of it delicious. I didn’t really love anything we ate. My boyfriend loved almost everything.
* The environment (at 8−10pm on a Friday night) was clean, comfortable, and elegant. The restaurant is so charming. I really enjoyed a little pot of tea after dinner on the back patio, the subtle lighting supplemented by candles, looking out on the green grass and beyond.
* Priced well (expensive, but well).
Note: Some vegetarian options but really nothing for vegans (but I didn’t expect anything.)

In what looks like a country farmhouse, complete with beautiful white table cloths, sparkling glasses, and vases full of flowers, The Olema Inn is a breath of fresh air, and one of my favorite restaurants in the whole world.
That’s because it’s simple but elegant, romantic, has great service, great acoustics, and wonderful food. It’s a class act. The large windows let in lots of light and the view of the outdoor garden. At night, the candles make the room glow warmly.
As for food, I highly recommend the duck salad with poached egg at lunch time, and the chilled watermelon soup (So refreshing!), as well as the potato leek soup at dinner. The fresh oysters are wonderful. There’s not much for vegetarians, sadly. However, the brunches are good for everyone. Really delicious!
The menu does vary based on the season.
You can also stay the Olema Inn (it is an Inn, after all, smile), and it’s dog-​friendly. Cool.

Restaurant review only.
The white wood exterior of the Olema Inn and Restaurant reminded us of some of the lovely old homes in Florida, and the timeless character carried through indoors to the lobby, bar and restaurant. We started with oysters with four different toppings (excellent, as to be expected being so close to Tomales Bay). Hubby said his rib-​eye was one of the best he’d ever had. My duck breast came out slightly rarer than I would have liked, but I enjoyed it along with the hearty dressing. Unfortunately, we didn’t save room for dessert. The presentation and service were superb.
This restaurant is in a great location at the intersection of Sir Francis Drake Blvd and Highway 1, especially as there aren’t too many dining options up in this area. We had made reservations several weeks ago to stay at the Point Reyes Seashore Lodge, not knowing that the Olema Inn and Restaurant was right across the street, so its location to the Lodge was an additional bonus.