Last August our trip to Napa gave me much to write about, and tales of eating and exploring the area just poured out. But there was one place that impressed me a lot that I still haven’t written much about, and I do want to mention it because I found the place fascinating. It’s called Inverness Park Market, and it is a little market like the ones we have here which are part grocery store with little curio items, and a place to get something to eat.
There are lots of places like this all over America, and a fair amount of them here, but what makes this one noteworthy is its attention to detail, and the quality of the food served.
The place sits on a road alongside Tomales Bay on the Point Reyes Peninsula. ML found it as she so often does as my navigator. She sits in the passenger seat combing through info to find great places nearby. It’s handy to have a savvy millennial navigator. I miss her on every other trip.
Inverness is a place right down the road from Point Reyes Station, the little town nearest the Point Reyes Lighthouse. We stopped at the market at lunch time and parking was quite the feat. Everyone was pulling behind the car in front and parking to line the road. We couldn’t believe how crowded the place was. Lines inside the door were also daunting. The space was small and filled with people, with lines snaking through the aisles.
A look at the board overhead revealed endless choices. Most of these people were locals and had their favorite items. We needed to study, and being in a long line gave us the opportunity. I wasn’t nearly as invested in this project as ML, because we had a full day ahead and were on sort of a schedule. I wish I had paid more attention to this menu because they were making their own tortillas here, and cutting potatoes in house for fries. And at night in the Tap Room next door, all pasta dishes contain housemade pasta. I guess in the land of Alice Waters you adhere to a higher standard. It was impressive to this girl from, as Tom always said, “America’s greatest eating city.” We don’t have this.
The menu was daunting. Too much looked good. I would have gotten the club but ML went for a bacon and Cheddar sandwich with avocado, tomato and mixed greens as well as an herb aioli. She chose ciabatta from the endless choices of bread overhead on the menu board.
It was surprising how fast it came up, but the open kitchen was full of people in some magical choreographed dance. Everyone knew what to do and they did it quickly. I was enjoying the scene, and I wish we could have hung around a bit. There was no place to sit inside and all spaces outside were filled. Nearly all orders were for pick up. There’s a Happy Hour here in the Tap Room next door to the market. That is sit down service with a more limited menu.
It is definitely our intention to return to this Tomales Bay area on another food journey. The Tomales Bay is where Hog Island Oysters are harvested, and the shore is lined with seafood restaurants with character. But any return visit here will include some dairy farms nearby, and Inverness Park Market.
