review of: The Depot and Cafe
(1 of 1 review)

87 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley, CA
415-383-2665

get directions

web site:
http://www.depotbookstore.com/

Should you wander through Mill Valley on a weekend, take time to head to the end of Miller at Throckmorton to take a load off at The Depot. This is the quintessential family hang out -- you'll see all the locals lounging either on the patio with their lattes and quiche (or fabulous salad, or sweets desserts), or spread out in the square that extends beyond. (There are also tables inside, but not too many, and often they are full, if nippy outside.)

If you're visiting with you little ones (or even bigger), I recommend hitting the benches in the square, or lounging on the planters around the large shade trees in order to take in the beautiful surroundings (you'll be sitting just under Mt. Tamalpais), and the activity in the square. At any given time, you can watch folks relaxing after active mountain biking on Tam, playing a rag-tag game of hacky sack, playing guitar in the shade, challenging each other to chess on the built-in chess tables or catching up on the local gossip. Kids run around and play tag. It's darn near bucolic, harkening back to the town-square days, even though you'd never mistake it for rustic.

That said, the Depot bookstore stocks a wonderful selection of magazines and books for you and your critters, so you can ignore the throngs if you like, and bury your nose in some new reading. It's not a huge place, but they are always happy to order what you may want. The food is decent (I do love the quiche) and the drinks are delish (the cocoa will make any kid smile). Prices are well...Marin prices. Average for there, but pricier than other places. The downtown has many place to wander through if the kids get antsy, and some great parks close by to run around in, if the square doesn't serve to wear them out.

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