subject: Hand Painted Ornaments [print this page] Those desiring a change from the hustle and bustle of city shopping should visit Larkspur.
Magnolia Avenue is the main thoroughfare with several of unusual restaurants and shops located in restored landmark buildings. The best way to capture the town flavor is to park your car and explore on foot.
Begin at The Lingerie Shoppe, where you can get fine lingerie and boudoir wear from Europe and America. Pretty silk chemises, lacy gowns, robes, corsettes and other beautiful ornaments accessories including slippers, sexy mules and fragrant sachets are all offered here.
Rumors also include women's clothing like coats, sweaters, cotton knit tunics and pants as well as suits and dresses to which are designed for various occasions.
"Marin's only rock 'n' roll bookstore," is how Jack Ortman, the owner, describes Larkspur Books and Office Supplies, celebrating its 10th birthday in May with the Holding Company performing live.
Rock fans will see this as a fantastic place to hang out. Huey Lewis gets his hair cut nearby and Steve Perry has coffee at the nearby caf on most of the mornings. But apart from the rock trivia, Ortman keeps the neighborhood well loaded with pens, paper and other office supplies.
If you want to purchase traditional gifts, head to Evanton Niederholzer, an old San Francisco company which only shifted to Larkspur in the early 1990s. The baby items are amazing and vary from sterling silver tooth fairy boxes and teddy bear spoons to the beautiful silver rattles imported from England. More contemporary creations such as animal conservancy plates and mugs hand-painted by New York artist Lynne Chase can be found.
Furthermore, Baltimore Park also contains gifts, handsomely displayed in a landmark building. Started three years ago by Marilyn Postel and his sister-in-law Julie Quigley, the shop is named after a historic class of Larkspur. Apart from Portuguese pottery, Faberge eggs and hand-woven chenille throws, there's a year-round availability of European Christmas ornaments, nutcrackers and limited-edition Santas.
Moreover, Larkspur even has its own Italian pasticceria torrefazione (bakery-coffee roastery) known as Rulli. The fanciful marble and furnished wood interior is divided into three sections which include a cafe-espresso bar, a pasticceria providing house Italian cookies, cakes and specialty breads, and a new emporio with tasty Italian coffee, wine and delicious handmade chocolates wrapped in beautiful gold boxes.
In addition to this, for more formal dining, there is the Left Bank, the much ballyhooed newcomer offering French country cuisine in a landmark building. The less touristy Ristorante Fabrizio is locally popular for delicious salads and pasta. Also, at the Lark Creek Inn, nestled in the redwoods, you will find a perfect place for brunch or dinner. Robin Williams used to work here when he was only a struggling young performer.
