Pelican Inn — Restaurant in Mill Valley

This is the sweetest, most relaxing place we have ever stayed. A block from the ocean, and a couple of miles from Muir Woods, with no other commercial presence for miles, it is easy to forget the modern world completely. Spectacular as is the location, however, the Inn, itself, is more than worthy of its amazing, sheltered spot. I cannot express with enough enthusiasm, how captivating is this marvelous little Inn! The aromas, of amazing British style fare, (not the oily pub stuff; I'm talking lifetime memory, yummy as Heaven, get away from my leftovers, or I will hurt you, classics, that manage to be hearty and exquisite at the same time!) polished brass and wood, cozy hearths, ocean air, and mountain freshness, are unforgettable. The decor throughout is authentic, and in many cases antique, complete with charming history, You can obtain these histories from any of the Inn's warm, friendly and knowledgeable staff. The manager, Patrick, took the time to regale us with tales of the Inn's history, the other properties owned by his employers (which are now at the tip top of our "places to visit" list!) located in places such as Colorado, Scotland, and just up the Mountain, in Mill Valley. Patrick (a fabulously handsome man, whose voice and silver eyes, could melt any ice maiden's soul! Alas, ladies, his fiance is as beautiful and charming as he.) also shared a number of activity ideas, and told us of some of his own adventures fishing and surfing the often wild, and typically chilly, waters of the Pacific, at nearby Muir Beach. We were made to feel like visiting celebrities, and dearest of kin, all at once! Speaking of visiting Celebrities, photos on the wall of the lively and perfectly picturesque pub, depict England's Royal Family, enjoying the hospitality of the Inn. I wonder if they heard the same fishing stories as did we? I shall have to ask when next we visit. And visit again we certainly shall! The rooms at the Pelican Inn are even more perfect than the rest of the place, if that Could Be Imagined. Each one is furnished cozily and authentically with big soft poofy beds, crisp white linens, fluffy white bathrobes, and tapestries and upholstery that positively send one back in time. I would not have been surprised to see a Highwayman on a black steed come Galloping up below the balcony, seeking his lady Fair! In any case, I could ramble on In volumes, and still not adequately communicate what a marvelous place it is. Be aware, however, that if you plan to go, and stay, you will want to make your reservation well in advance! Although the inn does not take reservations farther in advance than one year, they are often booked up well into that time frame. Because the Inn is a popular spot for weddings, and honeymoons, and celebrations of many sorts, it is also important to check to see that the Inn is open to the public at the time you wish to arrive. But even if you have to schedule your trip 9 months ahead of time, or more, Worth It! My advice? Stay at least two nights. One just...

This is a cute little building on the highway toward Stinson Beach and Mt Tamalpais and that's where the good part ends.

It's a bit confusing on entry; there is a sign that says put your order in with the bartender and when we went to the small cramped bar area were told to find a seat and then come back to order. We walked back toward the seating area and decided it was far too dark inside, but a waitress told us the outdoor seating was full up. However, we had just walked through there and it wasn't, so we told her that. She reluctantly took us out us to a table. We then did as we were bid and walked back to order from the bartender.

In the meantime, people were seated by the same waitress at a table behind us and the waitress took their order (from the same menu) and delivered their food-all at the same time-before ours. Literally within 5 minutes of ordering

When our food was delivered (about 15-20 minutes after ordering), it was piecemeal. My order came first and as he walked away the person called over his shoulder to my husband, 'yours is on the way'.

About 5 minutes later he came by again and this time dropped my husband's food on the corner of the table furthest away from my husband and walked off. It's not a big deal that I had to move the plate to my husband, but WTAF? Two more steps was too much?

I had a glass of wine but my husband hadn't ordered anything to drink. He assumed he would have an opportunity to ask for water but since no one came to our table while we ate he did not get that chance.

No one came by and offered any sauces, salt and pepper, nothing. I ordered fish and chips and assumed they would have malt vinegar but certainly wasn't offered any. I mean the ubiquitous catsup didn't even make an appearance.

When we were obviously finished and getting ready to leave the waitress came over and asked how things were and then asked my husband if he wanted any water. ?!?!?!

One last thing, when my husband ordered my wine, the bartender actually bent over to ensure she didn't pour past some invisible line. And my 4 ounces of white wine was $10.

The service was not even laughable, it was non-existent. And it wasn't as though they were super busy. We saw one waitress standing in the door of the kitchen area scrolling through her phone nearly the entire time we were there and many empty tables.

The food was not good. My fish and chips had a lot of breading, was soaked in oil from a not hot enough fryer, and the fish was rubber. One of the pieces of fish was not well cleaned and had spine in it, making it inedible. My husband ordered Shepherd's pie, but it was obviously not homemade; it had a prepared filling with Taco Bell like consistency. It also caused him stomach issues long after he finished.

Perhaps they only want locals, perhaps they don't like people who appear to be tourists (we live in SF), perhaps they thought we were old people who didn't care or know better (we're only 57), but whatever I would not recommend this place....

This Local Marin County Old English Bed n' Breakfast/Restaurant/Pub is a wonderful and very unique place to stay or visit for the day. If one is looking for something different in the bay area, away from the hustle bustle, and want to step away from the 20th or 21st Century this is the place to visit. The Pelican Inn will naturally take you back to another time. They even have the Royal family photos on the wall, and when the Queen mum visited Yosemite National Park in 1983.

English Pub - open to the public although "warning" very small bar (seats maybe 15 people), but plenty of areas to walk outside with your beer or wine (they don't serve mix cocktails). Overall, Good Food (you can order fish and chips, various food from the bar), Good Drinks (they have about 6 English draught beers on tap - of course with the company of Guinness), multiple wines to choose from, very friendly customer service, but they do get busy on the weekends; so Tip your Servers good (those people work very hard for their customers).

English Restaurant - like the pub, the restaurant is very quaint, old English style, however low ceilings (7 feet and under - so tall people watch your head especially staying at the Inn), and they have an old style fireplace when the restaurant gets a little cold. The English style food is good and price reasonable, restaurant has majority indoor seating (seats about 50+), and can easily accommodate large parties where they have this real long wooden table from the 1600's that can fit 16+ people, but majority seating are small tables for 2-4 people, outdoor seating that can seat about 20 more guests comfortable, and this outdoor area (feels like a old English Greenhouse) is also used for the bed n' breakfast guests in the morning prior to opening the restaurant for the public (great idea!!), which there complimentary breakfast (for their over night guests only) surprisingly is very good and highly recommend if not staying at the bed n' breakfast.

Bed n' Breakfast - only stayed here for one night (July 2019), but we shall soon return; expensive though ($400+), but worth checking out. Old English Decor, bathrooms/showers in each room, no phone or TV in rooms, but they do have wi-fi, and to continue making the Inn personable for the overnight guests, they have a private area (the Library with fireplace) adjacent to the Pub so if the bar gets busy, the guests have their own private space close to the festivities and not feel pushed out of the Pub (great concept!!)

B n' B Reservations - despite the steep price they still book up fast for weddings, and there are only 7 rooms to choose from.

Overall - Highly Recommend for a unique Bay Area experience. Kid friendly, dog friendly, friendly customer service and close to...