Taste Buds: June 2025 Roundup
A top-10 taste of my favorite bites, places + things this past month living in the North Bay Area. Sent to your inbox every last Monday of the month.
June Overview
The changing of seasons always feels like an exciting time - especially here in the North Bay Area. With the produce at farmers’ markets shifting, lighter days that feel longer, and outdoor seating becoming the norm when eating out at restaurants, I really do love the month of June here.
I feel like I made progress on my promise to myself on slowing down a bit by saying “no” to certain things (even if I really wanted to say yes!). So I will absolutely take that as a win. This month has reminded me just how important it is to listen to our bodies and to take a moment to pause if things start to feel a bit overwhelming. I am someone who is continuously pushing through and on the go, but this month I really needed to take a step back. And that’s okay. I’m hopeful in this next month ahead I’ll find my rhythm again.
When it came to eating, there was so much good food had and new memories made this past month. Meeting up with close friends, traveling to some of our favorite places like Lake Tahoe & Chicago, along with creating new relationships with people - these were the moments that brought so much joy. Below is a recap of some of those memories & can hopefully provide as inspiration as you plan into summer!
& as always, thanks for following along <3
Megan
#1 My favorite bite: The ‘Klub’ Sandwich from Rozmary’s Kitchen
Usually it feels impossible for me to narrow down my favorite bite of the month, but this one actually was a clear winner. I’ve been flooded with recommendations to check out Rozmary’s Kitchen and I’m upset with myself that it took me this long to give their sandwiches a try.
We grabbed two sandwiches because we just couldn’t make up our minds, and boy am I glad we did. While I did love (and will order again) ‘The Fannuchi’ - which is a take on a Hot Italian sandwich - the ‘Rozmary Klub’ was my favorite. The bacon-chili jam, soft & flaky Dutch Crunch roll and herby ranch were what sealed the deal for me. I absolutely need to figure out a way for me to grab one again in July.
You can taste this for yourself on Thursdays and Sundays at the Marin Farmer’s Market at the Civic Center. FYI - They will not be there this upcoming weekend for 4th of July week
#2 My favorite new restaurant: Flour + Water Pizzeria in North Beach, SF
While known for their incredible handmade pasta at their flagship in the Mission District, I couldn’t wait to visit Flour + Wtaer’s latest restaurant that opened up in North Beach. Flour + Water Pizzeria is the perfect blend of Modern Italian, a prime location and an overall great vibe.
I went here with some girlfriends after work so we ordered a bunch of things to share - always my favorite way to enjoy a meal. My favorites included:
The Mozz Sticks - These are HUGE and are stacked with freshly grated parm
The Chopped Salad - I am still wanting to go back just so I can order this again
The Pesto Pie - I’ve never seen a pesto this green, it was beautiful
#3 My favorite re-discovery moment: Ounces Outdoors at the Northgate Mall
It’s so common to hear these days about the malls that we once knew & loved becoming ghost-towns. And while that is true for most ‘stores’ within the Northgate Mall in Terra Linda, I was surprised to learn about an outdoor beer garden that’s been open for a few years.
Twice in one week I was told about - Ounces Outdoors - so I knew I needed to go check it out. When walking up to this spot, I truly couldn’t believe that it has been in Northern Marin and I was just learning about it.
With pouring local beers + wines, along a snack-style menu that is easy for both large and small groups - this is a must add to your summer activity list. I loved learning how Ounces Outdoors has also created a community with their Wednesday Trivia nights, Corn Hole Tournament Thursdays & live music throughout the weekend.
#4 What I can’t live without in my kitchen: The OXO Cherry Pitter
My hands were getting WORKED trying to pit every cherry safely for my toddler earlier this summer. I didn’t want to give in to having another ‘gadget’ in my kitchen, but I also knew that pitting cherries this way was just not sustainable. So, I gave in :)
I trust the OXO brand, so I knew their product would probably be exactly what I needed. And of course, it was. You can watch my reel here to see how this Cherry Pitter is super easy & quick to use!
#5 My favorite new IG follow: Carleigh Bodrug from @plantyou
She has 5.5M followers, so clearly I am the one that is late go the game. But I LOVE watching what
comes up with for ways to be more sustainable in our kitchens. Seeing how she used the tops of her strawberries to make a Strawberry Top Vinegar to use in salad dressings has been one of my favorites of hers so far!#6 What’s next on my list to eat: Troya Tiburon
The latest location from Troya in San Francisco has landed in Marin at the Cove Shopping Center just right off the freeway in Tiburon. Over the past few weeks, I have heard and seen so much buzz about this Mediterranean eatery.
They recently extended a dinner menu to their customers, which I’ve been told was just as impressive as their breakfast and lunch options. I love an upscale Mediterranean moment, so I am hoping to check this off the list for an upcoming birthday dinner for a close friend!
#7 My favorite thing I cooked: I have to confess something. I did not lean into cooking much this month. Perhaps this is a reason as to why I felt a little out of sorts..
This month felt like a lot to manage between my full time job, family life, traveling and working on projects for @thespoonlist. That said, I did make a few basic crockpot meals which are always a great option for busy weekday schedules! This is the crockpot I have, which I’ve been using since 2018!
#8 What’s bringing a smile to my face: Thinking about the excitement that you all had for ‘The Spoonlist Exclusive: first look’ at the Crow Canyon Home sample sale in San Anselmo this month. With almost 20k views across my Instagram and Tik Tok accounts - you all showed up for this sample sale! I can’t wait to share the inside scoop about more opportunities like this for my following.
#9 Favorite Grocery Store Find: This feels like an oldie but goody, so wanted to share it here because I know that not everyone has tried this brand yet! Goodles is making headlines with its’ pack of protein (14gm) and fullness of fiber (7gm) as a better alternative to the classic boxed Macaroni & Cheese. Now, you don’t need to feel as guilty about this ultimate comfort food.
We love having this as part of an easy weekday dinner for both my husband and I, but also our toddler. You can grab this in most grocery stores now, and even Target and select Costcos!
#10 Local Brand Spotlight: Mill Valley Pasta Co.
If you’ve been following me for a while, then you are probably familiar with my admiration for the local dried-pasta company, Mill Valley Pasta Co. Tony Adams is the brains and personality behind Marin’s best pasta in this category. With an extensive background in the food industry and inspiration that was sparked during the challenging times of Covid, he has truly made this a local household brand here in Marin.
While you’ve seen him & his team mostly at the Farmer’s Markets across the Bay Area, he has since opened up his retail shop in downtown Mill Valley. This highly curated is honestly my version of heaven. Tony has hand selected every item that you can shop in here, ensuring that its’ top quality, a local vendor or something that he would use in his own cooking. And yes of course, they have all of the dried-pasta shapes and flavors you could dream of.
This is located near Boo-Koo, so just off the main parking area in downtown. Make sure you let him know that I sent you!