The Boardroom

R8CEHORSE

One of my favorite places in Novato. Its small, quiet and dark and it has a piano! The selections and service are top notch! I've been coming here since it opened and surprised that you can get such a high quality dining experience in the shopping plaza location that it's in. This is a testament to its owner/founder, Munther. You can tell he sweats the details and it all pays off. The ambiance is what you'd expect of a boutique steakhouse. It features icons of yesteryear and backs it up with top notch service that you don't find anymore. The soft piano in the background is a really nice touch and makes you forget that you are in a chaotic shopping plaza. The quality of meal is really top notch. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu. I've had their pork chop (amazing), Tomahawk (amazing as well but bring a date) and of course the ribeye are, you guessed it, AMAZING! I love their sides too. The creamed spinach is a wonderful treat, truffle fries, whipped potatoes and the roasted Yukon potatoes are killer. Dont forget the side of green beans! Anyhoo, if your in the South Novato area and want an unexpected fine dining experience, dont hesitate to look up the Board Room!

Eric

Very cool place attached to a speakeasy. Hiden away in an unassuming plaza. The interior is very fitting. The staff was top notch and the food was excellect. I had the lamb shank the first time i went and filet mignon the second. I would recommend both dishes

Sherri Jacobs

This restaurant has an old era steakhouse feel. Something my husband and I have been missing. The food and wine selection is amazing. I will recommend you make a reservation.

Richard Barrios

It’s a hidden gem for happy hour, cozy great service and food. Im from SF, visiting a friend who lives in the area. Must check if your visiting Novato CA

After Marin Joes closed we have been searching for the steak 🥩 and pasta 🍝 solid food experience. The Boardroom is like Izzy steakhouse meets house of prime rib. Steaks perfectly cooked and great sauce. Sides all excellent loved the French onion soup and you can always judge a restaurant by their bread simply amazing and served warm. Must be only real steakhouse in Marin and great menu.

Delicious food, tasty cocktails and mocktails and wonderful service. My husband and I were pleasantly surprised! Do not be fooled by the unassuming location of the restaurant. Once you walk in, you’ll forgot you’re within a mini mall / behind a gasoline station. Everything was excellent.

The food was simply amazing! A great variety of food with specials making sure everyone in your party is satisfied. The perfectly curated drinks enhanced the meal and dinner experience. Our waitress, whose name escapes me, was on point at every turn. The appearance of the of surrounding business WAY underplay what you will find inside. Very elegant, old-school dining when dinner was an event. Gorgeous banquettes with ample, yet low, lighting make for an intimate setting.

You step inside and time slows down. Dim lighting. Crisp white tablecloths. The walls are lined with legends—Sinatra, Marilyn, the Rat Pack—watching over the room like they still own the night. A tea-infused cocktail appears, effortlessly cool. It doesn’t need sugar or flair—it just works. Like everything else here. The meal begins with a tomato bisque that’s smoother than a closing pitch, paired with pistachio-crusted goat cheese that lands like a velvet hammer. Then come the heavy hitters—stroganoff that’s rich and unapologetic, filet mignon done exactly right, and a lamb shank so tender it might just forgive your worst mistakes. There’s a piano playing softly in the background, like a secret only the room knows. The vibe? Intimate. Intentional. Every detail dialed in. And just when you think the night’s wrapped, dessert hits the table—cheesecake that sings and a butter cake that could end a war. The Boardroom doesn’t just serve dinner. It serves a reminder: some things never go out of style.

It's mu favorite eatery in Marin. The food, the service & the atmosphere are fabulous.

I'm going to rate this place on both my experience in November And recent experience in December. I love love this place!! First, there is a lot of parking. I love the atmosphere inside, with the velvet curtain, book store feel and vintage photos of Audrey Hepburn, and the like. I especially enjoyed my first visit here when there was a real live piano player..it was very romantic and hip! He played the entire time we were there, and even played by request. He has a tip jar which we were happy to add to, well deserved !! Very fitting as it was an anniversary dinner. Highly recommend the Burrata, Goat cheese, and brussel sprouts as apps. Try the butternut squash side..the best I've had. Granted I haven't tried in December, so hopefully its not changed in recipe. The Mushrooms, I feel, were better chopped than whole as they absorbed more flavor, but i would still get them again. The Salmon was a fantastic suggestion given us by our wonderful waiter Philipe (not Phillip or Philipè). The second time I went I had the same cocktail which I had gotten the last time, with help from Waiter Philipe I ordered again based on my likes ( I highly recommend this) and Salmon again. They have changed the recipe for the salmon, which in my opinion was perfect before, but to each their own palate preferences. I personally LOVED the crushed pistachios, and crisp caramelization on salmon, it was so buttery and perfectly cooked medium well. I crave this everytime I think of the restaurant! I will ask for it the original recipe style. My husband loved the Pork chop, and our guests loved the Filet mignon. This will be favorite restaurant to return to often for us. We have tried multiple of the desserts, so far the butter cake wins for us (10/10) our favorite!!

What a hidden gem! Food is fantastic and a great value. Love the piano player. Great ambience.

Alicia Baldwin

It's mu favorite eatery in Marin. The food, the service & the atmosphere are fabulous.

Pamela Galvis

Delicious food, tasty cocktails and mocktails and wonderful service. My husband and I were pleasantly surprised! Do not be fooled by the unassuming location of the restaurant. Once you walk in, you’ll forgot you’re within a mini mall / behind a gasoline station. Everything was excellent.

John Sweeney

After Marin Joes closed we have been searching for the steak 🥩 and pasta 🍝 solid food experience. The Boardroom is like Izzy steakhouse meets house of prime rib. Steaks perfectly cooked and great sauce. Sides all excellent loved the French onion soup and you can always judge a restaurant by their bread simply amazing and served warm. Must be only real steakhouse in Marin and great menu.

steve byun

What a hidden gem! Food is fantastic and a great value. Love the piano player. Great ambience.

Jason Covey

You step inside and time slows down. Dim lighting. Crisp white tablecloths. The walls are lined with legends—Sinatra, Marilyn, the Rat Pack—watching over the room like they still own the night. A tea-infused cocktail appears, effortlessly cool. It doesn’t need sugar or flair—it just works. Like everything else here. The meal begins with a tomato bisque that’s smoother than a closing pitch, paired with pistachio-crusted goat cheese that lands like a velvet hammer. Then come the heavy hitters—stroganoff that’s rich and unapologetic, filet mignon done exactly right, and a lamb shank so tender it might just forgive your worst mistakes. There’s a piano playing softly in the background, like a secret only the room knows. The vibe? Intimate. Intentional. Every detail dialed in. And just when you think the night’s wrapped, dessert hits the table—cheesecake that sings and a butter cake that could end a war. The Boardroom doesn’t just serve dinner. It serves a reminder: some things never go out of style.

Whiskey Squirrel

The food was simply amazing! A great variety of food with specials making sure everyone in your party is satisfied. The perfectly curated drinks enhanced the meal and dinner experience. Our waitress, whose name escapes me, was on point at every turn. The appearance of the of surrounding business WAY underplay what you will find inside. Very elegant, old-school dining when dinner was an event. Gorgeous banquettes with ample, yet low, lighting make for an intimate setting.

Autumn Williams

I'm going to rate this place on both my experience in November And recent experience in December. I love love this place!! First, there is a lot of parking. I love the atmosphere inside, with the velvet curtain, book store feel and vintage photos of Audrey Hepburn, and the like. I especially enjoyed my first visit here when there was a real live piano player..it was very romantic and hip! He played the entire time we were there, and even played by request. He has a tip jar which we were happy to add to, well deserved !! Very fitting as it was an anniversary dinner. Highly recommend the Burrata, Goat cheese, and brussel sprouts as apps. Try the butternut squash side..the best I've had. Granted I haven't tried in December, so hopefully its not changed in recipe. The Mushrooms, I feel, were better chopped than whole as they absorbed more flavor, but i would still get them again. The Salmon was a fantastic suggestion given us by our wonderful waiter Philipe (not Phillip or Philipè). The second time I went I had the same cocktail which I had gotten the last time, with help from Waiter Philipe I ordered again based on my likes ( I highly recommend this) and Salmon again. They have changed the recipe for the salmon, which in my opinion was perfect before, but to each their own palate preferences. I personally LOVED the crushed pistachios, and crisp caramelization on salmon, it was so buttery and perfectly cooked medium well. I crave this everytime I think of the restaurant! I will ask for it the original recipe style. My husband loved the Pork chop, and our guests loved the Filet mignon. This will be favorite restaurant to return to often for us. We have tried multiple of the desserts, so far the butter cake wins for us (10/10) our favorite!!

I found this restaurant online and decided to try it with friends. The restaurant has a nice 1920's vibe to it. The lighting might be a little dim for some, since my friend had to use the flashlight on his phone to read the menu. I really like the soft, jazzy music in the background, and the comfortable seating. The staff was friendly and attentive. I took off one star for the service, because the female busser took away my friend's dish before he finished everything on the plate (maybe it wasn't bright enough for her to see?). We liked the food. We were all busy enjoying our dinner that nobody took any pictures, lol. The Lamb Papardelle was quite impressive; so was the mocktail. The desserts were delicious, only if they could make the signature butter cake less sweet--or serve it with more cream, and without the caramel sauce. If I dine here again, I will definitely try out other dishes.

Food was delicious. We were waited on promptly and the waitress was as sweet as can be. Wonderful speakeasy atmosphere with great photos of silver screen celebs. Enjoyed myself. P.S. wine was yummy too.

quite good food. moderate prices crowded small tiny room noisy but good live music/ piano

Sapph Nor

I found this restaurant online and decided to try it with friends. The restaurant has a nice 1920's vibe to it. The lighting might be a little dim for some, since my friend had to use the flashlight on his phone to read the menu. I really like the soft, jazzy music in the background, and the comfortable seating. The staff was friendly and attentive. I took off one star for the service, because the female busser took away my friend's dish before he finished everything on the plate (maybe it wasn't bright enough for her to see?). We liked the food. We were all busy enjoying our dinner that nobody took any pictures, lol. The Lamb Papardelle was quite impressive; so was the mocktail. The desserts were delicious, only if they could make the signature butter cake less sweet--or serve it with more cream, and without the caramel sauce. If I dine here again, I will definitely try out other dishes.

Cyndi Allen

Food was delicious. We were waited on promptly and the waitress was as sweet as can be. Wonderful speakeasy atmosphere with great photos of silver screen celebs. Enjoyed myself. P.S. wine was yummy too.

I ordered from the evenings specials; not a good idea. The appetizer of raw swordfish was spoiled by being overly spiced. The main course veal was dry, difficult to chew, and of indeterminate flavor. Accompanying mashed potatoes arrived cold and with oddly flavored spinach. There seemed to be just one waitress present: she spent a lot of time chatting with diners resulting in slow service. Overall, a frustrating and disappointing experience.

Francis Seidner

I ordered from the evenings specials; not a good idea. The appetizer of raw swordfish was spoiled by being overly spiced. The main course veal was dry, difficult to chew, and of indeterminate flavor. Accompanying mashed potatoes arrived cold and with oddly flavored spinach. There seemed to be just one waitress present: she spent a lot of time chatting with diners resulting in slow service. Overall, a frustrating and disappointing experience.

I came here because it looked like a good place. I wondered why I never tried it. Upon entering the place gives off a nice atmosphere. However it very dark in there, very bad lighting. The crab shrimp Louie is now just a shrimp Louie. For $21 I was very disappointed that it was very plain and bland with only 5 shrimp. There was not even enough to eat the salad with. The Louie sauce tasted like ketchup and mayo. The appetizer I ordered came out after I finished my salad. It was delicious but I was surprised I had to put it together myself. The waitress didn’t even check on me once not even to refill my water glass.

FIVE PERCENT SURCHARGE. They said this is to help pay for the kitchen staff. Hello? That's what menu prices are for? I don't care if you raise a whole dollar and that's more than 5% but getting billed more than listed priced plus tax and tip is just not cool. Can't believe there are still restaurants that take advantage of diners'good will to support the industry during pandemic times. This is my 2nd time here and both times I order a lot of food and drinks. I'm never coming back.

Derek Xie

FIVE PERCENT SURCHARGE. They said this is to help pay for the kitchen staff. Hello? That's what menu prices are for? I don't care if you raise a whole dollar and that's more than 5% but getting billed more than listed priced plus tax and tip is just not cool. Can't believe there are still restaurants that take advantage of diners'good will to support the industry during pandemic times. This is my 2nd time here and both times I order a lot of food and drinks. I'm never coming back.

Evie Banderas

I came here because it looked like a good place. I wondered why I never tried it. Upon entering the place gives off a nice atmosphere. However it very dark in there, very bad lighting. The crab shrimp Louie is now just a shrimp Louie. For $21 I was very disappointed that it was very plain and bland with only 5 shrimp. There was not even enough to eat the salad with. The Louie sauce tasted like ketchup and mayo. The appetizer I ordered came out after I finished my salad. It was delicious but I was surprised I had to put it together myself. The waitress didn’t even check on me once not even to refill my water glass.

Daniel Minto

Ludicrously overpriced. $70 for a small steak plus a 5% surcharge on entire check. Just another case of shameless greed. It's just sad. There should be more severe consequences for price gouging.