The place is cozy and the food isn't bad, nothing out of this world, but why is it so expensive? I've been here a few times with friends between classes for lunch. There aren't many choices in the area around the COM campus, so people usually end up there. Most of the servers are really nice but the last time I went there the waitress couldn't get us to order fast enough and pay. I don't like feeling rushed like that.
Review Source:Woodland's Café has a fun post run breakfast vibe about it.  If you're hungry, I strongly suggest the juevos rancheros.  They're pretty good here.
It's a typical breakfast joint. Â Pretty expensive. Â Be careful, for two people, if you're not paying attention, your bill can get over $40-$50 very quickly. Â That is if you drink alcohol for breakfast.
All in all, one of my favorite breakfast places in Kentfield.
I'm wavering very very very very very seriously between three and four stars. Â It's not exactly a 7-10 split or a tossup, because those two analogies imply something precise, and you know and I both know that Yelping is an art, not a science. Â Besides, if it were down the middle, I'd have to round up, right? Â That's the way things are universally done, right?
Some background: Â I came here with my parents. Â There were crowds. Â There were families. Â It may have been a Friday night. Â It was too late for early dinner but too early for teenagers hanging out. Â (Not that teenagers in Marin hang out here, but you know what I mean.)
Some foreground: Â Extremely mushroomy mushrooms. Â I was going to write "meaty mushrooms," but they weren't meaty, not exactly. Â They were good, but the whole place felt like a pizza place at times.
Some middle ground: Â My father really likes to talk to people who work at restaurants. Â Polly's in Whittier burned down. Â It felt more like a pizza place, and maybe it used to be. Â No, the food wasn't pizza-place-esque, and there was table service, and everyone from the host to the server to the other server to the manager who just happened to be the server's--well, you get the idea that my father really likes to talk to people who work at restaurants.
I'm going with three stars just because everything took forever. Â The service was good and properly apologetic, but the entire process took far too long, even for how crowded it was. Â (And they were fool's crowds, really; there weren't that many people. Â They just all left or arrived or both when we were walking in, but once we sat down, it was pretty quiet.)
I like weird sweatshirts and petrified-looking wood like that. Â The ghost of a salad bar?
this cafe replaced a great breakfast joint!! Â now they have change the menu numerous times. Â you return to have something you like and it is gone..their newest attempt, a sustainable food-locally grown, spin - is at best bizarre..with the blue rock down the street they got to do better than this last try..10/18/12
Review Source:The food is good. Nothing out of this world, but good. I had the tilapia fish sandwich and my mother in law had the brunch salad. Both were good. I will be back for breakfast... not sure if it is really a dinner sort of place.
The service was really good. Very attentive staff. The chef brought over some cut up grapes for my toddler which I thought was very nice. Gestures like this make me want to come back.
I'm updating my review from Feb 2012: I ate there recently and several breakfast items were surprisingly good. I've got to give them credit for that. I've raised my rating from 3 to 4 stars. Quoted below is the previous review:
There's nothing really wrong with this place but, it never measures up to it's first impression.
The appearance and prices seem to suggest you'll get really great food in an informal setting. You think the food will be way better than the average lunch counter.
Sadly, nothing I've had there rates much better that what you might find on the Whole Foods hot bar.
I've been to Woodlands Cafe several times (convenient location) and the space is pleasant but the food is underwhelming.
This place can be hit or miss with the service, but the food is generally pretty good.  Sometimes they overcook their potatoes....and I wish they would supply us with Organic ketchup (non GMO) since they kinda put on that organic/natural front with the pleasing atmosphere and  menu.....  but their eggs benedict is pretty good, and I especially dig the blueberry pancakes here (blueberry LOADED). Â
So when Half Day Cafe has a 30 minute wait down the street.... and EASY STREET is no longer but a dream =( Â .... and somebody just drove an SUV into the front of Lundy's.....well, there's always Woodlands Cafe.
I have only had the breakfast here btw.....
Woodlands Cafe is affiliated with the Woodlands grocery and flower mart next door. This Cafe has comfortable couches (the outdoor couch seat actually has a view of Mt. Tam!), a working fireplace, free wifi, and big screen TV.
I like to come here as a regular during the week in the off hours when it feels more homey. On the weekends in summer they can have a wait and a weekend rush of families with little kids coming in that they try to save all the couch seating areas for...so the kids don't run all over the restaurant.
I used to order a lot of the large breakfast entrees here - portion size is pretty big. I've switched to ordering mostly a la carte now. Poached eggs, toast with butter.
For dinner in the winter time I love to go here and have the French Onion soup with a nice glass of red wine. The wines I've had here have all been very nice.
I am so sad that Woodland's Cafe drastically changed their dinner menu!
It used to be mine & my adult kid's favorite go to place for a meal. Â When you have to stare at a menu that offers you nothing that use to offer you everything, you need to say, " why"?. Â The waiter also told us the breakfast menu is " being adjusted" as well :( Â our food was good but it wasn't hard to choose to order a border & pizza because the rest of the menu was bare!
I feel I need to even give 2 stars due to the dirty unhygienic bathrooms, men and women should not share the same toilets and only checking every so many hours just isn't good enough, also I don't think having to eat while pets are drooling all over the floor etc is my version of hygiene, Â not sure i will go back
Review Source:I love this place for late breakfast on a saturday. They have a small 10 minute wait, but well worth it! They have a nice outside patio where you can enjoy the sun and the company you're with. Because it's so busy, the server isn't always there when you need them so don't go here if you're in a hurry. You still get your food quick and HOT.
The coffee here is so good and I am always happy and full with every order that I've made here. Whether its the special for the day, or a favorite I know I'll find on the menu every time.
This review is making my crave them now. Def my go to place to eat on a sunny weekend for brunch!
The food is great!
Great taste and quality.
The service is not so pleasant, the lady at the counter ... Scary! She seems to be on PMS daily!
They never receive you with a smile, always that face of "I'm not happy at my job".
And we always have to wait forever to have our order taken.
I've been there two times to dine in and the only good thing was the ambiance and the food. The server takes forever and forgets stuff.
Most of the time, I take to go and the only enjoyable experience was with the young stylish guy at the counter/cashier. He always ask me if I'd like my pastry heated, side of butter or jelly, very nice, but I haven't seen him lately.
I'm pondering if I'll give it another try or if i'll go back to the Pete's booth in the grocery store, the girls are much nicer and they don't even expect tips!!!
Szechuan Chicken Salad is a tasty option - but does not so much live up to it's name. Not spicy, not flavorful, actually I was a little shocked at how bland it was- however, a good clean flavor.
Sweet Potato Fires here can make up for any main dish lacking. Served with a sort of tomato-y mayonnaise-y sauce, these are perfectly salted, perfectly crunchy and perfectly good at disappearing.
The Chocolate Chip Ganache Cookie, my friend - is where it's at. The cookie does not have glops of ganache. It does not only boast chocolate chips. It is a huge freaking cookie with ganache IN THE MIDDLE. And not just in the center. The whole of the cookie's middle is blanketed in ganache and then it is all topped off with more chocolate chip dough and baked that way. I really don't think you should ever get one, because it will ruin all other inferior chocolate chip cookies for you - and let's face it, once a cookie is paired with ganache, the rest sans said chocolate mixture ARE inferior.
So go ahead and go, but for the love of your jeans, do NOT get the damn cookie.
Stopped in after the kids soccer game. Ordered a hamburger thinking it to be the simplest snack.
It came with an oversize bun, excess salt, cooked onions on the side plus tomato and lettuce. A person with a hippopotamus mouth could not bite down. What a joke.
If you want real a hamburger this is not the place. Large portions of poorly designed food is not what I was looking for. I imagine the quality is good but no way does it compare or taste as good as Phlisy's, Phat burgers or Marin Joes
This is my favorite breakfast / brunch spot in Marin. Everything on the menu is delightful. They have a range of decadent food choices- eggs benedict to healthier choices - egg white scramble with veggies and side of fruit. A variety to please everyone.
The lunch and dinner menu is also excellent, with a good variety - but I am a big fan of their breakfast. The coffee is also quite good.
Service is always great, though not somewhere I'd go if I was in a hurry. This is more of a laid back, take your time kind of place. It can sometimes get a bit crowded, especially during Sunday brunch time, so be prepared for a short wait. It is definitely worth the wait.
Fun, and causal atmosphere. I believe they have live music in the evenings.
We love this place! It's always a lively place to eat! Favorites are crab cake sandwich, sweet potato fries, & their soups are sublime! Afterwards, have some gelato! Such a treat!
The service is fast, friendly & efficient. All the ingredients for a great weekend breakfast/brunch are there! Enjoy!
This place is in heavy rotation at the moment. Â When we can't decide what to eat, its a simple choice. Â Woodlands cafe is the place to go when you want consistently good food made with organic ingredients. Â Its like "good for you" comfort food. Â Yes that is possible. Â They make food that you would make yourself and you don't feel as guilty after.
My favorites are:
The egg white scramble (add the chicken apple sausage)
The brunch salad. Â Comes with bacon and a poached egg on top! Yes!
The calzones are amaze balls. Â Split one and a couple of salads and a glass of the house organic red. Â You won't be hungry when you leave.
I think the real reason I go here so frequently is the ORGANIC ketchup on the table!  FINALLY!! How long is it going to take before the rest of the world can put a few  "healthy" non HFC condiment options on the table.
One note: Chef, please bring back the mini doughnuts! I WANT NOW.
Thanks.
I've been to Woodlands a dozen or more times since they opened (probably way more) and it is consistently very good, I go for breakfast and lunch and have never been disappointed.
The salads are different enough to be interesting and still delicious and they have a great gluten free pizza. I prefer the omelets and huevos rancheros over the pancakes (fancy looking, not great) but the kids love 'em.
The atmosphere, service and staff smiles make this a worthwhile destination - try it, you'll come again!
Woodlands Cafe has served as a great spot for me to stop off on the way to work, on a lunch break, etc. Â The comfortable couches surrounding the fireplace create a cozy nook where one can enjoy a cup of coffee, breakfast and the wireless allows one to check in with the world if they want.
The service hasn't been the fastest, although when (who appears to be) the owner comes in each morning she helps to ensure that all guests are really cared for. Â It's amazing to see her attention to detail and understand the challenge in training others to take on this same ownership.
The prices are a bit higher than elsewhere, and I think it's worth it.
Cute little restaurant/eatery.
They have a bakery, creamery (ice cream) and full restaurant. The food is good and fresh. Â We ordered various salads, chorizo egg scramble (very good), kids' hamburger/pasta. We enjoyed our meal.
There is a nice patio and various kinds of seating (tables - outdoor/indoor, communal tables, bar seats, couches/coffee table, indoor fireplace.... making the restaurant have a great casual but cozy feel. Â
The prices are reasonable, but not cheap. I'd definitely come back.
I have just eaten at Woodlands twice this weekend and am even more impressed. Â On Saturday, we had breakfast there and I was delighted by the excellent service we received. Â There was a mix up with my husband's omelet and the hostess noticed the concern on our faces and immediately came to our table to check on us. Â We mentioned the mix up and she immediately took the wrong omelet back, came back to our table and told us it would be just a moment and then came back with his correct order after a short wait. Â She even offered to warm up my food as I was waiting to eat until my husband could get his item. Â I declined, though I was most appreciative. Â We both commented about how great it was that the person who found the problem followed through all the way until the problem was resolved. Â She did not just leave it to the server or runners to rectify this, she herself followed through. Â Now this is customer service.
And for the food - it continues to be outstanding. Â For breakfast we both had the Popeye's Omelet with hollandaise on the side. Â The hollandaise is the bomb! Â It may be the best we have had in Marin. Â The coffee is always a treat - the one place I "cheat" and have caffeine.
For lunch today (Sunday) I had their potato leek soup with a half of mediterranean tuna sandwich. Â My husband had the soup with a caesar salad. Â All items were excellent. Â It was busy at 12:45pm, which is great to see.
I've been to Woodlands Cafe about 5 times now; a few times with my kids, ages  6 and 5, a few times with girlfriends.  I've had both table and counter service... most times for lunch.
I love this place... love the outdoor seating, love the gelato, love the food, the salads are great,. Â :)
If I had to complain about something, I'd say the portions of the kids meals are on the small side. Â My 6yo son ordered the kids' pizza and I had to order him 2 portions.... he's a big eater but aren't the kids meals supposed to be for kids up to ages 10/12?
Oh and one other complaint - the PARKING lot there is a total fustercluck, at best. Â I hardly want to shop at Woodlands Market anymore because the parking situation is so terrible but since it's close to where I live, I somehow manage to endure it. Â :)
Awesome breakfast and lunch joint. Â The lemon buttercream ice cream is worth the calories and the salted caramel...and all the other stuff on the menu. Â
Love the outdoor patio with the fireplace. Â So get out of your hilltop house, brave the jr college students and get yourself some deliciousness at Woodlands. Â But just don't take my spot by the fireplace.
Coyote and I live in Sausalito, and we know almost all the breakfast places around lower Marin. We were driving by on a rainy Sunday, and stopped here on a lark for breakfast. There were tons of people in the covered patio. We both ordered the pancake souffle, which was a baked, eggy, delicious pancake bowl with fresh berries inside. Comes with maple syrup, but I just slathered it with butter, so yummy.
We split an order of brioche donuts. Four donuts arrived with various dipping sauces: lemon curd, maple-bacon, chocolate and blueberry. Honestly, I couldn't decide which I liked more, so I would just work my around the sauces.
Sue Santa, one of the new owners, stopped by to chat. Apparently they took over from the previous owners who had let the place go--we were glad to find it in better hands. She sent over a selection of their homemade ice creams: chocolate, salted caramel, strawberry and lemon buttermilk. All were on the creamy side, and our favorites were the salted caramel and the lemon buttermilk.
Everyone, from servers to bus-boys asked us how it was tasting and if we needed anything. Then, with an enthusiastic owner talking to us about the food, how much she loves creating great meals, and plying us with hints of future meals to come: that made a good restaurant irresistible to us. We are total suckers for earnest ambition to please.
Total bill was cheap for Marin: $33. We are definitely coming back.
I have only been here for the gelato, which is quite incredible. Â The flavor selection includes some typical gelato favorites, like hazelnut and chocolate and the like, as well as some more innovative, savory flavors which are popular around the rest of the county. Â I had a little scoop each of the salted caramel and maltball gelatoes (is this the correct spelling of the plural?). Â Both flavors were delicious and rich and creamy, but the salted caramel was absolutely luscious and decadent. Â The service was friendly as well. Â I will have to come back for a meal soon!
Review Source:I just went here for lunch, and it was pretty good. I got the Szechwan Chicken Salad which had cabbage, red peppers, rice noodles, scallions, peanuts, and a tasty spicy dressing on it. The chicken in it was really good and overall I enjoyed the salad, although I could have easily made my own version for less than the $12 it cost me...My friend got one of the special omelettes ($10-ish), which was pretty good but kinda threw me off because the cheese was melted on top and the tomato was on the side, not in the omelette. The toast that came with it was yummy though.
The Café itself is REALLY cute, both inside and out. I love the lights hanging outside on the patio. It's also in-your-face organic and locally-grown, which is refreshing.
I'll be back, next time for dessert--they have homemade ice cream and delicious-looking pastries!
It seems like the  management has taken a turn for the better here. The staff is much friendlier and seem to know their stuff more than in the past. I've been here a few more times since the visit I had a bad experience, and the food has been more consistent.
I'll go from 1 start to 2 based on my last few visits, but I'm skeptical that they can keep it together.
What a pleasant surprise! Woodlands Cafe, next to Woodlands market, creates a homey atmosphere with wooden floors and brick walls that became the perfect spot for a mother daughter breakfast date. The view outside was charming, with the cafe's little patio seating and green shrubbery.
My mom's special quiche and my portobello omelette were paired perfectly, hers with a side of market greens and mine with toast and fruit. Their toast (I'm infatuated with toast) was moist and not overly tough, which I ate with butter and fresh jam generously spread. Their coffee is bold, fresh, and smooth. Pure quality.
The freshness and taste of the food paired with the quality service we received really made this a memorable experience. And after our drawn out breakfast, my mom and I wandered next door to the flower shop and market for a leisurely post-meal stroll.
I was initially hesitant to try out Woodlands Cafe after some bad local press and prior reviews. We decided a couple of Fridays ago to walk down with our dog in tow and give it a shot for a late brunch. Firstly, I greatly appreciated being able to have our dog with us on the patio, in the shade, by one of the tables which boarders the outskirts of the patio area. Happy dog = happy dog owners who will stay longer and come back often...
Secondly, I found the staff to be of great service. I didn't mind having to walk up to a counter and order the food myself. I loved the variety of the menu as well as not having "cut off" times of when breakfast is served. Our meal came promptly and was fantastic!! Big portions, fresh ingredients and cooked to perfection. I had the veggie eggs benedict and we also indulged in a side of sweet potato fries and fresh donuts. The donuts came with four accouterments, each adding just the right amount of sweetness to each bite. The staff continued to check on us to ask if everything was ok, as well as replenish our water.
I now have a new favorite breakfast spot and I am looking forward to returning soon for dinner as well.
I dont totally get this place. Â Like I guess its connected to the woodlands market but it serves different coffee in the cafe then it does in the store. Â But that aside, the place is adorable. Â Has a fireplace, couches, tables and a big farm table. Big outdoor seating area. Its beautiful. Â They have a great breakfast with something like oatmeal that I get before exams sometimes. Â They also have good premade sandwhiches. Â And the bakery items look like they are to die for. Â I have managed to avoid them using reminders of bikini weather but I don't know how long I can hold out. Â
The lattes are good, though strong, but they only come in one size. I am a fan of this cafe, though it is a little pricey for breakfast.
Stopped in this afternoon for a very late brunch. The cafe closes at 3:30pm on Sunday, so we made it just in time.
The transformation from Willie's Cafe to Woodlands Cafe is complete and total. I loved Willie's--casual, comfortable, homey, good food & reasonable prices. Woodlands Cafe is very Marin--very decorator, warm colors, lots of wood, comfy couches by the gas fireplace. Beautiful, glossy--straight out of a Pottery Barn catalog. Plus or a minus? You decide.
We ordered Belgian waffles with lemon curd & maple agave syrup, quiche Lorraine, and mimosas at the register, then took our number to the couches to wait for our food. Mimosas came up quickly, as did the quiche. My companion thought the quiche was delicious. My taste was delicious and full-flavored, and I'm not a huge quiche fan. Mimosas were small, but tasty.
The Belgian waffles were delicious--4 to a plate, light, hot, and dusted with powdered sugar & fresh strawberries. They forgot my lemon curd & brought me butter instead (which I requested they not bring), and it took several minutes for them to locate my request. When I finally received it, the lemon curd was awesome on the waffles.
Service is obviously still taking shape...we weren't offered any water, I had to ask for silverware & napkins, our dishes should have arrived simultaneously to avoid the "no go ahead and start without me" uncomfortableness, we had to wait a bit for the waffles since there was the snafu with the lemon curd, plus the busboy was a bit too intent on clearing our plates quickly.
I would definitely go back and try this place again, especially if they are true to their credo of using small, local, sustainable/organic producers. I do miss Willie's, though--simple food, low impact on the wallet, great place to eat after a long run on the trails. Sigh....
The Woodland's Cafe takes the space of a neighborhood favorite with a great updating of both space and menu. In town for the week, I had the chance to have several meals and found the portions large, the food excellent, and the atmosphere pleasantly "a-buzz" with other patrons.
The menu is awash with trendy italian-y lunch food and wonderful breakfast and brunch fare from every corner of the market. Quiche, Tronchetto, authentic thin crust Italian pizzas (really good!), as well as sandwiches, hearty salads (the goat cheese and pear was especially delicious), and amazing pastries are just some of the possibilities.
Among my favorites were the sweet potato fries. They were light and crisp, served in a paper cone and brought to the table piping hot. Another stand out was the "Lorenzo" Tronchetto, a thin calzone crust rolled around meat, cheeses, and spices. Easily enough for 2 people, it was terrific. There's a dessert tronchetto, too made with a sweet pizza dough, hazelnut chocolate, banana, and sweet golden raisins. I'm not a big sweet fan, but this was just right. Finally, the eggs benedict florentine I had for breakfast were easily among the best I've tasted in my life: crispy homemade bread underneath the lightest poached eggs, and a VERY fine meyer lemon hollandaise sauce. Loveley!
The restaurant is brand new (open about a week as I write) and as someone else commented, owned by the Woodlands Market next door. One of the owners told me that they are using all locally sourced, organic ingredients when they can and all of the to-go boxes, straws etc are biodegradable and recyclable.
As a newly opened space, they are also clearly still working out some of the bugs, particularly with signage and server staff. At Woodlands Cafe you order at the counter, they give you a number, then the staff brings you your food. That wasn't immediately made clear, so I had some initial confusion, but very quickly there was a greeter to explain the process. I imagine some signage will help and I was told that is coming, an inevitable construction delay.
On the serving side, some of the staff were having a little trouble finding all the table numbers quickly. There is a lovely patio with tables, overhead heaters, a fireplace, and couches, but it means that whoever is coming looking for your tag has a lot of area to search. It think this is certainly something that will getter better with a few more weeks under their belt, but still it took a little more time than it might have to get served.
That said, the Woodlands Cafe is off to a great start. Fresh ingredients, a commitment to sustainability, a wide and interesting menu, and great ambiance. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone.
I've been taking classes at COM for the past year and I never went into the little restaurant called Willy's. I did, however, walk by the space today and happened to peek inside the new restaurant, Woodlands Cafe.
Gorgeous. And the food looks great! I had the daily special for quiche, which was packed full of fresh ingredients. Next time I'm going for the quiche with gruyere cheese!
Nice ambiance and super fun sofa with fireplace. Although I cannot afford to eat out everyday, I will find myself stopping in for a bite to eat once in a while.
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