New Rooftop Dining Destination in San Rafael
The ground-up development of the contemporary AC Hotel San Rafael by Marriott that’s one block north of San Rafael’s main Fourth Street corridor is now complete. Given that locals have little need for overnight accommodations, the real stir has been about the boutique hotel’s Wednesday opening of Above Fifth, San Rafael’s first rooftop dining destination, that offers panoramic Mount Tamalpais views, craft cocktails, draft beer, local wines, seasonally shareable plates and, at a later date, weekend brunch.
The sixth-floor, lounge-like 2,500-square-foot setting is destined to be a draw for casual drinks and snacks like warm Marcona almonds and rosemary; Napa olives with pickled garlic; and roasted organic carrot and herb hummus with veggies and flatbread. Or make it more of a meal with dishes such as hamachi crudo with sweet onion, serrano, black sea salt, ponzu and sesame oil; fresh oysters (chilled or baked); chicken souvlaki with feta and preserved lemon vinaigrette; Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co.’s Original Blue Cheese, grilled skirt steak, caramelized onions and arugula crostini; and Toma grilled cheese on Bordenave’s sourdough with house strawberry preserves.