Empty heading

Vivalon Café

Where Culinary Excellence and Community Values Converge

Join us for lunch Monday - Friday | 11:30 am - 1:45 pm

Empty heading

Menu

Our daily menu is crafted by chefs from Community Action Marin’s Central Kitchen and Kitchen Apprenticeship program, using fresh, seasonal ingredients from their farm.

March 4/7

Daily Special 

|Italian Spaghetti and Meatballs with Marinara Sauce, Peas, Garlic Bread and Side of Fresh Fruit|

$9 members / $16 non-members

 

Vegetarian Entree

|Chickpea Winter Salad (VV)|

$9 members / $16 non-members

 

 Sandwich of the Day

|Tuna Salad on Croissant| 

$9 members / $16 non-members

 

 Soup of the Day

|Red Borscht Soup (VV)| $5

 

Dessert of the Day

|Apple Caramel Cheesecake | $4

 

Special Luncheons

Enjoy delicious themed luncheons at the Vivalon Café!

Join us each month for a unique dining experience featuring a specially curated menu, lively entertainment, and great company. Don’t miss these fun and flavorful gatherings!

Thursday, April 24, 11:30am – 1:30pm

2025 marks 55 years of Earth Day! Celebrate this Earth Day at Vivalon with a seasonal and sustainable menu planned by Vivalon chefs and executed by Community Action Marin! Diners will enjoy a showing of the documentary Life on our Planet during the luncheon service.

Earth Day Luncheon is now full and we are no longer accepting sign-ups.

Cost: $14 for members, $20 for nonmembers

Menu: 

  • Green Gazpacho  with Crostini
  • Butternut Squash Lasagna, Grilled Artichoke with Lemon Herbed mayonnaise, Ratatouille Stuffed Bell Peppers
  • Berry Cheesecake Parfaits
  • Green Goddess Kiwi Cocktail (non-alcoholic)

Thursday, May 22, 11:30am – 1:30pm

Registration is open.
Call 415-456-9062 to purchase your ticket by May 19.

Cost: $14 for members, $20 for nonmembers

Menu:
  • Mint and Pineapple Lemonade Mocktail
  • Roasted Asparagus and Proscuitto Bundles and Spring Farmer’s Market Salad
  • Pan Seared Halibut with Lemon Caper Sauce, Roasted Tomatoes, Pearl Couscous and Buttered Spinach
  • Mini Mason Jar Strawberry Cheesecake

Thursday, June 5, 11:30am – 1:30pm

Please join us to celebrate Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, and enjoy a delicious, cookout-style meal and live musical performance in community with one another.

Registration is not open yet.
Call 415-456-9062 to purchase your ticket by Monday, June 2.

Cost: $14 for members, $20 for nonmembers

Menu: 

  • Strawberry Bellini
  • Tomato Tartlet  & Collard green
  • BBQ spareribs, Potato Salad , Southern Candied Yams, Corn Bread
  • Red Velvet Cupcake

Pride Special Luncheon

Thursday, June 26th, 11:30-1:30

Join the Vivalon Community for a very exciting special luncheon celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride! Since the Stonewall Riots in June 1969 the LGBTQ+ Community has declared their pride to be who they are out in the open and this year Vivalon will add it’s voice as well. We’ll have a rainbow themed feast from Community Action Marin and a drag show from local performers.

Registration Not Open Yet.
$14 for members | $20 for non-members Advanced registration required by June 23rd. Call 415-456-9062 to register.

Starters
Whipped Goat Cheese, Peach, and Tomato Salad Garden Vegetable Puff Pastry

Entree
Rainbow Trout with Cherry Tomatoes Gnocchi and Asparagus with Cream Sauce

Dessert
Rainbow Fruit Pizza

Special Drink
Lavendar Lemonade

 

Thursday, August 21st, 11:30am – 1:30pm

Come get a taste from all your favorite travel destinations and enjoy video clips that highlight food around the world!

Registration is not open yet.
Call 415-456-9062 to purchase your ticket by Monday, August 18.

Cost: $14 for members, $20 for nonmembers

Menu: 

  • Fresh Homemade Arnold Palmer
  • Spanish Patatas Bravas & French Garden Vegetable Quiche & Italian Panzanella Salad.
  • Mexican Street Corn & Brazilian Saffron Rice with Braised Chicken & Peruvian Quinoa with Vegetables
  • Mini Mason Jar Apple Pie

Autumn Equinox Special Luncheon
Thursday, September 25th, 11:30-1:30pm

Different cultures view the Autumn Equinox as a special time. Celebrate it with us with a seasonal menu that will prepare you for the darker, colder months ahead. We can celebrate the rotating wheel of the year with great food and kind company in warmth and safety.

Registration Not Open Yet
$14 for members | $20 for non-members Advanced registration required by September 21st. Call 415-456-9062 to register.

Starters
Cheesy Cauliflower and Potato Soup with Bread and Herbed Butter

Entrees
Rosemary Roasted Chicken and Apples with Lemon Garlic Green Beans, Rosemary Garlic Potatoes, and Parmesan Crusted Brussel Sprouts

Dessert
Pumpkin Harvest Cheesecake

Special Drink
Pomegranate Ginger Mocktail

Our Offerings

Cooking Classes

Thursday | April 17 | 3:00 – 5:00 pm

Join the Vivalon Chefs for a special singular cooking class where we will work together to prep fillings for two different kinds of dumplings, hand make them using two different folding techniques, and then steam and eat them together! To complete our meal we will also steam edamame and make a simple dipping sauce. This will be a one part unique nutrition class event, get your tickets while you can! 

$10 for members | $15 for non-members

Registration is full and we are no longer accepting sign-ups. 

Thursday, May 29, 3:00 – 5:00 pm

Ready to master a light and flavorful dish? Join us for a hands-on cooking class where you’ll learn the art of salmon en papillote paired with perfect basmati Rice.

In this class, you’ll learn how to:

  • Prepare salmon en papillote, a flavorful method of baking salmon in parchment paper with herbs and vegetables, ensuring a tender and juicy result.
  • Create the perfect, fluffy Basmati Rice to complement the salmon.
  • Master techniques for balancing flavors while making this dish as healthy as it is delicious.

We’ll prep everything together at the Vivalon Cafe, and you’ll leave with all the recipes and instructions you need to recreate this meal at home.

$10 for members | $15 for non-members

Registration is full and we are no longer accepting sign-ups. 

Thursday, July 10, 3:00 – 5:00 pm

Join the Vivalon Chefs for a special singular cooking class where we will work together to prep fillings for two different kinds of dumplings, hand make them using two different folding techniques, and then steam and eat them together! To complete our meal we will also steam edamame and make a simple dipping sauce. This will be a one part unique nutrition class event, get your tickets while you can! 

$10 for members | $15 for non-members

Registration is not open yet. 

Thursday, July 24, 3:00 – 5:00 pm

Apple Pie can be an intimidating dessert to some, join the Vivalon chefs in a class where you’ll learn everything you need to know to make a delicious classic dish and by extension learn the essentials to make any kind of fresh fruit pie variety.  

 

In this class we will learn to mix pie dough, roll pie rounds, prep apples, make a pie filling, create a lattice top pie and then take that pie home and bake it.  

$10 for members | $15 for non-members

Registration is not open yet. 

Thursday, August 14, 3:00 – 5:00 pm

Cook Like a Pro: Chicken Parmesan, Mashed Potatoes, and Steamed Broccoli 

Join us for a fun, hands-on cooking class where you’ll learn techniques that will take your home cooking to the next level! We’ll walk you through creating a delicious meal: Chicken Parmesan, French Mashed Potatoes, and Steamed Broccoli. 

In this class, you’ll learn how to: 

  • Butterfly and marinate chicken fillets for tender, flavorful Chicken Parmesan. 
  • Create a perfectly crispy, golden Parmesan crust. 
  • Make rich, creamy French mashed potatoes from scratch. 
  • Steam broccoli to perfection, preserving its color and nutrients. 

We’ll prep everything together at Vivalon Cafe, and you’ll leave with all the recipes and instructions you need to recreate this meal at home. 

$10 for members | $15 for non-members

Registration is not open yet. 

Thursday, September 11, 3:00 – 5:00 pm

Join us for a hands-on, delicious class where you’ll learn how to make Egg Benedict and Breakfast Roasted Potatoes—a perfect combination for a brunch that’s sure to impress! 

In this class, you’ll learn how to: 

  • Poach Eggs: Master the technique of poaching eggs to get perfectly runny yolks and tender whites. 
  • Make Hollandaise Sauce: Learn how to emulsify butter and egg yolks to create a creamy, velvety Hollandaise sauce that’s the heart of Egg Benedict. 
  • Assemble Classic Egg Benedict: Combine toasted English muffins, Canadian bacon, poached eggs, and Hollandaise to create this brunch favorite. 
  • Roast Potatoes to Perfection: Learn the secret to crispy, golden Breakfast Roasted Potatoes with a flavorful seasoning blend. 
  • Time Management: Discover tips on timing so you can cook everything to perfection and have it all ready to serve at the same time. 

We’ll prep everything together at Vivalon Cafe, and you’ll leave with all the recipes and instructions you need to recreate this amazing brunch at home. 

$10 for members | $15 for non-members

Registration is not open yet. 

Thursday, October 16, 3:00 – 5:00 pm

Join us for a hands-on cooking class where you’ll learn to make a delicious, savory Quiche paired with a fresh, vibrant Salad—perfect for a light lunch or brunch! 

In this class, you’ll learn how to: 

  • Make a Perfect Quiche Crust: Master the art of making a buttery, flaky crust that’s the foundation for your quiche. 
  • Prepare a Flavorful Quiche Filling: Learn how to create a rich, creamy quiche filling with a variety of ingredients, including eggs, cream, cheese, and your choice of vegetables, meats, and herbs. 
  • Bake a Perfect Quiche: Understand the techniques for baking a quiche so that the filling sets perfectly while keeping a tender, golden crust. 
  • Craft a Fresh Salad: Learn how to select seasonal ingredients, prepare them, and toss them into a simple yet flavorful salad. 
  • Homemade Vinaigrette: Make a classic vinaigrette dressing to complement your salad and elevate the flavors of your dish. 

We’ll prep everything together at Vivalon Cafe, and you’ll leave with all the recipes and instructions to recreate these delicious dishes at home. 

$10 for members | $15 for non-members

Registration is not open yet. 

Thursday, December 4th and 11th, 3:00 – 5:00 pm

In this 3-part class we will make and decorate gingerbread cookies from scratch. Part 1: Making dough and practicing rolling and cutting. Part 2: Rolling and cutting your dough and baking your cookies at home. Part 3: Return to the class with baked cookies to make royal icing and decorate your cookies using piping bags 

$10 for members | $15 for non-members

Registration is not open yet. 

Death Café

Final Friday of every month, 3:00pm to 4:30pm

 

Are you a mortal human being? 

Would you like to discuss something that we all will experience but few people like to talk about? 

Join us at Death Cafe the final Friday of every month to enjoy snacks and discuss feelings around death and dying. 

Discussions are lightly facilitated and participant led with no set agenda and no intention of leading anyone to specific conclusions. 

All beliefs are welcome. 

Spanish Discussion Table available.

 

No registration required. 

Email Ali at adalsing@vivalon.org for more information. 

Harvest Connection

May 9-30

Weekly on Fridays, 9:00 – 10:00 am

Each participant will attend weekly and receive a portion of a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) box, participate in an hour-long meeting where café staff will go over the ingredients included in the box, take some time to look up images of how the vegetables grow and brainstorm ideas for how to prep them. The remainder of the meeting would be a discussion of how participants used the ingredients from the previous week.  

Clients will be taught about Community Supported Agriculture, Seasonal, Local, and Sustainable Food, how vegetables are grown, and the potential uses of different fruits and vegetables.  

Example of what’s included in a box: 

3 medium yellow potatoes, 1 butternut squash, a bunch of carrots, 4 oranges, a bunch of collard greens, 1 head of green cauliflower 

Cost: $30 members, $45 non-members 

*Price includes full month of May

Registration Currently Open for May. 

Email Ali at adalsing@vivalon.org for more information. 

Meet the Team

Baptiste Pierru

Vivalon Nutrition Programs Manager

With nearly 14 years of culinary expertise, Baptiste Pierru brings a wealth of experience and a commitment to community impact. Originating from France, his culinary journey spans diverse kitchens in London and the U.S. His foray into community service at Sunrise Senior Living and Guide Dogs for the Blind ignited a passion for nonprofit work. At Vivalon, Baptiste, now the Nutrition Programs Manager, leads the charge in establishing a robust nutrition program at the Vivalon Café. His collaborative efforts with Community Action Marin reflect a shared commitment to serving vulnerable populations. Baptiste’s dedication to fostering a supportive environment for Vivalon’s members aligns seamlessly with his culinary passion, making him a valuable asset in the organization’s mission of promoting healthy aging and overall well-being.

Vivalon Volunteers

Every week, the heartbeat of Vivalon’s cafe is its devoted volunteers. They deliver top-notch food service and hospitality, extending their warmth not only to our members but to the broader community. Beyond nourishing patrons, these volunteers create vital social connections, embodying the essence of care and community at Vivalon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not at all!  Everyone is welcome to enjoy our affordable and delicious meals.

Yes you may! Take-out meals are made-to-order based on the menu of the day. Please note: we do not have online ordering. Orders can be placed and picked up in the café.

Currently, we are extending our special member price of $9 per meal to Vivalon members, regardless of age or disability status. Non-member price is $16 per meal.

You can join us for a special lunch each month with the purchase of a ticket. Reservations are required. Please reserve your spot with Guest Services by calling 415-456-9062.

Yes, the facility is available for morning, evening and weekend events. Please view room rates here and call 415-456-9062 for more information.

meal icon 70px wide
For more information

Call us today at (415) 456-9065.