Foodie Fest in February

Our take away gift from French Laundry

In February I joined two friends for a fabulous "foodie fest"! We migrated out of the Sierra to spend a few days chowing in the Napa Valley. We met at Domaine Chandon for a glass of champagne. The property in Yountville is lovely and the afternoon was so gorgeous, we sat outside to sip... and chat (Truth be told, we found ourselves discussing heath issues! Our health issues! Yikes! We've become our parents!) We all decided that as great as this had sounded when making the plans, we should have had food before we added alcohol to our relatively empty stomachs at 5 pm.

Next we were off to dinner at Mustards Grill ~ casual but upscale dinning at it's best. 

We spent our first morning nearly supine, having heart-to-heart discussions around our hotel's pond, as a dozen newly hatched ducklings alternately glided around after their mom and in one case, fought for his life against the resident white swans ~ having been washed over the little waterfall into the white swans lower pond. This one little guy nearly became a morsel!  We watched another hatchling follow a black swan around in the upper pond, thinking it was mom, even taking a ride on her back ~ much to the swan's dismay. Needless to say, this free entertainment was nearly the highlight of our adventure.

Aww, but that evening, we drove off to Yountville to dine at Thomas Keller's  

The French Laundry  

I've thought often about that evening in February and our magical dining experience. It's not just about the food, as you may know, it's the ambiance; the elegant, understated decor; the fleet of attentive but not obsequious wait-staff; the presentation; the attention to detail; the ultimate locavore experience... and then there is THE FOOD!!!
  
I could have eaten the amuse bouche of gruyère cheese gougères, and salmon tartare cornets with local chives and crème fraîche forever!!! We had chosen the signature Chef's Tasting Menu of nine small courses. But with the amuse bouche, the array of bread choices, and the mignardises, and more...we consumed at least a dozen courses over our 3 1/2 hour dinner...

The Oysters and Pearls were another favorite of mine...mmmm...and artful, as well. I'd have to say the Snake River Farms "Calotte de Boeuf Grillee" was just the most delectable, perfectly prepared, most tender, and most memorable piece of beef I've ever eaten. Why this should standout, I'm not certain, but there it is, imprinted on my taste buds and my memory ~ it's that WOW! factor they try to attain. I must also comment on the remarkable, perfect, tiny but whole vegetables  that  accompany most dishes... the Nantes carrots, garden turnips, and French Laundry garden fennel ~ each a culinary delight and just the cutest little things.

Portions were very small~ just several taste-bud-popping-bites for each course but we were full when this parade of scrumptious dishes stopped arriving. The handcrafted chocolates were gorgeous and, somehow almost iridescent. Loved the flavor ~ love chocolate! but we just couldn't finish them. At about three in the morning, I realized we didn't take home the remaining chocolates... would have loved those the next day.

We ended our evening with a visit to The French Laundry Kitchen. I felt a bit shy about this but apparently it is often offered to patrons. They have a live screen of their Per Se kitchen in New York, and Per Se has one of The French Laundry. There is a sign over the door that states: 

 "Finesse: refinement and delicacy of performance, execution, or artisanship."

Grazie mille, dear Susan

The next day I continued my Thomas Keller adventure by treating my sister-in-law to a belated birthday lunch at Bouchon This is my third visit here. I love the food and casual feel of this wonderful bistro ~ I would choose it any day over Mustards...

The Book! Grazie, Kari

Pommes frites

Profiteroles

Ciao!

Blog Blather

After much soul searching, I've decided to continue with a blog. Why the hesitation? I've never been involved with any social media ~ I've not wanted to "put myself out there"  anywhere on the web. There is too much "me oriented" blather floating around.  Well, now you can add me to the blog pack...

Recently, I started replying to threads on Slow Travel instead of just using it as an informational resource. I'm still uncomfortable replying, as it's all new to me and I do make mistakes ~ now, very public mistakes. TourMama has saved my ass me more than once. But... perhaps I do have some knowledge to impart to others. Knowledge that would be helpful in trip planning, book recommendations, or may just bring a smile to your face.

When I last posted we finally had snow in the Sierra ~ please... never Sierras, as Sierra is "a rugged range of mountains" - plural.... Here are a few photos to share of our Winter which came for the Vernal Equinox

Bella!

"A Blue Bird Day"

I went snowshoeing!

Ciao!