Lisa's Culinary Atrocities

    Continuing with the holiday recap before next Project Food Blog Challenge:

Driving through the astoundingly beautiful Anderson Valley, which is well renowned for their Pinot Noir, we stopped at Goldeneye Winery in Philo, CA.   Their recent claim to fame is that their 2005 Pinot Noir was poured at the United States Senate’s luncheon in honor of President Obama’s inauguration!

The tasting was held on their elegant patio, where we sipped our wines and gazed at the fields of lavender and vines basking in the summer sun.  I distinctly remember thinking that I would never tire of this view If I lived here.  That says a lot coming from a rain lover!

We had both the “essentials” and “enhanced” tastings which consisted of a total of 7 wines and a small cheese, nut, craisin and cracker plate:

Our favorite was the 2006 Migration Pinot Noir.  The experience was noteworthy and I would definitely recommend visiting. They even offer picnic facilities!

Speaking of noteworthy experiences, our next stop was Toulouse Vineyards, also in Philo.  Owned and operated by the “retired” husband and wife team Vern and Maxine Boltz; Vern was the Captain of the Oakland Fire Department and Maxine was a Flight Attendant.  They decided to follow their dream of owning vineyard land and become “masters of their own fate”.  Today they produce hand crafted wine, all made in house, and have remained a small operation which allows them to meticulously manage every facet of the process. Inspiring.

I honestly have no idea why I don’t have photos of this place! Not having my camera is like missing a limb. Plus, I could swear I took pictures here.  SO very strange.  So, here is a photo borrowed from their website:

We really enjoyed our very warm and welcoming visit; it balanced out the mansions and castles nicely in that their tasting room is also their fermentation room.  It was full of barrels and people, and good ol’ Vern was there doing his wine thing.  Their dog Tess was also there and knew exactly how to get the awesome cheesy snacks from you.  Another couple showed up with a friend of Tess’ whose name also happened to be Tess!  We were double-Tessed!

My Father kindly forwarded me pictures of the Tess’:

Yay doggies!  Oh, and the wine was good too :)

Onward through the ginormous redwoods and other mysterious foliage, I found myself in a dream state completely enthralled by nature’s beauty.

I blinked lazily and repeated “WOW” in slow motion as the alien terra firma sped by.  WHAT was in that wine?    

We arrive in Ft. Bragg early that evening and I am über-happy-wiggly to see the ocean—like a dog seeing her human after too many months of separation.  We headed to Mendo Bistro for dinner, as the year prior my Father and dear friend Jean had eaten there and very much enjoyed it.  We hungrily walked up the stairs and were met by a bitter hostess steeping in miserable. I completely and utterly understand that awful feeling of working in a restaurant and loathing where you are…BUT…!!!  Unfortunate 1st point of contact.

She eventually sat us, tossed our menus down and clodded off.  We looked at each other wondering if it was just us or if she was just in her own personal turd-ville. (Isn’t that almost a Depeche Mode song?)  It wasn’t just us.  Poor thing…she needs another job or something…I feel for her…but still…not a great start of a dinner you had been looking forward to all day.  Gimmie some wine.

It took us a few glasses to get back to the happy-go-lucky us, and then nearly 2 more to get our meal.  It is always disappointing to be near the end of the bottle before your food comes.

I had the Summer Salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, lemon cucumbers, popcorn (yes popcorn!) and a creamy garlic dressing with an entrée of Bucatini with cherry tomatoes, basil, and mascarpone.

My Father had the Grilled Peach Salad with arugula, Laura Chenel goat cheese, walnuts and strawberry vinaigrette, and an entrée of Spaghetti with eggplant, summer squash, garlic, and red bell peppers.  I only took a photo of mine.  I was starving and after putting 3ish glasses of wine in me, I just took a photo of my own food and left it at that.  No need to further torture my Father.

The pasta was good and I enjoyed the thick noodles, but it was not as exceptional as I had hoped.  Despite the Hostess from Crankyville, just south of Grrrr, I would try them again.

Tomorrow, up the coast.  Yay ocean!!!  Actually, next post will be Project Food Blog Challenge 2: A classic dish from another culture, outside your comfort zone, keeping it authentic as possible…and it’s a doozie.

We received a free magazine in the mail called “Mix: 153 Reasons Why We Love Portland in the Summer” that is filled with restaurants, farmers markets, outdoor spots and recipes.  One recipe in particular caught my eye, so I decided to try it out.  Originally by Matthew Card, with my modifications:

Ingredients:

Juice of 1 lime

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 very small jalapeño chili, seeded and minced (to taste…)

2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves

Sea salt

2 organic oranges, peeled and separated

4-5 organic radishes, sliced

1 large organic avocado, cut into cubes

hemp seeds

Directions:

Whisk together lime juice, olive oil, jalapeño, mint and pinch of salt.  Adjust seasoning to taste.  Toss the oranges and radishes together and pile on plate. Top with avocado, drizzle with dressing and sprinkle with hemp seeds.  Serve immediately.

Plum Purple Radish