July 7, 2015
Before we left San Francisco we considered going for breakfast at Foreign Cinema, a chic industrial style restaurant occupying a covered courtyard in the Mission, known for its food and the foreign films projected onto the walls. It was on several of the lists for best breakfast in San Fran. After a short debate (between a foodie and a non-foodie, it would have been a no-brainer between two foodies) we figured that it would take... View Article
June 30, 2015
After spending three nights at our destination we packed the hummer yet again (getting a little tired of it as we are accumulating more “stuff”) and left Paso Robles to begin our return journey home. We wanted to make it to San Francisco and spend a couple of nights there but I had a few stops in mind along the way. We did not want to repeat the nerve wrecking drive along winding cliffside Ca-1... View Article
June 28, 2015
You know when something is special. Last year we attended a tomato festival at Sunshine Farm and I was completely taken by the people, the place, the idea. The Alcocks are special. Their background includes restaurants, fishery and farming and with this last venture they incorporated all that they believe in, including good food, mostly heirloom varieties, grown on their farm with integrity and sustainability. Sunshine farm was established by the Alcocks (Jon and Sher)... View Article
June 24, 2015
Our road trip destination Paso Robles in central California is a charming town situated in zinfandel country among vineyards, lakes, historic missions and beaches nearby. There are more than 200 wineries in the Paso Robles AVA and some 50K acres under vine. We were there to attend family events so we did not explore the area as much as I would have liked and left many things to explore on another visit. The events were... View Article
June 21, 2015
After a brief stay in San Francisco we left in the morning heading south towards our destination in central California. For this part of the trip we wanted to stay off Route 101 as it veers inland south of San Francisco and instead decided to take Ca. 1, a state road winding along the coast passing through smaller communities and providing spectacular ocean views. I had driven through some of it before and had a... View Article
June 15, 2015
One pattern that has emerged on this road trip is slow mornings. Rather then get up and rush to leave, we prefer to take our time, explore the local area and enjoy a leisurely breakfast before checking out of the hotel and setting on the new daily adventure. This morning at Yachatz we went out for a walk with wind and early morning fog making the scene ever more dramatic. In native language Yachatz means... View Article
June 12, 2015
We woke up at our charming Cannery Pier Hotel in Astoria at 6:00 am. I left the windows slightly open at night so I could hear the rushing river below and that was the first sound I heard when I woke up. We decided to walk along the boardwalk into town for breakfast, a short 7k return from the hotel. I had a place in mind for breakfast, Blue Scorcher Bakery & Cafe, known... View Article
June 10, 2015
We have been talking about this road trip to Central California for some time. If you knew me you’d know that I am a planner. I research destinations, select locations, check out routes, book hotels and investigate interesting places to eat. My husband G is just the opposite. He doesn’t like to plan and would much rather wing it (“what’s there to plan, we get in the car and go”). Not that there is anything... View Article
May 17, 2015
On a recent extended stay in the Yucatan I attended a cooking class (several, really) and watched local Maya women making corn tortillas by hand, beautiful, symmetrical, thin and perfectly formed round tortillas. When you watch them making it seems so simple, roll the dough into little balls and slap it into a perfect rounds between the palms of your hands. Not so fast. Try and do it yourself and let’s see how easy YOU... View Article
May 11, 2015
Tinhorn Creek Winery hosted one of their sold out long table dinners during the Spring Okanagan Wine Festival that I was recently invited to attend. Tinhorn Creek is well known in the valley not only for their wines but also for their fabulous events, from long table dinners at Miradoro restaurant to cooking classes, movies under the stars, open air concerts and this year dinner and dance in the vineyard (watch their website for details).... View Article
May 9, 2015
Okanagan Wine Festival offers many opportunities to educate your mind and palate by tasting local foods, wines and cheeses. One such opportunity presented itself the other night at a grilled cheese tasting paired with local wines, presented by Dairy Farmers of Canada. The event took place at the upstairs room at the Eldorado (affectionately referred to as the El by locals). The room was set with linen covered round tables for 8 and each guest... View Article
April 22, 2015
We are very fortunate to have Mission Hill Winery in the Okanagan. Situated on top of the hills in West Kelowna overlooking the lake, Mission Hill has been a prominent winery in the valley, contributing not only world class wines abut also food, art and music to the local cultural scene. Architecturally it is a stunning estate reminiscent of Tuscany, complete with a loggia, a bell tower and gorgeous views, spanning the vineyards, lake and... View Article
