Food & Fun on the West Coast!
Food & Fun on the West Coast
The West Coast is the best place for food, wine and fun! Be it Oregon’s coast or Napa Valley, there is always food, wine, beer along with a great helping of fun!! Follow me through our week-long journey ... if you dare. Might be your next vacation!!
Imagine a coast line full of waves, restaurants with that little “something special” and beverages to die for... this was Lynnies’ trip down the coast! Lots of great food, wonderful beaches, waterfalls, mountains, Redwoods, and most of all...time together! Enjoy!!
No trip to Seattle is complete without a visit to Fremont Brewery! I usually get a tasting flight as they always have something new. I’m not a hoppy beer kinda gal, so I try the wheat or ale varieties. My hubby prefers the ciders and sweet flavors, so our flight was a delicious combination of all. Fremont delivers a bit of everything! Gotta stop and visit the Fremont Troll up the hill too!
Breakfast is always my favorite treat! Didn’t eat at the market this trip, but did eat the most delicious biscuit sandwich at Morsel and a ratatouie sandwich at Belle Epicurious on a flakey pesto pastry. One morning we walked to the Hi Spot in Madrona where I ordered Mexi-Frites, full of veggies... were amazing too! Vegetables seem to be the common theme. Who doesn’t love eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, onions and so many others together with eggs? So many combinations ... all so yummy!
Did someone say breakfast café? This town has the same name as my hometown, so we had to stay there! Oregon City is the most delightful home of the Willamette Falls and the cutest café, Singer Hill. The bagel egg sandwiches were again filled with spinach and cheese, or my hubby’s meat filled delight! Nature surrounds you inside and out! Beautiful garden walls filled with Chicks and Hens and bushes literally growing out of the brick walls... so serene to sip your coffee and eat breakfast!
Willamette Valley was such a wonderful Oregon winery stop. Started at Argyle late morning so decided bubbly was in order. Not disappointed... so also tried the pinots when noon hit! Then on to Domaine Serene to experience the majestic grounds and award winning French wines. Had to stop there since President Trump served the Chardonnay at his State Dinner too. Then on to Domain Drouhin across the street. Crazy that two similar named wineries are on the same street. Could have walked... but had other places to visit! The views were spectacular with Mt. Hood in the distance. Will have to go back when we have more time to spend in the Valley.
The Oregon Coast was AMAZING! Rocky coast filled with lighthouses, state parks, little towns and of course... food! Lunch was at Miller’s in the Cove in Charleston, where Fresh Halibut Tacos with Zesty Slaw were the lunch special... served with a 7 Devils local brew too. Started with a bowl of thick and flavorful clam chowder. Couldn’t decide, so had to have both! This restaurant was next to the fishing docks, so had to check it out and take a walk on the dunes.
Next day found us at the National Redwood Grove south of Eureka, CA. These trees are so large and unforgettable! Winding through the narrow road lined with trees so large... you had to see them to believe it! They are the tallest living thing on earth and many are thousands of years old too! Of course, our morning found us at a surprise winery on the coast. Nothing like driving down Highway 1 on the California coast to find three wine barrels stacked on the side of theroad. Low and behold ... Pacific Star Winery! Amazing venue for this sweet winery and talk about VIEWS!
Our travels took us into Sonoma Valley. My daughter recommended this cute market for a sandwich before hitting the wineries... Glen Ellen Market. Surrounded by a babbling brook and Jack London everything, my Turkey Pesto Sandwich was surreal! Too tasty for words... as I couldn’t speak until I ate the whole thing. Onward to Benzinger winery, one of the few 100% biodynamic wineries in the country. Pure, pesticide, organic, sustainable wines... Loved everyminute of our tour and tasting learning so much about how this winery operates.
Our trip to Napa Valley found us at the Vineyard to Vintner 2018 gathering to meet family and friends! The weekend was presented by the Stags Leap District Wineries where they opened their homes, families and wineries normally not opened to the public. Food, wine and so much fun filled 2 1⁄2 days! The weekend began with a five-course dinner at Baldacci Family Vineyards. Just look at that table! A certain nightmare to most... such great food accompanied by fabulous Cabs from Shafer, Steltzner, Taylor and of course Baldacci wineries. We were served pheasant mousse, duck confit, pork belly, lamb, and poached pears! So elegantly served and garnished to perfection too.
The day began with breakfast and a Napa Valley Fire presentation at Regusci Winery. Simply amazing how they managed to save the valley from disaster and the team work involved in the process. Burnt hillsides are now lush and green, except for the burnt tree trunks and foundations where homes used to be located. Then on to Cliff Lede where the wine was paired with Wood-fired Pizzas and the most amazing Lobster balls I have ever tasted. Need to try and replicate those soon! Stags’ Leap Winery was so picturesque with a castle motif andmagnificent gardens. The winery “castle” home was lovely inside as well. I love old homes full of dark wood, fireplaces and that cozy “library” feel. Next stop was Shafer Winery complete with lawn etched art, Avocado-cheese Crostini and Mini Lamb burgers ... as well as fabulous views. Quixote Winery was a bit different motif compared to the others. Very modern with bright colors and a wonderful assortment of bite-sized treats! There rose was a welcome change from all the heavy reds too! Last stop of the day brought us to Taylor Family Winery, high on a windy hill. Such a lovely gathering on the grounds of the family’s home! Cheese, fruit, small bites, GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICHES and DESSERT!! Brownies and assorted gourmet grilled cheeses were hard to keep stocked as the guests munched away! They literally had to kick us out... but so full we didn’t even need dinner!
The last day concluded with a Brunch and tasting hosted by Regusci Winery, involving all thewineries involved in the event. Since we couldn’t possibly get to all the 19 wineries on Saturday,it was great to have everyone in one place! The food was of course... FABULOUS!! Fresh, organic and made just for us! Seafood and Chicken Paella, Charcuterie platters, Pork Sliders, Chicken skewers, salads of all sorts and dessert!! Meyer Lemon and Brownie Mousse cups! Perfect light pairing with the assortment of wines to be tasted too. Needless to say, that one meal was all we needed for the day!
Our Sunday concluded with one last tasting at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars for not just the wine,but the VIEW!! Spectacular panoramic views of the valley were the perfect ending for a perfectweekend. Hopefully you have enjoyed our trip highlights as much as we have... take some timeto visit them too!