THE LONG & WINE-ING ROAD - Day Four - Pt. 1 - Cha, Cha, Charcuterie

THE LONG & WINE-ING ROAD

Day Four – Pt. 1

Cha, Cha, Charcuterie

Would you believe my brother pulled a muscle in his back while cleaning our condo patio grill? So badly, in fact, he was forced to stay in bed on day four of our Sonoma road trip. And since Nguyen was off to San Francisco to spend some quality time w/ her daughter and new grandson, we were “forced” to head out by ourselves in search of some good wine and good food. I know – it was a dirty job, but we felt we were up for the task.

Our first stop was back in Healdsburg for a free tasting at the Murphy-Goode tasting room in town… a room w/ a decidedly Minnesota Viking theme (the original owners are from Minnesota).

Though the Murphy family still owns the vineyards, the winery is now part of the Kendall-Jackson family. The tasting fee was $5.00 (we had a coupon – hence the “free” tasting) for six samples ranging from a sauvignon blanc to a Bordeaux varietal.

I really liked three: The 2008 Minnesota Cuvee – Chardonnay, ‘aged’ in oak barrels from Minnesota is an excellent buy at $20.00. I also enjoyed the 2006 Jackpot Zinfandel which had a nice spice flavor ($31.50) and the 2006 Malbec – Bordeaux varietal which is 100% malbec ($28.00). Sadly, these wines are not sold commercially, but you can order them on-line at MurphyGoode.com.

When we left that tasting room, our stomachs cued us that it was time to eat. We decided to try chef (and owner) Patrick Martin’s Restaurant Charcuterie a few steps away.

The restaurant is a charming bistro w/ a stone ‘pig’ bench out front.

Inside, more pigs! ‘Mobile’ pigs ‘fly’ from a brown painted industrial ceiling and metal pig sculptures stand proudly in the room. The walls are sponged cream & white atop white wainscoting – one wall sports a large chalk board listing the day’s fare – another has large mirrors framed in dark mahogany-like wood and shell/horn-like sconces are scattered around the room.

The food was as fun and ‘tasteful’ as the décor.

The lunch menu consisted of a few appetizers and sandwiches. We decided on sandwiches each of which came w/ a choice of soup or baby mixed greens w/ toasted almonds. We chose the salad. Adding the toasted almonds was a nice touch – that little ‘something’ extra too many bistros/cafes don’t bother with. The salad dressing choices were vinaigrette, poppyseed or gorgonzola cheese. Vinaigrette it was - a hint of sweetness that was a nice complement to this simple salad.

Being a burger ‘maven’ who ‘tests’ the burgers wherever I go – I ordered the Charcuterie Burger made from herbed ground chuck, fresh garlic & cheddar cheese, charcoal-ed and served on a homemade bun w/ a slightly roasted tomato and lettuce on the side. I passed on the mayo, catsup & Dijon mustard – That’s all fine for a “what is that meat?” fast food burger… but it’s a sin (IMO) to cover-up the flavors of a good, juicy burger. And this burger was juicy delicious. Roasting/grilling the tomato was another nice ‘extra’ touch that Martin does to take his simple dishes out of the ‘ordinary.’

Richard ordered the House-cured Pork Tenderloin sandwich w/ Mediterranean relish on a Costeaux Bakery bun. The smoky flavor of the pork blended with the tangy relish put a smile on his face.

Appealing appetizers on the lunch menu I wanted to try were the escargots in herbed butter and the baked nut-crusted brie w/ roasted garlic served w/ crostini. Next time. And, after sneaking a peek at the dinner menu, the baked red trout w/ tarator crust of tahini, pine nuts, cumin and garlic is definitely on my “bucket list” for that ‘next time.’

So, if you’re ever in the Healdsburg neighborhood, mark this Restaurant Charcuterie a “must eat here”…

Restaurant Charcuterie

707-431-7213

335 Healdsburg Avenue

Healdsburg, CA 95448

THE LONG & WINE-ING ROAD To Ferrari-Carano

THE LONG & WINE-ING ROAD

To Ferrari-Carano

When we left Healdsburg and drove up the mountain in search of tulips, I had no idea I was about to fall in love – head over heels – with a place, with a setting, with an experience and with the wines. To re-coin an old, old phrase, “it was to be an affair to remember.”

Normally, I’m not a ‘mansion-y/villa’ kind of girl – preferring a more cottage-y, cozy, country English-y-French-y type of abode – but a girl can change her mind, right? Behind massive iron gates nestled amid vast vineyards was an enormous Italian villa w/ gardens and enoteca designed by Rhonda Carano. In the immortal words of… well, me, “I could live here!”

As we meandered past the ‘hidden’ Japanese garden and up to the villa’s main entrance, our search for tulips came to an end. Greeting us were hundreds of tulips (well, it seemed like hundreds) beautifully displayed in all their glory. A bronze statute of a young girl stood sentry duty.

Before we ventured in, we were treated to a grand view of the vineyards from the terrace of the villa.

Inside the large upstairs tasting room we immediately went to the wine bar (duh - no surprise there) enveloped in a gauze-like halo of sunlight just as the sun peeked out from behind gray clouds. A good omen? Yes. We started w/ the $5.00 tasting menu and it was love at first flight.

These wines are all moderately priced (under $35), commercially accessible and a good value. We sipped a 2009 Bella Luce Sonoma County white wine blend ($16) that was light and summery; a 2008 chardonnay – Sonoma County ($23) that had that oak-y flavor I like; a 2007 Tre Terre chardonnay – Russian River ($30) that had a nice buttery flavor (this wine is not sold in stores, however); a light 2008 Siena – Sonoma County blend of sangiovese and malbec ($23); a 2007 zinfandel – Dry Creek Valley ($28) that had a really nice, rich “zinful” flavor; and a 2006 cab – Alexander Valley ($34) I liked. Best buy: a 2007 Villa Fiore Cabernet Sauvignon – Alexander Valley ($17). The upstairs bar also had a $15.00 tasting menu, but we decided to pass and head downstairs to try the winery’s limited releases – also a $15 dollar tasting.

But before we did, we were treated to a tour through the cellar that houses French oak barrels of fermenting wine. I loved the biting, slightly vinegar-y aroma in the temperature controlled chilled cave.

We then strolled on the terrace and meandered through the nearest vineyard. Like I said before, I could live there. The winery even has olives trees and makes its own olive oil. What’s not to love? Olive oil and wine – two of my favorite food ‘groups.’

Back inside, we entered the downstairs main tasting room designed with clean modern lines with an Italian flair in rich dark woods, stone pillars and what appeared to be a travertine floor that offset the large ornamental chandeliers.

Abutting this room was a private tasting room with its own bar and comfortable upholstered chairs that provided a more intimate setting for those who like a little intimacy w/ their wines. After all, for some it is a love affair.

After taking in the décor, it was time for some serious tasting… and this time we hit the gold standard. We started off w/ a 2008 Viognier – Alexander Valley ($22). Without a doubt this was the best white wine I enjoyed since arriving in Sonoma County… just plain creamy delicious. I almost felt as if I’d cheated on my 1st white wine love, chardonnay, but all was forgiven when I embraced the…

… 2007 Chardonnay Reserve – Carneros ($32). A buttery winner.

(A cool Ferrari-Carano winery fact: the white wine making team, headed by Sarah Quider, is almost all women. I liked that.)

Not to be outdone by the whites, the reds (Aaron Piotter is the winemaker ‘to the reds’) were equally as good. I felt I was being wooed.

The 2006 Tresor – Sonoma County – Bordeaux-Style blend of cab, malbec, merlot, petit verdot & cab franc ($58) was a definite two thumbs up.

The 2005 PreVail West Face – Alexander Valley which is 65% cab and 35% syrah ($55) was smooth w/ a hint of milk chocolate.

And the 2005 PreVail Back Forty (literally from the back forty) – Alexander Valley, which was 100% cab ($85) was velvety… dark chocolate-y… espresso-y… just creamy dreamy. OK, when it comes to wine, just call me promiscuous!

Our tasting was finished and it was time to leave… well after a little wine shopping (I had to have that Viognier and my brother and Richard had to get a couple of bottles of the “best buy” Villa Fiore cab)… But on the way to our car, we took one last tour… through the lush Japanese garden w/ exotic plants and trees...

 waterfalls...

and gazebos...

 sculptures and beautiful blooming flowers.

 

Garden of Eden? Close enough. I really could live there.

THE LONG & WINE-ING ROAD - Day Three

THE LONG & WINE-ING ROAD

Day Three

The sky was still dark and cloudy when we woke up on day three of our Hope/Crosby “Road to the Wineries.” But, first we decided to check out Healdsburg, a charming town about 5 minutes from where we were staying.

We parked alongside the pretty town square and started our ‘town tour’ food tasting in the Oakville Grocery (I love, love the one in Napa and was thrilled that this ‘branch’ was just as good). We ‘breakfasted’ on a few aged cheeses displayed for nibbling and some gourmet mustards and dips then continued touring the town. The first tasting room we checked out was Ferrari-Carano. Stunning.

Hanging over the bar from an old tin ceiling was a chandelier made of recycled Italian vintage vinegar bottles.

Speaking of the bar… it was made of resin and recycled glass.

Way cool. Way ‘green.’ However, we held off on sipping the wine. It was only eleven in the morning. When we told the manger of the room that we’d be back later in the day, he suggested we go to the winery instead. The tulips were in bloom. (We did, but that was such a spectacular discovery that I’m saving that for its own blog.)...

We checked out boutiques and window shopped as we circled (squared?) the town square before stumbling onto the Kendall-Jackson tasting room. It was noon. Let the sipping begin!

Like La Crema and the Ferrari-Carano town tasting rooms, this was a sleek, modern place.

Frank from Orange County, CA and Will from the Silcon Valley were our gracious pourers. There were two tastings: Four ‘sips’ for $5.00 and 5 for $15.00. Again, we had comp coupons from the condo complex (which many neighboring hotels offer), so our tastings were free.

We started w/ the $5.00 round. The $15 bottle 2008 Grand Reserve Pinot Gris was pretty tasteless, but I enjoyed the 2007 Highland Estates Camelot Highlands Chardonnay ($30) – 93 points from Robert Parker (Wine Advocate), and the 2007 Highlands Estates Seco Highlands Chardonnay ($35) - 94 points from Robert Parker (Wine Advocate). The 2005 Highland Estates Hawkeye Mountain Cabernet ($55) had a rich, husky body and scored 93 points by Wine Enthusiast & Wine Access. But I didn’t think it was worth the price tag.

The reserve wines on the $15 tasting were next. Though Robert Parker gave it 90 points in the Wine Advocate, I thought the 2006 Highland Estates Alisos Hills Syrah was too dry. I did, however, really enjoy the 2006 Highland Estates Napa Mountain Merlot ($55) and the 2005 Highland Estates Trace Ridge Cab ($70) which was a bit fruitier and both received 94 points from Steve Heimoff of The Wine Enthusiast.

The 2004 Stature Red Wine (96 points also from Heimoff) at $120 a bottle was delicious, but way out of my price range, although not out of my tasting range :)

In fact all the Bordeaux blends (Kendall-Jackson is a member of the Meritage Assoc., a Bordeaux organization for California vintners) were delicious… Trace Ridge Red Wine – 97 points in Wine Enthusiast and Knights Valley a 3 Bordeaux blend @ $75.00 were two favorites.

Kendall-Jackson owns many wineries and labels and most are far better than the Kendall-Jackson wines we’re used to buying in our local super market. I’m just sorry we never got a chance to go to the beautiful winery just 10-15 minutes outside of town. Next time.

By the time the lunch hour rolled around, we decided to go to Bistro Ralph, recommended by a few shop keepers and tasting room ‘baristas,’which even had a few “French” food selections… classic crème brulee, profiteroles au chocolat and Croque Monsieur/Croque Madam ('baked' grilled ham and cheese/grilled ham & cheese w/ egg to us Americans).

(Loved the vintage bicycle wheel hanging like a chandelier from the bistro's tin ceiling)

                                                                                           

I’m a sucker for grilled cheese (melted cheese anything) and the description on the menu: “grilled w/ ham and Gruyere on sourdough bread w/ a petite salad” (I went w/ the monsieur – no egg) sounded perfect. Sadly, it was far from it. The sourdough bread seemed to be from a supermarket packaged loaf, the ham was sparse and there was only one! thin! slice of cheese. The bread wasn’t even close to ‘golden’ – probably because that one! thin! slice of cheese (which also seemed to be from a package of sliced Gruyere you’d find in your local grocery) was barely melted. Visions of a sandwich covered then baked to thick bubbling cheese perfection were over! There was nothing wrong w/ this sandwich, but there wasn’t anything ‘right,’ either. It certainly wasn’t a Croque Monsieur. This was a skimpy, undercooked grilled ham & cheese sandwich w/ ingredients I could find in my local Safeway… AND was not even as good as one I make at home… AND all for $11.75! Have to admit, the mustard used wasn’t bad, though.

My brother Bob ordered the smoked salmon BLT on sourdough w/ aioli and celery root remoulade. Again, the bread didn’t appear to be ‘bakery’quality, but he said the sandwich was good.

Richard and my sister-in-law Nguyen ordered the special of the day: pan seared Petrale sole w/ sautéed chopped tomato and capers on a bed of spinach. It looked terrific, but was so saturated w/ salt they both had to send it back.

At $23 a pop, it was an expensive lunch that only Lot’s wife could’ve enjoyed. Our waiter was very gracious, and suggested they order the grilled Ahi sandwich w/ pickled ginger, cucumber, wasabi and soy dipping sauce w/ sesame seeds. Much better. Especially the $14 price.

Though we were disappointed w/ our food, the room was jumping w/ diners and good will, so we left feeling upbeat and ready for a drive. It was time to leave the hamlet of Healdsburg and head up the road in search of tulips and fine wine.

THE LONG & WINE-ING ROAD - Day Two

THE LONG & WINE-ING ROAD

Day Two

After our beautiful day at River’s End, where the Russian River meets the Pacific we looked forward to another day exploring Sonoma County.

We woke to an overcast sky spitting water outside our condo every 20 minutes or so as my brother Bob, sister-in-law Nguyen, Richard and I prepared for a day of wine tasting.

Ever “weather optimistic,” we decided to pack a picnic lunch. Many wineries have sections on their grounds for people like us who just want to keep sipping wine and not take time to stop somewhere for a meal (raises hand). We had some leftover grilled chicken from the night before so we made sandwiches, packed some fruit, hit the road and headed up the mountain to the Gary Farrell winery.

As we drove through the entrance gate and up the incline leading to the winery/tasting room’s glass and stone structure, it started to rain. Our plans to picnic on the terrace overlooking the vineyards, ancient redwoods and neighboring mountains were dashed. We picnicked in the car. In the parking lot. Overlooking the walls of the winery. After our “atmospheric” lunch, we ran between rain drops into the expansive tasting room w/ a wall-to-wall picture window that gave us the view (shrouded dramatically in rainy fog) we’d missed during our car-lunch. It was time to sip some wine.

Brian was our server and he told us that Gary Farrell was no longer the winery’s wine maker – his apprentice, Susan Reed, had taken over. Bob, Richard and I shared the premier tasting (for $10) and the Limited Release tasting (for $15). I like their 2007 Russian River Valley selection chardonnay in the $10 tasting and the 2007 Pinot Noir – Hallberg Vineyard/Russian River Valley and the 2007 Pinot Noir – Ramal Vineyard/Carneros, but at $32, $50 and $50, respectfully, not enough to buy the wine. I’d buy the view, though.

The next stop on the long and wine-ing road – Arista Winery, visually quite different from Gary Farrell. The tasting room building is nestled in a lovely garden that boasts some modern sculpture and green lawns.

The building itself reminded me of a modern church because of its pitched entrance.

The room was small and cozy. The tasting fees were $5.00 and $10.00.

The $5.00 tasting included a 2008 Anderson Valley Gewurztraminer – I’m not a fan of this wine (maybe because I can’t pronounce it), but it seemed ‘fine’ for a Gewurztraminer ($24), a 2008 Mononi Vineyard pinot gris ($28) that I didn’t care for and two 2007 pinot noirs one from Sonoma Coast ($30), the other from Russian River ($44) – none of us cared for these wines, either. We moved onto the $10 tasting of four more 2007 pinot noirs, all from different regions, all priced at $56.00 – and even though they all scored in the 90’s by Wine Enthusiast and Pinot Report – all three of us were under-whelmed.

Further down the mountain was the Matrix Winery.

Perhaps Keanu would be there to pour for us us. Nah – it turned out to be a guy, raised in the Bay Area who sounded like the guys I grew up w/ in Queens, Long Island, New York, accent and all. Turned out he was from my hometown, Bayside! Ha. This “small world” encounter was probably the most exciting thing about the winery. Though the tasting was free, the wines (all over $35) were mediocre. It did have a nice 2007 Chardonnay, Struhlmuller Reserve and a 2007 Russian River Alegria Reserve Zinfindel, but, again, not a wine I loved enough to buy.

So far, though the views and landscape were glorious and the rain didn’t interfere w/ our having a fun sipping time, we hadn’t found the wine of our dreams.

Next stop was Hop Kiln housed in a Sonoma landmark building.

We again dodged the raindrops as we ran into the huge, funky, barn-like tasting room. The place was jammed. No room ‘at the inn’ (tasting bar) and it was closing in on the 5:00 wine tasting witching hour and there was one winery ‘in town’ we wanted to try. So, as wonderful as the atmosphere was, we passed on the wine and headed back to Healdsburg and the La Crema tasting room.

And I’m glad we did. The room was a simple store front. Modern w/ a flat screen TV and big chairs for those who wanted to watch a game while they sipped their wine, and a bar for the more serious wine taster… Mark was our ‘barista’ – an outgoing guy from Peoria. The tasting fee was $5, but since we had a complimentary ‘coupon’ from our time-share condo complex, we sipped away for free… And out of five pourings, I really liked three: the 2008 Los Caraneros pinot gris, ($25), the 2008 Monterey County pinot noir - Richard really liked this one, too ($24), and the 2007 Los Carneros pinot noir ($40) – and, while we were enjoying the wines, Mark gave us a little La Crema history. In 1993 Jess Jackson (of Kendall-Jackson) bought the winery and his daughter, Laura Jackson, runs the business. Melissa Stackhouse is the winemaker. That was two female winemakers mentioned that day and one female winery “runner.” I liked that. And I liked Melissa’s wines.

The clock chimed five and wine tasting was over… but to paraphrase Miss Scarlett, “tomorrow’s another day.”

THE LONG & WINE-ING ROAD - Day One In Sonoma

ROAD TO RIVER’S END

I first watched the old Hope/Crosby “Road” pictures on TV when I was about seven. I loved traveling to Morocco and Singapore, to Zanzibar and Utopia even though I was prone to motion-sickness when in the back seat of the family car on our own road trips. By the time “Two For The Road” came out, I was sold on road trips (and had discovered Dramamine) and was the first one in the car when Richard and I drove through Germany, France and Italy when he was producing shows for the Food Network… and first, again, when we took our road trips through New England, the Carolinas and, of course, California. So, when my brother Bob and his wife Nguyen invited us to share a condo time-share in California’s Sonoma County wine country, I couldn’t wait to jump into the car, picnic on the I-5 (see my earlier blog titled, of course: “Picnicking On The I-5”) and head north. We arrived in the town of Windsor just in time for ‘happy’ hour.

The next morning Bob suggested we follow the Russian River until it met the Pacific Ocean at Goat Rock Beach. Sounded like a plan to me. We drove through little towns, some that are flooded every couple of years when the Russian River rises from too much rain. We drove through redwood forests and through lush green hills (which turn ‘tan’ in the dry summer months) where sheep and black & white cows leisurely grazed, reminding me of Wallace Nutting painted photographs. And then we hit the beach where the river meets the sea. Breathtaking.

There were crashing waves, black sand and sunbathing seals, but they’d have to wait til we had lunch.

 Bob and Nguyen recommended River's End, a small motel/cabins complex overlooking the ocean where they had stayed some years earlier which had a restaurant w/ “views.” Sounded perfect.

The exterior of River's End looked like a roadside hash house.

This look continued inside. The restaurant’s bar, walls and ceilings in the main rooms were paneled in dark wood. And old-fashioned brass and glass chandeliers hung from the ceiling giving the interior that rustic ‘hash house’ feel.

The menu, however, was far from ‘rustic’ and definitely contained no hash. Among the dinner entrees were almond encrusted petrale sole served w/ ‘forbidden’ rice, baby seasonal veggies w/ a pomegranate sauce; smoked applewood filet mignon smothered in gorgonzola walnut butter and served w/ almond potato croquettes and roasted garlic mashed potatoes, finished w/ a port wine reduction; and North American elk w/ a red wine poached pear and blue cheese served w/ roasted garlic mashed potatoes in a green peppercorn sauce. See. Not rustic!

The lunch menu boasted “Bubbles & Oysters” which consisted of two ½ glasses of Scharffenberger brut and fresh oysters w/ a wasabi tobiko and lime ginger mignonette; an ahi poke – fresh sushi grade ahi served raw w/ an Asian vinaigrette and crispy wontons; and a trio of baked oysters – one in a garlic dill sauce, one in a pesto sauce and the third in a bbq sauce… And those were just some of the appetizers.

As we studied the luncheon salads, soups and main courses, our waitress brought us a copper basket of warm rosemary bread. As some of you know, I’ve been dieting – low carb - but I had to taste. Rosemary-y! Delicious! Big mistake! Like a recovering alcoholic who takes that first sip which can lead to a second, third and a fall off the wagon, I fell off the low carb wagon I’d been riding for weeks. I love bread! I love sandwiches. And, as many of my blogs have shown, I really, really, really love burgers…. So how could I resist the “West County Burger” made from all natural sirloin (ground daily), hand pressed and served w/ fried leeks, cheddar cheese and house bbq sauce – all on a Kaiser-style roll w/ baked cornmeal on top? Be still my heart! I ordered it (though I did pass on the bbq sauce). I ate it. I loved it! It was really, really, really good! The mouthwatering memory lingers.

Richard, always the healthier eater of the two of us, ordered the duck confit salad served over warm spinach tossed w/ beluga lentils and a bing cherry vinaigrette dressing. He was a very happy diner. I tasted. The duck was perfect.

Bob opted for the grilled portabella salad w/ mozzarella cheese, roasted peppers and tomatoes served w/ organic mixed greens and dressed w/ an almond garlic vinaigrette. The blend of flavors? Wonderful! And though he wished there were a few more mushroom slices, he, like Richard, was a happy diner. So much so, he plans to make this dish at home.

Nguyen is a fish girl so she decided on the fish & chips in ale batter (tempura-style) made of rock cod and served w/ fries and a cucumber dill salad. She loved everything about her meal, even the dill-tartar sauce.

(One quibble: I know restaurants need to make a buck, but unlike most I’ve been to, this one charged for Coke refills!)

Sated and very happy we went down to Goat Rock beach and walked off the calories while we watched the crashing waves and saw the seals play in the distance.

A great day! Delicious food and sightseeing. I love road trips.

Tomorrow?  The long and wine-ing road.

A TASTE OF OJAI

A TASTE OF OJAI

Ojai is a charming village east of the coastal town of Santa Barbara, California. Located in the high desert, it’s famous for its “pink moments” phenomena that occur when the sun sets against the Topa Topa mountains turning the sky pink. Ojai is also famous for its theater and arts community, lavender festival and the exquisite Ojai Valley Inn and Spa, a Spanish style inn and resort complete with a picture perfect 18 hole golf course.

I know all this because my husband and I have spent some wonderful sleepovers with friends who moved to Ojai, leaving behind the smog and stress of “Los Angeles freeway” living. On this trip, however, we were going to try a relatively new and popular Ojai restaurant, “Feast Bistro”… a restaurant with a menu designed by Chef Susan Coulter using locally grown produce and seasonal ingredients.

Located on the main street in the village’s historic arcade,

 the restaurant has a simple and comfortable décor with its open air kitchen, wine/expresso bar, front and back cozy dining rooms and a back outdoor patio. We were warmly greeted by co-owner, Beryl Schwartz (a former carpenter who always wanted to own a restaurant – how cool is that?!) who led us to our table for five set up in the back room.

We sipped a lovely Casa Barranca 2007 pinot noir from local vintner Bill Moses as we dug into our first courses. The caesar salad was creamy with just the right amount of garlic. The “steamers”- mussels and clams in a light garlic cream sauce were ‘divine’ – though as a Long Island girl steamed littleneck clams don’t quite measure up to the soft shell clam steamers you get up and down the coast of the northeast. The only real disappointment was the “Pizza Pizza,” an artichoke, Canadian bacon, mozzarella pizza with red onion. The crust was uninspired and the topping was bland. But, then, this is a “bistro” not a pizza parlor and the steamers and salad made up for it.

Our entrees (none of which was a disappointment) consisted of a robust cannellini bean soup; a medium rare, flat iron steak with a classic pepper cream sauce cooked to perfection; a delicious seared duck breast with a sweet and sour sauce; slow braised pork that fell off the bone with fresh herbs and root vegetables; and the catch of the day - a seared ahi tuna with black beans, rice and chili, topped with guacamole made from the avocados of the chef’s own tree. As our friend said as he tasted a mouthful of this fish combination… “It doesn’t seem as if all these tastes should go together, but this is the best ahi tuna I’ve ever had.” ‘Nuf said.

There are three desserts listed on the menu: Jeri’s Citrus Olive Oil Cake, “Chocolate Chocolate;” and homemade cookies. We opted for two. I’m not a sweet eater, but Jeri’s citrus olive oil cake was amazing. Light, not oily. Sweet, but not sweet. I don’t know who Jeri is, but I want to thank her for this amazing cake. We also ordered the “Chocolate Chocolate” a concoction that the menu describes as “a journey through chocolate heaven.” It was. I’m sorry now we didn’t try the cookies.

As we left the restaurant and headed back to our friends’ house sated and happy, I decided that Feast Bistro is definitely a restaurant that needs frequent visiting.