We headed out to San Francisco early the next day, driving through Stanford to catch a peek at the gorgeous campus. It's historic mission style is so Californian -welcoming and brimming with diversity. Hunger consumed us and not much was open on a Sunday morning but we luckily found breakfast at Coupa Café and it was unbelievably delicious. My smoked salmon crepe was sweet and salty, and Erin's breakfast arapa was perfection. But our morning beverages - hers a sweet hot chai and mine a soy hot chocolate were probably the best we've ever had. How they put those two lovely drinks together in such a delightful way - mysterious to me and I drink a LOT of hot cocoa. They have several locations so check them out at www.coupacafe.com.
Next stop - San Francisco. The city by the bay is every bit as lovely and decadent and down-trodden as it has been for years. So much history and good food and cable cars and the Haight and all that. The Samovar Tea Lounge (www.samovarlife.com) provided us with another excellent lunch and perfectly brewed tea. This location is downtown in Yerba Buena Gardens just around the corner from the Marriott where we stayed. Truly lovely place that is well worth your time. We hiked up and down and up again to Coit Tower and then on down to Fisherman's Wharf. No trip to San Francisco would be complete with visiting the sea lions, riding the cable cars, and wandering through Golden Gate Park. We did it all.
And on to Napa! We stayed at the Best Western Elm House Inn (www.bestwestern.com) in downtown Napa this time and it was charming. The rooms were clean and comfortable, the innkeepers were welcoming, and the breakfast buffet with all the oatmeal toppings was scrumptious.
Erin and I visited several wineries the next day after a quick stop into Bouchon Bakery for goodies. Bouchon is in Yountville, right on the main drag - you can't miss it and you shouldn't! Andretti Winery offers a one-hour tour and reservations are not required. How nice is that? Great information and the wines are good. Not great, but good. If you're lucky maybe you'll see the great Mario, himself. We truly enjoyed Trefethen Winery with its historic building, oversized leather furniture, and welcoming attitude. We loved loved loved the wines here and got a list of some of the best to purchase at home. I'd have bought some directly but my wine fridges are packed right now. Grgch Hills followed next and we had the best time here stomping grapes in the courtyard. I can cross that off my bucket list - thank you Lucy!!
Great people, great Chardonnay. We stopped into Flora Springs and enjoyed several different varietals and could have continued if we didn't have one more stop to make. Over to V. Sattui for a few sips of their affordable vintages and some great deli snacks.
Lastly - the Berkeley Marina Doubletree Inn (www.doubletreeberkeleymarina.com) where we snagged a room with a sunset view and dinner in their hotel restaurant. Good food, good service, nice room and a good night's sleep.
Do you know fried chicken and waffles? We do and our hometown favorite is Lolo's Chicken and Waffles right here in Phoenix (www.loloschickenandwaffles.com.) We're always on the look out to see if anybody can beat them and so far no one can. Not Roscoe's in Long Beach (www.roscoeschickenandwaffles.com) and not Home of Chicken and Waffles in Oakland (www.homeofchickenandwaffles.com.) The chicken was fried crispy with tender juicy insides; the waffles were crisp; the mac and cheese was cheesy; and the yams were ... cold. Hmm. If you didn't know Lolo's or Roscoe's you'd probably think you had died and gone to heaven. But we know Lolo's and nothing compares. Check them out for yourselves - try the grits and green beans and such. You'll have a very happy tummy.
Last point for me - USAirways has the worst customer relations of any airline I fly. I will avoid them at all costs in the future. Enough said.
Next up - Karen's 50th birthday weekend aboard Sapphire Princess
... deep breath ...
:) Deb
No comments:
Post a Comment