Little Gems and Wine Giants

Tucked away off the main thoroughfare, small and unassuming at the end of an orange-scented lane, Napa Valley Olive Oil Company was someplace I could have stayed forever. I wanted the curator to adopt me, fill my picnic basket, and continue to feed me tastes all at once. We found rarities, and quality common goods. The picnic that followed was perfect.





Stag's Leap's caves were spotless, complete with Nasa "air scrubbers". Between the wall sconces and the Foucault pendulum, it was sort of like the Hyatt met the inner sanctum. I have to say I'm partial to Antinori's mixed barrels and the mold.





An impressive line-up anyone would be thankful to enjoy as part of their afternoon.






And there it is, the most photographed ridge in Napa, the Stag's Leap Palisades.

To Antinori and Beyond

Our arrival in the Napa valley was jostling and hurried. We had rambled casually throughout the early and mid stages of the trip, and had to sprint in a clock-watching anxious state at the end. Luckily Scott proved an excellent navigator and aggressive pilot. We made it to Antinori in time for the tour.




At the top of Soda Canyon Road, behind the large iron gate, the vinyards spread before us.



Antinori's cave was a wonderous, mold-lined revelation. Barrels of various cooperage, tucked away amongst the spongy walls, and a stillness that was most comforting.




Baby grapes! This time of year, everything in Napa really is green.




Sutter Inn's manicured grounds. (Overdone interior Victorian decor not pictured) Their back veranda did make for a perfect afternoon respite.





Jellyfish clouds over Stag's Leap.

Violet Hues

Although I shun purple in the wardrobe, I find it fabulous on alliums, ranunculus, and matthiola incana.

To Market, To Market...

My top of the list in any city is a grower's market. The Ferry Building beckoned on Saturday morning with promises of glowing produce, oysters, salumi, spices, and an incredible view. While we are priveleged on many levels here in Ashland, the diversity of a San Francisco market in May, (while we are still unwilling to put our starts in the ground in the Rogue Valley) was a heartening intoxicant.

The City

Occasionally breaks were taken from eating, or thinking about what to eat next,to have a look around.





Quintessential.




On the borders of Chinatown, a stencil kitty of fortune.





Lanterns and the smell of dumplings adrift on the evening breeze.




All the peacefulness of the rabbit with the protective properties of metal. I think it sounds remarkably calmer than the year of the fire pig.





Dangerous store. I limited myself to only two Momiji dolls. (Papillon and Claire)
I also touched many a purse and throw pillow cover. Luckily the immediacy of food won out over fashion or decor.

Please Don't Feed The Animals

Another exhibit we enjoyed was the Academy of Sciences cafe. We rushed the lines for bottled water and found ourselves in the midst of a very Ikea-ish feeding experience.

In addition to the aquatic scenery, the rainforest exhibit proved to captivate our interest. (Aside from the numerous strollers, toddlers, and the disregard of the requests for no flash photography.)




This snake made me wish I was its tree.




Of course I love the fact that they eat their web every night and build it all again in the morning. Not just resourceful, but elegantly hardcore.




At first it sounded as if they were bickering, but I think their chatter is very similar to my grandparents never-ending squabble.



My survival instincts are obviously askew. To all other animals, this frog's coloration says "don't touch me I'm deadly". I of course want to pick it up and stroke its tiny head.

Touristing

We had a perfect afternoon at the Steinhart Aquarium. You will be spared the detailed "vacation slide show", and I'll only share the the exceptional scenes.




Pink and purple coral! My favorite.



A nice yellow hue among the bottom feeders.



For all those angel fish we sacrificed in our own aquariums.




Peachy colored anemones that looks like Jim Henson characters.





It's really nice of them to place the jellyfish on the startlingly blue backdrop. It's like taking pictures of electricity in motion.

Noshing and Sipping Through The City

Our primary objective was to eat our way through the city. We set about our goal with relish. Of course the over-achiever in me feels we could have eaten more.



Artful cocktails at Millenium. An Ojai Hop and something with a clever hip name with tequila. Mine had thyme, Scott's had cilantro.



Shadowy pictures of a beautiful vegetable salad drizzled with bagna cauda at Chez Panisse. I wanted to be subtle in my picture taking and not be the nerd with the flash. So dim pictures of dinner it is.



Vanilla meringue nests with fresh tangerine sorbet and strawberries.



Best salad rolls EVER! Pho Hoa on Jones St.




Pho perfection. A rare breakfast treat.

"I'm stll hungry" she said.

We covered a lot of ground food-wise. I didn't get the complete "cart" experience I was searching for. I guess that's why you plan your next trip.




A lovely hand-selected antipasti plate. I was told the bread tasted great as well.





Tucked off of Trader Vic alley, this was a magical brunch spot. Le Colonial was a jeannie bottle on the inside.




If we weren't feeling so before, the sunny courtyard gave a leisurely aspect to the morning.



An "Old Cuban" as an aperitif.




A perfect blush of rare beef peeking from the top of the pho bowl. This was rivaled only by the house brussel sprouts. Quartered brussels, pan fried with shitake mushrooms, sweet chili sauce, and finished with fried shallots. Nothing like delightfully crunch mini cabbage between your chopsticks.