Here's our "campsite". Note the sleeping girl right next to us... that's how closely packed in you are!
This is the entrance to all of the stages
Just a couple of thousand people baking in the sun listening to some good music!
This was the majority of our dietary intake over the 4 days: turkey dogs cooked in Coor's light!
Being foodies, we did find really good food, including this food truck that served a variety of meatballs prepared a bunch of cool ways and some amazing popsicles (like lemon basil, peach, and chocolate sea salt)
So, then we drove back to Columbus before flying out to Cali. We were really excited to have a delicious meal (as great as turkey dogs are...) and got to eat at Cameron's one of the nights.
I got this delicious salmon
And of course, we had to try a few desserts! Here's the strawberry shortcake...
And, this lemon ricotta cake with a crispy cookie (which I can totally make!)
The California trip was SO amazing! It's hard to believe that I haven't been out there in 2 years and even though I had seen a lot of the area before, it was great to experience it with someone new that is such great company! First stop was Monterey to stay visit my dad and check out the new house which is coming along really great!
Here is the chalet!
Here are a few beautiful coast shots (ahhhh....)
Driving down Highway 1, we had to stop at Nepenthe which has always been a must-stop for their famous Ambrosia burger (pictured below with coleslaw) and the amazing view!
We also tried this $16 turkey sandwich with Havarti cheese and cranberry relish which was also delicious!
We also checkout out a really good French bakery in Monterey called Parker Lusseau which has truly amazing pastries and the best croissants ever! This was my old boss's favorite place, so it was so great to be back to check out selection! It is crazy for me to say this, but I can make almost everything in this case-wow!
There are those croissants in the middle...
I was also really excited to go to my favorite sushi place, Crystal Fish, which is this totally unassuming place in a strip of other small shops and restaurants.
We got an amazing tempura roll (on the right) and a veggie roll topped with grilled baby portabella mushrooms
We also got this delicious pork which was breaded and fried, served on a stick, with 2 sauces.
Next stop was San Francisco for a great concert and dinner at Absinthe. The service was kind of lousy, but we had some good food, including...
This cheese plate with Camembert cheese, pears, candied walnuts, nutty bread and a fig chutney
I had this potato crusted arctic char (a mild white fish)
And this is the pork loin served with pork belly (like a fat strip of bacon) and some carrots, which makes it healthy, of course!
Then it was off to Napa Valley for some wine tasting and the culinary highlight of the trip: dinner at Bouchon, a Thomas Keller restaurant. He is best known for The French Laundry which is one of the best restaurants in the country, but this place was seriously good!
Crusty French bread with butter and a white bean spread
Brisket rillette, which is like a chunky pate, but this is made with brisket. There were cherries on top and it was served with toasts. This was the first time I tried rillette and it was amazing!
This is the beet salad with pickled rhubarb, hazelnuts and shaved cheese
Roasted half chicken, classic and delicious!
This is dover sole wrapped and stuffed with mouseline, served with mussels, mini lobster tails and fennel
For dessert, brownie bouchon (bouchon means cork in French) topped with strawberry sorbet, crumbled macarons, and fresh strawberries. Didn't really get the white chocolate decor, but it was tasty!!
Here is where we stayed in Napa, can you tell??
Here are a few pictures of the wineries we went to...
Aging barrels at Nichelini, the oldest continuously operating family owned winery in Napa. We totally just stumbled upon this place and it was really cool!
View from the Mumm's winery patio
They specialize is sparkling wine
Final stop: Artesa winery which had this sweet tasting room built into a hill
They had amazing views and fountains everywhere!
Before heading back to reality, we visited the Monterey Aquarium (for free, thanks to my old co-worker!!) and saw the otter feeding and other amazing sea life...
The big tank with the sun shining through
One of the many jelly fish
Overall, even though we packed a lot to do in a short week, the trip was fun and relaxing. Can't wait to go back!!
My next post with be of my latest class (nicknamed "The Wedding Cake Class" and other fun stuff I've been doing this summer in Michigan!
(P.S.: any words in light purple are links to check out a website!)
