Thursday, August 30, 2012

If it's Thursday, I'm probably hiking.: GUALALA ARTS TO GREEN IRON BRIDGE ROAD HIKE

If it's Thursday, I'm probably hiking.: GUALALA ARTS TO GREEN IRON BRIDGE ROAD HIKE

We did not take a camera this time.  We liked the grounds of the art center down to the river and back up.  Then we hiked the road down to the bridge which was beautiful and quite.  We ate lunch out in the sun on the deck of the art center and then looked at the art (in our case - relooked) that was from the festival a couple weeks ago.

We made three stops on our way home - the store and two stops to pick up gifts for this weekends silent auction here in the Irish Beach Community to help our fence fund.

Then for dinner we took our friends/neighbors Diane and karl for dinner up in Mendocino at Cafe Boaujolais.


Summer Dinner Menu
HOUSE APERITIFS

Roederer Estate Brut with Peach Syrup & Angostura Bitters

10.00

Vermouth Cassis- Classic French Aperitif
7.00

Lillet Rouge - French Aperitif Wine
with an Orange Twist
7.00

Bossa Nova - Dubonnet Blanc, Cranberry Juice & Lime
7.00
French Kiss- Vya Sweet & Dry Vermouth
9.00
Champagne Cocktail- Roederer Brut, Sugar Cube and Bitters
10.00
Kir Royale-Roederer Estate Brut with Cassis
10.00
Toro Albala, Viejisimo, Dry 1922 Solera
17.00

Burgundy Escargot Gratin
Plugra, Gruyère, Polenta Crisps, Roasted Garlic Pot
15.00

Niman Ranch Steak Tartar
Shallots, Capers, Herbs, Ranch Egg Yolk, Crostini
20.00

Local Dungeness Crab Cakes
Asian Slaw, Crispy Noodles, Scallion Vinaigrette
17.00

Butter- Braised Beets, Sunray's Harvest Micro Greens, Crispy Polenta,
Herbed Formaggio and Tarragon Vinaigrette

Baby Spinach with Almond-Crusted Goat Cheese,
Cherry Tomatoes and Niman Ranch Bacon

(vegetarian version available)
10.00
ENTREES
Niman Ranch Filet Mignon
Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Broccolini
Point Reyes Bleu Reduction, Cabernet Butter
35.00

Broiled Kurobuta Pork Chop
Creamy Polenta, Sautéed Chard
Braised Grape Jus, Beaujolais Herb Butter, Crispy Sage
Vegan Sesame Crusted Tempeh
Coconut Rice, Sauteéd Broccolini
Tamari Reduction
23.00


Petaluma Duck Two Ways Crispy Skin Breast and Leg de Confit
Caramelized Onion Buttermilk Spätezle, Wilted Kale
Cherry Jus Lié
30.00

Pan Roasted California Sturgeon Fillet
House Made Tagliatelle, Truffle Emulsion Sauce
Wild Forest Mushrooms, Beets and Snap Peas

31.00

Free-Range Petaluma Chicken Breast
Caramelized Fennel Risotto, Butter-Braised Leeks
Chantrelle Mushroom-Citrus Crème
28.00
DESSERTS

Coconut Cream Pie
Chocolate Macaroon Crust, Caramel Suace
Angel Food Cake
Strawberries & Lemon Mousse
Flourless Callebaut Chocolate Lava Cake
Tahititan Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
Tiramisu
Coffee Crème Anglaise
House Made Fruit Sorbets or Chocolate Sherbet
Toasted Almond Butter Cookies
8.00

Panforte di Mendocino
Italian Nut Confection
Cheese
A Selection of Local and Imported Artisan Cheese
Chef Paired Accompaniments
Corkage is $20.00 per 750 ml bottle and waived if a bottle is purchased from our list. For parties of 5 or more, an 18% gratuity will be added to the bill
Last updated July 2, 2012

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Brunch at the Elk Cove Inn

At  Great Day in Elk, Susan bid and won (at the silent auction), brunch for four at the Elk Cove Inn.  So Allen and Gary joined us for the drive up to Elk where we had a most wonderful brunch with champagne.

The last three pictures are from the deck at are house as its a most beautiful day.



It's all yours. One of the most spectacular views on the Mendocino coast. Nestled in peaceful seclusion atop a bluff overlooking a mile of dramatic beachfront, the Elk Cove Inn's Craftsman-style Mansion was built in 1883 by the L.E. White Lumber Co. as the Mill Superintendent's home. It became one of the first Bed & Breakfast Inns on the Mendocino Coast. The inn is set back from the road, surrounded by native trees, a creek and the ocean, with private stairs to the driftwood-strewn beach below.














Thursday, August 23, 2012

To Rome With Love

We had not seen a Woody Allen movie in years.  This was a strange one - very Woody Allen.  It did have a great cast. 

Poster art for "To Rome with Love."

Manchester State Beach Hike followed by lunch at Beverly Thompsons House and Heather Garden

It was a beautiful hike down a new path (for Susan and I) at Manchester State Beach.  We went with the Thursday Ramblers Hiking Group.  After the hike we drove to Beverly Thompson's house for lunch.  Beverly and her late husband, Jim,  built this beautiful house and garden in Manchester.


Jim Thompson’s heather garden is like a magical watercolor painting. Located on 3 acres of land right on the Pacific Coast, just south of Manchester, California, this garden is World Class. Jim became interested in plants and especially heather after retiring from Military service and settling into this small piece of land and building a home with his wife. Being artistic by nature, Jim was able to create many vignettes with his interesting selection of plants and his hand-made garden accents. This garden is considered to be the best heather garden in the USA.