Best of Both Worlds

Dine and Wine

Living in California we have access to some amazing restaurants and wineries.  Today we're going to share with you a wonderful experience we just had at Harris Ranch Inn & Restaurant.  We attended their Winemaker Dinner.  A dinner prepared exclusively by Chefs Reagan Roach and Didier Gerbi (Chefs of Harris Ranch) to be paired with the wine from the winery that is being showcased the night of the event.

Harris Ranch Inn & Restaurant is located in Coalinga California, between Los Angeles and San Francisco.  At the intersection of Highway 198 and I-5.  You can drive there or fly in.  It host a small landing strip (2,820 feet long).  It welcomes you with it's beautiful Hacienda style architecture, that makes you feel you've just been transport to a Spanish Resort.  It is the perfect location for any special event.

The Winemaker Dinner is a dinner hosted at Harris Ranch Inn & Restaurant along side a featured winery.  We attended the most recent one featuring DAOU Vineyards & Winery, in Paso Robles.  We want to share this because of the amazing experience we had.  From start to finish there was never a shortage of exceptional food and wine.
The moment the evening began you are welcomed with a Charcuterie Board that is a feast to be had, paired with Daou Reserve Chardonnay "Willow Creek" 2017 and Daou Pessimist 2017.
After mingling and visiting while enjoying some live music (by Travis Brooks) you are then welcome to one of their ballrooms where dinner and pairings were served.

It started off with a salad and Daou Sauvignon Blanc 2018 which both Todd and I enjoyed very much, so much, we brought two bottles home.
Next was a steak tartare with quail egg along side Daou Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2017.  No! we don't discriminate, we also brought two bottles of Cab home.  Todd and I like both, red and white depending what we're eating and what time of day.
The steak tartare was followed by Kiss Melon-Daou Rose Sorbet, very refreshing and very nice on the palate.  For our main course we had a trio of Prime Sirloin Brochette with different spices, fatoush Salad, Tabbouleh, Grilled Eggplant and Red Peppers with Daou "Soul of a Lion" Estate 2016.  Our dinner finished with a Port poached White Peach Pavlova, Dark Chocolate Raspberries, White Chocolate-Port Coulis and Daou Port Style 2016.

If you're not following Harris Ranch Inn & Restaurant on Facebook or Instagram we highly suggest you do.  You will see the post for their next Winemaker Dinner along with the winery that will be featured.  It was an enjoyable, mouth watering, flavorful experience, we highly recommend it and we're looking forward to the next.

Being only two hours away from Daou Vineyards & Winery (located in Paso Robles) we have now put it on our calendars to visit within the next few weeks.  Daou Vineyards & Winery we absolutely loved your wine and are so excited to visit soon.  Melissa Sotak, it was a pleasure meeting you, looking forward to connecting and visiting the winery soon.  Mr. Fred Dame (Master Wine Sommelier) it was an honor and pleasure sitting at your table.

Classic Romaine Caesar, Vinegar Boquerones, Parmesan Cup,

Grilled Artichoke Heart, Cherry Tomatoes Provencal

Bistro Filet Steak Tartare, Dijon Mustard, Cornichons,

Chives, Capers, Quail Egg, House-made grilled Sourdough

Snow Kiss Melon-Daou Rose Sorbet

Trio of Prime Sirloin “Brochette” with Kefta Spice, Harissa Chile, and Coriander Yogurt,

Fatoush Salad, Tabbouleh, Grilled Eggplant and Red Peppers

Port poached White Peach Pavlova, Dark Chocolate Raspberries, White Chocolate-Port Coulis                           

            

                                                                       

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Five days in Coeur d'Alene is just what we needed as summer comes to an end.  We stayed at the Coeur d'Alene Golf Resort, which turned out to be absolutely breath taking.  Somehow we ended up with a room facing the lake with living room and balcony.  Waking up and opening the blinds to this was dreamy!!!! (specially with a touch of a button👏😊)

And first..............Coffee!

                         Your shuttle to the Coeur d'Alene Golf Course

Coeur d'Alene Golf Course

The Coeur d'Alene Golf course was beautiful.  Hitting balls into the water to warm up was unusual but fun.  The 14th tee, which is out on the lake (floating green), was super cool.  You hit the ball onto the green and then you take a boat out to putt and back.  Pretty neat!!!

Driving Range

14th Hole at the Coeur d'Alene Golf Course "the floating green"

Hiking around Tubbs Hills was perfect! Not long or strenuous, just right, with a view of the lake at all times.  The fresh air was wonderful. Needless to say I did it three days in row, beats being inside working out, which I love.

The views while hiking

The downtown was small and quaint, with restaurants, boutiques and little shops lining both sides of the street.  Very nice for evening strolls

Mrs. Honeypeeps Sweet Shop
(Side note.  When I was little, I would always ask for a quarter for a gum ball, it was my thing😬 according to Todd, nothings change.  My mother, will get a kick out of this lol!)

Some of the places we ate at that we thought were wonderful and if you're in the area we recommend checking out.  Beverly's on the 7th floor at the Coeur d'Alene Resort.  Fine dining and very very good. Fire Artisan Pizza and Crafted Tap House+Kitchen were both good with and easy vibe.  Both great places to chill, enjoy and hang out.

Cedars on the Lake.  Floating restaurant, a little bit of a different vibe, but it was really good!!! Reminded me of a log house in the woods, but this is ON the lake.  We heard you can't go to Coeur d'Alene and not eat here, so we did!  It did not disappoint. Reservations are a good idea, it gets pretty packed.

                                                          Cedars


Definitely coming back in the summer.  So much to do on the lake!  That and Todd has a few more golf courses in the area that he would love to play at.

Until Next time Coeur d'Alene

Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo Mexico

 Every year for the past thirteen years we've spent a week at Hilton Los Cabos.  Either before Thanksgiving or before Christmas.  This year, first week in December.  It never gets old, we love Cabo/San Jose del Cabo.

Our Home for Seven Days

You can hang out by the pool at top in the hotel or you can choose the beach with a bar in the middle of chaise lounges.  All the chairs at the bar are swings hanging from the ceiling, pretty cool!

Out for a nice stroll on the beach today.

The water is so blue! and so warm!

Heaven on a plate😀.  While Todd gets the usual steak nachos, leave it to me to get ceviche with octopus.  Needless to say it was absolutely amazing!  AZUL -Tequila, Mezcal, & Mexican Tapas Bar, this is the same place where, if you follow my instagram I tasted Chapulines (grasshoppers) for the first time.  Not bad actually, I won't starve any time soon lol!

Drinks by the pool from Madero Bar and Grill and a little Bookclub reading, it was a rough day.

OUT AND ABOUT

One of Todd's favorite things to do in Cabo is golf.  Five Days out of seven isn't bad?  Some of the ones he played this trip, Puerto Los Cabos, Campestre, and Cabo Real

RESTAURANTS WE ENJOYED

MARIA CORONA

Maria Corona is a restaurant in Cabo San Lucas.  Every year is a must do!  Food is amazing and they have the best guacamole ever!  They make it right in front of you at your table.  It's a must have!!!!

                                          On this night we also had entertainment.

FLORA FARMS

Flora Farms has been on my list for some time, and every year I had missed it.  Not this year!!!!  We made it! From farm to table.  We live in the Central Valley in California and we are very used to seeing crops grow.  Being from Nicaragua I'm used to eating fresh and just like Flora Farms, from farm to table.  There's nothing like it.

The grounds are exceptionally cleaned and very well kept.  They are doing an amazing job!  We went for Brunch on Sunday, but you can go for lunch or dinner.  For a charge you can get a tour of the farm along with all ins and outs of what they grow.  They also have cooking classes you can sign up for if you want to do more than just eat and drink.  Which speaking of eating and drinking........if you're looking for somewhere cheap, or in a nicer way, inexpensive, this is not it.  I'm not complaining of the prices by all means, we all know organic means more money.  I'm just saying......be prepared, $16 for a Bloody Mary.

If you want to take vegetables back to your place, you can.  They have a little vegetable market.

Herbs anyone?

Of course I had to photograph this!  One of my moms favorite.  Papaya.  When I was little we had  Papaya plants in our backyard, and let me tell you, they were pure butter!!!!  These can get huge!

Another well know plant to me.  Banana plant.  As my father-in-law would say "she's from the jungle"  Not quite, but I did grow up going out in the country not just in the city.  Didn't appreciate it when little, but I do now and boy do I miss it some days.

Chiles

Eggplant

Beet Bloody Mary's

Loaded with just about every vegetable you can think of.  The base of course is beet juice, along with tomato juice and hibiscus. Topped off with pork rind.  I have to tell you, I've never had carrots as sweet as these.  They were delicious.  

Hibiscus

Enjoying our brunch decked out in Holiday decor.

EL MERCADO

El Merkado, off the Carretera Transpeninsular, just down the street from the Hilton.  All in one place.  Italian, Mexican, Bar, Seafood, International, Sushi, Spanish, Greek, With Vegetarian, Vegan, and Gluten free options.

The decor inside is industrial with concrete and wood.  Loved it!

Oyster Bar

This place is great for breakfast.  Something for Todd and amazing for me 😀 What can I say?  I'm a true latin girl.  Tortilla Azteca for me. (Tortilla de maiz capeada con huevo, rellena de frijoles(negros), mozzarella, pollo, cubierta con salsa verde crema y qeso) YES PLEASE!!!!! We came here three days for breakfast. :)

San Jose Del Cabo

Jazmin's

Plantain, Rice, Vegetables and Seafood stuffed chicken breast, absolutely delicious!

An hour of entertainment from these wonderful folk dancers.

La Vaca Tinta

If you're missing home and you're looking for a good old steak, accompany with a glass of wine, this is your place.  La Vaca Tinta was great.  

Plenty of wine to choose from, white or red and from all over the world.

The ambiance was very nice.

Tequila's

An old time favorite in San Jose del Cabo.  You must order the cadillac margaritas.  Al fresco dinning is always the best.

Nice selection of wine here too.

Fun Stuff

A couple of massages in San Jose del Cabo at Betty's Spa.  Ninety minutes with a mini facial for $45, yes please!!! Went Sunday, Wednesday and Friday 😊

I've seen the fish therapy on tv and I've always wanted to try it, but I was skeptical.  I thought they just put your feet in  after every person, kinda grosses me out a bit.   No!  They clean your feet first, then you put them in the tank.  After twenty minutes they wipe your feet and end it with a foot massage.  We loved it!!!!   I have to say though, weirdest feeling ever, you actually feel the little fish bites, not quite a tickle😮 (San Jose)

The bar next door will bring you food and drinks, the receptionist will ask if you'd like to order something.  Really?? drinks while you get your feet done? 👍

CHEERS!  to fun times and being nibbled on LOL!

 

You can't go to Cabo without making a stop at the Office and the Mango Deck.  Until next Year!!

Until next time Cabo/San Jose del Cabo  We Love You!!!!