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+--- Thread: 2004 California Trip (/thread-15173.html)
- Innkeeper - 12-12-2003
We will betaking a whirlwind trip to California in early January. We will spend the first two nights in Monterey. Plan on going to either the Sardine Factory or Whaling Station the second night. Looking for a nice place to pop into withour reservation on a Wednesday night after flying from Manchester, NH to Oakland, renting a car, and driving down to Monterey; pant, pant.
- Kcwhippet - 12-12-2003
If you're talking about a restaurant, you might want to try Tarpy's Roadhouse - www.tarpys.com. Really good food and an extensive wine list. They're close to Ventana Vineyards if you get down there before 5 pm and want a quick sip before dinner.
- Innkeeper - 12-12-2003
Am familar with that place, but have not stopped there before. If we are hungary when we hit town, just may stop there. Thanks.
- Innkeeper - 01-15-2004
We had a wonderful, though much too quick trip to California. The primary purpose was for a one night, and two full day religious conference in Paso Robles. We did manage to squeeze in some great food and wine experiences. We left Manchester, NH last Wednesday, January 7; and flew to Oakland. The folks at Budget upgraded us to a Ford Escape (metallic red), so we had our first SUV, albeit a small SUV, experience. We drove down to the Monterey Peninsula, and stopped for dinner at the Rio Grill in Carmel.
Rio Grill is owned by the same folks who run Tarpy’s Roadhouse, and is fantastic. It is in the Crossroads Mall. We both had Maple Soy Mustard Marinated Skirt Steak with Green Chile Polenta Cake & an Oyster Mushroom Reduction. Washed it down with a Galante Vineyards, Rancho Galante, Carmel Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon. This is their first tier of three cabernets, so, though it could have improved with a couple more years, it was approachable enough to do just fine thank you. For dessert Bev had what they called an Ice Cream Sandwich; and I had a Mocha Flan. Excellent meal, and Rio is highly recommended. After dinner we picked up some things from a nearby Safeway including a Monterra Monterey Cab ($9.99) for the road. Then we checked into the Monterey Navy Inn for two nights. Long day.
Thursday morning we started out with breakfast at the From Scratch Restaurant in the Barnyard. It was our third visit there, and it is still great. Don’t miss it for breakfast or lunch when in the area. Drove up the Carmel Valley, and Bev first had to stop and buy silk at the Talbott factory outlet. I couldn’t find a tie that suited me this time. We went to Bernardus for the first time. Didn’t like what was on their tasting list or the prices, but we did pick up from a “clearance barrel†a bottle of their ’98 Carmel Valley, Merlot for $13. Next we went by the Talbott tasting room again. Tasted all their new releases of chardonnay and pinot noir. All the chards above the first tier were oaky. All the pinots were wonderful. Picked up a 2001 Kali Hart Vineyard, Chardonnay ($12), and three ’99 Logan, Sleepy Hallow Vineyard, Pinot Noirs ($18). The ’99 Logan is the best yet! Then we went by Chateau Julian again thinking to pick up some of their first tier cab, and suffer their pourer’s foibles. Fortunately, she was tied up with a tour, so we just looked around. Discovered that they only offered their second ($20s) and third ($30s) tier lines at the winery. So we left.
We drove back to Monterey and went to Taste of Monterey. Bev was able to pick up a couple more bottle chimneys that we needed. I picked up a couple of Chateau Julian, Monterey County, Cabs ($13), a ’99 Galante, Rancho Galante, Carmel Valley, Cab ($24), and a ’01 Graff Family Vineyards, Chalone, Mourvedre ($16). Then it was back to room to freshen up and dress up; and then off to the Sardine Factory. As always we had a great meal. We both had Marinated Rib eye Steak with all the trimmings. Washed it down with a Smith & Hook, Santa Lucia Highlands, Cab. The wine is almost a meritage with 80% cab, 13% merlot, and the rest small percentages of franc, malbec, and verdot. It was excellent. For dessert Bev had Tiramisu, and I had Crème Brule. We were fascinated to observe a party of twenty folks of all ages and sexes come in with a lot of their own wine (a half case carried by one, and a leather transporter on wheels that looked like it held two cases). A check with our waiter revealed that they did have a corkage policy. Did not find out the cost, but could only imagine. The ringleader of this group was a young man in his late twenties or early thirties. Could not find out who he was. Anyway it was a great night.
On Friday morning we drove down to Paso Robles after a lovely breakfast in Salinas. We wanted to check out a new winery (for us) so we went up to Pipestone, and met Jeff Pipes, his family, and many pets. Jeff is a Rhone Ranger. All wines are Rhones except his zinfandel. All are estate grown except the zin. Very nice stuff; we tasted his whole line. We purchased his ’01 Paso Robles, Grenache Noir ($22), and a blend called Paso Robles Melange ($19). The latter tastes much like a Gigondas. Pipestone is definitely a recommended stop on the West Side of Paso, particularly if you are into Rhones. Incidentally they did have some barrel rolling during the earthquake, but no serious damage.
Then it was off to Tobin James. Before checking into our room, we did some big time tasting. All of their ’01 releases were available as well as ’00 Reserve Cab, ’00 Private Stash, and ’01 James Gang Reserve Zin. Then Lance poured us his ’00 Dusi Vineyard Zin. It was fantastic, and we’re happy there is one in our cellar. We bought a ’01 Made in the Shade Merlot ($16) (Lance and Bev convinced me. We shall see); five ’01 Legend Cabernet Sauvignons ($16), great!; six ’01 Rock-n-roll Syrahs ($18), lovely. Those will be shipped to us. We also picked up a ’01 Liquid Love Late Harvest Zinfandel to finish up the shipping container we were carrying with us. Then we checked into the Sun Room of the guest house for three nights. We had negotiated a fantastic price that we best not talk too much about. This room is all done in yellows and blues, with their trademark suns all over the place. It features a king size bed with feather mattress, and six king size down pillows. Also a Jacuzzi, tiled shower, and double sink bathroom. The sitting area has a leather couch, a round table set with four wine glasses and an opener, an appropriately decorated armoire, and another piece of furniture with satellite TV, microwave, and fridge. Very, very comfortable.
That night before the conference started at 5:15 we had to grab something quick at 4 PM. We found the Berry Hill Bistro on the park open. It was literally a stone throw from the damaged section. They were very nice to us, quickly fixed turkey club sandwiches that were washed down with glasses of Castoro Cellars Chardonnay. It was not too oaky for the sandwiches. The next day the conference went from 7:30 AM till 9:30 PM. There was an hour and half for dinner, so out of loyalty we back to Berry Hill. Got in just before they filled up. We had yet another version of marinated steak with all the fixings (this time quite spicy). We matched it with AJB Vineyards, Paso Robles, Zinfandel; and it was jammy enough to handle all the spice. Excellent. Did not have time for dessert, but picked up some chocolate at a nearby candy store to have with the Monterra Cab back in the room.
On Sunday the conference went from 7:30 AM until 6
M. So we could have a leisurely dinner afterward. We went to Alloro, which was on the other side of the damage on Spring. We both had marinated pork loin in a sauce of Marsala, onions, peppers, and mushrooms. It was all food processed together, and with the Marsala being on the light side, it tasted more Southwestern American than Southern Italian. Sort of like the Carne Santa Fe that we have previously posted. It was still wonderful. We washed it down with a bottle of ’01 Peachy Canyon Eastside Zinfandel. There was just enough bite in the wine to handle the heat in the sauce. Great match. Next to our table was a display cabinet with some nice pieces of glassware (vases, bowls, etc) and right in the middle was a bottle of wine in an upward slanting wine bottle holder with the neck facing upward. The bottle had been signed by many people with white ink, and the labels on both the front and back of the bottle indicated that it was a Screaming Eagle Cab! The cork was in, and the capsule was unbroken. We asked the manager if it was authentic. He maintained it was and that it had been given to the new owners as an opening day gift. Since the wine would spoil very quickly as it was being stored, I asked if the new owner knew that he was losing a very valuable bottle of wine, and the manager indicated he only wanted it for sentimental reasons. Sigh! Alloro is a great restaurant though with a fabulous wine list. Highly recommended. The next day, Monday, we drove back up to Oakland and checked in the Airport Days Inn for the night. What a comedown from the TJ Guesthouse! They were very good about picking me up at the Car Rental Center, and taking us and all our stuff to the airport at oh dark thirty the next morning. We arrived back in Manchester at 5:30 PM, took our daughter out to dinner and drove home yesterday (Wednesday, January 14). Since our daughter put us up the night before we left and the night we got back to Manchester, we took her out to dinner both nights. Outgoing we ate at Bernado’s Bistro and returning we dined at the Nutfield Ale and Steak House. Both are highly recommended if any of you find yourselves in Manchester either covering the primary or otherwise.
Great trip.
[This message has been edited by Innkeeper (edited 01-15-2004).]
- wondersofwine - 01-15-2004
Enjoyed hearing about Monterey, Carmel, Paso Robles. Lots of memories in those locales.
- winoweenie - 01-15-2004
Sounds like a super trip. REALLY glad you're back. WW
- thewoodman - 01-15-2004
Sounds like a great trip. Last time I was in Paso, I ate at the Oddysey World cafe. Good reasonable food and local wines at the same retail price as at the wineries, or $4 corkage for your bottle. Can't beat it.
- Kcwhippet - 01-15-2004
The Weener is truly glad to see you back, IK. He was such a sorry sight the past few days.
- winoweenie - 01-16-2004
Maybe this ringing in my keyboard will go away. WW [img]http://38.118.142.245/ubb2/wink.gif[/img]