January 29, 2016

St. Helena: Charles Krug Winery; things to do

Wine Country 

Charles Krug Winery  

2800 Main St., 1.5 mi. N of town, (800) 682-KRUG, (707) 967-2200.  Tasting daily 10:30-5; food pairings by appt.; tour M-F at 10:30 & 3, Sat-Sun at 10:30, & by appt. 

exterior of tasting room at Charles Krug Winery in St. Helena, California
exterior of tasting room at Charles Krug Winery in St. Helena, California


In 1858, using a small cider press borrowed from Agoston Haraszthy at the Buena Vista Winery in Sonoma, Charles Krug Winery made the first commercial wines in the Napa Valley.  It was also the very first to stop stomping grapes with human feet and start pressing them with machines.  Now producing 16 different wines, the winery is noted most for its Cabernet Sauvignons and Sauvignon Blancs.  

wines with heart at Charles Krug Winery in St. Helena, California
wines with heart at Charles Krug Winery in St. Helena, California


But it’s not just wine tasting any more.  A gigantic new tasting room, strikingly outfitted with wood reclaimed from the property’s huge old redwood tanks, offers traditional bar tastings, plus food pairings at tables on the weekend.  

interior of tasting room at Charles Krug Winery in St. Helena, California
interior of tasting room at Charles Krug Winery in St. Helena, California


vintage redwood barrel at Charles Krug Winery in St. Helena, California
vintage redwood barrel at Charles Krug Winery in St. Helena, California


A Reserve Flight Pairing ($95/person; reservations required) concludes with a bittersweet dark chocolate truffle frosted with gold (it is made by the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone located across the street; the institute also tends a large vegetable garden adjacent to the winery parking lot).

Reserve Flight Pairing at Charles Krug Winery in St. Helena, California
Reserve Flight Pairing at Charles Krug Winery in St. Helena, California


CIA Student Farm at Charles Krug Winery in St. Helena, California
CIA Student Farm at Charles Krug Winery in St. Helena, California


Cucina Pairings ($18/small plate + 3-ounce pour; reservations not needed) might include a warm bruschetta with prosciutto and acorn squash paired with a Merlot, or stuffed cremini mushrooms with a Pinot Noir—perhaps just the perfect excursion and experience to enjoy with your Valentine?  

All this and picnic tables under a giant oak, too.

picnic area at Charles Krug Winery in St. Helena, California
picnic area at Charles Krug Winery in St. Helena, California



More things to do in St. Helena.

More things to do in the Wine Country.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images ©2016 Carole Terwilliger Meyers


January 27, 2016

San Rafael: Yet Wah; restaurant review

101 North

Yet Wah  

1238 4th St./B St., (415) 460-9883.  L-D daily; $$. 

I first dined at Yet Wah way back when it had several locations on Clement Street in San Francisco.  It grew into a mini-chain (the Diamond Heights location is reputed to have been the venue of choice for a Rolling Stones event), and now has shrunk back to just this one location.  When we dined early on a Saturday night, the main dining room was empty, so we sat in a warm, cozy, and quiet alcove in front with big windows and a view of the sidewalk.  In the mood to take advantage of the full bar, my dining partner and I each started with an umbrella-crowned mai tai made with seven ingredients.

mai tais at Yet Wah in San Rafael, California
mai tais at Yet Wah in San Rafael, California


We loved the crispy pan-friend pot stickers and deemed them the best we’ve had in a long, long time.

pot stickers at Yet Wah in San Rafael, California
pot stickers at Yet Wah in San Rafael, California


We followed with kung pao chicken, which we selected because of the vegetables that dish comes with.  I would have liked that dish to be spicier and solved the problem with hot oil.

kung pao chicken at Yet Wah in San Rafael, California
kung pao chicken at Yet Wah in San Rafael, California


Next time we’ll try the hard-to-find almond pressed duck that the kitchen is famous for (pressed duck with sweet-and-sour sauce and almonds).  Family-style set dinners are available and can be a good value, especially if you are hungry or can take home leftovers, and lunch specials are available on weekdays.

fortune cookie at Yet Wah in San Rafael, California
fortune cookie at Yet Wah in San Rafael, California
I'm still waiting.




More things to do in San Rafael.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

image ©2016 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

January 25, 2016

San Anselmo: rockflowerpaper; things to do

101 North

rockflowerpaper   

145 Tunstead Ave., (800) 281-0357, (415) 462-0001.  M-Sat 9-5:30. 

Located a few short blocks down from this tiny town’s main street, the rockflowerpaper outlet shop carries the full line for this brand and most items are offered at bargain prices.  Inventory includes colorful Indian-style tunic blouses, patterned espadrilles made in Bangladesh, scarves, tote bags, lacquer trays, and more.  Designing takes place upstairs.  


exterior of rockflowerpaper shop in San Anselmo, California
exterior of rockflowerpaper shop in San Anselmo, California


man relaxing at exterior of rockflowerpaper shop in San Anselmo, California
man relaxing at exterior of rockflowerpaper shop in San Anselmo, California


interior of rockflowerpaper shop in San Anselmo, California
interior of rockflowerpaper shop in San Anselmo, California

 
Indian-style tunics at rockflowerpaper shop in San Anselmo, California
Indian-style tunics at rockflowerpaper shop in San Anselmo, California


colorful espadrilles at rockflowerpaper shop in San Anselmo, California
colorful espadrilles at rockflowerpaper shop in San Anselmo, California


More things to do in San Anselmo. 

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images ©2016 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

January 22, 2016

San Mateo: Central Park; things to do

101 South 

Central Park  

El Camino Real/5th Ave., downtown, (650) 522-7434.  Free. Japanese Garden: M-F 10am-4pm, Sat-Sun 11am-4pm; free.  Mini train: Sat-Sun 11am-3pm, daily in summer; $2.

Dating from 1922, this is the oldest municipal park in the county.  Facilities in Central Park include a The Bianchi Railroad mini train--a miniature version of the long-gone Southern Pacific Coast Daylight—plus a rose garden, tennis courts, and a large, colorful playground. In summer free weekly concerts are presented in the park, and in winter the baseball diamond is converted into an ice-skating rink.

playground in Central Park in San Mateo, California
playground in Central Park in San Mateo, California


The park’s tidy Japanese Garden was designed by Nagao Sakurai, a former landscape architect at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.  Features include a teahouse (no tea service), a central pond divided by a narrow bridge (in spring and summer, koi are usually fed at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.), two waterfalls, a bamboo forest, a pagoda, and a shrine.  Narrow pathways are designed to make visitors slow down and really look.  Rare and unusual plants include a weeping beech and an umbrella pine.  No dogs are permitted. 

overview of Japanese Garden in Central Park in San Mateo, California
overview of Japanese Garden in Central Park in San Mateo, California


koi pond in Japanese Garden in Central Park in San Mateo, California
koi pond in Japanese Garden in Central Park in San Mateo, California


buddah in Japanese Garden in Central Park in San Mateo, California
buddah in Japanese Garden in Central Park in San Mateo, California


More things to do in San Mateo.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.  

images ©2016 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

updated 1-22-19

January 20, 2016

Berkeley: A ’Cuppa Tea; restaurant review

80 North

A ’Cuppa Tea  

2992 College Ave./Ashby Ave., Elmwood, (510) 848-2032. 

Duck into this peaceful place to relax in a comfy overstuffed armchair while you sip a cup of tea from the extensive selection.  I chose a boba milk tea, made from scratch at A ’Cuppa Tea with top notch black tea mixed with real coconut chunks (the owner showed me how it is especially stored).  Because I am sensitive to caffeine and was concerned about imbibing boba tea after noon, I was pleased to find out that next time I can order a decaffeinated Earl Grey milk tea and so will be able to drink it at any hour.  (Boba tea is made with a bottom layer of large tapioca balls that you suck up through an oversize straw.)   Hot teas, coffees, and more are among the other drink options.  Considering how small this place is and that it is a mom and pop business with no other help, a good-sized breakfast--think breakfast burrito or berry scone--and lunch menu is available.  I ordered the lunch special rice bowl, which consisted of some tasty chicken and stir-fried veggies.  I hear the Thai iced tea and beef noodle soup are also very good.  Extra seating is available on a second floor.

exterior of A 'Cuppa Tea in Berkeley, California
exterior of A 'Cuppa Tea in Berkeley, California


order counter at A 'Cuppa Tea in Berkeley, California
order counter at A 'Cuppa Tea in Berkeley, California


boba tea and chicken rice bowl at A 'Cuppa Tea in Berkeley, California
boba tea and chicken rice bowl at A 'Cuppa Tea in Berkeley, California

 

More things to do in Berkeley.

Way more things to do in Berkeley.

More tea rooms in Northern California.

More tea times around the world.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images ©2016 Carole Terwilliger Meyers 

January 15, 2016

Millbrae: The Westin San Francisco Airport + Aloft San Francisco Airport; hotel review

101 South

2 San Francisco Airport Hotels


The Westin San Francisco Airport  

1 Old Bayshore Hwy., (650) 692-3500.  Indoor pool & hot tub; fitness room.  Restaurant.  Pets ok.  Self and valet parking $25-$30; complimentary shuttle to airport. 

The Westin San Francisco Airport hotel is a comfortable perch while recovering from or getting ready for a flight.  The lobby has plenty of comfortable seating and an adjacent Lobby Bar & Lounge that serves light fare.  Grill & Vine Restaurant serves sophisticated bistro-style American cuisine and offers both fine wines by the glass and cocktails.

lobby water feature at The Westin San Francisco Airport in Millbrae, California
lobby water feature at The Westin San Francisco Airport in Millbrae, California


lobby at The Westin San Francisco Airport in Millbrae, California
lobby at The Westin San Francisco Airport in Millbrae, California


refreshing fruit waters in lobby at The Westin San Francisco Airport in Millbrae, California
refreshing fruit waters in lobby at The Westin San Francisco Airport
in Millbrae, California


indoor swimming pool at The Westin San Francisco Airport in Millbrae, California
indoor swimming pool at The Westin San Francisco Airport in Millbrae, California


Grill & Vine Restaurant at The Westin San Francisco Airport in Millbrae, California
Grill & Vine Restaurant at The Westin San Francisco Airport
in Millbrae, California



Aloft San Francisco Airport  

401 East Millbrae Ave., (866) 716-8143, (650) 443-5500. 

Just next door, this trendier, edgier sister hotel is another option.  The Aloft San Francisco Airport; has similar features to the Westin, plus the popular WXYZ bar.

exterior of the Aloft San Francisco Airport hotel in Millbrae, California
exterior of the Aloft San Francisco Airport hotel in Millbrae, California


WXYZ bar at the Aloft San Francisco Airport hotel in Millbrae, California
WXYZ bar at the Aloft San Francisco Airport hotel in Millbrae, California


More things to do in Millbrae.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images ©2016 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

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