September 29, 2017

San Francisco: Contemporary Jewish Museum; things to do

San Francisco

Contemporary Jewish Museum

The newest exhibition at the Contemporary Jewish Museum is Jewish Folktales Retold:  Artist as Maggid.  It runs through January 28, 2018.  Based on a book by Howard Schwartz, Leaves from the Garden of Eden: One Hundred Classic Jewish Tales, this exhibit originated at this museum and features the interpretations by local artists of a couple dozen stories.  Recordings of 14 stories are posted around the exhibit, but you can also listen to these stories told by professional storytellers on your phone at this special exhibit website--either at home or at the museum and also in tandem with another person.  Also at this website are videos of the artists in their studios.  

I chose one story to explore in depth.  

"Milk and Honey" is the magical story of a Polish boy named Joshua who follows his goat, which every day walks through a cave tunnel to graze in the promised land, Israel.  Artist Chris Sollars interprets the story with an 11 minute 53 second video in which he similarly follows a goat through the streets of San Francisco to see where it leads.  This story is spoken by author Howard Schwartz here.  

I learned more about "my artist," Chris Sollars, who is a professor at Mills College, from the video tour of his studio here

"Milk and Honey" video exhibit in Jewish Folktales Retold show at Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco
"Milk and Honey" video exhibit in Jewish Folktales Retold show
at Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco


artist Chris Sollars with his "Milk and Honey" video exhibit in Jewish Folktales Retold show at Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco
artist Chris Sollars with his "Milk and Honey" video exhibit in Jewish Folktales Retold show at Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco


Which story will you choose to explore?



"lullaby/lament" by Elisabeth Higgins O'Connor in Jewish Folktales Retold show at Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco
"lullaby/lament" by Elisabeth Higgins O'Connor in Jewish Folktales Retold show at Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco


"syrinx aruanus shell" by David Dasprzak in Jewish Folktales Retold show at Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco
"syrinx aruanus shell" by David Dasprzak in Jewish Folktales Retold show
at Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco


more about the Contemporary Jewish Museum, including the deli restaurant (scroll down).
my blogs about past shows at the CJM:


https://weekendadventuresupdate.blogspot.com/2016/06/san-francisco-delarosa-contemporary.html

https://weekendadventuresupdate.blogspot.com/2015/11/san-francisco-contemporary-jewish-museum.html

https://weekendadventuresupdate.blogspot.com/2013/05/san-francisco-contemporary-jewish-museum.html

https://weekendadventuresupdate.blogspot.com/2011/12/san-francisco-contemporary-jewish.html

https://weekendadventuresupdate.blogspot.com/2010/11/updatepage-28-www.html

https://weekendadventuresupdate.blogspot.com/2009/07/san-francisco-contemporary-jewish.html


More things to do in San Francisco

Way more things to do in San Francisco.

More ideas for exploring Northern California. 

images ©2017 Carole Terwilliger Meyers 


September 26, 2017

Rutherford: Rancho Caymus Inn; hotel review

Wine Country

Rancho Caymus Inn  

1140 Rutherford Rd., (707) 200-9300.  2 stories; 26 rooms.  Some kitchens, fireplaces.  Continental breakfast; evening wine tasting Thur-Sat; private restaurant.  Pool; hot tub.  No pets. 

Situated just off Highway 29 next door to the Beaulieu Vineyard (BV) winery, this hacienda-style lodging has a central courtyard with a pool and whirlpool hot tub.  A beehive-shaped outdoor fireplace warms a communal space, and there are two fire pits by the pool.  Nine stained-glass windows created by Napa Valley artist Gaye Frisk enhance the Rancho Caymus Inn public spaces and some guest rooms.  A generous buffet breakfast served in the property’s small private cafe includes pastries from a popular local bakery, eggs prepared to order, and plenty more.  It can be served in room for a small fee. 

Rooms are spacious with private patios, and some have vaulted or exposed beam ceilings.  Natural knotty pine ceilings and doors were made with wood recycled from a 19th-century Ohio barn, providing a cozy camp-like, southwestern feeling.  Colorful framed weavings from Ecuador brighten things up.  High king beds are covered with white cotton sheets and duvet cover, and a sunken sitting area down a few steps from the bed area features a comfortable brown leather sofa and chair and a flip-on round black stand-alone fireplace.  

pool courtyard at Rancho Caymus Inn in Rutherford, California
pool courtyard at Rancho Caymus Inn in Rutherford, California


bed in guest room at Rancho Caymus Inn in Rutherford, California
bed in guest room at Rancho Caymus Inn in Rutherford, California


sitting area in guest room at Rancho Caymus Inn in Rutherford, California
sitting area in guest room at Rancho Caymus Inn in Rutherford, California


bathroom in guest room at Rancho Caymus Inn in Rutherford, California
bathroom in guest room at Rancho Caymus Inn in Rutherford, California


patio in guest room at Rancho Caymus Inn in Rutherford, California
patio in guest room at Rancho Caymus Inn in Rutherford, California


breakfast buffet at Rancho Caymus Inn in Rutherford, California
breakfast buffet at Rancho Caymus Inn in Rutherford, California


More things to do in Rutherford.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images ©2017 Carole Terwilliger Meyers


September 21, 2017

St. Helena: Long Meadow Ranch; things to do + restaurant review

Wine Country

Long Meadow Ranch  

738 Main St., (707) 963-4555 x161.  Tasting room; fee. 

The historic Logan Ives House here, a restored Gothic Revival farmhouse, doubles as a tasting room and general store that sells farm products.  Olive oil samplings are also available (they press their own olives here from 100-year-old-trees found nowhere else).

Logan Ives House at Long Meadow Ranch in St. Helena, California
Logan Ives House at Long Meadow Ranch in St. Helena, California


wine tasting inside Logan Ives House at Long Meadow Ranch in St. Helena, California
wine tasting inside Logan Ives House at Long Meadow Ranch
in St. Helena, California


The solar-powered winery-making facility--which is 98% rammed earth over a steel frame--for this family-owned and -operated winery is up in the Mayacamas Mountains in Rutherford and open only by special tour.  And the ranch itself is spread over many areas--including Pt. Reyes and Boonville--and produces organic wines and olive oils, hormone-free chickens, and grass-fed cows.  A small vegetable garden and seasonal farm stand is on site here, and an outdoor Cafe serves a limited menu.

outdoor cafe at Long Meadow Ranch in St. Helena, California
outdoor cafe at Long Meadow Ranch in St. Helena, California


lettuce garden at Long Meadow Ranch in St. Helena, California
lettuce garden at Long Meadow Ranch in St. Helena, California


Farmstead restaurant 

(707) 963-9181.  L-D daily; $$$.

Farmstead restaurant operates within a repurposed barn and serves a farm-to-table menu of country food.  The menu is varied, but the Southern dishes are reputedly especially delicious.  Ingredients such as grass-fed beef, organic fruits and vegetables, extra virgin olive oil, and local honey originate on Long Meadow Ranch.  The wine list features well-priced selections, including Long Meadow Ranch wines--which have no markup--and corkage is just $2.  On one weekend, Julia Roberts ate here on Saturday and David Beckham on Sunday.

interior of Farmstead restaurant at Long Meadow Ranch in St. Helena, California
interior of Farmstead restaurant at Long Meadow Ranch in St. Helena, California


 Special experiences include:

Chef's Table  

This elegant communal dining experience begins with a glass of wine and a walk through the culinary garden to see what’s growing and will be on your plate.  Guests are seated at a shared tables with plenty of wine glasses, and then the parade of courses itemized on a chef-curated set menu start appearing.

Chef's Table experience at Long Meadow Ranch in St. Helena, California
Chef's Table experience at Long Meadow Ranch in St. Helena, California


The chef uses the best of what is in season from the farm and ranch, and pairs courses with ranch wines.

chef chats during Chef's Table experience at Long Meadow Ranch in St. Helena, California
chef chats during Chef's Table experience at Long Meadow Ranch
in St. Helena, California


At my lunch experience, proceedings began with an olive oil tasting that included a unique Prato Lungo (Italian for “long meadow”) and an organic extra virgin pressed from four types of olives.  Lunch courses included a flavor bomb of a tomato-tuna-olive ball that was paired with a nice 2016 Anderson Valley Rose of Pinot Noir.

tomato-tuna-olive ball at Chef's Table experience at Long Meadow Ranch in St. Helena, California
tomato-tuna-olive ball at Chef's Table experience at Long Meadow Ranch
in St. Helena, California


Then came a refined caviar melt over toast served with a smooth 2016 Pinot Gris with a slightly tart finish--my favorite wine of the day.

caviar melt at Chef's Table experience at Long Meadow Ranch in St. Helena, California
caviar melt at Chef's Table experience at Long Meadow Ranch
in St. Helena, California


This was followed by braised romano beans with a ricotta gnudi dumpling topped with crispy shallots and a 2015 Anderson Valley Pinot Noir with red strawberry on the nose.

ricotta dumpling at Chef's Table experience at Long Meadow Ranch in St. Helena, California
ricotta dumpling at Chef's Table experience at Long Meadow Ranch
in St. Helena, California


Then it was a brilliantly colored dish of brined, thick-cut heritage pork with creamed corn, mustard seeds, and pluots, served with a robust, slightly tannic 2013 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

pork chop at Chef's Table experience at Long Meadow Ranch in St. Helena, California
pork chop at Chef's Table experience at Long Meadow Ranch
in St. Helena, California


Dessert was dramatic marinated berries with ice cream crumble in a liquid nitrogen fog, paired with a nice 2013 Napa Valley Merlot.

ice cream crumble at Chef's Table experience at Long Meadow Ranch in St. Helena, California
ice cream crumble at Chef's Table experience at Long Meadow Ranch
in St. Helena, California


This was an exceptional meal, but it was a disappointment that items were prepared in an adjacent room, not right in front of us. 



Mayacamas Estate Experience  

For this tour, guests ride in a van up to the Mayacamas Estate mountain vineyards for a tour of the wine caves and a tasting of limited-production estate-grown wines.  Our tour began with a tasting of 2015 Rutherford Estate Sauvignon Blanc, which was the perfect selection for sipping while seated at tables in front of the winery featuring a lovely valley view.

view from vineyards at Mayacamas Estate experience at Long Meadow Ranch in St. Helena, California
view from vineyards at Mayacamas Estate experience at Long Meadow Ranch
in St. Helena, California


wine tasting at Mayacamas Estate experience at Long Meadow Ranch in St. Helena, California
wine tasting at Mayacamas Estate experience at Long Meadow Ranch
in St. Helena, California


All the wines we tasted were made from 100% of their varietal grapes and available only at the winery to tour participants and wine club members.  We moved inside the winery to sample more, including two olive oils, and for an excursion into the caves to see the barrels and the olive-crushing stone wheels.

entering the winery at Mayacamas Estate experience at Long Meadow Ranch in St. Helena, California
entering the winery at Mayacamas Estate experience at Long Meadow Ranch
in St. Helena, California


We also enjoyed several art pieces, one of which was an original purple Andy Warhol cow.

Andy Warhol purple cow at Mayacamas Estate experience at Long Meadow Ranch in St. Helena, California
Andy Warhol purple cow at Mayacamas Estate experience at Long Meadow Ranch in St. Helena, California


A plank held housemade salamis, marinated olives, cheese, and almonds to enjoy with the wines:  a 2015 Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Blanc; a 2013 Mayacamas Estate Sangiovese; a 2012 Mayacamas Estate Merlot grown from grapes on the hill here; an elegant 2013 Mayacamas Estate Cabernet Franc; and a 2013 E.J. Church Cabenert Sauvivon--the winery’s best.

wine tasting at Mayacamas Estate experience at Long Meadow Ranch in St. Helena, California
wine tasting at Mayacamas Estate experience at Long Meadow Ranch
in St. Helena, California


Then it was back into the van for the ride back down to the farm.  


More things to do in St. Helena.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images ©2017 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

September 19, 2017

Berkeley: Coffee Conscious; restaurant review

80 North

Coffee Conscious/Donut Farm Berkeley  

1312 Gilman St./Curtis St, (510) 526-2204.  

At the Coffee Conscious coffeehouse it’s all about the vegan pastries and donuts and organic coffee drinks.  Customers also really like the unique and delicious Rooibos sweet tea lattes.  Espresso, cold-brew coffee, hot cocoa, and strawberry lemonade are also available, and they don't up charge for soy or almond milk in your coffee.  The all-vegan pastry case holds yam rolls, muffins, scones, and Oakland-made Peeples organic vegan donuts.  I ordered up an orange cappuccino, which was excellent and topped with great latte art but I couldn’t taste any orange (next time I plan to try hazelnut).  I paired it with an exceptional orange creamsicle donut that really got the frosting flavor right.  Only a few tables are available inside plus a few more outside.  An assortment of books and magazines are available in case you get bored.    

exterior of Coffee Conscious in Berkeley, California
exterior of Coffee Conscious in Berkeley, California


drink menu at Coffee Conscious in Berkeley, California
drink menu at Coffee Conscious in Berkeley, California


barrista at Coffee Conscious in Berkeley, California
barrista at Coffee Conscious in Berkeley, California


interior of Coffee Conscious in Berkeley, California
interior of Coffee Conscious in Berkeley, California


creamsicle vegan donut and cappuccino at Coffee Conscious in Berkeley, California
creamsicle vegan donut and cappuccino at Coffee Conscious
in Berkeley, California

 

September 15, 2017

Livermore: The Steven Kent Winery; things to do

Greater East Bay

The Steven Kent Winery  

5443 Tesla Rd., (925) 243-6442.

*The Barrel Room  Tasting daily 12-4:30; no tour.  Reservations required. 

Here since 1996, the small-lot Steven Kent Winery focuses on Pinot Noir.  We sampled a light, crisp 2016 Lola Sauvignon Blanc 
 
Lola Sauvignon Blanc at The Steven Kent Winery Barrel Room in Livermore, California
Lola Sauvignon Blanc at The Steven Kent Winery Barrel Room
in Livermore, California


and a lovely, earthy 2014 Ghielmette Cabernet Sauvignon in the Barrel Room.

Ghielmette Cabernet Sauvignon at The Steven Kent Winery Barrel Room in Livermore, California
Ghielmette Cabernet Sauvignon at The Steven Kent Winery Barrel Room
in Livermore, California


Owner Steven Mirassou says, “We want to make wines that are beautiful.”  And they do.  Should you decide to linger, picnic tables shaded by several olive trees are just outside.

owner Steven Mirassou at The Steven Kent Winery Reserve Room in Livermore, California
owner Steven Mirassou at The Steven Kent Winery Reserve Room
in Livermore, California


tasting at The Steven Kent Winery Barrel Room in Livermore, California
tasting at The Steven Kent Winery Barrel Room in Livermore, California

 
not much for kids at The Steven Kent Winery Barrel Room in Livermore, California
not much for kids at The Steven Kent Winery Barrel Room
in Livermore, California


*The Reserve Room
  ((925) 243-6440) is located in a smaller back building.  
 
The Steven Kent Winery Reserve Room in Livermore, California
The Steven Kent Winery Reserve Room in Livermore, California


Special tastings of the winery’s most limited collector wines are available in the Reserve Room.  Incredibly enthusiastic owner-winemaker Steven Mirassou focuses on Cabernet but also makes a delicious Chardonnay and Vincere, and he is not above naming a vintage for his grandma (Merrillie) or his cat (Lola).  Steven is also articulate and mesmerizing, which shouldn’t be surprising because he does have a masters degree in literature.  By the way, this winery is named after his first and middle names, because for legal reasons he can’t use the Mirassou name. 

September 12, 2017

Rutherford: Inglenook winery; things to do

Wine Country

Inglenook

1991 St. Helena Hwy. (Hwy. 29), (800) RUBICON, (707) 968-1100.  Tasting & tours daily 10-5, by appt.; $45-$135; (707) 968-1161. 

Founded in 1879 by Gustave Niebaum, a Finnish sea captain who made his fortune in the Alaskan shipping trade, Inglenook is the fourth-oldest winery in the Napa Valley.  This is also the largest contiguous estate vineyard on the famed Rutherford Bench, Napa Valley’s finest area for producing spectacular Cabernet Sauvignon.  The property is now owned by legendary film director Francis Ford Coppola, who has lived in a home on part of the estate since the 1970s, and who, when the winery was up for sale, made an offer they couldn’t refuse.  And not too long ago, Mr. Coppola was finally able to purchase rights to the original Inglenook name and changed the property over from its previous Rubicon Estate name.  Now, visitors must reserve a tour, and after checking in at the Visitor Center will drive through a stately iron gate, then down a grand, long lane lined with cone-shaped London plane trees, arriving at the impressive vintage estate.

closed gate at Inglenook winery in Rutherford, California
closed gate at Inglenook winery in Rutherford, California


entry lane at Inglenook winery in Rutherford, California
entry lane at Inglenook winery in Rutherford, California


chateau at Inglenook winery in Rutherford, California
chateau at Inglenook winery in Rutherford, California


Tours here are made to your order.  Ours began with tasting a crisp 2016 Sauvignon Blanc, which we carried with us to view Napa's first winery tasting room.

2016 Sauvignon Blanc at Inglenook winery in Rutherford, California
2016 Sauvignon Blanc at Inglenook winery in Rutherford, California


Napa's first winery tasting room at Inglenook winery in Rutherford, California
Napa's first winery tasting room at Inglenook winery in Rutherford, California


We borrowed paper parasols to protect us from the sun and continued outside with our wine.  Our guide was charming and knowledgeable and relayed to us many interesting stories.  We viewed the vineyards

tasters Carole Terwilliger Meyers and Gene Meyers at Inglenook winery in Rutherford, California
tasters Carole Terwilliger Meyers and Gene Meyers at Inglenook winery
in Rutherford, California


and a magnificent redwood tree, then visited the South Barrel Room where special events are held,

South Barrel Room at Inglenook winery in Rutherford, California
South Barrel Room at Inglenook winery in Rutherford, California


and re-entered the chateau on the second floor, where we viewed an authentic Tucker automobile like the one that was used in Coppola’s movie, ”Tucker: The Man and His Dream” (the original Tucker--like Coppola’s five Oscars--reside at his namesake Francis Ford Coppola Winery in Geyserville).

Tucker automobile at Inglenook winery in Rutherford, California
Tucker automobile at Inglenook winery in Rutherford, California


Here, we also viewed his collection of magic lanterns and a video of FFC telling the story of how he acquired them.




On the first floor, after quickly perusing the tiny Centennial Museum that documents the winery's history, we settled into our private tasting room amid ancient dust-covered Inglenook bottles that looked like they hadn’t been touched in centuries.  While we nibbled from a platter of olives, nuts, and cheese, we sipped a 2014 Edizione Pennino Zinfandel ($48), a 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon ($75), and a 2013 Rubicon ($210), and, but of course, all were delicious.  (We heard that Bill Murray had visited a few days before and that Francis Ford himself dropped in to join that tasting.) 

tasting at Inglenook winery in Rutherford, California
tasting at Inglenook winery in Rutherford, California


Sebastian Pacheco leads tasting at Inglenook winery in Rutherford, California
Sebastian Pacheco leads tasting at Inglenook winery in Rutherford, California


wine pour at Inglenook winery in Rutherford, California
wine pour at Inglenook winery in Rutherford, California


    A gift shop extraordinaire purveys many things you didn’t know you needed,

gift shop display at Inglenook winery in Rutherford, California
gift shop display at Inglenook winery in Rutherford, California


and The Bistro cafe serves coffees, wines by the glass or bottle, and light snacks, and offers both indoor and outdoor seating.  I hear that if you order some granita Francis-style, you’ll get a splash of red wine on top.  Cigars are also available for purchase.  And just as in the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris, which this part of the estate is designed to resemble, guests can borrow wooden sailboats to float in the courtyard fountain.  

drink menu at The Bistro cafe at Inglenook winery in Rutherford, California
drink menu at The Bistro cafe at Inglenook winery in Rutherford, California


More things to do in Rutherford.

More ideas for exploring Northern California. 
 

images and video ©2017 Carole Terwilliger Meyers 

September 7, 2017

Berkeley: Urban Ore; things to do

80 North

Urban Ore  

900 Murray St., (510) 841-SAVE.  M-Sat 8:30am-7pm, Sun 10am-7pm. 

I was surprised when I walked through the plastic-stripped doorway to find inside not a freezer, and not just a collection of recycled building materials, either--I came here to look for a cheap door--but instead a HUGE warehouse filled with everything from a Steven King novel to a flying pink pig.  At Urban Ore a half-hearted attempt is made to organize the smaller junk-store items, and there is plenty of dust.  Apparently, most items wind up here as rescues from trucks on their way to the dump.  So prices are low and variety is big.  It seems the perfect place to while away a rainy day like today.  

entrance to Urban Ore in Berkeley, California
entrance to Urban Ore in Berkeley, California


recycled doors at Urban Ore in Berkeley, California
recycled doors at Urban Ore in Berkeley, California


used books at Urban Ore in Berkeley, California
used books at Urban Ore in Berkeley, California


a flying papier mache pig at Urban Ore in Berkeley, California
a flying papier mache pig at Urban Ore in Berkeley, California


check-out at Urban Ore in Berkeley, California
check-out at Urban Ore in Berkeley, California




Way more things to do in Berkeley.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images ©2017 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

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