Monday, February 17, 2020
Vacation day 2 of 3. Ran in place while channel surfing cable television. Breakfast at Gaige House + Ryokan: steamed potatoes, oatmeal with fixins, chocolate croissant, fritatta slices, toast with fixins, fresh fruit, orange juice for Patrick, water for me, coffee for both. Patrick and I drove to Sonoma and explored Sonoma Plaza and the surrounding shops, stopping briefly at Basque Boulangerie Café for a few items. We visited Mission San Francisco Solano, including the incredible cactus wall in the inner courtyard and the prickly pear cactus outside the entrance. Admission was $3 each. Stopped at Whole Foods on the way home mostly so that Patrick could buy bubble bath. We spent the rest of the day enjoying our room. I sunbathed and began rereading Hungry Town by Tom Fitzmorris on our private rear garden patio which overlooked a small manmade creek empty of water. I snacked on an Urban Remedy chia parfait and a small to go container of asian noodle salad. Patrick had half of a chocolate-cherry muffin from Basque. Patrick filled a large egg-shaped stone tub and bubble-bathed. I joined him after a while. We showered, then dressed for dinner. Again we drove to Yountville, but this time we instead took the southern route through Schellville and Napa. Again we arrived a bit early for our dinner reservation and walked in the area. Neither of us had seen The French Laundry in person before, and we were surprised at how easy it was to miss because it is so unassuming from the street. The gardens were easy to spot, however, and we enjoyed seeing them from the sidewalk. Our dinner was not at The French Laundry, however. We got a round of drinks at the Restoration Hardware bar: 2017 Jean Philippe brut rose for me, 2018 Unti cuvee blanc for Patrick. $34.48 before a $7 tip for Carrie W whose service was very good. Afterwards we dined at the Restoration Hardware restaurant (707-339-4654, 6725 Washington St, Yountville). One glass of 2018 Hourglass Estate sauvignon blanc for both, ice water for both. We shared a shrimp cocktail (with lemon, dijonnaise, and cocktail sauce) and a butter lettuce salad (with chervil, chives, sauv blanc vinaigrette). Entrees: Patrick had roasted half chicken (with roasted garlic, olive oil potato puree, natural jus). I had broiled salmon (with honey, black pepper, brown butter, lemon). For dessert we shared gelato: one scoop each of salted caramel and coffee. Patrick had an espresso with dessert. $158.40 before a $23 tip. Service by Matt (aka Mathew S) was excellent. Drove back to Gaige House + Ryokan, southern route.