Thursday, November 10, 2022
Staycation day 13 of 16 and vacation day 4 of 5. Illy espresso for Patrick and me from a machine in our room. We needed variety in breakfast, so we chose to forego our included breakfast in the room. Breakfast at Calistoga Roastery: Patrick had a bacon breakfast sandwich and a cafe au lait; I had Bob's Red Mill cranberry-orange oatmeal with milk and a chai tea latte. We walked to and looked in the windows at Sam's General Store (109 Wappo Ave). Returned to Mount View Hotel. Rested in the room. We visited Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort (1507 Lincoln Avenue), Mudslingers treatment for two. Afterwards we lunched at the adjacent House of Better. Fish tacos and watermelon agua fresca for Patrick, soft chicken taco and lemonade for me. Returned to Mount View Hotel then bought ice cream at Calistoga Creamery. Patrick had one scoop split between dark chocolate and cookies and cream in a cup. I had Madagascar coffee in a waffle cone. We ate in the hotel's pool area. We rested in the room then later walked to dinner at Lovina (1107 Cedar Street). Patrick had an IPA; I had a flight of four three-ounce pours of red wines. Appetizers: house-made fresh ricotta (candy cap root beer mushroom honey, crostini): $16; Maine lobster bisque with lobster claw salad: $20. Entrees: Patrick had spicy heritage pork and beef bolognese (fresh fettuccine, mirepoix, calabrian chili, parmesan, breadcrumbs): $39. I had Mary's free-range chicken (almond couscous with honey lemon vinaigrette, grilled asparagus, carrot emulsion, dijon beurre blanc): $47. Dessert: we shared the Hot Mess (flourless chocolate brownie, salted caramel, toasted house made marshmallow cream, brandied cherries, pistachio gelato): $19. There was a long delay—maybe 15 minutes?—between when our server (initials NS) dropped off our receipt and when she returned to pick up the payment. Walked to Mount View Hotel. We watched about the last third of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey on television (HBO?). Patrick grew too tired and went to bed before the film finished.