California Eating

We have returned from Northern California, the Loire Valley of the United States, and we have eaten some amazing things. I thought that I should make a quick list of the area specific foods that we enjoyed:

Drakes Bay Oysters - medium ones were the size of bread plates. We bought five dozen of them at the estuary. Some we ate raw and most Al grilled (lightly). They steam slightly in their shell and only need a squeeze of lemon or a dollop of salza. Salty and delcious. Who knew? I've always hated cooked oysters!

Cowgirl Creamery cheese - Mt. Tam - a triple creme semi soft cheese was AMAZING! Red Hawk, a brine washed triple creme - is amazing but stinky. Once past your nose, you are good to go. Al said he once left it in the refrigerator for a couple weeks and it was even stinkier! You go, Al!

Marin French Cheese Co Brie - Yum. Made in Petluma. Available nationally I think.

Audelssa Estate Winery - only got a tour and a tasting, but Eric's 2005 & 2007 Cabernet blends are amazing. Broke down and bought some. They will arrive in October.



Pamela poured a '61 (you read that right, almost as old as I am) Mouton Rothschild. Pamela says that wines that old have a short window to drink once they are open. So we drank it. Tom made beef tenderloin, mashed potatoes, cauliflower with herbs de Provence, and a heirloom tomato salad. Yum again.

The peaches were amazing, like candy. Can hardly wait for Michigan peaches!

Illinois produce is, however, as delicious as the stuff we found. Really.