You are currently browsing the monthly archive for June 2008.
It was so nice to get up and over all the bad air that Northern California has been getting from all the bad wildfires! And in this case all it takes is 20 miles up Mt. Hamilton road to get an otherwise great scenic view of the bay area. This was another great bike ride for me, the temperature was perfecto, minus the sun gleaming on you. The bottom picture reflects how bad the air quality is, very hazy indeed!
Check out the local bike ride that I did a few weeks ago! Above is a picture from the start of Mt. Umunhum road and the Sierra Azul trail entrance. I was able to do lots of good hill climbing without driving far.
Also, here is a map of the 40 mile ride courtesy of http://www.mtbguru.com
If you love 1950’s diners inspired restaurants that serve the all American classic burgers and fries with a malt shake, Fentons Creamery is the place to go. A classic Oakland, Ca restaurant that started in 1894, and in 2007 opened up a location in Vacaville’s Nutree, California’s legendary roadstop. Above is a picture of Alyssa Lugtu about to enjoy her Jumbo 4 scoop ice cream with 4 toppings!
I had the opportunity to dine at this wonderful 2 Michelin star restaurant in a quaint cozy street just off the main downtown strip in Los Gatos, Ca. I had almost passed it since from the exterior it looked like just another Los Gatos house. I think that is what makes this restaurant so special, it is as if a good friend had invited us to their home for a dinner full of innovating, fresh, unique food full of amazing flavor. As you walk in you can watch the chefs, sous chefs at work in the kitchen, there is a window in the hallway before you are greeted into the dining area.
Executive Chef David Kinch made this restaurant not only a Michelin star restaurant but has also garnered his food and gained influence from French and Catalan style cooking. They receive their bio dynamic vegetables from Synthia Sandberg’s Love Apple Farm near Los Gatos, harvested that morning the same day for the evening. Love Apple Farm is exclusive to Manresa, which is also what makes Manresa special!
As the name Manresa comes from a medival small town from Spain’s Catalonia region I was expecting some Spanish flavors but was mistaken.
The menu is french style menu like at French Laundry where you have little tasters and aperitifs as well as small concoctions to clean your palette before your next course.
The first tasting was a little fried aperitif which seemed breaded and the filling looked like red radish infused with Swiss cheese. The second was an oyster with a foamed oyster sauce very light but full of flavor on the top. My favorite was an egg somewhat half cooked with a special light cream sauce and you have to dig in the egg with your spoon. My first entree was a raspberry foie gras jellied sauce, which was different though it seemed like I was already having dessert, but the raspberry sauce tasted so fresh! I then had fish with John Dory sauce, onion and potato skin. For my main course I had beef tender rare with potatoes, very juicy and tasty. For dessert I had a dark chocolate mousse on top of a lime froth with fresh light ice cream, which for chocolate lovers is the perfect choice! Then as a finish a dark chocolate truffle before the final huge bill.
A special wine that may be a bit pricey for most people is Pride Valley 02 which I believe you can purchase for 135.00. It went very well with the meal.
As you can tell it is hard to take pictures inside of the dishes, a bit embarrassing and tourist like I may say, so I only have the exterior sign of Manresa. Definitely a meal worth doing AGAIN.
Life Outside 