Chez Panisse

I know I previously stated that I didn't like to make blog posts about restaurants in other cities, but this was another full circle moment that I wanted to remember.

Ten years ago, I visited my cousin for the very first time in Berkeley, CA, and she pointed out Chez Panisse to me as we walked around. The trip was a 40th birthday present to myself, so I took a lot of pictures.

From 2014

I wanted to redo the trip for my 50th because I enjoyed California so much, but THIS time, I wanted to actually eat inside of Chez Panisse. We didn't go overboard and just ate upstairs in the café.

Me in 2024

But it was still a meal worth reporting!

I ordered the Northern Halibut...it was so soft and melted in my mouth.

Northern Halibut

Patience got the pasta with wild mushrooms.

Pasta with wild mushrooms

My cousin ordered one of the two pizzas on the menu and it was perfect for one person.

Pizza with bacon, capers, and hot peppers

Her husband ordered the chicken, and he cleared his plate as well.

Grilled Chicken al Mattone

Menu

Hopefully I'll make it back in another ten years and actually eat in the main dining room!

Resources:

Chez Panisse = https://www.chezpanisse.com

Photos by Patience Scanlon

The Matheson in Healdsburg

Normally I don't blog about food adventures from other cities, because that's a total tease, but this one is pretty special, so I wanted to write about it so I can remember it always.

I didn't realize it until I went to the website to make a reservation, but The Matheson is a Michelin star restaurant! And I picked it for New Years Eve when they had a Prix Fixe menu. While it was the most expensive meal I've ever had, it was pretty epic. You only turn 50 once!

One of the best things about a prix fixe is that you don't have to make ANY decisions...well, we did have to decide on adding a wine flight (that we shared) and passing on any caviar or Dom Perignon. (Such choices!)

Also, we got the best seats in the house in front of the kitchen and it was so cool to watch all the action. 

Best seats in the restaurant watching the kitchen!

It was literally... All. The. Hits.

Lobster - Let's just say I would have been happy with one of the 16 ounce containers full of this stuff. I think some caviar is on top there. YES!

Lobster

A5 Wagyu Beef Tartare - Loved the capers added to this! And the full egg yolk on top... just gorgeous!

Beef Tartare

This is what Patience calls, the money shot, which she took...

Close up on the egg yolk...

Agnolotti - One of my most favorite pasta dishes...and with Peking duck inside! In consume! I would highly recommend ordering this by itself.

Agnolotti

Ahi Wellington - That's right... you heard me! Wellington! I've never had it before either...and I think this might have been my winner of the night!

Ahi Wellington

Filet - It was cooked perfectly and came with Dungeness crab on top. And a potato-tallow pave, which Patience had to show me how complicated it is to make. We decided to pass on the upgrade to A5 Wagyu and I think it was amazing already.

Filet

Chocolate cake - Did they know I was coming??? I wanted to lick the plate.

Chocolate cake

If you're ever in Healdsburg and need a recommendation, here you go! Best meal I have ever had.

Satisfied customers

My birthday card and menu

Resources:

The Matheson = https://www.thematheson.com/

La Paulee de Chateauneuf at Nudo House

To continue on from my previous blog post, I attended a SECOND wine dinner the following month because I couldn't miss two of my favorite things coming together....Chateauneuf du Pape wine and anything created by Chef Marie-Anne Velasco! 

I wouldn't normally think to pair a big red wine with Asian food, but the wines went really well with these rich courses. 

Anyway, I'm just going to let the pictures do the talking. 

While waiting for everyone to arrive, there was a Banh Mi Welcome Board where you could build your own baby Bahn Mi sandwich! So cute! (Here is my work, deconstructed.)

Banh Mi Welcome Board

The first official dish of the night was Braised Pork with rice, and the pork was cooked so well that I didn't get that piggy flavor. Japanese salmon caviar on the side. This was actually my favorite of the night!

Braised Pork

The Vietnamese Ginger Beef Salad was delicious in the tangy dressing. The beef was cooked perfectly.

Vietnamese Ginger Beef Salad

The Lamb Curry was very rich in a coconut curry sauce, and definitely deserved the best of the best CdP!

Lamb Curry

At the end of the night, there was a Rhone Valley wine swap, and it got quite crazy since people eventually began venturing over to other tables. There was a giant magnum too! I wish I had more room for all the chocolate truffles as well.

Chocolate Truffles

What a talented chef! (Don't we look tall here?)

The talented Marie-Anne Velasco

So much girl power that night!

Heather, MAV, STLWinegirl, and Beth

Menu

Resources:

Nudo House = https://www.nudohousestl.com/

Salve Osteria Wine Dinner with Andrey Ivanov

When I saw that Andrey Ivanov, hometown wine hero, was coming back to host a wine dinner at Salve Osteria, I did not hesitate to splurge and sign up.

Andrey is the President and CEO at Bliss Wine Concierge and I would drink anything he recommended really. 

Andrey Ivanov - Bliss Wine Concierge

Check out this menu from Salve Osteria! Two wines per dish too! One course had three!

Salve Osteria Wine Dinner menu

First course - Crudo

Crudo

Second course - Terrine

Terrine

Third course - Duck

Duck

Fourth course - Raviolo

Raviolo

Fifth course - Lemon Sorbet

Lemon Sorbet

And finishing the night with a Rasberry Semifreddo.

Raspberry Semifreddo

Resources:

Salve Osteria = https://www.salveosteria.com/

Bliss Wine = https://blisswineconcierge.com/

Idol Wolf

Even though Idol Wolf is not unique to St. Louis, I was curious about the artsy, 21c Museum Hotel and the restaurant inside. I have loved seeing everyone's crazy selfies and pictures throughout the hotel.

Hotel Wallpaper

I was fortunate to get to try out a few small plates on a trial run before my official reservation for this year's BethFest celebration! Also, great cocktails! It's worth it just to go to the airy, two-story bar area. Both times, I couldn't resist one of their gin and tonics, which come in a glass so big, I have to use two hands! So refreshing on a hot day, too.

Cucumber and Rose Gin & Tonic

Speaking of using your hands, I didn't realize that the theme is Spanish tapas...so be sure to bring friends to share with! My personal favorites were the Pan Con Tomate (I insist you order it with Manchego on top!!) and the Patatas Bravas.

Pan Con Tomate

Patatas Bravas

My next round included Gambas al Ajillo (Argentinian Red Shrimp) and Tuna on Toast. (We almost demolished the shrimp before I remembered to take a picture.)

Gambas al Ajillo

Tuna on Toast

My table also picked out some "piggy themed options": the "Chorizo" Roasted Hen of the Woods and Albondigas (pork and beef meatballs), which had an awesome amount of cheese on it. We were quite full after this.

"Chorizo" Roasted Hen of the Woods

Albondigas

Since we were celebrating BethFest, a dessert round of Churros arrived with a side of chocolate sauce! (Good thing because I forgot my secret pocket chocolate sauce.)

Churros

With so many small plates, I really hope to make it back for more bites, or maybe even a full size entrée! The possibilities are endless.

Resources:

Idol Wolf = https://idolwolfstl.com/