Experiences

Come with me to the Farmers Market.   Meet the growers and folks who have the dirt under their nails who are growing the most amazing produce or raising the finest livestock to go directly from their farm to your table that evening.  We can find the best of what’s in season to come up with a menu plan for that evening.   As an experienced private chef I can then prep and execute that menu, you can throw an apron on and we can collaborate (always the most fun) or you can bring it all home and whip it up yourselves.

Let me take you to some of the best bites in the area that you never would have found otherwise.   This late morning through early afternoon tour will whet your appetites for all of the dining cravings.   We’ll hit the sweet & the savory, the simple and the sophisticated, the mom and the pop places that satisfy all of your current culinary yearnings that you have or didn’t even know you had.  Beware, once this door is opened you may not want to go to a well known establishment again!

One of my favorite days since living out here in Napa is to head out to the coast line of Tomales Bay driving through the pastoral farm lands, seeing the temperature variances every 10-15 miles and arriving (oh, these are microclimates!) and ending up with the salty sea air that reminds me I’m on the left coast.  We have to sample some of the local oysters, either raw or grilled, in a very informal atmosphere on the water.   Then we stock up on the most amazing Manila Clams to put in the cooler for linguine a la vongole for dinner.   After all of that excitement we might be in need of a sweet treat in a charming one stop light town for the most incredible soft serve ice cream you’ve had in your life.  Trust me.   On our way back inland we’ll stop at a cheese shop that’s been operating since the Civil War to get a true flavor of the land.

Awaken your slumbering palette with the vibrant flavors of Mexico 3 miles from Sonoma square.  Don’t expect taco salad and a bean and cheese burrito with some chips and Ortega salsa today.   Not that there’s anything wrong with that but we will be tasting some incredible food from establishments that you would have driven by 6 times over the weekend on your way wine tasting in Kenwood without noticing.  You’ll be introduced to both the familiar and the new and in the case of the new you’ll be saying, “why didn’t I know about that earlier?!”.  Mix in a hike in one of Sonoma’s amazing parks beforehand to work up an appetite and you’ll have another of my most beloved days.

Think vineyard views in a NorCal natural relaxed setting.   We’ll procure an artisanal and incredible sangweech (like I’m back in Jersey) or some Friday special fried chicken or a fresh baguette and some local runny cheese and fresh fruit or some charcuterie and veggies with some dips and crackers or we’ll get all of it!   You know we’re going to have some local beverages to go along with lunch so we’ll have to talk about what’s going to be best for that too.  You’re away from home so unplug, be disconnected and deeply breathe the fresh air.  “One touch of nature makes the whole world kin” - John Muir

When you’re planning your getaway to Wine Country odds are that one of the great towns of Sonoma County isn’t on your itinerary.   Well it should be gosh darnitt!!!!  This dairy community has quite a history behind it and continues to have a modern day renaissance with its iconic breweries, incredible eateries, world famous bakeries and new and up and coming distilleries.   The dairy culture is in full effect still so maybe we can take the kids to see some livestock and chickens, we certainly can go and get some great cheese.   If you’re up for it we’ll go to the outskirts of town and get some unbelievable jerky and assorted meats.   You’ll thank me later for taking you there.