This photo does not even capture 1/100th of the view I had yesterday morning. A few friends and I went to a park near by to hike.

We climbed and climbed and climbed some more. The air was cool and crisp, and the view refreshing. We found stone sculptures everywhere. Some natural and some put in place by creative hikers. It was a great way to spend the morning…and a great workout! It showed me how out of shape I am. I was very sore later in the day.

By the time we made it back down the mountain I was starving. We went to lunch and I shoveled down (literally…no time for pictures. I needed food!)  2 fish tacos and some of the best black beans with cojita cheese from La Condesa in St. Helena.

A few hours later I sat down to family meal at the restaurant. Pizza and salad night!

Tartare of Hiramasa, Mango, Cucumber, Red Chilies

It was my first day on the garde manger station and I had a lot of fun! I spent most of my night plating salads and observing the kitchen. I still have a lot to learn but loved the pace. I’m looking forward to the next few months!

Energized,

Nora

For the past week, I have been going to work around 3pm to set up for dinner service. The grill team makes family meal for us to have an early supper around 4:15pm. I am never really hungry around this time (I still have to get used to this schedule), but know that I will be starving later on and gladly eat a nice plate of food. Family meal is usually composed of left over product that cannot be used for service. It is a good way to limit waste in the restaurant and fuel up before a fast-paced service!

I have been learning the ins and outs of the pastry station.

I will never forget the day we had 26 orders for chocolate soufflees at once. That took patience, preparation and team work.

On the same day, I got to practice my oyster shucking skills. We had a large party come in, and needed all hands on deck! I love oysters.

I have been lucky to taste and understand the products we are serving. My favorite so far: Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream–Real Mint (no extract), fresh ingredients and hand chopped 55% Valrhona Chocolate! Holy love!

My heat source is a fireplace. I have a love/hate relationship with the thing. Most nights I enjoy putting it on for aesthetic purposes. There is something so perfect about cozying up to a hot fireplace with a good book in my lap, a glass of wine in one hand and a piece of chocolate in the other (Lindt Dark Chocolate Sea Salt or Intense Mint…or both.). Albeit the fireplace makes my small room feel like a sauna in .5 seconds, so I try to refrain from turning it on. It is WAY too hot for daily use, but perfect for chilly mornings.

I put my usual yogurt, granola, banana bowl on hold for a heartier warm bowl of oatmeal (mixed with 1 banana, almonds, cranberries and honey). After months of eating slow-cooked steel-cut oatmeal for breakfast switching to instant oats was a difficult transition. I miss the chewiness and creaminess of the steel cut oats. This was mush, but beggers can’t be choosers. It is much easier for me to use an electric kettle for and just add hot water than to use my shared kitchen.

Lucky for me it will probably look like this by noon–perfect for a run before heading into the kitchen .

Snuggled,

Nora

On our day off from work, one of my co-workers sent me a message asking if I wanted to go wine tasting with a few of the guys from work (I am the only girl in the kitchen, but get along with them oddly well.) I was thrilled and nearly fell to the ground as I raced to the shower. I had 30 minutes to get ready and was in the middle of eating lunch in my sweaty running clothes when I saw his text message appear.

Our first stop was at Hall, a winery next to our restaurant. I enjoyed a few of their young Cabernets and can’t wait to see what they will be like when they age a few years.

Next Up: Heitz Cellar. My favorite (unfortunately for my budget) was their Martha’s Vineyard and their Port. Martha’s Vineyard was a heavy Cab–slightly sweet and smoky on the finish. A well rounded mouth feel and richness that would be perfect with seared tenderloin. *Sigh*

Check out the mustard growing between the vines! Beautiful! The last vineyard we visited was Chase, a small family place. We called for a reservation at their tasting room and were impressed by their Zinfandel. Not something I would expect from this region, but very nicely made. My favorite was their 2008 Zinfandel–something I want to drink with a rich homemade-pasta with bolognese on a rainy night. It was the perfect way to end a gray-chilly afternoon of wine explorations.

One day I will picnic at the Chase Vineyard–peaceful view!

Dinner was…epic to say the least. Me and 4 food-loving, “growing” boys (in their mid/late 20s) went to a cozy spot, Cook in St. Helena and ordered a lot of food. Chef/owner Jude Wilmoth has a menu of hearty, classical dishes with a homemade, elegant finish and fresh ingredients. I loved the straight forward menu. It’s good food done right.

Before I had the chance to open the menu, the boys ordered two platters of what they claimed were “The Best Brussles Sprouts in Napa”. I would have to agree, these Brussles are up there for me–served warm, perfectly seasoned and topped with cheese. What could be bad?

I think the boys are regulars–the Chef came out to make sure we were enjoying our food and even sent us a charcuterie board!

Instead of ordering one plate for dinner, we ordered several items and passed them around. First up: Fried Calamari with Aioli. I’m not big on Calamari but the texture was tender and the coating was light. It was a nice take on the classic dish.

Gnocchi. Hello pillows of love . I’ll admit, I left the ordering up to the boys. I am not a picky eater and wanted to experience their recommendations. I hardly ever order gnocchi because it is almost NEVER done right. Every time I order them they are dense and leave me feeling slughish. Not these. The gnocchi at cook literally melted in my mouth. They are finished with simple brown butter- sage sauce. I was not disappointed and my fork kept finding its way back to this plate.

Our shared entree: Short Rib with Mashed Potatoes! Holy love. This comfort classic reminded me of home. A great food for the Cabernet Sauvignons of the region and will heal any bad day.

I also had bites of a few extras the boys ordered…Fazzoletti–bolognese with housemade ricotta.

Mussels and clams in house made sausage and spicy tomato broth.

As if that wasn’t enough food already, our day just wouldnt be complete with out gelato. I was in an espresso mood and ordered the smallest little scoop (all I could fit!) of the cappuccino chip. It was creamy, flavorful and all around YUMMY!

A great day with food, friends and wine. I came home exhausted but very happy. It was hard waking up at 5am the next day but I would do it all again in a heartbeat!

Bon Vivant,

Nora

I’m not one to calorie-count or skip meals–I just try have balance. Some greens with my bacon…a little orange juice with my tequila. You get the picture. No need to give things up, it’s about moderation and balance.

I am big on breakfast. I think it sets the tone for the day, and I am cranky if I skip or have a bad breakfast experience. Breakfast is almost always something “healthy” like oatmeal or yogurt and granola mixed with banana, almonds, dried fruit and honey. Although, bacon is my second favorite food and every now and then I like a savory eggs, toast and bacon breakfast. I’m also a sucker for breakfast sandwiches and really good everything bagels. Lunch and dinner vary, and on days that I work there is always plenty of tasting in between.

Lately I’ve been feeling a bit off, tired and sluggish. I’m not sure what it is. I know that since holiday season I have been eating heavier meals. That is just what happens in winter.

On my day off from work, I decided to treat myself to some healthier bites. I had a quick breakfast of a Vanilla Almond Luna Bar and Banana while cleaning my room. Mid-morning I had a healthy snack: a big, juicy ruby red grapefruit. Around lunch time, I took an adventure to Cafe Gratitude in Healdsburg for some vegan fare. I ordered the “I am Whole” bowl which was a combination of sea vegetables and kale, seamed quinoa, homemade kim chee, carrots, sprouts with tahini-garlic sauce and teriyaki almonds.

Quinoa and kale make me feel healthy, and for that I am grateful. This bowl was SO large that I could only eat about 1/2 the rest came home with me for another meal. Healthy and hearty. I like when I feel satisfied by meatless meals. Cafe Gratitude is a great little place to stay and eat or take-out food. The staff is friendly and upon check out they give you a “question of the day” to reflect on. My inner hippy wanted to go to yoga and sip tea for the rest of the day. I will be back again for some fresh juice and homemade veggie tamales!

Healdsburg is such a gorgeous town. After lunch, I decided to extend my stay and walk around. I poked my head into several shops (hence the funny sayings napkins above) and found Flying Goat Coffee! HORRAY! Is it weird that one of my favorite activities is hanging out and doing work in coffee shops?

I couldn’t help myself to this little treat. I am a coffee-chocolate-holic. I got a cappuccino with whole milk and a square of TCHO dark chocolate.

Personal Coffee Opinion: Good espresso always deserves whole milk. It brings out the best flavor and texture–just makes you feel warm and snuggly inside.

The running shoes are coming out of retirement!

Living Life to the Fullest,

Nora

During my short one-week here, I’ve sampled a few wines. The Sebastiani 2009 Pinot Noir was one of my first purchases on my wine journey.

You see, I had a hankering for pizza. Specifically mushroom pizza.

What’s the perfect wine for a mushroom pizza?

Pinot.

A well balanced meal.

My thoughts on this wine:

When it comes to pinot noir, I am a student. I have explored various wines from Oregon, Burgundy and California but I am still learning this grape’s profile and dynamics. I found this particular pinot to be mellow and drinks well now. Slightly creamy and well rounded on the palate with a subtle sweet pepper finish. Once open it loses some of it’s finesse (I had a glass a few days later and the flavor was not as predominate.) . The nose on the wine was a mix of cherry and strawberry. At first all I could smell was a light, rich cherry and on second smell a sweetness hit me. It was great with pizza, however; I think I would pair this with cedar grilled salmon.

Wine-ducation,

Nora

Over the past three months I have researched the restaurant, the menus, the chef and their history from afar. I was excited and nervous to be apart of the kitchen. I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into but it looked like a great environment for me to spend 5 months.

The first days was spent cleaning and prepping.

The second day, I was on pastry . I was on a sugar rush all night. SO. MANY. DESSERTS! I prepared the batter for their mudslide cookies.

Crunchy on the outside, brownie like and chocolate-extreme in the center. GIVE ME A TALL GLASS OF MILK PLEASE!

I also got to sample the macaroons.

And the pastry chef’s favorite…oatmeal raisin. These cookies reminded me of home.

I also had the opportunity to learn about the cheeses they offer for dessert.

My favorite: (Top Right) Minuet Goat Cheese–Triple Creme, tangy, soft–amazing with fruits and dessert wines!

I also got to try a Kobe Beef Hot dog. I shared this foot long with my co-workers. It was the best hot dog I’ve ever had in my life and the toasted homemade bun and homemade relish made it even more sinful.

The fries didn’t hurt either.

I’m looking forward to the next five months.

Nora

I made sure to stock up on breakfast items and snack foods to save money (eating out gets expensive fast!). I had a simple bowl of yogurt, banana, Bearnaked Vanilla Almond Crunch Granola, cranberries and honey.

I had to run to the bank, and unfortunately the closest branch is 30 minutes away in Santa Rosa. I made a twisty-turny drive through the mountains and explored the area. I stopped at a little cafe called Holy Roast Coffee. I ordered a bowl of Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Soup, Goat Cheese-Pecan Salad, Coffee and an Apple.

Lunch was simple yet satisfying. One thing to note: It is HARD, HARD, HARD living in a new town when you do not know anyone and have an extreme interest in food. There are so many restaurants I wanted to visit in my first days here (plus, it’s restaurant month and many have deals), however; going to a restaurant alone is something I’ve never done before. Sure, I’ve been to cafes and lunch places by myself but never an elegant sit down restaurant. With work, I will not have much time to visit restaurants but I also hope to meet people to dine with on my days off!

I drove through Yountville and payed respects to Thomas Keller’s restaurants (Ad Hoc, Bouchon, French Laundry); Michael Chiarello’s Bottega and NapaStyle; and the Chandon Estate. There are several restaurants in Yountville that I have admired for years from afar. I found myself excited and nervous at the same time to even just drive by. I’ve placed this area on a pedestal– some people worship celebrities, I worship restaurants.

After a long day of driving, getting lost, and restaurant-worship, I did what any single girl in a new city would do and found a pizza place with take-out! To my luck, I found a really good place called Pizzaria Tra Vigne.

A little pinot for my mushroom pizza–PERFECT (will review in tomorrow’s post!).

And a large salad so I didn’t feel as guilty for eating half of the pizza. Granted, it was a small wood fire pizza–very filling but SO tasty that I couldn’t help myself. I will be ordering again soon!

First day of work tomorrow–wish me luck!

Napa Dreams,

Nora

I woke up a 3am Tuesday morning to sit on 2-suitcases and curse at them until they closed. My mom joined me as my frustrations escalated. A few pairs of high heels (that I will likely never wear while I am in California) were left behind.

I still reeked of shallots and garlic from the mushroom risotto I had for dinner the night before. I prayed that my fellow travelers would be kind and ignore my scent. My first flight was short– 6-7am. I stopped at Jamba Juice for a strawberry-banana smoothie topped with granola for a healthy airport breakfast.

I snacked on an apple and latte when I landed in San Fransisco but was STARVING by the time I was settled. It was nearly 2:30pm New York time–way past lunch. I found a plaza near the airport and a place called Cafe Grillades. I ordered the Mediterranean Crepe with a buckwheat crepe to go. I quickly inhaled my lunch and drove to my room in Napa.

(FILLED with olives, feta, tomato, red peppers, artichokes–YUM!)

My drive was unreal. In fact, I could not contain myself. I squealed with delight every 15 seconds. I saw restaurants, wineries and destinations that I have only ever heard about or read about online!  Bottega, NapaStyle, Yountville (home of The French Laundry), CIA Greystone, Mustards, Robert Mondavi! OH MY! I can only anticipate the knowledge I will acquire in the coming months.

I dropped my bags off and headed to my home away from home:

THE CULINARY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA!

I feel honored to be student at The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. My time there has been a whirlwind of hard work, friendships and all things food–I have learned SO much and I am forever grateful to have discovered and chased my passion at The CIA.

CIA Greystone is different, but still feels like home. I especially appreciated the lemon trees just growing in front of the school.

I had several errands to run and traveled 30 minutes away to the closest Target. I also paused like a tourist to gawk at the wine aisle.

After a long day, I decided to round out my healthy day of eating with take-out from Whole Foods. I snuggled up on my couch with an Eel-Avocado Roll with a side of Kale-Barley Salad and Banana (not pictured). I bought a bottle of Greystone Cellers Merlot from the CIA and had a glass with dinner. It wasn’t a wine I would traditionally pair with sushi but it worked. The eel was hearty enough with the sauce. The merlot was on the lighter side but had good flavor.

Now that I am in wine country, I plan on posting more about wine. One of my goals during my time here is not only to learn about the connection between food, wine and culture, but also to become more well versed in wine and study the dynamics. I am looking forward to many hidden gems .

Bon Vivant,

Nora

4:30pm Mom tells me that she has roasted chicken planned for dinner.

4:31pm I offer to clean and prep the chicken…and make dinner.

So much for unpacking.

On Saturday morning I slept in (for once in my life). I showered and was greeted to fluffy, warm pancakes a-la-dad! My dad is the best! He only believes in real maple syrup, so I doused my cakes with the good stuff and topped them with some sugary banana slices and walnuts.

Seriously…can you think of a more perfect way to start a late day?

My Papa (name for my grandfather) was coming over for dinner that night and I wanted to make him something special. My dad sent me an article about a local restaurant that had pork medallions on their menu, and wanted me to make them while I was home. I portioned a pork tenderloin, shaped each slice with cheese cloth into rounds and marinated them in a mixture of olive oil, garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt and pepper for about 20/30 minutes. I heated a skillet and seared each piece until golden and crispy. I finished my medallions in the oven until they reached the internal temperature of 145. To finish, I served them topped with apple cider sauce (apple cider, apple cider vinegar, pan drippings from pork and butter), roasted butternut squash-maple puree and roasted Brussels sprouts.

For dessert, my mom made warm apple crumbles with vanilla ice cream. My Papa loves all things apple, and it was a great way to end our hearty winter supper.

I miss my Papa terribly and it meant a lot for me to prepare a special dinner for him while I was home. I’ve never lived more than 4 hours from home–now that I am in California, I’m not sure when I will see my family next. It has made me appreciate out phone calls and time together even more than ever.

Like I said before, packing/unpacking/moving isn’t really my thing. I procrastinate and get frustrated. I am lucky to have friends and family–I could never do this alone. The day before my big move, I fell into a funk. After breakfast, I decided that if I started making lunch, it would give me something to look forward to….It would also give me an excuse to leave packing every 5 minutes to check on its progress.

I snacked throughout the morning and by the time lunch rolled around, I wasn’t even hungry. (I tend to do this while packing.) I enjoyed a light lunch of carrot and ginger soup, topped with Greek yogurt, almonds and honey. I gave myself a pat on the back for a lunch well made. Warm, hearty and packed with flavor. Twas good.

For my final meal home, I combined my two favorites into one dish: Seared Scallops and Risotto. I made a mushroom risotto with Cremini, Shiitake and Oyster Mushrooms. To increase texture/mushroom flavor, I took half of the mushrooms I sauteed and pureed them with homemade chicken stock to add back into the risotto at the end. I also roasted a few handfuls of the mushroom mix for a crispy garnish. I finished the dish with Truffle Oil and Parsley Oil, and served asparagus to have a green vegetable.

California Pinot…why not? A perfect farewell.

Home Girl,

Nora