One of the biggest challenges for us while planning the wedding was a honeymoon destination. Since we got married on Mackinac Island, Michigan, we wanted the event to be in the peak of the summer, this was why we chose August 2. But then we were left wondering as to where to go for honeymoon in August.
Europe is pretty much dead in August and hot! The Carribean? Mexico? Nah – we didn’t think that they would be appropriate in the summer. Therefore, Red and I decided on Napa for our mini-moon and boy, were we glad!
SAN FRANCISCO
We only got to try one restaurant in SF before heading to Yountville, and we were glad that we picked Yank Sing for dimsum. It was the most elegant dimsum place that we have ever been at, and the soup dumpling was SUBLIME! Neither one of us have ever tried it, and it was just an insanely cool experience to take a piece of soup dumpling, put it my mouth and have the skin break inside my mouth. The warm delicious broth just filled my mouth with a savory flavor that was so light and satisfying.
Yountville
Because we were there during the week, we were able to get an outdoor table at Bouchon Bistro and enjoyed a delicious dinner of grouper on top of steamed vegetables (their dish of the day). The fish was cooked to perfection while the vegetables were seasoned and steamed to compliment the fish. Oh, and the presentation took my breath away that I had to take a picture of it!
The second restaurant that we ate at was Bistro Jeanty. I ordered their mussels steamed in red wine with grilled bread, and I was actually dissapointed with the flavor. The saltiness was a bit overpowering, and the service was average. Red orderd Coq au Vin and he also thought that his dish was okay. Maybe we both expected a little bit more after our experience at Bouchon Bistro and reading the good reviews.
Next time, we’d probably go back to Bouchon Bistro, or try Mustard Grill and Ad Hoc. Red also thought that we should have gone and tried Michael Chiarello’s Bottega. There were more good restaurants than there were meals in the day, it was unbelieveable.
Our fave was the Whitehall Lane. Since we really enjoyed their merlot at Bouchon, we went and sampled some of their wines. Their Sauvignon Blanc was probably the first white that I truly enjoyed. We liked their tastings so much that we signed up for their wine club.
Healdsburg
This place was by far, the BEST hotel that we have ever stayed at. The service was OUTSTANDING, and I am a very discerning customer, so I was even shocked that I actually can say that I’d be glad to return in a heartbeat. Every single hotel staff that we encounter was courteous, friendly without being too pushy, and very helpful. They gave us a nice welcome note congratulating us of our wedding, with cookies and champagne.
Their restaurant waitstaff were all highly trained, even the busboys clearing out the used wine glasses. Everyone was aware of what table needed what food, and when it was supposed to be served and eaten. We spent FOUR hours enjoying plate after plate, after plate- of what ended up to be a 12-course dinner, including the desserts and chef’s treats to the customers.
We had our first home-made ice-cream churned table-side with liquid nitrogen that was simply exceptional. The wines were overflowing and it was just an exquisite dining experience. We were glad that we stayed here for our mini-moon and will always have a memory of our flawless time at this Inn.
