Lady of Leisure (That’s How I Roll)

Today I cleared my schedule for 2 hours to be a lady of leisure and meet Susie for a midweek lunch date. It was so nice to catch up and chat just 1-on-1 after having to cancel on her twice in a row (the first time to get my walking cast and the second because I was ill) and then ‘share’ her at her birthday party.

{Susie and me at her birthday party in mid January.}

I don’t know what took so long, but I finally today introduced Susie to Michi Sushi, my absolute favorite sushi place in the Bay. The reason it doesn’t get a lot of posting action here is mainly because it’s quite pricey and therefore I don’t frequent it as often as I’d like. Rolls are generally $20 – $25 per 6 – 8 pieces. I saw one of there for $35. Steep, absolutely. However, the quality, freshness, flavor, and service make it worth the splurge every now and again. It especially helps to go with a group so you can try more, as one roll is usually more than enough for one person. Proof? When Susie and I each ordered a salad and a roll, our server asked if we were really hungry, and kindly suggested we start with only one roll and two salads. Such good advice! I think next time we could even get by with just one salad and one roll between the two of us… I know it doesn’t sound like much, but as evidenced in this blog, we can both really pack it away so believe when I say we were stuffed. Ooh, and the portions help justify the cost, too.

Here’s an example of their menu. Check out those crazy names (and prices)! :P

(Source)

And here’s what we had, two salads and the Alex Smith on Fire Roll:

The salads were wonderful as was the roll. Next time, tho, I think I’ll try one with less tempura crunchies… Only because I love them so much and ended up eating so many of them! By the way, the salads were $14 each and the roll $23, so lunch came to $33 each with tip.

More Backyard Wineries

Tuesday’s Workout – 15 minutes weights, 45 minutes upright bike

Sunday was Girls’ Day Out organized by my friend, Kathleen. She loves wine and animals, so what more fitting way to spend our day than at Picchetti and Cooper-Garrod Vineyards? As you will see, there is plenty of vino and plenty of animals at both!

Around noon, Sarah and I met up with Stacy and Kathleen at Picchetti in Cupertino where we commenced with wine tasting.

I’d been here once before with my parents and Shaun about a year ago. $5 gets you a flight of 5 wines of your choosing from a list of about 10. I didn’t recall the wine being all that great, but this time around I was pleasantly surprised — they were lovely! I like them so much, in fact, I’m even considering joining their wine club! Even though I got irritated with the sommelier… He was a little too overzealous about the wine for my taste. He kept reprimanding me for my selections! Apparently, they ‘don’t pair well together’ and he’d do his best to persuade me to try something else which was always one I didn’t want to try in favor of the one I’d originally chosen. He also withheld pouring our wine if we were taking little sips of our friends’ for fear it would damage our palates. I understand his intention was good, but then why bother giving people a choice of wines? If you’re going to be a control freak about it, why not have visitors choose from two set tasting menus? This and the fact they don’t allow bocce are the only pitfalls. The wine will continue to draw me here, as will the grounds:

{The setting is perfect for picnicking!}

{Our picnic lunch complete with turkey and salami sandwiches, cheeses, fig jam, crackers, baguettes, apples, grapes, chocolate chip cookies, and wine!}

{“How you doin?” – This guy wandered over at one point to get a little ego boost from the ladies.}

Then it was off to Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards which is known for its stables as well as wines!

Horseback riding, anyone?

I’ve been on a horse maybe 5 times total in my life. The first time was at Sun Mountain Lodge when I was 7 or 8 and they gave me a pregnant horse to ride named Pearl. My all time favorite experience riding was in Cabo San Lucas where I got to gallop on my horse through the surf along a remote stretch of beach. Wheeeee! I also enjoyed a horse back riding tour in the valley of Oahu’s North Shore where Lost and Jurassic Park were filmed.

$5 will get you 6 tastings at Cooper-Garrod. I personally didn’t care for the wine here and didn’t finish a single pour, but Stacy bought a bottle of their ‘Test Pilot’ which is aptly named after one of the co-founders of the winery (a former NASA test pilot!) who happened to pop by for a visit and sign her bottle.

Thanks for organizing, Kathleen!

Picchetti - 13100 Montebello Road, Cupertino, CA 95014 - (408) 741-1310

Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards - 22645 Garrod Road, Saratoga, CA 95070 – (408) 867.7116

More Backyard Wineries

After my marathon of a run Saturday morning (okay, not really a marathon, but 9 miles is far for me!), I inhaled this breakfast:

{3-egg scramble, tots, and leftover meatloaf}

Then Shrek and I set out to explore a few wineries in nearby Morgan Hill for the first time. We are fairly familiar with the wineries of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Livermore, and even Napa and Sonoma. However, after Saturday’s venture to Morgan Hill I can’t believe it’s taken this long for us to discover this cluster of wineries just 30 minutes South of us!

{source.}

First stop, Emilio Guglielmo Winery.

{Skirt by H&M, silk tank from Aritzia, belt by Club Monaco, slippers by J.Crew, watch by Fossil, necklace by Flying Lizard, sunglasses by Coach, clutch by Louis Vuitton}

I’ve had their wines at some local wine tasting events (Santana Row Stroll for one), but this was on our radar Saturday because a girlfriend gave me her Groupon she’d purchased awhile back that was about to expire. It was good for tasting for 4, a bottle of wine, and a chocolate bar.

Shrek and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves at the tasting which is verrry generous. Bonus? The people pouring are super friendly! When we first entered the boutique mom n’pop tasting room, we were greeted and invited to taste 8 wines for $5, but they accepted our Groupon without any hassle. We tasted 4 whites in the front of the tasting room and then were sent back into the boutique to taste 4 reds. But see all those reds in the photo below? I think Shrek and I tasted close to 15 wines total by the time we left!!

Fortunately Shrek was good to drive and remembered our free wine and chocolate!

And oh hey, check out the name of the chocolate bar we got!!

:D

Next, we stopped to (literally) smell the roses at Clos Lachance — a stunning winery that’s reminded me a little bit of the wineries in Napa. 

We also tasted wine while we were there :) It’s “the big kid on the block” compared to most of the smaller boutique wineries in Morgan Hill and they offer free tastings to Yelpers!

Gorgeous vistas, rolling hills, a golf course (I know, I’m a golf nerd now!), rows and rows of vines, lovely wines, excellent service… It’s 5 stars all the way! Shrek and I even bought a bottle of their viognier to enjoy at home later… with our McDonalds lunch :P

Looking forward to checking out some more Morgan Hill vineyards next time!

Emilio Guglielmo Winery- 1480 East Main Avenue, Morgan Hill, CA 95037

Clos Lachance Winery - 1 Hummingbird Lane, San Martin, CA 95046