A curb-side lunch

Yesterday, was our national holiday to celebrate and remember the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  It also happened to be Munch Monday!

Munch Monday is a new concept in lunching for downtown Santa Rosa.  On a trial basis, the city is closing off 17 parking spaces in a large parking lot downtown and allowing lunch trucks to roll up and feed the masses.  Currently, there are six different lunch trucks offering everything from Chicago style hot dogs to crab sandwiches to dim sum with lots of choices in between. 

I learned about Munch Monday, as did a lot of other friends in my cycling world, from our friend Sarah who posted a link about it on FB.  So, after a short, and social cycling adventure (a rare treat for me on a Monday), six of us headed to a downtown parking lot, across from the post office, for lunch.

When I arrived I was surprised to see well over 100 people milling about and ordering food from the different lunch trucks.  As I surveyed my choices, I finally decided on a pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw and french fries.  It was really the fries that got my attention because they looked great (and they were).

After we got our food, we all walked over to one of the curbs to sit, eat, and chat.  This quickly turned into one of the best lunches I’ve had with friends in a long time.  There was something about the setting, eating on a curb and laughing with friends, that was special.  This was definitely one of those instances where the total experience was greater then the sum of its parts.  After about an hour of good food and great conversation, we all recycled our containers and headed home.

As of right now, this is still a trial and Munch Monday will only continue through the end of February.  But if yesterday was any indication, it is going to be successful so who knows how long the city will let it run.  I can tell you that I am already looking forward to my next curb-side lunch and chat.

Au revoir!

The Dinner

Each year, just after the holidays, Sherry and I host a dinner.  We look forward to this night all year.  It’s a quaint affair with no more then 8 guests.  However, the good food, vintage wines, and great friends always makes for a magical night and this year was no exception.

Let’s start with the menu.  Here are the food and wine pairings chosen for last Saturday’s dinner.  In case you were wondering, it was as good as it sounds.

• Hors-d'oeuvres - Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs NV Grand Cru Champagne (from the Rare Wine Company)
• Roasted pears with blue cheese salad - 2008 Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris (from Alsace)
• Cassoulet a la Bistro 29 - 2005 Chateau Les Hauts d'Aglan Cahors & 2005 Clos la Coutale Cahors
• Assortment of Artisan cheeses - 2005 Chateau Plaisance Bordeaux
• Pear and Stilton Tart - 2007 Chateau de Myrat Sauternes

The night lived up to its promise.  We ate.  We drank.  And, we laughed, told stories, and then laughed some more.  It was a perfect evening of food, wine and friends.

This year, Sherry and I had some help with the cooking.  Traditionally, I make my version of cassoulet for this dinner but since we are all traveling together to France later this year, I wanted something more authentic.  So, it was Bistro 29 to the rescue.  The chef there makes an awesome cassoulet so that’s what we served this year.

Another partner for the evening was Traverso’s.  After finalizing the menu I knew I needed the perfect white wine to pair with the salad.  So, up the hill to talk to Michael and he suggested the Pinot Gris from Alsace.  I will be going back up the hill to buy more.  It was a delightfully refreshing wine that I can see myself sipping in the back yard later this summer.  Traverso’s is also where I discovered the Clos la Coutale Cahors many years ago.

There you have it!  Another successful dinner with a little help from others.  Normally, I would already be looking forward to next year’s dinner but right now we have to finish planning for our trip to France. 

Au revoir!

Milestones

As you go through life, you will definitely pass a few milestones along the way.  Some of them are quite significant such as turning 21, getting married, or having your first child.  Others are more ceremonial like turning 30 or 40 where we tend to make a bigger deal out of these then we should.  This year, I will have one of each.

Let’s start with the more ceremonial milestone.  In April, I will turn 50.  For me, that’s really hard to believe because on the inside I don’t think I ever left my 30’s.  But time marches on and birthdays pass whether you want them to or not.  Since I still feel young at heart and mind, turning 50 doesn’t really concern me and I am looking forward to all of the celebration that comes with it.

The second 2011 milestone is much more significant.  In August, Sherry and I will reach our 25th wedding anniversary.  That means we have been married to each for half of our lives since she just turned 50 as well.  We are very proud of this achievement particularly given the today’s current divorce rates.

However, it’s not the number that’s significant.  It’s the fact that after 25 years we still prefer each other’s company to anyone else.  Sure, I love my bike rides with friends but given the option of a long ride with friends or a long leisurely lunch with Sherry, she wins every time.

The secret is not just love.  Lot of couples love each other.  No, I think it’s the pleasure we get for being together and the fact that as we’ve grown as individuals, we’ve also grown as a couple.  We are not the same 25 year olds who got married but the people we are today are even closer in many ways.

So there you have it.  There’s a lot of great things to celebrate in 2011.  You can bet there will be a big party in August at our house.  I hope each you have your own celebrations to look forward to as well.

Au revoir!