How about that stunning three-day weekend? I hope you had a swell one. Me? I got the hell out of Dodge on Sunday and headed up to see friends who are now living in Yountville. We rode bikes, had Champagne on the porch, swam at the Yountville pool, and had a pretty fabulous evening at Cairdean Estate, just north of St. Helena. After trying some of their wines (you know some rosé was in our lineup), we sat down to a gastropubby dinner at the new The Farmer & the Fox, with chef Joseph Humphrey leading the kitchen. The space looks great, the cocktails were excellent, and I’ll be back for their smoked duck wings and popovers, trust. I’ll share more on tablehopper soon.
I had to get back to the city on Monday so I could properly celebrate my 20th anniversary of living in SF. I guess there aren’t many cities where it would feel right to celebrate something like that, but in SF, I think it’s a must. I had a blast meeting up with old and new friends throughout the night, taking a trip down memory lane to Club Deluxe, the Big 4, Tony Nik’s, and a slice of Golden Boy pizza may have made its way into the evening as well. Oh yeahhhhh.
So things are a little bonkers over here at Hopper HQ: I’m trying to get everything wrapped up since I’m heading to France on Tuesday September 9th (mon dieu!). I’m taking a family trip to Paris, Champagne, and the Loire Valley (we’ll be in Sancerre and Vouvray), so excited. It’s going to be a special one, that’s for damn sure. European Vacation, Part II!
So what this means is that today’s issue had to cover a LOT of news since we’re not running any more news issues after this Friday September 5th—we’ll be going dark until Tuesday September 30th. Dear publicists, restaurant owners, and bar folks, please hold back on any time-sensitive news, pitches, and more since I’ll be gone, merci beaucoup!
Okay folks, let’s dive in here since we have a lot to go over. We’ll see you Friday for one last little transmission.
Bisous! Marcia Gagliardi
The Countess of Carrak (with aquavit, beet juice, fennel bitters and pollen, egg white, lemon) at The Farmer & the Fox in St. Helena. (An amazing pairing with the cured salmon/beer bread.) Photo: © tablehopper.com.View tablehopper Newsletter from Wednesday, Sep 3 2014
