You may remember a couple of weeks ago when we packed the station wagon {yes that’s what I drive!} with the whole Team Apartment crew and headed to wine country. Not only did we hang at one of our favorite Sonoma wineries, Scribe, we also took the not so frequent opportunity to visit Healdsburg, a small town north of Sonoma- that just so happens to be quite the emerging culinary hotspot. It’s home base to the fan-favorite, Bravo TV Top Chef hottie contestant, Louis Maldonado!

We met Chef Louis on his turf where he gave us the Top Chef treatment. He threw down a mean {and almost too pretty to eat!} 3 course meal at his restaurant Spoonbar.

top-chef-apartment-34

Naturally, we were pretty giddy about meeting a T.V. celebrity- you just can’t surpress the Bravo fan in a girl! But we played it super cool {for the most part} and desperately held back the urges to role play Top Chef judges Padma and Tom as we tasted Chef Louis’ out of this world food combinations.

From trout roe + granola + mustard seeds with deviled egg, to charred asparagus + buttermilk + radishes + abalone mushrooms, topped off by a pistachio dulce de leche cake with Prosecco and froster raspberries, each dish was just as good as the last. And we carry no shame when we say we licked those beautiful plates clean!

trout-spoonbar-apartment-34spoonbar-top-chef-louis-apartment-34

The fish flight was the first course and definitely a team favorite. Trout, trout roe, Kanpachi- all of the ingredients tasted fresh and clean, complimented by unfamiliar pairings like fermented chili and salsa verde. The Trout roe with granola and mustard seeds was so good we all ended up fork fighting for the last bite!

spoon-bar-apartment-34top-chef-spoonbar-healdsburg-apartment-34

The second course, the “meat” dish, comprised of the meaty abalone mushrooms {we still have no idea what those are!} was by far the prettiest thing we’ve ever had the opportunity to eat. Criss crossed with charred asparagus and dotted with flashes of pink radishes, we “ooooed” and “awwed” at the dish for a good couple of minutes before we dove in!

dessert-spoonbar-apartment-34

The dish that certainly had no chance of surviving was the dessert: pistachio dulce de leche cake. It’s just not right to make five people share something like this. All the rules we learned in kindergarten went right out the window and we were such hogs that our poor photographer, Aubrie, almost missed her chance at a bite!

chef-louis-top-chef-

And just when we were beginning to feel like Top Chef royalty {being wined and dined is quite the life!}, the meal came to a close. Although we never wanted to leave, Chef Louis definitely made us feel like stars while we were there. And luckily for us, great food isn’t the only thing Spoonbar offers! Guess again – we’re not talking about the chef…

You’ll have to wait for the big culinary insight. Hint: it involves a secret menu! Oh yea.

original photography for Apartment 34 by Aubrie Pick  

People often ask if living in San Fancisco is “worth it.” No one can deny it’s a rather expensive place to live. But everytime I’m asked, I reply without hesitation, absolutely. The reasons are numerous: awesome weather, amazing food, proximity to the ocean, the Golden Gate Bridge…but probably one of my tippy top reasons for loving living here is this:

Our backyard is filled with wine country!

winecountry1winecountry2

A scant 40 minute drive {across the Golden Gate no less} drops you into some of the most beautiful scenery you’ve ever seen with the bonus of fabulous wine to try everywhere you stop! One day up there feels like you’ve escaped to a whole other world. That’s why we take every chance we can to visit. We recently enjoyed an overnight escape to the sweet little town of St. Helena, {just north of Napa} to revel in all that wine country has to offer.

We stayed right in the “heart” of St. Helena, meaning along one of Main Street’s three blocks at The Wydown Hotel. It was the perfect shot of modern chic we needed to counter balance the “rustic wine country” aesthetic of almost everything else you tend to see.

IMG_6294winecountry3 wydownhotel

Owned by a young couple who wanted to create a space they would want to stay in themselves, they gut renovated the 100+ year old building and all of the rooms. I’m a sucker for attention to detail, so I loved the bespoke furnishings they co-designed with a friend, the historical images of St. Helena that hung in the hallways and the collections of design books in each room. Our room {above!} was spacious and lightfilled – the perfect respite in between wine tastings!

The Wydown was also a great homebase from which to explore St. Helena. We meandered through the town’s cute boutiques {I discovered interior designer Erin Martin’s showroom – seriously spectacular!}, walked five minutes to enjoy an amazing dinner at the delicious La Condesa {an also a-typical wine country restauarnt – it’s Mexican!} and enjoyed a coffee on our own little veranda.

wydownhotel4IMG_6527 winecountry5

There’s just something special about wine country. It soothes the soul. You feel connected to a process that has been practiced around the world for centuries. You discover people who are so passionaite and commited to what they do – and wine making is no easy feat friends. I find new inspiration everytime I visit. And right now is the perfect time to head to wine country. Harvest season is just wrapping up – you might be able to see some grapes being processed at your favorite wineries! The leaves on the vines are turning beautiful shades of orangey-red and the {almost always} sunny skies have a kind of perma-glow.

If you live anywhere near the Bay Area I say get thyself to wine country right now! And if you don’t live near here, consider planning a future visit during this time of year. You’ll still enjoy pleasantly warm days and soothing crisp nights all the way into early November!

Need another reason to go?? It’s also my favorite fashion season! Here’s my perfect outfit for a day among the vines.

GetTheLook copywinecountrywardrobe

get your shop on: Jeans || Jacket || Sunnies || Sweatshirt || Weekender || Booties || Scarf 

photography by me {eek!}

I’ve discovered yet another Bay Area secret: the beauty and fabulous wines that lay tucked away in Mendocino County!

Over the 4th of July we hopped in the car and hit the road, arriving at one of the prettiest places I’ve ever been in a mere two and half hours. Winding through redwood forests, one street towns and rolling vineyards made the drive part of the fun. I even survived the windy roads of HWY 128. I truly had no idea the treat we were in for though!

Gotta-Getaway-Mendocino1Mendocino-Gotta-Getaway-2Mendocino-Gotta-Getaway

Upon arriving in Mendocino proper, we pulled up to the Brewery Gulch Inn, one of the most charming bed and breakfasts you’ve ever seen. With views overlooking the dramatic coastline {we could hear the waves crashing from our room}, the Inn was the perfect home away from home. The breakfasts put most of my favorite brunch restaurants to shame! The Inn made a bacon that I’m still dreaming about.

Our days were also deliciously bookended by the wine tasting hour the Inn hosts daily. The “snacks” were really a meal and the splurge-worthy desserts that stayed out all evening were the perfect midnight snack.

Gotta-Getaway-Mendocino-HouseGotta-Getaway-Mendocino-2Gotta-Getaway-Mendocino-BedroomGotta-Getaway-Mendocino-Room

After getting properly fueled up for our day, we’d hit the road. The lesser known Anderson Valley appellation welcomed us with the best California Pinot Noir we’ve had to date. The smaller, friendly tasting rooms were a welcome break from the crowds of Napa. The casual ease made every stop more fun than next. Many a bottle came home with us, particularly from Baxter, Breggo and Roederer Estate.

Gotta-Getaway-Mendocino-WineryMendocino-Gotta-Getaway-3Mendocino-Gotta-Getaway3Mendocino-Gotta-Getaway-4Mendocino-Gotta-Getaway-Sunset

We also lucked out and enjoyed spectacular beach weather. Though Mendocino is known for cold temps and dense summer fog we awoke to sunshine and easy breezes everyday. For the first time in months I was motivated to put on my running shoes and enjoy the jagged coastline.

I was so charmed by all the small mom and pop shops, family run restaurants and seriously impressive wineries and I know we only got the smallest of samplings. While Mendocino is a small town, I know we still have so much more left to discover. I’m already counting down the days until we can go back!

original photography by me!