As you may know by now Heather and I are both Meeting Assistant/Coordinators for non-profit associations. Each year our associations hold an annual meeting for approximately 10,000 attendees. It’s a lot of work, but you do get to travel, in some cases, to pretty cool places. I just got back from a trip in San Francisco for our annual meeting. I tacked a mini-vacation on the end in order to actually have time to enjoy the city. My boyfriend came out to join me and we loved every minute of it. We found the most amazing breakfast place on 5th and Mission that you have to try if you are ever in San Francisco. The restaurant is called Soma Restaurant and Bar and has a small Italian café feel. The menu is minimal but is of great quality: Eggs Florentine, Eggs Benedict, and open face omelet with chorizo all for $9.95 or less!
We also had an authentic Chinese food experience in Chinatown and hit all the trademark tourist spots: touring Alcatraz, cable car riding, walking through fisherman’s wharf, biking over the Golden Gate Bridge, and a visiting the Ferry Building. We had amazing weather and couldn’t be happier to have some quality time with my boy.
We then headed up to Napa Valley in our rented mustang convertible on Friday 11/11/11 while it was rainy and gloomy. We decided to take back roads and enjoy the drive. Along our drive through Sonoma we decided to stop at a winery Gloria Ferrer. This winery was absolutely beautiful and had exceptional champagne and decent Pinot Noir. They also serve the most amazing roasted spicy almonds. While there Wil (my boyfriend) wanted to keep walking around the property and I was very much against it do to the weather. As we were leaving we walked up to the outdoor patio overlooking the vineyard and he asked me if I had enough photos and I said I think so. He said that I should probably trying getting the wide shot out to the left. I said ok…. then asked if he wanted a picture of anything else.
He said, “I want a picture of this,” I turned around and he was on one knee and asked me to marry him. I dropped my camera and instantly said yes and started bawling. To say the least this is my new favorite winery. But I do have to say regardless of the moment the Brut Rose Champagne by Gloria Ferrer is amazing and will be at our wedding for sure!
We then drove up to Napa and stayed at the Rancho Caymus Inn. This place is by far the cutest and luxurious hotel I have stayed in. It was the perfect place for us to spend the next few nights after our engagement. I would recommend it if you are looking for a place to to stay north of Napa.
We went to a Mediterranean restaurant up in St. Helena the night we arrived which was decent it was called Buccerta. The next morning we woke up and went to 4 wineries. The best winery by far was the Rubicon Estate. The winery was beautiful and had phenomenal red wine and beautiful views.
We had lunch at the Rutherford Grill after a long wait but oh, was it worth the wait! The prime rib sandwich was the most simple, yet, flavorful sandwich I had ever had! That night we ate at Alex, the restaurant in the Rancho Caymus Inn. This is new restaurant but already has a reputation of high quality food and service. We loved every moment in Napa. The wine and cuisine were fabulous!
Holy Matrimony
H&M
