What says elegant and romantic more than a picnic dinner next to
a roaring fire with white linen table cloths? Dinners by fireside,
a tradition started last year at Clos LaChance winery in San
Martin, has begun anew.
What says elegant and romantic more than a picnic dinner next to a roaring fire with white linen table cloths? Dinners by fireside, a tradition started last year at Clos LaChance winery in San Martin, has begun anew. Twice a month Clos LaChance opens their tasting room and reception hall to night-time revelers eager to settle into nosh, a bottle or two of wine and relaxed, friendly conversation with those you keep meaning to get together with but never seem to set a date.
Last Saturday, Clos LaChance’s second open fireside saw fewer diners, probably due to the Californian’s fear of precipitation, but the opportunity to find a good table was ideal. The cost is low due to the novel idea of bringing your own nosh basket and the your-turn-to-buy the bottle round robin of wine purchasing where all the couples take turns picking the vintage.
Acting on a tip from the winery to get there early for a good table, Gilroy residents Matthew and Pam Brandt arrived half an hour early and snagged the cozy round table next to the fire. Joined by friends Kevin Forbes and the soon-to-be Mrs. Michelle Forbes, the Brandts unloaded their basket of goodies, including tomatoes and mozzarella, coppa, tofu, cucumbers, apples, cheese, bread, cookies and tapioca. (Pam wants to know when Gilroy is going to have a Whole Foods?!) As members of the winery’s wine group, the Brandts had heard about the firesides but this was their first time and they reported a delightful evening. Clos LaChance’s fireside nights last into April and the next event Feb. 9 at 5pm.
“Like dogs meeting in the park” is a phrase my salesman husband always uses to describe a first-time business meeting with prospective colleagues. If you need a visual on this description, check out the new off-leash dog park in Morgan Hill, where the canine-inclined go to run amuck. It’s reported to me there was a lot of domination behavior going on and one tough looking pitbull was hassled by one exuberant mongrel.
All this leads me to highly recommend my current read, “How Dogs Think” by Stanley Coren. The chapter entitled “I Sniff, Therefore I am” states the canine equivalent of ink is urine. It’s a good thing they don’t print newspapers, eh? Really, Coren writes a fascinating book and a great conversation starter for the above fireside dinners.
Just so you’re not in the dog house … start thinking about what to do with your sweetie on the upcoming holiday invented by Hallmark and chocolate companies. Poppy’s Seafood in Morgan Hill has created a takeout menu just right for anyone’s budget and those seeking an intimate, at-home rendezvous. The $60 menu includes a beer butt chicken (make sure you assure her there is no reference to her figure), potatoes, haricot verts, two cups of chowder, dessert, a long-stem rose and a bottle of wine.
The $75 menu includes two lobster tails, filet mignon, New York or ribeye steaks, potatoes, haricot verts, salad, dessert, a long-stem red rose and a bottle of wine.
The $90 version includes two whole lobsters, roasted red potatoes and the rest of the other menus. I can hear the sighs of relief already, now give Michael a call at Poppy’s at (408) 778-3200 and know that all that is needed is a lit candle and kids in bed (or better yet, grandma’s house).
Ciao for now.
