All in California
Wine snobs are the at the top of the totem pole of snobbery. Wine tasting is about the wine AND the experience. Why go somewhere where you're scrutinized for your wine-ducation and treated poorly?
I'm an huge fan of Dutch Henry and Lava Vines, which are Calistoga wineries that don't have the chillest attitude and great wine.
What are people putting in my bubble tea? Poison!
Not really, but it's like the chicken nugget mystery. Most bubble tea places use non-dairy creamer because of the prevalence of lactose intolerance in the Asian population.
When you go to Napa, it's overwhelming.
There are so many vineyards that are priced differently AND have different wines AND have different ambiances AND are different distances apart.
Needless to say, it's hard to put together an itinerary. This itinerary is a suggestion for what can be done in a day in magical, snobby Napa Valley.
This is the first of many Napa Valley wine tours. So here's a little bit of an intro to the wine tasting experience.
Wine tasting is subjective and anyone who tells you otherwise is a liar. You like what you like. And some people can't tell the difference between red wine and vinegar.
Also keep in mind that vineyards generally don't serve their best wines in tastings.
All this being said, wine snobs are the snobbiest of the snobs. And sometimes they'll make you feel dumb for not knowing what you like. So come in with a preference. Here are some go-to lines you can use:
Recently, Coffee Shop opened in the city center of Walnut Creek... a few doors down from a Peet's coffee. DUN DUN DUN!
The Incumbent.
For those of you not on the West Coast, Peet's is like Starbucks - except bolder. It guarantees you a 3.5/5 coffee. Our incumbent has outdoor seating and has been at its location longer than I've been alive.
It's patrons (called Peet-ics) are early morning bikers, yoga women (/men), and pre-work coffee drinkers (so basically everyone).
As you can see, Coffee Shop made a bold and dangerous move setting up shop next to Peet's.
What is Sonoma?
Sonoma is part of California's wine country. It's right next to Napa (a more familiar name). The tastings in Sonoma are generally less expensive because it's not as well known.
In Napa, you can't get by without spending at least $20/person. In Sonoma, you can get away with free wine tastings (Whaat!?).
Wine country is not all about wine (Whaat!?) - it's actually quite beautiful. Here's a day in Sonoma County.
Burmese cuisine is like eating the best parts of Chinese, Thai, and Indian cuisine- how can you refuse?
7 x 7 rated Tommy's Mexican's Restaurant's "Tommy's Margarita" as the best margarita in SF. If this is really the case, I'm going to quit my job and start a margarita bar because clearly there is very little competition.
The margarita was ok - a little sweet - but not bad - not excellent, but certainly not the best margarita I have ever had.
Living in a suburb can be difficult because there tends to be no great mom and pop restaurants. Concord, CA ended up having pretty decent Thai food - probably some of the best of the Contra Costa area.
Biryani is an art, but really it's a rice dish made with meat, spices, and vegetables. This dish takes a lot of skill to make. It's like the Indian version of Spanish paella. (ish). Every South Asian kid will claim that their mom's biryani is the best Unfortunately, when you go off to college, there ain't no momma's biryani. This list is for those poor South Asian kids.
