Tag Archives: Healdsburg California

J Vineyards Makes it Right

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A few weeks ago I wrote about a negative experience my friends and I had at  J Vineyards & Winery in Healdsburg. The short story is that we were part of a Wine Club special event tasting where employees were uneducated about the wines and food pairings, they lacked attention to detail and their guests and the “sparkling only” wine shipment was overpriced and handed to me not with pride but apologetically.

A few days after sharing that experience I was contacted over Twitter and the phone by Carolyne, a representative of the winery. We talked at length about what happened, what should have happened and what will happen in the future. Carolyne was kind to listen, apologize and provide me with the confidence that myself and others will not be dealt the same poor service ever again at their tasting room. Continue reading →

J Vineyards and Winery, a Bitter Taste

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J Vineyards and WineryI tweeted earlier in the week that Kayla, Marris and I had a dreadful wine tasting at J Vineyards in Healdsburg. J Vineyards responded on Twitter requesting I direct message them my story so they could make it right. I told them I’d put it together here and so I have. A direct message, while definitely tidier for J, would never allow me to fully explain my disappointment. Here goes:

If you’re a regular reader of my blog, you probably know about the never-ending renovation I’ve been doing on my house in wine country. I find myself going up north to meet with a contractor or furniture delivery person at least once a month. While this might be annoying to some, and it is to me, the best part of these trips is getting to see Kayla.

It’s a rare event that Kayla and I are in the same zip code and don’t do some sort of wine tasting. So on this trip to Sonoma County, she and I decided to hit up J Vineyards for a quick tasting and pick up my wine club shipment. Marris was in town and joined in on the adventure. But before we go there, let’s learn a bit about the winery and my history visiting them. Continue reading →

Latest Gastronomic Adventures

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I have family (my mom) in town right now which means eating food I typically wouldn’t. Since starting the Four Hour Body lifestyle, I have been eating really well and drinking very little. However, this all came to a pause when my mom came in town. It’s quite hard to stick to a diet when someone with great taste is in town, ready to try it all.

So here’s what I have been enjoying on my cheat week, well a few of the things.

From Willi’s Seafood & Raw Bar in Healdsburg:

Lobster Roll and Raspberry Lemon Drop Martini
Lobster Roll and Raspberry Lemon Drop Martini
Sweet and Spicy Calamari with Raspberry Lemon Drop Martini
Sweet and Spicy Calamari with Raspberry Lemon Drop Martini
Washington and California Oysters with Dirty Martini and Sidecar cocktails
Washington and California Oysters with Dirty Martini and Sidecar cocktails

From Absinthe Brassier and Bar in San Francisco (forgot to shoot the amazing onion soup):

Roasted Strawberry Panna Cotta with Baby Basil Meringue
Roasted Strawberry Panna Cotta with Baby Basil Meringue

Wish you were here, bet you do too!

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Give a Flying Goat

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I’m not sure what it is with The Flying Goat Coffee. Either I get an amazing cappuccino made exactly as ordered or I get something else entirely and in some cases I don’t get anything at all.

Of the last three times I have visited The Goat in Healdsburg only once has my order been properly fulfilled.

  1. Ordered a cappuccino. Ten minutes of waiting, they forgot to make it.
  2. Ordered a cappuccino. It comes, delicious. (Pictured above)
  3. Ordered a cappuccino with two extra shots. I get a double espresso.

I understand that The Goat is a coffee shop superior in product to Starbucks but at least with Starbucks, if I order a drink, nine times out of ten that drink is what I get.

Of course, as long as The Goat has plain bagels with cream cheese and tapenade, I’ll be loyal with ever trip to Santa Rosa/Healdsburg. Fact.