Category: Food and Drink

When we last left me, I was reveling in the tranquil charms of Capitola’s Monarch Cove Inn… But another sublime experience awaited me in Carmel-by-the-Sea. I was welcomed to L’Auberge Carmel by a smiling host proffering a fresh watermelon cooler, and I easily settled into the laid-back luxury of this European-style hostelry. The lavishly appointed guestrooms embrace a charming garden courtyard where intimate events are held, but now all was quiet, save for the trickling of a fountain.

My colleague Jan Brenner and I recently combined business with pleasure in Half Moon Bay. With its fun and artsy downtown, exhilarating coastal hikes, and water sports, Half Moon Bay is a day tripper’s delight and a wonderfully easy and rewarding wedding destination—just ask our very own Meredith, who wed her sweetheart on a Half Moon Bay beach!

The Lark Creek Inn has charmed me every time I’ve been to the restaurant, but now there’s another excuse to go: half-price bottles of wine for the whole month of July. If you haven’t thought about your rehearsal dinner location yet, try out a meal this month at this sweet old Victorian in a redwood grove.

I’ve never been to an Indian wedding, but I’ve seen pictures of them and they are a feast for the eyes. I’m fascinated by the rituals and all the color: lots of bejeweled women draped in gorgeous saris, vibrant flowers in abundance … That’s why when I heard about this upcoming event—a “scintillating evening of fun and information, focused on the Bay Area Indian wedding market,” I signed up right away.

Everyone’s talking about InStyle Weddings’ recent report of celebrity-driven wedding trends…but I have my own opinion!

I admit it—at heart, I’m an old-fashioned girl. Add to that a hopeless romantic and a bit of an Anglophile, and it’s no wonder that I was a huge fan of the magazine classic, Victoria. Lest you cool chicks think that’s the sort of rag read only by grandmas, take note: Besides a healthy dose of lace and roses, Victoria also profiles chic boutiques, insider travel destinations (it’s never too early to fantasize about your honeymoon!), innovative recipes, and plenty of tips for creative entertaining. And as a bride, you’ll be doing plenty of that, girlfriend!

Wedding Planning Tip: if you’re still hemming and hawing about where to have your rehearsal dinner , Restaurant Week’s a great way to test drive your faves without breaking the bank!

Thank goodness I discovered Dagoba. Fair Trade, Organic and award-winning, Dagoba’s unique “chocolate alchemy” combines flavors in innovative, tantalizing ways. Dagoba chocolate tastes genuine—that is, biting into a small piece, the first taste is chocolate, rather than sugar. Its authentic musky flavor sings of forests and unspoiled wilderness, invariably lifting my spirits. I’ve come to prefer my chocolate dark & spicy, and Dagoba’s Xocolatl, accented with cocoa nibs and chile peppers, satisfies my cravings. My husband isn’t as adventurous and fancies less intense varietals, such as New Moon, the best of bittersweet.