New Consignment Page (and a culinary adventure, of course!)

9/25/2011

Saturday afternoon…Weather Underground forecasts rain after midnight and a look at rapidly approaching “change-o-weather” clouds confirms. This scrubs climb of Mt. Washington tentatively planned for the weekend. I’m an adventurer, but heck, I’m still working on my tan so don’t have a huge desire to go climb crumbly rock in a rain/show shower. After taking down the tipi and getting it stored for the winter, I impulsively decide that a longer ride is in order in case Sunday is weathered in here in the valley…hop on bike and go!

Florence, Oregon isn’t necessarily thought of as a culinary hotspot, at least among the folks I hang with. Not that you can’t get a decent meal there and one has to get the obligatory bowl of Mo’s chowder at least a couple of times a year. But there is a relatively new place in town that may prove to change that perception over time.
I first encountered Feast at the event, previously mentioned in this blog, called Greatest of the Grape. They won a People’s Choice award for best food and wine pairing and the tuna tartar that was their contribution was perhaps the best flavor treat at the event. A friend and I dined at Feast earlier this year putting it firmly on my mental map.

The hour plus ride over included a blustery headwind as the front carried across the coastline and inland. What started out as a very warm ride got a bit chilly as I crossed the coast range on Hwy. 126 but the worn, wood plank floors in the entry to Feast let me to their small (7 seat) bar and a friendly greeting. Somehow, arriving on a bike invites conversation and it didn’t take long to feel right at home, chatting with the bartender and various servers.
After the killer Barolo I had tasted with a friend the previous night at Provisions’ Friday tasting event I was almost afraid to try another red wine this soon. I often drink white wine simply because I can’t always afford my taste in reds <rueful grin>. But the ‘tender understood my dilemma and poured me a taste of Cayalla RTW which exceeded my expectations and went well with the beet salad with warm chèvre, roasted shallot vinaigrette, greens and toasted hazelnuts, and a conversation about expatriating to regions south. (Which I did not initiate…this time!)
Home again to cook a pan-seared steak with a red wine reduction with my
kids.
Heckofa nice afternoon.
Oh yeah, this is a jewelry blog, right?
Gary Dawson Designs would like to announce our new consignment page with three nice pieces. I currently have two pre-owned platinum and diamond rings available at great price points and one lovely, solid 18K yellow gold cup, crafted by Tiffany! Please check these items out and remember, unlike the items that we design and manufacture, we do solicit offers on consignment items. Step right up!