I have discovered some cool places this summer… as summer is our busiest time in the restaurant and on the farm, I need to stay close while finding exciting adventures for my girls.
Our family rented a house on Stinson Beach on the lagoon side. It amazed me how relaxed I could get so close to home. There were so many fun activities for the girls. The house was stocked with boogy boards, sea kayaks, a canoe, and even a rowing shell. There was a little beach on a canal full of tiny crabs for them to catch and release for hours of excited screams. The seals abounded in the lagoon and would swim to greet us while we were kayaking or to show off as the sun was setting while we were sharing our plum basil margaritas on our own private sand box beach. There is nothing like the feeling of sun warmed sand through the toes! I highly recommend a get away! Some recipes from our meals are below. www.seadriftrealty.com
We decided to adventure to Alcatraz, the mysterious island my girls have only seen out of the window anytime we drive over the bridge. Mackenzie, our 5 year old, was a little apprehensive thinking it was haunted. After growing up in San Francisco, and knowing the coldest summer anyone ever had was in San Francisco, I came prepared. I had little down blankets for the girls, ski caps, winter coats. I forgot August and September are the best in San Francisco. The sun was beaming … it was a gorgeous clear day. The ferry ride over was a short 10 minutes or so. We watched a few videos on the history of Alcatraz. I was intrigued by the era of Indian occupation. My daughters were riveted by the escape attempts story tour. We followed the docent around like a favorite puppy lapping up the wild stories. You can catch the ferry back whenever suits you. “Mommy, I loved Alcatraz! It was so interesting. Can we go back everyday?”
And then if you are hungry, which we were, you are so close to so much food adventure. Closest is the trusty Fog City Diner. Milkshake anyone? But still close enough for a good walk, the Ferry Terminal has so much to choose from. Or if you want to hop in your car, Yank Sing for Deem Sum on Spear or Stevenson is a true San Francisco experience. Or Sunday brunch at Greens in the Marina is the most beautiful view in the city! Or if you want to check out 2 new spots, Epic Roasthouse and the Waterbar have amazing outdoor seating. Or Boulevard is everybody’s long time favorite restaurant! Do you have more room?! www.alcatrazcruises.com
Next up, we are headed out to point reyes for a hike out to chimney rock (www.nps.gov/pore/) and to bodega bay for a horseback ride (www.chanslor.com/).
santa rosa PLUM + backyard BASIL MARGARITAS
serves 4
8 plums, pitted, pureed in a blender
1 1/2 cups fresh line juice
1 1/2 cups quality tequila
1/2 cup triple sec
1/2 cup picked basil leaves
ice
Shake it up with ice and serve over ice. Yum!
“down the road” PEACH+blackberry COBBLER
serves 8
for the topper:
3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/4 cup cornmeal
2 tablespoons sugar
pinch of kosher salt
1 – 2 tablespoons ice water
6 medium peaches, pitted, and cut into 3/4 inch thick wedges
2 cups blackberries
3/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, peeled and grated
1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 egg yolk for brushing
sugar for sprinkling
Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a food processor, pulse the flour, butter, cornmeal, sugar, and salt until the mixture resembles COARSE meal. Remove the mixture to a bowl and add the ice water with a wooden spoon. Stir until just combined. Roll out the dough to 1/2 inch thick and cut in desired shapes (its fun to use cookie cutters with kids). Refrigerate at least 1/2 hour. In a large bowl, toss the peaches, blackberries, sugar, cornstarch, ginger, and lemon. Pour the fruit into a baking dish. Arrange the dough shapes on top of the fruit. Brush the dough with the yolk and sprinkle with sugar. Bake until top is golden, about 30 minutes. Serve warm with ice cream on top. Enjoy!
~ Duskie Estes
co-chef proprietor ZAZU & BOVOLO restaurants + farm