Days 3 and 4: Sonoma
Saturday morning in San Francisco.
Rain.
Too bad because this day is the reason we're here. My niece/Goddaughter's wedding. The nuptual starts at 2:00 and the trip is about an hour so we figure we have time to partake in our favorite pastime.
EAT.
Our concierge sets up the rental car then directs us to another California landmak. Mel's Drive-In. It's just around the corner! We bum an umbrella then hoof it through the rain, past St. Patrick's church across traffic to the blue neon lights flashing like a lighthouse leading us home.
Mel's!
Now THIS is breakfast. I go for my standard steak and eggs breakfast, steak med /rare, eggs scrambled soft. My girl gets country fresh eggs, done like mine, grilled potatoes, side of bacon and toast. Plus a short stack to share cause we just can't stop!
Boy this is good!
The eggs cooked perfectly, the steak just right and the grilled potatoes, which are stacked high on the grill like the summet of Mt Shasta, lay on my plate bathing in ketchup. Even the toast is dark and I didn't even have to ask! Well worth the jaunt through the rain.
Mel's is a microcosm of The City itself. Culinarily speaking, that is. Daring nouveau cousine while clinging to the past. Maybe I'm reading to much into this. It's like NOLA. If it taste good, cook it, serve it, eat it.
We did.
We do our best Gene Kelly toward the hotel. A quick stop in St. Patrick's. Our souls filled with a prayer for safety and forgiveness for our impending indulgence.
There's a hotel room waitng for us but we decide to get dressed here then go straight to the chapel.
The Audi arrives then we're off to St.Helena. We cross the Golden Gate, taking the scenic route. Even in the rain , the surrounding beauty is almost overwhelming. Sensory overload. The Pacific on the left, the bay on the right, roadside rolling vineyards, snowcap mountains on the horizon. If you don't beive in God, you haven't seen this place.
We arrive at the chapel fashionally early. Its' still raining so the serenine setting of vineyards yields to the country feeling of the ski lodge with the huge fireplace at our backs and the bride and groom and the landscape in front of us.
The ceremony is bliss. The following supper of prime tenderloin is sublime. The ensuing reception is joy. This is what we came for and we are pleased.
We slumber at the St. Helena Marriot, attend the bridal breakfast then hit the road back to San Fran.
