We went to the spa to try the bathing ritual. First a grape seed exfoliating scrub in a shower, then into a pool kept around 92 degrees.
After 15 minutes of relaxing in the pool, sipping cool water, we moved into the 102 degree whirl pool. We went into a quick cool shower, then onto a wet steam room. It was really dark, with blue lights, and lots of fog. We found it difficult to breathe because of the water vapor, which smelled of eucalyptus. We went into the dry sauna, where we warmed back up. By this time we were feeling pretty relaxed and we still had half an hour before our treatment. We went to the lounge area, where we tasted some “elixirs” and ate some almonds and fruit. Emily managed to fall asleep for a few minutes due to the whole relaxing experience. We went upstairs to begin our treatment with a lavender bubble bath in a large copper tub. Next we were covered with a lavender, grape seed, and tea tree oil scrub and wrapped up for a while… where Emily managed to fall asleep again. They massaged our heads and feet during this time. Once the wrap was complete, we received full body massages.
After quick showers, we checked out of the hotel and returned to the spa boutique for some gifts. next we received free smoothies as a gift from the spa. Ryan chose orange juice, strawberry, and raspberry, while Emily got another vanilla float.
We next moved onto the yarn store, where we chose some yarn from a local alpaca to be made into something as yet undetermined. the locals seem to be fairly impatient drivers. as we were turning into the yarn shop, we were passed by several cars (and one large (Ryder-sized) truck, who went off the shoulder just to get around us.
When we were getting ready to leave the yarn shop, Ryan started to look up driving directions to the Sonoma Plaza. The iphone thought we were about 12 miles south of town when really we were about 7 miles northwest. The yarn shop owner helped to clear things up and gave us easy directions to the plaza. we left the yarn shop and drove to Sonoma’s main plaza to try some tacos at Maya. They were simple, made of hangar steak pieces and cheese, but they were delicious. We walked around to scope out places to visit later, and found some promising leads. We also visited the three dog barkery, which sells a few treats at dlm. We didn’t want to buy anything yet, so plan to return at the end of our trip so that the treats are at their freshest.
by this time we were able to check into El Dorado Hotel, so we did just that and took a nice long nap. The hotel is much more modern than its look from the outside.
After our nap, we walked around the plaza again to determine what we had missed and look at the menus.
We returned to El Dorado for dinner at El Dorado Kitchen and sat outside on their large patio. It was half price wine night, so we selected an expensive blend. We started with “farm frites”, which were asparagus fries served with a lemon wedge and aioli sauce that were fantastic… sort of a vegetarian calamari.
Next we had chilled spring garlic soup, which had a few shreds of radish in it and was topped with what was likely basil oil. Emily thought the soup would be made slightly better with a few scallions, but we both enjoyed it immensely. For the entrees, Ryan got a leg of lamb with lamb jus and lamb confit with a bean and frisee topping,
while Emily chose a truffle risotto (yes, Emily got RISOTTO!)
The risotto was quite tasty, although it was a bit too rich to eat as an entire meal—it would have complemented the lamb with its simple flavors perfectly as a side dish. having a long list of delicious sounding desserts, we settled on the s’more tart, as we felt it was most unusual. a buttery graham cracker crust with heavy chocolate ganache topped with Italian meringue, served with vanilla gelato and caramel sauce.
Emily decided the gelato was her favorite part and that the caramel was delicious but not as fantastic as the one from the Wine Gallery.
We attempted to stay up until a reasonable hour, but pretty much failed miserably.
Wines for 27 May 2009: (see picture) Muscardini “Tesoro” Sangiovese/Syrah/Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County, 2006. $38 (Half Price)—didn’t go with the lamb as well as expected. Good, but not $70-good.
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