San Francisco!

We will be in San Francisco for a day and a half so I'm busy planning what to do and where to eat!  We're the only ship in port and will be docked at Pier 35 South.  We will be within walking distance of Fisherman's Wharf in one direction and the Ferry Building in the other direction.  Be sure to bring comfortable walking shoes and a jacket!  There's a famous quote from Samuel Clemens "The coldest winter I ever spent was the summer in San Francisco"!

I am so smiling!  A great friend of ours hails from the San Francisco area and he will be there when we are and has offered to be our tour guide for the day!  Thank you Esteban!  He's planning a great itinerary for us that includes Irish coffee and breakfast at Buena Vista Cafe, a scenic boat tour of the San Francisco Bay, late lunch at one of his favorite seafood restaurants, and as much as we can get in for our day in port!  Of course I don't even need to say that we won't have enough time... but my hubby always tells me that it's good to NOT have enough time because that means you enjoyed it and want to come back.  I guess he's right!

Whenever I think of San Francisco, I always start singing the  beautiful song “Are you Going to San Francisco?”  But wait, that’s not the title!  The title is really “San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in your Hair)”.  It was written by John Phillips of The Mamas & The Papas, and sung by Scott McKenzie.  It was written and released in 1967.  McKenzie passed away on August 18, 2012 but he’ll be remembered for his biggest hit: “For those who come to San Francisco / Summertime will be a love-in there / In the streets of San Francisco / Gentle people with flowers in their hair.”  Click here for a YouTubevideo of Scott singing his famous song.

 

There’s yet another iconic song that was performed by legendary crooner, Tony Bennett – “I Left My Heart In San Francisco”   “I left my heart in San Francisco / High on a hill, it calls to me. / To be where little cable cars / Climb halfway to the stars!”  How beautiful and romantic is this song?  Here’s the YouTube video ofTony performing his song:

Now that we’ve got our play list for San Francisco, what shall we do there?  The possibilities are almost endless!  

• Viewing & Visiting Bridges:

We will be able to view the very special Bay Lights, a project that has turned the Bay Bridge into the world’s largest LED light sculpture every evening for the next two years. The project, headed up by technologist and artist Leo Villareal, will illuminate the 1.8 mile western span of the bridge with 25,000 LED lights individually programmed with unique algorithms to show a never-repeating display — it’ll be viewable from San Francisco and points north, but not to drivers crossing the bridge. The Bay Lights will be illuminated each night from dusk until 2:00am through 2015.  Click here for  YouTube video of the lights.

As for bridges, how about walking across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge? 

The Golden Gate Bridge is thought by many to be one of the most beautiful bridges in the world, and the opportunity to walk across at least part of it should not be missed. The bridge spans 1.7 miles, but most people only walk to the first tower and back again.

• A Visit to Alcatraz!

Alcatraz Island, located in the middle of San Francisco Bay, is a must-see attraction for any visitor to the area.  It’s an experience not to be missed; I vividly recall my tour there!  I was offered the opportunity to “visit” a solitary confinement cell and have the door shut & locked!  Can I just say “memorable”?  One of the most infamous prisons in the country for housing notorious criminals, Alcatraz holds much history that will interest buffs and novices alike.   Alcatraz is managed by the National Park Service and no longer accommodates prisoners.  It was used as a federal maximum security prison from 1934 until 1963, when it was closed due to high costs and security issues.

The Alcatraz tour is open 7 days a week; if you're interested, you should book tickets online in advance from the official Alcatraz cruises website, 

• Fishermen’sWharf

An article that I read in Huffington Post calls it “an essential tourist trap”.  It’s a great place to people watch, sample clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl, see old wooden boats and the WWII ships Jeremiah O'Brioen (Liberty Ship) and USS Pampanito (submarine) at San Francisco Maritime and shop for souvenirs!  But perhaps best of all is the experience of watching the sea lions who have taken up residence at Pier 39!

• Buena Vista Cafe

You just stop in at the famous Buena Vista Cafe for a perfect cup of Irish coffee!  If you want to make it at home, here's their recipe:  
Fill glass with very hot water to pre-heat; then empty. Pour hot coffee into hot glass until it is about ¾ full.  Drop in two cocktail sugar cubes. Stir until the sugar is thoroughly dissolved.  Add full jigger if Irish whiskey for proper taste and body.  Top with a collar of lightly whipped whipping cream by pouring gently over a spoon.  Enjoy it while piping hot.

• GhiradelliSquare 

This specialty retail and dining complex, housing shops and restaurants, was originally a chocolate factory established by Domenico “Domingo” Ghirardelli.  Get free samples of chocolate at the chocolate & ice cream shop!

• Ferry BuildingMarketplace  

Most reviews say this is definitely worth a visit.  This is a fun place to wander around with lots of unique shops and restaurants.  Think wine, cheese, chocolate, bread... The building itself is a gem, inspired by a 12th century bell tower in Spain, with a beautiful view of the Bay Bridge. 

• Enjoy a cocktail and breathtaking views from the rooftop bar,Top of the Mark at the Mark Hopkins Intercontinental Hotel. 

• Enjoy a wine country tour to Sonoma or Napa Valley.  A couple of recommendations from CruiseCritic and Tripadvisor are Terrific Tours and Wine Country Tour Shuttle.
  

 

Woodinville Wine Country Tour

Let's spend a day touring the Woodinville wine country!  Woodinville, located about 20 miles or so North of Seattle has become a major wine-tourism destination with an abundance of wineries & tasting rooms, and lovely restaurants. 

I have set up a private tour with Joe Matthys of Seattle Wine Tours.  Thus far, there will be 8 of us on this tour.  Here are the details:

• Pick up will be at Pier 66 in Seattle at 9:20 am on September 16

• We will travel in a 12 passenger van to Woodinville

• The tour length is 6 hours; we will be dropped back at the pier at 3:20 pm

• The cost is $75 per person, to be paid in cash when we meet our guide at the pier.  This pricing is based on 6 hours for 8 people and is all inclusive, except for the tasting fees and lunch.  The tasting fees (which seem to run $7 to $10 per person) are not included because if you purchase wine, many of these wineries will credit your tasting fee towards purchase.   Note that there is a gratuity included with the tour pricing, but if you feel your chauffer-guide does a good job, an additional gratuity is certainly appreciated.

First stop will be at Chateau Ste. Michelle which opens at 10 am. Chateau Ste. Michelle is the oldest winery in Washington state.  According to the website, the winery combines Old World winemaking tradition with New World innovation and is best known for its award-winning Riesling, Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.  Chateau Ste. Michelle winery sits on an 87-acre estate once home to Seattle lumber baron Frederick Stimson.


Next stop will be  Novelty Hill Januik Winery .  From the website:  "The destination winery offers guests a variety of classes, dinners and tasting experiences showcasing a diverse selection of award-winning wines under one roof. The building’s contemporary design and surrounding gardens invite visitors to stroll gardens inspired by the geometry of the vineyard; survey fermentation and barrel aging from an expansive corridor overlooking the cellar; enjoy a game of bocce ball; or simply slow down and linger over a glass of wine around the outdoor fire pit."

Is it time for lunch yet?  Yes it is!  We have reservations at the Purple Cafe & Wine Bar, one of Woodinville's favorites and highly recommended by tripadvisor!  Its a wonderful dining experience, encouraging patrons to sample one of its local food and wine pairings. Purple really has an expansive menu with everything from salads, soups, cheese flights to pasta, steaks, and seafood!  Here's the menu link. 

I"m already planning my lunch:  Gorgonzola stuffed dates, fig & goat cheese stuffed pizza, and the "farmer's lunch" which is a selection of two cheeses, parma prosciutto, molinari sopressata, fresh fruit and housemade demi-baguette with san marzano tomato soup or house salad!  Yum!

Following lunch, we will visit  Matthews Cellars, a boutique winery situated on eight acres in the heart of Woodinville wine country.  Matthews opened its doors in 1993, and today is owned and operated by two local families. The focus is and always has been on showcasing the incredible fruit produced by Washington State’s vineyards, which they feel is some of the best in the country.


And finally, we will visit Woodhouse Wine Estates where we will can have a tasting of their craft wines before heading back to Seattle and our Celebrity ship.  From the website "Woodhouse Wine Estates is a producer of fine, hand-crafted, limited production wines. Our flagship wine is Darighe, is a Bordeaux-style blend, which in Gaelic means “Red.” Maghie is a 100% Red Mountain wine we call our “Big Boy Merlot.” Dussek, an elegant and beautiful red wine, is Washington Red Mountain Cabernet at its finest. The fourth label is Kennedy Shah, named after owners Bijal and Sinead Shah’s daughter. The Kennedy Shah Foundation was created by Woodhouse Wine Estates to support women and children’s charities. Twenty percent of gross revenues go towards local organizations. Wines produced include a Syrah, a Cabernet Sauvignon, a Merlot, and a Viognier/Chenin Blanc blend called Auntie Meredith’s Picnic Blend.”

I've read some conflicting reports about purchasing wine and taking it back onboard the ship.  Some reports indicate that security may turn the other way if you purchase wine while on a wine themed cruise.  Other reports, including the Celebrity Cruises website, indicate that you cannot bring wine onboard unless you are on one of the ship-sponsored wine tours & then you can take 2 bottles onboard.  We shall see!

 

 Known for our award-winning Washington State Cabernet Sauvignons, Merlots, Chardonnays and Sauvignon Blanc, as well as our sleek, modern winery design, expansive gardens and outdoor patio, we are open to guests from 11-5 daily. - See more at: http://www.noveltyhilljanuik.com/#sthash.oTZCJ7j0.dpuf

Known for our award-winning Washington State Cabernet Sauvignons, Merlots, Chardonnays and Sauvignon Blanc, as well as our sleek, modern winery design, expansive gardens and outdoor patio, we are open to guests from 11-5 daily. - See more at: http://www.noveltyhilljanuik.com/#sthash.oTZCJ7j0.dpuf

Cooking with Wine: Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling Poached Pears

This is a recipe from the Chateau Ste. Michelle website that looks delicious!  It's on my "to make in the near future" list!

 (photo courtesy of Chateau Ste. Michelle)

 

INGREDIENTS

1 cup sugar
2 cups Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling or Chenin Blanc
1 cinnamon stick
Pinch ground cloves
Pinch freshly grated nutmeg
4 Bosc pears, peeled and cored, leaving stem in tact
Chateau Spiced Pecans, recipe follows

INSTRUCTIONS

Place sugar, wine, spices and 2 cups water in non-reactive, heavy-bottomed sauce pot over high heat. Bring to boil. Decrease heat to a simmer and add pears; cover with a circle of parchment paper and a tight fitting lid. If pears aren’t completely covered in liquid, add enough water to cover them completely. Gently simmer until pears are soft when inserted with a tip of a knife. Remove from heat, transfer to refrigerator, and let them cool in their liquid.
When completely cool, transfer pears to individual plates. Place pot of poaching liquid over high heat; reduce to syrupy consistency. Drizzle over pears and garnish with spiced pecans.

 

Chateau Spiced Pecans

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Good pinch kosher salt
Pinch cayenne pepper
1 egg white
1 Tablespoon water
1 pound whole pecans, almonds or walnuts

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 250°.
In small bowl whisk together sugar, cinnamon, salt & cayenne; set aside.
In medium bowl, whisk together egg white and water. Add nuts; stir to coat well. Sprinkle in sugar-cinnamon mixture; toss to coat. Spread out in a single layer on a sheet pan. Bake until nuts are baked through and completely crisp. Let cool.
Side Note: Nuts can be stored in tightly sealed container for 2 weeks.