More Yeaster

This picture was taken at Domaine Drouhin- overlooking their vineyard in the Willamette Valley. It was a cold day with a crisp wind but we were forced to stay outdoors. We had been hanging out in the tasting room, sipping wine, until a Hummer Limo pulled up and dumped off a pack of shrieking sorority sisters. The room instantly filled with a din compared only to the Rhesus monkey pit during mating season. Customers were not only deafened but treated to the god-awful aroma of whatever latest Ralph Lauren or Britney Spears scent sorority sisters are wearing.

Here is another rant: Ladies- if you are serious about tasting and enjoying wine - leave the perfume in it’s bottle. People want to smell the notes of the wine not your skanky, cheap perfume! Personally, I think that perfume restrictions should be extended from hospitals and libraries to restaurants. People are really into their food these days. It is awful to be in a situation where you are having a special meal and somebody sits close by reeking of too much toiletry.

Anyway, the wines at Domaine Drouhine were fine. We were so excited by the our day touring wineries that Adam and I decided to go again, on Sunday. Easter Sunday- you get it- all of the wineries were closed. After seeing several "Winery Closed" signs decided to go for lunch and take a chance to get a seat at Bistro Maison in McMinnville. We lucked out as it was close to 2pm and the lunch seating was finishing up. This is a sweet little heritage-style house converted into a restaurant. The service was very professional although I figure that our server must have been trained in up-selling. She mentioned that the special was a fondue which was made of three cheeses and would be perfect for an appetizer for two. Always in the mood for cheese, I insisted upon it - soon bowls of apples, bread, french country ham and gerkins arrived at the table along with a large pot of bubbling cheeses and truffle oil. We realised that we were going to be soon stuffed and we didn’t really feel that we could rescind on our orders of pasta for him and hanger steak and frites for me. Not to mention a luscious salad with hazelnuts and blue cheese which we split. Our choice of Ken Wright’ Cellar’s Pinot Blanc “Freedom Hill” 2005 helped to cut the heaviness of the delicious fondue. We then shared a half bottle of Cristom Reserve Pinto Noir with our mains. Poor us- we have never been so full but we just had to look at the desert menu and the molten chocolate cake with ganache and homemade Grand Marnier ice-cream simply could not be denied- it just sounded too good and it was damn good- it was! The bill arrived with a big basket of fresh nuts and oranges.

Since we could now not drive- we limped out for a walk just in time for a spring shower. We kind of huddled under some trees in a park and then took to our car for a big nap before driving into Portland to meet back up with Tara and Glen- for dinner!!

So now you know why Yeaster weekend resulted in a such a big gain.

14 weeks 28 lbs

Next week a new diet!