Trip to Portugal (Day 1)...First Night in Lisbon

View from our apartment in Lisbon

(September 20)

Jason and I started a week-long travel to Portugal. Our friend, Leeanne was going to get married there and we were invited to her wedding. We were excited to come to her wedding and added extra days to make it into our vacation.


We arrived in Lisbon in the morning. Our Airbnb apartment had a 2 pm check-in time, so we left our luggage in a locker in the city and explored Lisbon's central area.


We stopped by at Cafe Nicola to take a break. This cafe was opened in 1927 and used to be one of the literary and political meeting points in Lisbon. Now the cafe is filled with tourists, but it's good to come here at least once!


We checked in at our apartment in the afternoon. We met the very sweet owner, Alex. She gave us a tour of the beautiful apartment. It's situated in the heart of Bairro Alto, a trendy area of Lisbon. The view from the room is so great with both the city square down below and ocean ahead.


The apartment is really beautiful! It's got the spacious living room with a balcony, dining room, kitchen, large bed room and bathroom. We were going to stay there only for 3 nights, but I wished I could stay for a whole week.


Our room is the top corner floor of a historic building. The ground floor has bakery and cafe. It's perfect!


In the evening, we walked to a neighbor tapas bar called, Taverna da run das Flores. It's got the tiny entrance, so you could easily miss it. The inside is also tiny but has a cute feeling. We got there early enough to grab the last open table.


The menu is hand-written written in a chalk board and our waiter kindly explained every dish in English. Everything sounded so good. We started with mackerel tartare, then had bacalhau (salted cod) and chick pea puree dish, octopus and sweet potato dish, and grilled black pig dish. Everything was so delicious!


It was a perfect and relaxing first night in Lisbon.

Private Dinner at Single Thread

With the wonderful Single Thread team!

On the second evening in Sonoma was another special event hosted by Kyle and Single Thread team. The restaurant is not open yet, because the building is still under construction, but they hosted a special full-staffed dinner just for us at Kyle & Katina's house.


As soon as we arrived at the house, we were welcomed by their sommelier, Evan (a.k.a Pakkun) with an aperitif.


Kyle gave us a tour of the restaurant and hotel site. The last time I was there was back in February. It's getting close to completion, finally!


Then, we were guided to the rooftop, and Evan was there again to ambushed us with sparkling wine!


The first course was Wild Salmon, smoked in donabe smoker, Ibushi Gin. It was such a special way to start the evening.


We came back to the house and Chef Aaron was finishing the "hassun" course. So beautiful! The array of beautiful small dishes were named "Summer in Sonoma".


Sea Urchin - Smoked tofu cream, cucumber, and melon.


Foie Gras - Seeded sable, grape gelee, raisin and grape leaf.


Kyle brought our tagline-style donabe, Fukkura-san to the table. It was Black Cod - Charred alliums and vegetables from their farm.


Then, dashi was poured at the table.


Roasted breast of Sonoma Duck - Salted apple, delicate squash and brined onion.


Kamado-san donabe rice dish! Sonoma Grains - Duck confit, kabocha kasuzuke, and herbs. There were more than 30 different ingredients in this dish. It as so good that I had to go to the kitchen to ask for another big serving!


Beginning of the dessert courses by Chef Matt. Melon Sorbet - Armenian cucumber, coriander and versus tapioca. It was followed by Lemon and Miso Sorbet - Frozen chocolate mousse and strawberry.


Wagashi - Rose hip and raspberry, oolong, fig leaf and houjicha to end. The plate was decorated beautifully by Katina.


The wine lineup of the night.
2011 Iron Horse, "Russian Cuvee" Brut Sparkling (Russian River Valley)
2014 Rein, "Greenwood Ridge" Riesling (Anderson Valley)
2013 Grieve Family Winery, Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley)
2010 Novy Family, "Oley" Late Harvest Viognier (Russian River Valley)
2014 Liquid Farm, "White Hill" Chardonnay (Santa Rita Hills)
2013 Papapietro Perry, "Peters Vineyard" Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley)
2005 Verite, "La Muse" Bordeaux Blend (Sonoma County)
2013 Terre Rouge, Muscat a Petits Grains Vin de Nature (Shenandoah Valley)

The unforgettable night of truly amazing dinner by Kyle and the most talented team of Single Thread! This restaurant is going to make a new history in American culinary world. I am so grateful.

Happy donabe life.

A Full Flavor of Sonoma

Fun time at SHED

On the second day in Sonoma, we started our morning at Healdsburg farmers market with Kyle.


So relaxing.


Then, we visited SHED, one of my favorite shops in California, and they have been a big supporter of our donabe. They welcomed us with a special brunch in their private backyard.


Brunch feast!


So beautiful and delicious. After the feast, I wanted to just take a nap!


But, we had more activities in the afternoon. We visited 32 Winds Winery. Such a beautiful winery. Sherry welcomed us and hosted a tasting.


We enjoyed their wines so much.


Then, we visited Freeman Winery. It was great to see Akiko-san again. She gave us a tour of the winery. I love their elegant Pinot Noir very much.