Road Trip Dining - Healdsburg Breakfast

Bella Vineyards and Wine Cave, Geyersville, CA

A recent road trip combined two of my favorite activities, wine tasting and good eating. I love going to either Napa or Sonoma counties in early spring and mid-week. The mustard plants are blossoming, magnificent green colors the hills and the thick, just pruned dormant vines resemble sculptures. If you are lucky enough to get a break in the rain during your stay,  clouds and blue sky frame the bucolic countryside. You can get great rates for lodging, which makes justifying buying another bottle or special dinner out that much easier. The wineries and restaurants are not crowded so you can actually savor your experience, getting to know the people you are meeting.

This trip we were particularly interested in exploring northern Sonoma and setup our base camp in Healdsburg, California. This allowed us to revisit some favorite places and take our time checking out the beautiful Dry Creek Valley.

With any adventure you need to start out your day with a good breakfast. While our motel offered continental style along with our stay, we just had to treat ourselves to the wonders of Costeaux French Bakery in downtown Healdsburg. This bakery cafe recently won the prestigious Retail Bakery of the Year (2009) awarded by Modern Baking Magazine and numerous other medals for their fine products.

Entering through wrought iron gates to a brick patio, you can chose to dine inside or out -- or even take your treasures to go. Rolling in mid-morning on a Wednesday we had our choice of tables. You will like the bright natural light that streams in from the front bank of windows, reflecting off the high ceilings and back onto the polished wooden floor. The space just oozes old school grocery or general store history. The brick walls are a gallery of large portraits of Healdsburg's notable residents as part of the Healdsburg Heritage Project. Each portrait has quote and brief biography. We sat next to an image of Elsie Nardi Passalacqua who in 1937 was instrumental in bringing the nuns from St. John's Parish, Ireland to Healdsburg and treating them to their first milkshake at the famous Mel's Diner.

Costeaux French Bakery Cafe and Pastry Counter

Now to the eats! I had the Breakfast Sandwich and my darling dear the Costeaux Omelet. Simple words cannot describe how fresh and delectable these were. Mine, a beautiful pressed croissant filled with Applewood smoked bacon, avocado, egg and cheddar cheese was served with fresh fruit. The sandwich was so rich I saved half for my picnic lunch while wine tasting. The omelet, gloriously stuffed with Applewood smoked bacon, spinach, sun dried tomato and French brie. The brie was suitably melted and buttery, which added a certain lusciousness. Our server Brian, was naturally cheery and attentive but not a hoverer. He made time to answer questions about the food or the bakery while refilling our coffee mugs. He just beamed when we asked about the Retail Bakery of the Year banner that hangs proudly from the ceiling. If you are anywhere in the area you must visit. You will not be disappointed!

Breakfast Sandwich

Costeaux Omelet

Costeaux French Bakery
417 Healdsburg Avenue
Healdsburg, California 95448
Phone: 707-433-1913
Toll-free: 888-355-0217
Email: info@costeaux.com

Peanut Butter 'n Honey Buttermilk Banana Bread

I had already decided I was going to make banana bread after a quick peak at the fruit basket.  But what I really wanted to do was recreate one of my most favorite things to eat, peanut butter and honey sandwiches with banana slices - on toast. How could just one loaf of bread evoke this personal favorite?

In my research I found a delightful buttermilk banana bread recipe from my friends at Tasty Kitchen. It is wonderfully light and richly banana flavored. Using this as my basic batter the results turned out to be just what I was hungry for, naturally I made a few changes...  Pour yourself a tall cold glass of milk and enjoy!

Peanut butter and honey cream tucked inside bread, candied nuts on top.

For the recipe, click Read More.

The simple things -- Steelhead

I love simple dishes that turn out marvelous. This is THE fish that finally changed my husband's mind about eating fish for dinner.  The one that made him say, "I don't like fish, but could I have more of this?"  A second time around, now a new favorite. And,  he wouldn't be caught dead ordering fish in a restaurant! This is wonderfully fresh steelhead,  beautifully firm, and has a nice buttery tangy flavor of its own. If you think salmon is too strong for you, this might be a good fish to try. Tonight, simply baked with a buttered Italian bread crumb topping, served with mushroom-wine risotto and sauteed green beans with garlic and pine nuts.

Baked Steelhead with Italian Bread Crumbs

Italian Bread Crumb Topping
Topping for 2-4 fillets

2 tbl melted butter
1/4 c Progresso Italian Bread Crumbs
2 tbl grated Parmasan Cheese
1/2 tsp chopped fresh Italian Oregano
1/2 tsp chopped fresh Sweet Marjoram
1/4 tsp chopped fresh Dill

In a microwave proof bowl, melt the butter, then  add bread crumbs, cheese and herbs. Blend with fork until well mixed.

Baked  Fish
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray an oven proof dish with vegetable spray, place 2-3 steelhead fillets evenly space and drizzle with olive oil.  Sprinkle Bread crumb topping evenly over fish, bake in oven for 15 minutes.