foodgram – Shoes & Sashimi

An Afternoon at Arrowood

Published on January 12, 2017January 10, 2017 by Lauren Nakagawa6 Comments

This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend an amazing wine and food pairing in Sonoma. Hosted at the ever charming Arrowood Winery in Glen Ellen, myself and fellow Bay Area bloggers were whisked away for the day to wine country, and I can honestly say I am really truly grateful for the experience. I’ve heard raving reviews about the delicious food served at renowned restaurant, Girl & the Fig. So you can imagine my surprise when I saw that the event would be catered by their lead Chef.

I’d like to thank Kristina Werner, wine maker at Arrowood. She herself is quite the inspiration, who went from a BioChemistry and Agricultural Economics degree to pursue winemaking full time. Something I took away from listening to her that I’d like to share:

“Taste everything you can get your hands on.

Never stop learning and never get bored.”

I couldn’t agree more. Cheers to an amazing day that I don’t take for granted. My eyes and stomach are very full :)

First Course: Roasted Carrots, Saffron Crema, Honeyed Almonds

img_0442-2 — 2nd: House Ground Polenta, Braised Oxtail, Cocoa Nibs, Squash, Sage Pesto

Final: Black Pepper Ravioli, Triple Cream Mornay, Black Truffles

I have found a new appreciation for wine, what goes into making it, and how it really can transform a meal and your senses. If you’re in Sonoma one of these days, be sure to visit Kristina and the Arrowood staff and taste for yourself. I personally would go back in a snap.

For those who are interested in Arrowood wine but can’t get to Sonoma anytime soon, I’m offering 15% off anything on their site using “ARROWOOD15” here. I had an amazing time and can’t wait to go back.

Overwhelming thanks to:

Arrowood Winery for the hospitality

Girl & The Fig for an incredible meal

Emily E Martin Communications for this amazing trip

Napa Getaway

Published on December 14, 2015July 11, 2016 by Lauren Nakagawa4 Comments

Christmas came early for @Twelfthknight and I earlier this week when we took our little “Moobie” with us to Napa for an early Christmas/NY/2 year Anniversary trip :) It’s fun to go during offseason, you can beat all the traffic and the lines and eat and walk around as you please without the crowds. It was splendid, and we ate and ate like fiends.

Have a great week everyone, stay warm and be well.

~ Lauren

Keeping warm in a knit by The Knot Sisters

FullSizeRender 43 — The famous doughnuts at The Boon Fly Cafe @Carneros Inn

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FullSizeRender 46 — Crunching in a faux fur vest by 6 Shore Road

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Moobie meets his goat friend at Old Faithful Farms

Brownie the lama at Old Faithful Farms. Go visit her, she has the best eyelashes :D

Typical Bouchon Bakery fare, this is their gingerbread muffin

Bone Marrow appetizers at my Mom’s favorite French bistro: Bistro Jeanty, Yountville. Not pictured, their to die for tomato bisque baked under a puff pastry shell

Instagram: @shoes_and_sashimi

Aloha! Hawaii Part I

Published on September 2, 2015September 1, 2015 by Lauren Nakagawa9 Comments

Aloha everyone :D I’m back from Hawaii now and am already missing the views and crystal blue waters. @Twelfthknight and I were on the island of Oahu to attend the wedding of his friends Jerry and Gloria Wu. It was a lovely ceremony at the Hale Koa Resort on Waikiki, which is also where we stayed. It’s been years since I’ve been back to Hawaii, and this trip would be @Twelfthknight‘s and I’s first time traveling together. We had such a quiet relaxing time from start to finish even with the abnormally punishing humidity. We’re not much for the crazy-fast paced-pack everything in-types, we like to eat and take our time, relax, and just be present, not just on vacation but also in general. Now that we’re back, I can honestly say that we needed more time away, so hopefully we can island hop on our next trip out there.

For those of you following along on Instagram, you may have seen a few of these photos already. But I must thank you all because when I was in Hawaii I hit over 1,000 followers, yay! Enjoy the first part of our Hawaii trip, Part II will be posted next week :D

Aloha and Mahalo,

Lauren