During my trip to Napa last month our first stop was Mumm Napa.  Now if you haven’t already figured out that I have a fondness for bubbly then you may need to read the “What we believe…” portion of the About Us page.

So needless to say I was quite content with the idea of starting my wine weekend with a bit of bubbly.

Mumm Napa Cuvée M Red

First let me say how impressed I was with Mumm Napa’s wine tasting experience! A tasting room simply will not do for them.  Mumm has a patio with tables and chairs (complete with umbrellas and misters!) at which you are free to sit, be served, and enjoy the view.  It was probably one of the most lovely wine tasting “rooms” I had been to.

On the menu that day was a tasting flight titled “Red, White and Blue.”  I was initially intrigued at what the “Blue” would be, as my partner in crime had already explained that the “Red” truly was a red sparking wine.  Well all thoughts of the “Blue” wine flew out the door as soon as I sipped the “Red”. . . Cuvée M Red to be exact!  Smooth, velvety, with just the slightest hint of bubbles. . . it instantly became one of my new favorite Sparkling Wines!  Delicious and divine, this bottle of bubbly has the slightest hint of berries which rounds it out quite nicely.  And it looks so lovely in a champagne flute too!  I can just imagine a table set in creams and whites with a glass of Cuvée M Red at each setting.

Had I realized that its availability outside the winery was so limited I would have picked up a few bottles!  But I guess that just means I’ll have to make time to for another trip to Napa. . . tragedy! 

étoile Restaurant named one of the Top Ten Romantic Restaurants in the USA – ForbesTraveler.com, February 3, 2009

étoile Restaurant recommended in the 2009 Michelin Guide for the third straight year.

“Domaine Chandon was the first Napa Valley winery to offer upscale dining…and remains the Valley’s only upscale winery-based restaurant” - Wine Enthusiast Magazine, May 2007

I COMPLETELY agree with all of the above!  I was lucky enough to have dinner here one evening during a trip to Napa.  Hands down, one of the BEST meals I have ever had!  At étoile they know food and service very well.  But we’ll just chat about the food!

Courtesy of Chandon.com

Starter Course
Poached Lobster and Galia Melon green apple · ginger · estate basil
Domaine Chandon Carneros Unoaked Chardonnay 2007

Absolute PERFECTION!  The combination of flavors was ever so delicious and perfectly complimented the lobster.  Everything was in perfect balance.

Main Course
Liberty Farms Duck Breast bing cherries · garden arugula · almond sauce
Domaine Chandon Carneros Pinot Noir 2006

It takes extremely talent to cook a duck medium rare with the skin just perfectly crispy.  If you can do that then call me over for dinner cause I would love to find out how its done!  Again, every element of the dish was in perfect harmony with the others and every bite was more delicious than the last.

Dessert
Strawberries and Cream
Creme Brulee with sliced strawberries served with a strawberry sorbet

This actually is not listed on the their menu, but I was lucky enough that they were serving it that night because it was SOOO good.  I {heart} creme brulee and this is one of the best I have ever had!

When I was done with the meal I wanted to do it all over again!  The portions are perfectly sized to leave you feeling utterly satisfied but not so much that you feel like you’re ready for a nap….because to leave one bite on your plate of any of these dishes would be a sin!  Added bonus: the wines paired with the dishes were compliments of the chef!

étoile at Domaine Chandon is a MUST if you find yourself in Napa and in need of a completely fantastic meal!

I adore cupcakes… they’re like a delightful piece of your childhood come back to life!  So I actively seek out cupcakerys with quality fare.  I also adore cupcakes in miniature!  Just as tasty, but less guilt… although I tend to eat three to four mini cupcakes which is the same as one large cupcake….but I digress.

San Diego Style Weddings Photoshoot - Photos by San Diego Wedding Candids

In Los Angeles I have a favorite cupcakery, so I have been in search of a favorite San Diego Cupcakery.  Sweet Cheeks Baking Company is at the top of the list!

I first tried a Sweet Cheeks cupcake at a networking meeting for the San Diego Association of Bridal Consultants… it was a Red Velvet Mini.  I was intrigued by the tasty cupcake made from the BEST ingredients.  When you go to their website this is what you’ll find:

Mom used to make us eat cookies with oats and nuts, wheat germ and whole wheat flour…
We thought she was nuts herself, but as we’ve grown up, we recognize the need to introduce wholesome ingredients in our baked goods.
Using NO transfats or artificial ingredients, we incorporate the best of whole fresh eggs, whole wheat flour, flaxseed & wheat germ, fruits & nuts, and top quality purees & chocolates.

So not only do these sweet treats TASTE good but they are also GOOD for you!  (okay, that may be a stretch….but I’m trying to justify my vice here!)

I actually called up the Sweet Cheeks ladies in July of last year for help with a photoshoot my friend and I were working on.  We were designing a tabletop and wanted to used a boxed cupcake as the favor.  However our color scheme was black and raspberry pinks with a hint of lime green.  Not exactly colors used to entice one to food.  But Sweet Cheeks came through for us beautifully!  They delivered Blackout Chocolate Cupcakes with a perfectly pink frosting which we boxed up in clear boxes with a lime green ribbon.  We could not have been happier!  And it photographed wonderfully!

And recently, at another party I tried their Chewy Chocolate Cheeks which are like fudgey-browine-cakey morsels….YUMMY!!  I think I actually chased the server down to get another one.

The Wedding Luncheon - Photos by Barnett Photo

But, they do more than cupcakes!  For The Special Event’s Wedding Luncheon at the Hard Rock Hotel they did a full wedding cake which was both beautiful and interesting.

And on a recent visit, I walked into their kitchen (which smells like delight and happiness) and they informed me they had been baking banana nut bread and cheesecake that morning!

Elaine (the Right Cheek) and Donna (the Left Cheek) at Sweet Cheeks are such a delight to work with, do such an excellent job, and have such a passion for what they do.  It is quite a treat to work with them.

Sweet Cheeks Baking Company
4564 Alvarado Canyon Rd., Suite A*
San Diego, CA 92120
(619) 285-1220
*This is their kitchen and offices…there is no storefront at the moment but we are eagerly awaiting that day!