Post Ranch Inn pt.5

Add comment November 28th, 2009

Post Ranch Inn pt.2

So here are the “cheap” rooms I mentioned before that we stayed in both times we visited Post Ranch Inn.  This unique structure, otherwise known as The Butterfly House, contains six rooms, and it gets its name from being shaped like a butterfly with wings outstretched.  Each room has a private deck that looks out onto the Ventana Mountains (Ventana is Spanish for window), and one of my favorite things to do at the Ranch is just to sit out on the deck, soaking up the incredible view, breathing in the brisk, clean air, and of course, enjoying a glass of white wine.

Add comment November 25th, 2009

Post Ranch Inn pt.1

The first thing I should probably say about the Post Ranch Inn is that we could normally never afford to stay at this place.  Several years ago, I received a very generous gift certificate from my old boss, and we took the amount and divided it into two trips by staying for only a couple of nights each time and in the “cheap” rooms.  Seriously, this place is unreal (Condé Nast Johansens called it the Most Excellent Romantic Hideaway in the country this year), and vacationing here was an experience that truly makes me wish I had more money.

Both times we were at the Post Ranch Inn, Kim and I felt like a couple impostors crashing the rich people’s party.  “We don’t belong here,” we kept saying to ourselves, but that didn’t stop us from enjoying every moment of our time there.  Much like they say that youth is wasted on the young, I think that luxury is wasted on the wealthy.  So who better to truly appreciate this amazing resort than a couple of struggling kids chasing their dreams!

Pictured above – the Inn’s award-winning Sierra Mar restaurant.  This might be the best restaurant I’ve ever eaten at.  The menu changes daily, and for our first Thanksgiving meal there, we were treated to a blue cheese tart w/ carmelized onions & roasted beets, a chanterelle mushroom soup w/ truffle oil, butternut squash ravioli w/ mushrooms & pecans and, of course, pumpkin pie.  I’m salivating just thinking about it…

Add comment November 24th, 2009

On The Road

Up until last year, our new Thanksgiving tradition had been to spend the holiday in Big Sur.  We’d rent a car (see photo above) and drive Highway One all the way up to the Post Ranch Inn, one our favorite places in the world.

There’s nothing like getting out on the open road, and I think Kim and I are at our best when we’re driving somewhere, searching for a little adventure.  One of the truly great things about living in Southern California is that there are so many amazing destinations just a few hours drive away, and the landscapes along the way are often breathtaking to say the least (again, see above).   For example, the drive to Big Sur not only takes us along the incredibly scenic Pacific Coast Highway, but we pass through the rolling hills of wine country as well as the flat lands of the many strawberry farms.  It’s really something else, and even if it was possible to fly there, I would still prefer to drive.

This year, we’ll be staying in LA though, hosting our second-annual vegan feast on turkey day.  We’re very excited to have some of our favorite people over to enjoy the holiday and Kim’s great cooking, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that a part of me misses the ol’ road trip north.  Hopefully, we’ll get up there again soon enough, holiday or not.

Add comment November 23rd, 2009