Between seven and eight inches of rain fell in the Houston area on Saturday. We stayed in........ had Champagne with fresh grapefruit juice cocktails paired with Eggs Benedict topped with Spinach and crispy pancetta for brunch...........................................................................................
Thibeault's Table inspired me to make ribs for dinner. I didn't grill them because of the rain ~ but braised them for three hours or so. They were the best ribs I've ever made! Grazie to our BC friend! The sun finally peeked out from behind the clouds late in the day. To celebrate, I opened up a bottle of 2002 Consilience Syrah that I've been dragging around for five years.....................................................................................
We bought this bottle at the Consilience Winery in Los Olivos, California. Los Olivos is a fun place to visit because you can walk from tasting room to tasting room, stop for coffee in a charming bakery and dine at the Los Olivos Cafe. Los Olivos is not far from Santa Barbara and makes a wonderful day trip.
This bottle of Syrah had gone through a traumatic moving experience (moving van broke down in the hot desert and had to be towed) on the move from California to Texas. I wasn't sure that it had survived - but it did. It is one of those wines that tasted better to me the second day. Definitely needed to breathe or be decanted. Dark and rich with leather undertones and a long finish with cherry/blackberry in the mid range. The roses checked out their reflection in the wine glass ~ vain beauties that they are............................................................
The Syrah also went well with the chocolate covered espresso beans we nibbled on for dessert.
A new day............................................................................
Sunday was glorious, so we went to the beach............................................................
We found beautiful shells on the beach at Matagorda. Got a tad sunburned and headed off to dine on fresh grilled shrimp at Reef's Bar and Grill.
This morning I was inspired by Pam's recipe for granola. I've never made granola before, but she made it look so easy ~ and I just happened to have most of the ingredients at hand.
Thibeault's Table inspired me to make ribs for dinner. I didn't grill them because of the rain ~ but braised them for three hours or so. They were the best ribs I've ever made! Grazie to our BC friend! The sun finally peeked out from behind the clouds late in the day. To celebrate, I opened up a bottle of 2002 Consilience Syrah that I've been dragging around for five years.....................................................................................
We bought this bottle at the Consilience Winery in Los Olivos, California. Los Olivos is a fun place to visit because you can walk from tasting room to tasting room, stop for coffee in a charming bakery and dine at the Los Olivos Cafe. Los Olivos is not far from Santa Barbara and makes a wonderful day trip. 
This bottle of Syrah had gone through a traumatic moving experience (moving van broke down in the hot desert and had to be towed) on the move from California to Texas. I wasn't sure that it had survived - but it did. It is one of those wines that tasted better to me the second day. Definitely needed to breathe or be decanted. Dark and rich with leather undertones and a long finish with cherry/blackberry in the mid range. The roses checked out their reflection in the wine glass ~ vain beauties that they are............................................................
The Syrah also went well with the chocolate covered espresso beans we nibbled on for dessert.
A new day............................................................................
Sunday was glorious, so we went to the beach............................................................
We found beautiful shells on the beach at Matagorda. Got a tad sunburned and headed off to dine on fresh grilled shrimp at Reef's Bar and Grill.
This morning I was inspired by Pam's recipe for granola. I've never made granola before, but she made it look so easy ~ and I just happened to have most of the ingredients at hand.It was just the right topping for my Greek Yogurt. A perfect light breakfast ~ Thanks for the inspiration Pam!
Salute!
Ry
Photography By: Ryannan Bryer de Hickman
copyright ~ Sotto Il Monte Vineyards
