Al fresco dinner at Angèle, Napa CA

Time seems to get away from me these days…  It’s hard to believe that we were in France a year ago, and that our short trip to Napa was nearly six months ago.

And here’s a post that’s gotten away from me too, but that rather tidily combines France and Napa: Angèle restaurant.  Our dinner here truly reminded me of our time in the south of France.

To start, of course, there was pastis – served just as in France, with a carafe of cold water that turns the amber liquid to a cloudy light gold when poured in.

The food is a French-California blend – D began with classic beef tartare, for example, while I had an artichoke salad with olives and nuggets of fried goat cheese.

Sunset fell and we switched from white wine to red.  For my main, I decided on Parisian gnocchi with delicate fava leaf pesto and spring vegetables – fresh and light.

Dessert was a pretty pear tart with frangipane and whipped cream.  I do love a good tart.

In terms of travel, a short jaunt to Philly is next on our agenda, then Anguilla and Japan – lots to look forward to, and I’m excited to share it with you!