Bodega, Sebastopol and North Bay 2008

We started around 11 am, about an hour later than what we originally intended to do, but we managed to get to the Tomales Bay Oyster Farm by 1 pm. When we got there, the place was full. We didn't see any more empty tables or grillers, and that place has at least a dozen of so grillers. Luckily, we brought along with us a portable, and disposable griller that we got from a Korean Market. I put the pictures in in the album so that you could take a look at it. It's so convenient, lasted for 80 minutes, and it packed the heat that's enough to cook oysters in the shells. Better yet, it only costs 8 bucks!

Tomales Bay Oyster Farm mostly sells shellfishes. Mussels, clams, oysters, you name it. We got for ourselves 2 lbs of clams and half a dozen of small oysters, all for just 15 USD. It was such a hot day, so we have smaller appetites. Besides we had some Korean noodles and side dishes.  The clams and oysters were so fresh. Most people over there got lots of oysters. Our neighbors, a party of 4, got 50 giant oysters.

From Tomales Bay, we went straight to our hotel in Bodega Bay. Such a beautiful hotel. The swimming pool is overlooking a marshland and the Pacific Ocean. Just awesome. Our room comes with a deck that overlooks the same marshland and the ocean. Many swallows flew around.

The hotel garden is plush with lavender blooms. Along the walkway you will find a lot of sculptures and maritime themed decoration. There is a really cute bronze (or copper) sea otter that I am tempted to ride it, but I think I would look silly doing that. Therefore, I decided to just tickle it. I think it looks better.

The hotel served free wine and cheese tasting from 5 pm to 6 pm in the lobby, but we came closer to 6 pm. The cheese and nuts were gone, but we had the wine from McKinzie winery. The merlot was pretty good.

At night, we went to French Garden restaurant in Sebastopol. I think the restaurant served superb French countryside food. The place also has a big bar area with life music (at least when we were there). We went for the fix prix menu for 35 USD. It came with gazpacho with smoked salmon, beet salad, local organic duck, and a slice of mocha cake with ice cream. The duck is marvellous. I don't know how to describe it, but I don't mind driving back there just to try it again... Yum. ;-P The waitress and Maitre d' are very cordial. The place is so welcoming. If you are in Sebastopol, do not miss this place.