Still Dreaming Of...Warm Napa Days and Nights

Hail? Light Snow? Temperatures in the 30s? When I pre-ordered Patricia Wells' new cook book Salad As A Meal, I thought that when it shipped, warm spring days, trips to the farmers market and outdoor dining would be right around the corner. It arrived yesterday, but we're having a wacky spring, and fair weather seems a distant dream.

So I won't be having the girls over for salad Niçoise and Côtes de Provence any time soon in our backyard...maybe I should talk everyone into following me back to Napa.

Image from House Beautiful

Cocktails by the pool?

Image from Architectural Digest

Image from Backen, Gillam & Kroeger

Followed by a poolside dinner...

 Image from Architectural Digest

...Lobster salad with green beans, apple and avocado served with a nice local Chardonnay.

Image from House Beautiful

 

Or lunch on the terrace? How about a deconstructed club sandwich salad with purple potato chips paired with a Rosé made from Pinot Noir grapes? I had one made by Cep Vineyards last weekend that was delicious. 

Image from House Beautiful 

 

Image from House Beautiful

How does a poached turkey breast salad with lemon, capers and mint sound? Served with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc--Round Pond makes a nice one.

Image from House Beautiful 

Or a spring beef salad with spinach, cherry tomatoes and asparagus served on the patio... I think a bottle of Jayson Red would pair perfectly.

Image from House Beautiful

And this looks like the perfect spot for morning coffee...

Image from House Beautiful 

Then a cheerful brunch with fresh fruit, fig and hazelnut bread, and a zucchini blossom frittata with goat cheese and mint. And some sparkling from Schramsberg, of course!

Lazy sun-drenched meals may be a long way off in Seattle, but at least I'll have plenty of meals planned out by the time it arrives.

What's your favorite fair-weather meal? And where do you dream of dining right now?