Eating My Way Through Weddings in Woodinville

Well that’s a tongue twister. So the wedding event was a huge hit today! There were 6 venues, including 4 wineries, a lodge, and even a barn. I have to say, seeing the venues decorated to the nines with all the fabulous table settings, centerpieces, DJs/live music, caterers, cakes, flowers, wines.. it was so much more fun than yesterday, going through an expo center and being attacked by booth attendants. I’m still tempted to elope, but this gave the bride-to-be some fabulous ideas. Along with taking notes, cards, photos and talking with vendors, I sampled food all day. There were some fabulous eats. Here are a few highlights.. First fave: De Lille Cellars

My other fave: Willows Lodge. They have two very well known, very prestigious restaurants; The Herb Farm and Barking Frog. I have yet to eat there. But today was the next best thing, catering by The Herb Farm! Note, the mashed potato martinis pictured above were sampled at Willows. As were these treats..

Another phenominal winery with excellent food was Novelty Hill  Januik. They have a beautiful venue, but a little too modern for the bride’s taste. The food is all done by their in-house chef. He was really interesting to talk to.. even offered to share any recipes with me if I call him. I will be making that call. It would just be cruel if I couldn’t recreate his pistacchio breadpudding, or hoisin chicken in scallion crêpe. Mmm.. my mouth waters every time I say that!

Those were my favorites. I’ll throw in a few food and venue photos from the other stops..

Being in Washington, each of these wineries had a little northwest flare in one way or another. I loved it, although the stuffed animal trophies at the barn were a bit much. I’d rather see bambi running across the grounds than staring at me while I drink my bordeaux by the fireplace. You can see that we’re literally in the woods, maybe that’s why this town was named Woodinville!

The best desserts are the simplest. I recently discovered my love for decadent dark chocolate caramels sprinkled with sea salt.

After 5 hours, 6 wedding venues, and countless nibbles later we called it a day. I think it was a successful event, and so delicious! I decided that I’m doing this event every year (wedding or not).

I hope you had a terrific weekend! I started a new training schedule this morning for my upcoming race. Less than 2 months before my half marathon in Prague. I can’t believe it. So excited!! I also reorganized my fridge over the weekend. In a bizzarre way it made me happy. I like cleaning, and I decided it will help me be a more savy grocery saver. My non-existant grocery budget keeps growing and I found a bunch of rotten produce that I’d forgotten about. That’s the thing about eating mostly produce, you have to eat it fast. So, more on that later this week. I need to get some sleep.. but after the Grammys. Jamie Fox is doing the running man and I can’t look away. Haha. By the way, did anyone else see Pink’s outfit? Or lack their of. She was like a human sprinkler dangling above the crowd… with nothing on. Okay but really goodnight!