We have always enjoyed dining at the fabulous Solbar Restaurant in Calistoga, especially when we spent time at the Indian Springs Resort. We have never stayed at the Solage Spa, but Inna wanted to try it, so we booked the "Just the Two of Us" promotion for the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend.
We arrived on Friday afternoon and checked in. The drive from San Jose to Calistoga was uneventful, and we especially enjoyed the fall colors. Deciduous trees were turning yellow, red, and all colors in between. After checking in at Solbar's reception (and enjoying some chai tea), we changed and went for a short swim at Solage's mineral pool.
After enjoying a relaxing swim in the mineral pool, we split up. I went to the men's steam room and jacuzzi while Inna went to the women's section. The mineral pool is restricted to adults 18 and older, so Alex could not stay there for 30 minutes.
However, we enjoyed our time in the pool and then returned to our room to prepare for dinner at Solbar.
Since it was pretty cold outside, we decided to eat inside. I ordered a soup, "Butternut Squash Veloute," to start my dining adventure, followed by "Slow Roasted Enigh Lamb Shoulder."
Both dishes were simply fabulous. The lamb shoulder was incredibly delicious! I cannot recall eating a better-cooked lamb dish. This dish makes Solbar a Michelin 1 star!
Inna started with a "salad," followed by "Seared Day Boat Diver Scallops."
Both dishes were really fantastic.
For dessert, we decided to share a few dishes. I ordered "Butterscotch Rum Pudding" to share with Inna, and she called it a "Chocolate Marquise."
The butterscotch pudding was divine. I wish I could eat it all over again.
Alex ordered some "Dulce de Leche" ice cream with chocolate syrup on the side.
After dinner, we went back home and played a few games. We played Words with Friends, and I won, with Alex coming in second and Inna third.
Saturday, November 28
In the morning, I decided to work early in Solage's gym. The gym is not very big but has all top-of-the-line exercise equipment (except rowing machines and stair masters). I decided to exercise for 30 minutes on the jogging track and 20 minutes on the stationary bike. I also did a few bench presses. As it was getting late for breakfast, I rushed back, and we returned for our delicious breakfast in Solbar.
Inna ordered "Mt. Washington Eggs". They were exceptional!
I ordered the famous "Lemon Ricotta Pancakes." They are my favorite pancakes, and I always come to Solbar for breakfast!
The pancakes were outstanding, as expected! I really enjoyed them.
After our delicious breakfast, we had many appointments lined up. Inna booked a couples massage and a mud treatment (which I have never tried before).
From 10:30am to 11:30am, we experienced a very nice couples massage. Inna and I shared a room while the two massage therapists applied pressure to relieve stress. I felt fantastic!
After the massage ended, we had another hour before the subsequent treatment began, so we went for a short swim in the nearby mineral pool. It was so lovely and refreshing.
At 12:30 pm, we came back for our mud treatment. Each of us was handed a bucket of volcanic mud flavored with perfume (that we selected). We were guided to a private room, where we applied the volcanic mud all over our bodies and waited 20 minutes for it to settle. The volcanic mud is supposed to detoxify one's skin. I felt great afterward but can't say I felt any different.
After the beautiful mud treatment, we were guided to a soaker tub, where we relaxed in warm water for 15-20 minutes. After the tub, we headed to another private room, where we took a long nap while listening to relaxing music. We had a wonderful, relaxing time at the spa and would love to return.
After the spa treatment, we returned to our room to check on Alex and then to lunch at Sam's Social Club, a new restaurant in the Indian Springs Resort.
Sam's Social Club has attractive interior decor, reminiscing the quaint olden days of California.
I ordered a "Mushroom Scramble," which was not bad.
Alex ordered a "Margherita Pizza," which he enjoyed a lot.
Inna ordered an "Egg in a Hole." She really liked it.
After lunch, we decided to go for a bike ride in downtown Calistoga. It was a bit late and cold, so we did not bike far.
We returned to Solage in time to rest and play a few board games before heading for dinner at Bouchon Bistro in nearby Yountville.
We have been coming to Bouchon whenever we head for Napa/Sonoma wine country. However, we were not as impressed on this visit (as in previous visits).
I ordered a "Salade de Cresson et d’Endivesau Roquefort, Pommes et Noix". While it looked pretty presentable, it was nothing special.
Inna ordered a "Salade Maraîchère au Chèvre Chaud". It was also nothing special.
We did not order wine (because it's usually overpriced in these restaurants).
I ordered lamb (to compare against the most delicious lamb in Solbar). Unfortunately, Bouchon's lamb was vastly inferior to Solbar. I don't think Bouchon deserves a Michelin 1-star anymore.
Inna ordered a "Pasta with Lobster" special entree. While it was delicious, she was not ecstatically happy about it.
Alex was not very hungry, so he just ate some French Fries.
I was looking forward to trying some delicious dessert, but I was again headed for disappointment.
While the cake looked inviting, it did not taste exceptional.
Alex ordered some ice cream but was unhappy with the small scoops.
We were not very happy with dinner at Bouchon. I hope Thomas Keller gets his act together because I would rather eat at Solbar (which is vastly better).
Inna was also upset about one other aspect of Bouchon. After returning from the restroom, she commented about the filthy state of the ladies' restroom. A Michelin 1-star restaurant should be better than that.
Sunday, November 28
Morning greeted us with some frost, and we dressed warmly before heading for breakfast.
The steam from the heated swimming pool was rising.
We had another delicious breakfast in Solbar. This time, Inna and Alex ordered the famous "Lemon Ricotta Pancakes"! Everyone loved them!
After breakfast, we decided to enjoy more of the mineral springs pool.
We enjoyed a swim in the pool, followed by some time in the steam room.
We had a very relaxing morning.
After breakfast, we decided to try out the local Foosball machine. Alex and I played three games, and I lost 2 to 1.
It was time for lunch, so we decided to try the local New Orleans-themed Evangeline restaurant.
I ordered the Chicken and Waffle combination. It was perfect, but not as spicy as I had expected (having lived in Houston, Texas, near Louisiana).
Inna ordered the "Rosti" dish.
After lunch, we stopped by briefly at the V. Sattui Winery, where we usually buy our wine for the year (as it's not sold in stores). We purchased a case with six bottles of Gamay Rouge and six bottles of Muscat - our favorite wines.
We had a great getaway to Calistoga and hope to be back someday.
We arrived on Friday afternoon and checked in. The drive from San Jose to Calistoga was uneventful, and we especially enjoyed the fall colors. Deciduous trees were turning yellow, red, and all colors in between. After checking in at Solbar's reception (and enjoying some chai tea), we changed and went for a short swim at Solage's mineral pool.
After enjoying a relaxing swim in the mineral pool, we split up. I went to the men's steam room and jacuzzi while Inna went to the women's section. The mineral pool is restricted to adults 18 and older, so Alex could not stay there for 30 minutes.
However, we enjoyed our time in the pool and then returned to our room to prepare for dinner at Solbar.
Since it was pretty cold outside, we decided to eat inside. I ordered a soup, "Butternut Squash Veloute," to start my dining adventure, followed by "Slow Roasted Enigh Lamb Shoulder."
Both dishes were simply fabulous. The lamb shoulder was incredibly delicious! I cannot recall eating a better-cooked lamb dish. This dish makes Solbar a Michelin 1 star!
Inna started with a "salad," followed by "Seared Day Boat Diver Scallops."
Both dishes were really fantastic.
For dessert, we decided to share a few dishes. I ordered "Butterscotch Rum Pudding" to share with Inna, and she called it a "Chocolate Marquise."
The butterscotch pudding was divine. I wish I could eat it all over again.
Alex ordered some "Dulce de Leche" ice cream with chocolate syrup on the side.
After dinner, we went back home and played a few games. We played Words with Friends, and I won, with Alex coming in second and Inna third.
Saturday, November 28
In the morning, I decided to work early in Solage's gym. The gym is not very big but has all top-of-the-line exercise equipment (except rowing machines and stair masters). I decided to exercise for 30 minutes on the jogging track and 20 minutes on the stationary bike. I also did a few bench presses. As it was getting late for breakfast, I rushed back, and we returned for our delicious breakfast in Solbar.
Inna ordered "Mt. Washington Eggs". They were exceptional!
I ordered the famous "Lemon Ricotta Pancakes." They are my favorite pancakes, and I always come to Solbar for breakfast!
The pancakes were outstanding, as expected! I really enjoyed them.
After our delicious breakfast, we had many appointments lined up. Inna booked a couples massage and a mud treatment (which I have never tried before).
From 10:30am to 11:30am, we experienced a very nice couples massage. Inna and I shared a room while the two massage therapists applied pressure to relieve stress. I felt fantastic!
After the massage ended, we had another hour before the subsequent treatment began, so we went for a short swim in the nearby mineral pool. It was so lovely and refreshing.
At 12:30 pm, we came back for our mud treatment. Each of us was handed a bucket of volcanic mud flavored with perfume (that we selected). We were guided to a private room, where we applied the volcanic mud all over our bodies and waited 20 minutes for it to settle. The volcanic mud is supposed to detoxify one's skin. I felt great afterward but can't say I felt any different.
After the beautiful mud treatment, we were guided to a soaker tub, where we relaxed in warm water for 15-20 minutes. After the tub, we headed to another private room, where we took a long nap while listening to relaxing music. We had a wonderful, relaxing time at the spa and would love to return.
After the spa treatment, we returned to our room to check on Alex and then to lunch at Sam's Social Club, a new restaurant in the Indian Springs Resort.
Sam's Social Club has attractive interior decor, reminiscing the quaint olden days of California.
I ordered a "Mushroom Scramble," which was not bad.
Alex ordered a "Margherita Pizza," which he enjoyed a lot.
Inna ordered an "Egg in a Hole." She really liked it.
After lunch, we decided to go for a bike ride in downtown Calistoga. It was a bit late and cold, so we did not bike far.
We returned to Solage in time to rest and play a few board games before heading for dinner at Bouchon Bistro in nearby Yountville.
We have been coming to Bouchon whenever we head for Napa/Sonoma wine country. However, we were not as impressed on this visit (as in previous visits).
I ordered a "Salade de Cresson et d’Endivesau Roquefort, Pommes et Noix". While it looked pretty presentable, it was nothing special.
Inna ordered a "Salade Maraîchère au Chèvre Chaud". It was also nothing special.
We did not order wine (because it's usually overpriced in these restaurants).
I ordered lamb (to compare against the most delicious lamb in Solbar). Unfortunately, Bouchon's lamb was vastly inferior to Solbar. I don't think Bouchon deserves a Michelin 1-star anymore.
Inna ordered a "Pasta with Lobster" special entree. While it was delicious, she was not ecstatically happy about it.
Alex was not very hungry, so he just ate some French Fries.
I was looking forward to trying some delicious dessert, but I was again headed for disappointment.
While the cake looked inviting, it did not taste exceptional.
Alex ordered some ice cream but was unhappy with the small scoops.
We were not very happy with dinner at Bouchon. I hope Thomas Keller gets his act together because I would rather eat at Solbar (which is vastly better).
Inna was also upset about one other aspect of Bouchon. After returning from the restroom, she commented about the filthy state of the ladies' restroom. A Michelin 1-star restaurant should be better than that.
Sunday, November 28
Morning greeted us with some frost, and we dressed warmly before heading for breakfast.
The steam from the heated swimming pool was rising.
We had another delicious breakfast in Solbar. This time, Inna and Alex ordered the famous "Lemon Ricotta Pancakes"! Everyone loved them!
After breakfast, we decided to enjoy more of the mineral springs pool.
We enjoyed a swim in the pool, followed by some time in the steam room.
We had a very relaxing morning.
After breakfast, we decided to try out the local Foosball machine. Alex and I played three games, and I lost 2 to 1.
It was time for lunch, so we decided to try the local New Orleans-themed Evangeline restaurant.
I ordered the Chicken and Waffle combination. It was perfect, but not as spicy as I had expected (having lived in Houston, Texas, near Louisiana).
Inna ordered the "Rosti" dish.
After lunch, we stopped by briefly at the V. Sattui Winery, where we usually buy our wine for the year (as it's not sold in stores). We purchased a case with six bottles of Gamay Rouge and six bottles of Muscat - our favorite wines.
We had a great getaway to Calistoga and hope to be back someday.
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