Wolfie’s Carousel Bar
Held at urban public spaces around the world, Dîner en Blanc requires invited guests to wear all white — not ivory or beige, or any other shade for that matter — and bring their own square table, white chairs and a white tablecloth, plus a picnic basket with china, cutlery and a gourmet meal for two to the temporary soirée. Champagne and wine can be pre- ordered, but beer and hard liquor are verboten at the stylish event that sometimes draws thousands to the dining site. Instructions about the secret location for the mass “chic picnic” are given at the last minute and participants, who are either invited by former guests or earn a spot via a lengthy wait list, are transported to and from the event together. Californians can attend Dîner en Blanc in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Palm Springs, Sacramento and San Francisco.
mid-century modern décor, Lazy Bear is described as a contemporary American dinner party where guests freely roam and interact with the chefs. The distinct dining concept offers a multi-course tasting menu that has earned two Michelin stars. Like a rock concert, guests must purchase a ticket
(availability announced through the restaurant’s Twitter handle) to savor the rotating seasonal line-up, which features ingredients sourced locally from the Bay Area and prepared using contemporary and primal techniques with flavors inspired by the wilderness and nostalgia. Plus, the award- winning wine list contains more than 1,500 selections, including one of the world’s deepest collections of mature California vintages.
Outstanding in the Field ACROSS CALIFORNIA It might seem odd to make a reservation for
dinner in the very spot where your food is harvested — like a fishing dock — but Outstanding in the Field isn’t an ordinary dining adventure.
Napa Valley Wine Train NAPA Park your hybrid and jump onboard for a scenic and relaxing locomotive excursion
Hosted in farm-to-table spots such as vineyards, beaches, meadows and in city streets, as well as at organic and sustainable farms around the world, the company has a really short footprint. Instead of delivering ingredients to a restaurant, the roving culinary caravan brings the dining operations — and its signature long communal table — to the source so diners can reconnect with
train’s onboard kitchens. Plus, riders can tailor their wine trip with different rail experiences, from lunch and dinner to romance, mystery, observation deck viewing and exclusive private tours. Wolfie’s Carousel Bar SAN DIEGO You might want to hold on to your vintage cocktail at Wolfie’s Carousel Bar, a whimsical beverage and bistro destination whose main attraction is a circular, 24-seat carousel-shaped bar illuminated with 400 glowing bulbs that fully rotates every 14 minutes. If you can’t catch a ride
Lounge in New Orleans’ French Quarter, served with a sultry side of Parisian romance for a playful and interactive dinner vibe. The moveable feast includes a classic cocktail list with familiar French-inspired spirits such as Sazerac, Vieux Carré and French 75, and gourmet finger foods including steak frites, caviar and wagyu beef tartare. Dîner en Blanc ACROSS CALIFORNIA Say ooh-la-la to Dîner en Blanc, an international cuisine concept launched in Paris in 1988 to promote decorum and friendship, emblematic of high- French society in the Roaring ’20s.
through Napa Valley, one of the top wine growing regions in the world. The luxury train ride takes place in a restored, early-century Pullman railcar that rolls through a 36-mile stretch of lush vineyard countryside. The three-hour, round-trip journey departs from downtown Napa to St. Helena and back. Passengers stop and sip along the route at some of the most celebrated wineries in Northern California, among them Raymond, Robert Mondavi and
Domaine Chandon. En route, travelers are able to sample the rail’s own private label, select from the wine list and enjoy flights, as well as lounge in the elegant marble and wood dining rooms and enjoy Napa-style, multiple-course gourmet cuisine made from scratch in the
at the bar, you can sit at one of the three circular dining booths topped with carousel horses that slowly bob up and down overhead. Located near the north end
the land and celebrate the chefs, farmers, fishers, cheesemakers, vintners and brewers who supply the food. This summer and fall, the table will be set for several Outstanding in the Field events in California, from San Diego to San Francisco. But make your reservations soon because seats fill up fast.
of Little Italy in San Diego, the merry-go-round themed hotspot is inspired by the legendary Carousel Bar &
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IN YOUR CORNER ISSUE 11 | 2022
NAPA VALLEY WINE TRAIN
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