This is an unusual post for me here on this blog. Mostly because this is not what you’re accustomed to seeing me post. Oh but be sure about this – I’ve included some great photos and they happen to be of great food (another thing I’m pretty good with). I’m excited to share with you about mine and my wife Heidi’s time at the Sonoran Bed & Breakfast (www.sonoronbandb.com) cause it was so outstanding. The fall gets pretty busy for me what with the start of school and all – Sports photography, Seniors and the heart of wedding season, it’s a busy time and I knew I wanted to surprise Heidi with even just one night away without the kids to celebrate our recent 12th year anniversary. To tell this story even better I’ve brought in the big gun herself. Heidi is going to share the rest of the story from her perspective since she is so passionate about great food and bed & breakfasts. We’ve made it a habit in our marriage since the very beginning – even on the honeymoon we stayed at a B&B in Seattle Washington – and we’ve done so ever since – they are so much more charming than hotels. Plus breakfast is included and it’s always fun and unique.
——————On with Heidi’s story:
We just came from one of the most relaxing “get-away’s” we’ve been on yet. Travis surprised me – which is pretty hard to do – by taking me away for a night!
Not far from Oro Valley (30 minutes north) is a quaint, little art town called Oracle. Trav wanted to spoil me and celebrate our 12 years of marriage. Because I’m practical and fairly picky, I’m sometimes suspicious when he says he as a surprise for me. He said he wasn’t going to tell me ahead of time, but decided to a bit early. Good thing since not only did I have to pack myself, but also had to pack for the two kids. After a quick pack (along with reminders from the kids to pack their favorite bed buddy and their squishy pillows) we were off to perform a “quick” drop-off at grandma and grandpa’s house.
We arrived at the Sonoran Bed & Breakfast promptly at 5:00 p.m. (Well, at least it was “prompt” for us – only a half hour later than we had planned.). We were warmly welcomed by Michael and Mary – aka owners and chefs.
We decided on the “Out of Africa” room after a brief look – because Travis said “it had a seating area.” (We didn’t really use the tall table and chairs, but Travis thought it looked great in the room!) The African theme seemed to fit well with us – the colors were bright, warm yellows with sconces on the walls. I thought our daughter would have liked the giraffe on top of the microwave and small refrigerator. There was a group of fluffy pillows on the bed – which is plus for Travis – and an extra throw on the chair – a plus for me since I’m always cold. The air conditioning unit said 70 degrees – and I knew Travis was already happy!
Mary asked us when and where we’d like to eat dinner, and we agreed sooner rather than later. Six-o’clock was the time – and outside in the courtyard was the place! She suggested we “decompress” and then head outside the room when ready. At 6:00 p.m. we emerged from our room freshly changed and starving!
Right outside our room, in the courtyard, there was a table already set and ready with glasses and linens. We sat and breathed deep. The wind chimes were ringing; water was trickling through the fountain, and the sunlight was moving slowly across the mountains and desert outside the gate. What a site – we felt as if we had escaped! Trav said at one point, it felt as if we were at some remote chateau and were taking in the sites abroad. The temperature had already dropped and we both agreed – there was no place we’d rather be at that moment. We chatted as Mary came out to serve us drinks and describe the first course.
We started with como and rosmary/olive oil dipping breads served with extra virgin olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar. (Don’t be impressed that I remembered that – I had Mary write everything down so I didn’t mistake an item for something it wasn’t!) Yum! That’s all I have to add! Travis was in heaven since he had freshly cracked pepper added to the mix – just how he likes it. Bread is a separate food group, right? We drank apple, grape sparkling cider (we’re not wine connoisseurs) served in sparkling glasses, just the same.
Then, on to course two: salad! When Mary came outside carrying the dishes, we took one look and both agreed it would best if we each shared a taste of our food with the other since both salads looked delish! Trav decided to have the Caesar salad with herb encrusted crostinis while I chose the warm spinach and bacon salad. After a few bites and “mmmmming”, we realized that our goal was to take pictures of everything we ate. Oops! You’ll have to use your imagination as I try to describe. Trav’s Caesar salad was covered in a dressing created by Mary and Michael (who we’ll call “our chefs”) and topped with fresh parmesean cheese. On the side were what I would describe as crunchy toasted bagette slices – but I understand are actually called crostinis! Since we agreed to share, I can attest to Trav’s claim that it was the best Caesar salad and Caesar dressing we’ve ever had.
My salad was equally as delicious! It consisted of spinach leaves, crunchy bacon pieces and hard boiled egg slices and was topped with a fabulous vinaigrette dressing. What fantastic mix of textures, colors and flavors! Needless to say, I didn’t share too much of that with Trav!
Course three was a real treat! Mom, if you’re reading this – close your eyes! You taught us not to eat our dessert first for fear that we might “ruin our dinner.” Well – the next course could have been considered a dessert! To cleanse our palettes as Mary said, we were introduced to a cool, tasty treat: fresh, strawberry sorbet! Travis actually took a picture of this – and because presentation is so important to me – take note of the fabulous cup it’s displayed in! What a refreshing chilled blend! Between mouthfuls, we both agreed we should eat “dessert” in the middle of our meal more often! I told Trav, my biggest worry at this point was whether or not my stomach could hold the food still to come!
The main attraction: course number four! Mary came out with our entrees and described each one: Travis chose a pan-seared flat iron steak with a rosemary merlot reduction with roasted garlic mashed potatoes and fresh broccoli. Mine was sautéed salmon with a saffron buerre sauce served over angel hair pasta tossed with herb infused olive oil and broccoli. I think you’ll agree when you see the pictures – there is no better way to describe the dishes except to say they were exquisite! I’ve actually dreamt of a dish with a saffron sauce, but never have tasted one until that night – a creamy – almost buttery flavor. Yummmy! Have you seen the movie, “No Reservations”? If so, you’ll agree that when you hear the description of her saffron sauce, you have to dream about trying that sauce. This was a dream come true! Trav and I took turns sharing our selection with each other and “oohhing” and “ahhhing” at the other’s meals as much as our own. Not one piece of food was left on our plate.
Throughout the meal, Mary had been doting on us – checking to see if we had enough to drink; asking what did we think of this or that; was the outside temperature ok; etc. When she came outside after we had finished the entrée’s, we told her – “our compliments” should be given to the chef! She smiled and said she would pass that on to the “chef” even though both she and Michael had been our chefs throughout the night.
While Mary prepared our final course, Michael came out to chat about the food and his favorite topic: trivia! He was entertaining and boasted about his wife’s forte as a pastry chef and said she was superb at creating sauces! Mary outdid herself as she created the most glorious dessert I’ve ever eaten: I ate a Jack Daniel’s chocolate truffle cake while Trav had cream puffs topped with ganache. For those of you who are chocolate lovers – you would have been smitten with the cake! It was as dreamy as it sounds – and melted in your mouth on the way down. Trav shared a bit of his with me – but I was a bit more stingy and gave him only a few very small bites!!
What an experience – we finished the evening by taking our coffee out to the back porch and chatted away. Mary checked in with us one more time before she left us alone and asked when we preferred to eat breakfast the next morning. We rested out back for a while, taking in the fresh smells of the herb garden.
After that, we went inside to the living area and chose a fun movie (“She’s The Man”) from Michael’s extensive (over 800 movies) collection. The evening ended as we retreated to our room.
The next morning, we woke up – took our time getting ready – and walked through the courtyard into the dining room. Almost immediately we were greeted by Chef Michael and he entertained us while we ate the first portion of our breakfast. We ate fresh watermelon and a fabulous raspberry coffee cake made by Mary.
I don’t think the picture will even do it justice – but take it in! Not only was Mary an artist with food, but also we learned that the beautiful, artistically decorated inn was mostly by her hand. In fact, we found out, she was also responsible for the brick work throughout the home. Beautiful!
Mary came back to let us know that omlette’s were on the menu and she described what ingredients she had thought to put in it – then asked if that sounded good! Of course, I chimed “yes” since she had described an omlette with portabella mushrooms – my favorite!! Travis said that mushrooms weren’t his favorite – and she immediately created an alternate omlette without mushrooms for him!
Here’s a picture of what appeared when she came back from the kitchen a short while later:
The picture is a bit deceiving since Trav and I forgot (again!) to take a picture before we began eating. So, this is his plate, with a few bites taken out of the omlette. Here’s the description of our meal: potato pancakes (Michael’s famous potatoe pancakes!); applewood smoked bacon; and an omlette filled with spinach, mushroom, red bell pepper, onion and borsin (a very creamy, white cheese)! Wow!!!! Superb!
Mary suggested to Travis, earlier in the week, that we have her favorite massage therapist, Donna, come to our room for massages following breakfast. She made the arrangements and Donna arrived 15 minutes early and setup her table right in our room while we finished breakfast. I went first and was pampered with a full-body, relaxation massage – what a perfect end to our stay! While Trav was being spoiled with a stress-free, upper body massage, I slipped away to read a book in the living room.
After the morning massages were complete, we both agreed: our one-night, “get-away” retreat, was as relaxing as if we had stayed an entire week. I told Trav that I felt relaxed, pampered and very at-home. This was exactly what both of us needed – respite from the crazy life of cell phones, twitter, Facebook and kids.
Michael and Mary Gibson were fabulous hosts who complimented each other with ease and laughter. From the moment we stepped into the courtyard to the moment we put our bags back in our car, we felt welcome and at home. Before we left, we commented on the fact that the room was without a TV to distract. Mary’s response was that they wrestled with whether or not to include a TV in the rooms, and finally decided this place was to be a getaway from normal life – and that TV was just another distraction. I love that fabulous food and the quiet fall of water in the courtyard fountain were the replacement of this normal distraction!
From the “now relaxed” Oro Valley couple to both chefs and owners of the Sonoran B & B: thanks for taking the time to think about what your guests would need to help them get away from what distracts them in life!
Blessings! – Heidi & Travis Williams
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Special Announcement from Mary Gibson of the Sonoron Bed & Breakfast : Travis and Heidi took advantage of our “Sizzling Summer time special” (1 night’s stay, a 3 course dinner for 2 and breakfast for 2 the next morning) all for $125+tax (you’ll have to pay extra for the massage of course) – and while this special will be expiring to the general public on Sept 15th, 2009 – I’ve choosen to extend this offer to anyone who books and comes to stay with us before Oct 1, 2009 – be sure to mention you heard about it on twitter, facebook or Travis Williams’ blog ! We’d love to have you take a great getaway that isn’t to far away!
