A festive holiday table, Northern California style { Remodelista }

Earlier this month Remodelista invited me to an exciting collaboration: a feature on inspirations & tips for a non-traditional {think sans orange} holiday table and a stress free dinner menu.
The photo location I suggested is one of my all time favorite dining rooms, a cozy cottage with wood fired oven nestled in Stinson Beach. I discovered The Room earlier this year by chance, fell in love with the ambience {& had recently organized two private dinners there}, so approached proprietor {& Brit expat} Maxine Gilbert along with her husband/chef John Gilbert as collaborators. Maxine got yet another collaborator on board ~ all stunning wild flora centerpieces and bouquets were foraged and arranged by Louesa Roebuck, who happens to live in Stinson Beach and is the talent behind many stunning floral arrangements at Bay Area restaurants ...

the location.

maxine & john's cottage, stinson beach, california

the buffet menu.

~ fresh shucked oysters on the half shell

~ oysters ollie with bacon, arugula, horseradish cream, grana

~ oysters lillie with lemon, garlic/herb bread crumbs

~ barbecue glazed oysters 

~ gospel flat farm red curry squash puree with seeded levain gruyere toast

~ dungerness crab flatbread with persimmon, celery salad & shallot vinaigrette

~ oven roasted farro, delicata squash, scarlet runner beans, white truffle oil

Thank you, Maxine, John & Louesa 

and a special Thanks to Sarah Lonsdale for getting the initial ball rolling!