#rancho nicasio

[pointreyesjournal]

The Weeping Tree : ep76

There’s one shady spot in Nicasio, and it’s right under the oak tree between the old church and the volunteer fire station. It’s only a 40 minute drive from my boat in Sausalito to Nicasio, and the entire drive here I was preparing myself emotionally. The plan was to ride to Nicasio, cry my eyes out under the oak tree, collect myself and head home.

But I’m standing under the oak tree and, although I feel empty, I don’t feel like wallowing in my own self pity. So, my eyes are dry, and more than anything, I’m actually feeling hungry.

Nicasio is crawling with bikers on Sunday afternoon, but on the Monday after the 4th of July it’s a ghost town. I step into the tiny market and Mike from Southern Alabama is working the cash register. It’s a slow morning and he’s a jovial and friendly fellow, so I can see he’s happy to have some company. I get a banana muffin and some bottled water and settle into a chat with Mike.

Mike: I was hoping to see you boys out here yesterday evening. The band was playing and we had a great turn out.

Me: Rough night last night Mike.

Mike: Oh?

Me: My girlfriend broke up with me.

Mike: Were y’all havin’ difficulties.

Me: No. Things were going great, I just didn’t realize I was the second man.

Mike: Sounds like a Howlin’ Wolf song.

Me: Back door man?

Mike: That’s the one.

Me: No, a back door man knows he’s the player. The second man is the one getting played.

Mike: Oh, so she has a main squeeze and was getting her side action with you?

Me: Yessir.

Mike: And you didn’t know about her main man?

Me: No sir.

Mike: Oh that ain’t no fun then is it?

Me: No sir. No it’s not. I’m licking my wounds this morning.

Mike: So whatcha gonna do?

Me: Hadn’t thought that far ahead. I guess I’ll cry on the shoulder of every shopkeeper between here and Bodega Bay and figure it out.

Mike: Well boy, I’m the only shopkeeper between here and Bodega Bay, so you’d better figure it out real soon.

Me: Ain’t that the damn truth. Any suggestions?

Mike: You got that motorcycle out there don’tcha?

Me: I do.

Mike: I say just ride north up the coast until you figure it out. We’ll see what comes to you first, your senses or the Canadian border.

Me: Probably the Canadian border ...

Mike: Son get out there and ride. When you figure out the meaning of life, I want you to ride right back in here and tell me, okay?

Me: Okay.

Mike: All right then, off you go. You go figure yourself out and I’ll be here when you get back.

[fingerlickin]

[pointreyesjournal]

The Maestro : ep34

Dangerous Dave and The Tech Titan were tittering like little schoolgirls when they wandered off toward the little Rancho Nicasio market. I’m keeping my balance by grasping the wrought iron gate in front of the little white church. I’m in a mental state somewhere between euphoria and PTSD having just survived Dangerous Dave’s unbridled four-wheeled assault on Lucas Valley Road. Or maybe I actually died and I need to pass through the gate, then through the church to heaven?

I feel alive, so I’m probably still alive. Whatever that means.

To his credit, Flood is a really really good driver. Given the money and opportunity as a young man, he probably could have made it as a professional rally driver, so I shouldn’t be such a pussy about riding in the back seat. But my sense of self preservation takes over when someone else is at the wheel. If I’m driving, game on. Someone else at the wheel? Settle down son!

My equilibrium is returning now, so I wander over toward the little market and go inside. Oddly there’s nobody inside, but the back door is open and there’s a bluesy and soulful song being played on the piano in the bar adjacent to the market. The back door looks off limits to the general public (employees only) but I decide fuck it, I’m going through anyway.

I turn the corner, Dangerous Dave and The Tech Titan are leaning against the wood and leather barstools while at the piano, the shopkeeper from Southern Alabama (who I met last time through) is singing and playing piano, and if I’m perfectly honest, he is extraordinary. Most of the time, when someone sits down to belt out a tune for you spontaneously, it sounds like Mary Rottencrotch and Her Nose Flute Symphony. Mr Shopkeeper has a barrel chested timbre in his southern voice and an almost supernatural ability to find the melodies and harmonies to his own piano accompaniment.

Mr. Shopkeeper's ten fingers come slamming down simultaneously on the keys for a big triumphant finish to his song and all three of us give a roaring round of applause. Mr. Shopkeeper spins around toward us “Howdy boys! Thank You, Thank You.”

The Tech Titan: Guys, I want you to meet Mike. Mike is the manager of Rancho Nicasio, and in a former life he was a hit songwriter for Huey Lewis and the News!

Mike: Well it seems like I’ve met all of y’all in here from time to time, but I had no idea you knew each other.

Mike’s looking at me.

Mike: Did you find the albino buck yet?

Me: No sir. Next trip.

Mike: How about the book?

Me: No sir, I’m trying to order it from somewhere other than Amazon.

Mike: Ha! Well good luck or die tryin’. You boys sticking around this afternoon for the band? Got live music all day!

I shrug my shoulders, I’m not sure what The Tech Titan has planned for the day.

The Tech Titan: You guys want to grab some breakfast in Point Reyes Station, kill some time in the Tesla and then come back for some afternoon tunes?

Me: I’m in.

Flood: I’m in.

Mike: Well, I guess I’ll have to dedicate a tune to you boys. See you this afternoon!

[kennethleung38]

Great meal at Western room by chef Ron Siegel at Rancho Nicasio

Been a fan of Ron Siegel for a long time from his early days in Masa, Ritz Carlton Dining room and Parallel 37, then Michael Mina.  His first claim to fame for many foodie geeks is that he went to Japan in the original Iron Chef TV show, spoke no Japanese, and beat Chef Sakai at Battle Lobster.

He is now operating a dining room with a shared kitchen to a roadhouse/music venue in Rancho Nicasio an hour north of San Francisco.

My advise, make a reservation, and drive there.  The drive is gorgeous and especially if you have a sports car it is a fun drive.  I have seen Porsche, Corvettes, and Ferrari take the road up for the food and the drive.  The price is very reasonable for the food you are getting, much of the ingredient from local farms and suppliers.

Service is great since the staff is mostly people from Ron’s previous fine dining establishments, and I met his daughter who is also working there in the front of the house.

http://www.ranchonicasio.com/

https://www.yelpreservations.com/r/rancho-nicasio/