How pretty are these cocktails?  This is long overdue once again, but my camera/computer sitch is only just back in commission.

This makes twice in the town of Healdsburg that I've had cocktails that have blown my mind.  First was at Cyrus, where I think the drinks were conceived by the same genius, Scott Beattie.  Second, well, let me explain:

Sistah C. & I went to Spoonbar at the new cool kid hotel on the square h2 (which is owned by the Hotel Healdsburg people).  Their other hotel is swankier and has been around for a bit, but this has a truly eco and youthful vibe.

With that in mind, h2's restaurant has created this bonkers mixology program, which includes the Cucumber Collins (see left above) with a mixture of fresh and pickled cucumbers and yuzu and the Siddartha (above right) with Thai coconut milk, lemon verbena and St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur.

Pair drinks like those with a sampler of appetizers like the below with local cheese, fried risotto balls, spicy lamb meatballs, fried olives and house cured ones and you've found Nirvana.  Don't forget the oysters!

Not to sound like a character on You Can't Do That On Television, but usually I hate all things liver. However, apparently that truth is overruled by how much I LOVE olives and all things friend, because these olives stuffed with chicken liver just SLAYED me.

SO. DAMN. GOOD.

And you thought wine country was all about wine.

Happy Monday!

xo – N.