Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Lobster


Lobster with Caramelized Meyer Lemon, Anise Hyssop and Shaved Fennel

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Golden Eagle Visits Post Ranch Garden


The other day as we sat in the garden having our weekly chef’s meeting, we were disrupted by the sudden squawking of turkeys, running deer and cawing crows.  Seconds later a massive shadow rolled over the apple tree and a bird, with what must have been a seven foot wingspan, glided onto the lower branch of an oak tree across the garden.  It was a truly jaw dropping experience and my iPhone was unable to adequately capture the incredible scene, despite the fact that the bird likely stood over three feet tall.  My best guess is that this was a large Golden Eagle, quite a rare sight in Big Sur!  This is yet another reason that I should bring my real camera to work every day!  Here is a dramatic picture (not mine) of a Golden Eagle in action.

Photo by wildlife photographer Peter Carins

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

LA Food & Wine


Martin has really outdone himself this time!  Here is a sneak peak at a custom Hibachi Grill he fabricated for us to use at LA Food and Wine this weekend.  We are partnering with Lone Mountain Ranch Wagyu for what is shaping up to be a fantastic Saturday event!




Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Concourse Week


Last week may be one of the craziest weeks of the year here on the Central Coast - but it didn't look like all the fancy cars fazed the local wild life.



Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Big Sur Wild Flowers


I spotted this incredible wild flower on my way up to the kitchen today!

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Burnt Oak "Barrel"


We are using an ancient technique for hollowing out a log using a live coal.  Once complete we hope to use it for aging vinegar and ponzu.

Friday, August 1, 2014

Condors!

Photo by Sarah Kabat
If you ever walk into Sierra Mar and see the entire staff in the dining room peering out the window, you can rest assured that something epic is happening.  While most of us get our Big Sur scenery fix through a quick peek out the kitchen pass or on our way to the garden, sometimes something so fantastic happens in the dining room that it lures even the cooks and dishwashers out of the kitchen.  It could be a pod of orca herding a school of sardines or a baby bobcat sunning in the tall grass.  Yesterday it was two giant Big Sur condors perching on the roof of Sierra Mar.  Seeing the condors soar beside the windows of the restaurant is not an uncommon experience, but getting this close of a look was really special.  So special in fact that I sacrificed my chef jacket to crawl up on the kitchen roof and grab these pictures!