Sunny Sunday at the Boonville Hotel

~ Small bites & Paella night ~

Front porch/entry to the hotel…

The Boonville Hotel on a balmy early evening was a feast for the eyes upon entry, with its cozy garden tables bathed in filtered sun filtered. Cushioned benches and chairs invited us out onto the patio. We were hungry after a long morning at the Inn and then a brief jaunt to the valley for a little wine tasting with Baxter. The welcoming area and tasting bar were getting a lot of attention as a waiting room of sorts, where guests mingled and chatted once they arrived in the courtyard, eager to take in the delectable dinner menu.

Courtyard tasting bar…

It was all a buzz this day particularly as it was Sunday, the famed and ever popular Paella night. This night draws in plenty of passers-through and is an undisputed hands-down favorite among locals. Paella is already an amazing dish, but the flavor is almost outdone by the presentation, or shall we say performance, as the chef masterfully executes this dish in front of the drooling masses gathered each Sunday. Did I say “feast for the eyes” already? Obviously not just the eyes! We watched with glee as the chef kept trucking all the ingredients from the kitchen out to the big fire pit and seasoning the giant cast iron pan. All the while, diners continued being seated at the tables, with an exciting view of the show as it was unveiling before them. We hadn’t made reservations, sadly. However, we were there for the equally impressive small bites menu we’d also heard about. We couldn’t help but agree that next time we would have to dive in and dance with the Paella. We weren’t anticipating that we would be so enticed, the scene was truly intoxicating, fun, and flirty.

Garden seating under the cooling redwoods…

Hard to imagine, but we do have to admit, neither of us had ever been to the Boonville Hotel. This was our first visit, and the fresh blend of old school meets new was all around us. As a rural roadhouse should, it had a feeling of comfortable homestead chic. A lovely bit of Boho vibe graced the air, with twinkling lights hanging from the trees, and colorful pillows tossed about on the classic vintage furniture. Soft, tall, windswept grasses danced among the flowers in the garden and in vases atop the tables here and there. The Trumpet Vines were dazzling and flashy, with lush green leaves frolicking in the light breeze. It is an entrancing and fabulous space. We realized we wanted not just to eat, but to stay here someday, too!

Mr. Handsome…

We took up a couple of Adirondack chairs, sort of in the middle to catch all the action, and dove into the menu selection. It was hard not to feel at home when there, stretched out in the shade along the path across from us, was the most handsome black cat blinking sleepy eyes in greeting. With a nice glass of Handley Pinot Noir to accompany our shared dishes in hand, it didn’t take us long to decide what we wanted. The Garden Broccoli and Bottarga, Prosciutto Americano, and Suncrest Peaches on Toast, sounded perfectly delightful. Chilled bubbly water kept us cool, in the cooling yet still quite warm Anderson Valley summer air. As we talked about upcoming plans and even did a little online shoe shopping, the time ticked by and we soon had a beautiful presentation of delicious plates on the table, it was time to eat!

Yes, we completely devoured it all. :)

The broccoli had the most fabulous garlic sauce beneath it - we couldn’t help but slip each bite around the plate to soak up as much as we could. Toasted bits of lemon and breadcrumbs topped the florets beautifully, with hints of oregano flowers that were surprisingly crisp and refreshing. The Suncrest peaches had the best flavor, tart and sweet, accompanied by taleggio and baby squash blossoms on a hunk of baguette - it was a fabulous choice. My favorite was the prosciutto and pears with Rogue River blue cheese. The tangy cheese melted in my mouth, mixing delicately yet somehow also aggressively with the sweet fruit and salty meat. With spicy greens and arugula, it had just the right amount of kick to tantalize the ol’ taste buds.

So green!

Prosciutto, pears, & blue cheese…

Squash blossoms are just the right touch with the peaches…

By the end of the evening, we were satiated with the goodness and hospitality of this wonderful space and the people within it. I even got to say hello to an old friend I hadn’t seen in a while, not knowing she had only just moved down the road a ways, now working at the hotel. The staff was humble, yet attentive and friendly, making us feel sort of like we had arrived at a family reunion. That said, the Boonville Hotel is welcoming, jovial, and light-hearted, mellow energy fills the air, along with the laughter and smiles of happy well-fed patrons.

Cozy farm-style exterior…

We highly recommend stopping by the Boonville Hotel for a great overall experience in the valley, wine tasting or not. Seems it would be an easy choice to spend a good portion of your day hanging out with them on the patio, or in the garden. Especially if you make that reservation for Sunday’s Paella night! Arrive early and take in the magic of the entire culinary feat. We know we will be back, and we are not going to miss out on Paella next time! Don’t worry, we’ll tell you all about it, too.

Until the next time, for sure… Paella, look out!

~ Words & pictures by Sarah Rowe