Lunch break in Boonville
Stopping for a moment to enjoy Lauren’s and Paysanne
Make a point to stop at the utterly charming Paysanne whenever you get a chance!
“So where should we go get lunch?” Guy asked. He had roped me into helping him with a private tasting for Fathers + Daughters Cellars in Boonville that day, and winery business over, it was high time to put a little food in our stomachs. Trickling sweat from the crispy heat of an Anderson Valley midsummer day cooled on our backs as we washed up wine glasses and pondered the all-important question of that afternoon’s sustenance. “Lauren’s just moved to the old Buckhorn a few months ago – why don’t we go try them out in their new location?” “Ok, as long as we get to have some ice cream from Paysanne after!” It was a deal!
Going up into Lauren’s
AC blasting, we pulled out of the vineyard and drove the short way down Highway 128 into the town of Boonville. Lauren’s hadn’t gotten up a sign yet in front of their new home, but it was good to see the new life that was slowly starting to transform the old wooden building. The unique structure had been closed up and silent for the past several years after the old Buckhorn restaurant closed their doors, and now it breathed a slow and easy stream of diners up and down the front staircase. As it wasn’t crowded inside (and the AC was blessedly on!), we opted to sit at one of the high tables near the bar. With separate little dining rooms tucked around corners, open verandah seating, and tables down a short staircase to a lower patio area, picking our seat almost felt like a treasure hunt for the best spot. Despite the charmingly awkward layout and the obvious work in progress on the back dining area, the whole place had a sweet, cozy, small town feel. This feel was especially highlighted by the crayons and blank paper on every table just begging to be turned into the next picture framed and hung up on the walls with all the other pieces of customer-created artwork. Even the covers of the menus that our chipper little waitress handed to us displayed some of the more creative pieces that had come out of happy meals at happy tables. We smiled at the endearing typos sprinkled throughout the menu and settled on some salads – something perfectly cool and light for this warm day.
Adorable menu covers
OH boy, did we ever do a double take when those salads arrived. They were huge!! Packed full of all sorts of tasty, fresh ingredients. Good thing we were hungry. Even then, we had to ask for boxes to take the last third or so home. We still had room for ice cream though!
Mando salads to more than fill you up
Leftover salad in hand, we strolled next door to the cheery yellow building that housed Paysanne. Everything about the place was utterly charming, from the star-strewn ceiling overhead to the whimsical rack of old bike seats outside to the sparkle-eyed young women ready and waiting to serve behind the counter. After all my recent dreaming of the affogato at Frankie’s, I couldn’t pass up the chance to try out an affogato here with their bittersweet chocolate ice cream, and Guy opted for a root beer float with their caramel toffee ice cream. We perused the tasty displays of natural candies and homemade cookies while waiting for our orders, happy in our anticipation.
We love the stars on the ceiling at Paysanne!
Sweet treats in hand, we went out onto the back patio and installed ourselves under one of the bright orange umbrellas. Sighing in contentment, we dipped in our spoons and took a few moments of quiet to just enjoy. Yes, it was still a hot July day, and yes, we still had to go back to the office and finish up the day’s work, but we were right there right then, and it was the perfect lunch break.
Mmmm… affogato
Lauren’s is the only place in Boonville with a license for hard alcohol, so if you’ve had enough wine and want a good cocktail to go with your lunch or dinner while in the Anderson Valley, Lauren’s is the place to go.
Lauren’s is open Thursday-Monday, 11:00am-9:00pm. Limited menu Sunday evenings. Go Tuesday from 4:00-8:00 for their special Taco Tuesday menu.
Paysanne is open Friday-Monday, 11:00am-6:00pm.
Words & pictures by Laura Hockett