Two and a half years ago Ernie and I tried to go to The Hitching Post II, you know the one, the one from Sideways. I was down in Santa Ynez to be Sunset girl at a wine club event. I did so as a last-minute favor to the wine editor, and I had two conditions: that I bring Ernie (then 3) and that our hotel have a pool. He was a huge hit at the wine club event–running through the vines, grabbing handfuls of pinot noir grapes, shouting “Mama! These grapes are good!”
Our duty done, we ate aebleskiver in Solvang, we frolicked in the freezing hotel pool, we gazed at the moon turned red by wildfires farther south, and generally had a lovely little mother-son getaway. The only real downside of the trip was the insane wait at The Hitching Post II, which had been so highly recommended by both Sunset wine editor and Sunset travel editor. A wait insane enough to put me off.
Last night redeemed that disappointment. I went to the Hitching Post II. I ate grilled artichokes with a smoked tomato mayonnaise concoction that had the addictive quality of crack (why else was I thinking of ripping open a package of crackers in order to finish off the sauce when I had a giant-ass steak coming?). I felt my saliva glands activate when a perfectly cooked steak was placed in front of me. I tasted fried as fries are meant to be: crisp, golden, well-salted, and cooked in beef fat.
As great as the steak and its fixin’s were, the highlight for me may have been the relish tray. I know why relish trays fell out of favor: because too many people made bad versions of them and gave them a bad rep. When a relish tray is fresh and well-composed, it is divine. Divine, I say! I’ve been putting them together for dinner parties–often in lieu of the more filling pre-dinner cheese plate–for a few years and hope to see the trend go beyond my living room.
For those of you not from the midwest: a relish tray consist of carrot sticks, celery sticks, olives, and pickles. Add radishes or cherry tomatoes for color, spicy pickled okra to be a bit daring, or your own pickled garlic among true friends. I liked the pepperoncini at The Hitching Post II, but it seemed dangerously close to an antipasto platter….
Julie O'Hara | 03-Jun-08 at 8:26 am | Permalink
Hi Molly,
I recently found your blog through 101 cookbooks, but this is my first time commenting. I ate at the Hitching Post II last summer and had the best burger of my life. Apparently Monday is the only night the burgers are available in the bar area, so my husband and I just lucked into it. We’re going back this summer when we visit my family in CA. And yes, I was totally charmed by the relish tray. I like to serve radishes with butter and salt before dinner, but this may be better.
Molly Watson | 03-Jun-08 at 9:07 am | Permalink
Hi Julie– After the steak I had there I can only imagine the heaven a burger would be in that kitchen’s capable hands! We have a lot in common: I’m such a fan of radishes with butter and salt I posted a “recipe” for it on my other site (http://localfoods.about.com/od/spring/r/RadishButter.htm).
Hines | 22-Sep-11 at 4:14 am | Permalink
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