Last night Almanzo and I went with a few friends to P-30, one of my favorite little restaurants around here.
I’ve been to P-30 a few times before (here and here) and I’ve never been let down by their great food, service and atmosphere. It’s a little bit of a hike (the restaurant is out near Bodega Bay) but totally worth the drive. I think what I love most is that it really feels like you’re eating in a little house!
It’s very “Northern California” and I love all the funky retro decorations and lights. The boys all wanted burgers and zin, but since I’ve been nursing a migraine for a few days (not cool but it’s finally gone), I stuck to something lighter—stuffed gypsy peppers!
I know this is a bold statement, but I honestly think this was the best vegetarian main course I’ve EVER gotten at a restaurant. If you’re wondering what a gypsy pepper is, click here for more information. I wasn’t sure what they were exactly when I ordered them but I was enthralled all the same.
The peppers were tender and stuffed with a mixture of stewed leeks, mushrooms, spelt, hazelnuts and fresh goat cheese. It was super filling and incredibly tasty! I want to re-create this combination at home for sure.
Even better though was the dessert….
P-30’s signature dessert is “s’mores for two” and let me just say it does NOT disappoint. In that jar is a combination of house-made marshmallow fluff, decadent brownie bites and rich dark chocolate syrup. You then smear that heavenly concoction on the homemade cinnamon graham crackers and the result is pretty unbelievable.
I can’t stop thinking about it. It’s dangerous is what it is!
I’ll be back with a craft update and a special cookie winner!
Allie (Live Laugh Eat)
September 16, 2010 at 1:06 pmI love s’mores from cafes/restaurants with the actual fire to roast your marshmallows! The jar looks like a great on-the-go option. That could be dangerous!
Jessica @ How Sweet
September 16, 2010 at 1:06 pmThat s’mores dessert looks delicious, but I don’t think it beats your homemade s’more that you had at the festival!
Jessica @ How Sweet
September 16, 2010 at 1:08 pmOh, I am also making that white chicken chili tonight. I decided last night at 8pm that I wanted to make it and COULD NOT SLEEP because it was all I could think about.
I’m a foodie freak of nature.
Angharad
September 16, 2010 at 1:09 pmSmores dessert in a jar? Could it get any more cute if it tried? I think not. Stuffed gypsy peppers sound glorious too though – love leeks! You’ve reminded me that I haven’t been out to eat somewhere nice in forever. Need to rectify that stat!
Alexa @ The Girl In Chucks
September 16, 2010 at 1:14 pmThe S’Mores look great!
I’ve only ever seen them on the menu at one other place… Luna Park in San Francisco has them. I’ve only had their Bananas Foster and Creme Brulee, but I hear the S’mores are great too.
Kendra
September 16, 2010 at 1:14 pmThat dessert is right up my alley. I love restaurants like that, I went to an amazing one in Fullerton, CA but the food wasn’t nearly as amazing as it looks at p-30.
Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga)
September 16, 2010 at 1:15 pm“think this was the best vegetarian main course I’ve EVER gotten at a restaurant.”–Ok that is SERIOUSLY high praise, and a bold statement.
And then that jar of homemade marshmallow fluff, the choc syrup, brownie bites and, well seriously, I may just have to fly up there for this.
I havent been up to Napa or Sonoma in about 4-5 years but used to go all the time. There are soooo many amazing restaurants, and obvi the wineries, but omg that Jar of Smores! I would have thrown the whole thing into my purse and taken it as a doggie bag 🙂 kidding…kind of….
Sarah for Real
September 16, 2010 at 1:29 pmI love that restaurants are doing s’mores. It contributes to that homey feel you were talking about. Especially served in that cute jar!
Stacey (The Habit of Healthy)
September 16, 2010 at 1:34 pmIt looks like you had a great night out. I have no idea what S’mores taste like (I’m from the UK), but that dessert looks delicious!
Jillian @ Reshape Your Life
September 16, 2010 at 1:34 pmIt’s official, I’m living vicariously through your stomach. all of that looks AMAZING!
Jennifer
September 16, 2010 at 1:40 pmLooks so good! I have a birthday weekend coming up in Napa soon, any restaurant suggestions???
Heather (Heather's Dish)
September 16, 2010 at 1:41 pmit’s official, i NEED to either go here next time i’m out there or i need to recreate at home…
or just wait for you to recreate and THEN make it 🙂
Jenny
September 16, 2010 at 2:02 pmI wish there were exciting places to go around here! I’ve never seen s’more’s on a menu!
Lauren at KeepItSweet
September 16, 2010 at 2:20 pmi want that dessert!
Tina
September 16, 2010 at 2:22 pmLooks like a great meal. I love quaint little restaurants like that. I want to find one for a night out with my sister in a couple weeks.
Sara @ myfancytuna.blogspot.com
September 16, 2010 at 2:23 pmI am almost positive I saw something like that s’mores for two awesomeness on The Best Thing I Ever Ate on Food Network…Sandra Lee loved it. Now you love it.
I want it.
Mary (What's Cookin' with Mary
September 16, 2010 at 2:25 pmI really love stuffed peppers and make all kinds at home. Bet mine would rank right up there with P30’s ;P
Sarah (Oc2Seattle)
September 16, 2010 at 2:31 pmS’mores desserts are nearly untoppable. If you ever find yourself in Newport Beach, CA, the Beachcomber has a s’mores interpretation in a martini glass that is amazing.
The Wife of a Dairyman
September 16, 2010 at 2:32 pmGosh, I haven’t heard of that restaurant and it’s right around the corner from me! I love the s’more idea and the dinner looks fabulous! Thanks:)
Exercise and Eat
September 16, 2010 at 2:32 pmThat looks like smores to-go, which pretty much looks like the BEST invention. Ever.
Chels @ Just Gotta Tri
September 16, 2010 at 2:35 pmYour posts make me miss California. That s’mores concoction looks divine.
Lisa (bakebikeblog)
September 16, 2010 at 2:35 pmOh my – this all looks so wonderful!
Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman
September 16, 2010 at 2:43 pmWow, that dessert makes it seem almost worth it to fly all the way across the country. That’s a genius idea, so cute, and I’m sure it’s incredibly good.
Val @ Balancing Val
September 16, 2010 at 2:44 pmThat dessert looks heavenly. I would love to make my own Graham crackers one day but all the recipes I have seen call for Graham flour and I can’t find that anywhere! Does it even exist? 🙂
Kate
September 16, 2010 at 2:54 pmOh holy cow that looks good. The s’mores in a jar looks wonderful, as does the stuffed pepper dish. Best vegetarian entree? I gotta try this.
MB
September 16, 2010 at 3:23 pmFrom a recent Press Democrat article (http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100817/LIFESTYLE/100819628?p=5&tc=pg)
This recipe from Patrick Tafoya of P-30 restaurant in Sebastopol. He suggests using your favorite fudge brownie to compile the s’mores at the end.
S’mores for Two
Makes 4 to 6 servings
For ganache:
2½ cups heavy cream
1 cup TCHO 62% Chocolate
For marshmallow fluff:
1 egg white
1 cup corn syrup
1 cup powdered sugar
1 pinch Kosher salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For homemade marshmallows:
12 grams gelatin
1 cup corn syrup
2¼ cups sugar
Pinch kosher salt
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup water
Graham Crackers
2¼ cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup brown sugar
¼ cup granulated sugar
½ teaspoon Kosher salt
2 ounces butter
¼ cup honey
4 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
For ganache: Heat the cream until bubbles start to form around the edge. Combine the warm cream with the chocolate. Stir until emulsified, and reserve warm.
For marshmallows: Bloom gelatin in water for 10 minutes. Heat corn syrup, sugar and salt to 240 degrees. Add hot sugar mixture to gelatin. Whip until it reaches room temperature. Add vanilla.
For marshmallow fluff: Whip the egg white, salt and corn syrup until thick. Add the sugar, mix until incorporated. Add vanilla. Pour marshmallow mixture onto a sheet pan lined with plastic wrap and dusted heavily with powdered sugar. Cover with more powdered sugar. Wrap and let set over night. Cut into desired shape/
For graham crackers: In a food processor, combine the flour, sugar, salt, baking soda and butter until finely ground. Add honey. Add milk and vanilla. Chill dough for 1 hour. Roll dough out 1/8-inch thick. Cut into desired shape and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Dust cookies with cinnamon sugar. Bake cookies at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Let cool.
To assemble: Take a French-style Mason jar and put a layer of ganache on the bottom. Add a layer of crumpled brownies, a layer of marshmallow fluff, a layer of ganache and a layer of homemade marshmallow. Torch the marshmallow to toast it. Repeat until all ingredients are used up. Serve warm with graham crackers.
This recipe for a traditional s’more is from Hershey’s Chocolate.
Outdoor S’mores
Makes 2 to 4 servings
4 graham crackers, broken into halves
2 (1.55 ounce) Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bars, broken into halves
4 marshmallows
Place half of the Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar on graham cracker half. Carefully toast marshmallow over grill or campfire and place over chocolate. Top with second graham cracker half; gently press together.
Repeat process.
Camille
September 16, 2010 at 3:23 pmI would go there just for the s’mores! They look delicious and fun!
Natalia @asideofsimple
September 16, 2010 at 3:28 pmI’m definitly going to go with s’mores as my migraine cure! (read: As to whether or not it works, my taste buds do not care).
Hope you’re feeling better, Jenna!
Jessica @ The Process of Healing
September 16, 2010 at 3:34 pmThat sounds like pretty much the most amazing dessert EVER!
stacey-healthylife
September 16, 2010 at 4:01 pmI love the smores and how they serve it.
Cara Craves...
September 16, 2010 at 4:36 pmThe smores are such a cool idea.
I love how they take something so ” normal” and turn
it into something beautiful.
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down)
September 16, 2010 at 4:41 pmOh my word. S’mores in a jar. What a genius idea, and it sounds so heavenly and delicious.
And, really, how adorable is the little jar that they served it in??
Shannon
September 16, 2010 at 6:11 pmI
LOVE
YOUR
PICTURES
that is all
and your blog is pretty cool too 🙂
Ashley
September 16, 2010 at 6:18 pmI never got my cookies from the other contest 🙁
jenna
September 16, 2010 at 6:19 pmAshley! Email me because I definitely mailed them to you about three weeks ago using the address that you sent me…….
Brooke (Baking with Basil)
September 16, 2010 at 6:50 pmI NEED to try that pepper! I already ate dinner but that makes me hungry again. YUM!!!
christine tafoya
September 16, 2010 at 7:05 pmThank you for your beautiful post! We love your bold statement about the vegetarian meal 🙂
We’ll see you soon!
Christine {Restaurant P/30}
Caitlin
September 16, 2010 at 7:52 pmClassiest smores ever.
Amber K
September 16, 2010 at 8:56 pmThat looks like the best dessert ever!
Jil @ Peace, Love & Munchies
September 17, 2010 at 5:13 amBOTH of those dishes sound incredible…and I love the idea of the s’more spread. YUM!
Dee
September 17, 2010 at 10:49 amOh my gosh! That dessert looks AMAZING.
Charise
September 19, 2010 at 4:31 pmThat entree does sound like a perfect vegetarian main course. Let us know how recreating it goes – I’d love to try it!