The Polite Traveler

Dear Polite Travelers, Conflicting visits have stained our view of the Basque Boulangerie and it’s a shame because our previous experiences were memorable.  Pity.  On our most recent visit, we shared only one pastry and it was anything but memorable.  In my opinion, scones are not filled with jam...or anything gooey, even if it tastes slightly like fruit.  Our “apricot scone” was dry on the outside with a gooey gelatinous apricot filling.  Actually, I didn’t see any pieces of apricot.   My tea was fine, but not memorable and my hubby’s coffee was bland.  Will We Return? Nope.  We’ll drive up the highway to revisit Les Pascals in Glen Ellen instead.  This is not to say you shouldn’t try it.  Our experience may not be yours.  I noted several in the shop who appeared to like their meals . More by The Polite Traveler There’s more than excellent coffee at Black Oak Coffee Roasters Why The Olive Garden in Rohnert Park, C...

  Dear Polite Travelers, During our last trip to Rohnert Park, CA, we decided to take a short drive to nearby Healdsburg.  It’s a lovely small town with a quaint downtown filled with unique small shops.  Luckily, we discovered one of our new favorite coffee shops right here. Black Oak Coffee Roasters is a small shop with adequate, comfortable indoor seating.  Service is quick and personable.  And even though the name implies only coffee, they provide a variety of sweet and savory food options besides beverage options as well.  Our choices that day were a chocolate croissant , for me, and a blueberry scone for my hubby.  We both thoroughly enjoyed each bite.  Please don’t let the dark coat of the croissant fool you.  It didn’t taste overbaked.  In fact, it was simply perfect: flaky on the outside with gooey chocolatey goodness inside. If you are in the area, check it out.  I highly recommend it. More by The Polite Trave...

  Dear Polite Travelers, An expensive, albeit worth it, trip to France isn’t necessary if all you want to do is experience authentic French bakery items.  At Les Pascals —founded and managed by a French husband and wife team—that’s exactly what you get.  Last year, my hubby surprised me with a trip to Glen Ellen and a stay in the unique Gaige House —a member of the Four Sisters Inns .  It was a great visit by the way.  While there we enjoyed several pastry items at Les Pascals and have revisited that moment often.  So, it was only natural, while driving home from our most recent trip to the nearby Rohnert Park, to make a short detour for a revisit.  And we were not disappointed.  In fact, my croissant and hubby’s apple raisin cinnamon roll were so delish, we decided to add this to our ‘must revisit often’ list.  Please check out the pictures and decide for yourself.  It’s worth the drive and many agree.  The line for thi...

Hello Polite Travelers, Well, we’re on the road again.  This time, we stayed close to home visiting Sonoma County, more precisely Santa Rosa/Rohnert Park, CA.  After checking into our contemporary digs ( Cambria Hotel Sonoma) we walked a short distance to the nearby Olive Garden.  Hey, a girl’s gotta eat and I love Italian food. This restaurant is in a shopping center—near the 101 freeway—with several dining options nearby.  Still, I’m an Olive Garden fan and this visit didn’t disappoint. Since it was early in the evening, we were the first visitors to the bar area.  Unless for a special dinner, we tend to prefer this seating due to the smaller, less crowded seating.  Plus, we tend to receive better, more personalized, service. Great Choice for the Light Eater Just in case I haven’t shared this enough, my hubby and I are on the older side, as in our third chapter.  Thus, we eat less.  And Olive Garden is a great place for people like...

Dear Polite Traveler, How does a hotel visit become a long-lasting memory?  Well, for me, it’s one where a guest feels the hotel has exceeded all expectations and is comfortable at home minus the chores. Cambria Hotel Sonoma Wine Country is that and more.  Attention to detail in all aspects and the warm, welcoming staff make a visit like an exciting cross between Independence Day and Christmas.  And I’m ready to give it a go again.  Spacious, Welcoming, and Bright, The Lobby is Where It’s At Driving up, I found the hotel to be a contemporary beauty.  The choice of paint colors and design is delightful, calming, and extremely attractive.  My first thought is that I want this for a home.  Like now, please.  What I found slightly odd, though, is that much of the parking lot is also a street—not a busy street, but still... Odd.  Upon stepping into the lobby is a definite ‘wow’ moment.  Yes, I have seen more magnificent lobbies, b...