This is my first stab at blogging, so be patient with me!
It all started with a profile on Artist/Chef Jim Denevan on CBS Sunday Morning a few months ago. I was intrigued in the beginning about the patterns he makes in the sand using simple objects like a rake or a piece of driftwood, that span on acres of sand and are then washed away with the tide, jimdenevan.com, but it was the dinners that he puts on, in the fields of the organic farms where the produce has just been picked, that really caught my eye.
Traveling around the country in a old bus called Outstanding, to unique places and setting up one long table, sometimes seating a couple hundred people, looked like fun! So Mary Jo and I decided that this was an adventure that we would love to try! We signed up for the news letter and waited for the 2008 schedule to be announced. The morning the tickets went on sale Mary Jo quickly logged in, picked the closest place and signed us up for the June 22, 2008 Coleman Family Farm Dinner in Carpenteria. Within a few days most dinners were sold out and we were lucky to have gotten our spot. Dinners range between $180 and $220 per person which include wine and a six course meal. Mary Jo generously paid for dinner as a birthday present, she's the best! We decided to stay the night in Monticeto so we wouldn't have to drive 75 miles home, unfortunately we had to work the next day. I'm glad we stayed the night as it was much easier to do that 90 minute drive at 6am.
Traveling around the country in a old bus called Outstanding, to unique places and setting up one long table, sometimes seating a couple hundred people, looked like fun! So Mary Jo and I decided that this was an adventure that we would love to try! We signed up for the news letter and waited for the 2008 schedule to be announced. The morning the tickets went on sale Mary Jo quickly logged in, picked the closest place and signed us up for the June 22, 2008 Coleman Family Farm Dinner in Carpenteria. Within a few days most dinners were sold out and we were lucky to have gotten our spot. Dinners range between $180 and $220 per person which include wine and a six course meal. Mary Jo generously paid for dinner as a birthday present, she's the best! We decided to stay the night in Monticeto so we wouldn't have to drive 75 miles home, unfortunately we had to work the next day. I'm glad we stayed the night as it was much easier to do that 90 minute drive at 6am.About a week before the big day I decided to check out Chowhound and see if anyone had done the dinner yet. Unfortunatly two people had and did not have a good time. I started to have my doubts. Was I putting too high of expectations on this event? What if I were paying for my own dinner at $180, would it be worth it?Would Mary Jo be disappointed? We ate a late meal at 1pm, just in case.
We arrived at the Coleman Farm at 4pm. The weather had been really hot the past few days, mostly 100 or higher! Sunday it started to cool down, but it was still a bit warm. We were not the first to arrive, and ran into a women who was quite angry that she did not get an email with directions on how to get to the farm. Thank goodness we did not run into the crabby couple again. Although we we'll never know what was in that cooler they brought along and carried everywhere.
After checking in we were directed to a spot in the field where Arcadian Winery, arcadianwinery.com, were pouring a light, crisp Chardonnay. There was a platter of fig and prosciutto bruschetta with burrata cheese on rosemary bread. This was our 1st course and it was delightful! We met a lot of nice people who made the trip from Los Angeles as well.
They have a tradition and you are encouraged to bring your own plate. How fun is that! I really thought about it and ended up bringing one of my "Slice of Life" plates that has an astronaut on the moon, bar-b-quing next to his Winnebago with the earth in the background. I thought it encompassed everything about the dinner. The bus, cooking outside and that Jim Denevan's artwork is best seen from up above.
After about an hour, Jim introduced everybody to Romeo Coleman, our farm host, and he spoke about the history of the farm and how his father in 1964 bought 6 acres of an old avocado orchard and turned it into an organic farm. There was a short tour of the farm and off we went to have dinner.
Apparently people knew to go and get a good seat, because by the time we got to the table the only seats that were left were at the end, in the blazing sun. 
Oh well, I'm a firm believer in you are where you're suppose to be so don't fight it.
In no time they put up shade canopies and all was well.
Right away they served a glass of pureed melon with shrimp. So refreshing! There were about 30 minutes between courses, but the wine was flowing freely and many of the farmers who's produce were being used in the meal mingled among the guests.
The Coleman family sat at the end of our table and it was nice to see them enjoying it as much as we were.
The Coleman family sat at the end of our table and it was nice to see them enjoying it as much as we were. The next course was grilled duck breast, duck confit, strawberry & persian cucumber salad. 
This was served family style and our new best friend Larry, who was sitting next to Mary Jo, had us all pass him our plate and he divided it up evenly. Is it because we are sitting outside on this beautiful farm or is this the best duck salad I've ever tasted? Atmosphere plays a big part, but it was a delicious salad served with a light Pinot Noir, my favorite wine of the evening.
This was served family style and our new best friend Larry, who was sitting next to Mary Jo, had us all pass him our plate and he divided it up evenly. Is it because we are sitting outside on this beautiful farm or is this the best duck salad I've ever tasted? Atmosphere plays a big part, but it was a delicious salad served with a light Pinot Noir, my favorite wine of the evening.
Waiting anxiously, the fourth course is served. Roasted halibut with mushroom risotto and ham all wrapped up in grape leaves and grilled. This is served with another Pinot that is a bit heavier than the first one, but just as delicious! It all works and there seconds if anybody's interested.
I can't believe we have more food coming! 
Our fifth course is stated as "roasted & slow cooked schraner pig, cavolo nero kale, roast bermuda onions, blue peruvian potatoes, santa barbara olive and tomato relish" served with a Syrah. Larry doles out our portions and it is perfect. Just as we are finishing, they set down another platter of the same. I wish I were hungrier, but I want to save myself for dessert.
Our fifth course is stated as "roasted & slow cooked schraner pig, cavolo nero kale, roast bermuda onions, blue peruvian potatoes, santa barbara olive and tomato relish" served with a Syrah. Larry doles out our portions and it is perfect. Just as we are finishing, they set down another platter of the same. I wish I were hungrier, but I want to save myself for dessert.
The sun has set and votives are lined up down the table, the effect is magical!
Before dessert they serve us lovely piece of cheese with roasted pistachios on the side. At this point they have taken our plates to be washed so dessert is served on their own mismatched plates. Perhaps they have been left by previous guests. I'm glad I saved room, dessert was nice and light. Grilled honey glazed peach and cherry kabob with vanilla creme fraiche and grilled cinnamon brioche. It was an almost perfect end to a perfect evening.
What made it perfect though, was when we were invited into the trailer so we could have our cookbooks signed by Jim. The inside has never been redone. It is old and kitchy and full of character! We sit across from each other in the banquette and he signs our books. He seems like such a nice guy, completely available all evening and very approachable. He even drew a little picture inside Mary Jo's cookbook. He has definitely made fans of the two of us. I think I have a little crush!
To wrap it all up, was it the best meal I've ever had in my life? No, but it was one of the most interesting and the food was very good and flavorful. Was it everything I thought it was going to be? Absolutely. Would I spend $200 to go again? In a heartbeat.
