Engagement February 19, 2006 - Andy Chou and Emily Hsueh

0219 - Copia, Silverado, Cole's Chop House

Emily's Credo. We ended up leaving Chandon and going to Copia first to meet up with Chris and Lori. Copia is a museum in Napa dedicated to the art of wine and food.

"The juxtaposition between form and metal make an interesting commentary on Pre-Darwinian theories on the origin of mankind and the relationship between machine and body."

An exhibition on winery architecture all over the world. Emily likes old-style. I can appreciate the modern.

Copia's herb garden...a LARGE herb garden.

These flowers supposedly are powered by solar panel petals. More excellent social commentary.

A Jujubi plant. I shudder when I think about the Milpitas Jujubi's Udon. If you can even call it Udon.

Julia Child has a restaurant here...may have to try it out sometime.

All kinds of different sodas.

Cooking class in session. You can sign up for classes to cook certain entrees. Neat! Although I think I'd rather do the CIA's version. And I mean the Culinary Institute of America not the other CIA. Although maybe the CIA has a class on "Cooking up a great lobster bisque while on the run". That would be a great class to take.

Apparently, even the labels of wine bottles is considered an art.

Emily got a little thirsty so she skipped the Magnums and went for a Nebuchadnezzar. A Nebuchadnezzar can hold 20 bottles of wine or 15 liters. After Magnums, the bottle size names are after biblical figures for whatever reason.

On the ground floor, we got samples of Vermeer (a competitor of Bailey's...but better chocolate) and also some hot chocolate. Chocolate was the theme in February. Admission was also free that month. Emily and I picked up free Vermeer-smelling chapstick.

Julia Child's kitchenware set. Her husband put up a wall for her to hang her stuff. He even drew outlines on the wall so she'd know where to put what.

I like this kind of interior design...kinda makes a place look like a club though...at least it would look cool in an hallway.

Copia's logo...no, we did not see naked women planting grape vines. False advertising.

Our rooms at the Silverado were ehhh...

Outside was the golf course

I liked the outside living room area though...

We ended up hooking up DDR and Halo 2 to the TV. Sweet...

All in all it's a great place to stay a week or something because there's a lot of space.

Good kitchen with all the utensils you need.

Here's where we ate that night...Cole's Chop House.

Perusing the menus....so hard to choose.

Interesting interior...we ate on the second floor of the place.

The last time we got a photo taken like that was at Equinox, almost 1 year ago! :-P

Lobster and Shrimp Bisque in Puff Pastry

The bisque was alright...little on the bland side but the pastry was good.

Cole's "Famous" U.S.D.A. Prime - 21 Day Chicago Dry-Aged Porterhouse Steak 20 oz. They are prepared by Allen Brothers of Chicago which produces a steak of exceptional tenderness.

Niman Ranch Center Cut Pork Chop...apparently from Iowa.

Creamed Spinach Family Style

Sauteed Mushroom Caps...yumm!!!

Sea Bass...it was the special so I can't say what was in it. They only had 1 left and Lori got it.

I did a 4 min exposure and got tiny stair trails.I wonder if the batteries would last for an hour long exposure. Perhaps a battery grip is really needed.

Nickname:
Comment:
Comment Size (Max is 255 chars):

Comment #1286: Jook said:
"Thanks Thanks Thanks!!! I've been looking at the videos and I know that I'm going to have to put them up soon."
(Wednesday May 17, 06 at 02:45:16 AM)

Comment #1285: Victor said:
"Congrats Mr. Andy!!! Hot air ballonn - very cool. Way to sweep a girl off their feet man!"
(Tuesday May 16, 06 at 11:37:04 PM)

Comment #1189: Jook said:
"Thanks!!! And yes, the manicure is an incredibly important part of the picture!"
(Tuesday Mar 28, 06 at 12:28:16 PM)

Comment #1188: chiblits said:
"Yay for Andy!!! Jasmine just messaged me about your engagement. You guys look sooo cute together!!! Jasmine's mom"
(Wednesday Mar 22, 06 at 12:00:44 PM)

Comment #1187: Jasmine said:
"LOL...its good Emily had gotten a manicure b/c her hands look especially pretty in the background picture :-D."
(Wednesday Mar 22, 06 at 11:49:49 AM)

Comment #1186: Jasmine said:
"Its been a while since I've checked this site; what a good surprise to see you guys are engaged!! Congratulations...you guys are a great couple!"
(Wednesday Mar 22, 06 at 11:45:09 AM)

Comment #1185: Wei said:
"Congrats!! Wish you guys all the best!"
(Sunday Mar 19, 06 at 07:25:37 AM)

Comment #1184: Jook said:
"Thanks Simon!!! And of course I will!"
(Tuesday Mar 14, 06 at 10:12:24 PM)

Comment #1183: Simon said:
"Belated congrats -- be sure to invite me to the bachelor party!!"
(Tuesday Mar 14, 06 at 03:24:14 PM)

Comment #1181: Jook said:
"hahahaha...you both are too funny! :-P"
(Monday Mar 13, 06 at 06:59:39 PM)

Comment #1178: Uncle said:
"Hmm, I think your Aunt is making a hint to someone..."
(Friday Mar 10, 06 at 05:45:09 PM)

Comment #1176: Aunt said:
"I never know you are such a romantic person. I am happy for you two."
(Thursday Mar 9, 06 at 11:13:40 PM)

Comment #1175: Jook said:
"why? can't a guy take his gf to get a manicure just because? :-P"
(Wednesday Mar 8, 06 at 01:14:14 PM)

Comment #1172: Hoo said:
"Nice pic! I didn't know about your engagement pic. until now. Woudlnt' she get suspicious when you take her to the manicure?"
(Wednesday Mar 8, 06 at 12:02:46 PM)

Comment #1171: little miss said:
"kept yelling "abacadabra" and waving my magic wand while in CIA...it sooo reminds me of Harry Potter...no food appeared magically though..."
(Wednesday Mar 8, 06 at 12:41:36 AM)

Comment #1170: wowzers said:
"fod looks so good...seems all the pics are about food and wine!! lol...makes me hungry. but congrats....ur a needle in a haystack"
(Tuesday Mar 7, 06 at 08:09:57 PM)

Comment #1169: sanghyup moon said:
"congrats guys! you a lucky guy, your bride to be is very pretty. i wish you guys the best in your new life together! god bless."
(Monday Mar 6, 06 at 11:24:02 PM)

Comment #1167: usrbin said:
"congratultaions !!!"
(Monday Mar 6, 06 at 12:52:32 PM)

Comment #1164: MY-T-MAX said:
"(sniff, sniff) I'm so proud of you! This is going to be a SOOOOO Chinese wedding!"
(Monday Mar 6, 06 at 09:56:48 AM)

Comment #1163: Jook said:
"Enjoy the album!"
(Monday Mar 6, 06 at 09:56:42 AM)