A Single Thread Weaves Magic: Our First Three-Star Experience!
THE ANTICIPATION BUILDS
When I think back to our first three-Michelin-star experience, I can't help but smile at how the evening unfolded. It was during our incredible Napa Valley adventure in October 2022 (if you haven't read about the start of that journey, you can catch up here), and we were about to cross a major milestone in our culinary journey.
Prior to that night, our only Michelin experience had been The Latymer in Surrey, UK - a fantastic one-star establishment we'd visited back in September 2016. When planning the Napa trip, my wife Dio had taken charge of our dining reservations, aiming for some serious heavy hitters in the Michelin world. While Atelier Crenn and The French Laundry proved elusive for this trip, she managed to snag three reservations: Auberge du Soleil, SingleThread, and Quince.
I still remember how excited we were when, weeks before our visit, we received an email from SingleThread's Chief Concierge offering local recommendations and assistance. That level of pre-arrival attention was our first clue that this would be unlike any dining experience we'd had before.
THE FIRST IMPRESSION
The drive over the Mayacamas Mountains into Healdsburg that evening remains vivid in my memory. Coming from Napa, we were immediately struck by how different this town felt. While St. Helena had its own small-town appeal, Healdsburg captured us with its central square, tree-lined streets, and inviting shops. We promised ourselves we'd explore after dinner - assuming we could still move!
The restaurant's exterior was beautifully understated - just a simple wooden door and a subtly lit sign. But from the moment we walked in, the experience was anything but simple. The staff seemed to know exactly who we were, greeting us with welcome drinks before escorting us to our table.
A SYMPHONY OF SERVICE
The meal began with what remains one of the most unique first courses I've ever experienced - a miniature garden sprouting right from our table. Moss, flowers, and small plants created a living backdrop for an array of small dishes, each one tucked away like a culinary treasure waiting to be discovered. Looking back at the photos now, it's remarkable how they managed to create such an immersive experience right there on our table.
The menu that night was appropriately titled "EARLY AUTUMN IN SONOMA," and what followed was a masterclass in precision dining. Each course arrived with the kind of timing that only a three-star restaurant can achieve.
Here are the courses with wine pairings:
Heart of Palm with Cucumber, Gooseberry, and Passion Fruit paired with 2003 Dom Pérignon Plénitude 2 Champagne, which would later prove to be one of the evening's interesting revelations.
Saikyo Marineted Tofu with Squash Blossom, Mochi, Basil, and Corn Dashi Veloute paired with 2020 Groebe, Kirchspiel, Grosses Gewächs, Mosel. The wine provided a beautiful complement to the delicate flavors of this dish.
Gravenstein Apple with Duck Liver Parfait, Finger Lime, Pistachio, and Miso Truffle Cake. This rich course found its match in the 2018 Pascal Clément, Charmois, Saint Aubin 1er Cru, Burgundy, whose acidity cut perfectly through the luxurious liver parfait.
Ibushi-Gen Smoken Parsnip with Wadaman Goma, Cherry Tomatoes, and Tomato Dashi paired 2018 Louis Barruol, Pierrelle, Hermitage, Rhône Valley. The wine brought depth to match the dish's smoke elements.
Sungold Tomato with Dry Creek Peach, Yuba, and Thyme. A brilliant pivot to sake here - the NV Ninki, Uka Black Label, Junmai Daiginjo, Fukushima offered an intriguing counterpoint to the sweet tomatoes and peach.
Wagyu with Jimmy Nardello, Shiso, and Potato. This is where things got really interesting. They presented us with both the 2017 Alain Michelot, Charrières, Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru, Burgundy and the 2013 Cobb, Pinot Noir, Rice-Spivak, Sonoma Coast side by side - a masterclass in terroir expression.
Koshihikari Rice Shime with Short Rib, Sourdough Negi Cream, and Green Peppercorn paired with 2013 Radio-Coteau, Syrah, Timbervine, Russian River Valley. The wine brought powerful notes to match this hearty course.
“Green Grapes” - Grains of Paradise, Vanilla, and Toasted Koshihikari was a thoughtful bridge between savory and sweet courses.
Wagashi (Four desserts) - Apricot and Cinnamon Monaka, Melon and Basil Egg, Blueberry and Kasu Panna Cotta and Fig Leaf and Burnt Honey Tart. The desserts were paired with 2006 Château d'Yquem, Sauternes, Bordeaux - another legendary name that would prove thought-provoking.
The Wagyu course stands out particularly in my memory, not just for the dish itself, but for how they presented the wine pairing. We were served two reds side by side - a Burgundy and Sonoma Coast Pinot. It turned into a fascinating Old World versus New World comparison, with the Michelot Burgundy ultimately emerging as my Wine of the Night (WOTN), just edging out the excellent Cobb. This kind of thoughtful, educational presentation exemplified what made the evening so special.
THE GRAND FINALE
Looking back at those wine pairings now, several things stand out. That 2003 Dom Pérignon P2 we started with? While it was certainly good champagne, it left me somewhat puzzled. Given its legendary status and price point (which I later looked up on wine-searcher - wow!), I'd expected to be blown away. Instead, we actually had several other champagnes during our Napa/Sonoma trip that I preferred. The 2006 Château d'Yquem presented a similar conundrum - another legendary name that somehow didn't quite hit the mark for my palate.
At the end of the meal, they presented us with beautifully embossed white folders containing our menus, complete with seeds to plant our own garden - a thoughtful touch that perfectly encapsulated SingleThread's attention to detail. I still have that little bouquet of herbs that accompanied our first course, preserved with the menu as a reminder of where our journey began that evening.
True to our earlier promise, we took that walk around Healdsburg's town square after dinner. The shops were closed by then, but peering through their windows, we knew we'd need to come back to this charming town someday.
In retrospect, I sometimes wonder if I should have skipped the reserve wine pairing and just ordered bottles I knew I'd love - the table next to us seemed pretty happy with their Littorai! But that's the beauty of these experiences - they're opportunities to explore and learn about your own preferences. Would I recommend SingleThread? Absolutely! The orchestration of service, the creativity of the dishes, and the overall experience made for an unforgettable evening.
