Episode 1: The Drive Home – Bells in Los Alamos
Welcome to the very first episode of The Drive Home — the podcast where we review our dining experiences in real time, with all the juicy details, unsolicited opinions, and couple banter you didn't know you needed… all before we pull into the driveway.
Today's adventure takes us to Bells (with an S) — a Michelin-starred gem we stumbled into while wedding venue shopping on California's Central Coast.
From the biker-shop-turned-kitchen to the vibey-but-unassuming dining room, we were in from the moment we walked through the door. And then… came the food.
Course 1: Sea Urchin & Caviar
Buttery. Delicate. Gone in one bite. Amanda immediately regretted not making it three. Hers came on a crispy potato hash (gluten-free life). Eddie's was on a crepe. Both? Absolute heaven.
Course 2: The Salad + Cultured Butter Drama
The salad was dressed with the kind of precision you only dream of — every single leaf, glistening with flavor. And then came the bread and cultured butter. Amanda may have eaten it off the spoon and declared it probiotic. Eddie may have stolen the last scoop. We're not pointing fingers.
Course 3: The Quail vs. The Crudo
Amanda picked the quail… and instantly remembered it was a tiny bird. She tapped out. Eddie dove in: smoky, juicy, deeply marinated perfection.
Meanwhile, Eddie had scallop crudo with anchovy paste. Amanda doesn't do anchovies (not that she's ever really tried them). She gave it a shot, was immediately horrified, and moved on.
Course 4: Steak Frites + Poached Salmon
Amanda went full steak-frites with a peppercorn dressing. Eddie had salmon poached in olive oil, topped with salmon caviar, served over cream. Zero complaints. High fives all around.
Course 5: Dessert
Eddie finished with mint ice cream — clean, refreshing, elite palate-cleanser energy. Amanda had strawberries and honey with cheese (thanks to her gluten-free twist on the usual dish). Light. Lovely. A perfect finale.
The vibe at Bells is casually elegant — no white tablecloths, no pretense, just really good food made by people who give a damn.
So if you ever find yourself near Los Alamos… go. Sit at the Chef's counter. Ask for the butter. Trust us.
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Stay tuned for more episodes of The Drive Home — where we eat great meals, talk some sht, and tell you everything you didn't know you needed to know… on the way home.
