Wow! A blast from the past! I used to live in Santa Rosa myself, and we went to John Ash often. It was one of the first places of that kind to make it north of Marin county; your wife must indeed be a chef worthy of the name.
Next time I go out to visit, I'll get my son and we'll go out for dinner at John Ash and convey Karen's greetings to Jeffrey. Small world!
I had the most incredible venison loins in a blackberry sage reduction sauce at JA...man it was the best venison I've ever had. We paired it with a really nice Pino Noir.
Before that, we had oysters on the patio looking out over the vineyards. Like I said...how can a place so idyllic be populated by such whackjobs.
If it weren't for all the Gorebots in Sonoma Cty, it would be a little piece of heaven on Earth.
Best to you. Have a great day.
L