Melted Brie with Mushrooms from the Lavender Inn
Amid gardens bursting with color, majestic oaks, and scenic mountain views, Lavender Inn owners Kathy and Mark Hartley have carved out a magical setting in Ojai. In 2003 the couple set out to meticulously restore a circa-1874 schoolhouse into an eight-guestroom spa retreat, an expression of their passion for preserving historic buildings. Since then, Lavender Inn has become a sought-after destination for exploring Ojai’s natural beauty, salubrious climate, and artisan food culture.
Although the inn is just a block from downtown Ojai’s galleries, shops, and restaurants, it feels intimate and secluded. Each guest room is artfully designed with a blend of antiques and contemporary chic furnishings, rich color palettes, and thoughtful details like fresh flowers and cozy robes. Many of the rooms offer private balconies. Ideal for a romantic hideaway or an extended stay, the 1,000-square-foot Provence Cottage boasts a private entrance and French doors leading to a private backyard. From a few of the rooms, guests can even catch sight of Ojai’s celebrated “pink moment”—the fleeting time at sunset when the mountains are bathed in a rosy glow.
Just steps from the front door and past a rippling fountain is the inn’s Ojai Garden Spa, an intimate day spa with a wide-ranging menu of massage treatments and natural, results-oriented skin care. Flower beds in the surrounding gardens include a variety of lavenders, but scattered among the private nooks and crannies guests will also find garden art, a hammock, nine fountains, and a waterfall pond that hosts a nightly symphony of frogs. Nestled in the back corner, the private garden massage gazebo offers an enchanting space to unwind with an outdoor massage. There’s even an herb garden off the kitchen, convenient for embellishing the inn’s culinary offerings.
Lavender Inn’s complimentary continental breakfast features house-made baked goods and fresh fruit (including Ojai’s famed Pixie tangerines). The inn also hosts a complimentary wine and cheese hour each evening, which guests can enjoy by the fire in the living room, on the veranda, or in the garden. The innkeepers also provide cheese boards and knives for guests who want to create their own charcuterie board, stocked with gourmet items purchased across the street at Rainbow Bridge Market.
Long before Lavender Inn came to be, a staple at the owners’ family parties was a simple melted brie recipe. They began serving their family recipe at the wine hour and other special events, and guests raved about it. The recipe features a wheel of brie smothered in an umami-forward mushroom sauce, then baked until it melts into the perfect cheesy dip. With its subtle yet addictive flavor, Lavender Inn’s melted brie does exactly what an appetizer is supposed to do: awaken taste buds with a punch of savory goodness while satiating guests’ hunger just enough to hold them over until dinner. Dazzling as the centerpiece of a bountiful charcuterie board, it’s the perfect appetizer for fall and winter holiday parties.
Melted Brie with Mushrooms
Courtesy of Lavender Inn
Makes 8 servings
Ingredients
- 5 green onions, chopped
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- 8 ounces sliced mushrooms
- 2 tablespoons vermouth
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 small 4- to 5-inch round of brie
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley or purple kale (optional, for garnish)
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Sauté the green onions in olive oil over medium heat. When the onions are getting limp, add the mushrooms.
Stir in the vermouth and soy sauce, then remove from the heat.
Slice the top off the brie, leaving the sides and bottom intact. Place the brie in an oven-proof serving dish (preferably round).
Pour the mushroom mixture over the brie and bake for 20 minutes, or until the brie has melted.
Garnish with parsley or kale and serve on sliced French bread or crackers.
