North Bay Woman

62 NORTH BAY WOMAN | F A L L >SingleThread from page 20 donabe pots that dominate the kitchen decor; it all feels, somehow, hyper-alive. Chef Kyle (he works with a staff of more than 50) explains that all the design in the restaurant is laid out in Fibonacci sequences: patterns in the ceilings and carpets; straps of the leather on the columns; nautilus-like spirals on the kitchen doors. The restaurant is one continuous mathematical pattern. "It's the pattern in the way nature grows and replicates itself," he explains. "We worked with our designer to create the DNA formula of fruits and vegetables translated into our décor to make the whole room feel harmonious, so that subliminally you feel like you are in nature. We think a lot about the multisensory aspects of the dining experience but we don't want them to be overt for people. It's more in the background." Ask both Connaughtons how they feel about what they've built, and they'll give you similar answers. They love it, and they're always tweaking what they've created. As Chef Kyle puts it, "In Japanese, there's the word kaizen – it means good change. We talk about it every day with the staff. Focusing on continual improvement, on good changes that add up over time. And all those refinements add up to larger improvement." Earlier in the afternoon, Katina said the couple felt more content than they've ever been, even though they're now working a 24/7 lifestyle. Her husband agrees. "We're happy. When your baby is both your labor of love and your passion, we certainly appreciate what is and what we've accomplished so far. While we're always looking ahead to how we can make it better." n SingleThread SingleThread is located at 131 North St., Healdsburg, (707) 723-4646, singlethreadfarms.com. It's open Mondays to Sundays from 5:30 to 9 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays daytime seating (it's still that day's 11-course meal) from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Reservations are essential. Five inn rooms on the premises, decorated in highest style, with Japanese/California sensibility and ranging in price from $800 to $1,500 per night, come with elaborate Japanese or English breakfast included. Thoughtful and elegant: SingleThread's founders ensure no detail is missed in the Healdsburg dining room (above) and the inn (below). Middle: Sashimi with strands of Gravenstein apple, myoga and Sansho. – Photos by Garrett Rowland, Leslie Harlib and Kassie Borreson

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