Written by Rocio Siso-Gurriaran

Growing up in the heart of Spain’s wine country, some of my fondest memories are tied to the harvest season. With my dad and grandfather both being winemakers, it was a way of life for us. As a little girl, I’d join the women in my town to pick grapes by hand. It was my first job, and I remember how thrilling it was to be part of something so significant.

In late September, the town would come alive with the scent of grapes as we celebrated the harvest. Even at eight years old, I participated in all the activities. We would uncork the wine from the previous year’s harvest and enjoy fresh walnuts. The "vino del año" was a young and fruity Mencía wine made from red grapes. Unlike aged wines, this one was fresh, vibrant, and bursting with flavor. I still remember the purple stains on our lips. My dad taught me how to crack walnuts with my hands—I’d close my fist around two walnuts and punch them into my palm to open the shells. We picked grapes and shelled walnuts together.

Though I was just eight, those memories—the smells, the tastes, the joy of the harvest—have stayed with me ever since. They are a big part of why I love fall: it’s about the harvest, the earthy flavors, and bringing people together, just like we do here at MIHO.

What’s in Season?

Fall brings a rich harvest of hearty, flavorful ingredients, perfect for creating comforting and sophisticated dishes. We’re excited to incorporate the following into our menus:

• Root Vegetables: Locally grown carrots and turnips from JR Organics. These versatile vegetables will star in multiple salads, soups, and purées. One of my favorites is the pear salad with roasted bosc pear, baby turnip, bitter greens, hazelnut, point reyes blue cheese and a star anise & ginger vinaigrette.

• Squash: Delicata, butternut, and acorn squash will bring sweet, earthy notes to our dishes. We even use a kuri squash from Tutti Frutti Farms for our donut holes— a real treat.

• Brassicas: Broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts will be roasted, sautéed, and paired with nutty grains and savory proteins. Our swiss chard and brussels sprouts come from Milliken Family Farm. One of our family-style menu salads features cauliflower three ways: black kale, roasted cauliflower, dried blueberry, quinoa, toasted almond, cauliflower pesto, Meyer lemon dressing, and garnished with pickled cauliflower—definitely a best-seller!

• Apples and Pears: Crisp and sweet varieties from See Canyon Apple Orchard will be featured in our desserts, salads and grazing stations.

• Mushrooms: Mountain Meadow Mushrooms Farm in Escondido grows most mushrooms we use and they provide so much flavor to our dishes.

What’s new on the menu?

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our new Stations menu! This season, we’re introducing about a dozen chef-driven culinary experiences that are sure to delight. Guests can enjoy hand-folded dumplings, late-night grilled cheese, flavorful Spanish paella (a personal favorite), and even a hand-built mille-feuille. With a mix of sweet and savory options, this menu offers a fun and interactive dining experience for everyone! Plus, we’ve soured all new serveware for our stations including local pottery from The Wheel Stoneware.

We also launched a new corporate lunch menu and we’re excited to introduce some new vegan and vegetarian dishes. One standout is the Vegan Cauliflower Cavatelli, which has truly wowed both our staff and guests. This dish is one of my favorites. I’ve always thought of cavatelli pasta as an “elevated macaroni noodle”—something that’s simple but feels special. We make the pasta from scratch and pair it with a delicious creamy "caulifredo sauce" created by one of our chefs, Amy Harrington. It’s made from roasted cauliflower, olive oil, onion, garlic, and water. The cauliflower provides the ideal balance of water and starch, resulting in a rich, creamy texture without any dairy. The flavor is unbelievable.

Seafood Spotlight

Mainely Lobster is just minutes from our headquarters in San Diego. This family-owned and operated business is based in Owl’s Head, Maine, and provides fresh lobster and scallops sourced directly from the cold waters of the Atlantic. Each lobster is caught from their own traps, sorted and weighed at the pound, and hand-selected for delivery within 24 hours. They are known for their exceptional freshness and quality and we’re proud to feature them on our menus at MIHO.

A Farm Worth Talking About

Koda Farms has a rich legacy that dates back to 1908 when Keisaburo Koda journeyed from Japan to California, pursuing his dreams of farming. Born in the Fukushima prefecture, Keisaburo was the son of a samurai and had a background in education. He ventured into various businesses, including canning and laundry, before finding his true calling in agriculture. Koda Farms has a storied history rooted in resilience and ingenuity.

In the 1920s, to navigate the challenges posed by restrictive land ownership laws for non-citizens, Keisaburo and his American-born children formed State Farming Co., Inc. in the San Joaquin Valley. He pioneered innovative rice cultivation techniques, such as using airplanes for sowing seeds, and established a state-of-the-art rice drying and milling operation. His success earned him the title "Rice King" among Japanese Americans.

Despite the challenges posed by World War II and the internment of Japanese Americans, Keisaburo's legacy endured. Upon returning from internment, his sons, Edward and William, revitalized the family business, becoming the first commercial growers of "sweet rice" in California and establishing the market for products like Sho-Chiku-Bai Sweet Rice and Blue Star Mochiko Sweet Rice Flour.

Today, Koda Farms is proudly owned and operated by Keisaburo's grandchildren, Ross and Robin Koda. As third-generation farmers and millers, they continue to honor their grandfather's commitment to quality and innovation. With meticulous practices, including a dedicated seed nursery and on-site milling, Koda Farms maintains the purity of its heirloom rice varieties, most notably Kokuho Rose, known for its exceptional flavor and quality.

We’re proud to partner with Koda Farms, as their values align perfectly with our mission to source fresh, local ingredients. This fall, you’ll taste the difference in our dishes featuring their exquisite rice, showcasing the rich heritage and innovative spirit that Koda Farms embodies.

MIHO's dedication to sourcing fresh, local ingredients is not just about enhancing our culinary offerings; it's about forging meaningful connections with the communities we serve. By sourcing from independent and local California farms like Koda Farm, we ensure that our dishes reflect the rich agricultural heritage of California while supporting sustainable practices. As we embrace the flavors of the season, our commitment to quality and tradition remains unwavering. This fall, we invite you to join us in celebrating the harvest season and it’s bountiful offerings.