Schmap Napa Valley Dining & Drinking

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Napa Valley - Dining & Drinking
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Napa Valley Home
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Just as Napa Valley saved the French wine industry with vine cuttings after the 19th-century Phylloxera blight, today's Wine Country chefs have given a new life and new direction to French cooking. It may not be a direction chefs in France acknowledge, of course, but the national awards showered upon chefs and restaurants in the Napa Valley is indicative of their influence on fine cuisine in America. Cooks at Tra Vigne, French Laundry, and Auberge de Soleil and a score of other valley kitchens have led the way.

Of course, it's also possible to eat a perfectly good meal in the Wine Country without booking three weeks in advance (or blowing three weeks' salary). Napa Valley is strewn with spots that are casual, inexpensive, and can seat you just about whenever you like.

And oh-it goes without saying that wine cellars in Napa Valley restaurants are very, very well-stocked.

Napa

Downtown Napa, trying to pull itself into the high orbit of brighter stars like Yountville and St. Helena, is scattered with bright, youngish spots like determinedly casual PJ's. Celadon is another downtown favorite, with snappy fish satays, jerked pork, and a no-reservations policy. Old Adobe, nearby, on Soscol Avenue, gives some historical perspective to the restaurant scene: it's housed in an 1840 adobe building, the second-oldest in Northern California. Steaks and prime rib are the specialties here.

On the farther edges of Napa are some excellent choices, as well: Bistro Don Giovanni, Chanterelle Restaurant, La Boucane, and the The Royal Oak Vintner's Court at the Silverado Resort boast are some of the city's best kitchens.

As a sanctuary from the valley's endless litany of wine-themed California-French restaurants, have some sake and sashimi at Yoshi - Shige, on California Street. It's one of the few places north of Marin County to offer good sushi.

Yountville

Napa Valley's culinary capital. Bistro Jeanty, Bouchon, Brix Restaurant, Domaine Chandon, The French Laundry, and Mustard's Grill are some of the excellent restaurants sprinkled through sparsely populated Yountville. The specialty here is French cuisine, albeit with a California accent. Accolades for Yountville's restaurants tend to fly about like a ticker-tape in a parade: to save space, we'll simply mention that the James Beard Foundation dubbed French Laundry chef Thomas Keller "The Best Chef in America".

Travelers would be well advised to make their reservations weeks in advance of their journey, especially in the case of French Laundry, Bistro Jeanty and-well, any of the above-mentioned restaurants. Give it a good college try, at least-there's no guarantee they won't be fully booked a month ahead of time.

It's possible, though, to eat well in Yountville more or less on the spur of the moment. Piatti, the first in a very popular Northern California chain of Mediterranean Italian restaurants, can usually take a reservation shortly before one plans to dine. One needn't spend a fortune on lunch or dinner, either: Compadres and The Diner are two first-rate examples of moderately priced Yountville eateries.

Oakville

Not exactly a restaurant, the Oakville Grocery is still a must-stop for the epicure. What looks from the outside like an outdated roadside gas station is really a delicatessen stocked with a mind-boggling array of gourmet delights from France, Italy, and their own kitchens.

Not much else in Oakville for would-be sit-down diners, but then it isn't even really a town (it's unincorporated).

Rutherford

Auberge de Soleil rivals the finest restaurants in Napa, and may have the edge in ambience: the sweeping view from its terrace is the best in the valley. First among the many attractions on Auberge's menu is the rotating, five-course "Taste of the Wine Country" menu. Auberge de Soleil is now also the Auberge du Soleil Inn, in the event you're too stuffed to leave the premises. La Toque and Rutherford Grill are excellent choices here, as well.

St. Helena

More recognizably a city than Yountville, Oakville, or Rutherford, St. Helena features a greater concentration and variety of restaurants. Most are on or near Main Street (Highway 29). While St. Helena's pricey reputation is justified, there are a few attractive, reasonably priced choices (which offer the additional advantage of eating without making a huge production out of it) like The Green Valley, Tomatina, and Taylor's Refresher.

A pricier middle range of bistros like Pinot Blanc, Brava Terrace, and Terra Restaurant provide creative and polished renditions of French-Mediterranean classics. Expect the unexpected in the use of exotic local ingredients. Solidly in the huge production category are the Restaurant at Meadowood and Tra Vigne, St. Helena's celebrity restaurants.

Another approach to lunch or dinner might be to try the Wine Spectator Greystone restaurant. Set in the Culinary Institute of America building, you needn't worry about being a guinea pig: the executive chef is Todd Humphries, also of San Francisco's vaunted Campton Place. Tuesdays and Wednesdays from mid-January through March, the Wine Spectator Greystone hosts Winter Evenings in Wine Country, a series of special food and wine events.

Calistoga

Attractive and refreshingly unpretentious, Calistoga offers day trippers and mudbathers a vibrant dining scene. Just about everything except Wappo and the Triple-S-Ranch is right on Lincoln Avenue, the main street. Brannan's Grill, Pacifico Restaurante, Catahoula, Hydro Bar and Grill, the All Seasons Cafe, Cafe Sarafornia, and the Calistoga Inn-these and other Lincoln Avenue restaurants may venture into Oaxaca or the Bayou, but share an obvious affection for Calistoga's frontiersy heritage. As with everywhere else in the valley, chefs are unafraid to innovate and cross boundaries.

Dressing for dinner? Leave your Valentino at home. You're eating with people who have spent all day in a mud bath.

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Auberge du Soleil Inn

Rejuvenation and romance

180 Rutherford Hill Road
Napa Valley, CA 94570
United States
+1 707 963 1211 / +1 800 348 5406 (Toll Free)
http://www.aubergedusoleil.com/

Meaning "Inn of the Sun", this lavish French country inn consists of several charming cottages nestled on the verdant slopes of Rutherford Hill. Spacious guest rooms feature natural wood paneling, terra cotta tile floors, tasteful artwork, plush overstuffed furnishings, a wood-burning fireplace, fresh flowers and elegant linens. An oversized bathtub (some with jacuzzis), skylights and candles assure that even the bathroom is romantic. Each unit has French doors opening to a private terrace overlooking the Napa Valley. A magnificent sculpture garden graces the expansive grounds. The luxurious 7,000-square-foot Spa du Soleil offers therapeutic spa services exclusively to hotel guests.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: sugoinu

Auberge du Soleil Inn photo by James Chang

Photo: James Chang

Auberge du Soleil Inn photo by Ronald Loewen

Photo: Ronald Loewen

Auberge du Soleil Inn photo by Jenn Tidwell

Photo: Jenn Tidwell

Auberge du Soleil Inn photo by Evan Jacobs

Photo: Evan Jacobs

Auberge du Soleil Inn photo by Margaret Ridley

Photo: Margaret Ridley

Auberge du Soleil Inn photo by David Wilsey

Photo: David Wilsey

Auberge du Soleil Inn photo by Chris LaMorte

Photo: Chris LaMorte

Bistro Don Giovanni

Winemaker's hangout 4110 Howard Lane
At Highway 29
Napa Valley, CA 94558
United States
+1 707 224 3300
http://www.bistrodongiovanni.com This relaxed, cozy eatery is popular with local vintners, a great recommendation for excellent food. No wonder, as its owners are Giovanni and Donna Scala who also own Scala's Bistro in San Francisco. The wood and tile dining area, adorned with lots of fresh flowers and pottery, features a huge fireplace and glassed-in kitchen. Outside, a sprawling patio overlooks adjacent vineyards. The traditional Italian cuisine is impeccably prepared. Recommended dishes include the Trenne Pasta with Lamb, Artichokes, Olives, Roasted Tomatoes and Ricotta Salata. The wine list features local and Italian vintages and the service is first-rate.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Fernanda Botelho Roza Morrison

Brannan's Grill

Classic Americana 1374 Lincoln Avenue
Napa Valley, CA 94515
United States
+1 707 942 2233
http://www.brannansgrill.com/ Locals are found at this upscale roadhouse eatery. The large dining room is defined by the rustic aura of the oak wood paneling. The food is all-American: thick juicy steaks, grilled fresh fish and a host of seasonal dishes that show inspired by local produce. The Hoisin-Glazed Baby Back Ribs is a great blend of flavors and textures. The full bar can whip up a martini for you and the wine list has some of the best that Napa has to offer.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: biktopincanada

Brix Restaurant

Panoramic view 7377 St Helena Hwy
Napa Valley, CA 94558
United States
+1 707 944 2749
http://www.brix.com Locals and tourists alike flock to this gourmet eatery to watch the chef concoct his excellent dishes. With a panoramic view of the Napa hillside and a decor of warm impressionist tones, the place makes for an elegant night out. The menu of fusion cuisine features entrees like Slow-Cooked Lamb Shank with Potato Puree and Grilled Spearfish with Chanterelles. Or, you can order a five-course tasting dinner that comes Japanese-style in a bento box. The on-site wine store offers an extensive and eclectic variety, running the gamut in price.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: patrick butler

Calistoga

Napa Valley
United States
Calistoga is famous for its. . .mud. Mud baths, along with mineral baths, saunas, hot steam treatments, whirlpools, and herbal body wraps, have all been an attraction of the area ever since San Francisco entrepreneur Sam Brannan first promoted the benefits of the area's hot springs in the mid-19th century. To get a feeling for the thermal springs without getting in one catch Old Faithful geyser. It spouts boiling water 60 feet into the air every half-hour or so.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Celadon

Eclectic California fusion cuisine 500 Main Street
Suite G
Napa Valley, CA 94559
United States
+1 707 254 9690
http://www.celadonnapa.com/ This popular gem opened in 1996. Its celebrated owner/chef, Greg Cole, a graduate of New York's Culinary Institute of America, also has extensive training in winemaking. Chic yet unpretentious, the cozy interior contains brick walls, huge arched windows, high ceilings and colorful paintings. On a sunny day, join locals and tourists at one of the outdoor tables fronting Napa Creek. Lunch includes delectable dishes like the Grilled Tombo Tuna Salad with Macadamia Nuts and the notable Oyster Po' Boy. Specialty dinner items include the Jerked Pork Chop with Black Beans and the daily fish special. There is an extensive wine list (USD15 corkage fee).

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Paul Vineyard
Photo: Jack Baxter

French Laundry

Flawless Cuisine, Rustic Setting 6640 Washington Street
Napa Valley, CA 94599
United States
+1 707 944 2380 / +1 800 944 1224 (Toll Free)
http://www.frenchlaundry.com/ San Francisco locals are ignoring the city's best restaurants to flock to this countryside jewel, considered to be one of the best establishments in America. According to reports, reservations should be made at least two months in advance. The exquisite American-French food defies description or convention. Appetizers include Poached Moulard Duck, Foie Gras au Torchon with Port-braised Mission Fig, and Adriatic Fig Salad. Entrees include Sirloin of Fallow Venison wrapped in Applewood and Smoked Bacon with sweet carrot puree. The French Laundry's extraordinary food is exceeded only by its excellent service. Patrons are always impressed by the breath and depth of knowledge of Master Sommelier Paul Roberts, whose recommendations are as tasteful as they are informative.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Mustard's Grill

Deceptively casual 7399 Saint Helena Highway
Napa Valley, CA 94558
United States
+1 707 944 2424
http://www.mustardsgrill.com/ Popular wisdom holds that this is the restaurant that kicked off the latest round in the fine dining craze in the North Bay. That may or may not be true. What is a fact is that chef Cindy Pawlcyn, who went on to the Fog City Diner and The Buckeye Roadhouse, started here and her influence is still felt to this day with house specials such as a marinated flank steak that has a soupcon of Asia about it. The atmosphere, like the food, is upscale roadhouse with an airy dining room with walls that are almost entirely made of windows. The staff is lively and and efficient.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Jennie Dailey-O'Cain
Photo: Stephanie Senerchia

Oakville

Napa Valley
United States
By this point, one has entered the real heart of Napa Valley wine production. Robert Mondavi, one of the titans of California wine, is headquartered in Oakville. Other, smaller wineries can be seen on both sides of the valley, though the premium cellars seem to be on the west side. While tiny Oakville has a post office, it's really an unincorporated part of Napa County, best known for the Oakville Grocery, a legendary roadside delicatessen stocked with a mind-boggling array of gourmet delights from France, Italy, and their own kitchens. As with other spots throughout the valley, one is likely to be greeted in early spring by a waving sea of yellow under sparse vineyards: growers often plant mustard underneath grapevines.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Royal Oak

Casual golf course dining 1600 Atlas Peak Rd
Silverado Resort
Napa Valley, CA 94558
United States
+1 707 257 0200
http://www.silveradoresort.com/ Overlooking the south golf course, the Royal Oak is one of three restaurants at the Silverado Resort. Massive beams, floor-to-ceiling picture windows and plush upholstered chairs create an elegantly relaxed ambiance. The tables allow ample legroom and private conversation. Dressy casual attire is appropriate and the service is sublime. Menu items are prepared using local produce, herbs, meats and poultry. Try the Mesquite-grilled Pork Tenderloin, Yakitori-style and the farm-raised Muscovy Duck Breast. The sinfully delicious desserts include a Creme Brulee Duet (praline and vanilla bean) and White Chocolate & Croissant Bread Pudding. There is a full bar and extensive local wine list.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Rutherford

Napa Valley
United States
Microscopic Rutherford, population 525, is home to Beaulieu (BV) Winery, Rutherford Grove, Rutherford Hill, St. Supery Vineyards & Winery, Mumm Napa Valley (of champagne fame) and Francis Ford Coppola's Niebaum-Coppola Estate Winery, which features memorabilia from his directorial career, including the Tucker automobile from the film of the same name. It's also a fine place to eat: Auberge de Soleil, La Toque, and the Rutherford Grill stand with the best of Yountville's superb French restaurants.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Terra Restaurant

Stone-walled restaurant 1345 Railroad Avenue
Napa Valley, CA 94574
United States
+1 707 963 8931
http://www.terrarestaurant.com/ Dine amidst stone walls in this elegant, romantic setting. Enjoy delights such as the sake-marinated Chilean Sea Bass or the Grilled Squab. The cuisine is a cross between French, Italian and Californian infused with Asian flavors. The restaurant was awarded a Mondavi Award of Culinary Excellence. The wine list is extraordinary, offering a huge variety of local wines and topping out at USD350 for the most expensive bottle. It is a great place for a splendid romantic dinner with impeccable service. In 2007, the inaugural year of the Michelin Guide San Francisco, Bay Area & Wine Country, Terra was awarded a Michelin Star.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Scott

Triple-S-Ranch

Ranch cabins cheap 4600 Mountain Home Ranch Road
Napa Valley, CA 94515
United States
+1 707 942 6730 Not fancy, bare-bones ranch living. This ranch has six cabins, each one's got a bathroom, and there's a restaurant in the barn. The restaurant, open April through December, is famous for its onion rings. There is a pool and just try to find another hotel in the valley with a bocce ball court. Five minutes out of Calistoga, it is near the Petrified Forest.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Wine Spectator Greystone

Haute cuisine at the CIA 2555 Main Street
Napa Valley, CA 94574
United States
+1 800 333 9242 / +1 707 967 1010 (Reservations)
http://www2.ciachef.edu/lm/gre... Situated in the imposing, 101-year-old Greystone, former home of the Christian Brothers winery, Greystone restaurant is nice retreat from the bustle of the Napa Valley. Adventurous renditions of Spanish dishes complement California Cuisine that takes Mediterranean cues from the Middle East and Morocco. The menu changes daily to take advantage of fresh local produce. The impressive wine list, promised by the name, does not disappoint. Enjoy seasonal cocktails and Californian microbrews. Sit out on the terrace overlooking fields upon fields of vineyards. Or sit indoors and watch chefs hard at work in the open kitchen. "Today's Temptations" is a small plates menu, inspired by fresh ingredients, intended for the table to share.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: corak76

Other Schmapplets in this city related to "Napa Valley - Dining & Drinking"
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