Providing freshly baked breads and deserts for Chef Thomas Keller's Yountville restaurants: The French Laundry, Bouchon and ad hoc, Bouchon Bakery delights its customers with many of the same treats. The bakery is small and quaint. Inside you'll find a small display case filled with macaroons, tarts, cookies and Chocolate Bouchons. The delicacies of sweets doesn't end there, though, more often it starts with Chocolate Bouchons. Chocolate Bouchons are up-right, moist brownies with a warm chocolate center that bursts into your mouth with the first bite, all lightly sprinkled with confectioner's sugar. On weekends, the bakery serves decadent donuts. The "TKO" (Thomas Keller Oreo) is an unusual treat of two buttery chocolate cookies with a white cream filling sandwiched in between. The bakery also serves ready-made sandwiches on baguettes. Prices may seem high, but sweets are so rarely made or packaged with so much detail and passion.
Locals and tourists alike flock to Brix Restaurant to watch the chef concoct his excellent dishes. With a panoramic view of the Napa hillside and a decor of warm Impressionist tones, the award-winning Brix Restaurant makes for an elegant night out. Featuring classic Californian delicacies with a twist of French-influence, the food severed here is always a delight to the palate. 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.
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 has since been influential in the creation of many other Bay Area restaurants, started here and is still involved in kitchen operations at her flagship restaurant. The atmosphere at Mustards is upscale roadhouse with an airy dining room and walls that are almost entirely made of windows. The staff is lively and and efficient.
This relaxed, cozy eatery is popular with local vintners and 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.
The Carpe Diem Wine Bar serves delicious local Californian cuisine paired with a variety of the finest wines from around the world. Established by three friends in June 2010, this venue has quickly become renowned as the go-to spot in Napa for local singles, friends, and anyone who enjoys a relaxed dining experience. Although the restaurant section of this establishment closes earlier, depending on the day, the bar remains open and active well into the night.
Nestled in the wine county, Sonoma, Depot Hotel offers guests an extensive wine list , with a tantalizing Italian fare to go along with it. A hotel from the late 19th Century was transformed to house this restaurant, its wine cellar and garden, which is a great place to feast on food, or a fabulous venue to host your private event. Huddled between the Sonoma State Historic Park, Arnold Field and Sonoma Square, this restaurant is situated in a prime location, that is popular among tourists.
An historic stone building houses this classic American steak restaurant that has received rave reviews from publications such as the San Francisco Chronicle and the Examiner. The chef at Cole's Chop House has worked and cooked with famous chefs all across the country and his entrees include a 21-Day Chicago Dry-Aged New York Strip Steak and New Zealand Lamb Chops. Throw in some excellent sides and a variety of custom martinis and you have a great steak dinner. For drama, try the flaming Bananas Foster for dessert. The wine list features mostly Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons, Zinfandels and Merlots. The service is dynamite and the place caters to locals and tourists.
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 has since been influential in the creation of many other Bay Area restaurants, started here and is still involved in kitchen operations at her flagship restaurant. The atmosphere at Mustards is upscale roadhouse with an airy dining room and walls that are almost entirely made of windows. The staff is lively and and efficient.
The slogan here is "Great Friends, Great Food, Great Fun!" The tapas menu includes traditional Mediterranean, Portuguese and Spanish recipes, recreated with Central and South American flavors. The decor is a melange of local and international art, and if you look up, the Mexican tin ceiling adds the perfect finishing touch. The dining experience is a true celebration of food, wine, and art set to vibrant Latin music. All ingredients are fresh, seasonal, organic, and locally grown. The wine list is eclectic and complements the tapas. ZuZu creates a special brand of tapas that are distinctly Californian in approach and execution.
Napa Valley is known for its world-renowned restaurants and wine but little is known about local diamonds like Gott's Roadside. Classic diner food - burgers, fries, onion rings, and shakes - is served. Diner food, however, takes on a new life: fresh, local meats and veggies are used to ensure maximum flavor and quality. Essentially it's a burger stand with a line around the corner. Service is quick and the time spent in line can be used to take in picturesque, quaint St. Helena. All seating is outdoor. In true Napa fashion, wine, as well as beer, is served. The food is reason enough, though the miles of scenic vineyards and rolling hills doesn't hurt, to make the drive up Highway 29.
Providing freshly baked breads and deserts for Chef Thomas Keller's Yountville restaurants: The French Laundry, Bouchon and ad hoc, Bouchon Bakery delights its customers with many of the same treats. The bakery is small and quaint. Inside you'll find a small display case filled with macaroons, tarts, cookies and Chocolate Bouchons. The delicacies of sweets doesn't end there, though, more often it starts with Chocolate Bouchons. Chocolate Bouchons are up-right, moist brownies with a warm chocolate center that bursts into your mouth with the first bite, all lightly sprinkled with confectioner's sugar. On weekends, the bakery serves decadent donuts. The "TKO" (Thomas Keller Oreo) is an unusual treat of two buttery chocolate cookies with a white cream filling sandwiched in between. The bakery also serves ready-made sandwiches on baguettes. Prices may seem high, but sweets are so rarely made or packaged with so much detail and passion.
Nestled in the wine county, Sonoma, Depot Hotel offers guests an extensive wine list , with a tantalizing Italian fare to go along with it. A hotel from the late 19th Century was transformed to house this restaurant, its wine cellar and garden, which is a great place to feast on food, or a fabulous venue to host your private event. Huddled between the Sonoma State Historic Park, Arnold Field and Sonoma Square, this restaurant is situated in a prime location, that is popular among tourists.