Top Rated Restaurants & Cafes in Glen Ellen

Foodies from all over the world flock to this romantic jewel in the Napa Valley, considered to be one of the most outstanding restaurants in the world. The exquisite American-French food defies description or convention. Chef Thomas Keller takes care to use as much produce from the restaurant's private garden as possible, as well as making sure no ingredient is repeated anywhere on the nine-course daily tasting menus. The French Laundry's extraordinary food is exceeded only by its excellent service. Patrons are always impressed by the knowledge of the head Sommelier and enjoy the tasteful recommendations. A table at the French Laundry is a heavily coveted prize, so make sure to reserve far in advance.

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.

The citizens of Santa Rosa have reason to be in a continually celebratory mood as their microbrewery of choice takes top honors nearly every year at Denver's Great American Beer Festival. Since its inception in 1997, it has won such accolades as “Small Brewing Company of the Year,” “Innovation in Craft Brewing” and "Large Brewpub Champion Brewmaster." Indeed, gold medal winners include such eloquently named brews as Damnation, Blind Pig and Pliny the Elder. Many of them can be found in pubs throughout the Bay Area, but the headquarters is a must-see destination. Russian River Brewing Company is also credited with inventing the Double India Pale Ale. The entire list of ales is fascinating, each of them unique in blend, texture and flavor. At the tap room, live music entertains crowds as they savor pizzas made thin, crisp and fresh.

Located in the Carneros Inn, Boon Fly Cafe offers healthy breakfast and brunch options. Hamburgers, parmesan prosciutto, eggs Benedict, Canadian bacon, sourdough bread, and of course, mac 'n' cheese are well done and highly acclaimed. Inn guests and those on a wine tasting trip generally fill the place and therefore breakfast times are booked way in advance. Waiting guests are treated to gourmet coffee and parking is convenient.

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.