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.
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.
This popular gem opened in 1996. Its celebrated owner and chef, Greg Cole, a graduate of New York's Culinary Institute of America, also has extensive training in wine-making. 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. The restaurant also offers an extensive wine list.
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.
Located in the heart of downtown Napa, this quaint stucco restaurant serves authentic Mexican fare. The ample dining area is comfortable but a little dark. The amiable waitstaff keeps the chips coming even when the restaurant is crowded. The shaded patio, with its marble-topped tables and lawn-style chairs, is wonderful for people-watching. The menu features gargantuan burritos, a variety of enchiladas, and several combination plates as well as a decent selection of carnitas and seafood. You will find a full bar with great margaritas and a nice selection of beers.
The Auberge du Soleil, located in the Napa Valley's Rutherford, is one of the area's premier luxury accommodations, so it should come as no surprise that the Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil is one of Napa's most delicious and coveted reservations. The restaurant serves contemporary California cuisine taking heavy influence from the Mediterranean cuisine which is all too deserving of the Michelin star they have maintained for many years. The prix fixe menus include seasonal dishes that utilize fresh and locally sourced ingredients where possible. Being in the heart of wine country, the wine list is nothing less than stellar. Try to get a seat on their gorgeous terrace where you can enjoy a breath of fresh air.
At the sleek-looking Ad Hoc, chef Thomas Keller takes the average American meal and turns it up a notch. Although the decor may be sparse, with plain white walls and chrome tables, the food is anything but. For starters, ease into the Haricots Verts and Garden Fig Salad, and then move your way up to the Bacalao & Chick Pea Soup. Finish off the night with a heavenly Chocolate Bread Pudding topped with whipped caramel cream. Though pricey, the meals leave you wishing you could eat Keller-style every day.
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.
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.
Press Restaurant is as famous for its view as for its meats and seafood. Trees and flowers frame the exterior, while floor-to-ceiling wine racks, huge chairs and crystal accessories add to the cozy ambiance created by the roaring fireplace indoors. The food here is as delicious as it looks—you will find yourself eating your way through roasts and grills, casseroles and delicious desserts (the Baked Alaska comes highly recommended!). The wine list is a surprise, for it features some rare vintages alongside local varietals.
The Fig Cafe & Winebar is located in the tranquil little town of Glen Ellen in the heart of Sonoma County. This rustic and comfortable cafe serves up delicious brasserie cuisine. The menu may include items like Fig and Arugula Salad with chevre, pecans and pancetta, BLT Thin Crust Pizza or Duck Confit. Of course, the name implies its great wine list, featuring a tasty selection of mostly local wines as well a few wines from France.