Best restaurant in Napa Valley?

Question

We will be in Napa Valley this weekend and are looking for a restaurant that provides a true Napa Valley experience with lots of great food. We aren't sure if we will be there for lunch or dinner, so if you have a recommendation for each that would be wonderful.

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

For a "true Napa Valley experience" try these for either lunch or dinner:

1. Etoile Restaurant in the Domain Chandon winery for a delightful food/wine pairing menu. It's the only fine dining restaurant in Napa that is actually inside the winery. http://www.chandon.com/restaurant/default.html

2. L'Auberge du Soleil created the original Napa Valley haute cuisine 20 years ago, and remains a uniquely wine country experience. Try to stay overnight and treat yourself to a massage while you are there. http://www.aubergedusoleil.com/html/dining.shtml.

3. Chef Jan Birnbaum's Catahoula Saloon for both excellent cuisine and LOTS of fun. This is another place where it is great to stay overnight (the restaurant is housed in a Calistoga hotel/spa) and treat yourself to a massage.

And don't forget a stop at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone for a demonstration cooking class and a great lunch at the Wine Spectator Restaurant! http://www.ciachef.edu/restaurants/wsgr/

But everything requires reservations, so dial fast. ( I haven't even bothered to mention a few of the very best like French Laundry, because your chances of getting a reservation less than a month in advance are nil.) September is harvest time and peak season up there, so be prepared for traffic. Enjoy!

Answer 2

Wow, so many to choose from here! Our favorite upscale restaurant is Cole's Chop House in downtown Napa. Don't let the word 'chop' deceive you, it is fine dining. They do specialize in fine cuts of meat, and seafood. No pasta on the menu though. Bistro Don Giovanni is excellent, as is Fume' Bistro. Etoile at Domaine Chandon. I've only been to Bouchon once, it was upscale, but the food and service were only so-so. Mustards is also a very nice place. I'd suggest not going to Bayleaf, only because I've met the owner, so has my sister-in-law, and our experiences were not good. Breakfast? That's kind of a tough one, since my husband and I like seeking out diner-like places which are rare here. (Although I'll put in a plug for Emmy Lou's and the Soscol Cafe.) Rings at Embassy Suites and Silverado Country Club both have pretty nice breakfast buffets. Oh, you have to go to Buttercream Bakery for breakfast! It's like an institution in Napa. ABC Bakery is a really cute place for breakfast too. Or Gillwoods or Downtown Joe's. Heh, I guess that wasn't as tough as I thought! Have a happy trip here, let me know if I can answer any more questions for you!

Answer 3

Try Redd in Yountville. The food is very good and when I went there, the chef (Richard Reddington) was the one who cook our tasting menu. The price is pretty decent, especially if you go on the lunch time.

You can also try Ad Hoc, not far from Redd. This restaurant was opened by Thomas Keller, who also owns the French Laundry. It's a casual, family style restaurant and the price is pretty reasonable.

A lot of other restaurant in Napa that you may try out: Pilar, Bouchon, Domaine Chandon restaurant, Auberge du Soleil, etc.

Enjoy!

Answer 4

Trying to pick the best restaurant here is tough. Just don't even try any of Thomas Keller's restaurants. I have reasons for this. Anyway. Also, don't go to Sushi Mambo or Angele downtown. Lousy service.

Our favorites are Tres Hermanos (neat little hole in the wall downtown), Piccolinos, Tuscany, Don Giovanni, Fume Bistro, Don Perico, Villa Romano, Hurley's, El Guadalajara, and Rings. Most of these are downtown Napa.

For a great lunch and picnic, go to Pometta's Deli. The owner is great. If not that, Genova Deli on Trancas. Both have excellent deli sandwiches and great foods. Or stop at Oakville Grocery in Oakville for picnic food. It's a great place.

I don't eat upvalley because it gets more expensive. I live here, email me if you need more ideas.

Answer 5

If you want to spend $$$$ or $$ there are several options for dining in downtown Napa or on Highway 29 going to the wineries. I have lived here for over 40 years and my favorite spots are listed: Downtown Joes - California Cuisine with microbrews. Piccolinos, Coles Chop House all 3 downtown Napa. Close to Carneros area are Foothill Grill off of Old Sonoma Road - a little pricier but worth it. Wonderful food and wines. BoonFly and Farm - both in the Carneros area pricey but beautiful, romantic and tasty- a little hard to find but absolutely worth it. Fume' is Napa Valley California Cuisine, Red Hen Cantina- Mexican Party atmosphere and Bistro Don Giovanni - wonderful atmosphere and great food. They are all on Highway 29 North towards Yountville. Rutherford Grill is the most popular site hands down - no reservations accepted but wonderful food and atmosphere - could be a 45 minute wait so have a glass of wine or a cocktail at the bar or outside - the wait is worth it. Just my opinion. Let me know how it went!

Answer 6

It's most likely not something you can do this weekend, but I would contact the CIA (Culinary Institute of America) - great food, fun experience at a fraction of the price.

Answer 7

In Yountville, The French Laundry. But unless you know somebody, you will not be able to get in. http://www.frenchlaundry.com/tfl/frenchlaundry.htm
Try, Greystone in St. Helena. The restaurant is part of the CIA. http://www.ciachef.edu/restaurants/wsgr/

Answer 8

Tra Vigne
Highway 29
St. Helena
http://www.travignerestaurant.com/tv.htm

Answer 9

Bravo Terrrace, St. Helena. It rocks.

Answer 10

Mustards is great for lunch or dinner, but you better hurry to make reservations!