If you get to Nevada City try http://www.thenewmooncafe.com/ for 'Big city dining with a small town atmosphere'. Outstanding!

Hello iris, you have a beautiful trip planned!

For North Beach here is the website for the Mona Lisa Restaurant which is a favorite of many Fodorite's when in SF and also SF residents. We have had some small Fodor's GTG's there too with Fodorite's that always want to return to the Mona Lisa. Reasonable prices for very good food, good service from the waiters who are from Italy (the owner is from southern Italy), interesting wine list and good parking (if you will have a car) around the corner and up a couple of blocks on Vallejo St.,..right above the SFPD station.

http://www.monalisasf.com/

Hi LoveItaly and monik; The day we go to Sutter's Creek we will go to Nevada City first and have lunch at the suggested restaurant. Then in North Beach I love the name of the restaurant, Mona Lisa. We will probably do both of these. Our lunch usually is a salad or fruit with feta. Our trip is seven months away and I'm already gaining weight. NO PROBLEM THANKS Iris

I've had good luck searching for restaurants on www.chowhound.com
Go to California message boards and click on areas you're interested in. Great resource for seeking restaurants.

You might really enjoy eating at Celadon in Napa. The food is excellent and their brick courtyard patio has a nice atmosphere. Otherwise, it you just want a casual meal (with fresh ingredients, delicious) try Pearl.
Have a wonderful trip, Iris!

Tadich Grill in SF
Taylor's Refresher in St.Helena/SF
Redd Napa
Boulevard SF
Sierra Mar Big Sur
Passion Fish Pacific Grove/Carmel

www.alaskarailroad.com

I'd agree with other posters about Bistro Jeanty in Yountville, and Market in St. Helena.

Another way to help your dinner budget - If you do any tastings in Napa or Sonoma during the day, buy a bottle of something you like and take it to dinner with you. It seems to me that the corkage fees in most of the restaurants were around $10 to $20 per bottle. And some of the wineries will credit you with the tasting fee if you buy a bottle.

Hi; I'm now at the mind-boggling stage with all these suggestions. But we will have the pleasure of selecting where we dine with all this help. Many Thanks to All Iris

Hi; A little more help.Many of the restaurants you have sugested, we will be eating at. Now, just wanted to ask about the following restaurants. For the past 20 years I have had a Rewards Network dining card at no cost, joining when our local newspaper had a promotion. The offer is anywhere from 5% to 15% off the total bill. So I am asking your opinion on the restaurants that are included. 1. El Sinaloense [San Mateo] 2. Billy Quon's Volano [Carmel] 3. Baylief [Napa] and 4. Flaming Fresco [Redwood City] All have been rated very well on Rewards Network. Thanks Iris P.S. One previous sugestion in Cambria, is included and we will eat there [The Sow's Ear].

I've eaten twice at Bayleaf in Napa. It was very good and the service was excellent. Usually the owner is there and he takes great pride in what he offers. They have their own vegetable and herb garden out back and he might even give you a tour of his facilities if you show an interest. Be sure to ask him what he recommends on the menu. We really enjoyed a lamb dish on the menu.

Thanks elnap; I'm also onto your other suggestions for Napa, Bistro's Don Giovanni and Jeanty. But we like 'tapas' too, so it will be a difficult decision with only two nights' Iris