Dining in Napa Valley
 

Hello all!
I'm new to the travel forum but have been reading many posts on the Napa area and it has been a huge help so far. We will be visiting the Napa area in September for our anniversary and staying in Calistoga. Please give me some suggestions on romantic, quiet places to dine for our anniversary! Money is no object--but at the same time I don't care for "stuffy" places. I have been thinking about Auberge du Soleil, Martini House and even Tra Vigne. Any other suggestions or comments--please!

Both Auberge de Soleil and Tra Vigne are nice restaurants, and very romantic. If dining at Auberge, as for a table on the patio. Have not been to Martini House, but have heard wonderful things about it. You might also consider Pere Jeanty.

We had a wedding to attend at Aberge this past weekend and dinner at Martini House the following night. Both will not disapoint!

Calistoga has a couple good places but names escape me right now.Something to be said for walking to dinner versus driving down to Yountville.

If, as you stated, money is no object, then there's only one place - French Laundry. This was considered the BEST restaurant in the world by Restaurant magazine last year (it came in 2nd this year).

Terra is also a very good high-end restaurant in St. Helena.

You won't go wrong with Martini House.

I have to disagree with the suggestion on Pere Jeanty. It's more of a casual dining/lunch place than one where a couple would celebrate an anniversary. If you're looking for a casual French place, the affilitated bistro (Bistro Jeanty) in the same town is much better.

Auberge, Terra, Bistro Jeanty and Tra Vigne are a few of our favorites. Domaine Chandon in Yountville is also very, very good. In Calistoga we like the Wappo Bar & Bistro. ***kim*** ((f))

We ate at the French Laundry and stayed in Calistoga. It was a long ride back at midnite. The next nite we had pizza at Bosko's in Calistoga. I would also reco Auberge du soleil, and Tra Vigne for that special dinner. Where are you staying in Calistoga?

A few restaurant reviewers/gossips I heard/read of late are recommending La Toque in Rutherford now instead of the Fr Laundry.

Anyone out there hit it yet?
***kim***????

I already know it looks nice from the road when I pedal my Specialized Allez Elite Triple...or was it my Huffy? LOL!!!! ;)

We dined at La toque about 3 years ago. It's nowhere near the food quality and impeccable service at FL.

Calistoga is a bit of a drive from towns south of there. St Helena is the closest and Martini House and Tra Vigna are two of the best in town. It's been a couple of years since we've been to Mustards Grill south of SH but it was very good. IMO Auberge is very expensive for what you get and compared to other excellent restaurants in that region.

It takes less than 20 minutes to drive from Yountville to Calistoga.

Auberge is pretty overpriced but very romantic. Martini house is terrific food but I wouldn't say it's quiet. Is drinking/driving a consideration? My husband and I stayed at the Cottage Grove in Calistoga recently (great place) and even though I'd say that the "best" restaurants are in St. Helena and south, we ended up deciding to eat in Calistoga so we could drink our fill of wine with dinner and walk back to the cottages without worrying about driving back on the winding roads from St. Helena, etc. We ate at Four Seasons and Brannon's Grill, both of which were very nice and after a nice big dinner with great wine, it was so worth it to us to be able to take a nice romantic stroll back to our rooms!

Terra is stuffy! I would not recommend it. We loved Martini House, but as another poster stated, it's not that quiet - nice atmosphere though.

Anniversary + romantic + quiet = Domaine Chandon

"Terra is stuffy! I would not recommend it. We loved Martini House, but as another poster stated, it's not that quiet"

If you don't mind my asking, but, how did you find Terra to be stuffy?
Also, with the all noise at Martini House, you still loved it. Why?

b_b,
I was going to say "3yrs is an eternity in the restaurant bizz" unitl I read some other mixed revus in other websites on La Toque.

I guess one person's too stuffy is one person's too noisy?
But, you probably won't find me eating at a place that's almost a housepayment anyway so you're all safe at FL and LT for a while. :-D

I will def never sit at the "Look at me" table at Martini House again (fireplace seat).
I'm forced to "powder down" so as to not have my shiny noggin blind other diners.

Love the place, tho. =P~

<< already know it looks nice from the road when I pedal my Specialized Allez Elite Triple...or was it my Huffy?>>

<<I will def never sit at the "Look at me" table at Martini House again (fireplace seat). I'm forced to "powder down" so as to not have my shiny noggin blind other diners.>>

Stop it, Kal. Yer killin' me!

b'bum,
At the risk of sounding even more ***gauche***, we were at MH on their Grand Opening night a few years back.

It fell on our wedding anniversary and I guess Pat Kuleto felt sorry for us and gave us a great ressie.

Turns out it was the special fireplace seat where you def "feel on stage".

Well, in November, when you got a fireplace going, bright light shining down on your 'eed, a "little" wine in you and a jacket on, remember Albert Brooks doing the news in "Broadcast News"....yep...that was Mrs Kal...
:)):)):)):))

Love the place and went back the following years for our anniv ....until last year when the r5s dragged us kicking and screaming to Cindy's BS Kitchen. Not as "romantic" as being on stage but good grub and service, too.
I think MH had a bigger wine list.

Man! I'm getting hungry!

billy_boy - I hate to be so blunt, because we had such great experiences at other restaurants in Napa/St. Helena, but Terra was snooty. The service was cold and stiff. And the atmosphere matched it. Not to mention, I was not impressed by the food vs. the price we paid. Oh, and... after a day of wine tasting, my husband wanted a scotch on the rocks... no liquor at Terra. We found that odd.

Martini House service was excellent. They tended to our every need. It wasn't a raging loud place, but it was a comfortable atmosphere where I felt like I didn't have to whisper across the table to my husband. Not to mention the food was outstanding.

I know many people love Terra. We just did not understand the hype after our experience and would not recommend it, nor ever return.

I've been to both Tra Vigne and Martini House....and loved both. They have similar food styles I thought--great service. I must admit, the atmosphere at Martini House won me over for a romantic dinner place. It has a really rustic, romantic feel to it! My in-laws suggested Terra, but we just couldn't fit it into our budget this past trip (since we were dining at Martini House and staying at Harvest Inn), it all depends on what you're in the mood for. I decided against French Laundry, because we were taking a week-long trip up the coast (including santa barbara, carmel, san fran and wine country)-we live in San Diego, and I just didnt' think a 500.00 dinner would be feasible, maye next time =0
-C0

We went to Martini House 2 weeks ago and had a fabulous dinner. Very attentive but discreet service and wonderful food. A few months ago we went to Pinot Blanc and had a lovely lunch. A bit more formal, a bit more quiet.