Swannee

Hello,

We have one night only to have dinner in Napa.
We've been to Napa Valley several years ago on a bicycle trip and tried some lovely places but they were the ones that our trip organizers suggested (went to Madrona Manor, Cathahoula, Auberge du Soleil and the other restaurants were in Sonoma. We’d like to try something new.

We love good food and wine and would love to try something that's relatively reasonable or if it is expensive, then it must be well worth it -- nothing worse than an expensive restaurant that is overrated.

French Laundry is booked but there are other places. We may not have been to some of the classics, but sometimes there are new up-and-coming places or ones that the locals love that we might even prefer to try.

We've not been to some of the standards such as Mustards, Tra Vigne or Terra., Brix and Bouchon.

Any suggestions? Among those listed above what would you suggest - assuming they are all available.

I also read some interesting things about ZinValley, Julia's Kitchen at Copia.

Are those a better choice?

Thanks and cheers.

Ike

I have been to Napa three times and stayed at Auberge Du Soliel all three times. I think the food there is the best.

http://www.aubergedusoleil.com/

elnap29

Of the ones you listed, I would pick Terra if you like Asian fusion type food.

Other consistently excellent restaurants are:
- Bistro Don Giovanni on Hwy 29 just north of Napa
- Press in St. Helena
- Redd in Yountville
- Pearl in the city of Napa, a casual restaurant with consistently excellent food - a hidden gem known by locals

Swannee

Thank you both.

Ike, I've been to Auberge du Soleil - gorgeous - but we want to try something else just to try other places, not because we did not like it -- we loved it.

Thanks for the suggestions elnap29.
I do like Asian fusion -- but also like French, Italian etc.

Some friends mentioned something about the Girl and the Fig and the Greystone Mansion.

What about this Zinsvalley place - I heard you can bring your own bottles and there is no corkage fee ???

Any further comments?

Thanks and cheers

NeoPatrick

Mustard's has been around forever it seems, but whenever we go up to Napa, we end up enjoying our meal there more than any other place, including Auberge du Soleil, Tra Vigne, Terra and others. The fact that it seems to be way less expensive than the others is merely a bonus, not the reason we like it better. It's just so comfortable and always so good.

elnap29

Zinsvalley has a lovely patio that is pleasant in the summer. We've had 1 very good experience there, the others just so-so. Girl and the Fig is good but it is in Sonoma. Julia's Kitchen at Copia recently changed chefs. Have not heard anything recently. CIA at Greystone is the Culinary Academy. We enjoyed it very much, especially having a drink on the outdoor patio. We are not that crazy about Mustards - have had OK meals there and condescending service each time - although other people seem to love the place.

Bay leaf in Napa also provides a great food and service experience. Another we enjoy is Wappo Bistro in Calistoga if the weather is good - the vine-covered patio is charming.
Another one to consider: LaToque in Rutherford.

Ike

Swannee if you have been to ADS then try Calistoga Ranch which is a sister property near Calistoga. It's very similar to ADS but much newer and the food is outstanding.

rungirl2002

Another vote for Mustard's! Delicious!

LLindaC

Madrona Manor and Girl and the Fig are both in Sonoma Valley.

MichelleY

I second Bistro Don Giovanni & Terra.

MY

applejacks1

La Toque for a memorable although pricey dinner or maybe Ad Hoc also by Keller. The other suggestions are not super special places to me., although we won't return to Zin's Valley after so many bad service experiences.

Swannee

Hello everyone,

I'm getting hungry reading this.

I've heard of some of the places, especially Mustards -- which was on my list. Lot of friends at home have raved about Tre Vigna.

What do you say? -- we like French and Italian --in fact there is very little that we do not like (that's the problem!).

kimamom

Terra in St. Helena is very good. We have also enjoyed Domaine Chandon, Tra Vigne, Wappo in Calistoga and Bistro Jeanty in Yountville. This spring we will try Ad Hoc, Cindy's, Redd & Cyrus in Healdsburg. ***kim***

elnap29

I;m opposed to any place that serves with an attitude, and that includes Tra Vigne.
I still recommend
Bistro Don Giovanni
Press
LaToque
Redd
Terra
(or Pearl)

TJinSOMA

Big fan of Napa and actually purchasing a house in Yountville (big restaurant locale). Personal thoughts:

Terra - romantic and great food in St. Helena. Spent two New Years eve's there recently and love it. The sea bass is unbelievable. Rec #1.

Bistro don Giovanni - nice Italian and very popular with the locals. More casual than Terra.

Bouchon - overrated.

Bistro Jeanty - Great French bistro (French onion soup and other traditional dishes).

Tra Vigne - mediocre

In case you're up there for lunch, Redd has a great outdoor patio.

Auberge and others are very nice but there are great restaurants in Napa so I would get out of the hotel.

TJinSOMA

PS - Cyrus is great and fancy (a less expensive French Laundry) but Healdsburg is a big schlep from Napa.

Swannee

Thank you everybody!

That is really an embarrassment of riches. We will have to come more often.

Now we have to decide and see if there is space when we want to go.

cheers