My husband and I are going to Napa Valley for our anniversary at the end of August. We would like to treat ourselves to a luxury retreat but aren't sure where to stay. Also, we live downtown Chicago and love the trendy dining spots. Terra, Bistro Jeanty and Bouchon seem to keep popping up in posts. Any thoughts on those or other dining ideas appreciated.
Thanks
Ljd05

I replied to your other message. But, if you do stay in the Napa Valley, consider La Toque restaurant in Rutherford. Many locals feel this is the best restaurant that hasn't been discovered although the Wine Specator ranked it one of the top 20 restaurants in the US a few years ago.

Bistro Jeanty is wonderful, especially if you're a fan of French bistro food. The owner was the original chef at Domaine Chandon back in the days when the restaurant scene in the Napa Valley was just getting started.

The French Laundry has re-opened, but getting a table is nearly impossible. Bouchon is under the same ownership, however.

I would not recommend Bouchon for a romantic anniversary meal. The food is fine, it's very French bistro, but the tables are really packed in so you don't have much room or privacy. It also gets quite noisy. I'd recommend it for lunch, perhaps (I did like the steak frites and we had a fantastic cabernet -- Stonestreet 2000 -- by the glass), but go elsewhere for dinner.

Greetings! I happen to be surfing the site and saw your inquriy. I work for Calistoga Ranch, Auberge Resorts. We are a hi-end resort sister property to the Auberge du Soleil. Please let me know if you are interested in finding out more about Calistoga Ranch. Many thanks! Cheers!

Pjshebs-My husband is running in the Napa Valley Marathon and we are looking for a place to stay 3/4-3/10 with our four year old and his babysitter-Is the Calistoga Ranch a good place for us?

I was very fortunate to be a guest at Meadowwood this summer and am in love with this resort. We had an entire cottage to ourselves and it was tempting to stay on the resort grounds the entire time. I have stayed at Auberge and Silverado and would pick Meadowwood over both of those. However, I was not paying, so my trip is probably tainted by the fact that I never saw a bill.

I agree with the previous poster, if you are looking for a luxury retreat in the Napa Valley, you can't go wrong at Meadowwood. Gorgeous place to stay with all the amenities. While all of the restaurants you mentioned (Terra, Bistro Jeanty and Bouchon) serve excellent food, none are very romantic. For good food in a romantic setting, try Domaine Chandon.

I forgot to add that for trendy restaurants, you might try Martini House in St. Helena or Cafe Le Haye in Sonoma.

We had a great aniversary dinner at Brix on Hwy 29 - it was/is a bit of a California Fusion Bistro - We really enjoyed it.

I would suggest staying nearby in Yountville based on your description of the places you like - check out Villagio or Yountville Inn - I like to use nappavalley.com for my research on hotels!

I think you might want to read this article from my local paper about Calistoga Ranch:
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cg...EG196Q1F11.DTL
and do a search in the search box there was someone who stayed there at the end of June and reported a mixed bag,
R5

I was recently a guest at Calistoga Ranch. I have many good things to say...beautiful, serene, interestingly designed, great food and ambiance, and undoubtedly - 5 star - quality service.
On the down side. Still much construction noise, and the supply road was full of loud trucks that I was told shouldn't have been there til much later in the morning than they were. Also, in the "I'm well-off and grateful" column. The people who absolutely make this place run are the bellmen - yes, you heard me, the bellmen. Riding guests all over the extensive property, providing directions, assistance, and much needed levity and a smile after a long trip...all in a heavy downpour. All of the people I had ealings with at Calistoga Ranch were pleasant and professional, but none work harder than this crew of guys. Now, what was truly embarrassing to me was the fact that I was told by one of the wait staff that these hard workers make minimum wage - at a resort where the rooms cost $625 a night. What IS the management thinking? I stopped and watched them interact with many guests...receiving a DOLLAR tip for carrying heavy bags quite a distance through the rain. People! This is 2004! Gas costs 2.50 a gallon. Show some appreciation!

We did not like Terra. But really enjoyed Martini House. I highly recommend it.

A big yes to Bistro Jeanty. The Yountville Inn is very nice, we've stayed there a couple of times while touring Napa Valley. We also enjoy Domaine Chandon, located right across the way from the Yountville Inn.

Cafe La Haye is very nice in Sonoma, a very small place that produces some excellent food. The pot roast was very good and the desserts are excellent. We also really enjoyed the Dry Creek Kitchen in Healdsburg if you like trendy, swanky dining, you'll love DCK! Located at the Hotel Healdsburg. www.hotelhealdsburg.com

I haven't been to Martini House yet, but really enjoyed Terra when we had a birthday dinner there. Also, trendy and fun is Tra Vigne in St. Helena.

I just saw this post was from 6/22, ljd05, where did you end up staying and dining? ***kim***

We had a great wedding/honeymoon at the Siver Rose Winery/Inn in Calistoga - Would definitely recommend it !! Can't wait to go back again. French Laundry was great also - but very, very pricey - we should have brought our own wine and paid the corkage fee of $50 - the wine list prices, for being in wine country, was crazy !!! Back to the Silver Rose - it's a quaint Inn/B&B and the spa was wonderful - we had the his & hers massages. Look it up on the web.
Enjoy !! I'm jealous.

This is too late for your trip but just wanted to let you know (for your next visit) to try Meadowwood. I recently moved here from Chicago and have been exploring wineries, restaurants and searching for a wedding site for my daughter. We just had a wonderful meal at Meadowwood. We travel a great deal to Europe, especially Italy and France. The food at Bouchon was so expensive and not anything out of the ordinary. The potions so small we left hungery. French Laundry was highly overrated. Although the food was good it was an insulting price for what we had. And we have eaten at all the highest rated 3 stars in Paris. We found some of the best reaturants in the valley are the ones that are chef owned and where the namesake is actually in the kitchen cooking.