Message: We will be staying in Rutherford and would like some help on a few nice restaurants in the Napa area. Looking for nice kind of formal dinner suggestions as well as lunch and breakfast. Thanks !!


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Dinner suggestions:
French Laundry if you can get in. Brix is one of my personal favorites. You really can't go wrong in the Napa area. Enjoy!

I like Tra Vigne just outside St. Helena and Bistro Jeanty in Yountville. Former is trendy Italian/Mediterranean/Californian and latter is authentic
french bistro, even serves cassoulet. You might also try Pinot Blanc, classy country French with outdoor dining as well as very proper looking indoor. Or try Bistro Don Giovanni, large, open Italian again with nice outdoor. Napa is a fabulous place to eat.

If you are staying in Rutherford, don't pass up La Toque which has been rated on of the top 20 restaurants in the US. In my opinion, it is in the same class as the French Laundry, but with less hustle & bustle. The Rutherford Grill is great for lunch & dinner, but does not take reservations.

For an upscale lunch, Domaine Chandon dining room. For a silly outdoor Mexican with great huevos rancheros, the Red Hen Cantina--near Yountville--you can see the hen from the road! I also like Bistro Jeanty, Tra Vigne, and still like Mustard's very much despite noise, it's kind of an institution.

Also in Yountville, the Napa Grille, Bouchon's (oyster bar!), Livefire, Pacific Blues Cafe.
Another thumbs up for the Rutherford Grille.

You may want to go up the road a piece and try the Martini House in St Helena.
Ate there in November. Excellent.
Kal

Breakfast & lunch--
Gillwoods in St. Helena on main street and in Napa it is in the downtown mall (very small mall) and happens to be adjacent to the Visitors center.
Rutherford Grille has the best garlic mashed potatoes I have ever tasted!!!
Enjoy!!!