8 of us going to Napa for parents 50th Wedding Anniversary end of June. Wanted to take them somewhere nice for dinner. Thinking about French Laundry but have heard about some problems. Need to have excellent service. Not too worried about the cost as long as it is good. Any other suggestions? Thanks

Hurley's in Yountville is wonderful.
Electic menu, reasonable prices (for the valley)great service...be sure to get reservations...

Ditto on Hurley's. We were there for Thanksgiving about a week after it opened and had a great time.
Good food, service and great wine list.
Very unique calamari appetizer too.

Can't wait to sit out on the porch after a long bike ride in the summer.

Napa Valley Grille is also a nice place.
Really can't go wrong w/ Bouchon's or Bistro Jeanty. And the chain Piatti's, also in Yountville, is pretty good.

Our fave special occassion restaurant is up in St Helena...The Martini House.
$$$ but well worth it.
Kal

We really enjoyed our time at Tra Vigne. The restaurant is inviting and has good food. There's an appealing cantina that's adjacent, with tables on the brick terrace in between the cantina and the restaurant. We had drinks before dinner on the terrace, then dinner inside, and had dessert and coffee back out on the terrace.

These posts make me hungry! All good restaurants-one caveat to Bouchon IME is that it is really LOUD in that you may find yourself yelling to converse. Too an already good list I will put a vote in for Terra in St. Helena. Bon appetit!

what are the problem at French Laundry?

I had lunch at domaine chandom once. I really liked the food, the service and the outside setting.


Celine

If you can't get a reservation at the French Laundry, I would strongly recommend that you consider Domaine Chandon. A very lovely restaurant perfect for an occasion like a 50th wedding anniversary.

I wouldn't recommend French Laundry for this event, not unless everyone in the party is a foodie and loves the fuss of a temple of cuisine.

I love the idea of Domaine Chandon. This restaurant might be perfect for your event. The food there is very nice and well prepared.

Sparkling wine is perfect for such a dinner and they can do a different sparkling wine for each course.

I read a review of the French Laundry about it being hot and them not wanting to turn on the a/c. We are going at end of June and I think for $175.00 per person for dinner I would not want to put up with being uncomfortable. Everything should be perfect. Another thing. French Laundry does take reservations up to a year in advance for parties of 8-12 because they only have one table that will accommodate that many. I did get reservations for one night. I hope it doesn't turn out to be a mistake.

Mustards in Yountville is very nice, too.

In the several times that I have eaten at the French Laundry, I don't ever remember the temperature of the room as being uncomfortable. In addition, the food is outstanding and the service is impeccable. That being said, I wouldn't recommend it for a 50th anniversary party for your parents. At the French Laundry, the food is the "event," and I would think you would want to be focusing on your parents. While several of the other restaurants mentioned above have very good food, most are quite noisy and a bit crowded. The one exception is Domaine Chandon. I would heartily second the other recommendations that you make your reservations there.

You might check out Terra. This is in St Helena and can handle of party of 8 with ease and not sacrifice the feeling of a fine dinner. I held a large party there several years ago and thought it was great. My in laws live in Napa and we have gone to Terra often over the years for special occassions with our extended family of 8. It is somewhat california-asian fusion. Entrees are in the $20 range. I haven't eaten at Domaine Chandon in years but agree the location could be great. See what other folks have to say about Terra. I haven't been yet but folks seem also to have great things to say about The Martini House. I am pretty sure they have a website.

PamSF, Another Martini House fan here.

I call it a "BMW" restaurant.
"Bring My Wallet".

But we've always got what we paid for there. Great service. Excellent wine list. We love the "cellar bar" there too.
Can't wait for it to warm up so we can ride bikes up there and have lunch on the patio.
Or a mahi/ahi burger at Taylor's Referesher?

BTW...got the "wine-os" thread started on "other topics".
Kal

For a 50th wedding anniversary, another vote for Domaine Chandon. Don't know about Terra. I do enjoy the food and service at Martini House but don't think it would have the intimate party ambiance for such an occasion. Good luck.