Will be in Napa biginning of October, any recommendations on restaurants? Couldnt get reservations at French Laundry (maybe my wallet is happy about that!!) What about La Toque as an alternative? Will take any and all advice, from cheap lunches to fancy dinners, will be there for 3 nights!! Thanks

Thoms Keller's other restaurant in Yountville is Bouchon - very good and I don't think they have a 6 month wait for dinner. Brix, Mustards. All are in or around Yountville. Try Oakville Grocery Store in Oakville, small little deli with great food, most people get lunch there and take a picnic to one of the wineries. In St. Helena TreVigne, and the Culinary Academy serves meals too. (I don't think your wallet will be happy in many of these places). The Rutherford Grill in Rutherford is not expensive. All of these places are a short 15 min. drive apart. Don't know about La Toque. Domain Chandon in Yountville is also good. So many choices! Be sure to make reservations ahead.

We just returned from Napa a week ago. Here's where we ate: lunch at Bouchon (very expensive, but also very good...), Rutherford Grille (enjoyed the ribs there!), bought picnic lunch goodies at V. Sattui & ate in at a nice picnic spot @Clos Pegasi winery. We had dinners at Pino Blanc (very nice, it was part of a package at the Harvest Inn), Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen (the appetizers were good, but we weren't that impressed with dinner) and the Martini House (lovely place, my husband enjoyed it, unfortunately, I wasn't feeling well - I'm still mad about that!!). So many places to eat, so little time (& money!!). You'll enjoy it, we can't wait to go back..

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Try Bistro Jeanty in Yountville. The cassoulet for lunch is especially good.

We loved the Bistro Jeanty. The meal was superb, the wait staff excellent, the ambience was all one could wish for and NOT over the top, and the price reasonable.

ttt

Our dinner at Bistro Jeanty last May was a major disappointment compared with previous visits. I hope it was just an off night, but I had the sense that Jeanty isn't paying enough attention to this restaurant after opening two others.

We enjoyed TreVigne--it has a lovely outdoor dining area. Also, Bouchon. We had reservations there, but they had a kitchen fire that temporarily closed the restaurant (darn!) so we went and had pastries in their bakery for breakfast instead. I've heard we missed out on a great dinner there. Next time....

Whatever you do, don't miss the CIA (culinary institute of America). The building is beautiful and the food is truly incredible. Our Napa experiences would not have been complete without it!

We also liked the CIA very much, but I saw a post recently that panned the place--especially for over-salted food.

In Yountville, don't forget about Hurley's. Since it's Oct, you may still be able to sit outside.
Ditto Napa Valley Grille.
Wine Garden Cafe also in Yville was good.

Cheap b'fast's/lunches at Pacific Blue Cafe, Gordon's, Cuncina...even the chain Compadres is good in Yville.

I heard a rumor T.Keller may be building a small "FrLaundry Hotel" right across the street.

Great ideas!! So I have 2 of three nights reserved, La Toque and Celadon. I'm thinking for the 3rd night something with a real NAPA Flair but not terribly overpriced, maybe $150 for two? Thanks!

I just gotta know, as a local, what you are imagining as "NAPA flair"...

R5

Zuzu would do. Get the best of Napa's tapas. And the price is nice.

well Napa Flair would be...light, fresh, complicated sort of like a nice wine? I suppose If i knew what it was I wouldnt need to go there!

I could tell you if you wanted MIAMI flair, i would send you to the best cuban restaurant Ive ever been to!! Thanks!

We enjoyed a very nice dinner last night at Bistro Jeanty. Everyone in our party was highly satisfied with their meals so I am sure the cooking is back on the right track. Three of us had the pork chop, one the sole, and the fifth person had coq au vin. The creme brulee desserts were very nice.

We've been to Bistro Jeanty several times for lunch. It's very nice! ***kim***