samgiovese

I have known the Mariani (dried fruit) family for 50 years. Mark and Andy are not brothers, and I don't think they are even related. Mark comes from the Paul A. Mariani family of Cupertino. He has 4 brothers (Paul III, John, David and Rick), and 2 sisters (Linda and a younger sister whose name escapes me). Andy could be a cousin, but his line, Joseph Mariani and descendants, are unknown to me. Hope this helps.

Hi, DVS: This is dated, but it's a link to my review when we went in April 2005...the first (and currently) last time. I'll be anxious to hear your thoughts on your meal, and if you're impressed, perhaps we'll "give it a go" again! Link

I started watching last year, and was totally into it with Guy and Reggie as the finalists. This year was, I think we all agree, a train wreck. I thought JAG had the most promise from the very start, but even if he hadn't self-imploded, I don't think he'd have won. His stint with RaeRay just illustrated how manic he can be. Granted, he only had 5 minutes, but I sure couldn't watch an entire half hour of that. It's too bad, too, as I thought he had the most in talent and experience. So now...Amy or Rory. Hmmm...would you like strychnine or arsenic? Neither is my favorite. I really got turned off with Amy's hystrionics in week 5, but when she came out on top in week 6, all was roses & lollipops. I don't know that she has the stability or long-term appeal to make it. And, cruely, if she does get chosen, she'll have to have MAJOR orthodontia before she can be a "Food Network Star". That brings us to Rory. Despite her decidedly equine appearance, she's grown on me. Sure, she's brash and rough around the edges, but I think she has a lot of promise. I find myself asking, "Of the two finalists, who could I watch for a half hour for 13 weeks?" The answer comes up "Rory". Bobby said she totally upstaged RaeRay in her demo, but isn't that what they want? Someone who isn't timid in front of the camera (Paul) and basically says, "Honey, I'm cooking, and I only have 5 minutes...get the heck out of my way!" We'll all find out next week, n'est pas?

Agreed...but she's looking for something within 1/2 hour of Sonoma Mission Inn. Healdsburg is a bit more of a drive.

We also like The Wolf House in Glen Ellen, which is just a short drive away. Also, a little further up Hwy 12 in Kenwood is The Kenwood Restaurant. I haven't eaten there in several years, but when I did, it was quite good.

WOW!!! Big itinerary...BIG STATE!!!!!!! The way I read it, you are flying in on a Saturday, and leaving the next (a week) Monday. Lots of territory...so little time!! I can address a couple of areas, and I'm sure other members will fill in the blanks. If you are driving up Hwy 1 from Paso Robles to Monterey, I'd recommend lunch (if the timing works) at Ventana Inn, just south of Big Sur. Most of the wineries in the Monterey area are in Carmel Valley, which is an easy drive as you come up from Big Sur. You've made a WONDERFUL choice with Manresa...it should be the crowning meal of your trip. With only one night to devote to both Napa & Sonoma, I'd find myself hard pressed to even begin to make any recs.. Ad Hoc is in Yountville (8 miles north of Napa...8 miles south of St. Helena), and if that is your agreed-upon destination, make sure you make your res ahead of time. If you're doing a day trip from The City, you could visit a few wineries in the Napa Valley (Silverado Trail would be preferred), and then have dinner. You have to realize you're trying to cram in about 2 months (minimum) of activities in somewhere at or under 10 days. I'm not an expert, but I do split my time between the Napa Valley and the Santa Clara Valley (home of Manresa), so if I can be of any further help, please PM me. ETA: If you are in Carmel overnight, I'd recommend Bouchee for dinner. If you want to drive into Carmel Valley, you can't beat Marinus at Bernardus Lodge!!

In my opinion the only truly decent food on I-5 between Gorman and Los Banos is Harris ranch in Coalinga.

I forgot one of our favorite casual places. Fume Bistro on the north end of Napa right on Hwy 29 is consistently good. Enjoy!

Don't you like their kobe burgers?

Here are some recs for Yountville and environs, going south in Napa to north in St. Helena: 1) Pilar 2) Celadon 3) Bistro Don Giovanni. Be warned...it can be VERY loud and VERY touristy, but the food is quite good. Maybe a lunch? In Yountville You've already covered Redd, Ad Hoc and Bistro Jeanty (all of which are recommended), so here are a few more: 4) Bouchon 5) Napa Valley Grille North of Yountville: 6) Mustards Grill 7) Auberge Du Soleil. If you don't want to do the fine dining scene here, the bar has a great menu and a KILLER view of the valley! 8) Tra Vigne. If you'd asked me 6 months ago, I would not have recommended this, as it was changing chefs nearly every other week. We have recently had three VERY good meals there, so I'd suggest giving it a try. 9) Cook in St. Helena. Very small (no website), mostly locals place on the Main St. in a converted drug store, complete with the old counter and seats! Great food from Chef Jude Wilmoth. 10) Martini House. (even if you don't dine there, check out the basement bar!) 11) Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen 12) Go Fish. This, Cindy's Backstreet and Mustards are all owned and operated by Chef Cindy Pawlcyn. 13) Terra. I have not eaten there since Hiro and Lissa opened Ame in the City. I have heard the quality might have slipped a bit, but I can't say from personal experience. There are a few places further north in Calistoga, the most notable of which is Brannan's Grill. There isn't too much else worth going to in Calistoga right now, IMHO.

RJ, can you give me the links to the Redd and Cyrus threads? I have been fortunate to have dined at French Laundry twice in past years. Fabulous experiences. ← Redd iswww.reddnapavalley.com and Cyrus is www.cyrusrestaurant.com. (Sorry to jump in, Russell).

Did the spa construction out front bother you?

Devlin: Check out this site. Click on either Sonoma or Napa, and then "Lodging". It's probably the most comprehensive directory I've seen. In Sonoma County, look for something in Sonoma or Glen Ellen. In Napa, your best rates will be in Napa itself, but also look in Calistoga, St. Helena and Rutherford just to compare. I also agree with Carrie and DVS that Sausilito, San Rafael, Petaluma and Point Reyes are all too far away. If you're looking at a map, it can seem very deceptive, but many of these places are very rural with narrow 2 lane roads offering the only access. And then, there's the famous Bay Area traffic to contend with. If you are interested in any of the properties on the STERBA site, let us know, and I'm sure someone will offer an opinion.

I am assuming that when you mention "California Wine Country", you're referring to the Napa/Sonoma area. There are also burgeoning wine areas in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara in the middle and southern part of the state, but those probably would require more than one trip. A good starting point is here. This site gives you an overview of the layout of Napa Valley. Sonoma County is directly adjacent to the west, and the valleys are close enough to each other to use one as a base and do day trips to visit the other. Carrie is right on (as always) about the times to visit. Each season has its distinct beauty there, with our favorites being fall and late winter/early spring. I think if I were to pick an ideal time, it would be between the last week of October and the first week of November. Beautiful colors, just a hint of crispness in the air, inns, tasting rooms and restaurants all uncrowded, and locals taking a deep breath after the harvest. We liked visiting so much that we bought a place in the Napa Valley in 2003, but prior to that, we stayed in several of the properties up & down the valley. If you can indicate your price point and what amenities you are looking for, I can make some recommendations for you. Please post any other questions you have, and I know you'll get some great answers.

We've purchased pastries twice this week from Bouchon Bakery, and they have been, without a doubt, some of THE WORST pastries we have ever eaten. First we had a Pain Raisin and Chocolate Almond Croissant that were both so either old or over-baked, that they disintegrated when put to the knife. This morning, we had 2 usually delicious chocolate doughnuts that tasted like hockey pucks. They were greasy, overcooked, and dry. I would have thought they were baked sometime yesterday instead of this morning. A banana nut muffin & bear claw were equally old-tasting. Does anyone know what is going on here?!?!? Their pastries have always been wonderful, and we cannot figure out what is going on. Anyone else have a similar experience? Please share your thoughts.

It's actually the Model Bakery on Main St, but I'm sure you'll find it. Sunshine Market in St. Helena has a great deli section with wonderful sandwiches & salads...all reasonable. And, there's always Taylor's Refresher.

Not to beat a dead horse, but I know the staff at Manresa quite well. Please call 2 weeks prior to your res and ask to speak with Michael Kean (GM) and inform him of your dietary requests. David does such wonderful things with vegetables and seafood, fitting your wife's restrictions will not be a problem. Also, they plant the garden so that they have fresh produce pretty much year-round. I think you'll be VERY pleased!

Interesting article...in the LA Times, of all places (thanks, Liz!) Hope the Bay Area rags come to the party tomorrow! http://tinyurl.com/2xh6vx

From Paul Franson's "NapaLife" weekly newsletter: "Bistro Zare is throwing a party for Persian New Year. Chef Hoss Zare is throwing a Persian New Year Party on Saturday, March 24 (The new year is actually March 21, the Spring equinox, but it's on a Wednesday, not a good night to party for most people). The a la carte menu will be totally Persian, and a Persian band will play from 6 to 9:30 p.m., too. A DJ takes over from 10 to 1:30 and Hoss will even have a hooka outside. Persian food is one of the great treasures of the culinary world, undiscovered partly due to politics. It's also typically wine friendly."

Here is the Saturday menu, for interested parties.

Peju Province on Hwy 29 between Oakville and Rutherford does food & wine pairings. Also, Swanson Vineyards (website under construction) in Rutherford has a nice sit-down tasting with some cheeses and such. Probably the best one I've had wasn't in the Napa Valley, but over in Healdsburg at J Wiines. Chef Mark Caldwell does a superb job on pairing really creative food with their still and sparkling wines. Also, the salon at Domaine Chandon in Yountville offers appetizers and other goodies with their tastings (for a fee, of course!)

Sounds like a great trip. If you see this before you leave, I think you have some logistics problems on Sat. Market is in St. Helena, a "fur piece" from Sonoma. Silver Oak has 2 wineries: one in Napa Valley off Oakville Cross, and another in Sonoma County on Canyon Road in Geyserville, almost to Cloverdale. Neither of those is REMOTELY close to Ledson, which is between Santa Rosa & Kenwood. Check your map, please!

Schug Winery is also known for their Pinot. If you're in that area, also try Gloria Ferrer. They're known for sparkling, but also do a nice Pinot. Edited to add: I forgot one of my favorites down in Carneros...Ceja Vineyards makes a SUPERB Pinot. Make sure if you go to Ceja to meet Amelia...she's QUITE a dynamic person!!

Be aware that Coppola (now Rubicon Estate) now charges $25.00 per person just to get in the place. I believe this also includes a tasting of 5 wines. More on the website here.

If you're looking for Zins, don't miss the Dry Creek Valley just west of Healdsburg. Small wineries and GREAT wines!!