samgiovese

I agree with Liz on Glen Ellen. One spot she omitted that we've always liked is Wolf House at the Jack London Inn.

Absolutely STELLAR advice!!

If you want non-touristy wineries, I would steer away from most of annachan's suggestions (sorry, Anna!). I would go over to the Silverado Trail, which runs on the east side of Napa Valley from Napa up to Calistoga. Click this link for a map and listing of wineries. Silverado Vineyards has great views; Cuvaison has a nice picnic area; Miner Family is always fun and has excellent wine. You really can't go wrong, and you'll find it much less crowded than anything on Hwy 29. There are also some wineries on the trail that still don't charge for tasting, or only charge $5.00 instead of $10.00. The website has some coupons for complimentary tastings. As for the meal, please read my review of La Toque here. If you'd like something less pricey and formal, your idea of Bouchon is a good one. Also, Bistro Jeanty for classic French country cuisine; Redd in Yountville for a more creative, modern & up-scale experience; Mustards Grill is a perennial favorite with locals and tourists alike. If you'd like something in Napa itself, Pilar and Celadon are both very good. If you'd like other suggestions, I can make further specific recommendations, but I don't want to over-load you. Hope these help!

No, because DVS went the night before.

DVS...thanks for doing that...I was going to ask this morning when I got my breakfast. Two questions: 1) How good is it? 2) Did you get the impression that they have left-overs every day that they are willing to retail? If so, I'll try this evening.

Bouchon Bakery makes proprietary breads that are used ONLY at TFL, and not sold to the public through the bakery's retail store. I had a similar experience with a different bread the last time I dined at FL, and when I inquired at both the restaurant and the bakery, that is the answer I received. I'm going to Yountville tomorrow, so I'll bring the picture of the bread and ask at the bakery for you, but I think we already know the answer.

If you're looking for smaller, friendlier wineries, I'd recommend spending at least 1/2 of your day in Dry Creek Valley. It's a short drive from Healdsburg, but with so many wineries, it's going to be hard to choose. A couple I'd recommend are Raymond Burr Vineyards (yes...THAT Raymond Burr). They have excellent Chardonnay & Cabernet Franc, and the Perry Mason memorabilia is really fun! Nearby, you will find the funky Preston Vineyards. In addition to being a vintner, owner Lou Preston is an artisan baker, and he sells his bread right in the tasting room. If you're lucky, you might see him at work in the bakery just off the tasting room. A couple of other suggestions would be David Coffaro (very small...great zin);Ferrari-Carano (bigger venue, but the gardens and tasting room are simply stunning...you can see what Reno gambling money can do (Don Carano owns The El Dorado & Silver Legacy in Reno)), and one of our favorites...Dry Creek Winery. Right across Dry Creek Road is the Dry Creek Store...very funky looking, but serving terrific fresh sandwiches. Hope these recs help...have a GREAT time!

I'd go easy on my tasting, and definitely try Cyrus at the Les Mars Hotel in Healdsburg. It's probably THE hottest wine country dining destination going! And, you CAN take it easy when you taste...that's what the "spit bucket" is for!

Lavanda on University Ave. is nice, casual and inexpensive. For something a bit more upscale, try Marche just up the road in Menlo Park.

Gee, Doc...it's only about 4 city blocks, if that. Maybe you were suffering from your previous gastronmic extravaganzas? Just giving you a bad time...It is a bit of a walk from either Napa Valley Lodge or Yountville Inn (the latter being farther), but it's not more than 1/2 mile, and Yountville is REALLY quiet, with no traffic.

I have many recs for lodging: I don't know your price-point, but here's what we have in Yountville: Napa Valley Lodge; Yountville Inn; Villagio Inn & Spa; Vintage Inn; Maison Fleurie; Lavender; Petite Logis; and Burgundy House. All these are walking distance from TFL, and if you can afford the freight, highly recommended to avoid a greeting from the friendly CHP on your way home after your feast.

I don't know how familiar you are with this area, but just to give you some idea, Manresa and TFL are around 100 miles apart, with the only ways there going through some of the most congested parts of the Bay Area. Palo Alto to Manresa is an easy drive and, depending on the day, should take you about 1/2 hour - 45 minutes. I am assuming you're staying there on days 1 & 2, and then perhaps San Francisco? Are you staying near Yountville on Day 4? If you could provide a bit more info, it would help us guide you.

I have eaten at Bouchee, but not at L'Auberge. Bouchee is more informal, and if you aren't into the tasting menu and ultra gourmet scene, would probably be the better choice. We eat at Manresa quite often, and if that type of cuisine is too cutting edge for your tastes, then Bouchee would definitely be the better choice. One word of warning: the tables at Bouchee are VERY close together, and if you are going on a weekend and looking for an intimate, romantic dinner, you might be disappointed. Gene Burns of KGO radio's Dining Around just had a rave review of both L'Auberge and Manresa on his show yesterday. I really don't think you could go wrong with either place. BTW, did you consider Marinus at Bernardus Lodge in Carmel Valley? It is EXCELLENT! (and VERY quiet and ROMANTIC!!!)

an inexpensive family one ← Or anything REMOTELY ethnic (besides the local taco joint...) Chinese? Japanese? Lebanese? Algerian? Turkish? Moroccan? etc... ← Do you guys REALLY think Keller would do ethnic? (not counting French, of course!) ← there have been whisperings of sushi ← There's a new sushi place opening up in St. Helena, on Main where the Thai place used to be (apparently 1/2 of the space is already open and called Wine Valley Cafe with the old Green Valley chef cooking). Do you think the valley can support 2 sushi places? Keller would probably have to make his VERY up-scale to get people in. Since you're in the biz, I'd like to hear your opinion.

an inexpensive family one ← Or anything REMOTELY ethnic (besides the local taco joint...) Chinese? Japanese? Lebanese? Algerian? Turkish? Moroccan? etc... ← Do you guys REALLY think Keller would do ethnic? (not counting French, of course!)

Per yesterday's Yountville Sun , the Wine Garden, formerly owned by the Nord Family and recently closed, has been sold to Thomas Keller and his partners. Details are VERY sketchy as of yet, but Keller promises a "new restaurant...something we don't already have in Yountville". As to timing, he reports, "I don't think you'll see anything this year." The other buildings and property on the large parcel will be used as office space and storage to support the restaurant.

Just for the sake of accuracy...Andy's has moved. Check it out here.

If you'd like something a little quieter and different, I'd recommend the Wolf House in Glen Ellen. It's not far from where you're staying, and we've always had terrific lunches there. If you have your hearts set on dining in the Square, then Carrie's advice can't be beat.

No, you do not. Manresa features their tasting menu, and it is available whenever they are serving. The allergy issue can be addressed when you order, although if you'd be more comfortable, you could certainly phone. Phone the restaurant and ask for either General Manager Michael Keane or Dining Room Manager Esteban Garabay. Explain the situation and give them your credit card number over the phone. If you feel comfortable, have them add in the gratuity as well (suggested minimum - 15%...20% or more probably more appropriate with this fine of a restaurant). You then can discreetly settle up either on your way out, or, as was suggested, on a bathroom break. Hope you REALLY enjoy yourselves. BTW...if you all do tasting menu and pair wines, be prepared for a bill around $1000.00 +/-

Perhaps it was an off night, but the last time I had the Steak Fritte at Bouchon, I could not eat it. It came SMOTHERED in onions. Now, I do like a fair amount, but this was ridiculous! Once scraped off, the meat was utterly without flavor. I know it's not the best cut, but this was inexcusable. To answer your question, when I read your post, I was going to reply by asking if you'd tried Left Bank. It's a heck of alot closer, and, what I've had there was quite good. Bouchon's fries are probably better, though. Next time you're in Yountville, try Bistro Jeanty's version. I think its better, and the fries are probably the best in the valley. Also, there are some interesting true country French dishes there that are signatures (Coq Au Vin, Daube Du Boeuf, Cassoulet, Steak Tartare). We never miss eating there when we go to Yountville. Our favorite thing is to sit at the bar and meet new people...and the 2 regular bartenders (Bob & Kate) are SUPER people!

Redd in Yountville and Auberge du Soleil in Rutherford are also quite good.

From Amanda Berne's "Inside Scoop" column in the Chronicle today: "Another Bay Area visionary, Thomas Keller, keeps upping his own busy schedule. In addition to running the French Laundry, Bouchon and Bouchon Bakery in Yountville and Per Se in New York, Keller plans to open a butcher shop and is starting a new catering company. The butcher shop, called Bouchon Boucherie, is set to open next winter across the street from the bakery in Yountville, in the Vintage 1870 complex (6525 Washington St.). The new butchery makes perfect sense. Chefs at Keller's restaurants already butcher their own meat; the new venue will centralize the production, and will also serve as a retail outlet, so that the public can buy many of the same meats that Keller uses at French Laundry and Bouchon. "Don't expect 99-cent ground chuck here," says Keller. The store will also carry artisanally made charcuturie, but Keller is still determining who the purveyors of those products will be. The shop will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Keller's other project will be called Bouchon Private Dining, and is a collaboration with Vintage Inn and Villagio Inn & Spa, both also in Yountville. A new outdoor event space, accommodating up to 600 people, will be built in a garden between the two hotels for the venture. Keller calls it a private dining business -- catering sounds too industrial, he says -- but it's not like you'll be able to call up and ask, "Can you send ol' Thomas over to cook a 10-course tasting menu?" "It's not French Laundry-esque at all," says Keller. The food will be more in the French country/bistro style, with Bouchon chef Jeff Cerciello as chef. Cerciello will also remain executive chef at Bouchon. "

Good New York Style pizza can he found at Cicero's, in the Safeway center, corner of Bolliinger and Miller. We like Mexico Lindo for Mexican. It's on Foxworthy at Plummer in the Cambrian/Willow Glen area. Cafe Torre in Cupertino sees us at least once a week for pasta. They also have nice fresh fish specials. Fontana's Italian, also in Cupertino, is another old favorite. By the Bucket on Stevens Creek in Santa Clara for family-style Italian; also any of the Frankie, Johnnie & Luigi's (or Giorgio's in San Jose) for good family Italian and pizza. Golden Wok will deliver chinese...it's not gourmet, but if you get stuck and want chinese delivered, it's pretty good...plus, it's the only game in town for delivery. There's also a service called Waiters on Wheels that will P/U at local restaurants and deliver. We order Golden Wok thru their website. Hope these help, and welcome! Edited to change "Wolfe" to "Miller" in the Cicero's Pizza rec.

We had a salmon dish that was quite good. No starters or dessert, as we had had a fairly large lunch at Auberge du Soleil. I've had their kobe burger during the street festival (Taste of Yountville, coming up March 25 this year) and it's quite excellent. We also like their lunches...be it a meat & cheese platter, salad with grilled chicken, grilled chicken sandwich, or the kobe burger. They also feature flights of wines (3 small pours of the same varietal) for a reasonable price. You can then pick your favorite and order a full glass if you want. All in all, it's our "go to" place when everything else is crowded, or we don't feel like driving up to St. Helena or down to Napa.

I don't know if they're part of the chain anymore or not. Thad Lyman and his wife, Katie Doherty are listed as Co-Proprietors. I know the food is defineitly better than when it was part of the California Cafe group. Thad & Katie are Napa locals, and always participate in Yountville town happenings. We ate there last Tuesday night, and thought it was quite good...not a destination restaurant, but nice ambience and decent food.