samgiovese

Peter: Smart move...just be sure to allow yourself enough time to get down to Los Gatos, depending on the day of the week you are going. If you'd like recommended routes and travel times, please PM me, and I will be happy to provide them. I wouldn't trust Mapquest, as oftentimes they take you on routes locals shun like the plague!

It really bothers me when someone discounts an entire group of restaurants without even a "fare thee well". John Pisto is a self-promoting, overbearing boor, per his TV personna (he may be a very nice person in real life...I don't know), but I DID have a VERY NICE, REASONABLE lunch at Abolenetti's on the wharf. I think it's a real shame to bad-mouth an entire group of restaurants with no back-up, other than you were a cook somewhere in Carmel. BTW...I hope your cooking is better than your spelling!

Here are a few links. I've used LeGrande Affaire and Cloud Nine before. Elite Limo City Limo SFO Limo LeGrande Affaire Cloud Nine Hope this helps, and hope you enjoy your visit. You will LOVE Manresa!

Limo? The problem with the Bay Area is that we have no decent public transit solutions. There is virtually NO WAY to get from San Francisco to Los Gatos via public transit. We do have BART, but it only serves San Francisco, the East Bay (Oakland) and a small part of the Penninsula. CalTrain does go from San Francisco to San Jose, but you'd still have to find a way to get from downtown San Jose out to Los Gatos. Also, if your res is on a weekend, trains are few and far between. I think I'd probably end up with indigestion worrying about getting back to the station on time, and you certaily don't want to do that while dining at Manresa. If you don't want to drive, a limo would probably be your best bet.

If you are just coming to try Manresa, then I'd suggest trying to book flights in & out of Mineta San Jose International (SJC); if you will also be going to San Francisco and other points north, SFO or OAK would be better choices. Manresa is about 20 minutes (depending on traffic) from SJC via Hwy 880 and Route 17.

***1/2 from Michael Bauer. Here is the article.

If you're considering John Ash, perhaps a better choice would be Mirepoix in Windsor or Cyrus in Healdsburg. I just read a review of John Ash on another site written by someone who really knows good food, and she was NOT impressed!

We had a nice lunch at Abolenetti on Fisherman's Wharf a few months back. It's situated near the touristy spots, but I thought the food & prices were both quite good. If you'd like an upscale meal, Fresh Cream has been around for nearly 20 years, and continues to do well. Also, Sardine Factory and Whaling Station (another John Pisto establishment) have both been around since the '70's and are quite consistent. None of this is true **** dining (closest being Fresh Cream). If you'd like a rec for that and can venture south of Monterey into Carmel and Carmel Valley, I can make some other recs. Enjoy!

We ate there for the 2nd time last week. Our opinion was that it was not as good an experience as our first. We started with the rissotto with Maine lobster, which was outstanding. My wife followed with diver scallops, and I with Liberty Farms duck breast, neither of which was remarkable, either in their quality, preparation or presentation. I have read good things on another board about their tasting menu, but have not tried it personally. The buzz around town is that the bar is the happening scene, with the restaurant being rather cold and austere. Service was good and friendly...not quite 5* quality, though.

The Inn is still in the conceptual stage. It was supposed to feature some apartments to help with the housing crunch in Yountville, but Keller's last plan eliminated that element, much to the chagrin of the city fathers (and mothers). I wouldn't plan on making reservations anytime soon. Check out the Napa Register article here. The butcher shop has been discussed conceptually, but I have not heard any definte plans. From Paul Franson: "Cucina la Carte, the deli behind Vintage 1870 in Yountville, has closed. It's rumored that Thomas Keller from the French Laundry may take over the space for a retail operation, possibly a French-style butcher shop." If you're interested in keeping up with Yountville events, there is an excellent little weekly published in town, the Yountville Sun. It's available for $50.00/year and is delivered first class mail, so you receive it very close to its publication date (every Thursday). The Sun can be reached at 707 944-5676.

My wife and I went on December 3rd. I will save a detailed review for another visit after they've been open longer, but the bottom line is that we were VERY impressed with the food and service, and will put it on our list of regulars here in Yountville. The menu has sections of small plates and dinner portions which can be ordered a la carte, and you can also have either a 5 course or 9 course chef's tasting menu (9 course is $105). We opted for an appetizer (sashimi hamachi w/ edamame served over sticky rice...WONDERFUL), and one dinner each (skate for me and butternut squash ravioli for my wife). Also VERY good. I recommend this restaurant to anyone coming to wine country. I would say it is on a par with Martini House in St. Helena. My only negative comment would be on the decor (such as it is). The room is very plain and minimalist, perhaps working better in an urban environment than up here in wine country, where most ambience goes for warm and comfortable. Other than that, however, Richard Reddington has a hit on his hands.

My wife and I dined at Pilar last night. We were early, and save for 2 other tables, we had the place to ourselves. People were staying away in droves due to the inclement weather and the fact that the restaurant sits right by the Napa River. We started with two glasses of '00 Domaine Carneros brut (very nice). We next both enjoyed the escarole salad with pears, maytag bleu cheese, pomegranate seeds and a very light vinagarette. Pears and bleu cheese are one of my favorite combinations, and the pomegranate's sweetness juxtaposed with the dressing was a really winning combination. We ordered a bottle of '03 Reverie Tempranillo, mostly because it is impossible to find unless you are on their mailing list. We have visited Reverie twice and been told of the Tempranillo, but alas, there was none to sample. We were not disappointed. It had a leathery, spicy aroma, and the spice fairly exploded when sipped after the salad. For her entree, my wife chose the roasted chicken breast on a bed of herb risotto with chantrelle mushrooms. The wine actually paired quite nicely with the earthiness of the mushrooms and the flavor of the risotto. I chose the slow-roasted roasted pork pozole with garbanzo beans. This was a wonderful, savory stew that was a perfect antidote to the nasty weather outside. It also paired exceptioinally well with the Tempranillo. I assumed this was an old family recipe from Pilar, but was corrected that it was Didier's grandmother's recipe! Who knew? We decided to forego dessert and head back up-valley while we still could. This continues to be one of the undiscovered gems of the Napa Valley. This is the type of restaurant that locals should be embracing and patronizing on a regular basis. The prices are quite reasonable, and the quality of ingredients and flavor combinations are some of the best in all of Napa Valley. I think the location may be a bit off-puttiing, but ZuZu, just a few doors down, seems to bed doing a land office business. I would hate to see Napa lose this gem of a restaurant.

Here are some wineries you might enjoy: Rutherford Hill offeres a great view of the valley, a cave tour, and decent affordable wine. For something a bit more off the beaten path, I recommend Chateau Potelle up on Mt. Veeder. For a real personal tour & tasting, try Chappellet Winery on Pritchard Hill. The cave tours at Rutherford Hill are by appointment, but you can taste without one. Chateau Potelle is also no appt. Chappellet requires one, but they are very easy to get. We went to one of the valley's newest wineries a couple of weeks ago and really enjoyed it. That would be Paraduxx on the Silverado Trail, just north of Yountville Cross. It's owned by the Duckhorn family, and is dedicated to making their proprietary Zinfandel blend.

In Carmel, you can't go wrong with either of David Fink's restaurants, the informal Bouchee or the pricier and more elegant and intimate L'Auberge Carmel. I second Carrie's Casanova rec...never been disappointed there. Also very nice, Grasing's Costal Cuisine. What sort of experience are you looking for in your vineyard visits...cave tours, off the beaten path, breathtaking views, the finest wine? If you list your interests, I and other prople here will make some recs.

My wife & I have eaten there 4 times in the last 3 months. For some reason, although we've lived part-time in Yountville since 2003, we hadn't tried Cindy's until just recently. It's interesting you mention the Stuffed Piquillo Peppers...they are our FAVORITE. That, and the rabbit tostada!!! Pretty much everything else on the menu is equally good. Hope you all enjoy it!

For the type of food you want, Cindy's is going to be a great choice. I'd also recommend Market and Cook in St. Helena, and Pilar in Napa. Redd was supposed to open this week in the Piatti space in Yountville, but I haven't heard if they did. They looked like they were a few weeks out when I went by about 10 days ago.

If you're going to be up on Mt. Veeder, I'd recommend Chateau Potelle. If you end up in the Carneros, Ceja Vineyards is not to be missed. Chateau Potelle is open regular hours; Ceja requires an appointment.

OMG!!! Charlie Brown's...I think it went out of business in the late '70's or early '80's!!! We used to go there when we were first married...had a friend whose band performed there, but, like I said, late '70's or early '80's!

Bruce is right. We want to try it, but it means staying overnight in Healdsburg, because it's too far to come back to Yountville, especially after a big meal with a few glasses of wine. Sorry I didn't respond sooner, but I thought SOMEONE on this board had tried it and would answer you.

Another "two thumbs up" for PJ Steak! I thought his original concept a bit muddled, but the chef definitely has found a winning niche here! Excellent, well-written post, Barman Paolo! On another note, Mer Lot & I had an absolutely ABYSMAL steak frite at Bouchon last week. The usually dependable dish came smothered with shallots which, when removed, revealed an absolutely flavorless piece of meat. The fries tasted as though they'd been prepared using the old doughnut oil from the adjacent bakery. Everyone raves about Bouchon but, in truth, I can recall only one truly memorable meal there in the last three years of trying it.

Heard some good things about Stomp (in the old Catahoula space in the Mt. View Hotel) just last week from a St. Helena resident who works at a Calistoga winery. It's on our list to try next time we're up.

For wineries near Yountville, I can recommend Cliff Lede , Robert Sinskey, Trefethen, Laird Family, Domaine Chandon (mainly sparkling, but they do have Chardonnay & Pinot Noir still wines). Also, Jessup Cellars has a tasting room on Washington St. across from PJ Steak (formerly Pere Jeanty). You could also go into Wine Garden restaurant at the south end of town and do tastings of the Nord family's grapes.

If you'll have transportation, try Bouchee or the restaurant at L'Auberge Carmel, both in Carmel

We've eaten at Marinus several times, and never been disappointed. Cal Stamenov does a fantastic job in the kitchen, their wine list is outstanding, service is gracious and understated, and the room and setting are beautiful. We spent our last wedding anniversary at Bernardus, and Marinus was our special anniversary dinner. From what I've heard, the only thing in the Carmel area in the same league is David Fink's L'Auberge Carmel. We've had Manske's food at Bouchee, but have yet to try the dining room at L'Auberge. Cal is also Executive Chef at The Covey at Quail Lodge...has anyone been there, and if so, how does it compare to Marinus?

I'll stick my $.02 in. My wife & I live part-time in Yountville, and have been visiting both valleys on a regular basis for the last 15 years. I agree with everyone here about the character of the two valleys, but due to your time constraints, I think you're better off staying over on the Napa side this trip. If I were you, I'd start by heading north on the Silverado Trail right where it goes up-valley at Trancas in Napa. Most tasting rooms open between 10:00 & 11:00. If you're driving up from San Francisco, give yourself a good hour to reach this starting point. Click here for a link to the Silverado Trail Wineries Association. You can follow the Trail all the way up to Calistoga, stopping at your choice of over 35 wineries. That should put you in Calistoga around lunch time, and I'd recommend sandwiches at Palisades Market. Chateau Montelena is a short 5 -7 minute drive north of Calistoga on Tubbs Lane. Getting on 29 after Chateau Montelena, you'll be heading south towards St. Helena, Rutherford, Oakville and Yountville. Just south of Calistoga, you'll find Sterling and the cable car on Dunaweal Lane. As the afternoon progresses and you continue south, you'll see why I suggested doing the valley in this fashion, as the northbound traffic should be fairly horrendous. If you have time & are still in the mood, Grgich Hills is right on 29 just south of St. Helena. You should be back in Yountville in plenty of time for your dinner at Bouchon. HTH, and have a GREAT time.