samgiovese

Lemoore is in the middle of the central valley, just south of Fresno, and is over 200 miles south of San Francisco. I wouldn't expect to find It's-Its there. You can have them FedEx'ed to your house direct from the factory. Check out the website here.

Grasings across the street from the fire house is quite good. We've eaten there twice in the lat 2 years and have been very pleased both times.

If you don't mind a bit of a drive, the Marin French Cheese Company in Petaluma has a tour, and they're open 7 days a week.

Also thought I'd mention Kurt Grasing's eponymous restaurant, Grasing's. My wife and I ate there in November, and the food was outstanding.

The food is excellent. Depending upon which night of the week you go, it can be crowded and noisy. The tables are set VERY close together, so if you're looking for an intimate, quiet dining experience, you might be disappointed. Fink's sister restaurant at L'Auberge Carmel is far more intimate. I've not eaten there, but have seen the room, and it's lovely. I understand the food is superb (same chef as Bouchee). Marinus will give you a more elegant, intimate feel than Bouchee. Forge in the Forest is nice, but nothiing special, IMHO. Hope this helps.

I'll second Melkor's Shafer rec. My wife & I just went a couple of weeks ago, and it was great. They've changed their format, and conduct sit-down tastings of all their wines, preceeded by a very informative talk about their sustainable vineyard management practices. The afternoon wound up with a visit to their caves and a tasting of their port. Another tour/tasting to consider is Far Niente. Cost is $40/person, but well worth it. They just began tours last summer/fall, and the tour is followed by a sit-down tasting with a little cheese and, in our case, quiche. If you'd like to tour a truly boutique winery, I'd recommend Staglin Family. Tours are very small and intimate, and usually conducted by the Staglin's daughter, Shannon.

Just curious...how are you in at the Laundry, since they only accept reservations 2 months to the day in advance?

Not the night we were there. There were a total of 9 savory and 2 sweet courses offered.

Ken Frank has carved out an interesting niche for himself in the Napa Valley dining scene. Although we’ve lived in Yountville on a part time basis for over two years, we hadn't gotten a chance to try La Toque until just recently. I had read some very complimentary posts here about it, and heard GraceAnn Walden of the San Francisco Chronicle say it was “better than the French Laundry”, so we were looking forward to trying the restaurant with great anticipation. Our experience was very pleasant, but I would have to put it into the “good, not great” category. This dining experience was a rarity for us, as the wines actually outshone the food. Let me begin by saying the room is lovely and intimate, with a large fireplace on one wall, and an ambiance that speaks to casual elegance. This is highlighted by the casual, washed wood open beam ceiling juxtaposed against the formal trappings of a fine, white tablecloth establishment. We arrived on time for our 5:45 reservation, and were seated promptly in the dining room. La Toque offers one prix fixe option: a five course tasting menu. When we dined, there were two options for courses one, two, three and five, and three options for the fourth course. There is also an optional cheese course offered between the fourth and fifth courses, at a cost of $7 per serving. The tasting menu is $98 per person, and each course and option may be paired with a wine chosen specifically for that dish for $62 per person. The wine list at La Toque is quite extensive, and features many higher-priced and sought after local wines. Because of the variety of flavors presented in the chef’s menu, we paired wines, as did most everyone else in the dining room. After ordering our meal and a starting glass of champagne (Roederer Estate Brut, NV, $16 per glass), we were presented with two amuse bouches. The first was a pork rillette with cornichon. This was a very tasty single bite, which paired quite nicely with the champagne. The second amuse bouche was a salt cod and potato fritter with garlic aioli. I have had another version of this at a South Bay fine dining establishment, and prefer that version, as the cod flavor in this one seemed to overpower anything else the chef was attempting to accomplish with the dish. Again, a single bite. We both chose the Artichoke, Fennel, Piquillo Pepper and Dungeness Crab Salad with Sauce Verte for our first course. This was paired with a 2002 Mas de Daumas Gassac Blanc, Vin de Pays de L’Herault from the Languedoc region. This is a blend mostly made from Viognier. The honey, apricot flavors of the wine and the nice spark of acid really made the crab stand out. The dish was tasty, but I felt quite unremarkable. The star of the hour was the wine. We parted company at the second course, with my wife choosing the Dutch White Asparagus with Hollandaise, paired with a 2003 Lucia Chardonnay from Santa Lucia Highlands, and me choosing the Northern Halibut with Carrot and Epices Douces. This was paired with a 2001 Scheerer Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, Fort Ross Vineyard. The sommelier explained that the Lucia had full malolactic which would compliment the richness of the hollandaise, but the sauce on the halibut had vanilla in it, so he chose the Scheerer for its more Burgundian style. Both wines paired fabulously with the food, and we were informed that Jeff Pisoni , Gary Pisoni’s son is the winemaker at Lucia. There must be something in the Pisoni genes, because this wine was fabulous. The third course was an easy choice, as it was dictated by the wine paired with the dish, and not the dish itself. The Liberty Farm Duck Breast with Braised Endive and Sherry was paired with a 2002 Merry Edwards Meredith Estate Pinot Noir. We have been Merry Edwards fans for about five years, but had not had an opportunity to sample her Meredith Estate vintage. This course was the only low point of the evening, as it proved to be quite tough, and we were given knives slightly sharper than butter knives to use. Upon mentioning that the “duck was fighting back”, we were immediately given steak knives, which fared much better. It was interesting looking around the dining room, for everyone that had the duck was having the same problem. The kitchen should have noticed the quality of the meat, as it was presented sliced, and at least made sure that the patrons were presented with the proper utensils. Aside from the chewiness of the meat, the flavor was very good, and the Pinot Noir was ethereal. Merry certainly deserves her designation as Chronicle Winemaker of the Year. Our fourth course was the Veal Tenderloin with Blond Morels, Fava Beans and Soft Polenta, paired with a 2002 CJ Napa Valley Cabernet. This course, along with its pairing, was the high point of the evening. The veal was done medium rare, and quite juicy. The subtleness of the morels and fava beans complimented the delicate flavor of the meat. Expecting a quite tight, tannic wine, we were pleasantly surprised, then totally blown away by the smooth, rich absolutely delicious CJ Cabernet. This wine is made by Philippe and Cherie Melka of St. Helena. We had not heard of them before, but in doing some research, find they are quite well-known in the Valley. The fifth course was a Bittersweet Chocolate Caramel Tart, which we paired with an optional glass of Yalumba Museum Muscat from Victoria, Australia. The tart was quite rich, with a hard chocolate shell encasing the creamy caramel inside. It worked quite well with the Muscat. The bill is presented on a hand-calligraphied check, somewhat reminiscent of the tab offered at the French Laundry. The total bill, including tax and mandatory 18% gratuity, came to just under $500. I mentioned earlier that Ken Frank seems to have carved out a niche here in the Valley. I think his food and the restaurant are very approachable, whereas some people visiting might be put off by the reputation and menu at the French Laundry. I would put La Toque on a par with Domaine Chandon or Auberge du Soleil. I really wanted to love it, and it was a very nice fine dining experience. I fail to see, however, how a well known and respected food critic could say it is better than the French Laundry. Granted, it is an easier table to get, and the wine list and wine pairings are truly outstanding and world class. There just didn’t seem to be the “pushing the envelope” I have come to expect when patronizing an establishment such as this, and paying these prices. We will return as the seasons change to see what other dishes Chef Frank comes up with.

Chef Kinch changes the menu based on what's freshest and what's available, so any recommendatoins made now probably wouldn't hold until May. He usually does have a rabbit dish, which has never disappointed...seafood, such as bream, john dorry, perhaps a lamb preparation and pork. I truly don't think you'll be disappointed in the way any dish is prepared; you simply need to decide on what sort of meat, fish or fowl you'd prefer. I'd recommend the 4 course for your a la carte choice; it lets you have an appetizer, mid-course, entree and dessert. You could always call the restaurant 1-2 days prior to dining and ask what the chef is featuring.

GraceAnn Walden of the SF Chronicle had some VERY good things to say about La Toque on the Ronn Owens Show a couple of weeks back. My wife & I are going on April 20, and I'd be happy to report back.

Congratulations to David Kinch, Michael Kean and everyone at Manresa for being the only restaurant in the South Bay to make The Chronicle Top 100 list! Here is the link.

Reddington is in the process of opening "Redd" in the former Piatti space on Washington St. in Yountville. His partners are the Auberge du Soleil group.

Let's hear from the owner! Click here.

Just to clarify, I wasn't recommending Tra Vigne the restaurant, I was recommending the Tra Vigne Pizzaria (formerly Tomatina's), just 1/2 block north. Tra Vigne has been closed for a few weeks, and has re-opened with a new chef, Dan Trudeau, who is late of Campanile Restaurant in LA. I had known of his talent when he worked at Hayes St. Grill in SF, but never tried him in LA. Perhaps someone from the Southland could comment. In any event, Mer Lot & I are putting it on our list of "try again" to see what the new chef can do.

Santa Clara itself doesn't have alot of choices, but the good news is that you'll be very close to San Jose and some of the other suburbs. For starters, check out Santana Row. It has many restaurants that are quite good. For your French bistro, the Left Bank branch there is quite decent. For simple Italian, there's Mio Vicino near Santa Clara University. For something a bit more up-scale, try Cafe Torre in Cupertino, or Il Fornaio in downtown San Jose. Grill on the Alley in the Fairmont Hotel in Downtown San Jose is good for steaks, as is Forbes Mill Steakhouse in Los Gatos. As far as Napa goes, Bouchon shouldn't be a problem with reservations...you can go online to Open Table and make one there. If you're in the mood for a true country French bistro, don't miss Bistro Jeanty in Yountville. It's sister restaurant, Pere Jeanty, also in Yountville, has recently changed its menu and become more of a steakhouse. For Italian, there's Bistro Don Giovanni just north of Napa, and Cook St. Helena in St. Helena. If you're in the mood for a simple pizza while visiting the Valley, try Pizzaria Tra Vigne in St. Helena. It's family style, but the pizzas are VERY good! Other good bets are Market and Martini House in St. Helena and Hurley's in Yountville. If you're looking for upscale, the restaurant at Domaine Chandon in Yountville has a chef who was just voted a "rising star" in the SF Chronicle. His food is very good. Another upscale, excellent choice is Hiro Sone's Terra in St. Helena. Hope these help, and I'd be happy to expound on anything I've mentioned or provide any other info you need.

Yes, I've been several times. They have a very nice wine selection and a great deli/gourmet counter. The center they're in, The Pavilions, is probably one of the most upscale in all of Sac.

Last night, Mer Lot & I had the pleasure of dining at Manresa with Carolyn Tillie and Shawn. Being their first time there, Chef Kinch out-did himself making us feel welcomed and pampered. Below is a copy of our menu. More later.

Another place in the South Bay/Peninsula that gets high marks for its tasting menu is Chez TJ in Mountain View.

Yeah, I agree with Bond Girl. I think Manresa is great...even has it over TFL...my opinion, not hers (Oh, God!...I know I'll catch hell for this!...I'm NOT trying to compare the two...just my honest evaluation & opinion!!!...OK...enough disclaimers!) Don't get me wrong...TFL is a sublime experience...I just think Kinch takes a few more chances and is a bit more playful than Keller...Just my opinion!!! Mer Lot & I are going to Manresa tomorrow night with Carolyn Tillie & Shawn. I'll let her comment on her impressions, as it is their first time there.

I'll second the duckburger at Sonoma Saveurs (thanks, Carrie!). Also had a good meal at Meritage a while ago. Della Santina's, just off the square, has quite decent Italian fare. The "Cucina Viamga" Krys referred to is in actuality Cucina Viansa, run by Viansa Winery. It is an Italian cafe and marketplace...a scaled-down version of what they have at the winery.

Logistics could be an issue. Sierra Mar is at the Post Ranch Inn at Big Sur...about 1/2 hour - 45 minutes south of Carmel/Monterey on Highway 1. Manresa is in the village of Los Gatos, about a 2 - 2 1/2 hour drive north from Post Ranch. If you're staying in the Santa Clara Valley, or anywhere between Los Gatos & San Francisco, Manresa would be the choice. If you're overnighting south of Santa Cruz, perhaps Sierra Mar would be the best alternative. I haven't eaten at Sierra Mar, so I can't address that part of your inquiry...I'm just looking at things from where you're planning to spend the night. Although I'm not familiar with the cuisine at Sierra Mar, one would be hard pressed to equal what David Kinch does at Manresa anywhere south of and including San Francisco.

Krys: Model Bakery isn't in Yountville...it's in St. Helena.

Nope...just a part-time local. We try to steer clear when people are jammed out the door...nothing is that good! If you're close, why not do take-out? We do that quite a bit. It avoids the crowd & bad service situations. If you're a local & really unhappy, I'd mention something to management. Sally should be back from her back surgery fairly soon...bring it to her attention. Edited to add: BTW, did any of my brunch suggestions in answer to your original post do anything for you? I'd be anxious to hear back if you try any of them.

Well, yeah, I agree with you in part...we've had spotty service, but it ain't haute cuisine, so we accept that and just go with the small town ambience, warts & all. All in all, I wouldn't let the service deter me from the great food. Just my opinion.