samgiovese

Dave: I posted this back in July after eating there. Some of my alternate recs are no longer with us (Green Valley & Piatti), so we did go back last month. I was pleasantly surprised that the entire experience, from food to service, was much better. People have warned me not to go during the season, and I guess it's advice worth taking. Have you & MsMelkor tried Jude Wilmoth's new "Cook" in St. Helena? It's where Green Valley Cafe was, and he's kept some of the tried & true old recipies, while augmenting with some new offerings. Simple, inexpensive food in a funky neighborhood space (it used to be a drugstore...complete with the counter). Lots of locals! You might enjoy it for a simple lunch or dinner.

They had discontinued the Friday night dinners...I'd check to see if the've reinstated them. MsMelkor's observations are well-put...Gordon's is Mer Lot's and my favorite breakfast/lunch spot in Yountville. Make sure to say "Hi" to Tim, the manager...he's a really great guy!

Calistoga Inn offers a weekend brunch (per their website...I'd call to make sure it's year round). Cafe 29 just north of St. Helena does crepes all day, so this might do in a pinch. At the other end of the valley, The Carneros Inn also has a weekend brunch. Hope these help!

My wife and I discovered a fabulous line of teas at Bernardus Lodge in Carmel Valley. They're called Mighty Leaf Teas and are available at selected shops, resorts, and on the internet. I'm not really a tea person, but these blew me away. Their Jasmine Mist and Green Tea Passion are our favorites.

Another fun winery in the Anderson Valley is Esterlina Vineyards. They are also appointment only. Wine is good (not great), but the view is SPECTACULAR!!!

Joan: Have you tried it? There's one opening very soon in Cupertino (South Bay - Northen CA) very close to where I work. Anxious to know if it's any good.

There is a sports bar in Bel Aire Plaza (Trancas @ California) just off 29 about 6 miles south of Yountville. (It's the center with the new Target, Cost Plus and Trader Joe's) I don't know anything about it, other than driving by it last night on my way to a friend's house. FWIW PM me if you'd like the name & further info.

The two perennially highest rated restaurants in the South Bay are Le Papillon on Saratoga Avenue, and its sister La Foret in the Almaden area. Neither will give you the Manresa experience, but I just had a dinner about 3 weeks ago at La Foret that was very good. Also, the Plumed Horse in Saratoga is always excellent. All three of these have superb wine lists, and I really don't think you could go wrong with any of them. All this is said with all due respect to MaxH, whom I hold in the highest esteem, and whose palate is impeccable!

Here is something I found on the net: " CAMBRIAN PARK (Village)- This area is well known in the valley. The name comes from the ancient name for Wales. The area has been known as Cambrian Park and Cambrian Village. Freeway 85 cuts through the center of the neighborhood, but it is still a great place to live." I always new it as Cambrian Park.

I can say it's out-of-the-way when VivreManger's destination is the Blossom Hill/Cambrian area, because the most direct route to that part of town is Hwy 87. I guess I'll give up on OJ's. It's just that it IS open until 1:30 AM. If you'll re-read my post, I did say that the BETTER choice would be Il Fornaio. I know OJ's ain't gourmet...I just remember going there as a kid, and I guess I still have a soft spot in my heart for the tuxedoed waiters, the open kitchen, the counter seats, and the leather banquettes. Enough said...I withdraw the suggestion! If VivreMange thinks he (she?) can make a 10:00 res when the plane lands at 9:00, all I can say is, "Good Luck!" That's why I think a later res would be better. As to Valley Fair, yes, Westfield did convert it to a "Shopping Town." I hate it, just as you do, Isaac. They also recently purchased Oakridge Mall in the Blossom Hill area and, guess what...it's a Westfield Shopping Town, too. Final note...no apostrophe in "Stevens Creek" it was named for Capt. Elisha P. Stephens (yes, "ph" is the correct spelling) and was corrupted to the "v" somewhere in the 1800's. I know this is accurate, because I was born in San Jose and have lived in the West Valley for 54 years, and am very familiar with Santa Clara Valley history. Happy Holidays All!

Because of your late arrival time and the day of the week, your choices are going to be very limited. Although it is the "capital of Silicon Valley", the San Jose metro area is still quite suburban, and one would be hard pressed to find a decent meal past 9:30. I like Tana's suggestion of Left Bank, but they're only open until 10:00 PM on Monday. If you're landing at 9:00 and have to do baggage, the chances of you getting there before the kitchen closes are very slim. Tana will stone me for making this suggestion, but Original Joe's in downtown San Jose is open until 1:30 AM. A better choice, and right on the same block, is the San Jose Il Fornaio. I've always had decent food there, and they're open until 11:00 PM. You could also check out the Fairmont Hotel downtown. They have several restaurants, that are also decent. I'm just not sure how late they are open. Hope one of these works for you. And downtown San Jose is right on the way back to the Blossom Hill/Cambrian area from the airport via Hwy 87 (Guadalupe Expressway). Santana Row is a bit out of the way going from the airport to the Cambrian area.

What day of the week are you landing?

Just checked your original post. Since you're planning to be in the valley for a week, I think a trip into the Alexander Valley, and perhaps over to the Dry Creek Valley would be enjoyable. Much quieter than Napa...especially Dry Creek, where they make dynamite zins. It's a very pretty drive north and west of Calistoga, and a really easy day trip from Yountville. There are several places to lunch in Healdsburg, or you could buy picnic supplies at the Dry Creek Store and picnic (weather permitting) at one of the wineries. Just a suggestion.

Which is the cowboy and which is the gentleman? I need to give one to my daughter to wait for her 21st birthday (2009). ← The gentleman is the Howell Mt., and the cowboy is the Lone Canyon. Carolyn can expound further if you need it.

A couple of other retaurant suggestions: Market in St. Helena is not gourmet, but very good food, and INEXPENSIVE wine...nothing marked up over $14.00 over retail. The former Green Valley Cafe is now Cook, and the chef, Jude Wilmoth, has been in the valley forever. He used to cook at the Napa Valley Grill, and then at Pere Jeanty in Younville. Tra Vigne has a new chef...Bay Area native Daniel Trudeau. I haven't tried it since the change, but I know he cooked for several years at the Hayes St. Grill in the City. Calistoga also has a new place, Stomp, where Jan Birnbaum's Catahoula used to be. Again, haven't tried it, but might be worth a go. For out-of-the-way wineries, try Chateau Potelle up on Mt. Veeder (no appt. necessary, but it's way the heck up there!), Staglin Family (call their office in Yountville for an appointment), Darioush (just to see the facility...OMG, the money they must have spent!). Also, don't miss Ladera...Carolyn will treat you like royalty, and their two cabs are VERY good (I like the gentleman right now...the cowboy needs more time in the bolttle, but will be dynamite!) As Tana mentioned, Far Niente is now open by Appt. only. It's $40.00 per person, but we thought worth it. Beautiful facility and nice tour & tasting experience. Hope you enjoy yourselves. If you have time and are into it, Villagio in Yountville has a great spa.

John Bentley's and The Village Pub in Woodside are very good. 231 Ellsworth in San Mateo is owned by alums of the Plummed Horse in Saratoga, and their chef has quite a resume. I haven't been, but have heard good things.

Mt. Eden Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are traditional winners. If you like Cab Franc, Cooper-Garrod makes one of the best I've had. If you can find it, Kathryn Kennedy Syrah, Maridon Vineyards, is also dynamite. I also like Cinnabar's Mercury Rising, and Bonny Doon's Le Cigar Volant for proprietary red blends. A final comment, Bargetto (I know you know the family, Tana) Merlot is my favorite wine by the glass at our local neighborhood trattoria.

Not at all inappropriate. When we have David's tasting menu, the server always asks us if there is anything off the regular menu we'd like included. His goal is to make you happy...not stand on ceremony. I would, however, limit the requests to 1 - 2 dishes, so as not to limit his creativity.

I've heard good things recently about Domaine Chandon since they had a chef change. Can anybody confirm?

Silverado's cabs used to be so tannic as to be nearly undrinkable. Even some of their 10-15 year old vintages were still quite chewy when sampled. However, all that changed in the late 1990's when a new winemaker came aboard. I tried their '97 and '99 last year, and was blown away, comparitively speaking. I felt the '99 to be superior to the '97, and purchased quite a few bottles...alas, there is no more to be had at the winery, so I assume one must get lucky and happen upon it.

Here is Michael Bauer's review of Tartare. I have not tried it yet, but I think he was overly harsh, to the point of some sort of vendetta. Anyone that's tried it have an opinion?

Carolyn: Re: the taste of the grapes from the PV vine, when Mer & I tasted it, I thought the sweetness was in the center fruit flesh...in fact, I think I commented on the brix. The skin didn't seem extraordinarily thick to me; in fact, it "popped" in my mouth when I bit down. I got rid of the seeds, and continued to chew on the skin, until the tannins became quite evident, and then I spit it out! Thanks for the experience...it was memorable. Just thought I'd give my feedback. Sam

Well...what more can we say? A perfect weekend at our place in Yountville, meeting Carolyn and enjoying her hospitality both at Ladera and GunBun, and wonderful meals at Bistro Jeanty, Sonoma Saveurs (thanks SO MUCH, Carolyn, for your rec!) and the fabulous lunch at Wine Garden Carolyn so magnifcently documented. All in all, a fabulous weekend with family dropping in and out, some fantastic wine tasting, and , best of all, making a wonderful new friend! Anyone reading this should give the Wine Garden a try...it's truly a welcome new alternative to the Yountville dining experience! Samgiovese & Mer Lot

We'll be trying the new Wine Garden in Yountville this weekend...Also, Piccaso in Las Vegas in a couple of weeks.

The chamapgne was a Schramsburg Blanc de Blanc - quite good, and I didn't feel it was over-priced. We had the "Somellier Tasting", which consists of a wine with each course...I believe 8-9 in all. They also offer a tasting (I assume for less money) that pairs about 1/2 bottle with each 2 courses. In our tasting, the two wines that stood out in my mind were a 2000 Joseph Swan Pinot served with the rabbit, and a private label cabernet bottled exclusively for the Laundry called "Modicum". I wasn't able to ascertain whose grapes were in it, but it was quite good. The other wines were whites from Italy, Spain, Austria and Germany...not a clinker in the lot, but I had not heard of any of them. To his credit, our server was not stingy with the pours...he refilled our glasses on at least 2 occasions without being asked. With a menu as ecclectic as Chef Keller offers, the pairings is the way to go, in my way of thinking. I know that if we had ordered a really nice red and white, we could have easily spent $300 or more.