samgiovese

I don't think you can beat a drive south down Highway 1 to Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur...maybe stop at Point Lobos, too. You could go as far as Big Sur and then come back to overnight in Carmel at one of the many charming properties there, and also enjoy a nice meal. That would be my choice for showing off the sheer beauty of Northern California, aside from San Francisco. And yes, I'd definitely do it on a weekday if you have that option.

Went to FL Sunday...hadn't been for several years, given the insane reservation situation...thought folks might be interested in the menu and some picts of some of the dishes. Food & service were absolutely outstanding...HOWEVER...the most expensive meal we've ever had...2 tasting menus, 2 glases of champagne and 2 wine pairings, with tax & 18% gratuity...$803.00!!! The Menu Oysters & Pearls Black Bass Maine Lobster Rabbit Lamb Valrhona Chocolate Box The Table I apologize for the quality of the photos (definitely not Tana Butler quality!), but I was using my Treo 600 and available light.

Skepticalgourmet: Sorry your experience at Manresa was less than positive. We've been supporters of the chef since his days at Sent Sovi, and have always had exceptional food and service. Reviewing other posts here, I'm wondering if another visit might not be in order. Even the critics give a restaurant three tries before writing a review, and, unless I misread your post, this was your first and only time. FWIW

Bouchee is excellent! Also, had a very nice meal at Grasing's. If you'd like to venture about 15 - 20 minutes out of Carmel, Marinus at Bernardus Lodge is superb. Cal Stamenov is doing phenomenal things in the kitchen.

Check out this thread on Sonoma restaurants.

I agree with CtznCane that the view is unsurpassed anywhere else in the valley. And when Richard Reddington was there, the food was superb. He left several months back, however, and the the new chef has departed radically from what worked so well. We had lunch there recently, and aside from their famous hamburger and the frito misto, the menu was unrecognizable. The chef featured very expensive blue prawns and other seafood. We thought it very pricey and not up to par quality-wise. We will try it again in a few weeks to see if it has improved...could have been "opening week jitters". Anyone else eaten there recently?

Chef David Kinch of Manresa Restaurant in Los Gatos is featured in a NY Times Magazine article of Sunday August 15,2004. It can be found here.

Sorry, but the menu IS available on-line. Click here, and when the page opens, press the hyperlink "click here" That downloads a PDF of the Bouchon menu.

misscindy: There is a great thread here that should be of help. Have a great time and enjoy the harvest!

The management team and chef when they reopened were all from The Plumed Horse in Saratoga...chef has since departed...management remains...haven't tried it, but have heard good things...would be anxious to hear about the new chef.

Hey, Guys, don't forget Pancha's in Yountville. Hard to believe it's only 2 blocks from the FL!

Just visited Esterlina Vineyards last week...great wines, beautiful views, and Patty in the tasting room was fantastic! Also went to Lazy Creek Vineyards a few years ago and had a nice time. Both wineries are VERY small, so make sure to call first. Enjoy!

Carolyn: Have you tried Green Valley Cafe in St. Helena? For simple walk-in-in-jeans-and-boots Italian, we really like it!

I really like Market in St. Helena and second the rec. for Bistro Jeanty. If you're looking for something when you arrive, Bouchon has very late service for the night you arrive. It's about 8 miles south of St. Helena in Yountville. Enjoy your trip, and congratulations to you & your soon-to-be-wife!

Which is why I allowed 1 to 1 1/2 hours driving time. The distances between the 2 valleys appear deceptively short on maps, but as Mark points out in his excellent post, it's all in how familiar you are with the terrain and how comfortable you are driving narrow mountain roads in the dark. Mark is also correct that driving from St. Helena to downtown Sonoma can take 40 - 45 minutes, but much of Hwy 29 between St. Helena and the Sonoma turnoff is 55 - 60 MPH or freeway. Hwy 121 through Carneros is not as good a road, and there are frequent accidents on it, but it is a far better road than any others between the 2 valleys for visitors, IMO.

Haven't tried it, but just heard a glowing review of La Poste on Broadway in downtown Sonoma. It's French bistro food, and they are supposed to have a chocolate mousse to die for. Open Wed - Sun 5:30 - 9:00. They don't have a website, but here is a link to a review from the SF Chronicle you might find helpful.

GrubGuy: Here is some info from a previous post on another thread: and Let me know if you need further info...especially on the Napa side...I live part-time in Yountville.

If you're going to be in Sonoma and the Sonoma Valley proper, the 2 restaurants you have picked are quite far from there. They are both in Windsor, which is over on Hwy 101, north of Santa Rosa. Sonoma County is quite vast, and there are various appellations and regions throughout. If you're staying in St. Helena, I would recommend finding something in downtown Sonoma...the restaurants you have mentioned will result in about a 1 - 1 1/2 hour drive back to your accommodations. If you'd like some recommendations for downtown Sonoma, I'd be happy to expound. I am just trying to make you aware of the distance between where you are staying and where you want to dine.

GrubGuy: Where are you staying? That might be helpful in giving you further info.

Bilrus: Here's what I said on a previous thread about Market...I think it's great!

Just had dinner at Bistro Don Giovanni last night. This was my third experience there, the last rather unpleasant one being 3 years ago. I had hoped things had improved from my last visit...alas, I will not be returning. I fail to see the popularity of this place, and why it's on everyone's "must visit" list. Even our local Bay Area critic seems under some spell when it comes to this establishment, as it consistently makes his "Top 100" list. The food is passable, but there is certainly better Italian fare at other spots in the Valley (Green Vally Cafe, Tra Vigne, and even Piatti come to mind). Last night's main problem stemmed from the service. We were seated at 7:15 PM, and our cocktails finally arrived at 7:45 PM. In his defense, the server did bring us bread to tide us over, but a 1/2 hour wait on a THURSDAY night is inexcusable. The rest of the meal (salad, entree and coffee) took equally as long. Another problem is the noise level. This restaurant seems to be a gathering place for every group that has spent the day over-imbibing at the local wineries. My companions and I literally had to hunch over our table and shout to each other to be heard. Perhaps the owners should consider removing a few tables or softening some of the surfaces in order to make the dining experience more pleasant. As mentioned previously, the food is passable, but certainly not anything to rave about. Prices are fairly reasonable for Napa, and the wine list is quite extensive. There is a very nice bar, and the patio dining is also very pleasant. All in all, I would skip Bistro Don Giovanni unless I had an unlimited amount of time in the Valley and became bored with every other good restaurant around.

Hey, Folks...not to rain on anybody's parade, but Mr. McKinney and his associates were in San Jose in late June...I think further suggestions of where to eat are a bit futile at this point...Just my opinion!

My wife & I stayed there in Nov. 2000...very nice, but before their remodel. I can only say it's gotten better since then, and it was VERY NICE!!! Their spa is phenomenal, and I know what they've done for the remodel, and it is simply beautiful. As far as reservations, it wouldn't hurt to make a few in advance...General's Daughter is always crowded...but the concierge at Kenwood should be able to help. You mention eating there...unless they've changed, the only meal served is breakfast, with wine and munchies at cocktail hour. The breakfasts were interesting...a tad ecclectic for my tastes, but perhaps they've changed with the remodel & expansion. You DEFINITELY should visit the Napa Valley...you are so close, and it is really worth the short drive. I'd be happy to make any further suggestions or answer any other questions you might have.

Forgot to mention the STERBA site, which has restaurant & lodging listings for Napa & Sonoma counties. Check it out...I think you'll find it helpful.

If you're in Kenwood, are you staying at the Kenwood Inn & Spa? The Kenwood Restaurant is very close and, the last time I ate there, very good. You've picked a fairly remote location and, although centrally located for the Sonoma Valley wineries, you will have to do a bit of traveling for your meals. Saddles at Macarthur Place in Sonoma is very good for steaks. and Sante' at Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa is very creative. In Sonoma Square, there is Piatti, a regional chain started in Yountville several years back, Cafe La Haye, Della Santina's (recommended!), The Swiss Hotel and The Girl and theFig. A short drive from the square is The General's Daughter, and just south of town are Deuce and Carneros at the Lodge at Sonoma. There are also a couple of places in Glen Ellen, but I haven't been there in a few years, and I know some have changed hands. Perhaps someone else can address that point. Hope this list is helpful. If you'd like some Napa recommendations, there are several Napans on this board that can help, and, being a part-time Yountvillian, I could also make some suggestions. Enjoy your stay!