Wine Garden - New Yountville Eatery

[Carolyn Tillie]

Stemmed from Squeat's thread, As long as we're having fun, what's next?, What's on your list to try? thread, Samgiovese and his lovely wife, MerLot came to the Napa Valley this weekend and met up with me, first at Ladera, the following day at Gundlach Bundschu, and lastly at the newly-opened Wine Garden at 6476 Washington Street, Yountville.

Nicely decorated in subtle sage tones (similar to Pilar's interestingly enough...)

The Wine Garden is following in the latest of popular trends -- small plates, although their twist is a slightly Southern feel, with dishes like "Hoppin'John," White Corn and Okra Succotash, and Macaroni Gratin with Vermont Cheddar, Tasso Ham and Cherry Tomatoes:

Their version of a "B.L.T. Salad" with Heirloom Tomatoes and Point Reyes Blue Cheese. Despite my raw-tomato allergy, I had a taste and thoroughly enjoyed the flavor and presentation:

Also ordered was (bottom) Florida Rock Shrimp Hush Puppies with Spicy Remoulade and (above) Maine Crab Ravioli with Braised Lobster Mushrooms and Baby Fennel (outstanding with bits of tarragon hightening the concoction):

Grilled Organic Hanger Steak with Red Onion Marmalade and Bacon Chive Smashers:

And another clear winner, Grilled Stuffed Quail with Bourbon Barbeque Sauce with Hoppin'John:

The accompanying wine list is slightly limited to wineries that obtain grapes from the Nord family -- I suppose in the long run, it will either force frequent diners to bring in their own wine and pay the $15.00 corkage, or suffice with the 50-ish or so wines offered (with varietals limited to Sparkling Wine by Mumm, Chardonnay, only two Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and a few blends, Syrah, and two Dessert Wines).

On this particular visit, however, serendipity was with me... During Samgiovese's and MerLot's visit the prior day to GunBun, they recommend I look for a Ryan Pinot at a local store. Have a few minutes before our lunch appointment, I dashed into a local proprietor to hunt down their suggestion. This store being currently sold out, the salesman remembered some water-damaged bottles of an older vintage lying around his back room. He gave me the bottle, believing a '97 would probably have already turned. I promised to report back the findings and while the initial smell of the cork feared a turned vintage, we were all pleasantly surprised at how well it had stood up! It had obvious age, but the way a good French Pinot will age, not like I have ever found a New World Pinot to do so... Almost Rhone-like, there was a light raspberry to the nose and faint mint (dare I say tarragon?) to the nose. It was rich and still had some complexity left. I did report back to the saleman after lunch, who sent me home with two more bottles...

Fabulous lunch, fabulous wine, fabulous new friends... Life is good!

Edited September 7, 2004 by Jason Perlow (log)

[samgiovese]

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

Edited September 7, 2004 by samgiovese (log)

[rancho_gordo]

The official "hard" opening was Wednesday, the 8th and I went to the opening night party. I have to say it was a gas. "Shooters" of caviar, sparkling wine and then a strawberry were the highlight for me, along with the fried oysters. The crowd was pretty mixed but I was with my friend who is the news director of the local radio station and she pointed out some of the politicos I would have missed, including a county supervisor who ended up hearing my less than flattering opinions on some of his recent votes, thanks to the wine. I'm sure he's heard worse.

The Wine Garden is a customer but even if they weren't, I have to say that chef Michael Bilger is very clever. Most restaurants buy runner cannellini beans from me (and I'm grateful!!!!) but he tries all the kooky stuff and keeps coming back for more.

[Carolyn Tillie]

The official "hard" opening was Wednesday, the 8th and I went to the opening night party.

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I was pretty thrilled with what I had already experienced the previous weekend and talked Shawn to a night out there... As we drove up to the building, we saw the "private party" sign and realized it was their opening night.

"Rancho Gordo is probably in there," we chuckled to ourselves as we drove on to another less-worty eatery....

We were right. Looking forward to going back soon. Was that your beans in the Hoppin'John? Mighty tasty foodstuffs!

[melkor]

I had a pleasant late lunch at the Wine Garden today. Aside from a few dishes needing to be ordered multiple times, the service was adequate. The restaurant was mostly empty during my entire visit though that’s not entirely surprising given my 2pm arrival time. It’s hard to assess how smoothly things go when they are busy but this meal was handled well.

The wine list is bizarre - it is composed entirely of wine producers who buy grapes from the family who owns the restaurant and ranges from uninspired generic Napa producers to mediocre small production California wineries. Strangely all the wine on the list is available for retail purchase at a reduced rate. On the bright side, the list is reasonably priced and has an abundance of options by the glass in both 2 and 5 oz sizes.

The meal started with the two ceviche options on the menu, halibut and tuna. The halibut was one of the best dishes of the meal, and the tuna simply acceptable – it was plated with yellow and red “gazpacho sauce”. The yellow side of the tuna had a very nice heat from the bits of chili pepper that were oddly lacking on the red side of the plate.

Next was corn tamales followed by a cheese plate - both were well thought out. The corn tamales are one of the few Mexican items on the geographically diverse menu. The cheese plate, on the other hand, was composed of all domestic cheeses. Grilled stuffed quail and grilled hangar steak made up the last course. The quail was awful, filled with a bland Thanksgiving turkey stuffing and drowned in a sticky sweet bbq sauce that tasted like it came from a bottle. In stark contrast to that, the steak was excellent. It was served properly cooked rare inside with a satisfying crust outside, some sweet red onions, and creamy smashed potatoes. It was by far the best dish of the meal.

Lunch finished up with a chocolate pecan tart, which had a good filling and somewhat bland crust. Coffee to accompany dessert was acceptable though noticeably worse than the Wine Garden’s neighbors (Bouchon, Bistro and Pere Jeanty, etc).

All in all, I’d say it’s a decent choice for lunch, don’t go expecting amazing food or a compelling wine list, but it’s a solid meal at a reasonable price in a comfortable setting.

[rancho_gordo]

Next was corn tamales followed by a cheese plate - both were well thought out.  The corn tamales are one of the few Mexican items on the geographically diverse menu.

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And Melkor, wasn't that masa used in the tamal rather light, fluffy and pure? Was it really a plate of tamales or were they butterfly wings?

NB: I sell them the masa.

[melkor]

And Melkor, wasn't that masa used in the tamal rather light, fluffy and pure? Was it really a plate of tamales or were they butterfly wings? 

NB: I sell them the masa.

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Obviously it was the best masa ever

[melkor]

Another odd touch from my meal yesterday was the postcard/coupon we were given with the check for a 2 for 1 wine tasting at the Wine Garden. Just to add to my reputation for broad generalizations - restaurants that give out coupons often frighten customers away. Keeping track of who is a repeat visitor and sending out another dish is a nice touch, giving someone a coupon for free stuff next time they come in seems sad and deparate considering the Wine Garden is trying to portray itself as an upscale wine country restaurant. It would be another story entirely if they were trying portray the restaurant as a value/family oriented establishment.