Seeking Napa and Sonoma recommendations

LTHers:

My wife and I will be in Napa and Sonoma for a week in March (four nights in Napa, three in Sonoma). We have reservations at The French Laundry and Bouchon. What other spots would you recommend? We're open to anything, from hole-in-the-wall joints to fancy schmancy, as long as the food is good.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can provide.

-Dan

Lucky you, to have scored those reservations! I was not so fortunate, and no restaurant sticks out in my memory. But, if you're touring wineries, I really enjoyed our trek out to the Domaine Charbay winery/distillery. You have to make a reservation to visit - their website is http://www.charbay.com/

Have a great trip!
-gtgirl

Chandon does a nice prix fixe dinner (seven courses if I remember correctly). A place that serves fantastic food on the cheap is the Culinary Institute. Would highly recommend both. There's also a place called The Opera House that has a terrific downstairs bar.

In terms of wineries, do yourself a favor and visit Frog's Leap. It doesn't have a tasting room, per se, but they are more than happy to walk you through the gardens and vineyards and encourage you to pick grapes and other foods it grows in the organic garden section.

gtgirl wrote:Lucky you, to have scored those reservations! I was not so fortunate, and no restaurant sticks out in my memory. But, if you're touring wineries, I really enjoyed our trek out to the Domaine Charbay winery/distillery. You have to make a reservation to visit - their website is http://www.charbay.com/

Have a great trip!
-gtgirl

having just gotten back from a trip including a day in Sonoma I think you're in for treat

we had plans to attend Keller's new place, but didn't make it

unfortunately, it being a Sunday many wineries were appointment only or we're already booked(a friend in the industry tried to pull some favors, but, again, Sunday's difficult)

I really wanted to visit Charbay(I dig their product)...they were one of the few closed for the day

please report back on where you end up

Don't miss Martini House, which will be another pricey meal(not French Laundry pricey). I love Don Giovanni for more casual and of course Mustard's Grill is a classic. The pork chop is to die for. In Sonoma, Cyrus is the next superstar restaurant. Not quite as expensive is Dry Creek Kitchen, which is Charlie Palmer's(of Aureole fame) restaurant. Terrific. The Girl and the Fig is a more casual option.

CIA is a great place to go for lunch. Sit at the food bar and eat tapas size portions off the menu. Another good option is to peruse the wonderful items at Dean and Deluca then walk across the street to V. Sattui and chow down at one of their picnic tables. Oakville Grocery is another terrific gourmet shop.

I second the Girl and the Fig recommendation. On a related note, we really enjoyed walking around the square and going into the shops in downtown Sonoma. I was a bit surprised at how low-key and unpretentious it was in a cool, almost small town sort of way.

Mrs. Johnny and I just returned from a trip this Fall. By far the most unique vineyard we visited was Roshambo. If you're feeling adventurous, just drive around the surrounding areas and you'll find TONS of small vineyards who will graciously welcome you.
Girl & The Fig will not disappoint however, it was nothing spectacular. My favorite dining destinations were Willi's Wine Bar and Syrah.
I'm so jealous. Enjoy!

I mentioned the Opera House when I meant the Martini House. Great place. The Opera House is good, too, but it is in Madison, WI.[/quote]

I was in Napa about two years ago and my boyfriend and I really enjoyed our visit to Julia's Kitchen at Copia. We went on the "locals" night (check the website for the day of if they still have it) which allows you to BYOB (so fun to do in Napa) and order from a prix fix menu (which we didn't end up doing). They surprised us with complimentary desserts. They use fresh herbs, vegetables from their own gardens. I highly recommend a visit, but check out their website and see what you think.

http://www.juliaskitchen.org/

http://www.copia.org/

When we were in Sonoma and Marin County this fall, we greatly enjoyed our meal on local's night (Mondays) at the Olema Inn. In Sonoma, the Girl and the Fig was our best meal.

The Olema Inn
10,000 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.
Olema, CA
tel: (415) 663 9559

the girl and the fig
110 West Spain
Sonoma, CA
tel: (707) 938-3634

Right across Main Street from Merryvale Winery in St. Helena is a fantastic burger place called Taylor's Refresher. This will be a pleasing counterpoint after (or before) all the fabulousness of Bouchon and French Laundry. The lines can be long but there will always be a big wooden picnic table available in the lawn out back to put down one of the best cheeseburgers in the West as well as excellent examples of the autochthonous garlic french fry. The sweet potato fries are also top-notch. They serve a number of good local wines as you might expect, but try a cold Sierra Nevada to further change things up.

For something laid back (and a little romantic), nothing beats the views dining out on the terrace of the Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil in Rutherford. Watching the sun go down over the olive groves over a good glass and some light bites (full dinner is also served) was a highlight of my last trip there.

I third the Girl and the Fig recommendation in Sonoma. Don't be afraid to dine at the bar if tables are in short supply. The bartenders are friendly and entertaining.

Taylor's Refresher
933 Main Street, St. Helena
707-963-3486

Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil
180 Rutherford Hill Road
Rutherford
707-963-1211

Thanks for all of the recommendations. We're heading out tomorrow. I'll report back.

-Dan