One of the most fun but sometimes stressful things when planning a trip to Napa is deciding where to eat. In this case, the stress is not from a shortage of options but from deciding which great option to choose. To try and help with this riddle here are some of our favorite breakfast, lunch and dinner spots when visiting The Valley:
BREAKFAST
Calistoga Roastery - We are not big breakfast people but discovered this spot a couple of trips back while staying at The Bungalows at Calistoga. Located on Calistoga’s Main Street, this eclectic space is perfect for a good cup of coffee accompanied by a breakfast sandwich or a pastry. To get in the right frame of mind for your wine filled day, we suggest that you sit on one of their outdoor tables.
Bouchon Bakery - Looking for fresh baked artisanal breads, delicious desserts or simply for a good cup of coffee? Bouchon Bakery has you covered. Pastries, muffins and sandwiches are also on the menu. You can find the bakery in Yountville next to Chef Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Bistro.
LUNCH
Gott’s Roadside - In need of a hearty lunch after a busy morning of wine tasting? A juicy burger with fries from Gott’s will have you back in action in no time. Veggie and turkey patties are also available for those who do not eat meat but still need a filling option. Tacos plus many other road side classics are also on the menu.
Oakville Grocery - Founded in 1881 it is the oldest continually operating grocery store in California. Conveniently located in the middle of The Valley, this is a charming spot to refuel for your second half of the day. From salads to pizza here you can find about anything you need for a delicious lunch. Make sure to give yourself a few extra minutes to pop over to their wine shop next door, Oakville Wine Merchant, to checkout the beautiful setup and their vast selection of wines by the glass.
Sunshine Foods Market - Located in Saint Helena, this neighborhood staple has been around since 1975. If you are looking to put together the perfect picnic, a stop at this specialty grocery store will serve you right.
DINNER
Bouchon Bistro - This French inspired bistro by Chef Thomas Keller is one that we really enjoy. Located in Yountville, Bouchon has a casual elegant atmosphere which creates a relaxing environment for a memorable dinning experience. On the menu you can find your classic French bistro dishes like Steak Frites as well as seasonal offerings and a Fruits de Mer raw bar. On our last visit we enjoyed the Poulet Rôti (roasted chicken with sweet corn, hen-of-the-woods mushrooms, bacon lardons & Dijon chicken jus) which was absolutely delicious. The truffle Pommes Frites are a guilty pleasure of ours and somehow always find a way to our table.
Compline Restaurant - This super cool spot is located in Napa’s buzzing downtown. The name is a homage to the pioneering days when monks were at the forefront of winegrowing. According to the restaurant, in those days, the hour of Compline signaled the completion of the working day, when vineyards fell quiet and the lights went on. This description portrayed the perfect time for a glass of wine accompanied by a nice dinner and that’s exactly what we did during our visit. In between a glass of Rosé and a glass of late harvest Tokaj we enjoyed a squid escabeche and a pork loin with blackberry mole that put the stamp of perfection on our day. Compline also has a wine shop in case you fall in love with one of the wines from their amazing list.
Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch - If you are a meat or BBQ lover this is your place. They raise all of their beef at their ranch which means that you will undoubtedly be getting fresh prime cuts of your favorite steak. We suggest that you give their Grass-Fed Beef Tartare a try. It is served with a fresh egg from their farm and it might be the best we have had. A cool feature at Farmstead is that their corkage fee is only five dollars and all of the proceeds from the fee are donated to non-profit organizations in the area.
Sushi Mambo - A local’s favorite, this Japanese eatery was once located in downtown Napa but now calls Calistoga home. Make sure to call ahead for reservations as it is often booked. If possible, try to get a reservation on their outdoor terrace.
There is certainly no shortage of great places to eat in Napa Valley but if you find yourself puzzled by all the options we think a memorable dinning experience awaits you at one of these spots.
