off topic: Napa Recommendations

[cindysue]

Hi all,

I don't think I'll be able to join you this weekend because I'll be entertaining Andrew's friends from London in Napa. But I do have a question for all:

Please recommend a few good places to visit in Napa: Dinner and wineries/vineyards. BTW, they prefer reds.

[Veronica]

We have really enjoyed Domaine Chandon and Bistro Jeanty.

We were lucky enough to get a tour of the Opus One winery - very interesting. There's a reason that stuff is so expensive.

V.

[SadieKate]

Why yes! Very tasty stuff and yummy food at the Silverado Brewing Co in Calistoga.

Wide selction of olive oil that you can taste first at Olivier in St. Helena.

[slinkedog]

Blaine and I had dinner at a nice Italian spot in downtown Napa... they had lavendar and orange creme brulee that was to die for! Now if I can just remember the name of the place.... Ah yes, Ristorante Allegria. We wanted to eat at this really small place but it wasn't open on Sundays called La Boucane. Our innkeeper recommended it. Apparently the owner/chef takes great delight in meeting everyone and telling stories. The food is supposed to be really good and the atmosphere, wonderful. Definitely need a reservation. If you want to spend beaucoups bucks you can always try to get in at the French Laundry or Auberge du Soliel. ;)

Oh, and we had lunch at a little bistro type place called Downtown Joe's. Standard fare, but it was good and not too expensive for lunch.