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Thanks!
Columbus Underground Messageboard » General Columbus Discussion » Travel
Napa Valley Recommendations
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JonMyers
Ao Nang, Krabi, Thailand
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Just was having this conversation tonight!
Oddly (or maybe not), one of the best restaurants I ate at in Napa was Ubuntuu, which is a vegan, locavorish restaurant.
Personally, if I had limited time to spend in Northern California wine country I would spend most of my time in Healdsburg. In terms of restaurants there I'd recommend Cyrus or the Dry Creek Kitchen.
Posted 1 year ago # -
BreakfastwithNick
Clintonville
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We loved Bouchon, in Yountville. One of Thomas Keller's restaurants, and much easier to get into than the French Laundry.
When we were last there, we visited a couple of the bigger wineries in Napa (Robert Mondavi, etc). We enjoyed some of the smaller places in Sonoma Valley more.
Posted 1 year ago # -
aaminian
Short North
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+1 for Bouchon and Cyrus.
As far as a budget friendly lunch goes, you can't do any better than a stop at Gott’s Roadside (formerly Taylor’s Refresher) for a wicked burger. I highly recommend the Ahi Tuna burger.
Posted 1 year ago # -
meltsintowonder
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Kate, these folks are leading you in the right direction. If you only have a day or two, focus on Napa or Sonoma versus driving back and forth. One thing to check out too is vacation home rentals at vrbo.com but it's typically cheaper (per person) when you have a larger group.
For food, Gott's Roadside is a must for lunch and it's budget friendly. For dinner, Bouchon and Ad Hoc (both Keller establishments) are pretty solid. In old town Napa, you have Celadon and Angele. What I recommend if you have time is getting a cocktail and app and checking out the view at Auberge du Soleil ($$$) as the sun is going down and then get dinner elsewhere. If you like the celebrity chef thing, Chiarello is cooking at Bottega, which is in Yountville and within a block of Ad Hoc and Bouchon. For Sonoma Valley, the recommendations above are great. One of the best breweries/brewpubs in the country, Russian River Brewing Co., is located in Santa Rosa.
I can go all day on the wineries to visit. I always recommend that people get an appt. at Frog's Leap in Rutherford. I'll PM if you'd like some help on the winery visits.
Posted 1 year ago # -
lisathewaitress
SoHud
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My favorite winery visit was Storybook; it's a longish drive all the way up to Calistoga, but it's a beautiful drive, and the setting is astoundingly beautiful. I'll see if I can find any of my pictures. The zinfadel is surrounded by redwood forests, and there are a few small groves of redwood trees. Tastings are by appointment only; it's totally worth it.
Sinsky is another amazingly beautiful winery.
Elizabeth Spencer - if you want to taste some people doing great things with french varietals, Elizab eth Spencer is great and it's a great tasting room.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Urban Dansigner
Downtown
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I personally like V Sattui Winery(1111 White Lane, St Helena, CA / vsattui.com) for lunch. The grounds of the winery are pleasant, the wine is good (though I'm a beer connoisseur), they have a deli and an excellent selection of bread, cheese and salamis.
I lived in the Bay Area for eight years and visited a preponderance of wineries in Napa & Sonoma(designed a few additions, including at Auberge du Soleil), I always was lead back to V Sattui because of the ambiance. I really enjoyed Auberge du Soleil also but unless you have a personal fortune ...
I have no suggestions for restaurants, I'm not a foodie.
Other tips
- Try to rent a convertible
- Drive Silverado Trail as an alternate for Rt. 29 (much more pleasant environment).Posted 1 year ago # -
JedThorp
Merion Village
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My wife and I spent our honeymoon in wine country...mostly Napa.
+1 on Ubuntuu. The food was amazing. Almost every place you eat will have a great wine selection. If you get a chance to do the tour at the Mondavi Winery, you won't regret it. It was one of the best tours I've ever been on. We also visited Judd's Hill winery, which we liked. My advice is to start driving and stop where you want. You really can't go wrong out there.
Posted 1 year ago # -
meltsintowonder
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+1 on Lisa's recommendations. Haven't been to Storybook but killer Zin. Drove by it and it's in a beautiful area. Elizabeth Spencer is located in the old Rutherford post office. Went to Sinskey too and actually got to talk to Maria Helm Sinskey because she was prepping and cooking for an event the following day. Cliff Lede is across the road and makes some great Sauv Blanc and Cab. Both wineries are located right off the Silverado Trail (good recommendation to use this highway).
Posted 1 year ago # -
meltsintowonder
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Cindy Pawlcyn, Mustards' founder, has a newer seafood place in St. Helena called Go Fish. We really enjoyed dinner on their patio. While I had the intention of getting a fresh fish entree, most of us ended up with a mix of rolls and appetizers from their sushi/raw bar. They also have a very affordable wine list. I've heard Mustards is incredible but haven't made it.
Posted 1 year ago # -
JonMyers
Ao Nang, Krabi, Thailand
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I believe Elizabeth Spencer is from Columbus or has some connection to Columbus.
Robert Sinskey was definitely one of our favorites. I also thought they had one of the best looking facilities out of everywhere we visited.
We also visited Auberge du Soleil and had lunch there. The view was unbelievable and I highly recommend visiting just for the view. The food was overpriced for the quality and value in comparison to other places we visited. That said, it's one of those places you do go for the view and it's worth it for a drink as mentioned above.
If you're looking for a B&B that doesn't have floral bedding and if you're looking for a B&B that doesn't feel like you're staying in grandma's spare bedroom, try The Chanric in Calistoga.
We loved staying there and they had an amazing breakfast.
Also, be careful of drinking and driving. It's easy to get caught up in the moment and lose yourself out there.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Kateb
Clintonville
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Thank you all for your guidance. I will have to see if we can stay longer than a few days! I've only been once and it was for work so I didn't get to see much.
Bouchon was on the list. I did some research a few years ago and had picked out Angele and Mustard's Grill as possibilities. I will add Auberge du Soleil. I hate to say it but I wouldn't mind trying Chiarello's restaurant. He had a deep fried egg dish on "The Best Thing I Ever Ate" that looked amazing.
I will definitely go with Lisa's recommendations for wineries. We will most likely do a B&B depending on the price. I would rather splurge on food and wine than accommodations.
Thank you again for your thoughtful recommendations.
Kate
Posted 1 year ago # -
meltsintowonder
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I've heard good things about Bottega. A good friend of mine is a huge fan of Chiarello. His dad went to Bottega last week and was able to get an autographed menu from Chiarello as a gift. He said it was a great meal. The difference between Chiarello and other celebrity chefs is that he's actually cooking in the kitchen again on a regular basis from what I read.
Posted 1 year ago # -
lisathewaitress
SoHud
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I have to say that the first time i went to napa i stayed in a perfectly decent Travelodge in downtown Napa (and there is tons of stuff to walk to) for $89/night, and would definitely stay there again.
Posted 1 year ago # -
patient_zero
Falafel District
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Kateb wrote >>
I hate to say it but I wouldn't mind trying Chiarello's restaurant. He had a deep fried egg dish on "The Best Thing I Ever Ate" that looked amazing.
KateKate, don't be ashamed to say that, because that's the first thing that came to my mind when I saw your thread. Having never been to Bottega or Napa Valley for that matter, I kept my trap shut.
I've enjoyed his shows Season by Season, Michael Chiarello's Napa, Michael Chiarello's Napa: Casual Cooking and Easy Entertaining, and have always thought he would be the consummate Napa host, given the opportunity.
There were a few moments on Top Chef Masters #1 when I thought he was quite the horses ass, but all together I really think he's quite an accomplished chef who has the chops and deserves the accolades that come his way.
If I were heading to Napa Valley, Bottega would be on my shortlist.
Enjoy your time falling back in love in Napa Valley.
Recipe for Chiarello's Tomato Water Martini
Posted 1 year ago #
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