RESTAURANTS:
It’s hard to have a bad meal in the Napa area. For a comprehensive list of restaurants, click here.
Within that list, some of our favorites are:
BREAKFAST:
Bouchon Bakery – Thomas Keller’s breakfast to-go only outlet for cappuccino and elaborate pastries
Butter Cream Bakery – the staple “greasy spoon” of Napa
Napa Valley Coffee Roasting Company – (in St. Helena) great local coffee/pastries etc.
Sweetie Pies – amazing pastries, downtown Napa, on the Napa River
LUNCH and DINNER:
Bistro Don Giovanni – great, simple, delicious. One of our very favorites. Try to sit outside if you can.
Bistro Jeanty- the finest tomato soup in the world
In – N – Out Burger – Rick prefers a double-double, animal style; try the fries well done.
Taylor's Refresher – great burger and shakes
Tre Vigne – great for outdoor lunch. A more affordable cantinetta is in the front yard for pizza and a glass of wine.
DINNER ONLY:
Domain Chandon- a classic
French Laundry – bring your checkbook
WINERIES
There are over 500 wineries in the Napa Valley- over 100 of them are well known, respected producers. There are too many to mention, but allow us to mention some pointers that might make your visit more enjoyable:
Not all wineries have tours or onsite sales.
Many wineries offer tours and tastings by appointment only. Others operate on a first-come first-serve basis, and many charge a fee to taste. Tours are usually free.
To avoid disappointment, contact your favorite winery to schedule a tour. This usually yields more personalized attention and, sometimes, preferred access. We recommend scheduling a tour several weeks in advance. There are many different wines we prefer to drink. Some wineries offer a particularly educational tour that, for first timers, is worth a drive.
The best educational tours are found as follows:
Still Wine: Robert Mondavi
Sparkling Wine: Domaine Chandon
Caves: Rombauer
View: Sterling Vineyards
Gardens: Coppola
Be sure to call and arrange a tour in advance.
For a comprehensive list of Napa wineries, click here.
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