Will be staying up valley in Calistoga for 4 days, coming up through downtown Napa and have tastings in Yountville and St. Helena. So anywhere is fine. Was curious what other people’s favorites are, casual to more upscale as well as good coffee places and bakery’s. Thanks in advance.
TORC
Mustards Grill (a classic)
Charlie’s
Scala Osteria
The Charter Oak
Gott’s Roadside
Ciccio
BRIX
Rutherford Grill
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I was up there for 24 hours this week. We hit Gott’s for lunch, Charlie’s for dinner, the Model Bakery for coffee and breakfast at Gillwood’s cafe. Oh, and on the wasy to the airport we got sandwiches from Oakville Grocery, which all winos should experience at least once in their lives.
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My wife swears the best coffee North of Yountville is at Sam’s general store (Calistoga). For bakery, cannot go wrong with Model in Saint Helena.
food in Calistoga we like solbar (is more upscale) or sams social is more casual.
Ciccio is our favorite restaurant in the valley.
cannot go wrong with anything @kevin_s recommends above.
Enjoy!
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I am also planning a trip to Napa / Sonoma later this year and continue to be shocked by the dearth of quality dining options up there - across all pricepoints. The list of recommended restaurants seen both here on Berserkers and from friends has read the same going so far back.
Thank you everyone for the responses.
Charlies in Saint helena is new, scala’s in downtown Napa is new. Ciccio is newer.
There are others and many new across price points. those mentioned are some of the gems
Mustards is a classic and was really good when we went for lunch a few weeks ago.
Model Bakery and Bouchon Bakery are both very good for coffee and pastries.
Gott’s is a classic burger place and very fun if that is what you are in the mood for.
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I was there at the end of March and received the following reco - best thing that happened to us:
‘’ Go to Brasswood for lunch in Calistoga and order the Mozzarella cheese appetizer. It may be the thing you talk about most ‘’
Bouchon was Ok but Mustard is better.
Lots of great restaurants in Yountville.
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Yes, we are planning on making a reservation at Brasswood. Did Charter Oak last year. There is actually a Gott’s close to where I live and one close to my work now.
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Bistro Don Giovanni - order the lamb shank!
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Interesting. I look at continued recommendations over a long period of time as a positive. They earned a following and continue to thrive. In some places like Calistoga and St. Helena there is not much space to open a new resturant.
Second vote for Bistro Don Giovanni We also enjoy Bottega (was just there on Saturday night)
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We ate at Bistro Don G last evening. Shared the meatball/polenta appetizer. Veal Parm for me and lamb shank for John. Delish! Corkage $35 and they waive that with any bottle purchase including halves.
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Just back from our trip. Had a great lunch at Cook in St. Helena today, everything we ordered was excellent and great service too. We also went to Brasswood which was very enjoyable as well. Took a short walk from our hotel to Sam’s General store in the morning, nice atmosphere sitting outside. Breakfast pastries at Bouchon Bakery are even better than I remember on previous visits. We did eat at both the lunch pool restaurant and dinner at Truss in Four seasons as we were staying on property and enjoyed both. Had a pastrami sandwich at Loveski in Oxbow, enjoyable just not necessarily same as in New York. Thanks to everyone who took time to leave a comment.
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Great recommendations here in the thread. I’d also add Compline in downtown Napa to the list. Really fun wine list and creative menu that offers pretty solid value, which can’t always be said about Napa.
If I could start every day with a English muffin breakfast sandwich from Model Bakery, I would.
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Had our worst meal pf our trip at Ciccio. Just am FYI
Ohh man. Hate to hear that. Zero skin in the game there but have lived in the valley for 25 years now and ciccio is our favorite place. Care to share what happen/what you didn’t like about it?
Agree with Sean D. Places that have been around a while isn’t necessarily a “dearth of restaurants”. I haven’t been to either in quite a while but there are plenty of options.