Dario Cecchini – The Butcher of Chianti Classico

Dario Cecchini is an 8th generation butcher but he has taken his skill to another level from his predecessors. Not only does he have innovative ideas about his profession, but his amazing outgoing personality, and his love for his trade and the people that come to his butcher shop and restaurant, are what sets him apart. He is truly a living legend in the land of Chianti Classico.

Brannan’s Grill Closes in Calistoga

Brannan’s Grill Closes in Calistoga It is the sign of the times in the Napa Valley. Another one of Napa Valley’s oldest restaurants, Brannan’s Grill closed in Calistoga. It is a different clientele in the Napa Valley these days, even in the sleepy and laid-back town of Calistoga. We have noticed a steady change in … Read more

Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen to Close

Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen to close on July 7, 2018 All the locals know about Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen, it is the spot to talk about wine, vineyards, and everyday Napa Valley life. Tourists love the eclectic menu and the enjoyable atmosphere of Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen. Sadly, Cindy Palwcyn is closing her beloved restaurant on Saturday, July 7, … Read more

Zuzu in Napa – Tapas, Tapas, Tapas

Zuzu – fine dining for less than $100 Ask a Napa resident or a Napa seasoned tourist where to dine, and surely Zuzu will be on the list of recommended restaurants. From the outside, it may not look like much, but the food is authentic Spanish Tapas. Tapas are small plates of delicious flavored foods … Read more

Wine Country Michelin Restaurants 2017

Wine Country Michelin Restaurants 2017 Michelin has awarded its 2017 stars for several restaurants in wine country.  A Michelin Star is the most prestigious and sought-after restaurant award among restaurateurs. These are the 2017 Wine Country Michelin Restaurants: Three-Star Wine Country Michelin Restaurants The French Laundry – Yountville The Restaurant at Meadowood – St. Helena One-Star … Read more

Cairdean rises above the mainstream

Cairdean tasting room

What new winery in the Napa Valley can boast that they have a restaurant, a bakery cafe & deli, extended tasting room hours, a separate merchandise store, and an event center for hosting weddings and corporate events? None, except for Cairdean Estate. Stacia and Ed Williams purchased 50 acres next to the old St. Helena Outlet … Read more

Navigating the Napa Valley Wine Route

There are over 400 wineries to visit in the Napa Valley and, if you are visiting the max of ten wineries in a two-day excursion, how does one seriously decide on which of these 400 wineries are the most enjoyable to visit?

Diavola Restaurant – The Little Restaurant that Could

For the past four years, Dino Bugica has been running his little amazing Italian restaurant, Diavola Pizzeria & Salumeria, in the quiet town of Geyserville. When it first opened, few thought that this tiny town could support more than one upscale restaurant.

Top Restaurants in Wine Country in the S.F. Bay Area

On Sunday, April 1, the San Francisco Chronicle Food Editor Michael Bauer came out with his annual list of Top 100 Restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you are planning a trip this year to wine country, you probably will want to consider dining at one of these fabulous wine country restaurants on Michael Bauer’s elite list.

Thomas Keller
Thomas Keller has three restaurants on the list all in Yountville.
French Laundry, Bouchon, and Ad Hoc

Read more

Wine Adventures in Yountville

Sometimes you just need a quick getaway to cure the doldrums of the winter months. And that is what we just did with a one-night getaway to Yountville in the Napa Valley. We booked a room at the Napa Valley Lodge for $149 at their special winter rate. The Lodge is very comfortable and within walking distance of the restaurants, tasting rooms, and lots of boutique shops. Although on this day it was grey and damp, it was a delight to drive along the Napa Valley floor and take in the beautiful scenery of the mountains and vineyards.

We arrived just in time for our 12:30 lunch restaurant at Redd Wood, the newest restaurant in town, owned by Richard Reddington of Redd Michelin fame in Yountville. The restaurant is located in the North Block Hotel, formerly the Hotel Piero. Redd Wood is a pizzeria with causal dining in a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere. The specialties, of course, are pizzas but there are many other menu items. There were four of us for lunch. Two shared a pizza and a salad and thought they were both just okay, nothing spectacular. Janelle and I shared a pear and wintergreens salad and a sandwich with rosemary foccacia, prosciutto cotto, and crucolo cheese. They were both excellent. The Sommelier was very cool, answering my questions about a few wine choices on his wine list, and recommended a Docellto/Barbera from Piedmonte in Italy that was very tasty, medium bodied, and perfect with our meals. The Wine list is good with a wine selection at $38 and above.

Redd Wood Pizzeria

Read more