Travel Week... Napa Valley

Located just 50 miles outside of San Francisco is the beautiful, quaint, charming Napa Valley.  Not only is this region home to over 400 wineries, but it is also home to some of the premiere restaurants the US has to offer.

Where to Stay

Solage Calistoga

755 Silverado Trail

Calistoga 

Solage is an oasis of luxury surrounded by serene mountain ranges.  

Entry to the MudSlide treatment area and mineral pools.

The resort is composed of 90 loft-inspired suites.  Winding walkways lead you around the property with small signs directing you to your abode.

Each loft comes with complementary bike cruisers to use throughout your stay.

Chic and spacious living quarters.

Each evening, housekeeping leaves a glass bottle of mint water on your bedside table.

Where to Eat

*editor note, go hungry!

Bottega

5625 Washington Street, Yountville

Chef Michael Chiarello's rustic Italian fare is the perfect welcome into the Valley.  I recommend starting with the Burrata, to share, and the Roasted Truffled Chicken Breast for your main.

After lunch be sure to walk over to Napa Style, the Chiarello owned pantry and home shop.

These adorable copper tumblers are used for water in Bottega, and available for sale at Napa Style.  

Redd

6480 Washington Street, Yountville

Redd is home to the single best tuna tartar dish.  (yellowfin tuna, pear, avocado, chili oil, fried rice and cilantro!)  I recommend sitting at the bar and ordering the tartar and a bottle from the Russian River.  

Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch

738 Main Street, St. Helena

Like many in this area, Farmstead focuses on local and seasonal ingredients for their Americana farmhouse cuisine.  Save room for dessert, this chocolate cream pie is worth the visit alone!

Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen

1327 Railroad Avenue, St. Helena

Cindy Paulson is a Napa Valley staple with a multitude of restaurants in the area, Mustard's and CP's Wood Grill and Wine Bar, to name a few.  Cindy's motto is "hip, casual, not fussy', and that is exactly what you get at Backstreet Kitchen.  The hamburger is renowned with avocado, bacon and blue cheese.  

Taylor's Refresher/Gotts Roadside

933 Main Street, St. Helena

Artisanal fast-food sounds like an oxymoron, but that is exactly what the Gott brothers achieved with their roadside burger stands.  

Wineries need a day to themselves, so they will be in tomorrow's post.

images: Solage, Taylors, and Farmstead pie  all courtesy of EJT; all others courtesy of restaurant websites