Napa Valley Restaurants
Since I had a lot of information from my last trip to Napa, I decided to create two blog posts. This post strictly speaks about a few restaurants we tried on the trip. I also added a list of other restaurants in the area that we love. To be frank, this guide only highlights restaurants from St Helena and Yountville. There are so many restaurants in Napa Valley that it is almost impossible for me to cover the entire gambit!
As many of you may be aware, Restoration Hardware is now adding restaurants to some of their stores. The RH in Yountville was completed a couple of years ago; this location has not only a beautiful restaurant but also a truly stunning wine bar. If only to experience the spectacular setting, RH is a must visit.(rh.com) I love the description offered in the RH website, "An integration of food, wine, art and design" My daughter Jordan, her fiancé David and I decided to give it a try.
Our meal began with the crispy artichoke appetizer; perfect for the three of us to share and definitely worth ordering for the table. We then moved onto a burrata and cherry tomato plate. This is billed as an appetizer but we decided it was perfect as a salad starter. Again we shared and although it wasn't a huge plate, it was enough for each of us to get a taste.
The entre menu is quite eclectic; it ranges from an RH burger at $20. to Atlantic dover sole at $68. We each tried a different entre: salmon, lobster roll and ribeye on garlic bread. Each was quite tasty although the lobster roll may have been the winner. Don't forget to order the truffle fries as a side!
If you don't have the inclination to visit the restaurant, at least go have a glass of wine and maybe a charcuterie board in the wine bar. Reservations are not easy to score. They open up one month ahead so mark your calendars!
The next restaurant we visited was The Charter Oak. Located in the building which previously housed Tre Vigne (a Napa icon for many years) Charter Oak is the brainchild of Chef Christopher Kostow of the three-starred restaurant, The Restaurant at Meadowood. As you may be aware, The Restaurant at Meadowood was damaged in the 2020 fire, so The Charter Oak gives you the option to try his fare in another location (thecharteroak.com)
The setting at The Charter Oak is breathtaking. There are two patios that are beautifully appointed, a completely remodeled interior, and a lovely bar area. We chose to eat on the south patio; I would recommend sitting outside if the weather permits.
The menu at The Charter Oak is quite straightforward. The website describes the food as "deliberately simple and unadorned, highlighting the beautiful local products of Napa and beyond." Our recommendations would be the Charter Oak bread and the grilled avocado to start. Since the restaurant focuses on grilled specialties, the Bavette Steak, Thin Pork Chops or Salmon are all good choices. Of course there are a variety of salads and vegetables if you are not a meat lover. If you don't have time to dine at The Charter Oak, at least stop by for a craft cocktail or a glass of wine. You will appreciate the beautiful setting and excellent service.
Our third visit was to R+D Kitchen in Yountville. R+D has several locations in California; it is self described as a gastropub.(www.rd-kitchen.com) If you are looking for elegant dining, I don't recommend this location. However, if you are interested in lunch or a mid day cocktail, this is the perfect location. I love to sit at a high boy on the expansive back patio and simply relax. R+D has one of the largest outside areas so you can usually get a table in the afternoon. We stopped by for drinks and appetizers. It was perfect! I ordered an old fashioned and paired it with guacamole, cheese dip and chips. I admit that is an unlikely combination; there is also an extensive wine list, and other yummy cocktails available.
Although we only tried three different places on this trip to Napa, there are so many others that we love. Some of the restaurants that we would recommend in the St Helena/Yountville area are: Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch (www.longmeadowranch.com), Press Restaurant (www.pressnapavalley.com), Brix (www.brix.com) Bouchon (www.thomaskeller.com) or Cook (www.cooksthelena.com). Probably the most well known restaurant in the area in The French Laundry; however getting reservations is a monumental challenge and the experience is quite different from any other restaurant in Napa. Therefore I really don't discuss it in this post.
Honestly there are so many exceptional restaurants in the Napa Valley that no matter where you dine, you will be impressed.