Napa Recap

Happy Friday Lei Loves! I’m finally getting around to recapping our recent Napa trip and am excited to share a few of the things my hubby and I enjoyed while we were there. This was our first trip to Napa, and there were tons of things we didn’t have time to do/see/eat, but I figured a brief round-up could still be beneficial. I will say that Napa was a great trip for us because we are in San Diego, so the flights are very short making it the perfect weekend getaway. You could fly into Oakland, San Jose, San Francisco, or most conveniently, Santa Rosa; we flew into SFO and rented a car for the 1.5 hour drive into Napa. I’m not sure what the most optimal time to visit is. After speaking with the locals, they mentioned that while we were there (Around the second week of September) was amazing timing, because it’s right before harvest which is absolutely beautiful- but crowded. I would still love to go back mid-November to see the leaves change and feel that amazing crisp air.

-WHAT WE ATE-

…A shorter list would be what we didn’t eat. Hard to believe, but I think we spent more time (and money) eating than on wine. The food is SENSATIONAL, and totally worth it. I imagine that it’s hard to get a bad meal anywhere you go. Here are some of our favorite spots:

Mustard’s Grill- Don’t let the word ‘grill’ fool you- this is not some fast food joint. Even though it’s considered ‘casual’ you’ll find menu items such as Wood Oven Duck, Famous Mongolian Pork Chops, Fresh Fish, daily specials and ‘way too many wines.‘ Chef Cindy Pawlcyn who owns a few other restaurants in the area prides her cuisine on the implementation of fresh produce and a real farm to table experience whenever possible. The hubby and I ordered a grilled toast appetizer complete with burrata, balsamic vinaigrette and fresh figs which were picked from the garden right outside the restaurant. Droooooling.

Market St. Helena– Butterscotch pudding. Butterscotch pudding. Butterscotch pudding. Butterscotch pudding. Get the butterscotch pudding. Aside from that, the food is amazing. This is a great spot to stop for a quick bite during tastings in St. Helena. Try the fresh lobster rolls, and the crab cake.

Ad Hoc– When you think food in Napa, the renowned French Laundry likely comes to mind. If you want to taste those legendary flavors, but feel like skipping the $325 per person price tag, mosey on over to Ad Hoc. As part of the Thomas Keller Restaurant Group, you’ll get to indulge in food prepared by some of the best chefs in the business. Ad Hoc is more casual than the French Laundry, with an emphasis on American comfort food rather than French cuisine. However, both restaurants feature a menu that changes daily and the meals are coursed. When we visited, we were told that we were lucky, because it was ‘fried chicken night’ (…apparently, this occurs every other Monday and is a very big deal.) It’s easy to see why. We ordered and a hefty portion of buttermilk fried chicken, jalapeno mac-n-cheese, and corn on the cob was sent to the table, followed by a cheese plate and a carrot cake ice cream topped cinnamon blondie brownie. Actually, after writing this, I’m beginning to understand why my jeans aren’t fitting!

Goose & Gander– We had dinner here on our last full night in Napa. The restaurant was nice, but what we really enjoyed was the ambiance of the bar. In Napa, everything is very similar aesthetically (think bright, pristine, very California inspired). Goose & Gander was dimly lit, cozy and had a serious East Coast vibe about it, which was refreshing. Stop in for a craft cocktail or glass of wine!

-WHAT WE DRANK-

Silver Oak– This was the only ‘tour’ we did. I would recommend limiting wine tours to only the vineyards you really want to see. You can schedule tastings separately, and it’s a better use of your time. Silver Oak is one of our favorites, so we were excited to see the inner workings. The property is beautiful, and the entire experience is really educational.

Twomey– From the same family as Silver Oak, Twomey is another excellent tasting. It was really neat to see the bigger vineyard (Silver Oak), compared to a smaller one and how the tasting experience differed. While the larger company usually has the process dialed in, the tastings are a bit less personal. (…but, I mean it is still Silver Oak at the end of the day! No complaints here!)

Domaine Carneros– I was instantly transported back to France while visiting this ‘chataeu.’ They had a red wine flight, but we opted for the sparkling wine tasting and it was just perfect. This was toward the end of our trip when we were kinda maxed out on red wine, so the crisp bubbles were a welcomed change. You’ll want to take photos here; it’s stunning.

Rombauer– This was our favorite of the tastings because the selections were diverse and the sommelier catered the tastings to our preferences. It was a more intimate experience than what we had experienced elsewhere.

Duckhorn– This was the most beautiful tasting. Guests are seated on the outdoor patio with a cheese plate (additional cost), and the sommelier comes to you and introduces the wines one by one. You sit back, relax, and enjoy.

-WHAT WE DID-

Yes, there is more to Napa than eating and drinking. Calistoga Balloons hosted us for an exciting Hot Air Balloon ride overlooking the valley. This was one of my bucket list items, and I highly recommend it. The process was extremely safe, the pilot was seasoned with experience, and it’s the most beautiful way to kick of the morning. Departure time is bright and early at 6am. It’s incredible to see the sun rising in the sky and take in the panoramic views. Our pilot was so educated and shared stories with us about global travels in his hot air balloon. The ride itself is a lot smoother than I anticipated and once you’ve been in the air for a bit, you do start to get used to it. (My hubby was nervous, and toward the end was maneuvering around the basket like a pro to get the perfect photo, hehe). The flight is concluded with celebratory champagne and Bouchon Bakery pastries. Overall, this was an amazing experience and gave us a more profound appreciation for Napa.