NAPA Visit May 14 - 21.

Martini House and Tra Vigne are two favorite restaurants. Nickel and Nickel is a good new winery to visit. They make a selection of signle vineyard reds and whites (25 at last count) and was founded by the late Gil Nickel of Far Niente. It's right acrss the street from Mondavi and next to Opus One. Bi!!

Bouchon in St. Helena is the best French Bisto in the valley with great glass pours. Taylers Refresher also in St. Helena has great burgers and fries with cool outdoor seating only.

I enjoy tasting at Regusci, Clos du Val, and Robert Sinskey all in Stags Leap, amonst the many others on the Silverado Trail...

First, Bouchon is in Yountville not St. Helena.

Secondly there is a place in my opinion that is a bit better then Bouchon. Bouchon opened another place in Vegas and the French Laundry was to open in NYC. I think this has been a distraction for the company and food not the same as it used to be. That said they have an outstanding bakery and that is worth going for in AM for breakfast. My opinion only.

I would suggest trying Bistro Jeanty in Yountville. It is outstanding.

Of course it is... my mistake.

I haven't eaten at Bouchon recently but would be surprised it that is the case. The same players that do the work at Bouchon in Napa are still at Bouchon in Napa regardless of the other restaurants. Maybe the discrepancy you note is that Bouchon was not getting any leftovers from FL during its renovation.... ; ) Just kidding of course.

I ate at Bouchon 2 nights in a row about 8-10 weeks ago. I think they had off nights. They indicated that the owner is very serious about food and was in NYC for the upcoming restaurant opening.

The FL was indeed closed but due to NYC restaurant I thought.

renovation.... ;

St. Clement Heitz Prager Port Works Sullivan Silver Oak (for the glass mostly) Freemark Abby

all nice tasting rooms and freindly servers.

Mustards resturant for lunch or dinner is a favorite, killer burger, food has always been good.

bb

in article snipped-for-privacy@corp.supernews.com, Chuck Reid at snipped-for-privacy@NOSPAMnas.net wrote on 5/5/04 6:18 AM:

The Rutherford Grill, in Rutherford (Hwy 29, in front of BV) has the best French Dip sandwich I've ever had.... anywhere. It's part of the Houston's group, and I wouldn't try to compare it to the French Laundry, but it's always packed and I doubt you could go wrong.

One special winery we've found: If you like whites, call for an appointment at Stony Hill, in St. Helena. It's a 50+ year-old winery and one of the better tasting 'experiences' we've had in the valley. When I was there, the tastings were done by the owners on the patio of their home at the winery.

Rutherford Grill also has zero corkage fee and minimal mark up if any on their wine list, i.e., Navarro Pinot Noir Method A'lancienne 2001 for $29 a few months ago.

My mother -- a fan of good food -- just had a phenomenal dinner at Domaine Chandon, on a par with a recent dinner at Gary Danko. Apparently, they have a new chef who's doing great things. For wineries, I'd suggest Joseph Phelps (by appt) and Dutch Henry, though neither is quite MUST VISIT.

Mark Lipton

I haven't been in a couple of years now, but if it is still the caliber that it was last time I visited I would recommend the Culinary Institute of America for dining experience. Sit at the round and order appetizers to get a good cross section of food at reasonable prices.

Coppola and Grgich Hills are both good wineries to visit.

Thanks to one and all for their suggestions on our Napa visit starting tomorrow. Tn's and restaurant reports will surely follow on our return late May.

Thanks again