Vine
Milwaukee, WI
Grape Fermenter
Posts:688
 | | 05/09/2008 7:46 PM |
| Everyone, thanks for all of the advice! Much appreciated.
David, wish we could get into TFL but time is an issue. Our jaunt to Napa was actually a last minute addition to our very short visit in SF. Trust me, if we had planned far in advance a stop at TFL would have been a must...anyway, thanks for the links...Bistro Jeanty is definitely in the running (and I appreciate the music warning...yikes!).
Daniel, we aren't overly concerned about money, however after hearing DJ's review of Press I certainly don't want to leave somewhere feeling the way he did. No reason to spend the money if it's not worth it to begin with. And I do really appreciate your short list. Redd, Terra, and Martini House all look great. Go Fish is also intruiging...
Anyway, I'll certainly report back. Really looking forward to our entire day!
Thanks again,
Vine | | | |
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Randy Sloan
St. Helena
Barrel Sampler
Posts:2075
| | 05/09/2008 9:28 PM |
| | The band wagon has a bit more room... Martini House has much better food than Bouchon. | |
Randy Sloan
Match Vineyards | |
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David Niederauer
Los Gatos, CA
Master Sommelier
Posts:15756
| | 05/10/2008 4:08 PM |
| Posted By Bob Bressler on 05/09/2008 2:32 PM Rumor central:What used to be Pere Jeanty may become a high-end Italian (not surprisingly attracting the moniker Italian Laundry) Now that's funny! | | | |
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Randy Wigginton
Wine Connoisseur
Posts:5510
| | 06/17/2008 12:55 PM |
| Bump...
I will be up there this Saturday for a cave event from 11-3 at Chateau Boswell. Any suggestions on where to have dinner that evening? Anyone interested in joining us? Or perhaps a Sunday brunch? | | | |
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jason
Napa Valley
Wine Addict
Posts:6886
| | 06/18/2008 2:32 AM |
| | Of course I would be working on a Saturday, but a Sunday brunch I may be able to make. Ad Hoc does a really great one usually that starts at 10:30a. I have some connections there ;) and it's usually fun. Would have to go to work a little after noon though. | | | |
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Randy Wigginton
Wine Connoisseur
Posts:5510
| | 06/18/2008 10:00 AM |
| Jason, are you sure you could make it all the way down the block after brunch? What about traffic? :-)
I'd love to meet you and anyone else that might be able to join you. Two in my party.. If you can get reservations, that would be great. According to opentable, noon is the earliest reservation they have.
What is the buzz around 25 Brix? And is Domaine Chandon worth taking a shot on, or is it just too variable still? How much of a difference is there between Meadowood the restaurant and meadowood the grill? | | | |
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Daniel Bailey
Grape Puncher
Posts:730
| | 06/18/2008 1:44 PM |
| Posted By Randy Wigginton on 06/18/2008 10:00 AM
How much of a difference is there between Meadowood the restaurant and meadowood the grill?
Substantial. The grill is best for something like lunch before/after golf.
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Bob Bressler
Napa Valley
Wine Lover
Posts:4862
| | 06/18/2008 4:16 PM |
| Posted By Daniel Bailey on 06/18/2008 1:44 PM Posted By Randy Wigginton on 06/18/2008 10:00 AM
How much of a difference is there between Meadowood the restaurant and meadowood the grill?
Substantial. The grill is best for something like lunch before/after golf.
Dan is being polite. The restaurant is serving serious world class food with good to excellent service and a knowledgeable Somm. The grill is mediocre food and horrible service. I don't get it. | | | |
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Randy Wigginton
Wine Connoisseur
Posts:5510
| | 06/19/2008 1:50 AM |
| | Then Meadowood the Restaurant it is. Do you recommend BYO or trust the Somm? | | | |
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Bob Bressler
Napa Valley
Wine Lover
Posts:4862
| | 06/19/2008 3:03 PM |
| | They have an extensive CA list. I wouldn't call it cheap, but it is lower than average. Except perhaps for the Harlan (duh...)
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jason
Napa Valley
Wine Addict
Posts:6886
| | 06/22/2008 2:12 AM |
| Sorry Randy, got sick two days ago and just can't swing it tomorrow. Hopefully we can hook up net time you are in the area.
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Randy Wigginton
Wine Connoisseur
Posts:5510
| | 06/23/2008 10:36 AM |
| Meadowood restaurant report:
This is an absolutely stellar restaurant. The food is usually a tiny step below French Laundry in most cases, but sometimes the dishes are transformative and even beyond TFL's starndards. The Kobe ribeye is one such dish; it is worth the entire price of admission.
The suggested wine pairings are spot on, and chosen by dish. The servers pour from the bottle right in front of you, and explain the pairing and the reasons for the pairing.
Only downside is that when the restaurant gets busy the staff seems to fall behind. Perhaps they were short staffed the night we were there.
All in all, an amazing dinner!
BTW, went to a cave party on Saturday at Chateau Boswell. The Boswell wines were adequate, but not exciting. Arietta had some hits and misses. Realm is good, but we're a fan of their wines. The surprise hit... Morlet Family Vineyards. I'd suggest getting on the list if you like interesting, complex wines. The style is a blend of French and new world, which is commonly tried but rarely successfully. Unfortunately, the wines are "fully priced" by Napa standards, so they aren't bargains, but they are very very good. | | | |
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David Niederauer
Los Gatos, CA
Master Sommelier
Posts:15756
| | 06/23/2008 6:13 PM |
| I'll second the Morlet Family wines as being exceptional. They make a very good Rhone-style white. One problem is they have several different Pinots. They aren't exactly bargain-priced either.
If you sign up on the list be sure to tell them that your heard about them from Randy and I. | | | |
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Daniel Bailey
Grape Puncher
Posts:730
| | 06/23/2008 6:25 PM |
| | The white is actually Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc with a touch of muscadelle. Pricey but quite fine. | | | |
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