Bob Bressler
Napa Valley
Wine Lover
Posts:4809
 | | 03/09/2008 1:45 PM |
| | Dan is correct - Vincent is the Exec Chef for Meadowood. That means that he is in overall charge of all the food activities -- BUT it also means that he doesn't get to cook except for special occasions. | | | |
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MTPockets
Grape Puncher
Posts:946
| | 03/09/2008 11:34 PM |
| Good for Vincent....I just hope they are letting him cook.... Oops, posted before I saw Bob's note. I'm glad he's got a steady gig but it is too bad he can't stretch his culinary wings.... | | | |
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Elkiholic
New Hampshire
Grape Fermenter
Posts:462
| | 03/10/2008 10:32 AM |
| Posted By Bob Bressler on 03/08/2008 7:52 PM Posted By Elkiholic on 03/08/2008 5:50 PM
Is Chris going to be the chef at a.k.a?
Hope so...
Sadly no. With a young family, there was no way he could wait around for the new restaurant. Actually, I don't know where he wound up.
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Mike Coutu
Addicted to Wine | |
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Bob Bressler
Napa Valley
Wine Lover
Posts:4809
| | 03/29/2008 9:16 PM |
| | Another meal last night at Meadowood Restaurant, now under the command of Chef Christopher Kostow (formerly of Chez TJ in Mountain View). Every dish was suburb. If he keeps this up, he will be the new owner of the 'best cooking int he Napa Valley' award. It is seriously good. The restaurant is a tad pricey - using the old Gary Danko model, 3 courses for $70, 4 courses for $85, plus there is always a Chef's Special menu. The Somm, Rom Toulon has build a very good wine list. | | | |
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Vine
Milwaukee, WI
Grape Fermenter
Posts:554
| | 05/08/2008 2:26 AM |
| Going to be in Napa on the 23rd for a day of tastings followed by dinner before returning to SF. Not sure where we're going to eat but right now am considering stopping at Press (wife mentioned that she would like the classic steak and cab combo).
But really, as of now it's all up in the air so I was hoping that some of the Napa regulars could help me a few suggestions or comments about any recent meals in the Valley. Any and all help is much appreciated!
Thanks,
Vine | | | |
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Daniel Bailey
Grape Fermenter
Posts:657
| | 05/08/2008 9:39 AM |
| | If steak is what she wants then Press will satisfy her. If steak isn't a must then there are a number of restaurants I rate higher in the valley. | | | |
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Vine
Milwaukee, WI
Grape Fermenter
Posts:554
| | 05/08/2008 10:18 AM |
| Daniel,
Which restaurants are currently at or near the top of your list?
Also, if it helps to narrow, we're definitely not going to be properly dressed for fine dining so any suggestions with a casual dress policy are appreciated. | | | |
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DJ Hombre
Napa Valley, California
Barrel Filler
Posts:1360
| | 05/08/2008 11:25 AM |
| | Be prepared to pay some ridiculous prices at Press. I've only eaten there once and vowed never to go back. The sheer silliness of their food pricing is a big turnoff. | | | |
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Vine
Milwaukee, WI
Grape Fermenter
Posts:554
| | 05/08/2008 1:07 PM |
| | DJ, thanks for the advice. We're certainly not looking to spend an arm and a leg on a meal if the pricing is that bad.
Would you have any go to spots? Really, more than anything we're looking for a nice experience to end our 1 day in Napa. | | | |
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Daniel Bailey
Grape Fermenter
Posts:657
| | 05/08/2008 5:22 PM |
| | Press is a steak house. Steak houses by definition are expensive. Press is an expensive steak house. If you are trying to save money then Press isn't where you want to go. However if you have just one night in the valley then you might want to give more weight to the experience and not cost of the dinner.
Re dress codes restaurants in the valley are generally casual (TFL requires a jacket however so that's out) so you can get away with a lot.
Restaurants I would consider if I were you (and your wife doesn't insist on a steak house) are:
Terra; Redd; Ad Hoc; Bouchon; Martini House;
On a lesser tier
Go Fish, Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen; Market; Solbar (nice outdoor seating); Meadowood the Restaurant (the Grill is ok but nothing worth writing home about - appropriate for lunch before or after golf)
Note I haven't been to Ubuntu yet so I can't comment on that recently acclaimed vegetarian restaurant. | | | |
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Randy Wigginton
Wine Connoisseur
Posts:5426
| | 05/08/2008 5:39 PM |
| I have had some wonderful meals at Bistro Jeanty, and would highly recommend it. Very casual, bistro fare, excellent flavors. I think they were rated one star by michelin. Redd is excellent. Martini House may have the best atmosphere of all the restaurants listed. And if she wants a steak house in the valley, I'd suggest Cole's chop house in Napa; still expensive (as dan says above) but not as much as Press.
I love TFL, but the only reason (IMHO) to go to Bouchon is to visit the Sommelier... the tables are extremely close together, and the food is good, but nowhere near great. | | | |
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David Niederauer
Los Gatos, CA
Master Sommelier
Posts:15708
| | 05/08/2008 5:48 PM |
| I've really enjoyed Redd. Their menu has a couple choices for beef lovers. If you haven't been and can get a reservation at the French Laundry IMO the experience is a one of a kind. I would try for a lunch reservation; the menu is exactly the same as dinner. One doesn't really need a jacket
for the lunch service and during hot summer days they don't "require" jackets (at least that has been my experience several times). It ain't cheap: You are looking at a three-hour meal minimumand at least $125 an hour per person.
If you want casual my favorite is Bistro Jeanty (warning: when you click get ready for the squeeze-box music  ) Bob; what's happening with AKA?
Tra Vigne was very good last time we were there too. It's very casual. Is the new one in Napa (city) open yet? 99% of the people order a burger but I love the fish tacos. Believe it or not the
garlic fries have too much garlic for my taste. The sweet potato fries are delicious.
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David Niederauer
Los Gatos, CA
Master Sommelier
Posts:15708
| | 05/08/2008 5:54 PM |
| Face it... you CAN'T do it in just one day!
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David Niederauer
Los Gatos, CA
Master Sommelier
Posts:15708
| | 05/08/2008 6:03 PM |
| Posted By Randy Wigginton on 05/08/2008 5:39 PM
...the only reason (IMHO) to go to Bouchon is to visit the Sommelier...
That guy doesn't know the difference between Musigny and Mustard
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tanglenet
Oakland, California
Wine Bottler
Posts:3018
| | 05/08/2008 6:32 PM |
| No one has mentioned it (as far as I can tell) but I was at an offline a couple of weeks ago at Cuvee in downtown Napa. Nice upscale place with a city vibe and reasonable costs. We were there on a Wed night where they had a choice of 3 dishes for $30 and no corkage. I wouldn't come all the way to Napa just to go there, but if you've eaten at the others listed above, and looking for something new, give it a whirl.
http://www.cuveenapa.com/ | |
TN posted on Cellartracker
"I drink no more than a sponge." François Rabelais
www.tanglenet.com | |
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Bob Bressler
Napa Valley
Wine Lover
Posts:4809
| | 05/09/2008 2:32 PM |
| Rumor central: a.k.a. is looking like July Cuvee is rumored to be getting new owners What used to be Pere Jeanty may become a high-end Italian (not surprisingly attracting the moniker Italian Laundry) Brix is still making up its mind - might become "Mediterranean" | | | |
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rickym13
los angeles
Wine Thief
Posts:2790
| | 05/09/2008 5:08 PM |
| between martini house and bouchon....which one would be a better choice for food and room?
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tanglenet
Oakland, California
Wine Bottler
Posts:3018
| | 05/09/2008 5:30 PM |
| I would pick Martini House for ambiance, especially if you can sit outside on a lovely day, and Bouchon for food. I actually prefer Mirepoix in Windsor to Bouchon for comparable French cafe food. | |
TN posted on Cellartracker
"I drink no more than a sponge." François Rabelais
www.tanglenet.com | |
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Daniel Bailey
Grape Fermenter
Posts:657
| | 05/09/2008 5:33 PM |
| | They are both considerably different experiences. In most instances I'd prefer to go to Martini House. Martini House definitely has a better wine list; a better bar (tough to beat the kobe burger at the bar with a great red (I've been cherry picking 05 Burgundies lately); and better outdoor (and indoor for that matter) seating. | | | |
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Bob Bressler
Napa Valley
Wine Lover
Posts:4809
| | 05/09/2008 5:39 PM |
| | Matini House: order the Mushroom soup. You will thank me. | | | |
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