The Napa Valley

There really isn't a lot here in the valley for families. Little kids are easily entertained, but teens find not much to do here. Please keep this in mind when you travel here.

Quick Tips:

People like to travel on weekends during high season, from July to October, but vineyards are not harvesting on weekends. My suggestion is to travel during the week, and the spring (February and March) are amazing here. The vines are new and beautiful. This is my favorite time of the year here.

Best Way To Get Around:

Don't drink and drive. If you are going wine-tasting, take a private car. I suggest California wine tours or Magnium tours. They can take care of all your driver needs.

Absolutely beautiful. The surrounding views of the area still leave a lot to be desired--you have a jail view or a muddy river view--but as fast as the city of Napa is changing, so will the views. This hotel is in an old mill and is very historic. The rooms have a nautical theme to them. They are not the biggest in the valley, but I think they are some of the best-designed. There are ones with balconys and ones with clawfoot tubs. The bathrooms are amazing in each and every one. No matter what your price point is, you will not get a bad room. And if you can stay in their major suite, try to do so. It has the old floor from the oldest gym in Napa--very historical. They have fabulous meeting rooms with Internet hook-up for numerous computers. There are two fine dining restaurants here: Celedon and Angele. There is a general store which makes the best sandwiches in Napa, a pastry shop for breakfast, and there are soon to be several other stores. There is a small spa just off the lobby. Overall, this hotel is a great one. Don't let the views deter you. From here, you can walk to downtown Napa and many awesome restaurants.

What a great restaurant. It is off the beaten path in a section of Napa called Browns Valley. This small restaurant provides a very romantic atmosphere, with a beautiful patio perfect for those hot summer days. They have some fabulous entrées, which include onion rings with a blue cheese dressing dip, calamari that makes your mouth water, a kobe beef burger, and a chocolate ooozzz cake that is served warm, and when you cut into it, the warm chocolate ooozzzes out.

The prices are moderate. The highest priced item on the menu, I think, is $21. For two of us, we can get away with two appetizers and main courses without wine for $40. With wine, you are going to add $10 to $50 more.

There is a giant fireplace in the center of the restaurant. And the patio has a creek that runs behind, creating that peaceful sound. When the valley is full and the restaurants are jam-packed, think about this place. It is better than all the rest by far.

Brix is a fusion-style restaurant. They have a beautiful patio that overlooks the vineyards, which is perfect for the summer and those late nights. There are two separate smaller dining rooms off of the main dining room where you can have a private event. Many people use it for reception sites. The open kitchen faces the restaurant, and the bar area is designed around a fireplace with comfy couches. This restaurant is very open.

It has a large wine shop where you can buy the wines you drink with dinner. The best part of this place is the Sunday Brunch. When in the Napa Valley, finish your trip off with an amazing brunch. It is buffet-style with a price point of $25. This includes coffee and orange juice. They have a variety of cheeses, salads, meats, a made-to-order omelet station, the best waffles in the valley, and a great dessert bar. The staff is always willing to help out with anything you need.

Check it out the next time you come to the valley. Whether it be for lunch, dinner, or Sunday brunch, don't miss it. Reservations are recommended, but not needed. They are mainly needed at lunchtime.

From the award-winning chef that brought you Mustards Grill and co-created such restaurants as Fog City Diner and Buckeye Roadhouse comes Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen. Set on a side street in St. Helena, Cindy Pawlcyn has done it again with her amazing atmosphere, fabulous staff, and food that will leave you blown away. Having worked for her in the past at several restaurants, I can tell you that Cindy is one of the most genuine people you will ever meet. Although she shares her time at both Mustard’s and Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen, her influence is felt at both places.

As you walk into this restaurant, you are greeted by a brick fireplace, where they cook a good percentage of their meats. During the summer months, you will find people enjoying dinner under the night’s sky. Although their patio is small, it is perfect. It is enclosed so that you don’t have the roar of traffic and the cold wind attacking you.

When you enter the restaurant, there is a hostess stand as you first walk in. Beyond that is a one of three dining rooms, all unique in their own way. To the right of the dining area is a cool zinc bar that seats about 12 people. Just beyond that is a stairwell that leads to the second floor, as well as an entry to the second dining room. This dining room has a checkerboard floor with cozy booths large enough for six people. Along the walls are pictures of Cindy and her staff and family in black-and-white. The third floor houses a large dining room and a small dining room. Most of the time during the quiet months it is not open, but during the busy months, the whole place is booming. These two rooms feature vaulted wood-beamed ceilings and can be rented out for private events. The bathrooms are also upstairs. For those who can not climb stairs, there is an elevator in back of the restaurant.

The food - well, what can’t I say? They have the best burgers and fries in the valley - and they serve milkshakes. They use Neiman Ranch beef, which is amazing. Their fries are crispy but not overcooked and seasoned to perfection. Bring your appetite. Their Brutus Caesar has a fabulous South American kick to it. Not too hot. It’s even better if you add chicken to it. And my other favorite is a Crispy Rock Cod Sandwich. It has jicama-slaw on it that adds just a perfect amount of flavor to that spice they rub on the fish. It also comes with those wonderful fries. They have so many items to choose from, though. Cindy makes the best fish dishes around. And if you think the food sounds good, wait till you see the wine list. The management and chefs take pride in this restaurant. And it reflects in the service you receive. Whether for lunch or dinner, don’t forget Cindy’s. It will quickly become a favorite.

This is one of my favorite wineries. It is set just north of the city of St. Helena by about 5 minutes, right across the street from the St. Helena Outlets(perfect for when the gals wanna shop and the boys wanna relax). It is like going to a friends house for a wine tasting. Their wines are medium-priced and full of flavor. My favorite is the Menage à Trois series--great name for great wine. They have a beautiful wrap-around porch that you can do a picnic lunch on. This lunch they will make for you from a variety of menus, and as you are dining away, you can overlook beautiful vineyards. This winery does not see a ton of people like some of the others, because people tend not to go as far north as it is. If you are looking for a great winery, check this one out. Their toll free number is 800/473-4454, or have the concierge at your hotel set up a lunch and tour for you.

Peju Province Winery is a beautiful winery in the Napa Valley. This winery just completed a total transformation that has made it into one of my favorites. As you come up the driveway, a koi pond greets you on the left, hidden by beautiful plants. After parking your car, you enter this amazing chateau through wrought-iron gates. The grounds are lush with landscaping and water fountains galore. There are two entrances to the tasting areas: one to the left, through the giant tower, and one straight ahead. Both go over streams of water that come right up to the walkway. In the first tasting room, there are two tasting bars—one on each side. We were on the left side, where our wine presenter was Alan, who was the best we had all day, from his knowledge of the wines to his ability to rap and yodel. He provided us with a wonderful experience that we will remember forever. Don’t forget to ask for him.

There is a staircase that you can climb to look over the entire tasting room. I have taken a picture from here. In the center of this room is a beautiful copper chandelier. The second tasting room is just down a small hall. The tasting bar is smaller here, but there is also a great gift shop where you could drop a fortune on great gifts. Here you can also sample different chocolates and dips. There is a double staircase from this room that leads up to a small art gallery, a catwalk of the storage area, and an observation deck that overlooks the valley. We were the only people out there, so it is one of those hidden gems.

The wines here were great. We purchased a bottle of the 2003 Provence. It is pretty much a hodge-podge wine, but it has the most wonderful flavor. Serve it chilled, and you’ve got a real winner. Their tasting fee $5 per person, but it is waived if you purchase a bottle of wine. With this tasting fee, you receive about six samples, which range anywhere from their sauvignon blanc to their cabernet Sauvignon. This is a family-owned winery that really knows how to make your day wonderful.

They are open from 10am to 6pm daily and closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Located in Rutherford, on the right-hand side, going up 29. This is a do-not-miss if you are coming to the valley. Don’t forget to ask for Alan.

I just wanted to let you all know about a Classic Auto Show for Father's Day. It is held at the Vintage 1870 located at 6525 Washington St. in Yountville. This auto show is from 11am to 4pm. It will be on Sunday June 19, 2005. This auto show is free to the public and celebrates the "art of the driving machine."

It will include national champions, local favorites, and one-of-a-kind collector curiosities. There will be Packard, Pierce Arrow, Ford, Ferrari, M.G., Mercedes Benz, and more, with more than 100 early and late model autos spanning some 90 years of productions. This year, the event celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Fort Thunderbird. This event is wonderful for the whole family. Come check it out if you are in the valley.

This home and garden tour is for the historic-minded. It is the Sixth Annual Home and Garden Tour and will be held on Saturday May 21, 2005. It is a walking tour in Napa. It will include five exclusive and stunning Napa Valley properties with an overriding theme of exquisite interior design. In addition, each home has taken design awareness and translated it to the outdoors, developing gardens and outdoor living spaces that complement both the interior and the lifestyle of each property owner. Proceeds benefit the Napa Valley Symphony League. It is $45 in advance and $50 at the door, and it goes from 10am to 5:30pm. For information, please call 707/252-4942, and for tickets, call 707/226-8742.

Napa Valley is a truly amazing place, with hundreds of wineries, restaurants, and hotels all biding for your attention. The question is, which one do you choose, one where can you get the best bang for your buck? I have worked for 10 years in the hotel industry here, and I know every winery and most of the restaurants. There are so many to choose from. Please write me a note if you have questions, as I would love to help (LiveinNapaValley@aol.com). Some of my favorites are:

Hotels: Napa River Inn, Napa and Inn at Southbridge, St. Helena

Restaurants: Zinns Valley in Napa and Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen in St. Helena

Wineries: Quintessa, Nichel & Nichel, V. Sattui, and Raymond.

There are so many more. Just let me know what you are looking for.

I just wanted to pass on this information, which I received today. It is about the 8th Annual Savor St. Helena. What it is: St. Helen'a premium restaurants , wineries, and merchants showcase their best. There are samples of delicious foods, world-class wines, raffle prizes, great shopping deals, and more. Part of the annual Mustard Festival events. In 2005, it happens Saturday, February 26th, from 11am to 3pm, in downtown St. Helena at Hunt Street. The price is $25 per person. Advanced tickets are available at www.sthelena.com/savor, or call the St. Helena Chamber of Commerce at 707/963-4456. This event sells out every year.

Email me if you have any questions at LiveinNapaValley@aol.com.

On Marcy 12th and 13th from 11am to 5pm, the signature event of the Napa Valley Mustard Festival will be happening. It is called The Marketplace, and it's located at Copia: The American Center for Wine, Food & the Arts in downtown Napa. At this event, you will be able to taste mustards from around the world, along with awesome wine-country cuisine, world-famous wines, and hearty craft brews. This event inclues beautiful arts and crafts and provides a wonderful opportunity to meet with some of the region's most exciting chefs, winemakers, and artists. Rain or shine, this event is wonderful. There will be highlights such as a celebrity-chef cooking demonstration sponsored by Viking Range. The Gene Schick Company Stages feature jazz, rhythm and blues, and classical music.

The cost is $30 for adults, plus food- and wine-tasting package, or $35 at the door. Children ages 6 to 12 will be admitted for $5. Students ages 13 to 20 must pay $10, and that includes five tasting coupons.

For further information, you can call 707/944-1133 or purchase tickets at www.mustardfestival.org. Or email me at LiveinNapaValley@aol.com.

At Tasting on Main in St. Helena, they will be having a cabernet and chocolate celebration. This celebration will be held every Saturday throughout the month of February. Here you will enjoy a variety of chocolates (including handmade cabernet truffles) paired with reserve cabernets that have been chosen from the selection below of boutique wineries. Each Saturday will feature a different winery with winemakers on hand to sign the bottles. The cost is $10 per person, no reservation required. You can see more at www.tastingonmain.com, or call 707/967-1042.

Broman Cellars, February 5th 3 to 6pm Robert Keenan Winery, February 12th 3 to 6pm Richard Partridge Cellars, February 19th 3 to 6pm Venge Family Winery, February 26th 3 to 6pm

Let me know if you have any questions at LiveinNapaValley@aol.com

On March 19, 2005, the Mustard Festival continues with The Taste of Yountville. This is the 12th anniversary of this event, which will shut down the main street in Yountville from 11am to 5pm that day. There will be town-wide sampling of gourmet foods from restaurants such as Bouchon, Bistro Jeanty, and Napa Valley Grille, as well as mustards, oils, and wines from the Yountville area. If you are looking for a wonderful event to go to on a beautiful Napa Valley day, this is it. It is free of charge to wander through and enjoy the sites. You never know, you may find something you never thought existed. If you would like more information, please call the Yountville Chamber of Commerce at 707/944-0904, or you can email me at LiveinNapaValley@aol.com

Napa Valley is known for their fine wines - and their not-so-fine wines. But what happens when you go to a restaurant and you have a bottle of wine, but you can't get to the winery or they don't have a winery. Well, that is when you call in the experts - JV Wine and Spirits.

This store is located at 426 First St. in Napa. Their local number is 707/253-2624 or 877/469-9463. Here you are able to purchase bottles of wines that you see throughout the valley, sometimes for less than you get them at the winery. They even carry my favorite wines from Page Wine Cellars. Here you can find a huge selection of wines and a wine-tasting room.

They even have a Wine Discovery Club. With this you will receive two bottles of wine that are hand-selected from the area. You will receive shipments every 2 months. After you receive the bottles, you have a 45 day period where you can purchase more of the wine you sampled for a reduced price. There are two levels of clubs here, the gold level going for $89.99 per shipment and the silver level going for $59.99. You can sign up at the tasting bar at the store or by calling one of the numbers above. Wine clubs are a great way to try something new in a valley that is changing daily. If you have any questions, let me know at LiveinNapaValley@aol.com.

If you are looking for something out of the norm in the Napa Valley this June, you may want to look at this. On June 25, 2005, at 4:30pm, A Taste of Howell Mountain will be happening. The location is on the lawn at Krug Winery in St. Helena. The food is by Knickerbockers (very good food, if I might add). This event will benefit the Howell Mountain Education Foundation. Some of the wineries that will be there are Pine Ridge, Beringer, and Cakebread. This is a wine-tasting and auction. Tickets are $75 in advance and $85 at the door. For more information, please call 707/965-2665 or visit the website at www.howellmountain.org. You can email me also at LiveinNapaValley@aol.com, and I will be happy to answer any questions for you. Hope this will help you have a wonderful in the Napa Valley.

On March 19, 2005, Beringer is having a cellar sale and sausage sizzle. It will be held from noon to 4pm. They will have special opportunities for great deals on odd lots, older vintages, closeout wines, and merchandise. They will also have a complimentary tasting of wine and sizzling sausages. For more information, please call 707/963-4812, or visit www.beringer.com. You can also email me at LiveinNapaValley@aol.com.

Here is another fun thing to do in March. If you are going to be in the wine country on March 12, 13, 19, or 20th, join Peju for March Merlot Madness. They are going to be having a vertical tasting of Peju 1999, 2000, and 2001 Merlot and a special preview of 2002 vintage. Also, for a special treat, Chef Max will be in his kitchen, where he will show you how to prepare Merlot coq au vin, Merlot ice cream, and white chocolate shortcakes with Merlot-soaked strawberries. They are also offering a pre-release special of 20% off a case purchase of the 2002 Napa Valley Merlot.

This event is taking place from 11am to 4pm at the winery, which is at 8466 St. Helena Highway in Rutherford. This is a great winery and I have reviewed them before. Check it out if you are in town.

Email me with any questions at LiveinNapaValley@aol.com

Save the date: On July 23, 2005, is the 15th Annual Napa Valley Classic at Calistoga Fairgrounds in Calistoga. This event is an equestrian benefit, combining a tasting of the best foods and wines from the Napa Valley, the anticipation of a silent Calcutta Auction, the excitement of a Grand Prix Horse Jumping, and the warmth of goodwill. Wine tasting and appetizers are from 4 to 6pm, followed by the Lead Line Class and The $10,000 Grand Prix. General admission is $30.00, and seniors and children are $15.00; Grand Prix Table (seats 10) are $500; Classic Picnic Table (Napa Valley picnic basket for 10) $1,000; Winners Circle Table (premium seating for 10, including sparkling wine and dessert) $1,200; Trophy Table (premium seating for 10, including catered dinner, sparkling wine, wine, and dessert) $2,000. You can reserve your tickets at 707/942-4222 or www.napavalleyclassic.com. This is a great event for the whole family. A little something out of the normal here in the Napa Valley.