Culinary Delights in the Napa Valley

Just north of California’s San Francisco Bay Area lies Napa Valley, a region more commonly known as Wine Country. While the sunny, Mediterranean climate allows for thriving expanses of vineyards, the pastoral scenery and the top-notch wines are complemented by a number of excellent restaurants. With menus ranging from traditional American fare to European elegance to authentic international cuisine, here are six of the best.

Redd

One of the more modern and chic restaurants is Redd. This restaurant channels cuisine from Asia, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and beyond.  Signature dishes include glazed pork belly with soy caramel and apple puree, as well as a Cajun-inspired petrale sole with coconut rice, clams, and chorizo.  The modern décor was designed by New York architect Asfour Guzy.  Redd has one of the highest Zagat ratings in the area at 28 out of 30, and Chef Reddington takes pride in infusing his extensive European culinary experience in his dishes.  For pizza aficionados, Redd’s sister restaurant – Redd Wood – began offering wood-fired pizza last year.

 

Addendum

Serving boxed lunches Thursdays through Saturdays, Addendum features chef Thomas Keller’s world-famous cooking – down-home style.  For around $17, guests can choose between buttermilk fried chicken or barbeque, with deli potato salad and other fixings on the side.  A perfect to-go lunch for a wine country picnic!

 

The French Laundry

Located in Yountville, The French Laundry is a regular fixture in Restaurant Magazine’s list of the top 50 restaurants of the world – and received the magazine’s top honor in 2003 and 2004.  Each day, Thomas Keller (this is another of Keller’s restaurants) prepares a unique nine-course menu, boasting that not a single ingredient is repeated throughout the meal.  The restaurant brings together the fine ingredients, top chefs, passionate staff, beautiful architecture and unmatched scenery to create an all-around unparalleled experience.  Reservations are highly recommended, and can be made up to a year in advance.

 

Gott’s Roadside

A high-quality take on the quintessential burger shack, Gott’s Roadside is a must-stop gastronomic destination for fans of straight forward Americana cuisine.  Serving Niman Ranch Angus Beef burgers, ahi tuna burgers, and homemade chili, Gott’s Roadside’s reasonable prices are matched with a relaxed atmosphere featuring outdoor seating which are perfect for sunny afternoons.

 

Oenotri

Modeled after the style of the Campania and Puglia regions of southern Italy, Oenotri brings the freshest local ingredients from a network of organic Napa farmers, including produce from its own kitchen garden.  The restaurant’s excellent pizzas are cooked in a wood-burning oven that was shipped over from Naples, “salumi” is handcrafted in house, and pasta is made fresh daily.  The menu is reasonably priced, with an extensive list of wine pairings available for the Italian fare.

 

Morimoto Napa

For fans of Japanese cuisine, it doesn’t get much better than Morimoto Napa – a world-class sushi experience transplanted into the heart of Napa.  Adventurous dishes include fig tempura with foie gras peanut butter sauce and pomegranate reduction, and the restaurant is abutted by a take-out market offering fresh ingredients.

 

This feature is contributed by Angie Picard, a staff writer at NerdWallet, a site dedicated to empowering  consumers to save money and make smarter decisions about their personal finances, travel plans, or higher education.