Cuisine

Neighborhood

Where to Eat in Wine Country

August 18, 2009

NEIGHBORHOOD: Northern California, Wine Country

A few weeks ago, Seth and I went on vacation. He set up an out of town reply for his email; I left my couch after DVRing NYC Prep. Our destination: Northern California’s Sonoma Valley. 

The trip was the result of a rare string of events: A family member offered to let us use their luminously expiring credit to a four star resort. Seth bought us cheap plane tickets months in advance. And lastly, we vowed to starve ourselves during the day in order to eat somewhere special at night. The trip wasn’t purely self-indulgent; I’ve recorded our food and drink adventurous for all of you...

Café La Haye

140 E Napa St Between 1st and 2nd St E

(p) 707-935-5994

Café La Haye is a welcoming respite from a long day of work or wine tasting. With a barn-like ceiling featuring rustic wooden beams, and a rotating display of artwork, the space is minimalism at its best. The menu is small, filled with farm-fresh options. Like most of the restaurants in the area, the wine list is superb, but this one is distinguished by its reasonable prices. To begin, start your meal with the warm ricotta gnocchi and summer vegetables, a delicate and remarkably light dish, sprinkled with fresh basil. The smoked chipotle glazed pork chop is deliciously cooked, on the rare side and oozing with juices. End the experience with a sweet and sour peach crisp and vanilla gelato. Peaches are popular with the locally sourced Californian restaurants, and this one honors the summer season loyally. The high quality of the food coupled with the affordable price tags makes Café La Haye an easily embraced destination. 

Taylor’s Automatic Refresher

933 Main Street, St Helena

(p) 707-963-3486

For some, Taylor’s may be a nostalgic experience. For others, the roadside burger setup invokes feelings of loss for a time period we never experienced; Danny Zucko and Sandy definitely would have shared a shake at a spot like this one. The menu hits all the basics: hamburger, cheeseburger, fries, onion rings, chili cheese fries, and milkshakes, but also includes a variety of more sophisticated pickings like the Ahi tuna burger, truffle fries, and fish tacos. And of course, this being Napa, there’s also a serious wine list. The classic burgers are made on egg buns with lettuce, pickles, and a secret sauce. The hot juices melt almost instantly into the soft, yellow bread and the no-fuss burger is immensely satisfying, (especially after waiting almost an hour to get it). Taylor’s isn’t cheap, but the burgers are made with vegetarian fed beef from the Niman Ranch, with high quality cheeses and produce, facts that help alleviate the guilt that comes with inhaling what some would consider fast food. I’m not sure if it’s the old school presentation, the red picnic tables, or the loyal patronage, but something about the place is just plain fun. 

Mustard’s Grill

7399 St. Helena Highway, Napa

(p) 707-944-2424

Cindy Pawlycn became a big name in the Napa restaurant scene when she opened her flagship restaurant, Mustard’s Grill, over 25 years ago.  The restaurant has since been celebrated as the great American Grill, featuring farm to table food. Unfortunately, the place now feels a little commercial, a little too much like a high-end TGI Fridays, with cookbooks, post-cards, and other “Mustard’s Grill” paraphernalia strewn about in every direction. Aside from the tacky self-promotion, the space is lively and welcoming. High ceilings, earthy colors, and chirpy guests, create a family-friendly vibe. And the food is good, overall. The summer burrata and tomato salad was superb, thanks to its obviously fresh ingredients. The burrata was so creamy that it left a trail of milky goop when probed. The red, orange, and yellow tomatoes were like gifts from God. Together, they represented the ultimate food harmony.  Unfortunately, the rest of the food wasn’t of the same quality. The famous Mongolian pork chop was dry, saved slightly by the creamy homemade mustard sauce and pickled cabbage. Mustard’s needs to pay attention to the right kinds of details, like how long to grill the pork chop over the placement of the Cindy Pawlycn calendar, in order to reclaim its former glory. 

Ad Hoc

6476 Washington St, Yountville

(p) 707-944-2487

Ad Hoc, which literally translates to “for this purpose,” was supposed to be temporary—a transition restaurant before a planned restaurant.  But it was so well received that Chef Thomas Keller decided to keep it going permanently. For $49, Ad Hoc diners score a four-course, family-style meal. But here’s the catch: the menu changes daily, and there’s only one menu. The kitchen always has a fish option and also accommodates vegetarians, but other than that, you get what Mama’s making-- no exceptions.  Our dinner included a brilliantly fresh radish and cauliflower salad, seafood pasta, and crispy chicken with melted onions. The food, delivered in oversized stainless steel, All-Clad serving dishes, was delicious.  However, the Ad Hoc experience is not just about the grub. The ever-changing menu creates a mood of adventure and mystery, but not the ominous kind; Chef Keller’s prestige eliminates any food worries.  Since the menu is impossible to master, you have to come back for more. 

Posted in FOOD on August 18, 2009 9:47am by Jena Steinbach | 40 comments

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We are young (early 20's) and hungry (for knowledge! music! art! food!) friends living on (or in areas which border) Manhattan. We moved to the city seeking higher education, and an alternative to frat parties and gin buckets. We prefer a bottle of Chianti to a keg, lunches at City Bakery to a dining hall, Joe's to Starbucks, Frankie's Amatriciana to Batali's. Our uniting factor is our love for food. For detailed, personal information, keep reading.
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