As another attempt to better myself at the art of wine tasting, I decided to purchase a training tool called, Le Nez Du Vin, to help me identify particular wine aromas in different wines that I taste everyday in and around Napa Valley. Here in Napa Valley, wine tasting is a fun and enjoyable way…
The Charter Oak Restaurant Part Deux – Brunch in the Napa Valley
In a land where Eggs Benedict rules the brunch world, The Charter Oak restaurant in Saint Helena is striving to bring a different approach to one of the most gratifying meals of the weekend. I wanted to do this follow-up to my Charter Oak Restaurant dinner post because I had heard great things about this brunch….
The Charter Oak Restaurant – Meadowood’s Chef Kostow’s Latest Creation Unveiled
Chef Christoper Kostow, chef of the 3 star Michelin award winner, The Restaurant at Meadowood, has now created a unique family-style high-end dining experience in the heart of Napa Valley. There has been a lot of buzz about The Charter Oak Restaurant opening in Saint Helena. After the sudden closure of Tra Vigne, a well…
Acacia House Revived Into High-End Restaurant & Resort in Napa Valley
Las Alcobas, the controversial resort just north of Saint Helena has revived a piece of Napa Valley history by renovating the old Victorian Acacia House into a comfortable, friendly, fine dining restaurant ran by Top Chef Masters winner and The Next Iron Chef competitor Chris Cosentino. I have only lived in Saint Helena for four years, and…
Durant & Booth Tasting Salon – A Piece of Napa Valley History in Oakville
Durant & Booth has closed their Oakville tasting salon as of June 10th, 2018. However, their wines are still available on Vivino. Durant & Booth Tasting Salon is relatively new to the Napa Valley but the building that houses the tasting room is a historic gem. Located in the small town of Oakville, lies Oakville Grocery, a popular…
Gatehouse Restaurant – Culinary Institute of America Greystone Napa Valley
While in town for a week in Saint Helena a friend invited five of us for the soft opening of Gatehouse Restaurant at CIA Greystone The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone just outside of Saint Helena in Napa Valley has been lately going through many changes. The Wine Spectator at Greystone has been closed indefinitely…
What Wines are Winter Wines? Wine Pairing in a Winter Wonderland
What wines do you think go best on a blustery day or night, rain and snow falling like crazy? I feel like summer disappeared so quickly, I didn’t have time to pull out the jackets and sink into hibernation mode. One thing I do notice is that my palate changes through the seasons like clockwork….
Eiko’s – Great Sushi in the Heart of Downtown Napa
Located steps away from the future Archer Hotel Napa, Eiko’s offers up some great sushi, and generous portions without the high price tag. When people think Napa Valley and sushi, they automatically think Morimoto’s, a high-end sushi restaurant off the waterfront in downtown Napa owned by Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. It’s a unique place to dine, but…
VGS Chateau Potelle Tasting House & Gardens – Food & Wine Pairing
Last week I was invited to do one of my favorite things, a food and wine pairing. What could be better on a post-election Wednesday than some exquisite food bites from a Michelin-starred restaurant paired with elegant wines? After a rough week of political rants and a nation on edge, I was certainly looking forward…
Yao Family Wines in St. Helena – It’s Not Just a Name.
I was excited to get a chance to check out the fairly new Yao Family Wines tasting room located off Highway 29 in Saint Helena. If you are or aren’t a basketball fan, you would recognize Yao Ming. Standing a staggering 7ft 6in, Yao Ming played for the Houston Rockets for almost a decade, retiring…