Lunch at napa valley

Suzuki Y. wrote:
>
>I have a friend visiting me next month.
>I'm planning to take them to Napa valley during their stay.
>We'll reach there about lunch time. Does anyone have a reccomendation
>for Lunch place??
>
>"DOMAINE CHANDON"
>1 California Drive, Yountville
>(707) 944-8844

Extremely fine and extremely expensive.  Last time I went I got out of there for lunch at about $40 (two glasses of wine for two people).  IMHO, worth it.  And I am reluctant to spend a lot for food.

If it's lunch, then go to Auberge du Soleil in Rutherford--on the Silverado Trail.  Views are incredible.  (I'd ask to eat on the Terrace when you make a reservation.)  It's expensive, but sensational.  Feel utterly transported to Provence.

Adore Terra (didn't know they did lunch), but think of it as a winter, rather than summer restaurant.  Food is sensational, but isn't summer light.

Domaine Chandon and French Laundry are both wonderful, but I'd still choose Auberge--food as well as setting, [email removed]

Suzuki Y. wrote:
>
>I have a friend visiting me next month.
>I'm planning to take them to Napa valley during their stay.
>We'll reach there about lunch time. Does anyone have a reccomendation
>for Lunch place??
>
>
>"FRENCH LAUNDRY"
>6640 Washington St., Yountville
>(707) 944-2380
>

The French Laundry is truly wonderful, but quite pricey.  I took a friend there for lunch, and the four-course lunch was $38 each.  We also had a split of champagne.  With tax and tip, lunch came out to be about $150 for two.

BUT, the meal was magnificent.  The service was solicitous but unobtrusive. We had a table in the garden, and it was a perfect setting for the meal.

Since the chef/owner won the Beard award for Chef of the Year (I believe), it has been very difficult to get a reservation there, so I suggest that you make a reservation *now* if you plan on going next month.

Margaret

Suzuki Y. wrote:
|> "BABETTE'S"
|> 464 First St. East, Sonoma
|> (707) 939-8921

This is actually in Sonoma Valley, not Napa Valley.

Babette's is actually two restaurants.  The fancier one is supposed to be very good, it's rather expensive, and it is probably hard to get into.

The other part of Babette's is an informal cafe and wine bar.  We ate there (in the evening) about 6 weeks ago. The menu is short, but the food was very good and not too expensive.  The wine list has a large selection of wines by the glass (prices range from cheap to expensive). Service and environment are quite casual (there's an old sofa next to the bar).  We were able to get a table on Friday evening just by walking in (no reservations).

I'm not sure whether either part is open for lunch; you should call to find out.

-Jeff

Suzuki Y. wrote:
>
>I have a friend visiting me next month.
>I'm planning to take them to Napa valley during their stay.
>We'll reach there about lunch time. Does anyone have a reccomendation
>for Lunch place??
>
>My friends told me that:
>
>"BABETTE'S"
>464 First St. East, Sonoma
>(707) 939-8921

1. Sonoma is in Sonoma Valley, not Napa Valley. Close, but no cigar.
2. I really enjoy Babette's Wine Bar cuisine (and atmosphere). The main kitchen has a great reputation (see this month's SF Focus Magazine, where the chef was voted among the top three in the area), but personally I like the informality (and food quality!) of the Wine Bar vs. the formal, prissiness of the Restaurant.

============================================================ Dr. Harry J. Saal, Director, Smart Valley, Inc. E-mail: [email removed]   Home-page: http://www.svi.org/~hsaal Menlo Park: Voice: 650-473-2728   ***NEW*** Palo Alto:   Voice: 650-328-7745 FAX: 650-328-1948 Sonoma:      Voice: 707-935-6397 FAX: 707-935-6398
============================================================

Suzuki Y. wrote:
>
> I have a friend visiting me next month.
> I'm planning to take them to Napa valley during their stay.
> We'll reach there about lunch time. Does anyone have a reccomendation
> for Lunch place??
>
> My friends told me that:
>
> "BABETTE'S"
> 464 First St. East, Sonoma
> (707) 939-8921
>
> "DOMAINE CHANDON"
> 1 California Drive, Yountville
> (707) 944-8844
>
> "FRENCH LAUNDRY"
> 6640 Washington St., Yountville
> (707) 944-2380
>
> "MUSTARDS GRILL"
> 7399 St. Helena Highway
> (707) 944-2424
>
> "TERRA"
> 1345 Railroad Ave., St. Helena
> (707) 963-8931
>
> those are pretty good restaurant.
> But I've never try none of them. someone has info. ???
>
> TIA
>
> --
> Suzuki Yasuhiro -Palo Alto, CA-
> http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Pines/5051/

All the restaurants on your list are good.  Add Tra Vigne (on the patio) to your list.  It is in St. Helena, I believe.

JW