Napa/Sonoma favorites?
Aug 9, 2005, 7:53 am
#47
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Houston, Texas
Programs: United 1K, Marriott Plat, HHonors Diamond
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Also posted this in the other Napa/Sonoma thread that's gone around. There are a couple interesting pieces that have appeared about Sonoma, in particular Healdsburg, in the past couple days:
From the NY Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/03/dining/13sonoma.html?
There's also this piece from this month's Wine Enthusiast:
http://www.winemag.com/issues/aug05/sonoma.htm
From the NY Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/03/dining/13sonoma.html?
There's also this piece from this month's Wine Enthusiast:
http://www.winemag.com/issues/aug05/sonoma.htm
Aug 24, 2005, 1:08 pm
#48
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: 7 miles from SFO;
Programs: UA 1MM (finally!!), but sadly no longer 1K
Posts: 126
Cyrus in Healdsburg is absolutlely top notch !! (Chef and Maitre d' are ex-Gary Danko). IMO, as good as French Laundry, without the "attitude".
Other favorites are Terra in St. Helena and Mirepoix in Windsor
.
Other favorites are Terra in St. Helena and Mirepoix in Windsor
.
Aug 29, 2005, 7:46 am
#49
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Irvine, CA and Italy
Programs: AA EXP 2.6MM, UA 1K GS 1.6MM
Posts: 93
New restaurant - Budo in Napa
French Laundry and Mustards are great but last evening I experienced a new restaurant in Napa that has the potential to be one of the best, if not the best. Budo is located at 1600 Soscol and it is spectacular for the architecture (it was purpose built for this restaurant) and the food is unbelieveable. Hard to describe but it is something like French/continental meets Asia. Had a wonderful John Dory (hard to find in the US) with ****akke mushrooms and a sake reduction sauce. I recommend this without any qualification. Also, because it is less than a year old it is not overbooked and you will have a good chance to get a reservation. It has great reviews and I think it is going to be featured in this months Food and Wine magazine (Aug 05). Across the parking lot is the River Terrace Inn which is a nice hotel at a reasonable price. Not 5 star but really nice.
Aug 29, 2005, 8:23 am
#50
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Eurozone
Programs: LH SEN, HH Gold
Posts: 3,002
Originally Posted by danpic
Wow! Nobody mentioned Brix. You can have a wonderful meal sitting on the patio as the sun goes down eating nothing but appetizers from the menu. And their wine list has a load of values. 
Just reminded myself of this last weekend!
-Dan
Just reminded myself of this last weekend!-Dan
Sep 13, 2005, 10:39 am
#51
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Houston, Texas
Programs: United 1K, Marriott Plat, HHonors Diamond
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Originally Posted by Kman
Cyrus in Healdsburg is absolutlely top notch !! (Chef and Maitre d' are ex-Gary Danko). IMO, as good as French Laundry, without the "attitude".
Other favorites are Terra in St. Helena and Mirepoix in Windsor.
Other favorites are Terra in St. Helena and Mirepoix in Windsor.
Mirepoix, however, I think had the best food of our trip. The place is astonishing!
Sep 14, 2005, 5:06 pm
#52
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: 7 miles from SFO;
Programs: UA 1MM (finally!!), but sadly no longer 1K
Posts: 126
Originally Posted by gutt22
It's been a while since I've been able to get back on the forums, unfortunately, and a full Sonoma report (very long) will be coming. But I have to say -- enthusiastic thumbs up to Cyrus for being an ultimate dining experience. Top-notch all around.
Mirepoix, however, I think had the best food of our trip. The place is astonishing!
Mirepoix, however, I think had the best food of our trip. The place is astonishing!
Glad you liked my advice !
(I love it when I'm right !!
) .
Sep 16, 2005, 9:28 pm
#53
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Arizona USA
Programs: NetJets Marquis, Southwest Moo, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,652
The Girl & the Fig in Sonoma
Not haute cuisine, but one of our favorite places while staying at the Lodge at Sonoma.
Not haute cuisine, but one of our favorite places while staying at the Lodge at Sonoma.
Sep 21, 2005, 12:48 pm
#54
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Los Angeles, CA USA; Kerry Ireland
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Posts: 761
Any thoughts on Hurley's or Pilar? And I want to choose between Bouchon and Brix for a lunch - have seen mixed reviews on Bouchon but FTers seem to like (from this thread) - any specific LUNCH insights? Thanks.
Sep 21, 2005, 3:28 pm
#55
Join Date: Jul 1999
Programs: QF WP, AA EXP
Posts: 3,520
I think Bouchon does a great job for both dinner and lunch. Hurley's doesn't really excite me too much. It's good, but not up to Bouchon or the Jeanty establishments.
My favorite is the Martini House in St. Helena. Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen there is also good.
My favorite is the Martini House in St. Helena. Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen there is also good.
Sep 21, 2005, 8:31 pm
#56
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Los Angeles, CA USA; Kerry Ireland
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Thanks for the info - will try Bistro Jeanty & Pilar (for dinners), and Brix (for lunch) - and will report back next week!
Sep 27, 2005, 9:35 pm
#58
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Los Angeles, CA USA; Kerry Ireland
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Just returned - all the meals were great - Bistro Jeanty, Pilar (relatively new, near the mill in Napa), and Brix...and Bouchon Bakery is awesome!
Sep 29, 2005, 10:29 pm
#59
Join Date: Jul 1999
Programs: QF WP, AA EXP
Posts: 3,520
tdo-ca, Glad you enjoyed some of the recommendations here. Napa can be a deadly place once you find all of the right places to go.
I think I had foie gras three different times over the course of a weekend one time. Then there was the desert AND cheese course after every meal. And the trips to Dean and Deluca for "snacks". And of course, breakfast at Bouchon - The Grand Plateau (or tower of seafood as we like to call it) washed down with a bottle or two of champagne. I pretty much have to give in to my gluttony when I'm there.
I think I had foie gras three different times over the course of a weekend one time. Then there was the desert AND cheese course after every meal. And the trips to Dean and Deluca for "snacks". And of course, breakfast at Bouchon - The Grand Plateau (or tower of seafood as we like to call it) washed down with a bottle or two of champagne. I pretty much have to give in to my gluttony when I'm there.