Jodi Jackson’s Hollywood

Wurstküche, From the German Dictionary; meaning: a “sausage kitchen”. I thought that was a somewhat plain description of these grand exotic wonders. Until you pop one of these sausages in your mouth you will not know the full experience of enjoying these bursting fireworks of flavors.

Everything here is very imaginative and ingenious. The straightforward and uncomplicated nature of owners Tyler Wilson and Joseph Pitruzzelli’s brainchild is to be commended. After all, it’s a very simple concept, Meat, Potatoes and Beer. Maybe a variety of mustards and dipping sauces in the mix as well, but that’s about it!

This is a take on a beer garden at it’s finest, but what really sells is the concept, how things are put together in a neat simple package. Down to the graphic numbers that you put on your table for delivery and the boat shaped metal basket that the sausages come in. Nothing here is over looked; every attention to detail is addressed.

The interior is very industrial, with its different areas; The Green Room, The Patio, The Common Area and The Stage, all serve an equal purpose as it is very open and airy, which can accommodate many large parties with it’s communal bench seating.

They only serve German wine, which is a feat in itself; I would say German wine is an acquired taste. The beer selection is off the hook, so many beers so little time. I’m not going to review the beer or the wine, I tried to many and it would take too much time, but I would highly recommend you try what ever is your pleasure.

Here are the sausages I would recommend:

Bratwurst, fine cuts of pork, coriander & nutmeg, more then just your average Bratwurst, the special seasonings make this one a winner.

Mango Jalapeno, with chicken and turkey, there is something about the sweet and hot that really rocked my world.

Chicken Apple and spices, apple and specks of cinnamon, pork free. You will just gobble this one up, its easy on the palate and so delicious.

Duck & Bacon and Jalapeno peppers, succulent and packed with flavor. A sausage that is right in the middle, not an extreme experience, but great non the less.

Rattlesnake and rabbit with Jalapeno Peppers, buttery and mildly spicy. Once you taste this, the rattlesnake and rabbit novelty goes right out the window. The flavor is serious and you would never know that’s what you’re eating! It is savory, yet spicy with great fragrances from these oddly paired meats.

Klein Fries, double dipped fries, served with sauces. Although these fries are good, my drug of choice was the truffle fries.

White truffle fries oil glaze. All I can say is Yummy!!!

They have all 5 of their condiments in very large serving bottles right on the table: Whole Grain Mustard, Spicy Brown Mustard, Honey Mustard, American Mustard and Ketchup. My all time favorite is the Honey Mustard.

You also get your choice of Caramelized Onions, Sauerkraut, Sweet Peppers and Spicy peppers on every sausage order.

The dipping sauces are: Bleu Cheese Walnut & Bacon, Chipotle Aioli, Curry Ketchup, Sundried Tomato Maya, Buttermilk Ranch, Chipotle Ketchup, Pesto Mayo, Sweet & Sassy BBQ, Thai Peanut sauce. I would say as far as the best, to each his own. You can mix and match different sauces and with the wide array of sausages, you can literally change the direction of its original flavors. It is a very creative process that is open to every individual taste.

Wurstküche is so popular, by the time I was done with my meal the place was packed, and it’s a lot of square footage. Since my tasting I have told many people who said; of course I tried Wurstkuche, it was fantastic! This place is a gold mine, such a simple concept, young and old you will find exactly what you like at Wurstküche.

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Wurstküche
625 Lincoln Blvd.
Venice, CA. 90291
www.wurstkuche.com

There aren’t a lot of places to choose from in this little block of restaurants and bars in Playa Del Rey, but Café Pinguini is where you want to dine when your staying nearby. In fact, the food is so astounding that you will want to drive here from any part of Los Angeles, just to be able to indulge in great Italian cuisine.

Both owners Tony and Enrico are from Rome, and worked in the restaurant business in Santa Monica at Café Del Fini for many years. Café Penguini has been in operation since 1997, and they have managed to keep the food very authentic, and most of their recipes are what you would get in an Osteria in Rome. My guess is that lots of customers come here whether they live around the block or in any part of Los Angeles, the food is that good, and so worth the drive!

My fantastic waiter Meo, gave me some nice samplings of wine, and made my lunch extra special with his gorgeous Italian accent.

Here are the wines that I tried:

Pinot Grigio, Pasqua 2012 Veneto, very fruity and effervescent as you might expect a Pinot Grigio to be, nicely paired with Antipasti Caldi Insalata di Mare. Simple, direct, will not take away from the nice dressing.

Chardonnay, Battaglini 2009 Russian River, try this wine with the Smoked Mozzarella con Shitake, it will blend nicely with the woodsy mushrooms.

Sauvignon Blanc, Scarbolo 2011 Friuli, I would give this wine a swirl with the Trio di Bruschetta, perfect nuances of flavors makes this combo work.

Pinot Noir Coeur de Terre 2011 Willamette Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, Maddalena 2009 Paso Robles, well this is a no brainer with the Filetto al Porto, Italian wine with this glorious recipe.

Montepulciano, d’ Abruzzo, La Murola 2012 Abruzzo, there are so many ways to pair this one, my favorite was with the Fettuccine Bolognese.

Antipasti Caldi Insalata di Mare, warm clams, mussels, shrimp and calamari with extra virgin olive oil and lemon. This dish has so much integrity, perfectly balanced elements with the freshest seafood around, what more could you want.

Smoked Mozzarella con Shitake, slices of smoked mozzarella broiled and topped with sautéed shitake mushrooms. This is a great way to get your appetite on board for the rest of the meal. Smoky, meaty mushrooms really define this dish.

Trio di Bruschetta, assortment of bruschetta, the pepper bruschetta was my favorite, but each one has a lot of gusto.

Ravioli in Brodo, four cheese raviolis, ground Italian sausage in savory chicken broth. What a fine accomplishment this soup is. The ravioli pops in your mouth while the sausage is very savory with its fennel infused flavor.

Pizze, Prosciutto Funghi, tomato sauce, mushrooms, mozzarella and prosciutto. The crust is very thin and crisp and with the prosciutto, it’s just the perfect accompaniment to this nice light pizza.

Filetto al Porto, Filet mignon topped with mushrooms sautéed in a port wine sauce with leeks. The sauce is so luscious, the port characteristics are like velvet, and each bite has a different story to tell.

Veal Scaloppine ai Funghi, Medallions of veal or chicken sautéed with mushroom sauce. This too is an amazing accomplishment; the veal is paper thin and so tender it just melts in your mouth.

Sea Bass with Capers, the beauty of this dish is how it disappears in your palate, its buttery consistency is like nothing you’ve ever tasted, its just that good.

Fettuccine Bolognese, flat noodles with delicate ground veal and tomato sauce. The noodles are cooked aldente and the sauce just adheres to it. The little pieces of meat add to the overall texture of this superb pasta experience.

Fettuccine Contadina, fettuccine pasta with green peas, mushrooms, pancetta in a light creamy sauce. Given the choice I would eat this lively pasta every time. It’s creamy, with pleasant pork overtones from the pancetta. Plus it has all the colors of the Italian flag, what more could you want.

Risotto ai Funghi: risotto with mixed wild mushrooms, humble, unassuming, but just the right amount of everything, a great staple in my eating experience.

I had the opportunity to talk to Enrico’s lovely wife Charmaine, who is from Jamaica, she and Enrico were sharing a casual lunch. She shared with me that a bunch of celebrities dine there. They are the ones who love the non-Hollywood vibe and slow easy dining that Café Penguini offers. From Phil Jackson former Lakers coach to Paul McCartney’s sister, whose offices are across the street, there is lots of celebrity action.

There is a great patio with umbrellas to keep the sun away. The dining rooms are very Roman, with muted beige colors. There are also Italian replica art pieces on every wall, with nice soft Jazz music piped in.

My desire when eating Italian food is to be romanced with elegant ingredients and not to be over whelmed by too much of it. I love the fact that you are taken to another part of the world, transported via your taste buds, with all the lasting gorgeous flavor in every bite. Just like I remember when I traveled to Italy, there is not enough time to imbibe on all the wonderment that this Country has to offer.

Café Penguini is another slice of paradise with no exorbitant plane fairs! Just save your money and drive to Playa Del Rey for this Italian taste treat. Skip the mundane wanna be style Italian restaurants in the greater Los Angeles area and instead, take a lovely walk on the beach and then cozy up to the best Italian meal your going to have in a very long time!

Café Penguini
6935 Pacific Av., Playa Del Rey
Los Angeles, CA. 90293
310-306-0117
http://caffepinguini.com/

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January 2, marked the 14th year in Playa Del Rey for this well known neighborhood hotspot. You can tell from the clientele that they know a good thing because they keep coming back for more.

The décor is lovely and fun, with murals of the Italian coastline on the wall; even the place mats have the map of Italy on them. I was told that until a little while ago they had Christmas lights up all year round. The dining room is a narrow configuration, which makes it all the more cozy. It has lots of fun things to look at and even more fun things to taste!

Here are my favorites:

Garlic Shrimp Antipasto, shrimp sautéed with butter, garlic and olive oil. The flavor is steeped in garlic with bright lemon accents. The shrimp are huge and beautifully butterflied, a big winner.

Calamari Fritti, deep fried calamari served with marinara, done just right, with nice crispy breading and a great sauce.

Caesar Salad Hearts of romaine with shaved Parmesan and croutons. This salad was fantastic; it has a delicious over all taste, and killer dressing.

Eggplant Parmigiana, lightly breaded topped with mozzarella and marinara. The actual eggplant is not smothered in marinara sauce, so you really get to enjoy the goodness of this straight-forward dish.

Home Made Ravioli, portobello mushroom, with porcini cream. Rich, smooth, and luscious is the only way of describing this perfect ensemble.

Gnocchi Salerno, prosciutto, peas, mushrooms in garlic cream sauce, this homemade, and though very rich, it had a way of making me a fan.

Veal Piccata, white wine, capers, and lemon with side of fettuccine Alfredo. The combination of these two together is what I liked most about this dish. This was my favorite, I would order this every time. I would love to know how they made the very inspired mushroom sauce.

Sausage Pizza, great crust, a good easy choice.

My fantastic waiter Roger gave me 4 bottles of wine to try, which my guests and I drank happily.

Hayman & Hill Monterey County 2012, kind of fruity with nice notes of Vanilla, went great with the shrimp appetizer.

Rodney Strong Chardonnay 2012, this wine has a little more caramel, vanilla, tones in it. I would pair this with Calamari or the Caesar salad. It’s a good balance with the tangy vinegar in the salad, and worked great with the batter on the calamari.

Cabernet Sauvignon, Pedroncelli, Dry Creek Sonoma 2011. This wine has cherry and woodsy nuances, got to do this with the mushroom sauce in the Veal Picatta.

Rodney Strong Merlot, Sonoma, 2011, hands down pair this with the sausage and tomatoes in the pizza.

Owner Lisetta Maria – AKA Lisa, is rich in family tradition and culture, and likes to keep the family memories alive through this restaurant and her grandmother’s recipes. His family came from Abruzzi, Italy, her grandmother and grandfather came to America through Ellis Island, and settled in Newton, Massachusetts.

As a child she watched her Grandma Anna Cantalini make wonderful specialties in the kitchen while her grand father Giovanni DiGregorio played the accordion. The same one she has on display near the front of the restaurant. The ravioli and gnocchi are the same recipe that her grandma made many years ago. On Sundays they have live music, which Lisa says she pays tribute to her Grandfather.

The atmosphere is very authentic, and the food will make your taste buds sing. This is definitely a fantastic place for a Sunday night family dinner. Another one of the many great finds during my Staycation here in Playa Del Rey.

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Cantalini’s Salerno Beach
183 Culver Blvd · Playa Del Rey
(310) 821-0018
salernobeach.net

Only 30 to 40 minutes from my home in West Hollywood, lies an oasis of peace and relaxation. Honestly you feel like you’re in another part of California. With nature preserve the Ballona Wetlands providing your view, and all of the beautiful egret and squirrel activity, the Inn at Playa Del Rey is a stellar choice for a quick romantic getaway. And it’s so close to Los Angeles that you can see downtown in the distance off of your balcony.

Next time I want to getaway to Santa Barbara or Palm Springs I will just book a couple nights stay here instead. It is tranquil and 4 blocks from the beach. They have bicycles for your site seeing enjoyment as well as good old-fashioned walking. Either way you are very close to the beach and Marina Del Rey. They give a bike path map, so you can bike to the Marina or The Manhattan Beach pier in no time.

The rooms are quite and serene, and when darkness falls, you can see the big dipper from your room. The view at night is all of the cities of Angels twinkling evening lights. Amenities at Inn at Playa Del Rey Include: full hot buffet breakfast featuring market fresh fruits, home baked breads and egg soufflés. Complimentary California wines, hors d’oeuvres every evening, afternoon tea, lemonade and cookies.

The Inn provides bicycles for a glorious ride along the nearby beach. There is a private sunbathing garden, birding guides, classic movies, and massages can be arranged, guest business center with computer and high-speed internet connection, meeting facilities, wireless internet, complimentary parking, and convenient access to all of Los Angeles. There are so many pluses to this incredible property you just have to see it to believe.

The staff is extremely helpful, but they won’t overwhelm you with their presence. They are around when you need them, and are invisible when you don’t.

The décor is just lovely, lots of shabby chic type furniture, with birds neatly placed all over the hotel. Fireplaces and Jacuzzi’s in lots of the rooms, with large flat screen TV’s.

The quiet and calm will stick with you long after you stay. What a gem in our great city, another one of Playa Del Rey’s hidden treasures!

Inn at Playa Del Rey
435 Culver Blvd.
Playa Del Rey, CA. 90293
310-574-1920
www.innatplayadelrey.com

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I love a good dive bar! One with great ambiance and interesting characters, and a real solid bar-keep, Prince O’ Whales has all that and more.

Steven Mayer is the owner, and his fantastic right hand man Rocky, makes a really stiff drink. Rocky moonlights as an actor, what a concept, oh yeah were in Los Angeles, I almost forgot. He has been a very successful commercial actor for a long time. As divey as this bar is on the outside Rocky makes up for it on the inside, with his charm and sweet demeanor, he gives Prince O’ Whales lots of credibility.
When I spoke to Steven Meyer on the phone, he made me laugh. Rocky said that Steven bought the Prince O’ Whales because he got kicked out of every bar in the area.

Here are the wines and drinks that I tried:

Proper Martini, done in a proper Martini glass with 2 olive, nice proportions, good chilled experience.

William Hill Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, both the white and the red were very drinkable and really terrific. Of course the Cabernet paired great with the meaty Whale burger, and the Chardonnay was excellent with the Fish and Chips.

Oh and then there’s the food…
The food I loved:

Whale Burger, you can’t quite describe this burger, it is very simple, but when you bite into it its pretty much in a burger category of its own, truly a delight to behold.

Cobb Salad, I love a good Cobb salad and this one is right up there with the great ones I have tasted throughout the years.

BBQ Chicken Salad, it had lots of tortilla strips with BBQ sauce dripped on top, this salad has loads of chicken and had nice BBQ sauce flavors.

Fish and Chips, how could you go wrong ordering this dish at a bar with a British name, well you can’t! The chips were large and crispy and the fish was battered to perfection with the fish still being moist inside.

Hot Wings, great spicy flavor with plump wings, just basic and good.

Chili, gotta love this chili, with a slight kick it blew my head off.

Club Sandwich, better then your average club, very hearty meat and good bread make this a staple in my Playa Del Rey adventure.

There are lots of nooks and crannies at this joint. An outside patio to play games and watch sports on large flat screen TV’s as well as 2 inside bars, and a small covered patio in the front of the property. One of their modern amenities is a digital/internet juke box, I have never seen anything like it.

My friend Lupe, who lives around the corner, joined me that night and says that Playa Del Rey is a hidden treasure and a sleepy little town, and that most people just drive by and don’t stop to enjoy its charm. Lupe believes in supporting her local businesses here in PDR, so she has quite a few of her favorite spots.

Location, location, location, right down the street is the beach that they call the jungle, complete with a shipwrecked drug boat (as of this writing). Prince O’ Whales is very convenient smack in the middle of everything. So next time you want a drink and a killer burger stop here!!!

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Prince O’ Whales
335 Culver Blvd · Playa Del Rey
(310) 823-9826
princeowhales.com

My new Napa friend Tiffany gave me a mini tasting at this very popular dinner spot in Downtown Napa for my last night. As you can see it was very limited, but gave me a little slice of heaven.

Small Plates

Crispy spring rolls with soy-braised pork belly, shaved carrots, fresh herbs. So simple, but delicate, with a super punch of Asian flavors.

Dungeness crab cake with baby tatsoi, watermelon daikon and srirachia aioli. I just wish I would have had 10 of these, they are that good.

Flash fried calamari with a spice chipotle chili and orange honey glaze, pickled ginger. The calamari is very crispy, with the orange honey glaze you mouth is set on a really great far away journey.

Celadon is right on the Napa River, in a very historic Old Mill building. It deserves all of the hype, and maybe next time I can do a larger menu tasting.

CELADON
500 Main St.
Napa, California 94559
(707) 254-9690
www.celadonnapa.com

You could call it a sports bar, or a neighborhood cheers bar, but Downtown Joe’s has a whole other thing going on. The staff is so friendly and the food well it’s just plain good, not you’re typical bar food, this place has it all.

After all is said and done, I realized there is a secret component to all of this goodness, it is owners Joe’s daughter. She is getting a jump-start on all of the operations needed to be a successful business in Downtown Napa.

Here’s what I tried:

Appetizers

Winter Cheese Board
Smoked Gouda and Pt. Reyes Blue Cheese paired with Kalamata and black olives, Bartlett pears, kiwi fruit, sliced apples and an assortment of crackers. A great menu item to pair with Hidden Crush Monterey Chardonnay.

Buffalo Wings, served with celery and their house blue cheese dressing. I am not the biggest fan of wings, but these were pretty tasty, and from what I heard from my neighbor’s table they gave them A++++.

House Made New England Clam Chowder. This is the best clam chowder you will ever have, it hits the spot.

Point Reyes Blue Cheese Burger with Niman Ranch beef, smoked beacon with their house made Stout BBQ sauce and house fried onions. This is a very hearty burger with some nice fixings, come prepared.

Roasted Garlic Caesar Salad, with their Meyer lemon creamy dressing. They don’t cut the romaine lettuce up, so you can pick up the lettuce and eat with your hands, which is a nice feature. The dressing is very pungent, but makes for a great salad.

Surf and Turf, 10 oz. sirloin cooked to order with garlic scampi jasmine rice and steamed vegetables. This was my favorite out of everything I tried. The steak is very tender, and huge. The shrimp pop in your mouth and have great garlic nuances. The vegetables are cooked to perfection, and add the healthy quotient in the meal.

Tasting of House brewed Beer List:

Lazy Summer American Wheat
This light and refreshing ale is 45% British wheat. It is lightly hopped making it an ideal beer for a hot summer day.

Tail Waggin’ Amber Ale
This classic American amber is made with Marris Otter malt and British crystal malts. It is malt forward with caramel and raisin notes. It is our best selling beer with the locals.

Tantric IPA
Our single IPA is well balanced between malt and hops. The floral and citrus hop flavors are delicately balanced with a slight malty sweetness.

Thistle Very Bitter
This overly hopped amber ale was first brewed by accident. It features grapefruit notes from the hops and caramel notes from the malts.

Drop Your Swartz
A German style black lager.

Overdue Porter
The classic British Porter uses Marris Otter malt with a touch of Pilsner malt and gets its roast and chocolate characters from Briess dark malts. 100% East Kent Golding hops rounds this beer into a great example of this porter style.

Worthy’s Leprechaun Stout
This light and creamy Irish Style stout is pushed with nitrogen. It has roast and chocolate notes.

Double Secret Probation
A strong and aggressive IPA with lots of citrus, pine and apricot notes and a slight residual maltiness.

I am not the beer drinker, but my guest drank all of them and said they were very well crafted, and each had its very distinct flavors.

The wines I tasted:

Hidden Crush Monterey Chardonnay, this wine went well with the shrimp and the Caeser salad.

Beaulieu Vineyards Napa Co. Blend, I would drink this wine with the meaty burger.

Midsummer Atlas Peak Cabernet, I liked this wine with the surf and turf, hit the spot with the steak.

Godspeed NV Cab/Malbec/Syrah, I would drink this wine with the steak and the burger, it’s perfect combination.

I tried a signature cocktail:
Cazadores Raz-Peach Margarita
Fresh limejuice shaken and floated with Raz-Peach Grand Marnier. I liked this cocktail, it was a thirst quencher, and had some bang for your buck.

They have an on site macro brewery with Colin Kaminski as the Brew master. Colin learned to brew on the job and has an extensive collection of brewing textbooks. For those beginning to brew he recommends “Brewing for Dummies”. For those who want to learn more technically what is going on he recommends George Fix’s books “An Analysis of Brewing Techniques” and “Principals of Brewing Science”. Trying his beer will make you a believer what ever the source was.

Bernabe Leon and Gaspar Montoya have been a part of the creative kitchen team at Downtown Joe’s since its inception in 1994. Featuring a fantastic all-natural menu, Downtown Joe’s is committed to finding vendors that care as much about our environment as they do. An emphasis on sustainably harvested, wild caught and farmed seafood, meats and poultry, there are no added hormones, no antibiotics fed or administered to any animal served from their kitchen. All are fed a 100% vegetarian diet that is grown in dirt that has been free of pesticides for at least three years.

Downtown Joe’s received the corporate sector outstanding committee service award in 2006 as well as the eco-smart business award from the Napa Valley Environmental Awareness Team

Owners Joe Ruffino and Nancye Peatman established Downtown Joes’s in 1993. Their family has owned a few other restaurants in the Napa area dating back to 1927. They maintain the Old Napa Italian tradition of operating a friendly, down to earth business, where all staff are valued and respected and all guests are welcome, whether indigenous or migratory to the Napa Valley. Unpretentious, friendly and fun, Downtown Joe’s holds true to its roots, caring for every guest as a valued human spirit and not as a credit card.

It’s a main stay here in downtown Napa, got to come here relax, watch your favorite sports show, have a drink, and take in this very welcoming bar.

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Downtown Joe’s
902 Main St, Napa, CA 94559
(707) 258-2337
http://downtownjoes.com

All you hear are crickets and birds on this secluded one and a half acres, just minutes away from Highway 29. A serene setting of shady trees and a trickling creek creates the perfect ambiance for a relaxing stay. Walking the lovely gardens and grounds will heighten your senses.

My room had a nice Jacuzzi tub with a big fireplace and an HD flat screen TV. There is also a secluded patio with a table and chairs. It had loads of nice amenities, reminding me of all the comforts of home.
They have received some great awards: Awards: “Best B & B Inn for Catering to Traveler’s Needs” Bed & Breakfast Journal, 2. “Best Honeymoon/ Anniversary” Inn Traveler, 3. “Best Breakfast in the Southwest” Inn Traveler.

The Stahlecker House bed and breakfast inn was built in the late 1940’s on the grounds of an existing apple orchard. The first building constructed was a family run bakery noted for their fine birthday, wedding, and fruit cakes. The home was constructed for the baker and his family. A three story barn/workshop was later built on the property.

Today, Stahlecker House Bed & Breakfast is a beautifully decorated Inn belonging to vintage race car driver and pilot Ron and local artist and wife Ethel Stahlecker. Ron is so accommodating, he has been doing this for a long time. His wife Elaine will greet you at breakfast and she is an added treasure.
Talking to Ron is a real pleasure, he has some much knowledge about the history of Napa and the Bay Area in general. He can tell you so much about everything. Part historian, part world traveler, if there’s anything you need to know talk to Ron.

This is just a down home BNB with the utmost integrity. You really feel like you are in someone’s home, I highly recommend this place!

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Stahlecker House
1045 Easum Dr.
Napa
(707) 257-3717
http://stahleckerhouse.com/

Every once in a while you get the treat of a lifetime, having lunch at Ca’Momi is just that. Getting to know the chefs and co-owners gave me a deeper insight as to why there is food that makes you feel like you just landed in Italy. Ca’Momi has everything, great food,  authentic ingredients, and all that is Napa California. This place is a joy to behold.

It was a preplanned lunch menu which gave me a taste of their most authentic menu items. I would not have wanted it any other way!

The wines I tried:

Bianco di Napa – Napa Valley 2012

Rosso di Napa – Napa Valley 2012

Reserve
Ca’Momi Chardonnay Reserve – Napa Valley 2012

Each wine went perfect with each pairing, every wine was spectacular and worth buying them in full bottles!

The Food I tried:

Arancini with Fried saffron Arborio rice balls filled with organic beef and pork ragu, mozzarella and sweet peas. Pretty much a staple in Italian cooking, but this one had a little something extra. The best ingredients cooked with experienced hands!

Baccala alla Veneziana with A classic recipe from Venice: creamy whipped salt cod with crispy polenta crostini. What a treat, you never get this in California, wow I was amazed.

Insalata d’inverno with Treviso radicchio and fennel with organic toasted beets, fresh oranges, red onions, and orange vinaigrette. This dish went great with the ribs, the perfect balance of sweet and tangy.

Linguine al pesto Genovese with Linguine with organic basil pesto, potatoes and green beans. Made so simple, and yet a full explosion of flavors in your mouth, I am speechless.

Spatzle allo speck with Organic flour dumplings sautéed with speck, organic cream and parmigiano reggiano. This is a novel idea for an Italian based restaurant, but who cares, once again, genius!

Costine con verze soffegae with Wood fire roasted baby back ribs with sautéed organic cabbage and organic onions. Who would have thought that you could get baby ribs at an Italian Restaurant, but these are done very special, and not what you’re used to. They were perfect with the salad.

Vera Pizza Napoletana – Margherita with San Marzano DOP tomato sauce, mozzarella di bufala Campania DOP and fresh basil. This pizza is an amazing accomplishment, period end of story.

Ca’ Momi is Michelin Guide Recommended and offers guests a selection of dining experiences including an Enoteca (or wine bar), a full service restaurant with indoor and patio seating, a VPN Certified Pizzeria Napoletana, and a traditional Italian Pasticceria (pastry shop). Ca’ Momi prides itself on its commitment to authenticity, organic sourcing, sustainability, and practicing the rich tradition of Italian cooking.

Because they are Italian, every dish is an expression of their identity, which is “Obsessively Authentic Italian”. They celebrate the preservation of their culinary traditions, preparing straightforward Italian dishes from traditional recipes that feature the pure, natural flavors of the ingredients themselves. They rely heavily on the quality of organic produce, most of which comes from their own gardens.

Ca’ Momi’s dedication to excellence and authenticity has allowed it to become one of only four pizzeria in the Bay Area certified as Verace Pizza Napoletana (VPN). This coveted status means that their pizzas meet strict regulations governing every aspect of the creation process, from the tomatoes they use to how they stretch the dough.

Owners Valentina Guolo –Migotto, Dario De Conti and Stefano Migotto, have between them a wealth of knowledge about Italian Cuisine, and all the things it takes to make this Enoteca wildly successful. You can taste their passion in every bite!

The restaurant is in the Oxbow Public Market, and is very unassuming, but it’s just got to be the best Italian food ever. I went to Italy in 2007 and traveled for a month, eating my way through the Italian countryside and Ca’ Momi is no different than being there. They have mastered the art of Italian cuisine and we are so fortunate to be able to taste it here in Napa Valley. It is just worth a trip to Napa to taste this enormously good food, forget the wine tasting! Here you get great wines (that they make as well) and inspired regional cuisine, what more could you want? I will be gushing about this place for a very long time!

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Ca’Momi
610 1st Street
Napa, CA 94558
(707) 257-4992
www.camomienoteca.com

There are lots and lots of wine tours in Napa Valley but Platypus came highly recommended. I think what sets them apart is a no nonsense approach as well as the friendly treatment toward their riders. My tour guide Michelle was no exception; she made us feel so comfortable, and introduced every one on the shuttle to each other.

We went to 4 different wineries, each one had their specialties, and all were pretty much off the beaten path. Hill Wine Company, Rutherford Ranch Winery, David Fulton Winery, and Hopper Creek Winery were our stops and we were treated like royalty at each one. This is the special treatment you get when you go on a known wine tour. Another advantage of going with a tour is, you don’t have to worry about driving. So you can sit back and enjoy without being concerned about drinking too much, nice right!

The only thing I can say that needs improvement from my perspective is their picnic lunch. I felt it could have been a touch more gourmet then just turkey, salami, and roast beef sandwiches on croissants. After all, we are in Napa Valley. There was just one accompanying salad of quinoa; they could have given us more of a variety, especially because we taste wines with out lunch.

All in all, this is a fantastic tour. They took Highway 29 and the Silverado Trail which provided a great cross section of the valley, and seeing all the glorious sites. The wineries chosen were places that I would not have found on my own, boutique wineries with small production.

This is the way to go, no worries just good clean fun, and lots of great wines!

http://www.platypustours.com/