Jodi Jackson’s Hollywood

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/

When I was a kid my Mom would take my brother and I out to dinner with her best friend and their kids. We used to go to Micelli’s pizza on La Cienaga in Los Angeles, for their spaghetti special night. Filippi’s is an upscale version of this memory. It really is an old fashion pizza joint, but has some added bonuses; really great Italian food at a very minimal price. I just stumbled in here one afternoon and asked owner Tom if I could do a tasting. He said all I have to do is feed you, well then come on down.

You’ve got your classic red and white checkered table clothes, café chairs, and Chianti bottles hanging from the ceiling, what more could you ask for?

Here are my favorites:

Pizza – Pepperoni and Sausage, I have tried lots and lots of pizza, but this one stole my heart. It’s all about the crust done the right way, crispy and on the thicker side. The sausage is really outstanding, but don’t get me wrong, this is pizza done in the American way, or old school Italian. Truly one of my favorite pizzas ever!

Ravioli – Marinara Sauce, this is not your fluffy high-end Italian style ravioli, it’s the kind you would find in your local pizza joint. It’s done the right way and has all the great marinara sauce flavors.

Meatballs the size of California, the biggest I have ever eaten! Our waitress swears that this is her favorite thing on the menu; I can see why, they are not only big but delicious too.

Lasagna, this is old fashion lasagna at its best. With rich ripe tomatoes marinara sauce, lots of creamy layers and great juicy flavors, a real winner.

Salad – Antipasto with Garden fresh Vegetables plus Assorted Meats & Cheese, with Homemade Italian Dressing. The same kind of antipasto salad I remember when I was a kid at Michelli’s, but this one has a little more raw vegetables, still an excellent choice.

Sourdough Garlic Bread With Melted Mozzarella, the cheese is oozing off of the bread and it has the most amazing flavor, this one is a must have.

Linguini with Baby Clams, Olive Oil, Garlic, Clam juice and Spices. I like the fresh clams on this the best with all its hidden sauce on the inside of the shell, I would ask for more fresh then the mass amount of canned ones.

Fettuccini with Chicken, Artichokes, and Mushrooms in Alfredo Sauce. It’s kind of a tart flavor from the artichokes, but wonderful just the same. Try this instead of a typical Alfredo, it has a little more flavor as well as protein.

With their rich history, these restaurants do not get any more Italian. Vincent DePhilippis and Madeleine Stefani came to America in 1922, Vincent from Italy and Madeleine from France. They met in New York and married in 1925 and settled in Philadelphia. In 1950 they moved to San Diego where they opened a deli grocery on India Street, which was called Filippi’s Cash and Carry. Filippi’s has become a successful line of family owned restaurants. Today Filippi’s Pizza Grottos have many locations, and are owned and operated by family members of the original founders.

Come for the childhood memories of what a simple pizza joint used to be like, and for the true excitement of finding a rare treasure like this.

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Filippi’s Pizza Grotto
645 First Street
Napa, California 94559
707-254-9700
www.realcheesepizza.com

Vintage Sweet Shop Chocolate tasting – Sat. Feb 8, 2014

A very small store located in Downtown Napa in the historic Napa Mill, it will be something that you should do when you visit Napa. Tasting rich beautiful wines with exquisite artisan chocolate, it’s a great way to experience a party in your mouth.

One of their signature products are chocolate covered wine bottles, so you can drink the wine and eat the chocolate right off the bottle at the same time.

It’s worth the tasting fee; you will get a once in a lifetime chance to know about the pleasures of chocolate and wine.

I am not going to tell you everything you will experience, I’m just saying go to this wonderful tasting and be fully surprised!

Vintage Sweet Shop
530 Main St. Napa CA 94559
707-224-2986
http://vintagesweetshoppe.com

St. Claire Brown Winery and Lunch – Sat. Feb. 8, 2014

The day I went for my tasting it was pouring rain and their glass greenhouse was not available for my tasting. Instead, they had me in their warehouse and did a nice organic inspired lunch.

The wines are truly one of a kind, each with great local fruit and lovely inspired winemaking.

There was so much attention on my tasting with both the owners, then in pops a surprise celebrity guest, California Attorney General, Kamala Harris. She is as inquisitive as she is smart and beautiful; we had fun comparing wine and social notes.

Here are the wine tasting of the day:
2010 Chardonnay, Coombsville, Napa Valley

2010 Rose of Syrah, Napa Valley

2010 Zinfandel, Napa Valley

2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Every wine is really got a story, but I don’t want to give you too much information on all of this, just go there and taste for yourself. There are so many different characteristics in each wine, and some much love in each bottle, this is one of my best wine tasting experiences.

The food was great too:

Roasted Almonds with cumin and Meyer’s lemon. I just could not stop eating this great combination of flavors.

Hummus with organic chickpeas, peanut, lemon zest and Meyer lemon olive oil, served with Model Bakery demi-baguette. The hummus was very soothing, not with a lot of garlic or lemon flavors, just real good chickpeas.

Farro and Rancho Gordo Red Quinoa Salad with ose pickled radish, pinot grigio soaked raisins, garden greens, and carrot ginger vinaigrette. Talk about your super food, this salad has it all, I felt like super woman after I ate it.

Pork Rillette with fig, apricot compote. The flavors are very subtle, but paired with the Zinfandel it rocked my world. Chef Norma Whitt really knows her stuff!

If you’re looking for something a little bit different and not too much out of town, then St. Clair Brown Winery is the place for you. They are in the process of building a restaurant out of their warehouse space as we speak, so expansion will be happening very soon. For now, I liked the peacefulness of this boutique winery and the two women who run it; Elaine St. Clair and Laina Brown. Oh did I mention that the real star of this show is their killer wine!

St. Clair Brown Winery
1601 Action Ave, Napa ·
(707) 255-5591
www.stclairbrownwinery.com

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Uncorked Tasting – Sat. Feb. 8, 2014

Celeste Parducci and her husband Bruce also own this. As a hotel guest they give you a free pass for two people to taste their spectacular wines, and well as a bottle of wine for you to take home, nice right!

Their wine is exquisite; the wine bar is unpretentious, which makes for a comfy experience. The best price point is the Carducci Rose, which is only $20.00, so you can easy drink this elegant affordable wine.

The interior is a great place to have an event; it is light and airy, with a long tasting bar. You could schedule a girl’s day out and make this apart of your adventure, toasting with Carducci, Ahnfedt, and Provacative, nice assortment of wine. It I located right across the street from the Oxbow Public Market, which has some fantastic wines and artisan food shops. So my advice, make a lunch out of the yummy foods at the Oxbow Public Market, walk across the street to Uncorked, purchase a bottle of wine and then go have a picnic!

Uncorked at Oxbow
605 First St., Napa, CA,
94559
707-927-5864
http://www.uncorked-at-oxbow.com

This place was such a nice surprise. It’s a little way from the heart of downtown Napa, and from all the bustling inside; it looks like this is where the locals gather. No tourist trap here, just live music and a very happening bar scene. The night I went was like a monsoon hit Napa. Everyone was in a great mood because of the much-needed rainfall.

I did not have a say in this tasting, the only thing I asked for extra was to try the pizza. They did a fine job of giving me little nibbles of their best food items.

Here is what the chef selected as my tasting:

Arancini, fried pesto risotto balls, mozzarella cheese & spicy marinara sauce. Little balls of heaven, crispy outside, warm melty cheese inside. Delicious tender bites of Italy.

Handmade gnocchi with Gorgonzola. This pasta will warm your heart; it has really good creamy consistency.

Vitello Piccata, pan-seared veal scallopini roasted potatoes, broccoli rabe, lemon-caper butter sauce. The veal is cooked to its utmost perfection with its sour lemon flavor, and the rabe is an exact opposite with bitter nuances. If you’re a veal fan this dish is for you!

Pizze, Calabrese with tomato sauce, mozzarella, onion, Italian sausage & mushroom. It is so hard to determine which pizza ranks up there with the best, I am so confused. I will say that this one had great sausage that had little hints of fennel, which made it very special.

Desserts:

Tiramisu with Chocolate Sauce, nice smooth rich filling, and the sauce, all I can say is wow!

Nutella Bread Pudding with Espresso cream sauce & sea salt caramel gelato. The gelato really hit the spot for me, with its salty caramel flavor. How could you not love this spectacular desert.

Here are the wines I liked:

Chardonnay, Hess Collection, ‘su’skol Vineyard’ Napa Valley 2012. I loved this wine with Handmade gnocchi with Gorgonzola. Subtle vanilla, citrus, cream paired nicely with the sauce.

Pinot Noir, Renteria, Carneros, 2009. This wine went great with the sausage in the pizza.

Sangiovese, Monticelli Brothers, ‘Mario’ Russian River 2010. This wine was terrific with the veal scaloppini; it captured the citrus, and balanced out the bitter rape.

Uva Trattoria opened its doors in 1999 and has been a local standby for over 15 years. They have an extensive menu, of Regional Italian cuisine and specialize in homemade pastas and pizzas. The lively bar serves creative cocktails with a wine list of both California and Italian wines, specializing in local Napa Valley wines.

Uva’s owner, a Napa native Aaron Diaz, spent 19 plus years under the tutelage of legendary restaurateur Donna and Giovanni Scala. The Scala’s guidance helped Diaz develop a deep passion for Italian cuisine, wine and culture where he shares the philosophy of less is more with his Chef Marcos Ramirez. Uva features live jazz, blues, big band and R&B, with no cover charge, Wednesday thru Sunday night.

The thing about this restaurant is that every item is made to order with the utmost care and great attention to detail. Using only the freshest ingredients, owner Aaron Diaz has brought real Italian cuisine to the heart of Napa. Uva dishes out an amazing array of fun, and goodness that will make the flavors dance in your mouth and on the dance floor. This place has got me hooked!

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Uva Trattoria & Bar
1040 Clinton St.
Napa, CA. 94559
(707) 255 6646
http://www.uvatrattoria.com

If your staying at The Napa Winery Inn this place is very convenient, you just walk out the back parking lot and your there. It’s got a Cheers vibe to it, with a very busy bar, even during lunchtime. My waitress told me that its even more crowded at night. Bustling with lots of a local lunch crowd, after you taste the food you will know why this place is so popular.

The interior is kind of modern, but cozy. There is very cool artwork that adorns the walls and the patio is partially tented with fire red canvas, perfect for that summer dining experience.

Here are my favorites:

House Made Onion Rings with beer battered and panko crusted with spicy chipotle bbq sauce. So many onion rings, so little time. I am a big advocate of this dish, it’s my guilty pleasure, and Fume delivers the goods. The sauce and the batter made my experience one to remember.

Creamy Spinach Soup, with gold beet gnocchi and toasted hazelnut garnish. So simple and delicate, with nice rich spinach flavor and color. The soup itself had lovely viscosity, and the garnish adds just the right amount of needed flavor.

Grilled Flat Iron Steak Cobb Salad with butter lettuce, arugula, applewood smoked bacon, avocado, grilled red onions, boiled organic cage-free egg, bleu cheese, green goddess dressing. If I lived close by I would become a regular and have to eat this salad at least once a week. You get all of your protein and its semi low calorie, I just loved it!

Grilled half pound fume Ground Chuck Burger and bistro fries. With pepper jack, Swiss, cheddar or bleu, grilled onions and apple wood-smoked bacon, mushrooms. This is a terrific burger, very meaty with nice accompaniments.

BBQ Baby Back Ribs with honey molasses bbq sauce, slaw, and bistro fries. The beauty about these ribs is number one; they fall of the bone, and number two their sauce is off the hook!

Fennel Sausage Pizza, done in a wood fired pizza oven, with marinara, caramelized onion, fennel, and ricotta salata. A really great pizza, it had great consistency, the ingredients added to the amazing crust and sauce. I would put this pizza up there with the great ones I have tasted, and beyond!

Mushroom Ravioli with Bellweather Farms Jersey ricotta, braised leeks, fresh thyme, Tenbrink Farms walnuts, portobello and crimini mushrooms, sage cream sauce, white truffle oil. One of my favorites, the rich special ricotta and the 2 types of mushrooms made my mouth very happy.

Oven Roasted Free Range Chicken with herb brined and rosemary marinated one-half chicken, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, baby carrots, and sage brown sugar butter. This chicken is so delicate, yet rustic. The brining makes the chicken so tender and flaky, perfectly cooked as well. The sage brown sugar is so luscious, it works nicely with fowl.

Here are the wines that I tried:

2009 Chardonnay, Bremer Family, Napa Valley. Tropical notes, vanilla, spice and oak make this a big glass of chard! This spectacular wine worked great with the mushroom ravioli and the chicken, it hit the right notes in both dishes.

2012 Zinfandel, Seghesio, Sonoma County, Yummy briar patch goodness and a fair amount of tannins scream for red meat. The bbq ribs and the fennel pizza blended nicely with this wine. Fennel and Zinfandel is a very exciting match up.

2009 Brodatious Cabernet-Merlot-Syrah, Crane Brothers, Napa Valley, Big, black & burly! Burger or ribs are an excellent pair with this glorious wine.

2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Bremer Family Winery, Napa Valley. Black current and cherry make this glass an easy pair with the steak salad. This on went great with the chuck burger; it balanced the entire delightful grilled burger flavor.

Chef/Owner Terry Letson really knows what he is doing and pays a lot of attention to detail. His food, atmosphere and staff are outstanding, and will make your experience so worthwhile.

You just have to come here for the food; it will put a big exclamation mark on your dining experience, guaranteed!

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Fume Bistro & Bar
4050 Byway E
Napa, CA 94558
(707) 257-1999
www.fumebistro.com/

A very old restored Victorian with lots of history, not for the faint of heart. When you step into the foyer, you notice this very long staircase leading up to the second floor, the kind of staircase where the mistress of the house would make her grand entrance.

Once in your room, there are 14 foot ceiling and Jacuzzis tubs. This was the most perfect place to be at during Napa’s raging storm, which lasted for 3 days, and Napa getting 11 inches of rain. The huge bay windows, with see-through lace curtains, set the tone for the deluge of showers to come. I stayed their 2 nights and both nights the rains pounded the windows, but some how I managed to stay safe and warm. The power of the building was very comforting.

There are spectacular marble fireplaces in almost every room, including the guest rooms. Very ornate Victorian ceilings where rosette moldings are a feast for your eyes.

What I love about my job is that you get to experience a great structure that has weathered the hands of time, and are able to feel like you are right back in that opulent era. Most people just get to drive by these grand Victorians, but I get to stay in them for a few days and dream about the people who lived in them.

The furnishings are kept very authentic on purpose. Celeste Carducci knows a lot about the history of her elegant Bed and Breakfast. She bought it in the late 80’s and little by little decorated her fantastic rooms and brought this by gone era back to life.

When you speak to Celeste you get the feeling that her heart and soul are fully invested into all of her businesses. Everything she discusses with you is researched and interjected with her knowledge and expertise, she is quite the conversationalist.

She is a modern day angel disguised as a businesswoman. Oh did I mention she is also a trainer and physical fitness guru, she looks amazing, not like her biological age.

Celeste and her husband Bruce Ahnfeldt have been married since 2005; they have their fingers in a lot of pots. They own and operate Mc Clelland Priest bed and Breakfast as well as Carducci wines, Ahnfeldt Wines, and Uncorked at Oxbow. A great combination of hospitality and wine, you must be a guest at their BNB and drink their fantastic wines during and after your amazing stay!

Bruce had a successful legal practice and started growing grapes in Napa in the 80’s, while Celeste had a lot of experience in both wine and hospitality. In 2000 Bruce launched Ahnfeldt Wines, and as a couple in 2005 they began exploring the potential of downtown Napa and the exciting ways they could blend wine and hospitality.

By purchasing another historic building in the up and coming Oxbow area, they created Uncorked, a lively tasting room where guests could enjoy wine, music, food, and education. Uncorked has the only bonded barrel tasting room downtown where they offer other wine tasting activities like; blending seminars, food and wine pairings, and bi-monthly open mic sessions.

Uncorked features an exciting portfolio of Ahnfeldt Wines, Provocative Wines, and a new Napa/Italian collection, the Carducci Wines—all crafted by Winemaker Paul Hobbs and his expert team. Celeste and Bruce have the Midas touch; everything they touch turns to gold. With lots of accolades; Ahnfeldt routinely score 90 or more points with Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast magazines and McClelland-Priest Bed & Breakfast Inn has a Diamond Collection rating. So it’s your turn to revel in their glory and try all of the lovely bounty that they have to offer.

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McClelland – Priest
569 Randolph Street
Napa, CA 94559
Voice: 1.800.290.6881 or 707.224.6875
Fax: 707.224.6782

I did this fun wine train last year, and was asked to come back and cook with the fantastic chef Kelly McDonald. The first time I rode the train it was a bright sun filled day, but this day it poured rain. The Bay Area was having a pounding storm that lasted 3 days and Napa Valley was hit the hardest, with over 11 inches of rain. But I always make lemonade out of lemons, so for me doing this event in the rain was just what the doctor ordered.

Baby Lettuce Salad
With candied walnuts and smoked goat cheese in a honey cider vinaigrette. This salad is very fresh with a lovely dressing.

Roasted Beef Tenderloin
On potato-fennel gratin topped with Fried Lotus Root and Red Onion Marmalade in a Red Wine Cabernet Reduction.
The meat is unbelievably tender. Cooked rare, it just bursts with flavor.

Ahi Tuna with coconut milk risotto, this dish is so luscious, I learned how to make this one with Kelly Mac Donald, the video with be up soon.

The wine train is such a nice way to spend the day. It’s like Disneyland for adults. Really, everyone must ride this train when they’re in Napa Valley.

Napa Valley Wine Train
1275 McKinstry St, Napa, CA 94559
(707) 253-2111
http://winetrain.com