recomendations for Napa Valley and SF

one more idea: there's an oakville grocery in healdsburg ... pick up picnic stuff there and head north. cross over to napa through Knight's Valley. That's a really pretty drive and you'll come out just above calistoga.

Originally Posted by foodguy

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one more idea: there's an oakville grocery in healdsburg ... pick up picnic stuff there and head north. cross over to napa through Knight's Valley. That's a really pretty drive and you'll come out just above calistoga.

This is sounding familiar....

Originally Posted by Piobaire

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Oh yeah, Oakville market for picnic stuff, then have a picnic lunch at one of several wineries that offer an area for that.

Originally Posted by Piobaire

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This is sounding familiar....

actually, i had seen that, but i assumed you meant the one that actually in oakville. sorry!

Originally Posted by foodguy

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actually, i had seen that, but i assumed you meant the one that actually in oakville. sorry!

Ah. No worries, just thought it was funny. I like that Oakville Market (in Healdsburg) and wish I had that kind of cheese and charcuterie selection in my city.

Originally Posted by kwilkinson

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Two nights, two days in Napa. Early lunch @ Bouchon, later dinner at Cyrus one night. Next day, million of options. There are so many good restaurants out here. One would be an idiot not to at least recommend TFL. There is also Redd, Meadowood, Farmhouse Inn, Madrona Manor. I'm sure there are great casual restaurants in Napa/Yountville, but I am not that familiar with that side of the wine country.

I would go with Bottega over Redd, unless you want to check out some cougars or have enjoy some not-so-great service. Farmhouse Inn is nice... had good rabbit there years ago. Quick or casual brunch/lunch at The Girl & The Fig has always been satisfying for me.

Originally Posted by Roikins

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I would go with Bottega over Redd, unless you want to check out some cougars or have enjoy some not-so-great service. Farmhouse Inn is nice... had good rabbit there years ago. Quick or casual brunch/lunch at The Girl & The Fig has always been satisfying for me.

farmhouse inn is terrific, if you want another big deal meal in sonoma. kind of a cross between chez panisse and tfl, if you know what i mean: great ingredients prepared with technique, but not as ornamented as tfl.

For dim sum lunch in San Francisco I recommend Yank Sing in the old Rincon post office building (Mission Street between Steuart and Spear).

Not sure when you were planning on going, but I just got back from a Napa trip over New Year's weekend, eating at Cyrus, Bouchon and Ad Hoc. My meal at Cyrus was a HUGE disappointment, especially considering all the praise that I heard. While the service was excellent and spot on, about half of the dishes of the eight course menu were "meh" or way overpowering (lobster w/tamarind sauce and the pork with red wine risotto were definitely not winners like they sound). Bouchon and Ad Hoc blew Cyrus away taste wise, as well as a number of one-star Michelin restaurants I had been to in the past (Redd, Michael Mina, Gary Danko, etc). I had eaten at TFL a few months prior as well and the only comparison is that they were both tasting menus.

However, I firmly believe that the multitude of critics and other reviewers must be right and that Cyrus typically dishes out great meals.....however this month's is not worth the money and time, so hopefully you will be coming after it changes.

I believe Ad Hoc is open for brunch on the weekends as well - I know for sure on Sunday.

As for Chinese in SF, Yank Sing is a popular dim sum choice. Koi Palace in Daly City (towards the airport) is a common pick too. Another option is the Chinese tasting menu at Jai Yun; supposedly pretty good (highly regarded by Chowhounders) and a unique dining experience, even for lunch.

Definitely hit Cyrus, it's our favorite restaurant in America. Food and service are tops, the dining room is simple, and the drinks and cheese cart are the best in the country.
No idea where you guys got those prices from, i've eaten at Cyrus four times and each time the bill came out to $550 to $700 for two (including tip, and did not get the caviar supplement).

And be sure to stop at Taylor's Automatic Refresher. Either Napa, St. Helena or SF Ferry Building.

Originally Posted by binge

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And be sure to stop at Taylor's Automatic Refresher. Either Napa, St. Helena or SF Ferry Building.

I think you recommend this place to people as a gag.

For something different, why not visit Schramsberg. http://www.schramsberg.com/visit.html
It would be a very different and enjoyable tour to add to the well know classic red wineries. It is the oldest sparkling wine/champagne cellar in the USA. They only allow 90 people all day long on the property so no crowds, the tour is brief and you get to sample at least 5 of their best . The tour max is 10 people and the setting very charming. After going into the cellars you sit in a private room and talk with the tour guide while sampling. We have been there twice to the morning tour then we head over to Bouchon (about 15-20 min away) for lunch with a nice buzz already started. Call ahead for reservations. Their wine club is also a good value (about 30% off) shipped to your door.

In San Francisco, I always take people down to the Ferry Building. Usually to the Slanted Door for a cocktail or beer and their spring rolls. It is such a nice setting to watch the ferries come and go and to take in the bay view. Dinner or lunch there is nice too but a daylight or sunset view is to me the very best.

It is a total touristy thing to do, but having an Irish coffee at the Buena Vista cafe on a chilly afternoon is still a very unique experience, especially if you ride the cable car to get there. The place is the single leading importer of Irish Whiskey in the entire USA!

i can think of no better lunch in san francisco than sitting out back of hog island at the ferry building, eating oysters and clam chowder, watching the bay. but if you want a full restaurant production, slanted door is definitely a good recommendation.

Originally Posted by foodguy

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i can think of no better lunch in san francisco than sitting out back of hog island at the ferry building, eating oysters and clam chowder, watching the bay. but if you want a full restaurant production, slanted door is definitely a good recommendation.

If I could get a wok as hot as they do, I would eat shaking beef every night for dinner.