8 Restaurants of Napa Valley: My Favorites to Revisit

vs. Michelin Star Designates

Aug 20, 2024

Michelin Star Restaurants vs. Frequent Revisit Favorites

If you are a “Star-Chaser” and love to eat at Michelin Star restaurants, Napa Valley can be the place for you. I have eaten at the French Laundry - ***, The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil - *, PRESS - *, and prior to its fire, The Restaurant at Meadowood - ***. Of those I rank Auberge as the best view, and The Restaurant at Meadowood, the best overall.

However, I find that as I’m in my 3^rd decade of visiting Napa Valley, I believe I have found a comfort level with several restaurants that are welcoming to both groups and singles. These are the restaurants with a friendly bar, casual, welcoming atmosphere, and “uniquely Napa” delicious, local food. During the “LIVE from Napa Valley: October Harvest Press Tour of Napa and Sonoma Starts Here, Oct. 3, 2023, I found that I wanted to return several times to the following places:Bistro Jeanty, Rutherford Grill, Charter Oak, and Goose & Gander have won the Wine Wanderings 3 *** stars for the most return visits this past year. Let me know what your experience has been in Napa Valley, and what menu items were your favorites.

Do’s & Don’ts of Napa Valley Restaurant Dining

*Reservations are a must.
*Try to plan your trip in advance and consider the location your morning or afternoon winery tasting .Highway 29 and the Silverado Trail, the two North-South roads, can be virtual parking lots on high-season weekends.
*Many restaurants will allow you to bring in a wine but expect to pay a corkage fee. The corkage fees can range from $10 to $45 or more for subsequent bottles. Some like Cook do not charge for a second bottle, however. A very few restaurants waive the corkage fee with a reservation. You must check this in advance.
*Don’t leave your purchased wines in the trunk of your car unless you like cooked wine. Most restaurants will hold the bottles for you in the front when you bring them in.
*Do choose to make lunch your main meal in the Valley.
*Don’t be afraid to go in alone. Many guests visit Napa Valley by themselves or work in the area.
*Don’t overbook your stay in Napa Valley with 8 to 10 wineries in a day. It’s better to enjoy 2-3 with a great lunch in between.

Restaurant Recommendations

St. Helena

The Charter Oak

With three visits to Charter Oak in October, both with groups and alone, I was impressed with the bar staff’s welcoming attitude. Recommended items to try here include: The Charter Oak Bread, Raw Vegetables from Our Farm, Heirloom Tomato Salad, Gilled Mt. Lassen Trout, Pork Shoulder Chop, and the Black Apple Butter Tart. The bar is a great place to meet locals, chat with the bartender, and dine as a single. Chef and Co-Owner, Christopher Kostow was the previous executive chef at Michelin ****Star, The Restaurant at Meadowood. This is a Wine Wanderings ***Star.

Goose & Gander

As a student at the Culinary Institute of America in 2009, Martini House was in this location It was our class’s favorite hangout bar and famous for their mushroom fare, some still offered. Now at Goose & Gander, they have done a one-up with the décor and added a fabulous outdoor patio, a cocktail and wine list expansion, and truly unique cuisine. Try the Roasted Bone Marrow, the Martini House Mushroom Soup, and Ora King Salmon or Prime Filet Mignon with a side of their Goat, Mozzarella & Cheddar Cheese Mac & Cheese. Choose a half bottle of the Corison Cabernet Sauvignon to pair with that steak. Ask for Jason Savage, Managing Partner, for special events. This is a Wine Wanderings ***Star.

Cook

Cook is an intimate place for a cozy conversation and outstanding cuisine. I always order the Mussels, House Made Sausage with Spicy Tomato Broth appetizer. The Fazzoletti Bolognese with House Made Ricotta is always my go-to entrée. They have a great to-go menu, too.

Oakville/Rutherford

Rutherford Grill

Since 1994 Rutherford Grill has the perfect location along Highway 29. Rutherford Grill is located near Napa’s historic wineries like Beaulieu and Inglenook. The bar is a gathering place for locals who visit there every week. I love the Rotisserie Chicken and the Cheeseburger. Grab a bottle of the Storybook Bottled Poetry Zinfandel, and you’ll really feel like you are in the heart of Napa Valley. This is a Wine Wanderings ***Star.

Yountville/Oak Knoll

Bistro Jeanty

Prior to attending the Wine Writers Symposium for most of the past 12 years, many of us met at Bistro Jeanty, a favorite restaurant in Yountville featuring French cuisine. I am likely to see the publisher of the SommJournal, Meridith May, there as well as my friend, Celia Welch, one of Napa Valley’s most famous winemakers. Both love this restaurant. When alone, I like to sit at the bar to eat, and I often have found the locals love it there too. The sole Meunière is the best I have ever had. Pair that with a Cliff Lede Sauvignon Blanc. This is a Wine Wanderings ***Star. For more on Celia Welch see “Celia Welch, Celebrated Napa Valley Winemaker, An Interview,” April 2024.

Bistro Don Giovanni

Known as Don G’s by the locals for over 30 years. What a change in the exterior since the pandemic. It was so wonderful to see the expansion of Bistro Don Giovanni into the adjacent courtyard and terrace area. This restaurant is located on the south side of the Valley, closer to the town of Napa. The chef/Partner Scott Warner has a great relationship with community farmers and is a master of handcrafted semolina and egg pastas. Order Mama Concetta’s meatballs or the Hand-Filled Ravioli with Lemon Cream Sauce with a bottle of Charles Krug Chardonnay. They encourage large groups (which they can accommodate) to car share as parking is limited.

Calistoga

Sam’s Social Club

Located at the Indian Springs Resort, Sam’s Social Club is a favorite of mine specifically for their Sunday Brunch on the terrace. With a choice of very cool cocktails and an extensive wine list, this is a great place to visit when you are at the north end of the Napa Valley.

The Town of Napa

Angele Restaurant & Bar

The Riverfront Promenade in “Napa Town” is a lively setting day and night. The French cuisine at Angele consistently receives high accolades from the locals and the press. I love the Summer Boeuf Bourguignon with a glass of Red Burgundy or Pinot Noir. If you are visiting wineries on Pritchard Hill, like Chappellet, or wineries in Carneros that are at the south end of the Valley, like Hendry, downtown Napa is a great place to dine.