Where to eat in Napa Valley

Recently, we visited the beautiful Napa Valley. It is not only a great wine producing region, but also heaven for food lovers. These are the restaurants we tried, but trust me, all of the places there are great!

1. Auberge du Soleil (Rutherford) : What to order --- The terrace has the best view of Napa Valley. Seriously. We went there on a Friday for a lunch. The portions are very small and the prices are very high, but it is nice to sit there and enjoy the nature with a glass of wine.

I ordered the Sweet Potato Ravioli with Bellwether Farms Ricotta, Spinach, Brown Butter Vinaigrette, and Fried Sage. It was very tiny for my big appetite, but it was outstanding! I had a glass of Auberge du Soleil "Reserve" Chardonnay 2011 (local!). Crisp and refreshing.

My husband got the Mushroom Mille Feuille, Slow Cooked Farm Egg, Snap Peas, and Watercress Puree. He said that it was extremely small portion, but we had many slice of bread, so we didn't leave with empty stomach.

The dessert was delicious: Mascarpone New York Cheesecake with Santa Cruz Mountains Huckleberries, Lemon Chiffon, and Douglas Fir Cream. Amazing!

Mushroom Mille Feuille, Farm Egg, Snap Peas, Watercress Puree



Sweet Potato Ravioli, Bellwether Farms Ricotta, Spinach



Mascarpone Cheesecake, Santa Cruz Mountains Huckleberries, Lemon Chiffon

2. Bottega by Michael Chiarello (Yountville) : What to order --- This is the best restaurant in Napa. The food is served just like in Italy, the prices are affordable, and the service is outstanding. Great open kitchen concept, busy bar, and outdoor seating.

We started with Burrata Autunnale (Kambocha squash, caramelized mushrooms and shallots, and brown butter vinaigrette). The pesto complemented very nicely the sweetness of the winter squash. The burrata was so creamy and fresh, mouthwatering!

My husband got the Goat Milk Braised Pork Orecchiette, served with chanterelles, cavalo nero pesto, pine nut gremolata, crispy savoy spinach, and pecorino. It was a pretty big serving, so if you want, you can share it with your partner.

I got the Forno Roasted Whole Branzino: Calabrian grilled eggplant, fermented garlic sauce, and honey. It was so tasty and different. The sweet and aromatic honey balanced perfectly the strong garlic flavor. Very well served (great for sharing as well).

The best part was the dessert: Crostata d'Inverno (persimmon and quince tart with hazelnut frangipane, candied hazelnuts and nutmeg gelato). No words can describe it. Sweet, rich, seasonal, and festive!!! You must try Bottega!!!

Burrata Autunnale (Kabocha squash, caramelized mushrooms and shallots, pesto)

Forno Roasted Whole Branzino (Calabrian grilled eggplant, fermented garlic)

Goat Milk Braised Pork Orecchiette (chanterelles, cavalo nero pesto)

Crostata d'Inverno (persimmon and quince tart with candied hazelnuts)



3. REDD by Richard Reddington (Yountville) : What to order --- We went there for a lunch and I was very disappointed. I ordered a local glass of wine and they poured me a miserable 3-ounce tasting. I think their wines are very expensive. Located in Napa Valley and not being able to offer moderate priced wine is a shame. The food was good, but the feeling is bad. THEY NEED TO CHANGE THE WINE LIST.

I ordered the Caramelized diver scallops with cauliflower puree, almonds, raisins, and balsamic reduction. The taste was delicious, but the portion very small. It is only 2 scallops and a small amount of puree. I had to eat two slices of bread!

My husband got the Crispy Calamari with cayenne salt, tamarind sauce, and a beer. It was better serving, but more like a bar food. For dessert we ordered the Chocolate pecan tart with vanilla bean ice cream. It was made with bourbon and tasted too alcoholic. Overall, I prefer going to Bottega or Bouchon for a better value and better attention!

Crispy calamari, cayenne salt, tamarind sauce

Caramelized diver scallops, cauliflower puree, almonds

Chocolate pecan tart, vanilla bean ice cream



4. Bouchon by Thomas Keller (Yountville) : What to order --- Start with a 3-cheese course. We tried Mimolette (cow's milk) - hard, tangy, and rich; Cavatina (goat's milk) - creamy, with a crust, like blue cheese; Tourmalet (sheep's milk) - delicious! They were served with bread, honeycomb, walnut and cranberries bread.
 with
My husband got the Boudin Blanc: a white sausage, served with potato puree and French prunes. Very satisfying and bistro-like. I got the Truite aux Topinambours: pan-roasted Idaho trout, roasted sunchokes, marinated beech mushrooms, and beurre noisette (brown butter). It was served medium-rare, so the head was almost raw. But the falvors were delicious.

Our dessert was very seasonal: Bouchons! Three brownies, served with pumpkin ice-cream, caramel sauce, vanilla whipped cream, and cinnamon straw. It was so tasty, moist and tender!

Bouchon style butter & pistachios

Mimolette, Cavatina, and Tourmalet cheeses

Truite aux Topinambours (Idaho trout, roasted sunchokes, beech mushrooms)

Boudin Blanc with Potato Puree and French Prunes

Bouchons (3 brownies, pumpkin ice-cream, caramel sauce, vanilla cream)



5. REDD WOOD by Richard Reddington (Yountville) : What to order --- This is THE place for a pizza in Napa Valley. We started with a chpped salad (romaine, radicchio, salami, ceci beans, black olives, caciocavallo, and red wine vinaigrette). It was a very good portion, but a little bit too salty. The salami was house-cured and it also had some pepperoncini peppers.

We shared a four cheese pizza: oregano, shaved garlic, arugula, provolone, fontina, gorgonzola, and mozzarella. The CRUST was THE BEST. Chewy outside, thin, savory, and perfectly cooked in the wood burning oven.

The dessert was also outstanding: Chocolate Caramel Tart, praline, whipped cream, and sea salt. They gave us two thin slices. Very nice touch. The food and the service were amazing!

Chopped Salad with radicchio, salami, ceci beans, and caciocavallo

Four Cheese Pizza with oregano, shaved garlic, and arugula

Chocolate Caramel Tart, praline, whipped cream, sea salt



Where to eat in Lake Tahoe

This Thanksgiving, we went to Lake Tahoe to ski. Beside the great outdoor exercise, we also got great foodie experiences. Read more to learn about places where you can try some mountain dishes.

1. Rubicon Bistro (Northstar Ski Resort) : What to order --- Pizza Margherita (thin tomato sauce, garlic, and fresh mozzarella). The crust is thick, they use about 14 ounces dough in the Medium size pizza. If you are skiing the entire day, then it is fine. Otherwise, it could be too much for 2 people. The bistro is located in the Northstar village, next to the tickets counter. They serve wine by the glass (an Alamos Malbec is $7) and plenty of beers. It is an informal restaurant. You can enter with your ski boots, the service is quick, so you will not waste "ski" time :)

Pizza Margherita

2. Base Camp Pizza (Heavenly Ski Resort) : What to order --- This restaurant is located in the Heavenly Village. We ordered the Fire Roasted Medley pizza. It comes with roasted garlic, fresh basil, tomatoes, roasted onions and peppers, and savory goat cheese. It is then topped with a house 4-cheese blend. We shared a medium size, but it is not a thin crust pizza, so a person can easily be satisfied with 2 or 3 slices. I got a glass of Ruffino Chianti wine and my husband got a beer called "Little Sumpin". You can seat inside or outside. For a day on the slopes, it is a good option!



Fire Roasted Medley Pizza



3. Grange (Sacramento) : What to order --- This farm-to-table restaurant is located in the center of the capital of California: Sacramento. It is very popular place for a business lunch, so you will see a lot of people in suits. The menu has Southern touches. I ordered the Blackened Catfish. The catfish was a little bit undercooked in the middle. But the rest of the plate was delicious: potatoes, fennel, huge mussels, chilies, white wine and orange broth. It had a lot of broth, so I ate it with a spoon. The menu changes daily, but if you see it on the menu, get it. It is a light and interesting dish.

 My husband ordered the Handmade Orecchiette. Served with pretty cauliflower, bacon, cubed butternut squash, garlic, kale, and mezzo cheese. It came in a big bowl and was buttery and yummy. I drank a glass of Zinfandel, XY, from Paso Robles, 2008. He got a beer: Gordon Biersch, Hefeweizen, San Francisco. The dessert was Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Bar with dark chocolate ganache, feuilletine, peanut butter powder. The taste of the bar was similar to the one of the Snickers. Honestly, the peanut butter powder did not add any flavor, so I would omit it. The restaurant has an open kitchen, beautiful decorations, and great location.



Handmade Orecchiette with confetti cauliflower, bacon, and mezzo




Blackened catfish with potatoes, fennel, and huge mussels




Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Bar with PB powder



4. Manzanita at Ritz-Carlton Highlands (Northstar Resort) : What to order --- This is the best restaurant in Lake Tahoe, in my opinion. Outstanding food and service. Our sommelier recommended us a bottle of Montressor, Garganega "Bianco del Nago", Veneto, Italy, 2010. To start the evening, we ordered the Cheese and Charcuterie Plate: it had three types of cheese, salami genovese, fig jam, strawberry, marcona almonds, and toasted bread. Delicious!

I ordered the Arctic Char with Roasted Sunchokes, Cippolini Onions, Carrots, and Capers. The fish was perfectly cooked and the dish was plated so beautifully. My husband got the Housemade Pappardelle with Duck Confit, Roasted Grapes, and Chanterelle Mushrooms. He enjoyed it with some crusty bread!

The dessert was the best part of this unique experience: Milk Chocolate Cremeux: Slow Roasted Strawberry, Dulce de Leche Ice Cream, and Almond Sable Cookie. It came as two pieces, so each of us got one. Out of this world!!!

I loved the open kitchen concept, the rustic interior design, and the service. If you are going to dine there, you will have to use the valet parking of the Ritz-Carlton Highlands, but it is worthy!



Cheese and Charcuterie Plate with Fig  Jam




House-made pappardelle with duck confit, roasted grapes, and chanterelle




Arctic char with roasted sunchokes, cippolini onions, carrots, and capers



Milk Chocolate Cremeux: slow roasted strawberry, dulce de leche, almond sable cookie

5. Christy Hill (Tahoe City) : What to order --- This front lake restaurant is located in an old house, in the middle of Tahoe City. We went for a dinner and it was very romantic, but I imagine, it is also a great spot for a lunch with a view. We opened a bottle of wine and started with the Christy Hill Cheese Plate. The cheeses were St. George, Brebirouse d'Argental, and Pecorino Brinata. They were served with candied almonds, figs in wine, green apples, persimmon puree, and two local honeys. A beautiful plate, served with toasted mini slices of bread!

For the main dish, I ordered the Pan Roasted Alaskan Halibut (it was served with Roch Shrimp, Cranberry Beans, Oyster Mushroom Ragu, and Smoked Tomato Fondue). The plate was so pretty and the fish was so flaky. The only thing I did not like so much was the smokiness (a little bit overpowering). My husband got the Fresh Pappardelle Pasta: Madeira Braised Organic Chicken, Turnips, Broccoli Rabe, and Brodo di Funghi. He said that the broth was too much and the dish was good, but not extraordinary.

For the gran finale: Liesel's Chocolate Espresso Cheesecake with Grand Marnier Chocolate Sauce. It seems that Liesel was the restaurant's pastry chef in the past and now she has her own bakery business, but still delivers her famous cheesecake. The piece was served with plenty of whipped cream, chocolate-covered espresso beans, and fresh blueberries. In summary, this is probably on of the best five restaurants in the area of Lake Tahoe.



Christy Hill Cheese Plate with Local Honey and Persimmon Puree




Pan Roasted Alaskan Halibut with Cranberry Beans and Smoked Tomato





Fresh Pappardelle Pasta with Madeira Braised Organic Chicken




Liesel's Chocolate Espresso Cheesecake with Grand Marnier Sauce

6. Sunnyside Resort (Tahoe City) : What to order --- We went there on Thanksgiving. It was very busy, so we had to wait for our table. We started with a Roasted Beets and Arugula salad with candied walnuts, goat cheese, and herb vinaigrette. It was normal. My husband ordered the Traditional Turkey menu. The "Free Range" poultry was missing flavor. It was served with herb stuffing, garlic smashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and green beans. All of this included a to-go sandwich (but we didn't want it) and a piece of pumpkin pie (but they ran out of that dessert).

I ordered the griled portobello vegetarian dish. It was served on a bed of buttery black rice, grilled squash, tomato, red pepper, arugula, basil, and feta. The mushroom was so overcooked and burnt. I made the point and they discounted that part from the check. Our dessert of choice was Apple Berry Crisp (Fuji Apple, Blackberries, Raspberries, Vanilla Bean Ice Cream). It was warm and very comfortable.

Overall, this is probably the worst restaurant we tried in Lake Tahoe. It is sad to go there for Thanksgiving, but many of the other places were closed or had a huge buffet. So, next time, we will have to look for a better option.



Roasted Beets and Arugula Salad




Grilled Portobello with Black Rice, Feta, Grilled Veggies




Traditional Turkey Dinner





Apple Berry Crisp with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream



Where to eat in Monterey Bay

Monterey Bay is a wonderful city, surrounded by great place, such as Carmel by the Sea and Pacific Grove. Here are the restaurants we tried during our road trip in the Central Coast of California.

1. Restaurant 1833 : What to order --- First, arrived the Amuse Bouche (a cream of cauliflower). We wanted the order a Cheese course, but they don't serve cheese, can you imagine??? But then, another SURPRISE: I have to tell you. In this restaurant, they don't serve bread. I am serious! So, it is located in an old house and it is very well designed inside, but when the server told us that there are only buttery biscuits, we decided to start with a pizza. He said it was a small, thin pizza. Well, I don't know what kind of pizza is he normally eating, but this one was HUGE. Anyway, it was delicious. The crust was kind of thick, the cheese was melty and gooey.

We open a bottle of nice Spanish wine from Alicante and continued with the entrees. I ordered the Mahi Mahi with leeks, mussels, tomato, and russel potato. The server said that it is light and comes with a little bit of cream. But then, SURPRISE: It was a huge pool of cream and on top some fish and seafood. I liked the flavors and the combination of mushrooms with potatoes, but I didn't like the fact he was not telling us the truth. The dish was overly creamy. THE SERVICE IS REALLY BAD. THEY NEED TO HIRE NEW STAFF, SERIOUSLY!

My husband ordered the Parmesan Crusted Chicken served with salsify and lemon butter. It was an organic breast, but it was a big portion. Nothing impressive, just a regular preparation. But the dessert was very very delicious (So, the chef is so so, but the pastry chef is amazing!!!). We shared a Chocolate Mousse Cake with Caramelized Hazelnuts, and Chocolate Ice Cream. It came as two triangles, which was perfect for sharing. STUNNING dessert!!!



Amuse-Bouche




Grilled eggplant pizza with basil pesto, goat cheese, gruyere, and peppers




Parmesan Crusted Chicken with salsify, lemon butter, and basil




Mahi Mahi, leeks, mussels, tomato and russel potato




Chocolate Mousse Cake with Caramelized Hazelnuts, Chocolate Ice Cream

2. Cantinetta Luca : What to order --- This is my favorite restaurant in Carmel by the Sea. Amazing service, great food, and moderate prices! We started with the delicious Italian bread that comes with a sun-dried tomato tapenade. So soft, warm, and tasty. A bottle of Syrah & Merlot blend from France helped us to elevate our lunch even more! We shared the classic Pizza Margherita: traditional San Marzano tomatoes, Mozzarella, and Basil. The crust was pleasantly salty, thin, and delicious! The wood-fired oven is essential to achieve this kind of chewy, but also toasted crust.

The dessert was very Thanksgiving-inspired: a warm apple crostata drizzled with honey and served with vanilla ice cream. This was a recommendation from our server (Rodrigo) and I really appreciated it. He was such a good server. Honest, nice, happy. The food arrived on time. We had a great table next to the window (perfect for people watching the turists) :)

I strongly recommend this restaurant if you are going to Carmel by the Sea. Next door is a Salumeria, where you can buy cheese and house made salami. Not a bad idea, ah?



Delicious Italian bread with sun-dried tomatoes tapenade




Caprese Salad with Heirloom Tomatoes and House-pulled Mozzarella




San Marzano Tomato, Mozzarella, and Basil




Apple crostata with honey and vanilla ice cream

  3. Passionfish : What to order --- This is the BEST RESTAURANT in Pacific Grove. Great for fish lovers like me. Great service! Supporters of Sustainable Seafood and Fish, just like us. We started with the famous Mussels steamed in a spicy tomato-cilantro broth. Those were super tasty, but be aware that they are very spicy (hot habanero peppers...).

I got the Whole Rainbow Trout. It was butterflied, no spine, nothing to remove. I was able to eat it with a knife and fork. It was stuffed with basil and came with red wine braised vegetables (artichokes, peppers, potatoes, and kalamatas). The fish was topped with a flavorful basil-garlic aioli! Recommendable!

My husband ordered the Tilapia with Thyme-Mashed Potatoes, soy beans, and red-wine balsamic butter. He liked it a lot, but it was not so extraordinary. The wine was great: a bottle of Chateau d'Oupia. For dessert, we had the Chocolate Truffle Torte with blood orange syrup. It tasted like a Chocolate Soufflee. It was served with Whipped Cream and it was a good size for sharing. You should try this restaurant!!!





Mussels steamed in a spicy tomato-cilantro broth




Tilapia with Thyme-Mashed Potatoes, soy beans and red wine balsamic butter




Whole Rainbow Trout / basil stuffed / red wine braised vegetables



Chocolate Truffle Torte with blood orange syrup

4. The C Restaurant and Bar : What to order --- This restaurant is very close to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. So if you are visiting it, stop by the C Restaurant and request a table next to window. You will have the same great view to the Ocean as we did.

I ordered the Grilled Arctic Char, which was served with plenty of delicious butterbeans, tuscan kale, fennel, and whole grain mustard vinaigrette. It was nicely presented and a very good portion for a lunch. Oh, and the bread was warm rosemary rustic bread, amazingly good. I got a glass of a3 Red Blend wine (Zinfandel, Merlot, and Cabernet), very fruity and ripe.

My husband got the Fish and Chips (beer battered Ling Cod served with coleslaw, garlic herb fries, and house made ketchup. It was a big serving, but we had a light breakfast, so it was perfect for him. He got a draft local beer: Fat Lip Ale!

The dessert was the BEST OF THIS TRIP: Hazelnut Crunch Bar: Milk Chocolate Mousse, Hazelnut Dacquoise, and Sun-Dried Apricot Sauce. It was so small, but so full of flavors. Creamy and crunchy at the same time, the perfect ending of a great trip!!!



Arctic Char with butterbeans, tuscan kale, fennel, and mustard vinaigrette




Fish and Chips (beer-battered Ling Cod with garlic herb fries)




Hazelnut Crunch Bar (Milk Chocolate Mousse, Hazelnut Dacquoise, Sun-Dried Apricot Sauce)