Welcome to Napa Valley, bring money! Yes Napa Valley is the haven for pricey restaurants and hotels in Northern California. This is the second most popular tourist destination in California after Disneyland so be prepared. More than 5 million thirsty worshippers of the grape descend on Napa Valley annually. The traffic is mostly always bad, long lines up and down Highway 29 especially getting into the town of St. Helena. Remember when you want to turn left out of the parking lot at Dean and DeLuca, 2 wrongs don't make a right but 3 rights make a left! A few restaurant suggestions up and down the valley: Go Fish is the latest and greatest from Cindy Paulcyn, one of the founders of Mustard's. Cindy has scored a hit with this upscale, relaxed Sushi bar and seafood extravaganza. The food is all top quality, the Sushi rice melts in your mouth, Try the Ebi 2000 roll with Tempura, Avocado and crab. Even the humble cheeseburger is elevated to culinary heights here. 641 Main Street, St. Helena, 707 963-1200.
Ca Momi Enoteca at Oxbow Market near downtown Napa is really a "slice" pardon the pun, of Italy. Valentina Migotto and Dario DeConte have brought real pastries and pizza from their native Tuscany but they did not stop there. They actually imported a pastry chef from Tuscany also. Franco is new to Napa but his pastries will be the talk of the town in short order. The pizzas are fired in the brick oven and have soft, chewy crust. The house wines, produced at Ca Momi winery not far away, are great values. Dario is also the winemaker. Prices are very reasonable. Wine by the glass at $5.00??? in Napa??? Yea, hello, can you say "value!!! But above all save room for a pastry (or 2 or 3). I'm going back as soon as I finish writing this! Ca Momi Enoteca, Oxbow Public Market, 644 1st Street, Napa, CA 94559. Tel: 707 25PIZZA (707-257-4992). Open every day. www.camomi.com.
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Copyright Marc R. Kauffman 2008 - 2011. All rights reserved.
