San Fran / Napa/Sonoma Recommendatoins

[Lucky777]

Originally Posted by fusionstorm

This is very specific local knowledge I will impart to you and the forum. If you do not like (or cannot eat) fried chicken, then you should ignore the remainder of my post.

Thomas Keller, of French Laundry/Per Se/Bouchon/Ad Hoc fame has a casual place behind Ad Hoc in Yountville called Addendum. His famous fried chicken that's only available a few nights per month at Ad Hoc (which btw is a family style resto that serves a really good multi-course dinner for a very reasonable price point) can be had at his casual spot, Addendum, for lunch just 3 days a week. Last time I was there was December 2015, and I walked away with the following impressions:

1) their fried chicken is fugging amazing, and absolutely lives up to the hype.
2) everything else on their menu is not worth ordering. That's right, every side/accompaniment/dessert isn't worth what they're charging. Go to a local market or deli beforehand to get salads, starches, desserts, whatever. Just order a bucket of fried chicken.
3) they charge nothing for corkage b/c you sit outside at picnic tables right in the midst of the gardens where they're growing stuff for the Thomas Keller empire.

It'll be the cheapest gourmet meal you'll find in Napa Valley, and definitely one of the most memorable. Here's the chicken:

that's awesome! I will certainly be trying this!

[ppbskis]

Lucky You to be visiting San Fran and Napa soon. I made the same trip last spring to attend a wedding in Napa. I did not see where you are staying but I would highly recommend the Fairmont Hotel with a bay view high floor room- spectacular. I dined at Osso which I ordered just about the best piece of beef I have ever had a 16oz bone in filet.
I rented a Silvercar Audi which is probably comparable in cost to most rentals and it took about an hour and a half to get to Calistoga.
When you are at the tastings I would just try to pace yourself, the wine goes down so easy and before you know it you bought several cases.
Sounds like you got terrific advice from the forum already.

[mjclark32]

Originally Posted by Lucky777

Clark thank you! I am a huge Belle Glos fan, and I should have assumed they would have something at Caymus because it is a Wagner company. I was originally going to stay in Sonoma, but changed my hotel today to Yountville because I believe it will be closet to where I want to be. I have been in contact with a driver, but he has not gotten back to me yet. If you happen to find your guy shoot me a PM, that would be awesome. $200 is a bargain!

Unfortunately this was all uber shows me:

[thehoracle]

Check out Scribe winery

When you're shopping in Union Square visit Shreve & Co for watches then get lunch at Hogwash

Visit the tiki bar in the Fairmont hotel for a fun drink and grab brunch at Blackbird in the Marina


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[.db]

Already lots of great advice. The only points I could add are to avoid fisherman's wharf in SF and stay somewhere a little more central to the non-touristy parts of the city.

The suggestion for Taqueria Cancun is good as it's my favorite taqueria there. Ridge is a great suggestion, but I've only been to the Cupertino location. Arnot Roberts is one of my favorite CA producers and would definitely recommend emailing to see if they can arrange a tasting.

fusionstorm's advice sounds excellent, including BYOB of Salon.

Hope you have a good trip!

[JABCPA]

We live in the Bay Area and from time to time enjoy being a tourist in SF...Hotel Vitale is our go to place to stay. Great location relative to the Ferry Building and (as previously mentioned) Boulevard.

As we have a young child, we took a kid free weekend in Napa over Thanksgiving weekend staying at Hotel Younteville. Goose and Gander was good, as was Ad Hoc where we wound up having Sunday Brunch then a night or two later. We also couldn't get into French Laundry. The day we checked out they had available but it wouldn't work with our schedule.

There are quite a few restuarants right on the main strip in Younteville that you really can't go wrong with. Meadowood's restaurant is also supposed to be excellent.

As for tastings - we did AO as we're members. Silver Oak and Opus One. Great experiences at AO as always and Silver Oak, but wouldn't bother with Opus One again.

Turnbull is a good one along the St. Helena stretch that may be worth your time.

[limenko]

Originally Posted by fusionstorm

This is very specific local knowledge I will impart to you and the forum. If you do not like (or cannot eat) fried chicken, then you should ignore the remainder of my post.

Thomas Keller, of French Laundry/Per Se/Bouchon/Ad Hoc fame has a casual place behind Ad Hoc in Yountville called Addendum. His famous fried chicken that's only available a few nights per month at Ad Hoc (which btw is a family style resto that serves a really good multi-course dinner for a very reasonable price point) can be had at his casual spot, Addendum, for lunch just 3 days a week. Last time I was there was December 2015, and I walked away with the following impressions:

1) their fried chicken is fugging amazing, and absolutely lives up to the hype.
2) everything else on their menu is not worth ordering. That's right, every side/accompaniment/dessert isn't worth what they're charging. Go to a local market or deli beforehand to get salads, starches, desserts, whatever. Just order a bucket of fried chicken.
3) they charge nothing for corkage b/c you sit outside at picnic tables right in the midst of the gardens where they're growing stuff for the Thomas Keller empire.

It'll be the cheapest gourmet meal you'll find in Napa Valley, and definitely one of the most memorable. Here's the chicken:

OMFG!

The recipe for that fried chicken is in the Ad Hoc cookbook and I have made it numerous times for myself and friends alongside the biscuits in the same cook book. Hands down the best fried chicken EVER!!!

[Duey]

First go taste some Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon and then eat at the Rutherford grill out front

[BNA/LION]

Far Niente is excellent, Ferrari Carano, Anamoly Vineyard, Floral Springs, are a few that we enjoyed.

Olea is a nice bed and breakfast in Sonoma we stayed at in November. I would recommend it.

One of the First bottle Far Niente produced...
IMG_20161123_123224769.jpgIMG_20161123_123426658.jpgIMG_20161123_120619734.jpg

[Lucky777]

Originally Posted by BNALION

Far Niente is excellent, Ferrari Carano, Anamoly Vineyard, Floral Springs, are a few that we enjoyed.

Olea is a nice bed and breakfast in Sonoma we stayed at in November. I would recommend it.

One of the First bottle Far Niente produced...
Attachment 817358Attachment 817359Attachment 817360

Love Far Niente, it's on the list !!


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[descartes]

You need to book well ahead for Far Niente. Space is very limited.

Quintessa is also a fantastic spot to visit, and also must be booked ahead.

Consider Auberge de Soleil for lunch. Great property and views.

Finally, if you like Far Niente, it's worth a stop at Nickel & Nickel too.

[fusionstorm]

If you want good wine, fun atmosphere and romantic all rolled into one, it's hard to beat Chateau Montelena. Historically good wines, a bocce ball court as well as a large pond with a lovely gazebo in the middle of it make it a destination for both connoisseur and casual enthusiast.

Oh, and forgot to mention that if pressed for time and/or you're famished, you can call ahead to order the bucket of fried chicken from Addendum. It does take a bit of time to prepare.

[mschafer]

Up there I've got Harvest Inn by C. Palmer and Solage for Hotels. And as for wine, I simply love for some many reasons Medlock Ames and Preston. Then you can stop for lunch and shopping at the Shed in Healdsburg. On the way you can stop for a little hike at Muir Woods National Park.

[fusionstorm]

Originally Posted by mschafer

Up there I've got Harvest Inn by C. Palmer and Solage for Hotels. And as for wine, I simply love for some many reasons Medlock Ames and Preston. Then you can stop for lunch and shopping at the Shed in Healdsburg. On the way you can stop for a little hike at Muir Woods National Park.

Those are all nice locations. But they're also all a considerable driving distance from each other. As an example, right now with completely clear roads (highly unusual for Highway 101), it is 64 miles and an hour and 16 minutes of drive time between Muir Woods Visitor Center and the Shed in Healdsburg.

Lots of first timers think they can bop around quickly from Napa to Sonoma, or vice versa. Actual drive time is considerably more than the straight line distance would indicate. Crowds on the road and at destinations will also add considerable time. Map out the itinerary using your favored mapping app (I'm partial to Google Maps). Caveat emptor.

[Proteinshake86]

I HIGHLY recommend Hamel Family Wines. Just make sure you make a reservation in advance.

Ninebark is a great restaurant if you get the chance.

cheers!

[codecow]

In SF I'd recommend brunch at Waterbar.

For Napa area I'd go with Morimoto downtown. Wineries I'd go with Silver Oak, Schramsberg, and Mumm.

A few people mentioned Hog Island here so keep in mind it is a chain with several locations including downtown Napa. There is rarely a wait at the Napa location.

For hotel I'd go with Calistoga Ranch.

[mjclark32]

Originally Posted by codecow

In SF I'd recommend brunch at Waterbar.

For Napa area I'd go with Morimoto downtown. Wineries I'd go with Silver Oak, Schramsberg, and Mumm.

A few people mentioned Hog Island here so keep in mind it is a chain with several locations including downtown Napa. There is rarely a wait at the Napa location.

For hotel I'd go with Calistoga Ranch.

Yup morimoto was great
Wagyu beef:

Here's the Auberge du Soleil view - really gorgeous

[Lucky777]

Guys,

we just got back from a phenomenal trip! I will be posting some photos in the next day or two. Thank you for all your recommendations!!