Bear's Napa Food Review

So I will get into wine later, but below is a summary of the food on last week's trip to Napa:

Redd- (Yountville)This was an unexpectedly great dinner. Nice outside seating and very tentative service. Staff was great and even waived a corkage fee. Highlights were Glazed Pork Belly (Best bite of food on the trip), Sautéed Red Snapper with very crispy skin, and Meyer Lemon Lobster Risotto.

Mustard's Grill- (Lunch)(Rutherford I think...) Good little lunch. Place was slam packed around 11:30, we were lucky to get a table. The world famous Mongolian pork chop was very good. Nothing earth shattering, but worth some of the praise. Dungeness Crab Cakes were very flavorful and crispy but not greasy.

Bistro Jeanty- (Yountville)This previously was my favorite meal in Napa. However, the staff wasn't great, a bit pretentious. Veal Bone Marrow, Duck Liver Mousse and Rabbit con fit were the highlights. Very Good, but somewhat disappointing based on past experiences only.

Bottega- (Yountville)This is the star of the trip. Micheal Chiarello (sp) of Food Network runs a great establishment right in the center of Yountville's shopping center. Mostly old world I-talian with a new edgy flare to it. Gnocchi are the softest, creamiest that Ive ever tasted. All of the pasta is handmade to order. I would highly recommend trying multiple pasta plates (which can be split into halves) in substitution of a large entrée. Bolognese and black squid ink spaghetti with prawns were fantastic.

Auberge de Soileil- (Calistoga) Best view of any restaurant I have ever experienced. You have a long relaxing dinner looking right over the valley from one of the mountains. Truly breathtaking view. Service is impeccable, they are true professionals. The food is very eclectic and complex, there is a lot going on despite the simplicity of some of these small plates. With all of that said, it burns a large hole in the wallet. This is my second time at Auberge and I will skip it on my next trip just because of the high cost. Everyone needs to go one time. The view and experience is worth it.

Overall, it was a great trip for food. I love Napa, it really is my favorite place in the world. Hope this doesn't bore anyone, stamp a TLDR on this if it is not helpful. Wine review coming later.


Edit: Also, most mornings included fresh hand made pressed ham and cheese croissants from Bouchon Bakery right next to our Hotel. Great French Bakery that is part of Thomas Keller's empire.