A new addition to our Napa favorites

On our most recent trip to Napa Valley, we decided to try Redd, a very well known and respected restaurant located on the main strip in Yountville along with all the other top notch restaurants.  

We decided to do something fun and try the chef's tasting menu.  Not knowing what exactly would be served was the exciting part.  All we were told is that the 5 courses includes a seafood appetizer, a seafood entree, 2 meat entrees and a dessert. 

Everything was exceptional and we were thoroughly impressed...definitely highly recommended!

Course 1 - Yellow Fin Tuna Tartare w/Crispy Rice

 Course 1 - Yellow Tail Hamachi

Course 2 - Clams with Skate Wing w/chorizo

Course 2 - Seared Scallop w/Cauliflower puree

Course 3 - Duck Confit

Course 3 - Pork Belly

Course 4 - New York Strip Steak

Course 4 - Braised Beef Short Ribs

Course 5 - Beignet on top of a peanut & chocolate sauce w/caramelized peanut ice cream

Course 5 - Shortbread sandwich filled with peaches & cream w/raspberry sorbet on top

of crunchy granola

Complimentary House Made Desserts - Blueberry jellies and Almond brittle dipped in chocolate

Another french bistro

Chez Papa, located in the Mint Plaza, is the sister restaurant of Chez Maman and Chez Papa Bistro in Portrero Hill.  A very cute trendy spot right off of the union square shopping district.  Great variety on the menu to choose from, your very typical French fare.  Overall, the meal was good but nothing especially stood out to make it outstanding.  Tried it once, now next...

On the house...puff pastry filled with gourmet cheeses

Snake River Kobe Beef Tartare with Dijon Mustard, Capers, Shallots, Garlic, Toast Points -  

Trying the beef tartare at every French restaurant is a must.  This one ranks in the middle...still the best to date is Wayfare Tavern.

Charred Octopus, Red Pepper Broth, Meyer Lemon Purée, La Ratte Potato Foam -

Best item of the night...octopus perfectly charred and tender

Braised Beef Cheeks, Brown Butter Beet Purée, Forest Mushrooms, Potato Fondant  - 

Super tender, breaks apart with a touch of the fork and melts in your mouth

Sonoma Lamb Duo: Roasted Saddle, Crépinette, Smoked Yogurt, Cucumber, Mint Lamb Jus -

Great combination of lamb cooked two different ways

Braised Kurobuta Pork Belly, Basil Escargots, Orzo, Compressed Radish, Pork Jus -

Perfectly cooked, melts in your mouth

Our 2011 favorite spot

Finally tried the new trendy french bistro which opened last year by the Spruce group...Cafe des Amis.  Hadn't heard too much prior to coming but our experience turned out to be very impressive!  The food had wonderful flavors and everything we ordered was outstanding!  Definitely a "go back"!

Grilled Sausage Paysanne - alsatian potato salad, whole grain mustard

Steak Tartare - egg yolk, shallots, capers, cornichon, dijon mustard, grilled levain

Moules Frites - steamed prince edward island mussels, fi nes herbs and garlic, 

with pommes frites

Escargots Bourgogne - classic snails with parsley-garlic butter

Grilled Whole Mediterranean Dorade - roasted fennel, peppers, oil-cured olives

Slowly Braised Lamb Shoulder - potato mousseline, cipollini onions, carrots

Liberty Duck Breast À L'Orange - confit turnips, braised greens

Hardwood Grilled Hanger Steak Frites - red wine butter, frites, watercress salad

Back to our usual favorite spot

Once again, our usual favorite spot in our hood...Delarosa.  Can always count on a great meal at a great environment, never a let down!

A usual favorite...Eggplant caponatina with burrata

Burrata bruschetta, hazelnut and honey - can never have too much burrata!

Brunch always = Mimosas

Tried something new this time...Chicken sausage, red grapes, our mustard - 

tasty but would not order again, too plain

Another usual favorite...Fritto misto di pesce - a mix of calamari, fish , shrimp, green beans

The hottest brunch spot in town

I now understand why the brunch wait is about 2 hours on the weekend at the Mission Beach Cafe.  I finally got to try this hot spot on a weekday for brunch...and yes it was all that!  Located in the mission district, a small and very casual corner spot with a little bakery inside.  Everything we had was unique and outstanding! 

Grapefruit mimosa...would you like a regular or a huge?  HUGE of course!

Candied bacon...bacon alone is heaven so just imagine what it's like candied!

Huevos with rancho gordo yellow beans, salsa rojo, tomatillo pico de gallo, cojita cheese

Braised short ribs and sweet potato-apple hash, two fried eggs, horseradish cream fraiche, au jus

Wild mushroom benedict with spinach, carmelized onion, truffle mornay sauce, potatoes

A tiny little spot in the FiDi

Situated right next to Tyler Florence's Wayfare Tavern is a simple modern little spot called Wexlers.  Very minimal table seating along with a small bar that seats a few as well.  A simple menu with a southern flare.

There most raved about item is the BBQ Scottish Eggs - burnt ends, house made hot sauce, sweet tea gastrique. Perfectly lightly crispy shell on the outside but soft juicy egg in the inside along with braised short ribs stuffed in between that.  One of the most tasty things I've had in my life...to die for!

Pan fried Quail - very tender and well seasoned

Pork Chop with red cabbage slaw - the pork was way too salty, the waitress was nice enough to take this off our tab after kindly mentioning it to her.

Smoked short ribs - braised greens, bourbon plumped apricots, mashed potatoes, BBQ au jus. The meat was super tender, just melts in your mouth,

Tried three different kinds of pie for dessert, all of which were surprisingly outstanding!

Sour Cream Apple Pie - aged winchester gouda, creme fraiche

Chocolate Smoked Chili Pie - pretzel toffee, whip cream

Bourbon Banana Cream Pie - Dulce de leche, fleur de sel

Re-visitng the Food Network TV Star

Can never get enough of Tyler Florence!  Once again, back to Wayfare Tavern but for HH this time.  To accompany our bubbles, we ordered his very favorites! Both of which are to die for...mmmmm....

Steak Tartare - fresh chopped filet, french mustard dressing, egg yolk, garlic toasted popovers

Poutine - fries topped with short rib and melted cheese