Ubuntu Executive Chef Aaron London learned about his James Beard nomination for Rising Star Chef, not from a phone call, but on Twitter – nine simultaneous tweets from friends.  This young 27-year old CIA Hyde Park alumnus already has back-to-back Michelin stars for Ubuntu Restaurant under his belt, and several years working at renowned restaurants in France, Canada and the U.S. including Daniel and Blue Hill at Stone Barns in New York, but he has only just begun.
Ubuntu is a restaurant that focuses on vegetables as a culinary specialty, using …

From the first building to be erected in the Napa Valley in 1848, the downtown area of the city of Napa grew rapidly over the following three decades to support the growing commerce arising from the abundance of grains and grapes grown in the fertile valley, and increasing tourism.  Even in the 1870’s, Napa Valley had become a popular weekend or permanent retreat for San Franciscans attracted to the beautiful scenery, mild climate, medicinal springs and convenience to the metropolis.  Visitors would take one of the daily steamboats …

For those of you touring Napa Valley wine country, it’s sometimes nice to spend one day in one place, without a car, but still get the complete food and wine experience.  There are others of you visiting San Francisco who only have a day or two to spend in wine country.  Downtown Napa has more than 20 tasting rooms, wine bars and wine lounges to get a taste of Napa Valley wines, at your convenience.  While the local wine tasting rooms owned by Napa Valley wine producers pour their own …

The new 1313 Main upscale wine bar and lounge in Downtown Napa opens officially on May 27th.  It is the latest addition to Downtown Napa’s wine tasting scene that differentiates itself by offering a range of local and international wines that are hard to find by the glass and available in 2 oz. and 5 oz. pours.  Even better, the price points are accessible, allowing wine lovers to discover wines they wouldn’t normally buy by the bottle.  For example, Kistler Chardonnay at $7 per 2 oz. pour.
According to proprietor and …

Napa Valley isn’t just about food and wine, it’s also about the arts.  In Downtown Napa, one can have it all, and without a car.  Napa’s music and arts history is not new either, it began in 1880 with the opening of the Napa Opera House on Main Street, which still stands today as an historic landmark and as a performance venue.  In Downtown Napa, one can enjoy music at several classic venues as well as enjoy art from the street or the gallery.
The Music Scene
The art deco Uptown Theatre …

Downtown Napa has a range of accommodations ranging from international resort chains to boutique hotels to historic inns in landmarked districts, so you are bound to find something that suits your interests.
On Main Street at the Historic Napa Mill is the jewel of Downtown Napa hotels, the Napa River Inn.  It is made up of three buildings, each with its own character, with the Embarcadero and Plaza Buildings right on the river.  The restoration of the historic landmark and surrounding properties in 2000 by Harry Price marked the beginning of …

Downtown Napa, as the Gateway to the Napa Valley, has a wide range of casual and fine dining to meet every palate and occasion.  There is also a variety of specialty food purveyors, farmers’ markets, bakery/cafes and even take-out that feature what Napa Valley does best, serve up local, fresh and sustainably grown food that is vibrant with flavor.
Reservations Recommended
For serious dining, you don’t need to go up-valley to experience a range of world-class cuisine from French at Michelin star La Toque in the Oxbow District to southern Italian at …

One can’t truly get a sense of our food culture here without visiting the seasonal farmers’ markets in the Napa Valley.  Downtown Napa has two farmers’ markets with slightly different themes but each will appeal to all.
The traditional farmers’ market which features seasonal produce, specialty foods as well as some crafts, operates on Tuesday and Saturday mornings from 7:30 am to noon from May through October.  It is conveniently located next to Oxbow Public Market where there is plenty of street parking.
The other is the Napa Chefs Market on First …

No matter where you turn, Downtown Napa has great bakeries and sweet shops for a relaxing breakfast with coffee, that afternoon treat with tea, a take-out snack or freshly-made bread to bring home.
Model Bakery at Oxbow Public Market is the go-to bakery for artisanal bread made with organic ingredients.  A branch of the Model Bakery in Saint Helena which was established over 80 years ago, the bakery serves a variety of breads – including a to-die-for Fatted Calf bacon bread on weekends – as well as breakfast breads, cakes, cookies, …

Since most visitors to Napa Valley come for the great food and wine, why not learn how Napa Valley cooks and take the knowledge home for a lifetime?  Here are a couple of ideas to to round out your food and wine adventure.
Dinners
Susie Pope, co-proprietor of Cedar Gables Inn, used to run a culinary school in Los Gatos, where her husband worked in high tech.  It was natural that when they renovated the kitchen, that they make a spacious, professional kitchen that guests would feel welcome in.  They offer cooking …