Photos by Huge Galdones
As much as I love living off the bounty of sweet vegetables from my garden in the summer, I could not wait to feast on the succulent and smoky wood-fired meats at Cochon Heritage Fire on Saturday.  The event took place on the wooded, riverside lawn behind the River Terrace Inn in Downtown Napa under near-perfect 75 degree weather.  Cochon Heritage Fire is a branch of Cochon 555, a nationwide series of consumer events and a professional culinary competition of “snout-to-tail” cookery using heritage breed pigs.
Chochon is such a delectable word, …

Our tiny valley has some of the best restaurants on the entire West Coast, but what jump starts our days of touring vineyards and wineries?  Here are some picks for great hot and hearty breakfasts in Downtown Napa.
BISCUITS
What’s better than freshly made buttermilk biscuits with house made, seasonal spreads?   When they’re smothered in sausage gravy and topped with eggs over easy!  The “Cowpoke” below is one of their popular breakfast items.

I had mine with a side of fried green tomatoes.  The tangy herb dip with chipotle sauce was great …

Culinary cultures and personalities shine in the West End of Downtown Napa.  These restaurants may be small, but they are big on flavor and loyal fans.
OENOTRI
Food & Wine just recently gave a glowing review of Oenotri and it’s spot-on except for one thing – they called it the best “new” Italian restaurant in the United States.  Hello?  All of us locals as well as chefs and somms from the Bay Area and beyond have been calling Oenotri their favorite Napa restaurant since it first opened more than two years ago, …

 
How green is my valley?  National lists ranking the greenest cities in the U.S. usually include the following factors:  mass transit, walkable streets, clean energy, resource conservation, recycling, locally produced food and lots of inviting outdoor spaces.  By these measures, Napa Valley is the greenest wine destination in more ways that one.  Here are several ways to celebrated Earth Day, everyday in Napa Valley.
1.  Plant a garden.  Forni Brown Welsh, provider of organic specialty fruit, vegetables and herbs to Napa Valley’s finest restaurants for 30 years, is open to the …

 
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 …