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, …

Opening day for the Napa Farmers Market always feels like summer.  It’s sunny, people stroll around leisurely in their shorts and sandals as if on vacation.  We’re lured out of hibernation by the colorful selection of the season’s first crops, the scent of flowers and by the taste of a juicy strawberry.  But the farmers market is much more that just a ‘market’, it’s a communal experience where everyone cares deeply about one thing:  local, sustainably-grown and flavorful food.  It’s a chance to engage with growers and producers and to …

 
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 …

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, …

Oenotri, Downtown Napa’s latest restaurant, combines the essence of Southern Italian simplicity with the purity of local ingredients.  On a recent Wednesday night, the restaurant was packed by 6:00 p.m. and buzzing with energy.  The casual venue is modern and spacious, with re-habilitated wood tables and an open kitchen.   In Oenotri, owners and chefs Curtis Di Fede and Tyler Rodde have created a restaurant that will appeal to locals and visitors alike.
The menu is very focused, featuring authentic Southern Italian flavors achieved the traditional way,  with wood-fired oven, house-made salumi, pastas, oils and vinegars and the freshest local …