24338 Tue May 27 19:51:15 -0700 2003 7 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 94696 We're trying to head up to Calistoga for our anniversary mid June, but our spontaneous nature is causing problems in that town. Seems most of the world makes plans 6 months in advance for summer. Aye! Anyway, what food recommendations can you make for Calistoga? It appears that Wappo is the most recommended place. Any others??? And if you have any recommendations for last minute places to stay that are appropriate for a romantic weekend please let me know. Thanks! Tue May 27 19:51:15 -0700 2003 0 Andrew 1 94710 I like Catahoula. It's in the Mount View Hotel. Excellent Gumbo. The Calistoga Inn has a nice patio and you can sit and have a drink there. (I don't know about the food), but its a nice place to have a beer on a hot summer day. Brannan's is good and my husband likes All Seasons Cafe and wine shop. Other than that there really isn't a lot out there as far as food goes. Everyone seems to like Wappo's but I had a bad experience there and haven't yet been back. Cin Cin unfortunately, closed. Tue May 27 20:36:14 -0700 2003 94696 0 Regina 2 94714 As charming as the place is, I also had a bad experience with the food at Wappo. Both the fish dish (a tandoori inspired bass) and the meat dish (osso bucco) we ordered were "off" in flavor and texture, the fusion thing just didn't work here. The next time I go to Calistoga, I will not be going back to Wappo. After our dissapointing dinner at Wappo, I wished we had gone to All Seasons instead. Tue May 27 22:32:19 -0700 2003 94710 0 olive 3 94717 We have had three great lunches at the Wappo in the past two months. Also, the Calistoga Brewery is fun for lunch, especially on a nice day sitting out on the patio. Calistoga is a great place to visit, very casual, great wineries nearby. Enjoy your stay! Tue May 27 23:38:43 -0700 2003 94714 0 Trish 4 94862 I'm a new Chowhound so I may not know all the rules yet. If this isn't the right way to respond I'm sure you will all let me know. Anyway, we visit that area frequently and we like Catahoula for dinner. Also, if you can go seven miles south to St. Helena, Tra Vigne has been good for years, but our new favorite is Martini House-great for lunch outside and dinner in or out. We also make a point of going to Don Giovanni just north of Napa. Yountville has Bistro Jeanty-all great. Thu May 29 22:59:33 -0700 2003 94717 0 marydennis 5 94886 You did just fine, MaryDennis! Welcome to chowhound. For future reference, there are guidelines and suggestions on how to post and use this board -- they're linked at the top of the board under "READ THIS BEFORE YOU POST" (which almost no one seems to read before they post!). Fri May 30 12:29:36 -0700 2003 94862 0 Ruth Lafler 2 94743 We are positive on All Seasons but negative on Brennen's. Are you limited to strictly Calistoga or are you willing to drive a little? Wed May 28 16:49:26 -0700 2003 94710 0 Peter 1 94904 If you are having trouble with Napa Valley consider going to Sonoma County as it is less crowded, less gentrified (though trying to hard to catch up with Napa) with nice places to eat and stay. Fri May 30 13:46:08 -0700 2003 94696 0 Tom Hall