37621 Wed Jul 06 15:21:20 -0700 2005 11 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 175616 Since I was not able to get into French Laundry - does anyone have a recommendation for an intimate special birthday dinner in Napa (I was thinking Auberge du Soleil or La Toque)? Please let me know - thanks! Wed Jul 06 15:21:20 -0700 2005 0 Syd 1 175620 I'm not a huge fan of La Toque but its miles better than that horrid tourist trap of a restaurant at Auberge. I'd go to Terra if I were you. Wed Jul 06 15:44:01 -0700 2005 175616 0 JonesWineNo1 2 175657 Another vote for Terra - it is really very special. And why go to Auberge when it is so mediocre???? You will not find any good reviews - at least not on this board. Wed Jul 06 17:47:31 -0700 2005 175620 0 Mad 1 175632 I *am* a huge fan of La Toque and happily recommend it. L'Auberge Du Soleil has reportedly gone downhill since a terrific chef left a couple of years ago. You might consider having a glass of bubbly on the terrace there before dinner at La Toque (about 10 minutes' drive away). Wed Jul 06 16:41:43 -0700 2005 175616 0 Rod Williams 1 175659 Not to seem hokey but I wanted a bit of a dressy place for the birthday night - we are actually going to Terra the night before (and the reservationist said the dress code is casual) and I'm really looking forward to that. I didn't know Auberge had such crummy reviews here! Wed Jul 06 17:51:32 -0700 2005 175616 0 Syd 2 175670 Dressing up is not really required anywhere in the Valley (despite what some restaurants may say). The average person is no more dressed up at Auberge or La Toque than at Terra. Wed Jul 06 18:47:16 -0700 2005 175659 0 JonesWineNo1 3 175693 I grew up in Napa Valley, and thought the same thing only to be embarassed at the FL. The French Laundry definitely requires a coat. Domain Chandon may require a coat; it's the only other place I can think of that might have a strict dress code. Wed Jul 06 20:03:28 -0700 2005 175670 0 Steve G 4 175700 I wear a sport coat to The French Laundry but the last three times I have been I have seen plenty of men not wearing coats. Wed Jul 06 20:26:40 -0700 2005 175693 0 JonesWineNo1 5 175716 As responsible mommies used to say, "Just because all the other kids are doing it is no excuse for *you* to look like a slob." Wed Jul 06 23:40:17 -0700 2005 175700 0 Rod Williams 6 175760 While if you had read my post completely you would have seen that I stated that I wear a sport coat to TFL, claiming people automatically look like slobs when they are not wearing at least a sport coat is completely untrue. Based on the content and tone of your post, its clear you have forgotten some of the other things mommies tell their kids to do and how to act. Thu Jul 07 13:22:00 -0700 2005 175716 0 JonesWineNo1 7 175771 JonesWineNo1 -- I intended to make a general comment, not at all to address you. Sorry you took it that way. Thu Jul 07 14:30:42 -0700 2005 175760 0 Rod Williams 1 175688 Well, if we're voting, mine goes for La Toque. It's the French Laundry without the attitude, oh and a lot less expensive. Have never been disappointed there. Take the advice of one of the others, a cocktail at the Auberge then off to your dinner resevation at La Toque. Wed Jul 06 19:49:42 -0700 2005 175616 0 Monty