Recommendation for lunch in Napa!

[smartcooki]

Hi All,

I am having the hardest time picking a restaurant for lunch in Napa. I'm a hardcore foodie and am looking to check out one of the French places while I'm in town for a wedding. We only have time for lunch on a Sunday in mid-August.

Tried to book French Laundry, but of course it wasn't possible. I considered Bouchon, but decided against it since I live in NYC. I'd prefer something that's still unique to the Napa area. Looked at Ad Hoc, but not too keen on southern food that weekend. Would prefer French.

There are so many options with amazing reviews that we're having the toughest time deciding!

Can anyone help us out with a lunch recommendatin that will blow our mind?

Bistro Jeanty? Mustard's? Others?

Thank you so much!

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The French Laundry
6640 Washington Street, Yountville, CA 94599

Ad Hoc
6476 Washington St., Yountville, CA 94599

Bistro Jeanty
6510 Washington Street, Yountville, CA 94599

Bouchon
6534 Washington Street, Yountville, CA 94599

[JasmineG]

Where did you get the idea that Ad Hoc is Southern food? It's not, it's American comfort food with an upscale touch and California influences. Sometimes it has barbeque or fried chicken (not on Sunday for brunch, though). You would have brunch there, not lunch, and here are some details of a recent one http://bayareafoodieblog.com/2010/06/...

As Windy said, coming to California from NYC and looking for French food isn't really the wisest option, especially since you said you want something unique to Napa.

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Ad Hoc
6476 Washington St., Yountville, CA 94599

[ThirstyReader]

I used to cook at Auberge. Nothing against it at all, but it's California-Mediterranean. Bistro Jeanty is true-school French, and one of my regular spots.

www.accidentalwino.com

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Bistro Jeanty
6510 Washington Street, Yountville, CA 94599

[jaimecouchon]

If you are looking for a memorable experience, Auberge is your best bet.It has been our special occassion spot for years. The view, service and food do not dissappoint. We just had a great meal at Solbar and the surroundings are very chic. On the other hand, I cannot say enough bad things about Bistro Jeanty, our last 3 lunches there were deplorable. Same for Chandon. hope you have a good experience in our valley.

[Shane Greenwood]

link for Auberge Du Soliel

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Auberge Du Soleil
180 Rutherford Hill Rd., Rutherford, CA 94573

[wolfe]

My wife had a excellent halibut dish on the patio at Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen. I had the hamburger which was ok but next time the duck burger.

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Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen
1327 Railroad Ave., St. Helena, CA 94574

[CarrieWas218]

For the OP who is looking for more of a French experience, Cindy's Backstreet is the last restaurant I would recommend. Jeanty or Auberge is much closer to what the OP probably has in mind. Great reviews are also coming out of SolBar.

[wolfe]

I was working on "I'd prefer something that's still unique to the Napa area." It's the old when in Rome don't order the burrito story."

[Scott M]

I would consider Angele in Napa.

Recent Bauer review for what it's worth

http://articles.sfgate.com/2010-07-08...

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Angele
540 Main St, Napa, CA 94559

[smartcooki]

The reviews for Angele seem somewhat mixed...Bistro Jeanty is standing out to me right now due to their menu and glowing reviews...Have you tried it?

[Shane Greenwood]

I've heard good things about Auberge d Soliel but haven't been personally.

[Windy]

It's a very pretty place. The food was fine when I was there (a few chefs ago), but sitting outside was what I remember.

(I do wonder about coming to California in search of French food. NYC arguably has better French food than the Bay Area. Also Mustards isn't French.)