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Cole’s Chop House: Situated in downtown Napa, near the Opera House, Cole’s Chop House is your classic steak and chops restaurant that knows how to respect the meats they handle and to make a stiff and delicious martini without fail. Cole’s is also one of the few steak restaurants in CA that can reliably prepare a proper “Black and Blue” steak. Honestly, i’ve not had an item on their menu that wasn’t delicious and satisfying. Their 32oz. 21-Day Dry Aged Porterhouse for 2 (or a very hungry 1) is not to be missed, as are their Shoestring Onion Rings and the Chop House Hash Browns (get it with onions) that will make you scream with joy. Their Lobster and Shrimp Bisque in Puff Pastry and Oyster Rockefeller are wonderful ways to start your meal, though do keep in mind that the portions at the Chophouse are generous to the fault! Most dinners are dressed in business casual, reservations are a must!
Golden Bear Station: Located in the town of Kenwood, just north of Sonoma, Golden Bear Station is the new venture by the acclaimed chef and wife team behind the now shuttered Animo. While Animo focused keenly on open fire cooking, Golden Bear Station explores the Italian foods that inspired Chef Joshua Smookler. The menu is now populated with a selection of pizzas and pastas that stars alongside large format dishes like the Animo’s ribeye steak, the famed duck L’orange, and an absolutely heavenly jidori chicken three ways (roasted breast, fried wings, and confit leg and thigh). The pizzas at Golden Bear Station is, simply stated, one of the best pies i have ever experienced. A cross between a Neapolitan and a New York slice, the impressively thin, crisp, crust powerfully lifts the toppings with ease… and what toppings! The Mushroom White Pizza is topped with a tremendous layer of caramelized onions in place of sauce and generously scattered with mushrooms. The Hot Honey pizza is spread with a flavorsome tomato sauce before being absolutely covered with thin soppressata, creamy boulders of buffalo stracciatella, and wonderfully delicious and generous drizzles of habanero honey. As wonderful as the pizzas were, the pastas are also on another level. The house made pastas with such delightful chew, the sauces were beautifully balanced and moreish in everyway. Highlights were the Amatriciana (bucatini, guanciale, tomato, chili, pecorino) and the Naccheri alla Vodka (naccheri pasta, creamy tomato sauce, chili). No dress code, reservations is a must!
Oxbow Public Market: Not sure what you want to eat? Swing by the Oxbow Public Market and i am certain you will find something to sate your hunger. None of the shops has a dress code (just be dressed and shod), no reservations needed, just walk up hungry, order, and be not hungry anymore. It is a wonderland of ready to eat food and items for your pantry and kitchen, there are many choices but some highlights are below:
Craving a Jewish deli vibe? Head over to Loveski Deli and enjoy a bagel and some of their wonderful spreads, or perhaps allow yourself to be tempted by the Motzoh Ball Soup or perhaps one of their wonderful sandwiches like The Tribute (Loveski’s take on the pastrami reuben) or the Bagel Dog.
Perhaps you are looking for some classic smoked or cured meats? Try Fatted Calf and know blissful delight. The Fatted Calf will happily provide you with delightful raw ingredients for a phenomenal meal at home or the fixings for an afternoon charcutier platter you can enjoy under the Napa sunshine. If you want immediate satisfaction, give the daily sandwiches a go, if they have their Porchetta, don’t hesitate — just don’t salivate on the counter.
Maybe you are a carb fiend, how about heading to the Model Bakery? After all, their English Muffins were designated by Oprah as one of her favorites (for the Brits reading this, in America, this is akin to the Royal Warrant). It is joyful that at the Model Bakery, you can get delightful breakfast sandwiches cradled in the buttery and delicious English Muffins. If you are there for lunch, feast your eyes upon all the freshly prepared temptations awaiting your hungry self. Their pastries, pies, scones, and items birthed from a hot oven are all worthy of mention and recommendation!
Tasca Tasca: Located just off Sonoma Square proper, Tasca Tasca is a charming restaurant offering delectable tapas offerings of Portugal at a very reasonable price and in a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. Tapas are offered in 3, 5, or 7 item boards, selected by you and your level of hunger or curiosity. Try the Fried Spicy Pig’s Ears, strips of pigs ears, fried beautifully and tossed in a spiced honey glaze that goes down a treat with a cold beer, a cocktail, or a glass of Tasca Tasca’s intriguing wine list offerings. Also delightful were the Boquerones (fried croquets of delicious salt cod), the Caldo Verde (the national soup of Portugal), and the Morcela (Portugese blood sausage that is just wonderfully delicious!). The menu varies according to seasonal bounties, but the choices are numerous, with 6-10 items to choose from in each of the menu sections: Cheese, Sea, Garden, and Land. Also, don’t forget the dessert (in the Sweet section, sweet!), their Flan is phenomenal and the Rice Pudding is warm, not too sweet, nice hit of cinnamon, and embraces your soul in a wonderous healing hug that will melt away all your worries of the day. Yeah, it is that magical a rice pudding.