Eating & Sleeping
Napa 1
5 Alexis Baking Co Cafe $
(%707-258-1827; http://www.alexisbakingcompany.
com; 1517 3rd St; dishes $6-10; h7:30am-3pm
Mon-Fri, 7am-3pm Sat, 8am-2pm Sun; cv)
Our fave spot for scrambles, granola, focaccia
sandwiches, big cups of joe and boxed lunches
to go.5 Ubuntu Vegetarian $$
(%707-251-5656; http://www.ubuntunapa.com; 1140
Main St; dishes $14-18; hdinner nightly, lunch
Sat & Sun; v) The Michelin-starred, seasonal,
vegetarian menu features artfully presented
natural wonders from the biodynamic kitchen
garden, satisfying hearty eaters with four-
to-five inspired small plates, and eco-savvy
drinkers with 100-plus sustainably produced
wines.4 Avia Hotel Hotel $$
(%707-224-3900; http://www.aviahotels.com; 1450
1st St; r $149-249; aiW) Downtown Napa’s
newest hotel opened in 2009 and feels like a
big-city hotel, with business-class-fancy rooms,
styled in sexy retro-’70s chic. Walkable to
restaurants and bars.Yountville 2
5 Bouchon Bakery Bakery $
(%707-944-2253; http://www.bouchonbakery.com;
6528 Washington St; dishes $3-9; h7am-7pm)
Bouchon makes perfect French pastries and
strong coffee. Order at the counter and sit
outside, or pack a bag to go.5 Étoile Californian $$$
(%707-944-8844; http://www.chandon.com; 1
California Dr; lunch mains $26-31, dinner mains
$32-36; h11:30am-2:30pm & 6-9pm Thu-Mon)
Within the Chandon winery, Michelin-starredÉtoile’s is perfect for a lingering white-
tablecloth lunch in the vines; ideal when you
want to visit a winery and eat a good meal with
minimal driving.5 French Laundry Californian $$$
(%707-944-2380; http://www.frenchlaundry.com;
6640 Washington St; prix-fixe incl service charge$270; (^) hdinner daily, lunch Sat & Sun) The
pinnacle of California dining, Thomas Keller’s
French Laundry is epic, a high-wattage culinary
experience on par with the world’s best. Book
two months ahead at 10am sharp, or log onto
OpenTable.com precisely at midnight. Avoid
tables before 7pm; first-service seating moves
faster than the second – sometimes too fast.
4 Napa Valley Railway Inn Theme Inn $$
(%707-944-2000; http://www.napavalleyrailwayinn.
com; 6523 Washington St; r $125-260;
aiWs) Sleep in a converted railroad car,
part of two short trains parked at a central
platform. They have little privacy, but are
moderately priced. Bring earplugs.
4 Poetry Inn Inn $$$
(%707-944-0646; http://www.poetryinn.com; 6380
Silverado Trail; r incl breakfast $650-1400;
aWs) There’s no better view of Napa Valley
than from this understatedly chic, three-room
inn, high on the hills east of Yountville. Rooms
are decorated in Arts and Crafts–inspired style,
and have private balconies, wood-burning
fireplaces, 1000-thread-count linens and
enormous baths with indoor-outdoor showers.
Bring a ring.
Oakville 3
5 Oakville Grocery & Cafe Deli $$
(www.oakvillegrocery.com; 7856 Hwy 29;
h8am-5:30pm) The once-definitive Wine
Country deli has gotten ridiculously overpriced,
with less variety than in previous years, but still
NORTHERN.CALIFORNIA
5
(^) NAPA
VALLEY