If you're a serious food lover, I don't need to tell you where
to dine when you visit Napa Valley. You've probably had your hit
list prioritized for months, if not years. But beyond the restaurant,
there are other culinary adventures to be had between the vines. Whenever
my foodie friends come to visit, I usually point them in the following
direction—and then hear them reminisce about their visit for years to
come. Throw a few of these delicious detours onto your itinerary and thank
me later.
TABLETOP TREATS
With so many chef residents, residents with chefs, and locals who
love to entertain, Napa Valley probably has more hosts and hostesses
per capita than anywhere else in the country. It's also got great
culinary boutiques to ensure that tables are properly set by
the time the evening's first corks are pulled. One of my favorites
is no-nonsense Shackford's, which is where to get every little
cooking gadget or utensil, including lobster bibs and sweet menu
cards. In St. Helena, I reserve going to Vanderbilt
and Company (1429 Main St., St. Helena, 707-963-1010,
vanderbiltandcompany.com) for when I am ready to spend some money. My mom started taking
me there when I was a kid and even today I'm in awe of their
collection of Italian pottery.
EDIBLE MEMENTOS
Napa Valley Olive Oil Manufacturing Company (835
Charter Oak Ave. St. Helena, 707-963-4173) is one of those rare overly exposed tourist
attractions that deserves its notoriety. Every time I take friends to
this hidden broken down shack of a store they grab a gallon jug of olive
oil and call me in a panic when it eventually runs out. While you can
buy picnic items here, I never do, as I'm addicted to the food at The
Oakville Grocery (7856 St. Helena Hwy., 707-944-8802,
www.oakvillegrocery.com).
This gourmet deli and store is so overstocked with jams, jellies, crackers,
salsas, and tourists that every visit is truly a grueling game of sardines.
But I'll willingly get my toes stepped on and squeeze past gawking loiterers
a gazillion times for the delicacies behind the deli case, including excellent
and sandwiches and Caesar salads. While I'm not as enamored of the cooked
food at Dean & DeLuca (607 S. Main St.,
St. Helena, 707-967-9980),
the gourmet emporium is the hands-down best destination for every possible
cheese you can think of, delicious olives, and so many gorgeously packaged
gourmet products that you may as well pack an extra suitcase just for
the booty you're bound to buy here.
COOKING DEMOS
Some of the most fun I've had in the valley has been hosting or
viewing cooking demos. My favorites are held at the Culinary
Institute of America at Greystone (2555 Main
Street, St. Helena, 707-967-2320, www.ciachef.edu).
Not only is the converted historic winery a breathtaking place to wander
(and snack in their enormous test-kitchen of a restaurant), but also its
1-hour classes, which are held multiple times weekly) are a great reason
to part with $15 per person. Contact the CIA for reservations, dates,
and times.
FARMERS MARKETS
There's no better way to get up close and personal with Napa's
local food lovers, chefs, and artisan producers than to nosh and shop
through breakfast at farmers markets. Alas, they're finished for the year
at of the end of October, but if you're scheduling a trip between May
and next November, be sure to check out organic produce and readymade
edibles on Tuesday and Saturday mornings at the Downtown
Napa Farmers Market (in the COPIA parking lot,
500 First St, 707-252-7142, www.commongreens.com).
On Friday mornings the place to be is the St. Helena
Farmers Market (Crane
Park, off Hwy. 29; look for the signs, 707-486-2662).
