Washington Street is the main drag in a small but beautiful town in the Napa Valley, called Yountville. Just north of Napa, Yountville is a picturesque area with beautiful vineyard scenery, rolling hills, pretty bridges and homes, and it happens to be a mecca for foodies! (The previously mentioned hotel of choice, Hotel Luca, resides on Washington Street.) But it wasn't until my husband and I went for a walk the following morning after our arrival that we realized it's significance to California wine and cuisine - Foodie Nirvana.
As we walked a few hundred yards from the hotel, we noticed a slice of land, approximately two home lots large that have been converted into a huge vegetable garden.
We stopped to admire the care and hard work, but also to contemplate the value of such real estate. Who did this? What a fantastic idea to showcase the town's relationship with food. Then it came over me - I turned around to see the opposite side of the road...
Ah! French Laundry! For those that are not aware of this eating establishment, French Laundry has been consistently ranked one of the top restaurants in the world for years. Thomas Keller's flagship restaurant, impossible to get a reservation, and if you are one of the chosen ones to dine here, you have only two pieces of information to give on arrival: your choice of the carnivore or vegetarian meal, and drinks a la carte or wine pairings. The menu changes daily based on the produce, the season and the mood of the chef. And this large vegetable garden supplies fresh produce to the restaurant - heaven!
As my husband dragged me, heels digging in and camera in hand down the road, I recuperated just in time to come across Chef Keller's french bistro, Bouchon Bistro, which is, of course, next door to his famous french-inspired bakery, Bouchon Bakery. At this point, I am on my knees from both the anticipation and the ethereal smell of freshly baked pastries and french chocolate. I am coming here to die. But then, I went to taste. I had to stand in line for 1/2 hour at 9am on a Saturday morning, but it was worth it! Pain au chocolat, lemon tarts, madeleines..... It is one of the happiest places on earth.
The family of Keller restaurants and world domination does not end here. If you hike down the road a few more blocks you will come across Ad Hoc. A celebration of American food in true Keller style: a small cozy restaurant with kitchy displays of the almighty hog and one set menu which changes daily. The grab: a four
course meal with price of $49USD. Not bad at all! I survive this experience - only because we had reservations the following night, and it did not disappoint!
So this blog might lead you to believe that Thomas Keller owns and reigns the glorious Washington Street of Yountville. Though he has been here since opening French Laundry and you have to give him some credit for putting this beautiful town on the food map, another master chef also calls Washington Street his stomping grounds: Chef Michael Chiarello, the Italian master. So many choices, so little time.
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