Napa Valley restaurant recommendations?

[FurtiveFreddy]

Going there in June, staying 3 or 4 nights in Yountville. Any recommendations in that area and tips on booking tables in advance from the UK?

The French Laundry is on the list already but booking could be tricky it seems...

[darty]

I would give these three a go.

Bouchon
Redd
Auberge du soleil

All very good and you can't beat the view from the terrace of the AdS. Most will do corkage too.

Darty

[FurtiveFreddy]

darty said:

Most will do corkage too.

Darty

Ah, that's useful to know. Some of the wine prices I've seen on menus have been a bit

[vtgts300kw]

Theres a fantastic vegetarian restaurant there as well, just can't remember the name.

edit: http://www.ubuntunapa.com/

Edited by vtgts300kw on Wednesday 18th January 21:52

[FurtiveFreddy]

Been looking at the reservation system at The French Laundry and it seems like the Fat Duck's, only worse. Telephone bookings 2 months in advance or online through Open Table, but they only release one table for two to Open table each night, so the chances of getting that are slim to none.

Seems like the best way to get a table is to use the Amex concierge service, but that's not an option for me so anyone have any other tricks they can share?

We'll try getting the hotel to book but I don't know how much sway they'll have.

I'm sure there are other restaurants in the area just as good, but I've always wanted to try this one.

[YRRunner]

Also try the restaurant at CIA (Culinary Institute of America) at Greystone (a beautiful castle/mansion in the hills of St Helena, Napa). http://www.ciachef.edu/california/ Fantastic views down the valley, over the vineyards and across toward the French Laundry. The apprentices get to use you as guinea pigs. The food is normally free (I think a donation to the institute or its favoured charity is expected if I remember correctly) but the food is usually excellent and the experience can be really interesting. It makes for a much hightened culinary experience, watching these recruits put their new found skills to test. The French Laundry (amongst other local Napa restaurants) use many of the CIA students. BTW, if you can get into the FL, you won't regret it. In my opinion, it still knocks the socks off anybody in the UK and many on the continent including El Bulli and that nutter at Noma!

[FurtiveFreddy]

June is approaching but still no closer to finding a way to get a reservation at The French Laundry. Any more advice (finding someone with plat/black Amex hasn't happened yet)?