I loved my time in the valley but never really found a place that blew me away. Maybe that was my mistake because I expected more. For years I always thought about how the other side lived (laundry, roux, danko etc.). I made my reservations and planned out my trip and was not satisfied after I left, food wise that is. Coming from the NJ/NY area I have been spoiled with an endless worldly tastes and styles and found Napa to be like an upscale Lambertville/New Hope. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the Cali flare, but it could never compare to the richness on Manhattan and even suburbia NJ. Thoughts anyone?

If you want serious upscale dining you go to San Francisco. If you want more relaxed, good food dining in a clean, refreshing, less hectic atmosphere... you come out here to Napa.

Country Cuisine is about the freshness of the ingredients... City Food is more about technique.

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AIM: Drunken Mariachi

I just didn’t feel the passion like it is back East, maybe because of the competitive nature. Granted I relocated to Va Beach and for the most part it's lame (culinary wise), but I realize I'm in different world compared to my old stomping grounds. Point being, I just didn't discover what I thought I was missing.

Disappointed in what? You dont' say where you ate or why you felt let down...
Obviously you weren't at the FL because they are closed.
Give us more to go on here...

por vino

I haven't been to NY. But I've worked with guys who came from that area. So, judging from the time I've spent cooking with northeastern folk, and just talkin shop with them... I'm guessing that the food you're used to, you're sense of "passion" with food relies more along the lines of your classic haute cuisine with nouveux twists. Intricate, technique driven plates with lots of fancy garnishes. There's one restaurant in the Bay Area that fits that description to a "T", and that's Fleur de Lys.

If that's true... then yes, there is a huge difference. And I can very much see how you would be disappointed. It's something that's completely different (asides from The Laundry or La Toque here in the valley) from the style of food that you come to expect.

So, out of curiosity... where did you eat at?

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AIM: Drunken Mariachi

Napa Valley - beautiful girl with huge implants...

Free Martha!

quote:

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Originally posted by grunhauser:
Napa Valley - beautiful girl with huge implants...

Free Martha!

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grunny -

you sayin that napa is a beautiful little stretch of land that's been overblown and made to look all dolled up, overdressed n' whatnot when it could be something very nice if it wasn't so starving for attention?

if that's true, then yes... i agree.

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AIM: Drunken Mariachi

quote:

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Originally posted by grunhauser:
Napa Valley - beautiful girl with huge implants...

Free Martha!

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grunny -

you sayin that napa is a beautiful little stretch of land that's been overblown and made to look all dolled up, overdressed n' whatnot when it could be something very nice if it wasn't so starving for attention?

if that's true, then yes... i agree.

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AIM: Drunken Mariachi

kpak I did eat at the laundry (late November), roux, Bistro Jeanty, Bouchon, La Toque etc etc. In San Fran, Danko, Masa, Elisabeth Daniel. I was also not disappointed with any of these establishments as per my original post.
DJ, you are right it is a different world, as for haute and novelle/fusion cuisine that was over in the NJ/NJ area around 1998. Granted I started my career at Lespinasse which was during that streak, but fancy garnishes was a little of what it all about as I'm sure you are well aware. I think it was that I didn't find a huge variety as much as I thought I would. This post was set to be creative, a knowledge sharing if you will.

Disclaimer: My wife an I aren't classic foodies and probably wouldn't appreciate The Laundry or a renowned NY restaurant.

My wife and I agree that the best food we have ever eaten is the seafood we make at home ourselves.

We love eating at The Wappo Grill and Martini House in NV. The food is good enough but dining outdoors on a beautiful BUG FREE night is what we love about NV. You simply can't enjoy dining outdoors in Minnesota and it ain't no NV.

Looking forward to grilled Rainbow Trout tonight...at home and no corkage.

don't tell me we agree on something, dj

Free Martha!