WineCountry Staff: May 2010 Archives

Submitted by Tri-Valley CVB

Warm Summer weather in Tri-Valley, California is the perfect excuse for residents and visitors  to leave their kitchens and enjoy a meal al fresco.   Diners are sure to find what satisfies them, whether it be a romantic meal among the vineyards or a sidewalk café in a quaint downtown. Tri-Valley, California boasts over 80 restaurants in all price ranges that feature outdoor dining.

Tri-Valley, California restaurants have seen a rise in popularity for outdoor dining, and have expanded their offerings to include complimentary entertainment, a spot for the family pet, and more.  Café Garré has expanded its cafe to include seating for 100 on the patio, and boasts a lawn and fountain area for pets and children.  They also host Vineyard Nights Summer Music on the Patio every Friday night, as well as Bocce Ball and Italian Dinner nights every Wednesday.

Submitted by: Tides Wharf Restaurant, Bodega Bay

No seats available... without a view of the bay at the Tides Wharf Restaurant at Inn at the Tides. Freshly caught seafood specialties served wharf-side in a casual family-friendly atmosphere. Breakfast, Lunch and dinner served daily. Enjoy cocktails, wines and appetizers by sunset in our beautiful Tides Wharf Bar. Featuring breathtaking views of Bodega Bay's scenic harbor and outdoor covered deck.

Why not try this wonderful Crab Cioppino dish at home! See recipe . . .

By Deirdre Bourdet

At last, at long last, C Casa has opened in the Oxbow Public Market in the place formerly occupied by Rotisario.  The rotisserie remains, but the space is otherwise transformed into a warm, contemporary tapas bar feel, with absolutely killer patio seating.  Dark wood, silver hardware, sleek leather seating, and well-placed accent mirrors create an inviting lounge space looking east toward the Copia building and the hills of Alta Heights.  Finally, someone putting the Oxbow's shaded terraces to good use!

By Deirdre Bourdet

Last Sunday HALL Winery hosted their first annual Cabernet Cookoff, inviting eight professional and eight amateur chef teams to compete for cash donations to their non-profits of choice.  The challenge: create a dish to pair with the 2005 HALL Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, using primarily organic and sustainable ingredients.  After sampling each of the sixteen submissions, accompanied by plenty of the wine in question, guest attendees would cast their votes for the best amateur and best professional teams.

Étoile's wunderkind chef, Perry Hoffman, has joined the Michelin ranks.

By LeeAnne Jones (Napa Sonoma Magazine)

In 2009, at the age of 25, Perry Hoffman of Domaine Chandon's Étoile Restaurant became the youngest U.S. chef to be awarded a Michelin star. Knowing his story, it's obvious why: Hoffman has restaurants in his blood.

His grandparents, Sally and Don Schmitt, were the original owners of the French Laundry, and Hoffman spent his formative years helping in the kitchen. "I grew up on French Laundry leftovers," he says. "We'd have family meals at a picnic table in the herb garden. It was a lot of fun." Continuing his family's legacy of cooking was an easy decision. Hoffman worked in the kitchens of the Boonville Hotel, Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn, and Auberge du Soleil before landing at Étoile in 2007, where he was quickly promoted from sous chef to chef de cuisine to executive chef.

Our own in-house Chef Charles O'Hare has been cooking up some delicious gourmet breakfasts to delight our guests at White House Inn & Spa.

Guests enjoy them so much that they often ask for the recipes to re-create at home! Now you can create your own gourmet breakfast entrées with recipes from the White House Inn & Spa.

Of course, if you're planning a trip to Napa Valley book a stay with us and taste first-hand our delicious wine country breakfast! See our special offers HERE.

*You'll need a Silver Dollar Pancake Pan to recreate this recipe.