Jim & Jamie’s Adventures In Napa

Now that the thrill of New York’s elite eaters have come and gone in the wake of the NY Times write-up, and the national press has simmered down after the chef’s picture showed up in Bon Appetit, we returned to a still busy restaurant with a large group of friends.  Groups are treated to a preset menu where they bring out food until you can eat no more.  Just when you think you cannot take another bite of anything, the next course shows up.  You literally have to tell them to STOP sending food.  We enjoyed a lovely asparagus salad, a corn soup, farro in an avocado sauce with corn fritters, pizza with wild mushrooms and truffle oil, and their signature cauliflower puree.  I have to admit that there were a couple of other courses in between that I lost track of that were no less wonderful, small bites of great flavor in your mouth.  Yes, I know, it’s all vegetarian.  Trust me.  I’m a carnivore and love my beef.  Yet I’ve eaten there 5 times and I’ve never been dissatisfied, nor have I walked away hungry.  Due to its popularity reservations are a must.  There is a communal table open for walk-ins, but the wait can be long and tedious.  This is a “must” stop for anyone staying in Napa.

It was lunch time and my niece, Catherine, was visiting and we wanted to try something new.  We had heard that Annalien’s was a good place to eat and I was in the mood for Pho, a noodle soup with lots of vegetables and sometimes chicken or beef or shrimp.  We started with the Salmon Spring Rolls because they are not deep-fried, and with the accompanying peanut sauce and hot sauce our palates were awakened and we were happy with the choice of appetizer.  Catherine ordered the Green Papaya salad with shrimp, Jamie ordered the Lemon Grass soup with shrimp, and I ordered the Pho Ga (with chicken).  There was not a bad bite in any of the dishes.  I thought the Lemon Grass soup was a little on the small side (at least compared to the bowl of Pho), whereas the Pho was more than I could eat and I shared the rest with Jamie.  Catherine’s salad was just right (what, the Three Little Bears?- too big, too small, just right!).  What I loved most about the Pho was the side of little dishes (jalapeno peppers, green onion, sprouts, and three different sauces to enjoy).  I used everything but the jalapeno peppers (I can only manage so much heat these days) and it married nicely into the dish.  Although we didn’t get a chance to speak with Annalien, you will see her around the dining room speaking to guests and talking about the food.  Quite an enjoyable experience; one that I would recommend, and within walking distance of the inn.

Jamie and I had eaten at Brix when we first arrived in the Valley last year and enjoyed our dining experience, although I wouldn’t call it a “stand out” meal.  Recently, a local Napa city restaurant, NV, closed its doors and the chef took his staff to Brix and redesigned the menu.  As my brother was in town with his wife, we decided to return to Brix to see what changes had occurred.  We both were “wowed!” by what we ate, as was my brother, Don, and his wife, Sherry.  Don started with a butternut squash soup that was light and creamy, Jamie and Sherry both had green salads (the usual standard today with candied nuts, blue cheese, and vinaigrette), and I had the beet napoleon.  I asked everyone to taste the napoleon that was layered with roasted beets and a creamy goat cheese and they all agreed that it was superb!  I didn’t like beets as a child, but that was because all I ate were canned vegetables.  Once I enjoyed a fresh beet, roasted in the oven, I was a convert; and now this dish was taking it to a new level of appreciation.  Definitely a winner in my book.    The main course….oh my gosh!…was a lobster risoto for Don and me, and they were very, very generous with the lobster!  It was creamy, wonderful, luscious and was paired well with the Sauvignon Blanc that was suggested by the wait staff and sommelier.  (Side note: Their wine list is great!  Very extensive and well thought out).  Sherry had the margherita pizza which she thoroughly enjoyed, and Jamie loved his seared scallops on top of…(oh boy, he can’t remember!).  All four of us enjoyed the final course with beignets (the best I’ve had in the Valley) with a light cream sauce on one side, and a small boat of chocolate sauce on the other.  We all remarked how much we enjoyed our meal there.  I would recommend it highly to anyone.  (www.brix.com)