First Annual Napa Valley Restaurant Awards!

Every morning our routine was the same for a week- we woke up in Yountville, opened our door, walked 12 steps to Bouchon Bakery and ate something Really Friggin’ Good.

Really Friggin’ Good Scone! Great baked goods, but coffee is better in Portland…

Then we tasted wines, and then we ate. We ate like we would never visit Napa Valley again, and then ate some more! All in the name of research of course, and here is the following list of contenders (restaurants in this post) for the first ever Portland Oregon Wine Restuarant and Winery Awards (Napa version):

Another award: Best Celebrity Chef Sighting and damn good risotto- Bottega

Outside Lounge at Bottega

Magical evening at the French Laundry

Bistro Jeanty, Bottega, French Laundry, Go Fish!, Redd, Mustard’s Grill, Bouchon, Bouchon Bakery, The Bounty Hunter, Taylor’s Refresher, and the Rutherford Grill.

Best Salad: Redd (pananzella, plus salad that came with the short ribs)
Biggest Surprise in a Good Way: Rutherford Grill (very tasty)
Best Lunch: Mustard’s Grill
Best Host Staff: Bistro Jeanty
Worst Host Staff: French Laundry
Coolest Place: Bouchon
Best Bar: Bouchon
Best Celebrity Chef Sighting: Bottega, Michael Chiarello
Best Value/QPR: Redd Happy Hour
Worst QPR: Taylor’s Refresher ($40 for burgers & fries for two without any drinks?)
Best Wine list: Bounty Hunter (affordable quality glass pours take this over French Laundry)
Best Service: French Laundry (with the exception of the Worst Hostess Ever)
Best Dessert: French Laundry
Best Entree: French Laundry
Best Appetizer: Bistro Jeanty (three great appetizers, including the famous Tomato Soup)
Best Ambiance: Bouchon
Best Overall Dinner: Bouchon

Best Ambiance, Best Overall Dinner, Coolest Place and Best Bar- Bouchon

Overall, EVERY meal was spectacular, and the overall service and experience was leaps and bounds better than any other city we have visited. Special props go to Michael Chiarello for flirting with Eva, he obviously has good taste!