I thought as a resident of major tourist area I'd share some of my favourites, though not in much detail.
I'll work town by town from south to north and indicate food style, and my rating out of 10.
Napa
ZuZu - Tapas/small plates - no rervations, small and jumping, 9.
Angele - French bistro - next to the river, nice outdoor area, 8.
Celadon - modern ameriacn - outdoor dining, 8 (7 for locals, because menu doesnt change frequently)
Pilar - modern american - hole in the wall, very good 8.
NV - modern american - nice lounge, hip, trendy - 8.
Bistro Don Giovanni - Italian - outdoor dining, 7.5
Pearl - modern american - small, 7
Locos - texmex - funky spot, good value - 7
Yountville
Brix - modern american - nice setting, 7
Mustards Grill - american - wine country classic, noisy - 7
Bistro Jeanty - french - great winter menu - 8
Bouchon - parisian bistro - noisy, crowded, 7.5
French Laundry - wonderful, very expensive - 10
Domaine Chandon - french - right at the winery, classic - 9
Rutherford
La Toque - baby French Laundry - friendlier, cheaper and very good 9.5
Auberge du Soleil - french - best view in the valley - 9.5
Saint Helena
Martini House - modern american - great design, nice patio, great bar - 9
Cook - Italian - lunch spot - 7.5
Market - american - best mac and cheese ever - 7.5
Go Fish - seafood - about to open
Calistoga
Wappo - american & latin - nice patio, great for lunch, 7
This a sampling, but these are the spots you are most likely to find me eating.
I'll work town by town from south to north and indicate food style, and my rating out of 10.
Napa
ZuZu - Tapas/small plates - no rervations, small and jumping, 9.
Angele - French bistro - next to the river, nice outdoor area, 8.
Celadon - modern ameriacn - outdoor dining, 8 (7 for locals, because menu doesnt change frequently)
Pilar - modern american - hole in the wall, very good 8.
NV - modern american - nice lounge, hip, trendy - 8.
Bistro Don Giovanni - Italian - outdoor dining, 7.5
Pearl - modern american - small, 7
Locos - texmex - funky spot, good value - 7
Yountville
Brix - modern american - nice setting, 7
Mustards Grill - american - wine country classic, noisy - 7
Bistro Jeanty - french - great winter menu - 8
Bouchon - parisian bistro - noisy, crowded, 7.5
French Laundry - wonderful, very expensive - 10
Domaine Chandon - french - right at the winery, classic - 9
Rutherford
La Toque - baby French Laundry - friendlier, cheaper and very good 9.5
Auberge du Soleil - french - best view in the valley - 9.5
Saint Helena
Martini House - modern american - great design, nice patio, great bar - 9
Cook - Italian - lunch spot - 7.5
Market - american - best mac and cheese ever - 7.5
Go Fish - seafood - about to open
Calistoga
Wappo - american & latin - nice patio, great for lunch, 7
This a sampling, but these are the spots you are most likely to find me eating.
