city guides
where i actually eat
Where I eat.
My aunt just asked me for some recommendations in Napa, so I figured I'd make a guide. This one's home for me — five years of days off around The French Laundry. No sponsored spots. Just where I actually go.
Napa Valley
Five years at The French Laundry. This is the valley that made me a chef. Start with the big one.
◆ the goat
The French Laundry
yountville · three michelin stars
Where I spent five years. Still the greatest restaurant in the country, and worth every bit of the effort it takes to get in. Go once in your life.
↳ how people actually get a reservation
- Use the AI reservation tools the second tables drop live. That's how a lot of people get in now.
- Book a nice hotel in Yountville and have the hotel make the reservation for you.
- Or walk up with a case of beer for the team and ask if they've got room. Works more than you'd think.
◆ the tables
Bouchon Bistroyountville · french
Keller's bistro. Roast chicken, steak frites, a glass of wine. This is my day-off dinner.
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Ad Hocyountville · family style
Go on a fried chicken night. One set menu, no choices, all of it great. Insider move: sit at the bar and you can order à la carte.
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Charlie'sst. helena · chef elliot bell
Elliot ran the pass at The French Laundry before he opened this and named it after his son. I love what he's doing.
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PRESSst. helena · chef phil tessier
Chef Phil was the first American to medal at the Bocuse d'Or. Napa steak and one of the deepest wine lists in the country.
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◆ on my list
Everybody keeps telling me to go. Haven't made it yet, but I trust the people who sent me here.
◆ where i went on days off
When you cook at the Laundry, you don't eat like it on your day off. This is where we actually went.
Morimoto Napanapa · japanese
Morimoto's spot on the river. Great sushi, and where we'd go to feel human after a long week.
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Small Worldnapa · middle eastern
Falafel, shawarma, the works. Cheap, fast, exactly what you want when you're off the clock.
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In-N-Outnapa · burgers
Come on. Double-double, animal style, on Imola. Open late. No notes.
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◆ wineries
Jarvis Estatenapa · my #1 · by appointment
My top pick. The entire winery is inside a cave and it's stunning. Fun fact: the wine and I are about the same age.
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Charles Krugst. helena · napa's oldest
The Peter Mondavi family. Angelina was a big partner of ours at Truffle Shuffle. Oldest winery in Napa, and the one that opened California's first tasting room back in 1882.
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Schramsbergcalistoga · sparkling
Where I'd go for sparkling. Caves, bubbles, and a lot of history in the glass.
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Opus Oneoakville · on my list
People lose their minds over it. I haven't been yet — but everyone I trust says go.
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◆ my perfect day in yountville
Start at one end of town and work your way to the other. Here's the walk.
01
Start at the Vets Home. Grab a drink at the bar and buy a few lottery tickets. Nobody expects that one.
02
Walk over to Chandon. The grounds are gorgeous and the sparkling is the reward for starting early.
03
Cut into town and hit Ranch Market for snacks. The deli inside does really good pizza and sandwiches to go.
04
Pop in for a caramel latte and a TKO — the Thomas Keller Oreo. Trust me on the TKO.
05
The park
Grab a bottle of wine or some beers to go, find the park, and have a little picnic. That's the day.
◆ more cities coming
Tokyo, Bangkok, Mexico City, and every stop on the tour.
I'm building a guide for each place the tour takes me. Want them first?
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