genevieve.malarkey Salut, chérs amis! Today I’m going to write about something a little different. Once upon a time, about eight months ago, my husband and I got our first true vacation together since having kids. We dropped the girls off with grandma and flew to the Napa Valley. We stayed at a beautiful, luxurious resort, took a winery tour, and ate at some amazing restaurants. It was some much needed R&R together after a very hectic couple of years.
If you didn’t know, Napa Valley is full of amazing, highly-rated restaurants, and many of them have Michelin stars. Of course we had set a budget for ourselves on this trip and so we couldn’t eat all the things, but we did a pretty good job of picking some excellent eateries at both ends of our budget’s spectrum. My favorite, by far, was Bouchon Bistro, a restaurant by Thomas Keller.
Mr. Keller is the famous chef who founded the iconic French Laundry, the three-star Michelin institution that is the pinnacle of fine dining in Napa Valley. I dream of eating there one day, but alas had to save that experience for another trip due to budgetary constraints (one meal there can set you back about $350 per person). Bouchon, however, is another fine dining experience of Mr. Keller’s which happens to have one Michelin star, and is reminiscent of the chic bistros of Paris, featuring fresh, local food, à la française.
I had done my research of course (which I’m quite good at- as evidenced here and here), and so had made reservations well before our trip. We took an Uber to the trendy town of Yountville, and upon arriving early decided to see what was left at the Bouchon bakery, the lovely bakery of the same namesake, reminiscent of a true patisserie. It being almost closing time, they were out of most of their treats, but we were able to buy some colorful macarons to take back to our hotel for dessert. We then strolled the streets in the beautifully warm October evening, exploring historic Yountville.
Back at the restaurant, deciding to sit at the bar until our table was ready, we saddled up and ordered some cocktails from a very sophisticated, mustachioed barman with thick framed spectacles, dressed in a white waiter’s uniform with a black tie. Very Parisian. He made an excellent negroni for me, and a seasonal cocktail from the menu for my husband. We sipped our drinks and watched the sophisticated clientele enjoy their Thursday night dinner, taking in the scene of this lovely bistro: red plush booths with exotic palms scattered throughout, vintage artwork adorning the mint green walls, turn of the century globe sconces giving low light around the perimeter, and classic bistro chairs sitting atop Parisian mosaic floor tiles. I was warm from my drink, relaxed from the trip, and feeling as if I were in Paris. In short, I was one happy girl, and I hadn’t even tried any food!
After enjoying our cocktails, we were seated at a cozy booth along the back wall of the restaurant, perfect for people watching and taking in the whole scene. Dedicated and well groomed waiters rushed past every minute or so, delivering food or bringing orders back to be filled. Our friendly and knowledgeable waiter recommended some wine for us to share, and what else can I say? The food was absolutely delicious, as expected. The French onion soup, smothered pork chop, and ice cream-filled choux pastries pleased our pallets to the highest standard.
A large group was seated next to us about halfway through our dinner, and after saying hello to the woman sitting next to me, she asked if I was aware that Thomas Keller himself was dining there that night. Of course I had no idea, and so she kindly pointed him out to me, and there he was, two tables away with a small group of people. I was star struck and curiously watched him intermittently throughout the remainder of our meal. And upon getting up to leave that night, walking by his table and taking one last glance at the famous chef, we made eye contact for the quickest of seconds, and my entire evening was made. A delicious French meal, and a celebrity sighting- what more could I ask for?
If you find yourself in the Napa Valley, make the trip to Yountville for an amazing culinary experience. Bouchon Bistro is a chic, sophisticated French eatery that directly transports you to Paris, all the while sipping the best wines from the local valley. Though it wasn’t an economical meal by any stretch, the experience was worth every penny. You might spot a celebrity, but either way you will assuredly have an unforgettable experience that will inspire your francophile heart.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my review. What French restaurants stand out in your memories from previous trips? I would love to know- please leave a comment and follow my blog!
À la prochaine-
geneviève
