Around the world in the Napa Valley Food, wine, and fun are abundant in the Napa Valley. As the cold weather is upon us and football season is winding down, I wanted to share some of the standout bar bites that I have discovered from around the valley. I have found some interesting fare from around the globe—France, England, and Argentina are on the list. Appropriately French, Angèle serves petites pommes de terre (French for baby potatoes). These are not just potatoes; they are buttery meat and potato bites that are sure to satisfy any diner on a cold day. The dish is served with a small salad with a classic vinaigrette dressing. It is perfect for a light meal. Angèle’s menu is seasonal, which means there are variations of the same dish according to the season. I tried them stuffed with beef belly, but the current menu consists of parmesan-crusted baby potatoes filled with pork ragoût and pickled huckleberries. Oooh la la! • • • Located on the Cairdean estate in St. Helena, The Farmer and the Fox is truly a culinary destination sensation. This modern British gastropub offers a fresh California accent to some classic dishes. But I had one dish in particular that was on my mind as my friend and I made a beeline for the bar…Scotch eggs. Once considered picnic food amongst the wealthy in the UK, Scotch eggs are making a comeback. Chef Joseph Humphrey serves his classic dish with a sprig of watercress and a light grating of fresh horseradish. The unctuous yolk mixed with the minced sausage, the crisp breading and just a tinge of horseradish have me wanting this for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We had two pairings with our dish, a 2012 Joseph Drouhin Vaudon Chablis and a signature cocktail called the Farmer’s Folly. The bartenders will happily pair any of the dishes on their menu with a combination of libations and it is a very special experience. I will definitely be back to that bar and try our some of the other brilliant combinations from the chef and the beverage team. • • • A Downtown Napa eatery that is always busy is Grace’s Table. They have a lot of great American comfort food, but I love the Argentine empanada—homemade, light, crusty dough wrapped around a well-seasoned stuffing of beef, olives, raisins and egg. It’s served with a chimichurri sauce on the side and wedge of lime that adds a nice balance and brightness to this hearty dish. Bonus: It’s on their happy hour menu too. Another honorable mention to round out my bar bite tour includes the half order of mussels at Norman Rose. The wine and butter broth with sweet tender mussels is divine. And…it comes with a small side of fries. I love to dump the thinly fried potatoes in the mix and eat them right out of the bowl. A great dish on a cold day in the valley. 70 www. n A PAVA L L E Y L I F E m a g a zein. c o m 1 2 55 President's Circle • Yountville, CA 94599 • www.thegrandhand.com v Full Cocktails – Beer & Wine Bar Napa Valley Museum Gift Shop 6525 Washington Street • Yountville, CA v (707) 945-0222 • www.domainhomeandgarden.com 6525 Washington Street Yountville, CA 94599 (Inside V Marketplace) 707-944-2282 ielleclothing@gmail.com v by MONICA MARTANARO JAMES
NVLife_JanFeb_2015
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