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NVLife_MayJune_2014

MAY / J U N E 2 0 1 4 75 On a rainy Sunday, amid the electricity of a bustling Oxbow Market crowd, a small group of tourists and locals gathered to walk together. This was no regular Sunday stroll, though—it was to take in the sights, sounds and tastes of downtown Napa on the Gourmet Napa Tour, by Gourmet Walks. The tour, led by the highly enthusiastic and Napa-knowledgeable guide Mary, quickly ignited our foodie imaginations. Over breakfast tacos at C Casa from chef/owner Catherine Bergen (scrambled eggs with goat cheese, pico de gallo, avocado, and chipotle aioli—our palates woke up in a hurry!), Mary invited us into her infectious love of all things Napa while enlightening us about her personal crusade on the powers sourcing organic and local ingredients. The Gourmet Walks Tour Company is the realization of a food-centric dream by former advertising/marketing executive Andrea Nadel. From standing on tiptoe at her mother’s counter in the kitchen as a child, to cooking for both friends and profit in college, Andrea has been a lifelong foodie. Her tours began in San Francisco, then branched out into Napa just a few years ago. The Napa tour, with seven local pit stops, concentrates on food and wine that, where possible and practical, are locally sourced and produced. Our group stayed inside the market area for a cheese sampling at the Oxbow Cheese and Wine Merchant, where cheese expert Amanda provided us with a spectrum of cheeses while explaining the provenance of each, and its history as well. Such as: Did you know Monterey Jack was made by Mexican Franciscan friars in Monterey? And businessman David Jack sold the cheese commercially. Two strong food starts fortify the next leg of our venture, just around the corner at the Fatted Calf. Barely inside the door we were presented with two charcuterie plates loaded with pâté maison, andouille sausage, and guanciale, among others. (Guanciale, pronounced “gwan-chah-lay,” is an amazing cured pork from the jowls of the pig.) Fatted Calf prides itself on using humanely and organically raised local animals and taking added care in producing charcuterie and other meat products, which is evident from first bite to last. A short walk across the First Street bridge, peppered with local history provided by Mary, leads us to a local beer sampling paired with new chef Scott Erickson’s much-refreshed menu at Fish Story. Beautiful, simple presentation, super fresh fish and produce, and clean flavors highlighted the beet and citrus salad and the fish and chips. Lucero Olive Oil may have started in 2004, but olive oil has been a family business for over forty years. They were next. With a strong product line to support a very energetic and charismatic presentation, Bob entertained us with a lesson in olive oil making and tasting, then finished off this particularly fun stop with ice cream topped with a flavored olive oil or balsamic vinegar of our choice. (Personal favorite: Crushed flavored mandarin orange.) Nearing the end of our tour, Anette’s Chocolates on First Street was visited to satisfy our craving for dessert. More than just rich truffles, sauces and flavored chocolates, though, An ette’s surprised us with a beer brittle and a chili lime tequila tortilla brittle. A perfect way to end the food portion. A Napa tour without wine? No way! The Pfeiffer Building, which has housed both a saloon and, word has it, a brothel, is now the home of the Vintner’s Collective—home to small, locally produced, non-distributed wineries. It’s also where, by the end of a rainy Sunday, bon vivant locals and tourists alike can get a little “electric” while tasting wine poured by very wine-savvy staff. Glasses in hand, restaurant recommendations written down, promises to stay in touch (we will!) and goodbye hugs given, this group of newfound friends broke up while basking in the warmth of the food, wine and inside Napa knowledge provided by our guide, Mary, the great local merchants, and of course the Gourmet Walks tour. www.gourmetwalks.com/gourmet-napa-tour Anette’s Chocolates Fish Story Lucero Olive Oil Vintner’s Collective


NVLife_MayJune_2014
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